KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Fri, May 15: America’s 250th Celebration with Fireworks at Sahlen Field Buffalo Bisons vs. Worcester Red Sox
Sat, May 16: Vernal Pool and Wetlands Hike at Tifft Nature Preserve
Sat, May 16: Dino ROAR @ Stokoe Farms 2026 - special 20% off discount code
Sun, May 17: Butterfly Experience at the Botanical Gardens Fri, May 22: Butterfly Experience at the Botanical Gardens
Sat, May 23: Cosmic Adventure at the Museum
Sun, May 24: Season Opener Train Ride with the Return of Steam Engine #18 the Arcade & Attica Railroad
Sun, May 24: Opening Weekend at Olcott Beach
Carousel Park Mon, May 25: Season Opener Train Ride with the Return of Steam Engine #18 the Arcade & Attica Railroad
Thu, May 28: Elmo's Got The Moves at Artpark - Tickets On Sale Now
Sat, May 30: Butterfly Release at the Botanical Gardens
Sun, May 31: Men's Vintage Baseball Game Sat, Jun 6: SpringFest at Trillium Nature Center
Sat, Jun 6: Family Workshop: Dinosaur Deep Dive
Sun, Jun 7: Come Enjoy The Day at Backyard Barnyard!
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: There’s a sign on the New York State Thruway heading west that marks 70 miles to Rochester, 130 miles to Buffalo. For Western New Yorkers driving home from New England or New York City, that marker elicits both a sigh of relief and a groan: You’re close, especially relative to where you started. But in that final stretch, each mile is somehow psychologically
longer. Over the years, this became a useful metaphor in my family: You're pushing through to the end of a project, you'd love to see the finish line, but the murky distance between you and that goal is in your way. "Ugh, it's those last 70 miles," one of us will say to the person suffering, and we'll all nod sympathetically. At this time of year, families with kids in school are experiencing those last 70 miles: The end of the school year is in sight, yet
not quite here. The energy reserves are low, and the end point seems stuck in the distance. We feel like we’re sprinting but not getting closer fast enough. As in any journey, that’s precisely when it’s worth keeping in mind that these last miles may feel long, but they’re also the most meaningful: They become the lens through which we look back at the whole experience, so these final steps really count. Remembering this can provide the last surge of energy to press
forward. So whatever final 70 miles you and your kids are facing, remind yourself and the people traveling with you that if you put your best self into it now, the rewards will feel sweeter, and the memories of success will help fuel you next time. You’re on the last leg. You're almost there. And you have lots of company.
—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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Experience the thrill of a real safari right in the heart of Western New York at Hidden Valley Animal Adventure in Varysburg, New York. You’ll come face-to-face with majestic wildlife from around the world. From towering bison and graceful elk to camels, zebras and other exotic species, Hidden Valley offers a one-of-a-kind day trip that blends excitement, discovery, and the joy of connecting with wildlife hands-on. Take a guided safari bus or self-drive thru tour of the 63-acre park and include a visit to the Small Animal Adventure petting zoo. Perfect for all ages, the adventure is closer than you think! Check hours and order tickets online.
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Show the moms, hard-working teachers, and any other loved one in your life just how much they mean to you with a beautiful arrangement planted by their favorite people! Teacher Appreciation options will be available alongside the Mother's Day Pick-a-Pot Toddler & Me Event. For $15, you can choose a 4-6" size pot and plant an arrangement of different annuals, complete with a decorative pick and note card. Stop by anytime between 9:30am-4:00pm, Monday, May 4th - Friday, May 8th, and let the planting fun begin! *All ages are welcome. Registration is NOT required for this event*
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Celebrate Mom… with a relaxing ride on the Rails! A delicious brunch by Catered Creations at Curriers Station! Limited Seating Is Available.
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Join the AKG for a fun-filled Saturday of creative art-making! The museum is hosting a special Family Open Studio Day from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. It's the perfect opportunity for artists of all ages to get hands-on and express their creativity together, so bring the whole family! Please check in at the Visitors Services Desk upon arrival to pay and pick up your studio check-in receipt, then get ready to begin your art adventure!
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One of our favorite events, benefiting Operation Children of the Military and the WNY Heroes! Bring Mom, Grandma, and the whole family out to come enjoy the farm! We have plenty of our own moms, with baby goats, sheep, chicks, bunnies, and many other moms and babies running around the farm this time of year! This event is volunteer supported, and proceeds go to charity. Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended, tickets available at the door while capacity permits.
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It's amazing what you can learn from an owl's vomit! Investigate the contents of a unique owl pellet! Piece together bones, learn about owl hunting habits, and discover some special pieces of the museum's collecting in this all ages workshop!
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Welcome Hawk Creek's newest ambassadors, the rare New Guinea Singing Dogs, for their public debut at Wild Earth Day, to be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, and Saturday, May 9!
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Warblers, Orioles, Hummingbirds, Oh My! We’ll search the Preserve for Spring migrants and then relax and enjoy hot herbal teas and pastries while overlooking beautiful Lake Kirsty. Ages 5+ Advance registration required. $15 per person. BMS Members save 10%.
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Oh no, Corduroy’s button has gone missing, and he can’t go home with kindhearted Lisa without it! Join the beloved teddy bear as he takes a rollicking ride up the escalator and begins a delightfully destructive romp through every section of the department store. Will he find his button at the top of a teetering store display? Will Lisa ever get to bring him home, or will the bumbling security guard catch him first? Where, oh where, is Corduroy’s BUTTON? Recommended Ages: 3 and up. Show Run-Time is 60-Minutes, plus our post-show 10-minute talk-back. **Sensory-Friendly Performance is Sunday, May 3 at 10AM. To purchase tickets for this performance, click the link below and use code: SENSORY25
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- Free Community Art Classes - Locust Street Art, 138 Locust St, Buffalo, NY 14204, Tuesday and Thursday 3:30-6:30pm, Saturday 1-5pm, 05/05/2026-05/09/2026
- Scavenger Hunt - Isaías González-Soto Branch Library, 280 Porter Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14201, Library Open Hours - Mon 10-6, Tues 9-5, Wed 12-8, Thurs 10-6, Sat 10-6, 05/05/2026-05/07/2026
- Guess How Many Contest! - Isaías González-Soto Branch Library, 280 Porter Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14201, Open hours, 05/05/2026-05/07/2026
- Doggone Fun at the Library - Aurora Town Public Library, 550 Main Street, East Aurora, NY 14052, 10:30AM - 2:00PM, 05/09/2026
- Tune the Tale - Lackawanna Public Library, Ridge Road, Buffalo, NY, 11:00 AM, 05/09/2026
- Comics and Illustration: Tech Arts for
Girls (Spring) - Squeaky Wheel Film & Media Art Center, Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 10:00AM, 05/09/2026
- Peaceful Playtime at the Central Library - Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, Lafayette Square, Buffalo, NY, 3 - 4 pm, 05/09/2026
- M.E.L. Growing Positive Mental Health read aloud & meet and greet - Nickel City Electric, Hinman Avenue, Buffalo, NY, 11:00am, 05/09/2026
- Mother's Day Special at Green Acres Ice Cream - Broadway Driving Range & Miniature Golf AND Green Acres Ice Cream, 4367 Broadway, Depew, NY 14043, 10am- dark, 05/10/2026
- FREE Trial Private Dance Lessons - 5225 Sheridan Drive,
Williamsville, NY 14221, Contact Miss Lexi for availability!, 05/10/2026
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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