KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Wed, Jan 14: Family Fun Day at Slick City - North Aurora
Sat, Jan 17: Hibernation Huddle with Stuffed Friends at Heller Nature Center Mon, Jan 19: Curiosity Day Camp at Museum of Science Industry: STE(A)M Solvers
Mon, Jan 19: School Day Off Camps at the Chicago Botanic Garden
Wed, Jan 21: Open Play at Ultimate Ninjas
Sat, Jan 24: Eagle Watch Winter Trip with Heller Nature Center Fri, Jan 30: Family Game Night at the Schaumburg Community Recreation Center
Sat, Jan
31: Once Upon a Symphony (for ages 3-5): The Ugly Duckling at Chicago Symphony Orchestra Thu, Feb 5: Little Climbers at Funtopia
Fri, Feb 6: Ties and Tiaras Dance at Batavia Park District
Sun, Feb 8: Lunar New Year at Little Red School House Nature Center
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
I'm in Phoenix this week for a meeting of the American Astronomical Society, where I'm giving a talk about my new book, The Eclipse Effect. One of the best parts of being here is getting to attend the other presentations, too, which is how I found myself Monday night inside under the Dorrance Planetarium Dome at the Arizona Science Center, gazing up at a sky unlike any I’ve ever seen. Thanks to cutting-edge LED projection technology and the first imagery from the nearly-complete Rubin Observatory in Chile, the dome became a portal into the depths of our galaxy and beyond, rendered in light so vivid and
detailed it felt like we could fall in. The room was full of astronomers, researchers, educators—professionals who have dedicated their careers to explaining the universe. These were the very people who helped build the tools, who'd worked the math, who’d waited decades to see the science take shape... and even they were astonished: Their faces were lit up with the kind of awe you usually only see in children. It was a reminder that at its heart, science is about
connection. Connecting those points of light above my head, yes; connecting the dots, sure... but also connecting people—to each other, to wonder, and to what’s possible. If you want your kids to connect deeply with science—or history, or nature, or culture, or space—you don’t need a telescope on a mountain, you just need a person. So go to the museum, walk the trail, step into the planetarium. But don’t stop at the exhibit signs: Find the people! Ask them
questions. They want to talk to you! These docents, tour guides, librarians, explainers, and educators are the ones who turn information into illumination. They are the lens your kids can look through to see what their future might be. So seek the sky painters. Then stand next to your kids, look up, and be amazed together.
—Debra Ross, publisher
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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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Ball Factory just made Thursdays a little more fun! Extended hours and discounted admission mean more fun for you and your kiddos. Play until 7pm and admission is just $15! What are you waiting for?
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Bundle up for a cozy night under the stars at the beach! We’ll explore the winter night sky, learn about constellations, and then gather around the fire to enjoy warm s’mores by the shore. Pre-registration required. All participants, including adults and children ages 2+, must register for the program. Children must be accompanied by a paid registered adult. Program is outdoors so please dress for the weather.
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This January celebrate Homeschool Month with an unforgettable, hands-on LEGO® experience —designed especially for homeschool families. Whether your focus is engineering, problem-solving, physics or math, our activities bring your curriculum to life in a fun, creative way your kids will never forget.
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Presented in Symphony Center's intimate Buntrock Hall, Once Upon a Symphony weaves chamber music performed by members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra with storytelling, sets, costumes and multimedia to create a captivating and magical introduction to live music for children aged 3-5. In the Ugly Duckling, a young duckling is teased for being different. After facing loneliness and other struggles, the duckling matures into a stunning swan, realizing true beauty comes from within. Explore this musical portrait of self-discovery, acceptance and inner strength. Once Upon a Symphony is designed to introduce children ages 3 to 5 to the world of classical music and the musicians of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Ignite your child’s imagination with vivid storytelling and small ensemble performances, as well as sets, costumes and images created by Chicago Children’s Theatre. Produced and presented in partnership with Chicago Children’s Theatre.
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The MCA is a great place for families to connect with contemporary art. Every second Saturday of the month, October through May, enjoy free admission and interactive events that redefine the way that children and families explore and create art together. Designed for children under 12 and their grown-ups, MCA Family Days invite our youngest visitors to be the museum’s artists, thinkers, and collaborators. Witness an artist’s first creation. Experience inspiration spark from play and wonder. Do something nearly unheard of in a contemporary art museum—sit on comfy pillows and eat free snacks. Every second Saturday, joyfully disregard the boundaries between adult and child, artist and visitor, museum and studio, teacher and learner. Admission is free to Family Day attendees. ASL interpretation is provided.
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Theaster Gates investigates the value of things and their potential to hold layered meanings. Inspired by Gates’s practice & in collaboration with the UChicago student-run nonprofit reSOURCE, families will be invited to reclaim, repurpose, and reimagine seemingly unusable objects from home, transforming them into unique works of art that reflect their acquired significance through the process of caring for and reshaping their value. Families are encouraged to bring an object – such as a clothing item, bag, mug, or toy – one that is underused, undervalued or no longer serves its intended purpose to incorporate into their project.
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Play at Heller and discover nature in every season! Each Nature Playdate features seasonal activities and a self-guided hike. This winter playdate is inspired by the Danish and Norwegian concept of hygge - the art of feeling cozy, content, and connected through life’s simple comforts. Indoors, enjoy board games and puzzles, hot cocoa, and nature-inspired crafts. Outdoors, take a self-guided hike or explore our Wander Woods, then warm up at one of our crackling campfires. Pre-registration requested. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Program is partially outdoors so please dress for the weather.
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Ages 3 and up. Immerse yourself in the hit TV show as you play fun rescue missions alongside Ryder and your favorite four-legged friends. This interactive digital experience lasts 60 minutes with a short break in the middle for any young pups who need a breather. Can you sniff out the clues, solve the problems and lead your pack to mission success? Suitable for the whole family, ages 3 and up.
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- Stargazing and S'mores at Rosewood Beach - Rosewood Beach, Sheridan Road, Highland Park, Friday, January 9, 2026, 6 - 7 pm
- Family Days at the MCA: January - Museum Of Contemporary Art Chicago, Chicago, Saturday, January 10, 2026, 11 am - 3 pm
- Edgewater Indoor Market 2026 - Broadway Armory Park, Edgewater, Saturday, January 10, 2026, 10 am - 2 pm
- Family Day: In with the Old at the Smart Museum of
Art - Smart Museum of Art, Chicago, Saturday, January 10, 2026, 10 am - 1 pm
- R.I.P. (Remove Invasive Plants) Stewardship at Little Red School House Nature Center - Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs, Saturday, January 10, 2026, 10 am
- Heller Hygge Winter PlayDate - Heller Nature Center, Highland Park, Sunday, January 11, 2026, 11 am - 1
pm
- Sunrise Hike at Little Red School House Nature Center - Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs, Sunday, January 11, 2026, 6:45 am
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EXPERIENCES create memories much more than stuff does. As you're considering gifts for family and friends, consider giving the gift of a family membership to one of our local attractions in and around the Chicago area. Here are local organizations that
offer memberships.
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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 Chicago 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 Top 20 Places to Take Kids in the Chicago Area, as voted by thousands of parents! Our Top 20 results page includes a list of your top picks, including winners in special categories like Top Arts Educator, Top Sports Educator, and Top STEM
Educator!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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