KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Sun, Mar 29: Egg Hunt at Dick's House of Sport
Mon, Mar 30: Knee
High Naturalists: Mammals Alive! at Letchworth
Mon, Mar 30: FREE Kid's Theatre Classes by 2nd Generation Theatre Academy at Isaias Gonzalez-Soto Branch Library
Fri, Apr 3: Botanical Bunny Days at the Botanical Gardens
Sat, Apr 4: SEAster at the
Aquarium
Tue, Apr 7: April Break Camp with Just for Kids - Sweet Home Sat, Apr 11: Family ArtFest 2026 at The Broadway Market Sat, Apr 11: 4th annual recreational festival at Parent Network of WNY
Fri, Apr 17: An Evening with Frederick Douglass at The Buffalo History Museum
Sat, Apr 18: Family Workshop: Colorful Chemistry at Buffalo Museum of Science
Sat, Apr 18: From Line to Form Wire Sculptures (ages 11-14) at Burchfield Penney Art Center
Sun, Apr 19: 3rd Sunday Kite Fly at Gratwick Park Mon, Apr 20: Make a Joyful Noise at St. Mary School Swormville (East Amherst)
Thu, Apr 23: Spring Family Movie (rated PG) at Isaias Gonzalez-Soto Branch Library
Fri, Apr 24: Trading Card Night at Sahlen Field Buffalo Bisons vs. Columbus Clippers
Sat, Apr 25: NY ReLeaf Tree Expo
Sat, Apr 25: Big Night for Salamanders at Genesee Country Village & Museum
Sun, Apr 26: Healthy Kids Running Series
Mon, Jun 29: An Amazing Summer with Just for Kids: Sweet Home Summer Club |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: Before I had kids, one of my colleagues told me that fundamentally, a parent’s job is to point. At first, you point physically: You point at the waterfall and say “waterfall,” at the moon and say “moon,” at the flower and say “flower.” You’re helping a child connect sounds to objects, words to concepts, language to reality. But later, and really all the way through, the
pointing becomes more metaphorical. Parenting is the ongoing work of connecting your child’s growing capacity to understand with a world that is, to them, forever expanding. As I had Madison and Ella, I came to think of this as being a tour guide to the world. A good tour guide needs to know the landscape, of course. But even more important, a good tour guide needs to know the traveler. What can this particular child see right now? What are they ready for? What do they care
about? What frightens them? What delights them? It's useful to remember that kids haven’t actually been here before: The world is brand-new to them over and over again, so what feels ordinary to us is often astonishing to a child. Tour guides who are doing their job well pay close attention to who their audience is and what they know, and that makes the pointing easier and more fun. Spring is the perfect season to practice pointing. In spring, the world changes fast enough for
kids to notice. Buds swell and burst. Birds return. Tiny green things push up through the dirt as if by magic. Day to day, the world becomes visibly more alive. If we point it out, kids can catch it happening in real time. And spring does not arrive quietly. It comes as an avalanche of the senses: color, smell, birdsong, mud, wind, sunlight, thunder, petals, pollen, rushing water. So maybe that’s part of the job, too: not just to point, but to lean into it. To stand beside our
kids in the rush of it all and say, Look! Here it comes.
—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities
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KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more. If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes
from Deb" section of our site. |
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Looking for the perfect way to wrap up Spring Break week? Join Arts for Learning WNY on Saturday, April 11 from 10:00am to 1:00pm at the Broadway Market for Family ArtFest - a FREE, interactive celebration designed for families of children in Pre-K through
3rd grade. After a week away from school, this community festival offers one last memorable outing filled with hands-on art activities, live performances, music, and interactive fun. The first 200 families will also receive a special bag full of free goodies to remember the day and continue the fun at home - making it an even sweeter way to close out Spring Break together.
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Your Adventure Begins Now! Girl Scout Camp encourages you to explore the outdoors, try something new, and build skills that last a lifetime. Whether you’re discovering the wildlife in your own backyard, swimming in a lake for the first time,
or being a citizen scientist and observing bees in your neighborhood park, every outdoor adventure grows your “I’ve got this” attitude. And once you unlock that confidence, you’ll aim as high as the stars you see outside your cabin window. Head to https://www.gswny.org/en/camp-and-outdoors/summer_camp.html for the full list of 2026 programs.
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We’re so excited to welcome the Easter Bunny back to his springtime garden home at Walden Galleria! Families are invited to get their picture taken and visit with Mr. Peter Cottontail himself, located on the lower level near the Apple
Store. Whether you’re young or old at heart, the professional photographers from Cherry Hill will capture the magic of the moment, ensuring you have cherished memories to treasure for years to come. ALL families are encouraged to reserve a time slot here: https://whereisbunny.com/mall/0847
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Experience creativity, science, and real-world exploration in an immersive aquarium setting! At Aquarium of Niagara summer camps, children learn alongside live animals, explore behind-the-scenes spaces, and engage with the experts who care for animals every
day. Through a mix of indoor and outdoor experiences, they develop meaningful connections to animals, expand their understanding of the natural world, and discover how to preserve and protect aquatic life. Weekly camps run 7/6-8/28 and are designed for kids entering grades 1-6 in fall 2026.
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The golden egg is missing! You are detectives who must follow clues, solve puzzles, and complete challenges to find the egg before time runs out. Along the way, you will meet characters, unlock secrets, and earn rewards.
Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 4:00 PM
Registration begins
March 12.
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The greatest holiday in all of sports, join us for Opening Day at Sahlen Field! Along with the Opening Day fanfare, there will be a 2026 Magnetic Schedule Giveaway, compliments of Sahlen's, and a special pregame Happy Hour from 12-1pm with $4 Craft Beers
(12oz) at the Craft Beer Corner! | Presented By Sahlen's
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Drop-off the kids (ages 6-8) at Tifft for a night of fun with our staff! We’ll enjoy a pizza dinner, go for a night hike, make crafts, play games, and end with a nature-themed movie and fresh popcorn! Limited space.
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Enjoy sensory-friendly dino and paleontology activities in a calm atmosphere with limited exhibit sounds throughout the Museum.
A limited number of sensory backpacks including sound dampening headphones, visual communication cards, and fidgets will be available upon request, along with dedicated quiet areas on the 1st and 4th floors and balcony. Space is limited to the first 300 tickets reserved; pre-registration strongly encouraged.
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Join us for the Maple Festival at Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village, where family-friendly fun awaits! Enjoy a classic pancake breakfast featuring delicious pancakes, sausage, and fresh fruit, while exploring our Maple History Trail with guided tours.
Participate in engaging activities including maple syrup demonstrations, tree tapping, and syrup tastings. Kids can unleash their creativity at our coloring station and take part in a basket raffle for exciting prizes. We will have our classic pancake breakfast, a basket raffle, and so much more! With tickets starting at just $11 for children and free admission for those under three, this is the perfect outing for families to celebrate the sweet season together!
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Bring your own blanket, get cozy, and settle in for an afternoon of family fun! You’re welcome to bring your own snacks, and healthy options—including popcorn, fruit, and beverages—will also be available for purchase. All ages welcome (content appropriate
for children 5+). For more information about CAM Family Movie Day, discount codes, or to suggest films for future programming, please contact the Evan Wright at evanwright@niagara.edu
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The Botanical Bunny is hopping over to the Botanical Gardens this spring! Take in the sights and smells of our gorgeous blooming bulbs and say hello to the Botanical Bunny! All visitors on this day are welcome to take photos with our fuzzy friend. Also
included with admission on Botanical Bunny Days is a scavenger hunt for seasonal items hidden throughout the conservatory! Face painting will also be available for an additional cost.
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Ring in spring at the Buffalo Zoo on the Bunny Treat Trail. This family-friendly Easter celebration offers kids the chance to collect some goodies as they visit our indoor exhibits, get up-close with our animal ambassadors, meet the Easter Bunny, and more.
Ticket includes: Full day admission to the Zoo until 5pm, Goodies from our Treat Trail for kids ages 2-12, Photo opportunities with special characters, and more.
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Whether you’re a robotics enthusiast or just curious to learn more about robots, you’ll be inspired by the innovation and creativity on display at FLX REX (Finger Lakes Robotics Expo) at the Museum. Experience exciting robotics demonstrations, student-built
competition robots, and hands-on activities featuring robotics teams and technology from across the region.
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Our annual Egg Hunt on the farm is back, with an extra weekend too!! Enjoy all of your favorite farm activities as you search the farm to fill your carton with a dozen colored eggs, exchangeable for a prize at the end!
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The all-new 2026 Camp Invention® program, Spark, is coming to curious kids in your community this summer! Rising K-6 campers will collaborate with friends to tackle hands-on, open-ended challenges. They’ll team up with robotic capybaras, ride the waves of
entrepreneurship, uncover the power of protecting their ideas and build a DIY space rocket! Each experience is designed to spark confidence, build persistence and create unforgettable summer memories. Visit invent.org/save/camp to secure your spot! Register using CIFUN25 by 3/31 to save $25 or CIFUN20 by 4/28 to save $20 when you register. Interest-free payment plans are available, making camp affordable for all families.
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- Visit the Easter Bunny 2026 at Walden Galleria - One Walden Galleria, Buffalo, NY 14225, Friday, March 27 through Sunday, March 29, 2026, varies
- Celebrate Earth Day with the Meridian Waste Children's Coloring Contest - Submit your artwork online, Friday, March 27 through Sunday, March 29, 2026, Any time
- Glass Snow Family at Corning Museum of Glass - Museum Way, Corning, NY 14830, Friday, March 27 through Sunday, March 29, 2026, 9 am - 5 pm
- AP Gorny: Different from
the Rest - 1 Lafayette Square, Buffalo, NY, Friday, March 27 through Sunday, March 29, 2026, Central Library's hours
- Family Game Night at Great Escape Adventures - Walden Galleria, Buffalo, NY, Friday, March 27 and Saturday, March 28, 2026, varies, see below
- FREE Trial Private Dance Lessons - 5225 Sheridan Drive, Williamsville, NY 14221, Friday, March 27 through Sunday, March 29, 2026, Contact Miss Lexi for availability!
- Free Community Art Classes - 138 Locust St, Buffalo, NY 14204, Saturday, March 28, 2026, Tuesday and Thursday 3:30-6:30pm, Saturday 1-5pm
- Scavenger Hunt - 280 Porter Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14201, Friday, March 27 and Saturday, March 28, 2026, Library
Open Hours - Mon 10-6, Tues 9-5, Wed 12-8, Thurs 10-6, Sat 10-6
- Guess How Many Dum Dum Lollipops? - 280 Porter Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14201, Friday, March 27 and Saturday, March 28, 2026, Library Open Hours - Mon 10-6, Tues 9-5, Wed 12-8, Thurs 10-6, Sat 10-6
- Kids Crocheting at Anna Reinstein - 2580 Harlem Rd, Cheektowaga, NY 14225, Saturday, March 28, 2026, 10:30 - 11:30 am
- Pint-Sized Picassos at the
Central Library - Lafayette Square, Buffalo, NY, Saturday, March 28, 2026, 1:30 - 2:30 pm
- Family Board Game Day at Kenmore Library - Delaware Road, Kenmore, NY, Saturday, March 28, 2026, 9:30 am - 5 pm
- Tune the Tale - Ridge Road, Buffalo, NY, Saturday, March 28, 2026, 11:00 AM
- Egg Hunt at Dick's House of Sport - 4200 Ridge Lea Road, Buffalo, NY, Sunday, March 29, 2026, 11am
and 1pm
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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