KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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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! Fri, Jun 12: Friendship Bracelet Night with Fireworks at Sahlen Field Buffalo Bisons vs. Syracuse Mets
Sat, Jun 13: Unearth a Story:
Adopt-a-Dino Scavenger Hunt!
Sat, Jun 13: Royal Princess Train at the Arcade & Attica Railroad
Sun, Jun 14: Camp
Kenan Open House - Bikes, Bows & Arrows
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
For 25 years, one of my core missions with KidsOutAndAbout has been to make invisible things visible, to celebrate what local communities offer families. Everyone is busy, and local treasures are easy to miss. Our job is to point, spotlight, nudge, and say Look here. Try this. Bring the kids. But there’s another kind of invisibility worth fixing:
The people who create these experiences rarely get to see their full impact. They track tickets sold and kids enrolled, but may never hear that your child talked about their field trip for six months, found courage on their stage, or simply felt welcome exactly when they needed it. That’s why our annual Top 20 Places to Take Kids survey matters. Each summer, we ask readers to vote for their favorite local places to take kids.
The results help families see what other families love. The ranking and comments help local organizations see that their work matters. So your three minutes becomes both a recommendation and a thank-you. The survey is simple: Click on your three favorite local destinations. Then also, optionally, nominate favorites in special categories—like arts, sports, and STEM education—and leave comments that we’ll pass along to the people who make these experiences
happen. So please click here to vote in the 2026 edition of the survey. Help families find the places they’ll love, and help the people behind those places know they’re making a difference. The survey will be open until June 20.
—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities
P.S. If you're interested, check out the 2025 list here to see who
won last year. |
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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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Fashion History & Sewing for Teens Design the past. Create the future. Calling all creative teens! At the Buffalo History Museum, campers explore how fashion tells America’s story - then design their own. Inspired by the GLAM-erica 250 exhibit and the museum’s textile archives, participants study historic garments and transform thrifted pieces into bold, modern designs. Perfect for beginners and aspiring designers alike, this camp blends creativity, sustainability, and storytelling into a meaningful, hands-on experience. Space is limited - join us for a week of style and self-expression! July 20–24, 2026 | 9 AM–3 PM Ages 12–17 | $495
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Join us at the Buffalo Zoo this summer for a wild camp experience designed for curious kids of all ages. With six themed sessions for ages 6–12 and our all-new Cub Camp for ages 4–6, there’s something for every camper to enjoy. The Zoo also offers single-day camps, a fun and flexible way to make the most of days off from school. All Buffalo Zoo camps feature unique themes and hands-on learning through animal exhibit visits, up-close animal encounters, crafts, art projects, nature play, and interactive activities that spark creativity and a love for wildlife.
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Junior History Buffs is a program at The Buffalo History Museum that engages children ages 4-11 in age-appropriate history lessons, songs, stories, crafts and games.
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Join us and our great partners at KeyBank for the start of a special three-day celebration of United States 250th birthday! Additional details are to be announced! This game will also feature $4 Craft Beers & Food Specials during the Resurgence Brewing Happy Hour (5-6:30p) and a postgame Fireworks Show!
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Visit our Botanical Gardens on select dates for a unique art-making experience inspired by the lush greenery and vibrant plant life of our conservatory. Through themed art activities, immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and textures of the Botanical Gardens while crafting your own botanical-inspired craft. Bring your imagination to life, all needed materials are provided. Join us for a relaxing, fun-filled day of art, nature, and creativity.
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Venture on an intimate guided tour of the Vernal Pool Trail and beyond to investigate the importance of this essential habitat to salamanders, dragonflies, native plants and much more.
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Join us for a special Spring Clean Up in honor of Tom Luby, who showed up every Saturday for 18 years—rain or shine—to care for the Central Terminal.
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Try orienteering, a great outdoor activity for the whole family! Get outside and enjoy one of our beautiful county parks while finding markers placed throughout the park.
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The Apple Blossom Festival celebrates spring each May. The festival has special events, hosting craft and food vendors, games, attractions and live music. The Village’s historical buildings are also open for members of the community to enjoy, with live demonstrations from historical society members. Free Parking & Free Admission!
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Pack up your kids and their friends and bring them to Gratwick Park for this monthly event! Kites of all shapes and sizes are flown to the delight of everyone. Pick up some tips and tricks and make plans to start flying kites with this fun group next time.
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The Friends of the Lancaster Public Library invite you to a chicken BBQ: 11:30 a.m. until sold out. Take out only. BW's Barbecue Chicken Dinner $17 (cash only). Location: Parking lot behind the library.
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- M&T Third Friday: Free Admission at the Buffalo History Museum! - M&T Bank - The Buffalo History Museum, Museum Court, Buffalo, NY, Friday, May 15, 2026, 10:00am-5:00pm
- Junior History Buffs - The Buffalo History Museum, Museum Court, Buffalo, NY, Friday, May 15, 2026, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
- FREE Trial Private
Dance Lessons - 5225 Sheridan Drive, Williamsville, NY 14221, Friday, May 15, 2026 - Sunday, May 17, 2026, Contact Miss Lexi for availability!
- Scavenger Hunt - Isaías González-Soto Branch Library (formerly Niagara Branch), 280 Porter Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14201, Friday, May 15, 2026 - Sunday, May 17,
2026, Library Open Hours - Mon 10-6, Tues 9-5, Wed 12-8, Thurs 10-6, Sat 10-6
- Guess How Many Contest! - Isaías González-Soto Branch Library (formerly Niagara Branch), 280 Porter Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14201, Friday, May 15, 2026 - Sunday, May 17, 2026, Open hours
- Take and Make Craft - Isaías González-Soto Branch Library (formerly Niagara Branch), 280 Porter Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14201, Friday, May 15, 2026 - Sunday, May 17, 2026, Open Hours
- Take and Make Craft - Isaías González-Soto Branch Library (formerly Niagara Branch), 280 Porter Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14201, Friday, May 15, 2026 - Sunday, May 17, 2026, Open Hours
- Free Community Art Classes - Locust Street Art, 138 Locust St, Buffalo, NY 14204,
Saturday, May 16, 2026, Tuesday and Thursday 3:30-6:30pm, Saturday 1-5pm
- Tune the Tale - Lackawanna Public Library, Ridge Road, Buffalo, NY, Saturday, May 16, 2026, 11:00 AM
- Comics and Illustration: Tech Arts for Girls (Spring) - Squeaky Wheel Film & Media Art Center, Main Street, Buffalo, NY, Saturday, May 16, 2026, 10:00AM
- Peaceful Playtime at the Central Library - Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, Lafayette Square, Buffalo, NY, Saturday, May 16, 2026, 3 - 4 pm
- free community craft swap - Angola's Taste of The Midway, 97 N Main St, Angola, NY 14006, Saturday, May 16, 2026,
12pm-4pm
- Rochester Indie Comics Expo (RICE) 2026 - Sibley Square, East Main Street, Rochester, NY, Saturday, May 16, 2026, 11:00AM - 4:00PM
- Opening Day for Blue Star Museums - Fenton History Center, 67 Washington Street, Jamestown, NY 14701, Saturday, May 16, 2026, 12:00pm
- Dungeons & Dragons: Underwood - Isaías González-Soto Branch Library (formerly Niagara Branch),
280 Porter Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14201, Saturday, May 16, 2026, 1:00PM-5:00PM
- Spring Clean Up in Honor of Tom Luby - Buffalo Central Terminal, 495 Paderewski Drive, Buffalo, NY 14212, Saturday, May 16, 2026, 10:00am
- Camp Weona Open House - Camp Clue Quest - YMCA Camp Weona, Poplar Tree Road, Gainesville, NY, Sunday, May 17, 2026, 1:00pm to 4:00pm
- Apple
Blossom Festival at the Newfane Country Village - Newfane Country Village, 2685 West Creek Road, Newfane, NY, Sunday, May 17, 2026, 10 AM - 4 PM
- 3rd Sunday Kite Fly at Gratwick Park - Great Lakes Kitefliers Society - 1200 River Road, N. Tonawanda, NY 14150, Sunday, May 17, 2026, 12
- 4 pm
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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