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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At Hudson Country Montessori School (Danbury and New Rochelle locations), your child is seen, supported, and celebrated. Our Toddler and Primary Programs are thoughtfully designed to nurture each child’s natural curiosity, independence, and joy for
learning. From the boundless energy of toddlers to the growing confidence of preschoolers, we guide children to explore at their own pace in classrooms that feel like family. With Montessori-trained educators, hands-on materials, and a deep respect for every child’s unique strengths, we help students build a strong foundation for lifelong success. At Hudson, children don’t just learn—they discover who they are, what they love, and how to thrive.
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Spring Break STEAM/Robotics Camp: Build, Design & Take It Home. Join our STEAM/Robotics Spring Break Camp in Irvington, NY! Choose half-day or full-day, single days or the whole week to fit your family’s schedule. Kids in grades 1–5 build a new
interactive, functional robot each day and take it home, plus enjoy games, crafts, free play, and movement breaks. Our hands-on sessions encourage creativity, teamwork, confidence, and problem-solving in a fun, supportive environment. No experience needed.
Good Shepherd Early Childhood Center • March 30–April 3 • 9am–12pm, with extended care until 3pm or 5:30pm
MULTI-DAY SAVINGS AVAILABLE
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Nurture your child’s love for nature and animals at the Nature Center’s Summer Camp! During each week-long session, your children will enjoy outdoor adventures, create crafts, and interact with our animals.Dates: June 29th- August 28thTime: 9 am-2
pmExtended day is offered from 2-4 pmEntering Grades 1st-5th Register: https://naturecentergb.org/summer-camp/99 Dromore Road Scarsdale, NY 10583
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During winter break, students and their families are invited to enjoy all the HRM has to offer. Visit the exhibitions on view, engage in interactive art and science workshops, watch planetarium shows under the dome, and enjoy a tour of our historic Gilded
Age home, Glenview.
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Celebrate the Year of the Horse by learning about their role in the Chinese zodiac. Then, assemble and decorate a fan inspired by horses and other symbols of the holiday.
At 11:30AM families can enjoy a holiday-inspired storytime program in the Gund Theater. All ages welcome.
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Late winter is the perfect time to take part in the New England tradition of maple sugaring. Join us for a walk in the woods to learn about the history of maple sugaring and how to identify maple trees. Help tap a tree to collect sap, discover how to make
your own maple syrup at home, and taste fresh maple sap, syrups, and other maple treats around the campfire. Ages 3+
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Join KMA teaching artists for fun, hands-on workshops that bring the Museum’s exhibitions to life! During February break, each session offers art projects connected to the Lunar New Year.
Tuesday, February 17, Zodiac Animal Sculptures
Wednesday, February 18, Year of the Horse Prints
Thursday, February 19, Make It Red!
Friday, February 20, Chinese Zodiac Comic Books
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New York City has never bloomed like this. At The Orchid Show: Mr. Flower Fantastic’s Concrete Jungle, orchids collide with concrete in a dazzling reimagining of the Big Apple, from stoops and slice shops to the subway itself. Step into a breathtaking
fusion of nature and cityscape artistry in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, and experience the flair and style of New York transformed by thousands of flowers.
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- Build Make Create: Winter Wonderland - Library Plaza, New Rochelle, NY, Friday, February 20, 2026, 11:00 AM
- Kids Week: Shelter Building - Van Cortlandt Nature Center - Broadway, The Bronx, NY, Friday, February 20, 2026, 1 pm - 2 pm
- Mindfulness for Teens at New Rochelle Public Library - Library Plaza, New Rochelle, NY 10801, Friday, February 20, 2026, 4 pm - 5 pm
- Little Sprouts Storytime (Babies & Toddlers) at Bedford Hills Free Library - 26 Main Street, Bedford Hills, NY 10507, Friday, February 20, 2026, 10:30 am - 11 am
- African Drumming with Song and Beat at Hart Library - 1130 East Main Street, Shrub Oak, NY
10588, Saturday, February 21, 2026, 10:30 am - 11:30 am
- Free Family Arts Bash Saturdays - family art workshops - ArtsWestchester, Saturday, February 21, 2026, 12-2pm
- Family Programs at Yale Peabody Museum - 170 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT 06511, Saturday, February 21, 2026, See website for specific program times
- Sensory Storytime at New Rochelle Public Library - Library Plaza, New Rochelle, NY 10801, Saturday, February 21, 2026, 2 pm - 2:30 pm
- Chess for Kids - Library Plaza, New Rochelle, NY, Sunday, February 22, 2026, 2:00 PM
- Family Programs at Yale Peabody Museum - 170 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT 06511, Sunday, February 22, 2026, See website for specific program times
- Summer Camps Open House - Main Street, Farmington, CT, Sunday, February 22, 2026, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Summer Days Kickoff - Wilmot Road, Scarsdale, NY, Sunday, February 22, 2026, 12pm
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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the Westchester 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 Westchester County 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 Westchester County 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 winners in KidsOutAndAbout's annual reader survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around Westchester. Our Top 20 results page includes a list of your top picks, including winners in special categories! Check out your fellow readers'
favorites, and enjoy exploring the best of the region!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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