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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This Valentine’s Day, the entire family is invited to Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center for the Arts for a not-to-miss musical event! Peppa Pig, along with Mummy Pig, Daddy Pig, George and new baby sister Evie join professional musicians on stage for PEPPA PIG: MY FIRST CONCERT, a fun, interactive introduction to a live orchestra for ages 18 months and older. Join Peppa and George to learn all about the different sounds that instruments make together! Enjoy some of your favorite music from the show played by a live orchestra and discover some other exciting orchestral pieces perfect for children. Plus, some little piggies can join Peppa and her family to make music of their own!
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Recharge your winter wonder with luminous artworks that will surprise and delight the whole family—paint with light and shadow, soak in colors, and play with exhibit prototypes in the Light Lab. Don’t miss Glow, our seasonal exhibition that celebrates the art and science of light! To make the weekend extra special, join us for even more dazzling programs including Storytime Science and other light-related activities.
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Every Thursday, storytime for kids will be held outside (weather permitting) at the big log in front of Copperfield’s Books.
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This fast paced lap-sit program for little ones and their caregivers includes songs, nursery rhymes, knee-bounces, and movement to help develop important pre-literacy skills. This class is appropriate for infants through 2 years old.
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Inspired by the science of light, IlluminOdyssey is an immersive, interactive installation that will mesmerize kids and adults of all ages*. CuriOdyssey’s four-level Redwood Hall will transform into a glowing forest of science—light your way through a maze of luminous botanical geometry, play with rainbow refraction and swirling projections, paint with light on phosphorescent surfaces, and dance with your shadow. Explore the physical properties of light, such as photoluminescence, color, additive light mixing, waves, fluorescence, fluid dynamics, subtractive color mixing, and refraction. Returning for its seventh year, IlluminOdyssey is a fan-favorite for the whole family, and is free with admission or membership. CuriOdyssey’s hands-on approach to science education influences every facet of this exhibition. IlluminOdyssey's interactive glowing exhibits awaken kids’ curiosity, build critical thinking skills, and inspire an interest in science and the natural world. As a…
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The Napa Lighted Art Festival is a celebration of creative arts, technology, lights, and supports innovative techniques using light and light technologies as a growing art medium. This walkable outdoor experience is FREE in Downtown Napa. Additional community add on events include the Lantern Parade and Artist Meet & Greets.
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Join us every third Saturday of the month for a fun art project with a talented Seymour volunteer!
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Join the Randall Museum’s resident birding guide for a bird walk on Corona Hill. This is a moderate/strenuous hike that includes a large staircase and some rocky terrain. Bring your own Binoculars. (BYOB!) Meet at 8 am at 199 Museum Way in the Randall Museum parking lot just before the curved entrance gate. Muni 37 Corbett line stops 2 blocks away for those using public transportation.
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Geared for a mix of ages, we invite families to participate as we read stories, sing songs, do fingerplays and more during this 20-30 minute program.
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Join Cherelle and the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade on Monday, January 19, 2026. Building Community, Uniting a Nation the Nonviolent Way," and pledge to embody the enduring spirit of Dr. King's mission.
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- Toddler Plus Storytime - Main Library - Children's Department (see site for address) - Friday, January 16, 2026, 10:30am
- Family Storytime - Alameda Free Library - West End Library, 788 Santa Clara Avenue, Alameda, CA 94501 - Saturday, January 17, 2026, 10:30am
- Family Storytime - Main Library -
Children's Department (see site for address) - Saturday, January 17, 2026, 10:30am
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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 in and around the Bay Area. Here are local organizations that offer
memberships.
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There are lots of places to have a birthday party in the San Francisco area! Start thinking outside the box! KidsOutAndAbout has dozens (and dozens) of ideas! In addition to venues in San Francisco, there are places in Oakland, Alameda, Pacifica, San
Leandro, Walnut Creek, Hayward, Dublin, and San…
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2025's best places to take kids in the San Francisco Bay area. Early each summer, thousands of parents vote in the KidsOutAndAbout survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids. Our Top 20 results page is an annotated list of the winners, both of the top 20
slots and of the three category winners: Who won for 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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