KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
|
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
The February my daughter Ella was 1, she caught a cold that lingered for months. There were short stretches of relief, but mostly there was congestion, disrupted sleep, and a level of crankiness that turned my sunny baby into someone I barely recognized. The clouds around her felt constant, and one day, I caught myself labeling her in my head as “the crabby one.” But of
course, if I had a perpetually runny nose and no way to manage it, I’d be irritable, too! I needed to remember this wasn’t her personality, it was a season. What we needed to get through it was distraction: something fun to do "right now" and also fun things to anticipate. Aside from those who live in paradise pockets like San Diego, most of our readers are in the thick of a particularly dreary winter. The world feels heavy and gray, energy runs
low, and it’s easy to fixate on how dispirited we feel. But we need to remember that this isn't our personality, it's a season. What we need to get through it is distraction in the moment and also something positive we can place on our horizon. My family is counting down to the March 20 release of Project
Hail Mary, which stars Ryan Gosling. The movie is based on the novel by Andy Weir, who also wrote The Martian. You don't have to be a science nerd to love Weir's books (although science nerds DO love Weir's
books), because in all of them, the real hero is human ingenuity—curiosity, flexible thinking, doing what needs to be done even in extreme circumstances. When things are going awry, the answer isn’t despair, it’s problem-solving, and I always emerge from a Weir book feeling spiritually lighter. While I immerse myself in Weir and Gosling, you, of course, should do YOU! Let the art or sport that grabs you and your kids be your launch ticket to optimism now, and lift you to fun
in the future. We're glad to provide the fuel!
—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
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 28th; Time: 9 am-2
pm; Extended day is offered from 2-4 pm; Entering Grades 1st-5th; Register: https://naturecentergb.org/summer-camp/; 99 Dromore Road Scarsdale, NY 10583
|
|
|
|
The National Scholastic Chess Foundation's summer camp in Hartsdale offers a unique blend of mental and physical enrichment to keep kids engaged and active all summer long. Students experience immersive chess learning through personalized instruction with
master tournament-playing teachers, challenging puzzles, and competitive play, while also enjoying supervised sports and physical activities led by professional PE teachers. This comprehensive mind-and-body approach produces measurable improvements in chess skills and overall well-being. What sets this camp apart is its exceptional, dedicated staff who bring diverse teaching methods that keep students excited about learning. Whether a competitive player or a complete beginner, NSCF welcomes all
levels.
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
For tweens and teens in grades 6 - 12. Stressed? Need a moment to relax? Join our mindful activities including coloring mandala's, listening to calming music, and getting into a state of relaxation. Snacks and drinks will be provided! No registration
required; just drop in!
|
|
|
|
Journey out onto Long Island Sound in hopes of seeing some of the seals and waterfowl that spend the winter just off our shores during our Seal-Spotting & Birding Cruises. These invigorating two-hour cruises seek out some of the harbor seals and gray
seals that come into the Sound each winter. Aquarium educators will point out these federally protected marine mammals and talk about their natural histories. They’ll also help identify such winter waterfowl as buffleheads, mergansers and long-tailed ducks.
Passengers must be over 42 inches tall and if under 18 accompanied by an adult.
|
|
|
|
Celebrate Women’s History Month by honoring the words of inspiring women from history. Create your own collage with printed images and quotations and add your voice to the conversation. Recommended for ages 4+.
|
|
|
|
We’re celebrating Maple Sugaring Season with three Sundays of family festival fun this winter! Join us for our annual First County Bank Maple Sugar Fest Sundays as we make our very own line of maple syrup from the 200+ mature maple trees found right here on
our 118-acre campus. We’re one of only two official maple sugar producers in Fairfield County! Each Sunday we’ll open our site at 10 am with added attractions, enhanced programming, fun seasonal offerings, free giveaways, and traditional favorites like Native American, Colonial and Modern sugaring demonstrations until 2 pm*. All our Fests are Rain or Shine, so we'll always have a rain plan for a great day. And of course access to our museum and current exhibition on view is always
included!
|
|
|
|
In Chinatown, the Lunar New Year Parade takes place on Sunday March 1st. During the parade, you can see the traditional Lion Dance, various dance groups, and other performances. The parade starts around 13:00 at Mott Street & Canal Street and ends near
Sara D. Roosevelt Park. Afterwards, you can have something to eat at one of the many restaurants in the area.
|
|
|
|
On the first Sunday of the month, we host a bird-on-glove demonstration where you can learn all about some of our magnificent raptors. Naturalists will discuss the animals’ traits, behaviors, and unique characteristics while the birds interact with their
handlers.
|
|
|
|
Welcome the Year of the Horse with an energetic lion dance performance. Two lions tell a lively story through movement, color, and rhythm, accompanied by the beat of the drum.
This performance is part of our Lunar New Year celebration. #HRMLunarNewYear
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the Westchester County area is back! You can search by date, age, or categories like day/overnight, sports, drama, music, theatre, arts & crafts, technology, robotics, horseback riding, preschool,
& more. Our guide puts summer fun right at your fingertips!
|
|
|
- FREE! Teen Night at the YMCA of Greenwich - YMCA of Greenwich - YMCA of
Greenwich, NY, Friday, 02/27/2026, 6:00 p.m.
- Little Sprouts Storytime (Babies & Toddlers) at Bedford Hills Free Library - Bedford Hills Free Library - Bedford Hills Free Library, 26 Main Street, Bedford Hills, NY 10507, Friday, 02/27/2026, 10:30 am - 11 am
- Mindfulness for Teens at New Rochelle Public Library - New Rochelle Public Library - New Rochelle Public Library, Library Plaza, New Rochelle, NY 10801, Friday, 02/27/2026, 4 pm - 5 pm
- Family Programs at Yale Peabody Museum - Yale Peabody Museum - Yale Peabody Museum, 170 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT
06511, Saturday, 02/28/2026, See website for specific program times
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
|
|
