KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Fri, Mar 20: The Easter Bunny at 900 North Michigan Shops
Mon, Mar 23: Spring Break Camp at Movement Climbing - Lincoln Park
Sat, Mar 28: Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark – Live In Concert with the Chicago Philharmonic
Sat, Mar 28: Bunny Trolley Hop at the Illinois Railway Museum
Wed, Apr 1: Favorite Animal Day at the Chicago Children's Museum
Wed, Apr 1: Spring Break at Chasers Laser Tag
Fri, Apr 3: Pajama Day at the Chicago Children's Museum
Sat, Apr 4: 2026 Spring Egg-Stravaganza at Lincoln Park Zoo
Sun, Apr 5: Brunch with the Bunny at the Brookfield Zoo! Fri, Apr 10: April Dozin' with the Dinos at the Field Museum
Sat, Apr 11: Glow Wild at the Brookfield Zoo
Fri, Apr 17: Stuff You Should Know Live at the Auditorium Theatre
Sat, Apr 18: Once Upon a Symphony (for ages 3-5) at Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Sun, Apr 19: Goodnight Moon at Chicago Children’s Theatre
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: The first time I can remember having to take a public stand on anything was in eighth grade English. We were assigned an essay on a controversial topic and told we’d present our arguments to the class. When he handed back our papers, Mr. Schmidt added a twist: no reading. We’d speak from notes. I was horrified. After school, I tried to negotiate my way out of it. “This
makes me really uncomfortable,” I told him, hoping for mercy. He looked at me over his glasses. “That’s the whole point,” he said. “To get stuff done, you have to get comfortable being uncomfortable. Don’t worry, you’ll live.” Mr. Schmidt was right. I didn’t die. And more important, I learned something that stuck: Discomfort isn’t a stop sign, it’s just part of the road, and all roads are bumpy. That lesson shaped how I've raised my kids, too. Karate helped
Madison and Ella distinguish between effort and injury. Long car rides taught them to rely on their own imaginations. Theater nudged them to stand however close to the spotlight they could manage, even when they’d rather disappear. And summer camps—those muddy, unpredictable, gloriously imperfect experiences—gave them countless chances to try something new and realize I can do this without the stigma that can accompany failing in other contexts. Growth rarely happens
inside the comfort zone, which is why I’m such a believer in giving kids opportunities to stretch beyond what feels easy. Summer programs are perfect for this, so that's why during "summer camp search season" we focus on showcasing the wide variety of camps and programs available in each area we serve. Here's the link to the
portal page. These days, as we approach the 25th anniversary of KidsOutAndAbout.com in June, I see that same principle playing out: The technology has changed, the business climate has changed, but the equation hasn’t. Discomfort still shows up right before something meaningful. And I still hear Mr. Schmidt’s voice in my head: Don’t worry, you’ll live.
—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities
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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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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.
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Do you have an interest in Frogs and Toads? Become a FrogWatch Volunteer! You do not have to be a frog or toad expert to be a FrogWatch USA volunteer. All you need is an interest in frogs and toads, willingness to participate in the volunteer training
session with Cosley Zoo, and the commitment to monitor a wetland site for 3 minutes multiple evenings (after dark) throughout the breeding season. (February-August) During this training you will learn how to select a monitoring site, how to identify the calls of local Illinois frogs and toads, how to submit your observations and be provided with many resources.
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The Glow Wild lantern festival transforms the night into a glowing celebration of art, culture, and conservation. Wander illuminated pathways surrounded by handcrafted lanterns inspired by wildlife global traditions and mythical worlds. This breathtaking
outdoor experience is perfect for families couples and anyone who loves immersive nighttime events. Please purchase tickets in advance of this event.
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Conductor Mei-Ann Chen and members of the CSO embark on a musical exploration of air, fire and water. Journey through a musical depiction of the elements that help to create balance on planet Earth, and discover how we are all part of that harmony.
Perfect for ages 5-12
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Join us for a special dance-inspired story time presented by Tutu School Ballet. The program includes an introduction to ballet and dance, a read-aloud from Tutu School's monthly book club selection, dance participation and more! Tutu School is a collection
of whimsical, boutique ballet schools for toddlers and children across the US, UK and Canada. The school, especially their Lincoln Park studio, is passionate about helping children nurture their imagination and develop confidence and joy through music and movement.
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Hop into the fun at our annual Doggy Egg Hunt! Treat-filled eggs will be hidden across the Al Hattendorf Park grounds for your pup to sniff out. In addition to the egg hunt enjoy a photo op, agility course competition, and a giveaway for each dog. All dogs
must be leashed (no retractable leashes). Pre-registration is required.
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Learn about safety, equipment, regulations, and more at this eight-hour course, which meets Illinois boater education card requirements. Ages 12 and up; under 18 with an adult. Free. Register online or at 630-933-7248. Meet inside the St James Farm Indoor
Riding Arena. The class will take place in the meeting room. Bring a sack lunch and dress for the weather; part of the class will be outdoors.
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Hop on over for a fun-filled morning at Armour Square Park! Kids will search for a golden egg hidden across the field, and don’t forget to bring your own basket. Location: Field House. Egg Hunts Begin at 11:00 AM Sharp! Once all the eggs are found, the hunt
is over—so be sure to arrive on time! Don’t miss your chance to claim Golden Egg Prizes at the registration table.
Check-in: Craft, Bounce House and Photo opportunity with the Bunny will start at 10:00 AM
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We are excited to welcome you to learn more about our programs and our globally-minded community. Our all-school Open House will showcast our two signature programs:
1. Maternelle (Pre-K to K): Families will enjoy interactive activities in both English and French, giving them a real sense of what it feels like to be part of the Lycée.
2. High School IB (taught fully in English): Families will have the opportunity to learn more about our rigorous IB program and see firsthand how we prepare students for global opportunities.
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Visitors celebrating Easter in Chicago can meet the Easter Bunny during select dates throughout late March and early April. The Bunny will be available for seated photo opportunities inside the Skydeck experience on LL2, creating a memorable Easter photo
backdrop inside Willis Tower.
These seasonal photo sessions are a fun addition to any visit and one of the most unique ways to take Easter Bunny pictures in Chicago while enjoying the Skydeck experience.
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Please register each person in your group. Everyone will be cooking together! Bring the whole family for a fun, hands-on baking class where everyone gets to make their own homemade Pop-Tarts! Kids and grown-ups will mix dough, roll it out, choose fillings,
and assemble their pastries before baking them to flaky, golden perfection. This class is all about creativity and teamwork — decorate your Pop-Tarts with icing and sprinkles, then take home your delicious creations to enjoy together. No experience needed, just come ready to bake and have fun!
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- Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - Chicago - Shoott - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, USA, Friday, March 20 to Sunday, March 22 - See link for times
- Dance Story Time with Tutu School Ballet at Lincoln Park Library - Tutu School Ballet - Lincoln Park Branch, Chicago Public Library, West Fullerton Avenue, Sheffield & DePaul, Chicago, IL, USA, Saturday, March 21 - 2 - 3 pm
- Stewardship Days at Big Marsh - Big Marsh Park, South Stony Island Avenue, Chicago, IL, USA, Saturday, March 21 - 9:30 - 11:30 am
- Elk Grove Village Doggy Egg Hunt - Elk Grove Park District - Al Hattendorf Center | Elk Grove Park District,
East Elk Grove Boulevard, Elk Grove Village, IL, USA, Saturday, March 21 - 10 - 11 am
- Illinois Boating Safety Certification Class at St. James Farm - St James Farm, Winfield Road, Warrenville, IL, USA, Saturday, March 21 - 7 am - 4 pm
- Spring Open House at Lycee Français de Chicago -
Lycée Français de Chicago, 1929 West Wilson Avenue, Chicago, IL 60640, United States, Saturday, March 21 - 10 am - 1 pm
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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the Chicago 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!
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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the Chicago 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.
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Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the Chicago 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.
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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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