KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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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 Mon, Apr 27: Paws in the Park at Cantigny
Fri, May 1: WPB First Friday in May
Sat, May 2: Visit the Children's Farm at The Center
Sun, May 3: Art in Wilder Park Mon, May 4: Special Olympics Spring Games at Dunbar Park
Fri, May 8: CHICAGO the Musical at the Auditorium Theatre
Sat, May 9: 2026 Opening Weekend at Coyote Crossing Mini Golf
Sun, May 10: Mother's Day Brunch at the Chicago Botanic Garden
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
As I write this column, three Americans and one Canadian are hurtling home from a trip around the Moon, inside a machine that had better do exactly what it’s supposed to do. For years, every person involved in the mission obsessed over every detail at every stage until as little as possible was left to chance. “Failure is not an option,” an ethos long associated with our quest to
explore outer space, makes perfect sense when we're talking about Artemis II. But decades ago, the attitude leaked out of the space program and into everyday life, and that was a mixed blessing. When I was a teenager, “failure is not an option” might as well have been tattooed on my brain: For me, not only was failure not an option, but anything below an A grade wasn’t an option, either. I was so afraid of not being perfect that if I felt unprepared for a test, I’d stay home
“sick.” I looked successful from the outside, but because I was working so hard to avoid mistakes, I played it safe. So I didn't actually accomplish much aside from some sharp-looking letters on a report card. It took me years out in the real world to realize that real accomplishment usually looks less like gliding and more like bumping into things until you find the way through. So these days, failure and I are best buddies: I've replaced "failure is not an option" with
"nothing ventured, nothing gained" as I inch toward and away from success each day. Even writing my column each week is an act of resilience: I add and then murder my words until they say what I mean, and I'm always aware in the end that it could be better. One of my goals when I was homeschooling Madison and Ella was to make failure safe and ordinary... cheerful, even... a sign of progress. Kids need chances to try things that might flop: recipes that taste weird, projects
that collapse, math problems they have to redo, conversations they wish they’d handled better. I wanted them to understand that when the stakes are low, failure is not a tragedy, it’s just how learning works. It doesn't usually feel fun, or comfortable. But it's the only way to fly.
—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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Creator Camp is coming to Chicago for Summer 2026! Our program, featured on Shark Tank, is the midwest’s premier destination for kids interested in filmmaking, animation, and technology. We provide an immersive environment where students learn to use professional software to create YouTube videos, design games, and produce original music. Our weekly sessions are designed to be social, educational, and high-energy, ensuring every camper has a blast while learning valuable 21st-century skills. From the Loop to the suburbs, help your child become a digital leader this summer. Registration for our Chicago locations is now open!
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Explore science after hours with the whole family! Join us for an evening celebrating the Grand Opening of the Pokémon Fossil Museum at the Field Museum! Receive exclusive, after-hours access to the exhibit and embark on your own fossil adventure through the exhibit halls of the Field Museum. You’ll want to catch all this event has to offer, including demonstrations by our team of scientists, hands-on activities, crafts, and of course, plenty of fossils! Guests must register in advance and will receive a timed-entry ticket for the Pokémon Fossil Museum at check-in. Access to all other museum exhibitions, including the Crown Family PlayLab and After the Age of Dinosaurs, are included with admission. All sales are final.
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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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Don’t miss this one-week-only children’s consignment event! Shop name brand children’s clothes, shoes, baby gear, toys, and more — all at 60–90% off retail prices. Every item is sold by a local family, so your purchase helps support the community while you save big on essentials. Drop Off Days (to consign items): April 8 - 11. Sale Days: April 16 - 24
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Need a break? Drop the kids off for an exciting, fun filled evening at the pool. Kids will participate in games, make a craft and swim in our Lagoon Pool. Please send a snack with your child.
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Watch out as you explore the Conservatory – you may run into a Budding Botanist! On Saturdays and Sundays from 11:000am to 3:00pm, Nature Educators will provide activities for kids of all ages at our Budding Botanists stations. This program is included in all reservations to visit the Conservatory. You can stop by and interact with the materials at the station for as long as you want to. Budding Botanists station will be posted in different areas of the Conservatory on different days. Ask where we are at the front desk! These stations are interactive and are all about scientific exploration, to help your family to see plants in new ways. Adults and young ones of all ages can stop by and let the learning begin! These programs are drop in and no preregistration is required.
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When four farm animals are no longer needed, they set off for the town of Bremen, dreaming of becoming musicians. On the way, they discover a house full of robbers! The friends quickly join forces to scare away the thieves, uncovering hidden courage they never knew they had. 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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Join us for Early Bird Member Mornings, a series of members-only hours at the zoo! These will take place from 8 to 10 a.m. on the second Saturday of the month from March through October. Ticket reservations will open 60 days before each session.
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Origami is a fascinating, fun-filled creative activity for children as well as adults. With a minimum of folds and creases, you can transform a flat sheet of paper into a three-dimensional form like a swan, a boat, a flower or even a hat. Please drop by — both kids and adults are welcome, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Experienced folders welcome as welOrigami Open House is included with registration to visit the Conservatory and Gardens. Find us in the Jensen Room! Chicago residents use the code CHICAGO when you make online reservations to waive admission fee. Donations welcome!
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Join us for A Knitting Marathon at Fox Valley Mall on April 11th from 10AM–10PM for the 6th Annual Knit for Food Knit-a-thon! This 12-hour knitting marathon brings the community together to stitch with purpose and raise funds to fight hunger and food insecurity. Whether you’re a seasoned knitter or just getting started, everyone is welcome to participate, cheer on the knitters, and support this meaningful cause. Spend the day knitting, connecting, and making a difference—every stitch helps provide meals to those in need. Stop by, donate, and be part of a movement that proves small actions can create a big impact.
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April 12, 2pm, Harold Washington Library Center: Kids make impressive, fun, hilarious movies! The 90-Second Newbery Film Festival is an annual video contest in which young readers create short movies that tell the entire stories of Newbery-winning books—often with a creative twist: think "Charlotte's Web" as a horror movie, or "Holes" as a musical! In this screening, hosted by authors James Kennedy and Keir Graff, we'll show the best, funniest 90-Second Newbery movies of this year... and maybe inspire your kids to make a movie for next year!
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Join our friends at Brain to Belly Kids Yoga for a cozy storybook yoga class with your family! This imaginative yoga class will flow through a sequence of fun and creative poses that embody the story; bringing literature to life. BBKY is a mobile yoga + mindfulness company founded by educators and dedicated to nurturing kids’ innate desire for movement and play. This class provides a medium for families to unplug and bond in the most playful of ways. Children and their grown-ups will interact through moving, breathing, and connecting. This class is designed for children ages 2-8 years; however, all ages are most welcome! All children must be accompanied by a guardian. Space is limited. BYO Mat. Must register online in advance; no drop-ins. Ticket includes access to all museum exhibits. Family registrations strongly encouraged.
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Doors open at 9am and Playrooms will not be available until after the Easter Egg Hunt. Ages 5 to 10 will be at 9:30am and Ages 1 to 4 will be at 9:45am. We will have games, raffle and open play directly after Easter Egg Hunts. Easter Egg Hunt ends at 10am. Guest are able to play all day. You will receive 2 free adults per paid child and any additional adults will be $5 each.
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- Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - Chicago - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, USA, 04/10/2026 - 04/12/2026, See link for times
- Join the Mall Walker Club at North Riverside Park Mall - North Riverside Park Mall, 7501 West Cermak Road, North Riverside, IL 60546, 04/10/2026 - 04/11/2026, Monday – Saturday 9AM – 8PM; Sundays 10AM – 6PM
- Early Bird Walks at NPV - North Park Village Nature Center Park, 5801 North Pulaski Road, Chicago, IL, 04/11/2026, 8 - 10 am
- Fox Valley Knitting Marathon - Fox Valley Mall, 195 Fox Valley Center Dr, Aurora, IL 60504, 04/11/2026, 10 am
- 10 pm
- The 15th Annual 90-Second Newbery Film Festival: Chicago - Chicago Public Library, 2pm
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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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