KidsOutAndAbout Capital District latest e-newsletter

Special April Break KidsOutAndAbout newsletter for Families in the Capital District

Dear KOA readers:

Do your kids have off school this week? We have a link-filled newsletter for you in the special April Break edition of KidsOutAndAbout.com's newsletter. Grab a cup of tea and enjoy, because there's a lot going on!

Expect your weekly newsletter on Thursday as usual. And to all of those celebrating Passover this week, Happy Pesach!

Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
 

What's coming up that's FREE? 315 free events are on our calendar. Check them out.

Looking for events on a particular day? Check out our day by day calendars:

Monday, April 14
Tuesday, April 15
Wednesday, April 16
Thursday, April 17
Friday, April 18
Saturday, April 19
Sunday, April 20
 

Camps: There are a bunch of Spring Break Camps this week--some of them are all week long, some can be attended day-by-day. Here are a few fun titles: Spring Break Gymnastics Vacation Camp; Mad Hatter Madness Spring Break Week!; JMU4Kids April Vacation Camp; Be a Famous Illustrator: Kids Spring Break Camp; April Break Camp Days at the Walter Elwood Museum; Fashion Week: Make and Create on the Machine. There are lots more!

Here is KidsOutAndAbout's list of local Spring Break camps.
 

This is prime time for parents to shop for summer camps, and a bunch of them have been posted to KidsOutAndAbout. Click here to browse our list that is sorted both week by week and subject by subject:

Spring Break Highlights:

MONDAY

Monday, April 14: Berkshire Collects at Berkshire Museum. Berkshire Collects is a salute to the long and diverse tradition of collecting that built the Berkshire Museum 110 years ago.

Monday, April 14: Ernest & Celestine at Berkshire Museum. A sweet animated feature that the whole family will love. From the producers of "The Triplets of Belville" and "The Secret of Kells," Ernest & Celestine is about a civilization of hardworking mice, terrified of the bears who live above ground.

Monday, April 14: Scavenger Hunt at Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park. At Fox Parcel (Route 50)

Monday, April 14: Messy Mondays at The Wonder Room at The Wonder Room. We always have sensory activities for exploration - but on Mondays we do something a little bit MESSY! come and play! We are closed on Monday, May 26 for Memorial Day.

Monday, April 14: Butterflies @ miSci at miSci (Museum of Innovation and Science). miSci's butterfly house is back!

Monday, April 14: KidzArt at The Children's Museum at The Children's Museum at Saratoga. Megan Klein, owner of KidzArt, will be teaching her popular art classes at The Children's Museum! Each class, designed for a specific age group, will allow children to use high quality art materials to create a beautiful work of art to take home.

Monday, April 14: City by Design at The Children's Museum at Saratoga. Do you enjoy maps? Do you like cars and trucks? Do you like building? Out City by Design program has something for everyone!

Monday, April 14: Kitchen Cabinet Mosaics at Albany Public Library - Main Library Children's Room. Glue beans, popcorn, seeds and other colorful foods into a beautiful mosaic.

Monday, April 14: Casey Carle’s BubbleMania - Spring Break Monday at Steamer 10 Theatre at Steamer No. 10 Theatre. A BubbleManiac since 1989, Casey Carle presents an event loaded with visual comedy, quick wit, big band swing music and amazing soap bubble manipulations.

Monday, April 14: CNSE CMOST is open to general public at The Children's Museum of Science and Technology (CNSE CMOST). Mon. April 14 –Sat. April 19 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM CNSE CMOST is open to general public

Monday, April 14: School Spring Vacation Series at Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center. Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center is offering a School Spring Vacation Series April 14-16 from 2-4pm. Children can attend one or all programs if they wish.

TUESDAY

Tuesday, April 15: Playing with Play-Doh at Albany Public Library - Main Library Children's Room. You're never too old to have a great time with Play-Doh. Come make something squishy and fun!! All ages.

Tuesday, April 15: Recycling Right at Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park. At Camp Saratoga

Tuesday, April 15: Playing with Play-Doh at Albany Public Library - Main Library Children's Room. You're never too old to have a great time with Play-Doh. Come make something squishy and fun!! All ages.

Tuesday, April 15: Full Pink Moon Hike at Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center. Join us for an easy 1-2 mile twilight hike throughout Dyken Pond’s trail systems to observe the Full Pink Moon. Please dress appropriately for spring conditions. Free program. 7pm-9pm.

Tuesday, April 15: School Spring Vacation Series at Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center. Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center is offering a School Spring Vacation Series April 14-16 from 2-4pm. Children can attend one or all programs if they wish.

Tuesday, April 15: Children's Book Collection at 15-LOVE. 15-LOVE collects used children's books for (free) distribution. Picture books and early chapter books are most needed, but all levels are welcome. Please call to arrange for drop-off (438-2039). Volunteers also needed for distribution days (call).

Tuesday, April 15: Tanglewood Marionettes on Tuesday of Spring Break at Steamer 10 Theatre at Steamer No. 10 Theatre. The Tanglewood Marionettes present Arabian Adventure.

Tuesday, April 15: Start Your Own Veggie Garden at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schenectady County. Join us for a morning in the greenhouse and learn about the fascinating world of plants. Children will start their own vegetable seeds to take home. Garden exploration, art activites and a healthy snack included. Ages 5-10.

Tuesday, April 15: Spring Into the Museum! School Vacation Week at New York State Museum. Calling all learners! Come explore the Museum's exhibitions and discover something new by participating in a variety of exciting activities. Please visit NYS Museum website for a complete schedule of activities.

Tuesday, April 15: Berkshire Collects at Berkshire Museum. Berkshire Collects is a salute to the long and diverse tradition of collecting that built the Berkshire Museum 110 years ago.

Tuesday, April 15: Tuesday for Tots at The Children's Museum at Saratoga. This is a special time for our younger visitors to gain preschool readiness skills in a fun and social environment. Join us anytime between 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm for play-dough, crafts, games, and friends.

WEDNESDAY

Wednesday, April 16: Roger the Jester - Wednesday of Spring Break at Steamer 10 Theatre at Steamer No. 10 Theatre. Enjoy great entertainment for kids every day of April break with April Vacation Daze! Monday features Roger the Jester on April Fool's Day!

Wednesday, April 16: Spring Into the Museum! School Vacation Week at New York State Museum. Calling all learners! Come explore the Museum's exhibitions and discover something new by participating in a variety of exciting activities. Please visit NYS Museum website for a complete schedule of activities.

Wednesday, April 16: NEW! Tiny Tots Tea Room Family Paint and Play at Tiny Tots Tea Room . Join us for a FUN afternoon of Painting!

Wednesday, April 16: Stars of the Pharaoh at Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center & Henry Hudson Planetarium. SCHOOL BREAK FUN! Journey back in time to explore astronomy and ancient Egypt.

Wednesday, April 16: Shrinky Dinks at Albany Public Library - Main Library Children's Room. Draw on special plastic, then watch your creation shrink to a tiny creation!

Wednesday, April 16: Science Story Time  at The Children's Museum of Science and Technology (CNSE CMOST). Wednesday, April 16 3:00 – 3:30 PM Science Story Time

Wednesday, April 16: Butterflies @ miSci at miSci (Museum of Innovation and Science). miSci's butterfly house is back!

Wednesday, April 16: School Spring Vacation Series at Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center. Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center is offering a School Spring Vacation Series April 14-16 from 2-4pm. Children can attend one or all programs if they wish.

Wednesday, April 16: The Wonder Room: COMMUNITY TABLE  at The Wonder Room. The Community Table Sampler is a program for creative kids ages 5-10. Registration is required. Pick one or two classes, Members, $9 per class, Non-members, $10 per class.

Wednesday, April 16: Storytime at Schuylerville Public Library. Pre-school children enjoy books, crafts and a snack. Must be accompanied by adult.

Wednesday, April 16: Berkshire Collects at Berkshire Museum. Berkshire Collects is a salute to the long and diverse tradition of collecting that built the Berkshire Museum 110 years ago.

Wednesday, April 16: "Fast Break" CO-ED Basketball Clinic at Rudy A Ciccotti Family Recreation Center. Basketball Clinic

Wednesday, April 16: "Build a Nest Box" Workshop at Thacher Nature Center at Emma Treadwell Thacher Nature Center. Invite beautiful Bluebirds or mosquito-eating Tree Swallows into your yard!

Wednesday, April 16: Amphibian Walk at Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park. At Neilman Trailhead (Ruggles Road)

Wednesday, April 16: Artfull Afternoons at The Hyde Collection. Visits to the galleries and museum followed by themed art activities in the studio for ages 5 - 14

Wednesday, April 16: Movement and Games at The Children's Museum at Saratoga. Come and play "Instrumove", "Count to 10 and Look Again!", "Box, Box, Secret Box", and "Cross the River!".

Wednesday, April 16: Story Art at The Children's Museum at Saratoga. Reading together is always better! So please join us, Wednesdays for an exciting new story each week.

Wednesday, April 16: Alphabet Soup at The Children's Museum at Saratoga. Starting with the letter "A", each week we will learn a new letter of the alphabet through crafts, games, stories, songs, and more!

THURSDAY

Thursday, April 17: Edible Garden Workshop at The Children's Museum at Saratoga. Choose from one of two days to create your own edible garden in a mason jar!

Thursday, April 17: Ben's Jammin Art Project at Honest Weight Food Co-op. An interactive music and art experience for kids of any age. No need to sign up; just drop by!

Thursday, April 17: American Woodcock Walk at Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center. Watch the amazing courtship ritual of the American Woodcock performed each evening at dusk. Free program. Pre-registration required. Space limited. 7 pm.

Thursday, April 17: Sensory Play: Silly Putty  at The Children's Museum of Science and Technology (CNSE CMOST). Thursday, April 17 10:00 – 11:30 AM Sensory Play: Silly Putty

Thursday, April 17: Spring Into the Museum! School Vacation Week at New York State Museum. Calling all learners! Come explore the Museum's exhibitions and discover something new by participating in a variety of exciting activities. Please visit NYS Museum website for a complete schedule of activities.

Thursday, April 17: Silly Science at The Children's Museum at Saratoga. Join us for our most popular weekly program, Silly Science! Discover the different ways science is all around us!

Thursday, April 17: Magician Jim Snack at Steamer 10 Theatre at Steamer No. 10 Theatre. The region’s most renowned magician and a master of sleight-of-hand, Jim Snack brings everything he needs except an assistant. That’s where you come in. Not only will Jim amaze and amuse you - he’ll make you a part of the action.

Thursday, April 17: NEW! Tiny Tots Tea Room Family Paint and Play at Tiny Tots Tea Room . Join us for a FUN afternoon of Painting!

Thursday, April 17: Butterflies @ miSci at miSci (Museum of Innovation and Science). miSci's butterfly house is back!

Thursday, April 17: Capital Consignments Spring Sale- CONSIGNORS, VOLUNTEERS & FUNDRAISERS REGISTER NOW! at Capital Consignments. REGISTRATION OPEN! Capital Consignments Spring Family Sale Apr 26 & 27: adult & children’s clothing & items. Consignors earn 70% ($10 fee). Volunteers get early shopping and $10 GC per shift. Fundraisers earn 50-65% profit, minimal effort!

Thursday, April 17: Evenings at the Institute: FREE Admission Thursday Nights from 5PM-8PM at Albany Institute of History and Art . Come explore the Albany Institute for FREE on Thursday evenings from 5PM-8PM!

Thursday, April 17: Berkshire Collects at Berkshire Museum. Berkshire Collects is a salute to the long and diverse tradition of collecting that built the Berkshire Museum 110 years ago.

Thursday, April 17: Spring Break Special: Trout Discovery Day at Grafton Lakes State Park. Have you ever met a baby trout? We've been raising them since October and they're ready to go out into the big world of Second Pond!

Thursday, April 17: Twinkle Time at Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center & Henry Hudson Planetarium. SCHOOL BREAK FUN! Young sky watchers discover twinkling stars, planets, constellation pictures and sky stories inside our planetarium dome.

Thursday, April 17: Storytime at Schuylerville Public Library. Pre-school children enjoy books, crafts and a snack. Must be accompanied by adult.

Thursday, April 17: NEW! Tiny Tots Tea Room Family Paint and Play at Tiny Tots Tea Room . Join us for a FUN afternoon of Painting!

Thursday, April 17: Natural Egg Dyeing at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schenectady County. Join us for this fun, hands-on class. We will make dyes from plants such as cabbage, onions, cranberries and more. Students will decorate their own eggs to take home. A healthy snack is included.

Thursday, April 17: Perler Beads at Albany Public Library - Main Library Children's Room. Come design your own colorful creation, and we'lll fuse it together to take home.

FRIDAY

Friday, April 18: Easter Bake & Craft Sale for Charity at Community Resource Federal Credit Union . Stop by to pick up your Easter desserts or a festive craft. All proceeds are for charity.

Friday, April 18: Family Movie Night at Schuylerville Public Library. Join us every the third Friday of the month for a fun-filled family movie night.

Friday, April 18: Stars on Ice at Times Union Center. America’s top Olympic medal contenders from the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi headline this season’s all-new Stars on Ice Tour, and you can see them perform on home ice!

Friday, April 18: Butterflies @ miSci at miSci (Museum of Innovation and Science). miSci's butterfly house is back!

Friday, April 18: Busy Bees: Baby & Toddler Program at The Children's Museum at Saratoga. Calling all babies and toddlers! Join us for our newest weekly program, Busy Bees! This group has been designed exclusively for our youngest visitors and their caregivers.

Friday, April 18: Dodgeball Tournament at Rudy A Ciccotti Family Recreation Center. Back by popular demand!

Friday, April 18: PARENTS NIGHT OUT - Every Third Friday of the Month at Tiny Tots Tea Room . Take a Night Off - and Let us have all the Fun with the Kids!

Friday, April 18: Easter Egg Museum Exhibit at Schoharie Free Library. The "egg"straordinary Easter Egg Museum of Schoharie, NY will open in its entirety for a final time in April 2014. Donations benefit the Schoharie Free Library.

Friday, April 18: Berkshire Collects at Berkshire Museum. Berkshire Collects is a salute to the long and diverse tradition of collecting that built the Berkshire Museum 110 years ago.

Friday, April 18: Edible Garden Workshop at The Children's Museum at Saratoga. Choose from one of two days to create your own edible garden in a mason jar!

Friday, April 18: Spring Into the Museum! School Vacation Week at New York State Museum. Calling all learners! Come explore the Museum's exhibitions and discover something new by participating in a variety of exciting activities. Please visit NYS Museum website for a complete schedule of activities.

Friday, April 18: Vacation Daze at Steamer 10 - The Gizmo Guys at Steamer No. 10 Theatre. The Gizmo Guys' rapid-fire act exhilarates and inspires sidesplitting laughter in audience members of all ages !

Friday, April 18: Connect 4 Competition at Albany Public Library - Main Library Children's Room. Are you a champion Connect 4 player? Come find out, as we play tournament-style. We'll have prizes for the overall winner and three runners-up.

Friday, April 18: Pre-School Story Hour with Pam at the Open Door Bookstore at Open Door Bookstore. Enjoy songs & stories every Friday with Pam! Check out our FB page for more specifics.

Friday, April 18: Wiggle & Giggle at The Children's Museum at Saratoga. This is a special time for younger children to learn what they can do with their bodies through guided free play. Together caretakers and the museum foster the physical development of children in a social and creative environment.

SATURDAY

Saturday, April 19: Family Fun Day at New York State Museum. The Museum offers fun for the whole family with games, crafts, and other theme-based activities.

Saturday, April 19: Pony Club Informational Meeting at Great Escape Stables. Great Escape Stables is becoming a United States Pony Club Riding Center! We are having an informational meeting to discuss pony club and what the GES riding center will be offering. Join us and you'll get to meet our Pony Club horses too!!

Saturday, April 19: Egg Hunt Guilderland YMCA at Capital District YMCA--Guilderland Branch. Free and Open to the Public There will be Face Painting, Arts and Crafts and of course the Easter Bunny Egg Hunt Times are as Follows: 10:30am for Ages 4 & Under 11:00am for Ages 5 & Up

Saturday, April 19: The Children's Guide Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Afrim's at Afrim's Sports. The Children's Guide Annual Easter Egg Hunt. 500 families and over 800 kids will attend this annual event! Its not to be missed!

Saturday, April 19: EASTER CELEBRATION at KidZone where fun begins. Join the Easter Bunny for games, crafts, playtime and refreshments.

Saturday, April 19: Tumbling Tykes Easter Party and Egg Hunt at Tumbling Tykes. Come celebrate with an Easter Party at Tumbling Tykes! We will have crafts, snacks, an Egg Hunt and the Easter Bunny!

Saturday, April 19: Spring Work Day at Landis Arboretum. Celebrate Earth Day at Landis this year by becoming part of our Spring Work Day team. Bring your small garden tools if you have them, and dress for comfort. We'll work from 9 AM to 1 PM, then stop for snacks and fellowship.

Saturday, April 19: NEW! Tiny Tots Tea Room Family Paint and Play at Tiny Tots Tea Room . Join us for a FUN afternoon of Painting!

Saturday, April 19: Easter Celebration at Believers Fellowship Center. Saturday April 19th. Free admission. Ages 2-11 years. Egg hunt, games, music, prizes, snacks, animals and more! ATTENDANCE IS LIMITED so Pre-register by April 18th at www.bfcglenville.com/easter. Event will be held at 304 Swaggertown Rd. Scotia,

Saturday, April 19: 2014 Eggcellent Easter Egg Hunt at Midway Fire Department. Egg hunt for ages 1 to 12. Three separate Egg Hunts: 11:30AM, 12:30PM & 1:30 PM. Each time children will be broken up into 3 age groups 0-4, 5-8 and 9-12. Admission is $6 per child includes hot dog, 2 tickets for games, a raffle ticket & chocolate.

Saturday, April 19: Butterflies @ miSci at miSci (Museum of Innovation and Science). miSci's butterfly house is back!

Saturday, April 19: Easter Egg Museum Exhibit at Schoharie Free Library. The "egg"straordinary Easter Egg Museum of Schoharie, NY will open in its entirety for a final time in April 2014. Donations benefit the Schoharie Free Library.

Saturday, April 19: NEW! Tiny Tots Tea Room Family Paint and Play at Tiny Tots Tea Room . Join us for a FUN afternoon of Painting!

SUNDAY

Sunday, April 20: Family Yoga at Schenectady Jewish Community Center (JCC). For parents and children ages 5 to 10. A great opportunity to be together.

Sunday, April 20: Tumba-Rifical Family Tumbling at Schenectady Jewish Community Center (JCC). For boys and girls ages 5 to 8

Sunday, April 20: CNSE CMOST is closed at The Children's Museum of Science and Technology (CNSE CMOST). Sunday, April 20 CNSE CMOST is closed

Sunday, April 20: Easter Egg Museum Exhibit at Schoharie Free Library. The "egg"straordinary Easter Egg Museum of Schoharie, NY will open in its entirety for a final time in April 2014. Donations benefit the Schoharie Free Library.

Sunday, April 20: Gallery Tours at Albany Institute of History and Art . These gallery tours are led by museum docent volunteers and are FREE with museum admission.

Sunday, April 20: Berkshire Collects at Berkshire Museum. Berkshire Collects is a salute to the long and diverse tradition of collecting that built the Berkshire Museum 110 years ago.

The Top 20 Places to Take Kids in the Capital District also is a very useful place to get ideas for Spring Break fun and activities.

Have a great break!

Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com

Katie Beltramo
Editor, KidsOutAndAbout.com