KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
|
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
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
Found Stage March Break Drama Camp runs March 16–20 for children ages 6–10. This full-day program combines drama, creative arts, and outdoor activities. Students will rehearse and perform an original scripted, spring-themed show inspired by Czech author and illustrator Zdeněk Miller, while creating props and artwork connected to the story. The week concludes with a professionally filmed performance families can watch at home. Camp runs from 8:00 AM–5:00 PM and includes catered lunch, snacks, and drinks. Follow the link for more details and to register.
|
|
|
|
You can battle in the Pokémon TCG, Pokémon video game, and Pokémon GO Regional Championships, which take place all over the world! After the Pokémon International Championships, the Pokémon Regional Championships are the largest events in terms of both attendance and Championship Point payouts.
|
|
|
|
This collective exhibition of textile artwork was handcrafted by Syrian women, all newcomers to Toronto, as part of a Toronto Arts Council Animating Historic Sites program.Each quilt is composed of individual squares handcrafted by one woman, reflecting her emotions, memories, hopes and personal stories.
|
|
|
|
Spend your PD Day at the Bata Shoe Museum! Explore our amazing exhibitions, take a museum tour, join a game of trivia, and get creative at our craft stations.
|
|
|
|
Hear ye, hear ye! Step into a world of music, magic, and marvelous shoes! This delightful performance combines interactive storytelling, hands-on fun, and lively audience participation — perfect for kids, families, and anyone who loves a royal adventure.
|
|
|
|
Journey through the universe and experience breathtaking views with an awe inspiring show under the dome.
|
|
|
|
Step into the season with us at Winter Wanderings: Guided Snowshoeing Tours and embark along the snowy trails of Crawford Lake’s Longhouse Village. Learn the basics before setting out. No experience required. Explore scenic trails and the reconstructed 15th-century Longhouse Village with an experienced guide. Discover how Indigenous peoples traditionally used snowshoes for travel and hunting, while learning about local natural history and wildlife tracks. Snowshoes are provided, with sizes for children and adults (ages 8 up). After the tour, groups are invited to warm-up by a crackling bonfire. Hot chocolate and marshmallows for roasting will be available.
|
|
|
|
Get ready to ignite your curiosity and explore the exciting world of STEM with Engineering Discovery Day! Whether you're in third grade or eighth grade, this day program is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in a day of fun and engaging hands-on STEM activities.
|
|
|
|
We are keeping the good times rolling all season long! Tune in this winter for an exciting lineup of free music in the West Wing, located on street level, or bop to the beat at the Roller Express with a lineup of groovy DJ’s.
|
|
|
|
Sharks have intrigued humans for as long as we have explored the oceans. The terrifying monster from the movie Jaws is what many might imagine when they think of these animals, but they are far more fascinating and complex than their depiction in popular culture. Did you know, for example, that there is a shark that eats seagrass? Or that some sharks can sense Earth's magnetic field?
|
|
|
|
Toronto’s award-winning winter art exhibit, Window Wonderland, returns to the Junction for its sixth consecutive year! From Friday, November 28 to Sunday, February 1, 2026, the streets of the Junction will once again be transformed into a FREE, open-air gallery, showcasing 20 artist-designed storefront windows and 11 vibrant wall murals. Each installation will be brought to life through the magic of augmented reality (AR), blending creativity, technology and community spirit.
|
|
|
|
Every third Sunday of the month is Family Sunday at the McMichael! Join us all day long for drop-in hands-on art workshops, interactive tours and storytelling circles created just for families.
|
|
|
|
Need a break? Dinner out with friends? Time to watch a movie in your PJ’s? Let us help! Bring your kids to us for a fun evening of supervised crafts, games, pizza and of course play!
|
|
|
- PA Days & Breaks at Miles Nadal JCC - Miles Nadal JCC, Spadina Avenue, Toronto, Friday, January 16, 9 am - 4 pm
- P.A. Day - LEGO and Friendship Bracelets at Toronto Public Library - Alderwood - Toronto Public Library - Alderwood Branch, 2 Orianna Drive, Etobicoke, Toronto, Friday, January 16, 10:30 - 11:30 am
- Family Time at Toronto Public Library - Albert Campbell - Toronto Public Library - Albert Campbell Branch, 496 Birchmount Road, Scarborough, Toronto, Saturday, January 17, 10:30 - 11:30 am
- Planetarium - Tour The Universe - Bridlewood Mall, Saturday, January 17, 11am - 5pm
- King Tilly’s Shoe Disaster - Bata Shoe Museum - Bata Shoe Museum, 327 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Saturday, January 17 to
Sunday, January 18, Saturday, January 17 – 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm Sunday, January 18 – 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm
- Free Family Sundays at the McMichael - McMichael Canadian Art Collection, 10365 Islington Avenue, Kleinburg, Sunday, January 18, 10am
- Sunday Tech Time at Toronto Public Library -
Alderwood - Toronto Public Library - Alderwood Branch, 2 Orianna Drive, Etobicoke, Toronto, Sunday, January 18, 2 - 3 pm
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
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 GTA. Here are local organizations that offer
memberships.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Toronto 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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
2025's best places to take kids in Toronto, based on KidsOutAndAbout's annual reader survey. Our Top 20 results page is an annotated list of the winners, both of the top 20 slots and of the category winners. But there is LOTS more to do in and around
Toronto!
|
|
|
Wishing you and your family health and happiness,
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
|
|
