KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
|
|
|
Fri, Jan 23: Wickfest Surrey at Surrey Sports & Leisure Complex
Sat, Feb 7: Lunar New Year at Renfrew Park Community Centre
Sat, Feb 7: Black History Month Celebration at Fraser Valley Regional Library - Clearbrook
Sat, Feb 14: The Family Forward Festival at Carousel Theatre for Young People
Sun, Feb 15: The Big Bang Festival at Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre
Mon, Feb 16: Family Day Hike & Campfire at təmtəmíxʷtən/Belcarra Regional Park - Picnic Area
Sat, Feb 28: Coldest Night of the Year at Various locations throughout the Vancouver and Toronto areas
Fri, Mar 6: Festival du
Bois at Mackin Park
Sat, Mar 14: Where the Wild Things Are at Carousel Theatre for Young People
Fri, Mar 27: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane at Anvil Centre Theatre |
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. |
|
|
|
The Vancouver Boat Show’s two great locations – an indoor venue at BC Place and Floating Show at Granville Island – offer show-goers of all ages and expertise an unparalleled experience. Get your season started with family-friendly activities and incredible deals on all the latest marine products!
|
|
|
|
We’re baaaackkk!! Who’s ready for TAKEOFF and some JETS Junior Hockey action??
|
|
|
|
Come and meet new friends as you play at the Ironwood Library! We will have DUPLO available for you to build and create with. No registration needed. Ideal for children ages 2-5 with a caregiver.
|
|
|
|
You're invited to a joyful morning of exploration and connection! Discover our nurturing learning environments, meet our passionate team, and learn about our sustainable approach to Early Childhood Education. Come say hello—we'd love to meet you and answer your questions.
|
|
|
|
Join us as Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada comes to Surrey for a full day of live broadcasts, community pride, and hockey excitement. Hosted by the City of Surrey, in partnership with the Museum of Surrey and the Cloverdale Sport & Ice Complex, this special event brings Hockey Night in Canada Punjabi directly to the community.
|
|
|
|
Ready for your child to shine on stage this season? At Stagecoach, we offer more than just performing arts—we help kids grow in confidence, creativity, and connection. With singing, dancing, and acting all in one place, there’s something for every young performer. Visit our website to REGISTER for our TWO WEEK trial sessions starting on January. From boosting confidence and creativity to enhancing social skills and academic performance, the arts provide a foundation for lifelong success.
|
|
|
|
Pleasant Mountain Music offers private music lessons on a variety of instrument. Private lessons are a great way to get started on your musical journey, or to enhance your existing knowledge. We offer lessons on all major instruments including voice, piano, guitar, and drums, along with orchestral instruments like violin, viola, trumpet, trombone, clarinet, cello, as well as slightly more niche instruments such as Handpan, Extreme Vocals (screamo), and Mandolin!
|
|
|
|
Come join for some self-guided, free play at the Capilano Library with toys and books. Connect with other families while you have fun!
|
|
|
|
Drop into the library to meet other kids who enjoy playing chess! You are welcome to bring your own chess set. Please note: this program does not include formal instruction.
|
|
|
|
Bring your friends and family for a cozy evening of fun, laughter, and film. Grab your snacks from Sixty2Sixty Eats before the show. It’s the perfect way to relax, unwind, and enjoy some good company. Don’t miss out—we can’t wait to see you there!
|
|
|
- DUPLO Free Play - 11688 Steveston Hwy, Richmond, BC V7A 1N6, Saturday, January 18, 2026, 11-11:30 am
- Family Storytime - Minoru Gate, Richmond, BC, Saturday, January 17, 2026, 10:30-11 am
- Hockey Day in Canada Punjabi - Live from Surrey - 17710 56A Avenue, Surrey, BC V3S 5H8, Saturday, January 17, 2026, 1-10 pm
- OPEN HOUSE at Terra Early Learning - 13799 Commerce Parkway Unit #120, Richmond, BC V6V 2N9, Saturday, January 17, 2026, 10-11:30 am
- Family Movie Nights- Killarney Community Centre - 6260 Killarney St, Vancouver, BC V5S 2X7, Friday, January 16, 2026, 6 pm
- Family Funtime - 3045 Highland Blvd, North Vancouver, BC V7R 2X4, Friday, January 16, 2026, 10:30 am
- Kid's Chess Club - Lynn Valley Road, North Vancouver, BC, Friday, January 16, 2026, 3:30-5:30 pm
- Pokémon Trainer's Gym - 11590 Cambie Road, Richmond, BC V6X 3Z5, Friday, January 16, 2026, 4-5 pm
- Preteen Night- Mount Pleasant Community Centre - 1 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC V5T 3H7, Friday,
January 16, 2026, 6-8 pm
|
|
|
|
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 Vancouver area. Here are local organizations that
offer memberships.
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Vancouver 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 and around Vancouver, based on KidsOutAndAbout's annual reader survey. There is LOTS more to do in and around Vancouver even beyond the Top 20...Get great ideas here at KidsOutAndAbout.com! What is listed below are just
the starting point: Browse through our site and calendar to find lots more, and be sure to click on Everything That's Free.
|
|
|
Wishing you and your family health and happiness!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
|
|
