KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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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 Fri, Feb 13: Titanic (1997) – Live In Concert with the Chicago Philharmonic
Fri, Feb 13: Disney On Ice presents Jump In!
Sat, Feb 14: Family Days at the MCA at Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
Sun, Feb 15: February Free Museum Day at the American Writers Museum Mon, Feb 16: Curiosity Day Camp at Museum of Science Industry: Bessie
Coleman Flight School
Thu, Feb 19: Little Climbers at Funtopia Fri, Apr 17: Handyman Hall Comes to Town - Riviera Theatre,
April 17
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
When Madison and Ella were young, I made it a point to stretch their comfort zones in small, manageable ways. They’d order their own food at restaurants, they'd arrange their own homeschool work schedules, they'd try activities where they didn’t know anyone. I did my best not to step in unless invited. Over time, they started trusting their own ability to
navigate the world without me. That, of course, was the point. But the better they got at being independent, the more I started to feel a quiet kind of discomfort. They were moving outward—into the world, into themselves—and I could feel the shift. There’s a concept in astrophysics called red shift. When a star or galaxy moves away from us, the light it emits stretches, shifting toward the red end of the spectrum. The farther away it moves, the redder the
light appears. It’s how we know the universe is expanding. The movement doesn’t mean the light is gone—just that it’s arriving to us in a new form, from farther away. I think about that a lot as my kids are no longer orbiting so closely. I still see their light; it just looks different now. I’m learning to recognize their new wavelengths. The trick, I think, is not to see red shift as loss, but as evidence of motion. The fact that I feel the stretch means the universe is doing
what it’s supposed to do: expanding, evolving, moving outward. I remind myself that this kind of shift is a mark of success. Increased wavelength, decreased frequency... it's all part of the natural order of things. Light travels and stretches, and love does, too.
—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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Handyman Hal is rolling into town on his “awesome tool vehicle” for a high-energy, laugh-out-loud live show the whole family will love! In The Handyman Hal Comes to Town Tour, children’s educational YouTube favorite Handyman Hal is joined by friendly helpers and special guests as he builds a secret project using cool tools, music, and lots of kid participation. Sing and dance along to fan-favorite songs like “Tools Are Cool” and “The Awesome Song,” and hold on tight when a wild science experiment unleashes dino-sized chaos! This engaging live performance is a fantastic first theater experience for little ones and a fun-filled adventure for kids of all ages. Tickets available now!
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Join us After a Long Week, We’ve Got Jumps & Dinner Covered! 2 Adults, 2 Kids, Socks, & a 14″ Pizza – All Packed Into 90 Minutes of Non-Stop FUN Included! Every Friday Night, beginning at 4 pm! Cheese pizza provided by Salerno’s on Tap. Pizza served at end of 90-minute ticket session, or 7:30pm, whichever comes first. Pizza may be customized at time of check-in, and other menu items may be added at check-in as well. Please register online.
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WhOOO WhOOO! Let's go on an owl prowl at Rosewood. Listen for our resident owl and some owl visitors in the ravines, all under the glow of an owl moon. Learn all about these silent fliers and master hunters. 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. Bring warm clothes and be prepared to be outside.
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Are your spider-senses tingling yet? Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is swinging into Griffin MSI! Step into the exciting world of one of the most beloved superheroes of all time in Marvel's Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing – The Exhibition. In this immersive exhibit, you'll see rare comic books, view props and costumes from your favorite Spider-Man movies, explore cutting-edge interactive installations and take photos with life-size statues of your favorite characters, like Miles Morales, Ghost-Spider and, of course, Spider-Man! Superfans can dive deep into the evolution of Spider-Man from his first comic book appearance to the latest TV, movie and video games, while kids of all ages can get hands-on with drawing activities and more. Don't miss Marvel’s Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing – The Exhibition, open now through February 8, 2026.
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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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Travel with us to Starved Rock State Park for the Illinois Audubon Society’s annual Eagle Watch Weekend. See live bird shows, view wild eagles fishing along the river, make crafts and participate in hands-on activities. The colder it is, the better the bird viewing! Pre-registration required. All participants, children and adults, must register for the program. Children must be accompanied by a paid registered adult. Dress warmly and for walking; some of the best viewing areas involve climbing stairs. Meals not included. Transportation is provided using our Park District Mini-Bus.
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Funtopia’s Little Climbers Program introduces young kids to the exciting world of climbing through fun, safe, and engaging activities. Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers, this program promotes strength, balance, and coordination in a playful environment! We offer classes during low-traffic times, giving you the chance to relax, work, or even climb yourself while your child enjoys their adventure!
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Funtopia’s Little Climbers Program introduces young kids to the exciting world of climbing through fun, safe, and engaging activities. Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers, this program promotes strength, balance, and coordination in a playful environment! We offer classes during low-traffic times, giving you the chance to relax, work, or even climb yourself while your child enjoys their adventure!
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Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in and around Chicago? Escape rooms are interactive, puzzle-packed experiences where you and your team work together to solve clues, unlock secrets,
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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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