KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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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 Mon, Apr 20: Paws in the Park at Cantigny
Tue, Apr 21: Parent-Tot Yoga at the Exploritorium
Sat, Apr 25: Preschool Playdate at Daystar Academy Sun, Apr 26: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at the Auditorium Theatre
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: Before I had kids, one of my colleagues told me that fundamentally, a parent’s job is to point. At first, you point physically: You point at the waterfall and say “waterfall,” at the moon and say “moon,” at the flower and say “flower.” You’re helping a child connect sounds to objects, words to concepts, language to reality. But later, and really all the way through, the
pointing becomes more metaphorical. Parenting is the ongoing work of connecting your child’s growing capacity to understand with a world that is, to them, forever expanding. As I had Madison and Ella, I came to think of this as being a tour guide to the world. A good tour guide needs to know the landscape, of course. But even more important, a good tour guide needs to know the traveler. What can this particular child see right now? What are they ready for? What do they care
about? What frightens them? What delights them? It's useful to remember that kids haven’t actually been here before: The world is brand-new to them over and over again, so what feels ordinary to us is often astonishing to a child. Tour guides who are doing their job well pay close attention to who their audience is and what they know, and that makes the pointing easier and more fun. Spring is the perfect season to practice pointing. In spring, the world changes fast enough for
kids to notice. Buds swell and burst. Birds return. Tiny green things push up through the dirt as if by magic. Day to day, the world becomes visibly more alive. If we point it out, kids can catch it happening in real time. And spring does not arrive quietly. It comes as an avalanche of the senses: color, smell, birdsong, mud, wind, sunlight, thunder, petals, pollen, rushing water. So maybe that’s part of the job, too: not just to point, but to lean into it. To stand beside our
kids in the rush of it all and say, Look! Here it comes.
—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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The Auditorium and Chicago Philharmonic present Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark™ Live in Concert featuring John Williams’ GRAMMY® Award-winning score performed live to the film. Originally released in 1981 as a collaboration between George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, Raiders redefined the possibilities of adventure cinema and launched actor Harrison Ford to legendary status. Indiana Jones is the classic hero in this adventure set in the 1930s which follows the quick-witted and determined archaeologist as he hunts for the Lost Ark of the Covenant. Often facing insurmountable odds, Indy always manages to succeed in the nick of time, joined by endearing companions and opposed by notorious villains.
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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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A brand new event at the Nature Museum where you get to step into the boots of a scientist and discover more about local nature! Did you know that the Nature Museum isn't just an awesome place to explore and learn? We're also involved in protecting nature! Join these scientists at the Museum on Thursday, March 26 to experience their work first-hand! Help them find and measure snakes in our simulated prairie, dipnet in a vernal pool to find salamander eggs, track and tag turtles in our mini-marsh, and do so much more!
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FREE Studio Fees if you're wearing pajamas! Do you love wearing your pajamas? Come paint in them with us! $0 cost to sign-up! Join us and enjoy FREE Studio Fees if you are in your P.J.s! Come in and paint with your kids or drop them off for 2 hours of fun! And enjoy a couple hours of kid free time! This event is recommended for kids 7 and up. Adults are also welcomed!
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Families young and young at heart can meet The Bunny at 900 North Michigan Shops from Friday, March 20 through Saturday, April 4. The seasonal experience includes professional photos with The Bunny set inside a spring garden themed photo installation. Each reservation includes a digital photo captured by professional photographers, along with time for families to visit with The Bunny. Guests will also receive perks throughout the center, including a Bunny Open Play voucher for Bubbles Academy that can be used the same day or on a future visit, 20% off a future order at Aster Hall, and three hours of discounted parking in the 900 Shops garage.
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Visit the Easter Bunny, create artwork at the coloring corner, visit the farm animals in the petting zoo all day, explore the playground and more! Plus options for Gem Mining and Riding the Springtime Express available. Bring your baskets for the easter egg hunt. Extra baskets will be available for purchase. Don't worry, there are eggs for everyone and we wait until everyone is ready to begin. Please take max 12. Arrive early to check-in INSIDE the greenhouse. Plus, browse flowers and shop for Springtime in store. Farm gates open at 9am.
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Lace up your skates and hit the ice! Public Skate at Fifth Third Arena offers a fun and welcoming experience for skaters of all ages and skill levels. Whether you're gliding for the first time or a seasoned skater, our sessions provide the perfect opportunity to enjoy the ice with family and friends. We have rental skates available for all ages and sizes, making it easy for everyone to enjoy the ice. We only offer hockey skates sizes 8j-16 Adult
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Come meet animals from all over the world right here in your city! This 1-hour program is great for the whole family, and best for ages 5 and up! Kim, The Natural Naturalist, is dedicated to teaching children to know and respect the natural world around them. With her team of animal ambassadors, she will spark curiosity and appreciation for all kinds of critters, from a hedgehog to a ball python to a Patagonian cavy and more. Guests will even be given the chance to meet some of these animals a little more closely and interact with them!
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The Illinois Railway Museum is pleased to announce that we will be holding the Bunny Trolley Hop again in 2026. This event will run on three days: Saturday, March 28th, Sunday, March 29th, and Saturday, April 4th. Gates open at 9:15 AM and close at 5:00 PM. As always, young visitors will be able to meet and be photographed with the Easter Bunny in his carrot coach and there will be lots of other attractions to enjoy. This year, Bunny and the other attractions will all be located on the museum campus, with a frequent service of streetcars providing rides between the carrot coach and the attractions!
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Introduce your young anglers to trout fishing at this preseason event just for them! Bait provided. Ages 15 and under with an adult. Free. No registration. Questions? Call 630-933-7200.
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Cantigny’s annual Easter Egg Hunt returns! Stop by for some colorful family fun. The egg hunt is an “open house” event — come whenever you wish. Eggs will be available in the allée throughout the day and replenished periodically. Bring your own basket or bag. Take a photo with Mr. and Mrs. Bunny from 10 am – 4 pm in the Fountain Garden. Please note, photos with Mrs. Bunny will be unavailable from 1 – 1:30 pm and photos with Mr. Bunny will be unavailable from 1:30 – 2 pm. Tasty lunch items and drinks will be offered in the Beer Garden! Enjoy Hot Dogs, Brats, Grilled Cheese, House made Hot Pockets and Hot Cocoa. Hop by Le Jardin (in the Visitors Center) before or after your egg hunt adventure for a buffet featuring brunch classics like waffles, scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, and breakfast potatoes. We’ll have lunch favorites, too, including Chicken Marsala, mac & cheese, garden salad, roasted potatoes, green beans, and assorted fruit and desserts!
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Explore, interact, and enjoy a fun-filled day with the animals! Open Farm visits offer a relaxed, self guided experience where families can explore at their own pace. For paid guests, hayrack rides are available (weather permitting). Visitors can cross the walking bridge over Southwest Hwy, wander along scenic trails, or pack a lunch to enjoy in the picnic area. Farm volunteers are available to guide guests through the animal pens, sharing interesting facts about the animals. Guests are encouraged to pet and care for the animals! The animals change with the seasons but you'll often find a variety of chickens, ducks, rabbits, pigs, goats, cows, sheep, horses, ponies, and donkeys!
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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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- Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - Chicago - Shoott - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, USA, March 27-29, 2026, See link for times
- Celebrate Earth Day - Meridian Waste Children’s Coloring Contest (Contest entry ends April 13) - Submit your artwork online., March 27-29, 2026, Any time.
- Fishing: Trout Fishing for Kids at Wood Dale Grove - Wood Dale Grove Forest Preserve, North Wood Dale Road, Wood Dale, IL, USA, Saturday, March 28, 2026, 8 am - 12 pm
- Egg Hunt at West Lawn - West Lawn Park, West 65th Street, Chicago, IL, USA, Saturday, March 28, 2026, 11 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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