KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Sat, Feb 7: LEGO Contest at Isaias Gonzalez-Soto Branch Library Sat, Feb 14: The Winter Warriors at Old Fort Niagara
Sat, Feb 14: Winter Break: Arty Party Time! at Corning Museum of Glass
Sat, Feb 14: BPO Little Kids With the BPO Mon, Feb 16: 716 Days at the Aquarium of Niagara Mon, Feb 16: School's Out Engineering Camp (Grades K-5) at Buffalo Museum of Science Mon, Feb 16: Aviation Exploration February School Break Camp - EAST AMHERST at Stutelage Innovations
Mon, Feb 16: 2026 Polar Bear Days at the Buffalo Zoo
Fri, Feb 20: Kindergarten Readiness
Series at Parent Network of WNY
Sat, Feb 21: Get Outside This Winter: Orienteering at Cazenovia Park
Sun, Feb 22: Monster Jam Freestyle Mania at the Keybank Center Mon, Feb 23: FREE Kid's Theatre Classes by 2nd Generation Theatre Academy
at Isaias Gonzalez-Soto Branch Library
Wed, Feb 25: Online Japanese for Teens: Shopping & Travel at Japan Society
Fri, Feb 27: DIY Birdhouses at Niagara Falls State Park
Sat, Feb 28: Williamsville Soup Stroll at Garrison Park
Sat, Feb 28: Diary of a Wimpy Kid The Musical at TOY at Theatre of Youth (TOY)
Sun, Mar 1: K-Pop Demon Hunters Kids Rave at Buffalo Iron Works |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
Next week, my husband and I are heading to a Valentine's Evening behind-the-scenes tour of the Darwin Martin House in Buffalo, New York. It’s the same Frank Lloyd Wright museum we’ve visited
several times, but this version is fancily dressed for the holiday: candlelight, champagne, treats, and a fresh perspective on something familiar. That’s the real magic of Valentine’s Day: It’s one of those perfectly made-up holidays, constructed out of paper hearts, glitter, and good intentions... and it manages magically to transform our spaces, our schedules, and our spirits. As publisher, I've had a 25-year front row seat to communities
around the country who turn nothing into something every February. This year, visitors can say "I Love Thee" in a Victorian mansion in Riverside, CA while a re-enactor in a top hat explains the romantic origin of the Hershey’s Kiss. Frying Pan Farm Park in Virginia will
help kids say "I Love MOO!" with farm animal puns. The Oregon Rail Heritage Center invites everyone on a Valentine's
Express Steam Train ride that is more light-hearted than steamy. And next Saturday, biologists at the California Academy of Sciences will hand out heart-shaped valentines to their African penguins—who will then present them to their mates to help line their nests. Not
all Valentine’s Day celebrations require you to get out and about, though; just muster some creativity and apply it to stuff you already have lying around the house. Cut hearts from red paper and tape them to the door. Dress in scarlet or rose or salmon pink. Light a candle at dinner while you're eating heart-shaped cheese, toast, bacon, or lasagna (here are 25 fun recipes from Food Network). When you and your kids dress up your world together, you’re not just celebrating love, you’re celebrating creativity. And they're learning the life skill of transforming ordinary stuff around them into something special. It only takes one step beyond the good intention to make it so. Love can be grand, indeed. But it doesn’t have to be grand to be great.
—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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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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Walden Galleria’s Kids Club program is BACK…only it’s cooler this time! Winter Kids Club 2026 is a series of FREE events & activities during February break week, starting Monday, February 16th through Friday, February 20th. Kids and families can enjoy
FREE morning events with Nickel City Reptiles & Exotics, Urban Air, The LEGO Store, Regal Cinemas and more! Each child must be registered in advance for each event and must be accompanied by an adult. Events details & registration can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/winterkidsclubwg26
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Beat the winter blues at the Aquarium of Niagara and enjoy the lowest admission prices of the year. From Monday, February 16 through Friday, February 20, all admission is just $7.16. That's 70% off the price of standard adult admission! Tickets are
available both at the door and online, no promo code needed. Admission includes access to two buildings,180 species of aquatic animals, and a full schedule of daily presentations. The 716 Days discount is not combinable with other coupons or promotions. Book your visit today!
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Lace up your skates and come chill with us at the Ice presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield! Canalside's Snack Shack at The Ice is a perfect spot to grab a warm cup of hot cocoa and a quick bite to eat while enjoying a gorgeous winter day on the ice
with family and friends! Age 5 and Under: Free; Children and Military: $5.00; Age 13 and Up: $8.00. Skate Rentals: $6.00; Training walker: $2.00; Lockers available. Family Season Pass: $99.00.
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Composed to acknowledge an honorary degree despite not attending university, a mischievous Brahms penned the tongue-in-cheek Academic Festival Overture, featuring boisterous student drinking songs. Reinecke's Concerto in E minor spotlights the harp in a
virtuosic display of shimmering arpeggios and rhythmic optimism. The forced optimism of Symphony No. 5, glorifying Stalin's regime, proved both career- and lifesaving for Shostakovich.
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Get ready for high-flying fun as the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters make their victorious return to KeyBank Center! This is your chance to witness the world record-breaking, trick-shot stars of basketball LIVE as they bring their signature SPINS, DUNKS,
and SLAMS to the court, taking on their eternal rivals, the Washington Generals! This centennial season is a once-in-a-century celebration of 100 Years of jaw-dropping “No Way!” moves, 100 Years of “Wow!” moments, and 100 Years of basketball thrills. From gravity-defying dunks to game-changing tricks, fans will feel the history, the joy, and the fun that only the Globetrotters can deliver.
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A special Saturday morning session for our littlest listeners, age 0-5, with their caregivers. Join BPO musicians and community partners for fun musical activities designed specifically for tiny ears and growing minds.
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Join us as we wander Niagara Falls State Park, searching for the natural ice sculptures and formations that make this park a winter wonderland! Meet at the Education Center at Parking Lot 1 inside Niagara Falls State Park. Please arrive 10-15 minutes prior
to the start of the program. Programs are free.
Parking is limited and parking fees may apply.
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Get ready to make something that glows! In this fun class, you'll become a paper artist, using an assortment of colorful papers to design and build your very own decorative lantern. Take your beautiful, handmade lantern home with a free battery-powered
tea-light to illuminate your creation!
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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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Join us for annual Take Your Child to the Library Day! This year is an Eric Carle Theme.
We will have fun activities all day with a story time for all ages (most appropriate for 2-4 year olds) at 3pm with Librarian, Miss Christine.
All Day Fun:
Spin the wheel to win an Eric Carle sticker, pin-back 1" button, or bookmark!
Special Eric Carle Scavenger Hunt with fun prizes for kids who complete the hunt.
Make your very own Eric Carle-inspired Butterfly Craft!
Story Time is 3-3:45pm
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- Free Outdoor Ice Skating at Rotary Rink at Fountain Plaza - Rotary Rink at Fountain Plaza, Fountain Plaza, Buffalo, NY, February 6-8, varies, see below
- Glass Snow Family at Corning Museum of Glass - Corning Museum of Glass,
Museum Way, Corning, NY, February 6-8, 9 am - 5 pm
- Where Winter Waterfowl
Gather at Fort Niagara State Park - Fort Niagara State Park, Scott Avenue, Youngstown, NY, Friday, February 6, 12 - 1:30 pm
- AP Gorny: Different from the Rest - Buffalo & Erie County Public Library – Central Library, 1 Lafayette Square, Buffalo, NY, February 6-8, Central Library's hours
- Family Game Night at Great Escape Adventures - Great Escape Adventures, Walden Galleria, Buffalo, NY, February 6-8, varies,
see below
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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the Charlotte area! Use our Big List to help find the best one for your kiddos and check our events calendar to find Open Houses where you can meet teachers and tour the
schools.
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Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the Buffalo area? Escape rooms are interactive, puzzle-packed experiences where you and your team work together to solve clues and complete your mission-all before time runs out! Whether you're escaping a
spooky cabin, cracking a high-stakes heist, or breaking a magical curse, escape rooms offer exciting, screen-free fun for kids, teens, and adults.
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Winter is here and fun options for families just keep getting better! Whether you stick with what you love or decide to try something new, KidsOutAndAbout has plenty of ideas. From Ice skating, kid-friendly museums, indoor play centers, and outdoor
activities to thinking ahead to next year's school options - we've got you covered.
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Buffalo and WNY area. From Arcades to Ziplines our Big List will help you think outside the box and plan the party of your kids' dreams! KidsOutAndAbout has dozens of ideas!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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