KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Sat, Feb 28: Wizard of Oz- Saturday Morning Family Show at The
Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck
Sun, Mar 1: Pot O' Gold Scavenger Hunt at The Whaling Museum and Education
Center of Cold Spring Harbor
Sat, Mar 7: The Roslyn Co-Op Open House at The Roslyn Co-op Day School
Sun, Mar 8: Enchanted Winter Princess Party at The Roslyn, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Sat, Mar 14: CATS: The Musical at CM Performing Arts Center
Sun, Mar 15: Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical at CM Performing Arts Center
Fri, Mar 20: Native New York Goes Wild at Queens Zoo (Grades K - 5th)
Sat, Mar 21: DR. SEUSS’S THE CAT IN THE HAT – LIVE ON STAGE! at Kings Theatre - Brooklyn
Fri, Mar 27: SHEN YUN 2026 in New York City
Sat, Mar 28: Maple Open House Weekends at Various Maple Farms in the Area |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
For much of the country, it's been the hardest winter in recent memory: cold, monochrome, relentless. The kind of season that reminds us how little control we really have. We do our best to manage routines and moods and expectations, but parents feel it most. February stretches long and flat after the excitement of the holidays, before the lift of spring. You're still packing
lunches, wrangling homework, managing emotions (your kids’ and your own)... all while the cold keeps the family cooped up. This is the season of endurance. Of course, endurance isn’t about being stoic or silent or superhuman; it’s about continuing, even when things are hard. It’s about showing up for your people, your plans, and yourself, day after chilly day. And it’s about knowing that if you’re feeling the drag right now, you’re not alone. Many of us are moving through it
together. Even for those who don't live in Nature's Refrigerator,* February can still bring its own version of stuckness: that long stretch between holidays, where kids are restless and routines feel stale. Sometimes, by February, our gray matter feels just as gray as the weather. When that happens, help is allowed! Check out our article and outsource the brainstorming to KidsOutAndAbout: Stuck Inside This Winter? 20 Creative Indoor Activities for Kids is packed with creative, practical, low-effort ways to keep your family engaged (and sane) when outside play isn’t an option. And it shows you how to tap your favorite AI to be your thought partner to personalize it for your
family. February Gray doesn’t need to be conquered; it just needs to be lightened a bit. So whether you're "out and about" or "in and not at all about," we're here to brighten the rest of your winter!
—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build
Strong Communities
*Rochester, NY ☺️ |
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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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Mid-Winter Break Extended Hours at Urban Air Lake Grove
Mid-Winter Break is almost here, and Urban Air Lake Grove, Long Island’s premier indoor adventure park with 50,000 sq. ft. to run, jump, climb, and fly, is giving families more time to play with extended hours all week long:
Friday, February 13: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Saturday February 14 – Sunday February 15: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Monday February 16 – Saturday, February 21: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday, February 22: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Weekly Jumperoo sessions for children five and under are cancelled on February 19–20.
Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.urbanairlakegrove.com by selecting Buy Tickets.
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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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New York City has never bloomed like this. At The Orchid Show: Mr. Flower Fantastic’s Concrete Jungle, orchids collide with concrete in a dazzling reimagining of the Big Apple, from stoops and slice shops to the subway itself. Step into a breathtaking
fusion of nature and cityscape artistry in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, and experience the flair and style of New York transformed by thousands of flowers.
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Experience full-throttle family fun at Monster Jam®, where these 12,000-pound monster trucks tear up the dirt in intense competitions of speed and skill. Witness world-class drivers demonstrate technical skills in fierce head-to-head battles for the Event
Championship. You will be close to the action with many of your favorites like the legendary Grave Digger®, innovative Max-D, mighty Megalodon® and more, as they push the limits in Freestyle, Skills, Donut and Racing competitions. Monster Jam also features breathtaking Freestyle Motocross exhibitions. Unexpected. Unscripted. Unforgettable. This is Monster Jam.
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YMCA Camp Weona’s Winter Kids Camp Weekend is a cozy, adventure‑filled escape where kids can unplug, explore the snowy outdoors, and make new friends. From sledding and winter hikes to crafts and campfire fun, it blends classic camp magic with the
excitement of the season. It’s a perfect way for kids to stay active, build confidence, and enjoy a memorable winter getaway.
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Step into a vibrant winter festival and experience the season’s most enchanting sight: over 200 camellia varieties in full bloom! Long celebrated for their elegance and color, these stunning flowers offer the perfect escape from the winter blues. This
multi-sensory festival spans both the Main House and Camellia Greenhouse, with something for every visitor:
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This February Break, the Cradle invites families to explore how engineering shapes the world around us—from transportation and future cities to robotics and problem-solving in action. The museum is filled with hands-on activities, exhibits, films, and
family programs designed for curious minds of all ages.
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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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Join us for an engaging, nature-focused workshop designed to introduce young explorers to the remarkable birds that call Long Island home in the winter. Students will explore native winter birds, including loons, barred owls, and turkey vultures. They will
engage in hands-on activities to learn about the special adaptations that help these birds survive the winter. Afterward, we’ll head outdoors for a guided nature walk, led by Centre Island Bird Sanctuary, using interactive field guides to identify and count local bird species. We will end at the Bird Sanctuary, where students will become citizen scientists by collecting data for the Great Backyard Bird Count – a national project that helps track and protect bird populations!
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Scrimshaw has a surprising but strong patriotic story! In honor of America’s 250th, explore how American whalers used whalebone to show pride in our country’s liberty.
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Step into the world of landscape architecture and discover how designers shape the outdoor spaces we love. In this special youth workshop, participants will explore the work of renowned landscape architect firm Innocenti-Webel, whose visionary designs
combine beauty, function, and nature.
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- Hidden Hearts Scavenger Hunt - The Whaling Museum & Education Center of Cold Spring Harbor, 301 Main Street, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, Feb 13 - Feb 15, Gallery Hours 11AM - 4PM
- GVS'
Student Preview Day - 250 Valentines Ln, Old Brookville, NY 11545, Friday, 02/13/2026, 8:30AM
- Annual Camellia Festival at Planting Fields - Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park, 1395 Planting Fields Rd, Oyster Bay, New York 11771, Feb 14 - Feb 15, 10:00am –
4:00pm
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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the Long Island 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 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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