KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Sat, Feb 7: EJ's-Pj's: Crafts in Pajamas at Walt Whitman Birthplace Association
Sun, Feb 8: Orchestra Lumos Small Space Series: The Cellos of Lumos at Orchestra Lumos (Formerly Stamford Symphony)
Fri, Feb 13: Teens on Stage presents Water for Elephants at The Center
for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck
Sat, Feb 14: Monster Jam at UBS Arena
Sat, Feb 14: Amazing Animals Week at CSTL - The Center for Science Teaching and Learning
Sat, Feb 14: Annual Camellia Festival at Planting Fields
Sat, Feb 14: Sweetheart Saturday at The Whaling Museum and Education Center of Cold Spring Harbor
Tue, Feb 17: School’s Out, We’re Open! February Vacation Arts is Just Around the Corner at Gold Coast Arts Center
Fri, Feb 20: February Break at the Cradle of Aviation
Sat, Feb 28: Wizard of Oz- Saturday Morning Family Show at The Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck
Fri, Mar 13: Pot O' Gold Scavenger Hunt at The Whaling Museum and Education Center of Cold Spring Harbor
Sun, Mar 15: Puppet Festival Mississauga at Crane Creations Theatre Company
Sat, Mar 21: Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical - CM Children's Theatre |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
My first job out of college was as the managing editor at a small medical publishing company in New York City. I worked alongside Steve, our associate editor. My strength was structure and rhythm; his was medical accuracy and detail. We made a good team. One day, Steve walked into my office waving some printed pages. “Deb, can you do that
thing you do, so I can check out the science?” “What thing?” I asked. “You know,” he said, “that magic you work where the writing comes in muddy and you turn it into something clear, logical, and even fun to read.” I’ve never forgotten that moment. Not just because it felt great to be seen, but because of what it taught me about leadership. We’re surrounded by people with unique strengths. As parents, friends, or leaders, one of the most
powerful things we can do is notice those strengths and say them out loud. When we do, people rise. Kids rise. They lean into what they’re good at, and their futures get brighter. It’s not magic—it’s just the natural result of being seen and valued—but it feels like it. Over the years, as I raised kids, built a business team, and worked within various communities, I kept returning to that lesson: Leadership isn’t about having a title, it’s about paying attention.
You can’t run a family or a business unless you know who you’re with and what makes them shine. And once you start validating others (“You know that thing you do? Please do that!”) you become a leader. Even if you're just leading someone to be more themselves. So today, find a reason to start a conversation: “You know that thing you do?...” You won't see it right away, but trust me: Their horizon will glow.
—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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YMCA Preschool Open Enrollment for 2026-2027 School Year!
The YMCA of Long Island's Early Childhood/Preschool Programs are committed to providing a safe, supportive learning environment for young children to learn, grow and develop social skills. Our teachers create a warm and loving atmosphere while offering a developmentally-appropriate, engaging curriculum, where children can play, discover and learn.
Age range: 18 months* - 4 years old.
*Please check your local branch as ages vary per location.
Learn more and register at: ymcali.org/childcare
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A FUN-FILLED ADVENTURE!
Join Mickey Mouse and his Disney friends on adventures filled with
world-class skating, high-flying acrobatics, and unexpected stunts! Sail away with Moana and Maui as they bravely return the stolen heart of Te Fiti. Follow Miguel’s journey through the Land
of the Dead to unlock his family’s history. Sing along with Aladdin, Genie, and Jasmine as
their adventure takes them to a whole new world. Say “Howdy, partner!” to Woody and his friends and
see the Green Army Men fly through the air. See Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, and Olaf
live on ice like never before.
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The Cradle of Aviation Museum and the Tony Award–winning Broadway musical Operation Mincemeat team up for a WWII-style codebreaking scavenger hunt through the galleries. Recruits will search for nine hidden briefcases, collect the letters, crack the secret
code, and report to the Museum Store to claim a reward and be entered for a chance to win a pair of tickets to Operation Mincemeat.
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Parks are for everyone – even our littlest learners! Join us for Little Learners, a fun, hands-on program designed for children ages 2 – 5 and their grown-ups. Each session introduces a new theme with nature stories, creative crafts, and outdoor
play—perfect for making special memories together in the gardens and grounds of Planting Fields! Whether you join us for one class or the whole season, each visit offers something new to explore.
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Pinkalicious can’t stop eating pink cupcakes despite warnings from her parents. Her pink indulgence lands her at the doctor’s office with Pinkititis, an affliction that turns her pink from head to toe – a dream come true for this pink loving enthusiast. But
when her hue goes too far, only Pinkalicious can figure out how to get out of this predicament.
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Celebrate the New Year Japanese-style at our Oshogatsu event that’s filled with fun for the whole family! After watching a riveting Japanese taiko drum performance, kids are invited on stage for a hands-on drum mini-workshop. Families can then welcome the
New Year with exciting and traditional activities like New Year’s calligraphy, lion dancing and other New Year’s-themed crafts. With such wonderful activities for the whole family, you are sure to ring in the New Year with great joy!
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Come cheer on the Islanders!
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Terrapin Station Entertainment and TEG Life Like Touring, in association with Universal Destinations and Experiences, present Gabby's Dollhouse Live! Presented by Walmart, a brand-new stage show inspired by the magical world of the global preschool
sensation from DreamWorks Animation.
In this a-MEOW-zing musical show, Gabby unboxes a special acorn that needs the magical touch of a rainbow to grow. But when CatRat causes a color cat-astrophe and breaks the rainbow, Gabby and the Gabby Cats must find the colors again to set things right.
Gabby, Pandy Paws and friends travel to the Cat-O-Sphere, Mermaid-Lantis and some favorite Dollhouse locations in search of the colors that will make rebuilding the rainbow, possible. Gabby’s Dollhouse Live! Presented by Walmart brings to life an exciting original story featuring incredible puppets, dynamic staging, a talented live show cast of singer-actor-puppeteers and songs from the beloved series, including “Hey Gabby”, “You Can’t Spell
Meow…
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Join us for a day of wintry wonder for kids of all ages. Explore the icy secrets of the polar seas and discover why the ocean’s coldest corners are bursting with surprises! Create frosty crafts, launch into action in our Catapult Lab, “tag” arctic creatures
in our playful polar fishing, and enjoy frosty face paint. Special appearance by Elsa - strike a royal icy pose! Your ticket includes all activities.
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Celebrate the New Year with family & friends! It’s time to share fun, quality creative time making unique ceramics pieces together.
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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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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 on Long Island? 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 Long Island 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 Kids in the Long Island Area, as voted by thousands of parents! Our Top 20 results page includes a list of your top picks, including winners in special categories like Top Arts Educator, Top Sports Educator, and Top STEM
Educator!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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