KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
The February my daughter Ella was 1, she caught a cold that lingered for months. There were short stretches of relief, but mostly there was congestion, disrupted sleep, and a level of crankiness that turned my sunny baby into someone I barely recognized. The clouds around her felt constant, and one day, I caught myself labeling her in my head as “the crabby one.” But
of course, if I had a perpetually runny nose and no way to manage it, I’d be irritable, too! I needed to remember this wasn’t her personality, it was a season. What we needed to get through it was distraction: something fun to do "right now" and also fun things to anticipate. Aside from those who live in paradise pockets like San Diego, most of our readers are in the thick of a particularly dreary winter. The world feels heavy and gray, energy
runs low, and it’s easy to fixate on how dispirited we feel. But we need to remember that this isn't our personality, it's a season. What we need to get through it is distraction in the moment and also something positive we can place on our horizon. My family is counting down to the March 20 release of Project Hail Mary, which stars Ryan Gosling. The movie is based on the novel by Andy Weir, who also wrote The Martian. You don't have to be a science nerd to love Weir's books
(although science nerds DO love Weir's books), because in all of them, the real hero is human ingenuity—curiosity, flexible thinking, doing what needs to be done even in extreme circumstances. When things are going awry, the answer isn’t despair, it’s problem-solving, and I always emerge from a Weir book feeling spiritually lighter. While I immerse myself in Weir and Gosling, you, of course, should do YOU! Let the art or sport that grabs you and your kids be your launch ticket
to optimism now, and lift you to fun in the future. We're glad to provide the fuel!
—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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Created by Canadian David West Read, the Emmy® Award–winning writer from “Schitt’s Creek”, this hilarious new musical flips the script on the greatest love story ever told. & JULIET asks: What would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo?
Get whisked away on a fabulous journey as she ditches her famous ending for a fresh beginning and a second chance at life and love—her way.
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From February 13 to March 8, 2026, the city will glow with creativity and colour at 777 Bay Plaza, College Park, Granby Parkette, Sankofa Square, and Trinity Square Park. Each site will feature a playful, interactive experience designed to spark joy,
movement, and connection in the heart of winter. Whether you’re a curious explorer or just passing through, ILLUMINITE 2026 invites everyone to pause, play, and light up the city together.
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Bring history to life at the Mackenzie House Museum printshop during Black History Month. Print a copy of The Provincial Freeman, the newspaper edited by Mary Ann Shadd Cary, the first Black woman publisher in Canada, using an original 1840s printing press.
Take home a printed keepsake while exploring how print media supported 19th century activism, civic engagement, and community organizing through one of the most significant Black newspapers in Canadian history.
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The vibrant and enchanting Cyclamen Show is returning to the Floral Showhouse on January 10!
The popular winter display promises to captivate visitors with a stunning display of Cyclamen varieties that showcase the beauty and diversity of these unique plants. Stroll between shades of pink, salmon and violet along with lush ferns and other tropical plants. Curly willow arches and decorative trees will accentuate the fresh florals.
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Brimfest is back – you won’t want to miss this weekend-long event! Enjoy prizes, food, music and fun-filled activities for the whole family! Ready, set, GLOW! Let’s light up the slopes of Brimacombe! Glow sticks, necklaces and bracelets will be available
for purchase at Slopeside Skis & Boards.
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Ring in the Year of the Horse with a joyous celebration of music and tradition that's fun for the whole family! Comedian Dashan, conductor Carolyn Kuan, and renowned pipa virtuoso Wu Man join your Toronto Symphony Orchestra for an unforgettable evening
filled with vibrant works that capture the spirit of renewal and prosperity for the Lunar New Year. Plus, 15-year-old Toronto pianist Ryan Huang—a Lang Lang International Music Foundation Young Scholar—will perform the first movement from Grieg’s instantly recognizable Piano Concerto. Arrive early for our Asian artisan market, lion dancers, and more!
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Join us for our 1 day family workshops where children with an adult caregiver will explore artists and artworks in the AGO collection and get inspired to create art together. This Winter we’ll make one-of-a-kind prints and experiment with colour, texture,
and layering.
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On weekends in February, join Scarborough Museum in celebrating Black History Month! Enjoy the museum's story corner, featuring books for all ages that share Black lived experiences and stories. Sample a warm drink and a scone fresh from the museum's
kitchen, featuring spreads from local Chef Christopher Loney, aka Honey Guru!Raised in Jamaica’s countryside, Chris used to sell food with his mother at her booth in Carnival. Honey Guru was born from this shared memory and a passion to teach others how to make delicious meals while using natural sweeteners like honey. Driven by a purpose to inspire positive change, Chris uses his catering business for public education, to improve mental wellness and to create spaces of social engagement.
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Step inside the wonderfully wacky world of Robert Munsch – Canada’s best-loved children’s author! Jam-packed with joy, this whimsical award-winning adaptation brings to life five modern classics: Mortimer; The Paper Bag Princess; Murmel, Murmel, Murmel;
Zoom!; and Love You Forever.
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Looking Glass Adventures is open all week with extended hours for the holiday. Dive into our exciting, family-friendly escape rooms — perfect for kids, teens, and adults. All games are private — just your group, and you can save $15 off your booking with
code MARCHBREAK2026. Spots fill fast, so book your adventure now!
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Get ready to travel through time on a prehistoric adventure scavenger hunt! From the first fierce predators to the mighty giants of the late Cretaceous, you'll uncover dino facts, solve ancient puzzles, and test your paleontology skills. Gather your team of
family and friends, channel your inner explorer, and race through millions of years of history. No time machine required.
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Gather your loved ones and join us at the gallery for a free afternoon of creative fun on the first Sunday of every month!
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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?
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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the Toronto area is back! You can search by date, age, or categories like day/overnight, sports, drama, music, theatre, arts & crafts, technology, robotics, horseback riding, preschool, & more. Our
guide puts summer fun right at your fingertips!
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- 2026 Skates & Sounds - Barbara Ann
Scott Ice Trail, Yonge Street, Toronto, ON, Canada, Friday, February 27, 2026, 4PM - 8PM
- Sharks at ROM - Royal
Ontario Museum, Queens Park, Toronto, ON M5S 2C6, Canada, Friday, February 27, 2026 through Sunday, March 1, 2026, 10 am - 4 pm
- Skate by the Lake - Harbourfront Centre - Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto, ON M5J 2G8, Canada, Friday, February 27, 2026 through Sunday, March 1, 2026, Times vary, see website
- 2026
Lunar Lanterns - Varley Art Gallery of Markham, Main Street Unionville, Unionville, ON, Canada, Friday, February 27, 2026 through Sunday, March 1, 2026, 12am
- 2026 ILLUMINITE - Downtown Yonge, Old Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada, Friday, February 27, 2026 through Sunday, March 1, 2026, 10am-10pm
- Black History Exhibition Tour at the BSM - Bata Shoe Museum, 327 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON M5S 1W7, Canada, Saturday,
February 28, 2026, 1 - 2 pm
- Storytime, meet & greet with Harpreet Bahia - Indigo - Sherway Gardens, Saturday, February 28, 2026,
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- Family Sunday: Dreamy Oil-Pastel Landscapes - Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery, 101 Queen Street North, Kitchener, ON, Canada, Sunday, March 1, 2026, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
- Sunday Tech Time at Toronto Public Library - Alderwood - Toronto Public Library - Alderwood Branch, 2 Orianna Drive, Etobicoke, Toronto, Toronto, ON M8W 4Y1, Canada, Sunday, March 1, 2026, 2 - 3 pm
- Free Sunday at Bata Shoe Museum - Bata Shoe Museum, 327 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON M5S 1W7, Canada, Sunday, March 1, 2026, 12 - 5 pm
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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the Toronto 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 Toronto area? 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 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!
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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!
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Wishing you and your family health and happiness,
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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