KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
When Madison and Ella were young, I made it a point to stretch their comfort zones in small, manageable ways. They’d order their own food at restaurants, they'd arrange their own homeschool work schedules, they'd try activities where they didn’t know anyone. I did my best not to step in unless invited. Over time, they started trusting their own
ability to navigate the world without me. That, of course, was the point. But the better they got at being independent, the more I started to feel a quiet kind of discomfort. They were moving outward—into the world, into themselves—and I could feel the shift. There’s a concept in astrophysics called red shift. When a star or galaxy moves away from us, the light it emits stretches, shifting toward the red end of the spectrum. The farther away it moves, the
redder the light appears. It’s how we know the universe is expanding. The movement doesn’t mean the light is gone—just that it’s arriving to us in a new form, from farther away. I think about that a lot as my kids are no longer orbiting so closely. I still see their light; it just looks different now. I’m learning to recognize their new wavelengths. The trick, I think, is not to see red shift as loss, but as evidence of motion. The fact that I feel the stretch means the
universe is doing what it’s supposed to do: expanding, evolving, moving outward. I remind myself that this kind of shift is a mark of success. Increased wavelength, decreased frequency... it's all part of the natural order of things. Light travels and stretches, and love does, too.
—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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Looking for a Spring Break camp that gets kids moving, learning, and having real adventures? Knight Camp is an award-winning day camp for ages 8–14 in downtown Vancouver, now in its 18th year. Campers learn swordplay and archery, play medieval-inspired games, practice knightly virtues like courage and charity, explore a real arms and armour museum, and finish the week with a Friday Grand Tournament for families. With a unique progression system—from Page to Knight—kids build confidence, character, and skills they’re proud of. Spots are limited—see the full Knight Camp Spring Break listing for dates and details.
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WickFest is the dream come-to-life of six-time Olympian Hayley Wickenheiser. In Calgary, the event is hosted in partnership with Girls Hockey Calgary and in Surrey in partnership with The City of Surrey and alongside the Surrey Falcons. Canadian Tire WickFest has become a renown world-class event, attracting national and worldwide media, teams from around the world and special guests from Olympians to NHL'ers.
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The Fraser Canyon is known for having some of the strongest winds along the Fraser River, with the windiest periods typically occurring during the winter and spring months. Explore how the unique geography of the Fraser Canyon shapes the weather patterns of the Lower Mainland through engaging science demonstrations and wind tunnel building! • Hands-on science demonstrations to model cold, winter winds through the Fraser Canyon • Build mini wind tunnels and test airflow
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Join us for The Bad Guys 2. The Bad Guys are struggling to find trust and acceptance in their newly minted lives as Good Guys, when they are pulled out of retirement and forced to do "one last job" by an all-female squad of criminals. Everyone, including The Crimson Paw, is being blackmailed by the girls, and their only way out may be an old nemesis.
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Showcasing Surrey’s own athletes and game-changers alongside national icons, this engaging and interactive exhibit explores Canada’s deep-rooted relationship with its national winter sport. This original Museum of Surrey-curated experience celebrates the unifying power of hockey, highlighting its diversity, cultural significance, and impact on local communities. Visitors will also learn about grassroots initiatives, women’s hockey, para hockey, Punjabi broadcasters, and the achievements that shape both local and national hockey culture.
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Practice your hand at making still-life art at Mackin House Museum! This event is hosted by local Senior, Merril Hall. Artist and nature-lovers looking for a fun way to spend your afternoon - join us at Mackin House Museum for a free drop-in activity with our Senior-in-Residence, Merril Hall!
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Join us at the Brighouse branch in the Kids' Place Program Room for songs, stories, rhymes and more at Family Storytime in the library! This is a drop-in program, no registration required. Caregivers, please remain with your children for the duration of the program.
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The Pacific Agriculture Show will showcase the latest and most innovative equipment and technology for the agriculture industry. Join thousands of farmers and agri-food producers in comparing and investigating what over 300 exhibitors have to make your operation more efficient. BC’s agriculture industry is unique in its diversity and the Show attracts an attendance from all the livestock and horticulture sectors including: dairy, cattle, poultry, equine, hogs, llamas, alpacas, to vegetable, berry, grape, bulb, ornamentals, hothouse, flower and shrub growing and more.
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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.
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Join us in the games room Friday nights for our preteen night program full of fun, games and snacks! Every week from 6-8pm staff have planned fun, social activities such as gym games, jeopardy nights, movie nights and more! No class Apr 3. Please register for the program. Drop-ins are allowed if space is available.
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Looking for childcare on school closure days? Jump Gymnastics offers fun, active, and reliable School Closure Camps to support families on Pro-D Days, non-instructional days, and other scheduled school closures. Our camps provide a safe, engaging environment where kids can stay active, make friends, and have fun — even when school’s out!
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Come join for some self-guided, free play at the Capilano Library with toys and books. Connect with other families while you have fun!
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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.
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- Our Connection to Hockey - 17710 56A
Avenue, Surrey, BC V3S 5H8, Friday, January 22, 2026, see website
- DUPLO Free Play - 11688 Steveston Hwy, Richmond, BC V7A 1N6, Saturday, January 24, 2026, 11-11:30 am
- Family Storytime - Minoru Gate, Richmond, BC, Saturday, January 24, 2026, 10:30-11 am
- Drop-In Nature Sketching - 1116 Brunette Avenue, Coquitlam, BC V3K 1G2, Saturday, January 24, 2026, 12PM-4PM and 6PM-8PM
- Explore the World Beneath You at Discovery Day – A Free, Family-Fun Experience! - Vancouver Convention Centre East, Sunday, January 25, 2026, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
- Family Movie: The Bad Guys 2 - 15105 105 Ave, Guildford, Surrey, BC V3R 7G8, Sunday, January 25, 2026, 2-4 pm
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Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the Vancouver Area? Escape rooms are interactive, puzzle-packed experiences where you and your team work together to solve clues, unlock secrets,
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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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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!
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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.
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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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