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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Give your child a true Waldorf Experience this summer -- Immersive time in nature, imaginative play, and a gentle, summer rhythm that nourishes children's head, heart and hands. This summer we will move, explore, be creative and have fun both in nature as
well as indoors! Each day will include ample time in nature, movement opportunities both indoors and out, a nutritious and organic snack and time for creativity and play. Each week will have a different craft project that the children will be working on.Weekly Activities include building, gardening, cooking, puppetry, watercolor painting, crafts, circle games, drumming and plenty of free play. A flowing gentle rhythm will guide the children through the day. The day will end with story time and
lunch (brought from home). A homemade, organic snack is included daily. Our extended-care program includes an afternoon nap, snack and free play.
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Save 15% with our Early Bird Special! Registration is now open for Darien Arts Center summer camps, offering children and teens the chance to explore dance, visual arts, music, and theater in a supportive and inspiring environment. With programs for
all ages and experience levels, campers build skills, confidence, and friendships while learning from professional instructors. Highlights include dynamic dance camps, visual arts camps, an immersive acting camp, and individualized music instruction. The 15% discount applies to Dance Academy camps and Visual Arts camps through March 15th, and space is limited. Register today at darienarts.org.
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Give your child an unforgettable summer at the Temple Sholom Selma Maisel Nursery School! Rising 2’s, 3’s, 4’s and Kindergarteners will enjoy a variety of outdoor activities such as water play, nature scavenger hunts, bubble shows, Olympic games and
imaginative play on the multi-level playground. Indoor summer favorites include STEAM, music, art, gymnastics, interactive learning in the Animal Discovery Room, and Shabbat with Temple Sholom’s clergy. Led by experienced and professional teachers and staff, summer sessions are offered as five, two-week sessions from June 9 through August 14 at Temple Sholom (300 East Putnam Avenue, Greenwich, CT). To learn more, contact 203-622-8121 or david.cohen@templesholom.com.
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Experience the beauty and solitude of the lower Connecticut River during this wonderful time of year! It is so different than it is any other time of the year. There are no other vessels on the water, and with no leaves on the trees, our wildlife viewing is
easy and fun. RiverQuest has a heated cabin, but we suggest that you dress in warm layers since the best views will be from the open decks. Don’t forget your camera and binoculars! …No binoculars? No worries, we have plenty on board for you to borrow! We will also provide complimentary coffee and tea.
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Parents and young children, please join us on Saturday, February 28th, at noon for a special story time with children's author Valerie Bolling. Ms. Bolling will read two of her wonderful stories: "I See Color" and "A Flea for Justice." We hope to see you
there!
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The popular annual Cabin Fever Charity Chowder Cook Off returns to Olde Mistick Village on Saturday, February 28th, 2026 from 12:00 to 4:00 pm
Olde Mistick Village will once again host its signature annual charity event, the 20th annual Cabin Fever Charity Chowder Cook-Off. It will take place on Saturday, February 28, from 12 noon to 4pm. Awards and check presentation ceremony will be at 5pm. This four-hour event will bring nearly10,000 patrons to Olde Mistick Village where they will enjoy dozens of delicious, savory, and hearty chowders from many local restaurants and eateries. Over 26,000
cups of chowder will be served!
All proceeds for this event benefit Always Home, a non-profit agency dedicated to preventing family homelessness throughout Southeastern CT. For the past 25 years, Always Home has provided case management services and emergency housing assistance to local families with minor children that are at risk of becoming homeless. Each year Always Home assists over 400…
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Get ready to make a splash!
Join us on Saturday, February 28th at the Madison Surf Club for a refreshingly bold start to your weekend! We’re thrilled to celebrate the 4th Annual Frosty Shamrocks Plunge for the Parade—a chilly, cheerful tradition that helps support the Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Whether you’re gearing up to take the plunge or planning to cheer loudly from the shore, we can’t wait to have you with us! Participation is just $35, and plungers can
boost their contribution by rallying family and friends to sponsor their brave (and slightly frosty) leap. Let’s make a splash for the Parade!
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On the first Sunday of the month, we host a bird-on-glove demonstration where you can learn all about some of our magnificent raptors. Naturalists will discuss the animals’ traits, behaviors, and unique characteristics while the birds interact with their
handlers.
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Journey out onto Long Island Sound in hopes of seeing some of the seals and waterfowl that spend the winter just off our shores during our Seal-Spotting & Birding Cruises. These invigorating two-hour cruises seek out some of the harbor seals and gray
seals that come into the Sound each winter. Aquarium educators will point out these federally protected marine mammals and talk about their natural histories. They’ll also help identify such winter waterfowl as buffleheads, mergansers and long-tailed ducks.
Passengers must be over 42 inches tall and if under 18 accompanied by an adult.
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Who’s been by? Could it be a bobcat? A skunk? Learn the clues to animal tracking, and meet some of our resident animals who don’t mind a chilly day. Stay warm and cozy by the fire for s’mores at the very 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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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the Fairfield County area 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! Teen Night at the YMCA of Greenwich - YMCA of Greenwich - YMCA of
Greenwich, Greenwich, CT, 02/27/2026, 6:00 p.m.
- Little Red Bar[n] Live Music at Bishop's Orchards - 1355 Boston Post Road, Guilford, CT, 02/27/2026 - 02/28/2026, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
- Family Programs at Yale Peabody Museum - Yale Peabody Museum, 170 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT, 02/28/2026, See website for specific program times
- First AMI Montessori
Infant Program - Willow Tree Montessori - Willow Tree Montessori, 02/27/2026 - 02/28/2026, 8:30 - 3:30pm
- Open Day at New Pond
Farm Education Center - New Pond Farm Education Center, 101 Marchant Road, Redding, CT, 02/28/2026, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- Take or Make Craft at Southbury Public Library - Southbury Public Library - Southbury Library, Poverty Road, Southbury, CT, 02/28/2026, All
day
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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the Fairfield County 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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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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Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the Fairfield COunty 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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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Fairfield County 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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2025's Top 20 Places to Take Fairfield County Kids: Once again, our readers have spoken! Thousands of parents voted in the KidsOutAndAbout survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids. Our Top 20 results page includes a list of your top picks, including winners
in special categories like favorite spot for indoor play, favorite nature center, favorite museum, and much more!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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