KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
If it weren’t for a Polish pastry, I might not exist. When my great-grandmother Karolina Stelmach was a teenager in a small village in Poland, she was told she’d be entering an arranged marriage. But her heart belonged to Sylvester Nowakowski. So she left... on her own, by boat... and made her way to America. She found work in a restaurant, where
she made her family’s signature dessert: chrusciki. One day, a “distinguished gentleman” insisted on meeting the pastry chef, and he offered her a better-paying job in his own kitchen. She took it, saved enough to bring Sylvester over, and they married. Which means if chrusciki didn’t exist, neither would I. Stories like this do more than entertain. According to psychologist Robyn Fivush, interviewed on a recent episode of the Hidden Brain podcast, they help kids develop
identity, resilience, and self-worth. The more children know about their family’s past—not just the “big” stories like crossing oceans, but even the day-to-day moments and struggles—the more connected and grounded they become. Fivush and her colleagues at Emory University found that kids who know more family stories have higher self-esteem, greater emotional understanding, and a stronger sense of meaning and purpose. But it’s not just the information that matters...it’s the telling. When we sit
down and share what came before, we help kids feel like they’re part of something bigger, and that they belong. No AI can replicate that. A chatbot can write a story, sure. But it can’t tell your kids how Grandma’s meatloaf could’ve doubled as a construction material, or how two little girls in the 1950s turned a couple of ice cream cones into a front-porch endurance contest. So this year, make a point of telling your kids about your family's shared history:
about mistakes, about perseverance, about love, about dessert. Connection doesn’t have to be complicated: Just pull up a chair, pass the cookies, and pass down the stories.
—Debra Ross, publisher
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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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Want to have some jumping fun? Book your party with Fun City Trampoline Park! At Fun City we do all the set-up and clean-up so you can relax and have fun. All Fun City parties include two large one-topping pizzas, ice cream, bottled water, socks, a private room, an enthusiastic party host, a full hour of unlimited attractions, a t-shirt for the birthday child and even a $5 arcade card for each jumper. Kids love our trampolines, games, rock climbing and foam pit. It’s a party the kids will never forget! Click here to book your party today!
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Join us for our first Homeschool Days of 2026 on January 16 or 30! During these Homeschool Days, participants will learn about what life was like for New Englanders during the cold, long days of winter. What food and drink warmed their souls, and what clothing kept them safe from the chill? How did they stay entertained, and what work was necessary during this time of year? Homeschool Days offer you and your family the opportunity to explore the Village and participate in hands-on activities. Sign up for a workshop or explore the Village on your own using one of our many self-guides and scavenger hunts, available at both Museum Education and the Visitor Center.
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In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and as part of the Fairfield Museum’s commemoration of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, families and friends of all ages are invited to participate in a day of service. Free admission.
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Honor Dr. King’s enduring legacy with a day of creativity and reflection through art-making, performances, tours, and more. Join textile artist Ed Johnetta Miller and use a variety of colors, shapes, and textures to design a card highlighting prominent civil rights leaders. Shades of Yale conducts an interactive children’s music workshop with a special recital by Dejavé Dance Company. Grab a complimentary bag of popcorn and stay for a free screening of We Are the Dream: The Kids of the Oakland MLK Oratorical Fest.
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It's Martin Luther King Jr. Day! Join us at the Apple Barrel Farm Market for a Stuff-A-Donut Workshop, the perfect way to keep kids busy on their day off from school! Kids will love decorating their own donut, choosing from a variety of delicious fillings, frostings, and toppings to create the ultimate sweet treat. Monday, January 19th | 10 AM
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We're goin' up, up, up to brunch! Step into the colorful, action-packed world of K-Pop, including K-Pop Demon Hunters at 1741 Pub & Grill's ultimate DJ Brunch! Sing your heart out as DJ Heartbeat spins all the iconic tracks, including the hit "Golden". Bring the whole family for a morning full of music, fun, and excitement!
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Celebrate all things squirrely and explore the lives of these clever critters. Play a squirrel game and compete for acorns! Squirrel Appreciation Day is just around the corner!! There’s more to this clever critter than meets the eye. Take a look into the lives of squirrels with Ranger Evelyn in this fun, family-friendly program. Take on the role of a squirrel in the game squirrel scramble and compete for acorns. Ages 5+
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Free admission all day! The Museum continues its partnership with the CT Center for Nonviolence (CTCN) to present a day of art-making, interactive music and dance performances, a poetry writing workshop, and guided gallery conversations focused on the theme "Choose Love." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said “Love is the greatest force in the universe. It is the heartbeat of the moral cosmos.” Join us for a series of programs on MLK Day centered on love and community.
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- Family Programs - Yale Peabody Museum - Yale Peabody Museum, 170 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT 06511, Friday, 01/16/2026 to Sunday, 01/18/2026, See website for specific program times
- Little Red Barn Live Music - Bishop's Orchards - Bishop's Orchards, 1355 Boston Post Road, Guilford, CT, Friday, 01/16/2026 - Saturday, 01/17/2026, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
- Find Your Favorite Apple Variety Tasting - Lyman Orchards - Lyman Orchards, 32 Reeds Gap Road, Middlefield,
CT 06455, Saturday, 01/17/2026 - Sunday, 01/18/2026, 11 AM - 3 PM
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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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EXPERIENCES create memories much more than stuff does. As you're considering gifts for family and friends, consider giving the gift of a family membership to one of our local attractions. Here are local organizations that offer memberships.
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Hartford 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 Hartford Kids, as voted by KidsOutAndAbout.com readers! Our Top 20 results page includes a list of your top picks, including winners in special categories like Favorite Arts Educator, Favorite Sports Educator, and Favorite STEM
Educator!
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Wishing you and your family health and happiness!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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