KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
February is Children’s Dental Health Month, which means it's the perfect time to talk about LYING. The first lie my daughter Madison ever attempted was when she was about 3. "Did you brush your teeth?” I asked as she was getting ready for bed. She nodded earnestly, but I had my doubts; a check of the toothbrush revealed it was dry as the Sahara. "Looks
like we need a do-over," I said. "Try again." In a 2025 Delta Dental study of 1000 parents of kids age 12 and under, 67% of respondents reported difficulty in getting their kids to brush their teeth. And in a related but thoroughly unscientific survey,
100% of the friends I asked told me that their own kids have lied about tooth brushing at least once. See, young children don’t experience truth as adults do; their developing minds blur the line between reality and hope, between what happened and what they would prefer had happened. Brushing is tedious, being done is better. Add a desire to please Mom, and those wires can cross. In those early years, our job is to help kids gradually separate fact from wishful thinking. You
might think that prosecuting dishonesty harshly might scare kids into telling the truth, but that often just scares them into hiding more cleverly. Our goal as parents isn't just to have kids who brush their teeth and do their own homework and someday file tax returns without creative interpretations of “business mileage,” although we do want all those things. But overall, we want kids who are brave enough to be, rather than seem to be. If they see early
that mistakes can be brought into the light and fixed with a do-over, they’re far less likely to build a life around pretending they didn't happen. So my best recommendation for Children's Dental Health Month is to model both scrupulous honesty and scrupulous teeth-brushing yourself. In case you need an immediate solution, though, I hunted down a list of kids' best tooth-brushing songs thoughtfully supplied by the American Dental Association. Grit your teeth and hum along.
—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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Percussionist and educator Boris Sichon invites students on a musical journey across different cultures and countries. Using his extensive collection of over 200 instruments, Boris will perform with more than two dozen unique pieces, including Russian
bagpipes, Eastern European flutes, the Middle Eastern dumbek, the Australian didgeridoo, the Turkish gong, and Irish bones.
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Join Super Weekend’s Runoff Race to explore flooding on the Fraser River. Use a stream table to model river processes, learn flood management methods, and design flood-smart communities, Feb 21–22.
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Join us for a special family storytime in English and Mandarin! We will sing songs and read stories in both languages. After the storytime, stay to play with toys and connect with other families.
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Celebrate the Year of the Horse with LunarFest! Join us on Granville Island for two weekends of all-ages fun. Arts workshops, storytelling sessions, snacks, and an island-wide trivia game. Free admission, full details on lunarfestvancouver.ca.
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Our legendary Saturday Skate Parties are your go-to destination for fun, fitness, and fabulous vibes on wheels. This event is perfect for all ages! Bring the whole family for an evening of music from every era, games, special guests and funky roller
dancing.
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Celebrate Lunar New Year with a lively cultural celebration! In partnership with Chinese Village Club, this free event offers an excellent opportunity to learn more about Lunar New Year as well as the Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese cultures.
Activities include a lion dance at 1:30pm, live performances, traditional and modern dance, tai chi performances, storytelling, crafts and more.
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With a Surrey Nature Centre program leader, learn how to identify birds, use binoculars and the best seasons for birdwatching. Meet in the plaza. Activities will involve walking to Green Timbers Lake. Caregiver participation required for children.
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Celebrate Culture. Support Local Black Businesses.
Langley City invites you to a welcoming community event that celebratesBlack heritage, culture, and entrepreneurship. This free event brings together Black-owned and Black-led businesses, entrepreneurs, creatives, community members, and support organizations for a day of learning, connection, and celebration.
Whether you are a business owner, entrepreneur, a creative, a community member, or just curious to learn more — this event is for you and open to everyone.
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Come and spend pro-d day with us! No school? No problem! Spend your Pro-D Day at Museum of Surrey with a fun, free morning celebrating Canada’s favourite sport.
Families and kids of all ages are invited to drop in and explore our connection to hockey exhibit, featuring local stories and interactive moments that bring the game to life. Enjoy hockey-themed crafts and hands-on activities, perfect for school-aged kids and toddlers alike.
Plus, grab a pencil and set off on a special scavenger hunt inspired by local hockey players as you explore the museum together.
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White Rock Gymnastics Athletics Society is a fully equipped gymnastics facility.
In our camps, each child will receive progressive gymnastics instruction through directive and exploratory learning on vault, bars, beam & floor. Skills are acquired in a safe and fun environment while developing strength, balance, and coordination. Gymnasts may also participate in arts, crafts, games & team building activities held at our facility.
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No need to sit still here! Wiggle Time includes interactive rhymes, songs, and stories with lots of movement followed by some play and social time.
Wiggle Time is a perfect transition between Babytime and Storytime.
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1000's of rocks and gems in natural form or cut, polished and even set in jewelery. New this year an Educational room with fluorescent rocks, rock ID, fossils(only on Sat). Plus Auctions, shopping, spin n win, lapidary artists demonstrating. Crack a Geode,
showcases of members' creations with Peoples' Choice voting, kids craft area, and more. Free parking.
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- Pokémon Trainer's Gym - Richmond Public Library: Cambie Branch, 11590 Cambie Road, Richmond, Friday, February 20, 2026, 4-5 pm
- Family Funtime - North Vancouver District Public Library
(Capilano Branch), 3045 Highland Blvd, North Vancouver, Friday, February 20, 2026, 10:30 am
- Kid's Chess Club - Lynn Valley Library, Lynn Valley Road, North Vancouver, Friday, February 20, 2026, 3:30-5:30 pm
- Family Movie Nights- Killarney Community Centre - Killarney Community Centre, 6260 Killarney St, Vancouver, Friday,
February 20, 2026, 6 pm
- Preteen Night- Mount Pleasant Community Centre - Mount Pleasant Community Centre, 1 Kingsway, Vancouver, Friday, February 20, 2026, 6-8 pm
- Olympic Winter Games - Coquitlam Public Library, Poirier Branch, 575 Poirier Street, Coquitlam, Friday, February 20, 2026, varies
- Wiggle Time - Clearbrook Library, 32320 George Ferguson Way, Abbotsford, Friday, February 20, 2026, 11:30 am- 12 pm
- Baby Stay and
Play - Vancouver Public Library - Fraserview Branch, 1950 Argyle Drive, Vancouver, Friday, February 20, 2026, 11-11:30 am
- KidsZone: It's Friday, Friday Club - Vancouver Public Library - Terry Salman Branch, 4575 Clancy Loranger
Way, Vancouver, Friday, February 20, 2026, 6:30-7:30 pm
- School’s Out Drop-in: Hockey - Museum of Surrey, 17710 56A Avenue, Surrey, Friday, February 20, 2026, 10 am- 1 pm
- Lunar New Year Lantern Festival - Bodhi Meditation Vancouver Canada 菩提禅修加拿大温哥华, 7740 Alderbridge Way, Richmond, Friday, February 20 to Sunday, February 22, 2026, 10 am- 9 pm
- 2026 Maple Ridge Lapidary Club Rock & Gem Show - Maple Ridge Lapidary Club, Albion Community Centre (ACC), 24165
104th Avenue, Maple Ridge, Saturday, February 21 to Sunday, February 22, 2026, 10:00-4:00
- Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School Open House - Feb 21, 2026 - Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School, Seymour River Place, North Vancouver, Saturday, February 21, 2026, 10 am- 2 pm
- DUPLO Free Play - Richmond Public Library, Ironwood
Branch, 11688 Steveston Hwy, Richmond, Saturday, February 21 to Sunday, February 22, 2026, 11-11:30 am
- Family Storytime - Richmond Public Library, Brighouse Branch, Minoru Gate, Richmond, Saturday, February 21, 2026, 10:30-11 am
- Camping 101 - Coquitlam Public Library, City Centre Branch, 1169 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam, Saturday, February 21, 2026, 2-3 pm
- Black History Month - Celebrate with the Whole Family! - Coquitlam Heritage (Mackin House Museum), 1116
Brunette Avenue, Coquitlam, Saturday, February 21, 2026, 12-3 pm
- Langley City Black Heritage Celebration & Black Canadian Business Expo - Langley City Hall, Douglas Crescent, Langley, Saturday, February 21, 2026, 10 am- 3 pm
- 2026 LunarFest Vancouver - Brave the Wind - Ocean Artworks Pavilion, Johnston Street, Vancouver, Saturday, February 21 to Sunday, February 22, 2026, 11am
- Code & Play - Aldergrove
Library, 26770 29 Avenue, Aldergrove, Saturday, February 21, 2026, 2-3:30 pm
- Cross Stitch for
Pre-teens - 2470 Mary Hill Road, Port Coquitlam, Saturday, February 21, 2026, 1:30-3 pm
- Family Storytime -
Richmond Public Library: Cambie Branch, 11590 Cambie Road, Richmond, Saturday, February 21, 2026, 10:30-11 am
- Family Storytime with DUPLO® - Surrey Libraries – City Centre Branch, 10350 University Dr, Surrey, Saturday, February 21, 2026, 11 am - 12 pm
- Lunar New Year at Museum of Surrey - Museum of Surrey, 17710 56A Avenue, Surrey, Saturday, February 21, 2026, 1-4 pm
- 2026 Lunar New Year- Year of the Horse at Lansdowne Centre - Lansdowne Centre, 5300 No. 3 Road,
Richmond, Saturday, February 21, 2026, 12-5 pm
- Family Fun Time - Lynn Valley Library, Lynn Valley Road,
North Vancouver, Sunday, February 22, 2026, 2-4 pm
- LEGO® Block Party - Vancouver Public Library - Champlain Heights Branch, Kerr Street, Vancouver, Sunday, February 22, 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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