KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
The February my daughter Ella was 1, she caught a cold that lingered for months. There were short stretches of relief, but mostly there was congestion, disrupted sleep, and a level of crankiness that turned my sunny baby into someone I barely recognized. The clouds around her felt constant, and one day, I caught myself labeling her in my head as “the crabby one.” But of course,
if I had a perpetually runny nose and no way to manage it, I’d be irritable, too! I needed to remember this wasn’t her personality, it was a season. What we needed to get through it was distraction: something fun to do "right now" and also fun things to anticipate. Aside from those who live in paradise pockets like San Diego, most of our readers are in the thick of a particularly dreary winter. The world feels heavy and gray, energy runs low, and
it’s easy to fixate on how dispirited we feel. But we need to remember that this isn't our personality, it's a season. What we need to get through it is distraction in the moment and also something positive we can place on our horizon. My family is counting down to the March 20 release of Project Hail
Mary, which stars Ryan Gosling. The movie is based on the novel by Andy Weir, who also wrote The Martian. You don't have to be a science nerd to love Weir's books (although science nerds DO love Weir's
books), because in all of them, the real hero is human ingenuity—curiosity, flexible thinking, doing what needs to be done even in extreme circumstances. When things are going awry, the answer isn’t despair, it’s problem-solving, and I always emerge from a Weir book feeling spiritually lighter. While I immerse myself in Weir and Gosling, you, of course, should do YOU! Let the art or sport that grabs you and your kids be your launch ticket to optimism now, and lift you to fun
in the future. We're glad to provide the fuel!
—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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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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Rotary Rink at Fountain Plaza in Buffalo is a free and open-to-the-public outside ice rink in Downtown Buffalo. The rink allows all members of the community to enjoy free ice skating throughout the winter season. Ice skate rental is available for $2 for
children and $3 for adults. Skate rentals end 30 minutes before closing. Snacks and beverages are available for purchase at the Rotary Rink concession stand. Profits from concession sales support the rink’s operation. Rotary Rink is weather dependent. If the air temperature reaches 45 degrees, please call (716) 854-RINK or (716) 856-3150 to check the rink’s status before you come Downtown to skate.
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Kids can learn 6 basic crochet stitches. For children with their adults. The fourth Saturday of the month at 10:30am from September - May, not on holidays. Please call 716-892-8089 or register in person at 2580 Harlem Rd Cheektowaga, NY 14225.
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Middle school, ugh. It’s the worst. But Greg is determined not to be at the bottom of the popularity chart. He’ll leave that to his weird neighbor, Fregley. Or maybe Greg’s best friend, Rowley Jefferson. But it’s not going to be Greg…no way. Jeff Kinney’s
popular character takes center stage as Greg’s cartoon diary becomes a hilarious and heartfelt musical. Will Greg’s plans to become popular lead him to sacrifice his one true friend? Can anyone avoid the dreaded Cheese Touch? Grab a hall pass and don’t be late for an adventure familiar to anyone who actually survived middle school. Recommended Ages: 8 and up. Show Run-Time is 60-Minutes, plus our post-show 10-minute talk-back. **Sensory-Friendly Performance is Sunday, March 1 at 10AM. To
purchase tickets for this performance, click the link below and use code: SENSORY25
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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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Ever wondered what it will take for astronauts to travel to the Moon, Mars and beyond? On this long journey, what challenges will astronauts face? How will they stay motivated and healthy on their spacecraft so far away from Earth? This immersive
planetarium movie explores these questions and more. This program contains immersive visual effects that may cause disorientation or motion sickness in sensitive individuals.
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Drop-in with your young naturalist for an INDOOR playtime in our Early Childhood Classroom overlooking beautiful Lake Kirsty! Children can freeplay with blocks, clay, paint, and more while adults sit and enjoy hot coffee or herbal tea.
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Soup Stroll returns for its 10th year with even more to enjoy. This beloved winter event invites attendees to stroll the Village of Williamsville, sampling soups from a wide range of local restaurants and partner locations, all for a great cause. New this
year are added family-friendly activities including live music, face painting, and a student T-shirt design contest with Williamsville Schools, with the winning design featured on event merchandise. Cups of soup are just $2, with proceeds benefiting FeedMore WNY/Trinity Food Bank and Sleep in Heavenly Peace.
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Learn the process of maple sugaring from sap to syrup. Morning walks at 10:00am discuss the history of maple sugaring, maple tree identification and wildlife of the sugar bush. To learn how present-day maple syrup is made, the sugar house will be open from
10:00am-12:30pm and even some samples! Meet at the Humphrey Nature Center.
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K-Pop Demon Ravers is a dance party celebrating the soundtrack from K-Pop Demon Hunters through soundtrack inspired remixes + familiar pop anthems from the movie. Costumes encouraged! Brought to you by @thekawaiirave and VNK Entertainment.
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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in WNY is back! You can search by date, age, or categories like day/overnight, sports, drama, music, theatre, arts & crafts, technology, robotics, horseback riding, preschool, & more. Our guide puts
summer fun right at your fingertips!
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- Free Outdoor Ice Skating at Rotary Rink at Fountain Plaza - Fountain Plaza, Buffalo, NY, Friday, February 27, 2026, varies
- Glass Snow Family at Corning Museum of Glass - Museum Way, Corning, NY 14830, Friday, February 27 through Sunday, March 1, 2026, 9 am - 5 pm
- (Waitlist Now Available) DIY Birdhouses at Niagara Falls State Park - 332 Prospect St, Niagara Falls, NY 14303, Friday, February 27, 2026, 5:30 pm
- Family Game Night at Great Escape Adventures - Walden Galleria, Buffalo, NY, Friday, February 27 and Saturday, February 28,
2026, varies
- AP Gorny: Different from the Rest - 1 Lafayette
Square, Buffalo, NY, Friday, February 27 through Sunday, March 1, 2026, Central Library's hours
- Free Community Art Classes - 138 Locust St, Buffalo, NY 14204, Saturday, February 28, 2026, Tuesday and Thursday 3:30-6:30pm, Saturday 1-5pm
- Pint-Sized Picassos at the Central Library - Lafayette Square, Buffalo, NY, Saturday, February 28, 2026, 1:30 - 2:30 pm
- Family Board Game Day at Kenmore Library - Delaware Road, Kenmore, NY, Saturday, February 28, 2026, 9:30 am - 5 pm
- LEGO Contest - 280 Porter Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14201, Saturday, February 28, 2026, Library open hours- Mon 10-6, Tues 9-5, Wed 12-8, Thurs 10-6, Sat 10-6
- Spanish-English Bilingual Story Time - ¡Familia! / Family! - 280 Porter Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14201, Saturday, February 28, 2026, 11:00AM-12:00PM
- Scavenger Hunt - 280 Porter Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14201, Saturday, February 28, 2026, Library Open Hours - Mon 10-6, Tues 9-5, Wed 12-8, Thurs 10-6, Sat 10-6
- Light Up the Court for Next Play - Mineral Springs Road, West Seneca, NY, Saturday, February 28, 2026, 5:00PM-8:00PM
- Tune the Tale - Ridge Road, Buffalo, NY, Saturday, February 28, 2026, 11:00 AM
- Teen Haunt - Ridge Road, Buffalo, NY, Saturday, February 28, 2026, 1:00 PM
- 1st Sunday Kite Fly at Gratwick Park - 1200 River Road, N. Tonawanda, NY 14150, Sunday, March 1, 2026, 12 - 4 pm
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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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