Capital District Family Newsletter 10/18/12



There are 615 events coming up in the Capital District that are FREE!

2012 Winners: Top 20 Places To Bring Kids in the Capital District

Apple picking! Here's where to pick
Pumpkin Patches
Corn mazes
Upcoming festivals in the Capital Region

Publisher's Note

Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:

When I was a kid, whenever we received excellent service at a restaurant, my mother always made a point of finding the manager as we were on our way out; she would name the waiter or waitress and say exactly what she appreciated. She explained to me that this was a way both of saying "thank you" and of reinforcing what was good.

I've tried to carry through this principle with my own kids, not just in restaurants, but with anyone who provides something of value to our family or community. I guess I've taken it one step further--because the whole mission of KidsOutAndAbout is to celebrate, publicly, the resources in our area that help enrich our kids and families. It's my way of both saying "thank you" and of trying to help preserve these organizations for the next generation.

In the past few years, social media has made it all the more easy for us regular people to give feedback, and also to make personal connections with those who create great stuff. I was reminded of this fact this past weekend: I took my girls to see the movie Atlas Shrugged Part 2 in the theater. I thought the best character in the movie was portrayed by Esai Morales, whom you may remember as one of the stars of NYPD Blue in its later years. My girls and I found his portrayal of Francisco D'Anconia so compelling that the next morning I found his Facebook page and sent a short note of appreciation. It took me only 2 minutes. But that afternoon, he sent me back a lovely note telling me how much it meant to him to hear what I had to say.

So think about this the next time you and your kids read a terrific book, see a play, visit an exhibit, hear a concert, or take part in a community festival. Help your family remember that real people made it happen, and that showing your appreciation takes only a few clicks and a few minutes... but it means a lot.

2)  Here's all you need to know about Halloween in the Capital Region. Lots of options!

Halloween Activities in the Capital Region

5) Create your own Fall traditions in the Capital District with:

• Apple Picking (remember, it will be over early this year, so don't wait until the end of the month!)
• Pumpkin Patches
• Corn mazes
• Halloween activities
• Tips for Fall Family Photography
• Tons of upcoming festivals in the Capital Region

Two apple recipes:
Easy Apple Sauce that even a preteen can make
Secret to Easy and Awesome Apple Pie

6) HomeScienceTools.com is an amazing source of science kits and information for homeschoolers and non-homeschoolers alike. Kits in biology, geology, botany, chemistry, physics, and lots more (click here for the KidsOutAndAbout review of their Vitamin C testing kit). When you use THIS LINK you'll get 10% off your order through end of business today!!

--Debra Ross, Publisher

From your editor, Katie Beltramo:

7) There are plenty of opportunities to get haunted this weekend. You can check out the Halloween Haunted House at Schenectady Theater for Children in Rotterdam Square Mall Studio. Early times are "kid friendly." Later hours are "scary." The too-scary-for-young-kids Haunted Hayrides at Engelke Farm continue on Friday and Saturday nights. There's a  Hope 7 Haunted House and Party at Hope 7 Community Center on Friday. Beyond the haunted house, there will be a donut eating contest, monster photos, dance party and more. On Saturday, the Community Resource Federal Credit Union becomes a Haunted Credit Union.

8) Get some history along with your fall fun on Friday and Saturday nights by checking out Ghost Tours of the Farmers' Museum: Things That Go Bump in the Night at The Farmers' Museum. Museum guides lead you about the shadowy grounds of the Museum's 19th-century village and recount its many mysteries and ghostly happenings--reservations required. Or explore Flashlight Nights at Fort Ticonderoga.

9) Daytime Halloween fun sure to please the younger kids includes a Kid's Club Pumpkin Party at Wilton Mall on Saturday and the Saratoga Scare Fair  at the Saratoga Fairgrounds.

10) Speaking of ghosts, you can catch some ghosts with culture as Blithe Spirit continues all this weekend with the Schenectady Civic Players. Another terrific family option is the Golden Dragon Acrobats show at The Egg.

11) Or embrace dance this weekend. On Saturday, there's a Dance Storytime with Ellen Sinopoli at the Troy Public Library, and on Sunday, the whole family can learn swing dancing at the Swingin' Sunday at the National Museum of Dance.

12) Downtown Albany offers some great things to do this Saturday. There's the Medieval Faire at The Cathedral of All Saints. Festivities include entertainment, vendors, and food, all within the great cathedral, so you can feel completely transported. Saturday is also a  Family Fun Day at the New York State Museum at New York State Museum. On Saturday night, you can check out some NBA Preseason Basketball with  New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics at Times Union Center.

13) KOA has a postion open for a part-time sales person. We are looking for an energetic, friendly, outgoing person to sell our advertising products. Email june@kidsoutandabout.com for a full job description.

14) The Bravo Family, the Wall Family, the Woods Family, the Smart Family, and the Walker Family are our fictional families that take their kids to activities based on their particular interests. Here is what they are up to this weekend:

The Walker family focuses on health and physical fitness.
Friday: Flashlight Nights at Fort Ticonderoga at Fort Ticonderoga
Saturday: Family Hiking Adventure in Thacher Park at Emma Treadwell Thacher Nature Center
Sunday: Golden Dragon Acrobats show at The Egg (Nelson Rockefeller Center for the Performing Arts)

 

The Bravo Family loves the arts.
Friday: Art Night Schenectady 
Saturday: Dance Storytime with Ellen Sinopoli on Saturday, October 20th at Troy Public Library
Sunday: Binx Pop Up Holiday Shop at Tiny Tots Tea Room

 

This is the Woods Family. They love nature and the great outdoors.
Friday: Cunning Coyotes at Albany Pine Bush Preserve & Discovery Center
Saturday: Fall Scavenger Hunt Hike at Albany Pine Bush Preserve & Discovery Center
Sunday: Forestry Skills Day for Youth at Dyken Pond Environmental Center


 

The Smart family focuses on educational and cultural activities.
Friday: Family Storytime @ The Lansingburgh Branch of the Troy Public Library at Troy Public Library
Saturday: Family Fun: REPTILES YOU SHOULD KNOW at NYS DEC- Five Rivers Environmental Education Center
Sunday: Silent Wings: Birds Of Prey Live Raptor Program at Saratoga Springs Public Library

 

The Wall Family prefers indoor activities.
Friday: Hope 7 Haunted House and Party at Hope 7 Community Center
Saturday: Kid's Club Pumpkin Party at Wilton Mall
Sunday: Blithe Spirit at Schenectady Civic Players

15)  Here is your day-by-day weekend guide to upcoming events:
Friday, October 19
Saturday, October 20
Sunday, October 21

 

16) How to "Like" us more effectively

On the KidsOutAndAbout Facebook page, we often have interesting discussions, and that's where we announce giveaways first. Over 3000 of you are signed up to get our Facebook posts, but recent Facebook changes mean they only show a few hundred of you any of our given posts... unless... you "like" us specially.

Here's how: If you go to our Facebook page, hover your mouse over the "Like" button. When you do, you'll see two lines: Show in News Feed, and Add to Interest List. Please make sure both are indicated. When you hit Add to Interest Lists, if you don't have any interest lists, you can just add a new one. How about calling it: Stuff to do with kids! That way you should be able to hear from us when we post. Thanks.

17)  RESOURCES

Everything that's free (upcoming events that are free)
Top 20 Places to Take Kids in the Capital District
Indoor Play Centers
Places to have birthday parties
Private Schools
Preschools
Extracurricular classes
Clubs/Scouts/Teams for Kids and Parents
Libraries
Parks / Outdoor recreation areas
Kid-friendly restaurants
Organizations & schools that provide resources for kids with special needs
Upcoming shows and performances
Museums

18) Have you wondered about creative places to host your child's birthday party in the Albany-Troy-Schenectady area? There are 132 Birthday Party Locations on our list; check them out!

19) We're sure you can think of other folks who would enjoy finding out what's up for kids and families every week, so please, think of a few friends and forward it along! Here is the direct link they can use to sign up, themselves.

Enjoy the weekend!


Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com

Katie Beltramo
Editor, KidsOutAndAbout.com