KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
Next week, my husband and I are heading to a Valentine's Evening behind-the-scenes tour of the Darwin Martin House in Buffalo, New York. It’s the same Frank Lloyd Wright museum we’ve
visited several times, but this version is fancily dressed for the holiday: candlelight, champagne, treats, and a fresh perspective on something familiar. That’s the real magic of Valentine’s Day: It’s one of those perfectly made-up holidays, constructed out of paper hearts, glitter, and good intentions... and it manages magically to transform our spaces, our schedules, and our spirits. As publisher, I've had a 25-year front row seat to
communities around the country who turn nothing into something every February. This year, visitors can say "I Love Thee" in a Victorian mansion in Riverside, CA while a re-enactor in a top hat explains the romantic origin of the Hershey’s Kiss. Frying Pan Farm Park in
Virginia will help kids say "I Love MOO!" with farm animal puns. The Oregon Rail Heritage Center invites everyone on a Valentine's Express Steam Train ride that is more light-hearted than steamy. And next Saturday, biologists at the California Academy of Sciences will hand out heart-shaped valentines to their African penguins—who will then present them to their mates to help line
their nests. Not all Valentine’s Day celebrations require you to get out and about, though; just muster some creativity and apply it to stuff you already have lying around the house. Cut hearts from red paper and tape them to the door. Dress in scarlet or rose or salmon pink. Light a candle at dinner while you're eating heart-shaped cheese, toast, bacon, or lasagna (here are 25 fun recipes from Food Network). When you and your kids dress up your world together, you’re not just celebrating love, you’re celebrating creativity. And they're learning the life skill of transforming ordinary stuff around them into something special. It only takes one step beyond the good intention to make it
so. Love can be grand, indeed. But it doesn’t have to be grand to be great.
—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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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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Come to Garden Party and join Farmer Emily to help us maintain a thriving edible garden. Through hands-on science and art activities, you will learn more about sustainable gardening practices you can use beyond our walls in your own home garden. There might
even be something to harvest for your next meal!
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The Walt Disney Family Museum continues its celebration of the 70th anniversary of Disneyland with the debut of Happiest Place on Earth: The Disneyland Story, an original special exhibition curated by award-winning producer and Disney Legend Don Hahn with
museum Director of Collections and Exhibitions Marina Villar Delgado. Inspired by the 2025 book, The Happiest Place on Earth: The Incredible Story of Walt Disney’s Disneyland, published by Disney Editions and written by Hahn and historian Christopher Merritt, this treasure trove of Disney history will take guests behind the scenes of one of the most groundbreaking endeavors of the 20th century—the creation and opening of Disneyland in Anaheim, California. Happiest Place on Earth: The Disneyland
Story will be on view beginning Friday, November 14 in the museum’s Lower Lobby and Theater Galleries.
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Join us for a special Saturday Drop-in event celebrating our Love of Art & Science! Create pretty soaps with essential oils and flower petals, then learn about how soap works and experiment with bubbles. Learn the art of quilling and interact with
spirals from nature. Make tissue paper flowers and Valentine’s cards for your loved ones. Projects suitable for ages 4 and up. $5 per participant. February 7, from 10:30 to 4:00, while supplies last. Sign-up at the Front Desk.
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Join us for a special storytime in the Wonder Cabinet Forest.
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A 20-30 minute storytime for children in Kindergarten through third grade featuring picture books new to our collection.
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This 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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Join museum staff for a lively story followed by fun activities. Storytime is open to all ages, but is primarily designed for toddlers and preschoolers.
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Meet us in the S.T.E.A.M. Room, adjacent to Ella's Art Studio, every weekend from 1:00pm – 3:00pm to enjoy and explore an experience in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math! Toys and materials will be available in this space for your child to
engage with at their own pace. A CMOSC staff member will be there to provide expertise and an enhanced experience with the materials.
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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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When the moon is full, fairies gather to dance and bask in her light! Join us for a day of crafts, puppets, play pretend, and fun!
Drop off is from 9am - 9:30 and pick up is anytime between 2:30 - 3:00pm.
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- Toddler Plus Storytime - Main Library - Children's Department,
Friday, February 6, 2026 at 10:30am
- Family Storytime - 788 Santa Clara
Avenue, Alameda, CA 94501, Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 10:30am
- Family Storytime - Main Library - Children's Department, Saturday,
February 7, 2026 at 10:30am
- Family Storytime - Main Library, Sunday, February 8, 2026 at 12:30pm
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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the San Francisco 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 San Francisco? 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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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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