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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What will your child’s Mulgrave story look like? It all starts here. Our preschool programme for 3-year-olds nurtures curiosity and confidence through a personalised, play-based approach. By joining our community early, your child gains the guidance needed
to discover their passions and impact the world.
Make their first school experience a joyful one. Applications for preschool (for 3-year-olds) 2026-27 close February 2nd. Start the journey: https://www.mulgrave.com/admissions/apply.
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Tickets are going fast for Gateway Theatre’s presentation of WHERE HAVE ALL THE BUFFALO GONE?—with some performances already sold out. This powerful 50-minute show brings Métis history to life through imaginative storytelling, movement, music, and a
striking life-like buffalo puppet. Following two interconnected journeys across time, the production invites young audiences to explore themes of identity, resilience, and connection in an engaging, age-appropriate way. Recommended for ages 9+, it’s an ideal family outing or school group experience. Performances run February 16–21, 2026 in Richmond. Don’t miss your chance—secure your tickets now before remaining shows sell out!
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Come watch as 30 school-aged students design, build, and program LEGO and VEX robots to compete in exciting sports-inspired challenges, including racing, climbing, and stacking! Spectators of all ages are welcome to cheer them on and even try their own hand
at coding and robotics through live demos and interactive activities.
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Richmond Public Library is celebrating Black History Month throughout February!
Test your knowledge of important Black Canadians and historical events by participating in the Family Trivia Challenge. There will be trivia questions posted throughout the month at each library branch.
Answer the question correctly to enter the prize draw. Book prizes will be given away at the end of the month.
Contest is open to all ages. Contest runs February 1 - 28, 2026.
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This program is for all ages.
Join us to watch Canadian athletes compete in the Winter Olympic Games®. This event will be figure skating, including the pairs free program, the men's free program and the women's free program.
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Celebrate the New Year together by making a glowing koi decoration — a symbol of abundance and good fortune. Parent and child pairs will work with rattan and crepe paper to shape and decorate their own koi, finishing with light and tassel to create a
festive piece to hang at home. Registration is for 1 child and 1 adult (please just register the child). All material included, 1 koi per family.
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A wintertime evening in the woods becomes an earthly soundscape with the calls of courting owls. From the charismatic great horned owl, to the ubiquitous barred owl, to the elusive and petite northern saw-whet owl, there are many nocturnal hunters to learn
about in their peak activity! Join us to experience the breeding season activity and sounds of Stanley Park’s owls on this popular nighttime walk, as we try our luck to encounter these lively birds.
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Join Hibret Cultural School’s 4th annual Black History Month celebration featuring snacks, arts n' crafts, and an enriching cultural workshop.
Join Hibret Cultural School’s fourth annual Black History Month celebration for a joyful and meaningful community gathering. Guests will enjoy light snacks, creative arts and crafts, and engaging cultural activities. The event features a special workshop called Sounds of Africa, led by Mbuyiselo Munkie Ncapayi, where participants will explore African rhythms, music, and movement while learning about Black history and heritage. This celebration offers a
welcoming space to connect, create, and experience culture together.
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This year's theme is Community & Legacy: Honoring Our Past While Building Our Future.
The FV Heritage Elevation Society in collaboration with the City of Abbotsford and Abbotsford Libraries, FVRL is honored to host the 2026 Black History Month Celebration, a vibrant event dedicated to recognizing the resilience, achievements, and cultural contributions of Black peoples in Canada. This year’s celebration will feature a dynamic presentation on Canadian Black history, traditional African dance performances, drumming, and storytelling that
highlight the richness and diversity of African heritage.
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Join us to celebrate Lunar New Year - Year of the Horse with songs, rhymes, crafts and cultural activities for all ages and families! In English, Korean and Mandarin. Drop-ins welcome.
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Join an upcoming campus tour to learn about our faculties, academic programs, student experiences, and more. You'll be guided by Meadowridge students, who can share their insights as they lead you through a variety of outstanding campus spaces. You will
also have an opportunity to connect with Senior Administration and parent volunteers. We can’t wait to meet you!
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Watch the Olympics at the Library! Drop in to our watch parties to cheer on Team Canada, or any other teams you may love.
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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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Celebrate Valentine's Day by designing your very own stickers! We will start by drawing our designs in Procreate, and then after the program staff will cut these out using RPL's Cricut Maker 3.
This is a registered program.
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- Open House at Meadowridge School - Meadowridge School, 12224 240th Street, Maple Ridge, BC, 02/06/2026 to 04/10/2026, 9-10:30 am
- Pokémon Trainer's Gym - Richmond Public Library: Cambie Branch, 11590 Cambie Road, Richmond, BC, 02/06/2026, 4-5 pm
- Valentine's Day Sticker Design (Ages 8-15) -
Richmond Public Library, Brighouse Branch, Minoru Gate, Richmond, BC, 02/06/2026, 4-5 pm
- Family
Funtime - North Vancouver District Public Library (Capilano Branch), 3045 Highland Blvd, North Vancouver, BC, 02/06/2026, 10:30 am
- Kid's Chess Club - Lynn Valley Library, Lynn Valley Road, North Vancouver, BC, 02/06/2026, 3:30-5:30 pm
- Preteen Night- Mount Pleasant Community Centre - Mount Pleasant Community Centre, 1 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC, 02/06/2026,
6-8 pm
- Our Connection to Hockey - Museum of Surrey, 17710 56A Avenue, Surrey, BC, 02/06/2026 to
02/08/2026, see website
- Olympic Winter Games - Coquitlam Public Library, Poirier Branch, 575 Poirier Street, Coquitlam, BC, 02/06/2026, varies
- Black History Month - Family Trivia Challenge - Richmond Public Library, Brighouse Branch, Minoru Gate, Richmond, BC, 02/06/2026 to 02/08/2026, during regular library hours
- Baby Stay and Play - Vancouver Public Library -
Fraserview Branch, 1950 Argyle Drive, Vancouver, BC, 02/06/2026, 11-11:30 am
- KidsZone: It's Friday, Friday Club - Vancouver Public Library - Terry Salman Branch, 4575 Clancy Loranger Way, Vancouver, BC, 02/06/2026, 6:30-7:30 pm
- DUPLO Free Play - Richmond Public Library, Ironwood Branch, 11688 Steveston Hwy, Richmond, BC, 02/07/2026, 11-11:30 am
- Family Storytime - Richmond Public Library, Brighouse Branch, Minoru Gate, Richmond, BC, 02/07/2026,
10:30-11 am
- Black History Month Celebration - Clearbrook Library, 32320 George Ferguson Way, Abbotsford, BC, 02/07/2026, 1-3 pm
- Celebrate Lunar New Year- City Centre Branch - Coquitlam Public Library, City Centre Branch, 1169 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam, BC, 02/07/2026, 12-2 pm
- FREE Valentine's Day Card Workshop - Great Blue
Heron Nature Reserve, Sumas Prairie Road, Chilliwack, BC, 02/07/2026, 10 am - 12 pm
- Kids Care
Preschool Open House - Kids Care Preschool, 7715 Muirfield Drive, Vancouver, BC, 02/07/2026, 10 AM-12 PM
- Family Storytime - Richmond Public Library: Cambie Branch, 11590 Cambie Road, Richmond, BC, 02/07/2026, 10:30-11 am
- Kwentuhang Pinoy | Filipino Storytime - Surrey Libraries – City Centre Branch, 10350 University Dr, Surrey,
BC, 02/07/2026, 11 am- 12 pm
- Rainbow Family Storytime - Surrey Libraries – Fleetwood Branch, 15996 84 Ave, Surrey, BC, 02/07/2026, 10:30-11:30 am
- Family Day - Place des Arts, 1120
Brunette Avenue, Coquitlam, BC, 02/08/2026, 1-3 pm
- Family Fun Time - Lynn Valley Library, Lynn Valley
Road, North Vancouver, BC, 02/08/2026, 2-4 pm
- Robosports Competition with Robokids - Robokids, Minoru Gate, Richmond, BC, 02/08/2026, 11:30 am- 4 pm
- Winter Olympics® Viewing: Ice Skating - Surrey Libraries – Fleetwood Branch, 15996 84 Ave, Surrey, BC, 02/08/2026, 10:30-1:30 pm
- LEGO® Block Party - Vancouver Public Library - Champlain Heights
Branch, Kerr Street, Vancouver, BC, 02/08/2026, 11 am- 12 pm
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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the Vancouver 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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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 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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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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