KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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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 Wed, May 6: Kids Adventure Storytime Event at B&N Wicker Park: Meet
11-yr-old Author Bella Olson
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 Wed, May 13: Playdough Playtime at
the Exploritorium
Fri, May 15: Dad and Daughter Date Night at Blackberry Farm
Sat, May 16: Rocky In
Concert 50th Anniversary at the Auditorium Theatre
Sun, May 17: Hidden Lives of Fungi at Little Red School House Nature Center Wed, May 20: Animal Show: Mammals of N. America (Show B-Ages 6+) at Annerino Community Center
Sat, May 23: Summer Fireworks at the Navy Pier 2026
Sat, May 23:
Summer Kickoff at Lincoln Park Zoo at Lincoln Park Zoo
Sun, May 24: Dinos at the Brookfield Zoo!
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: One day last week, I was driving home around 7 pm when I glanced out the passenger's window and saw a stunning rainbow stretched fully across the sky, glowing in front of dark gray storm clouds that were rushing away to the east. I was approaching a stop light. Left was the way home, where various chores awaited... but right was the way to the rainbow. My husband was driving
behind me, and I knew that if I turned right, he was going to think I had lost my mind. For a split second, practicality made its case: Don’t be silly; go home, you have stuff to do. But then another question darted into my mind: Am I a person who chases rainbows, or am I not? Once I framed it that way, the answer was easy. For kids and grownups alike, this can actually be a helpful way to make all kinds of decisions. When the moment
comes to act, it helps to ask not just What do I feel like doing? but Who am I? Am I a person who tells the truth? Am I a person who helps? Am I a person who persists when times are hard? Am I a person who stops to notice the beautiful things around me? We build identity one choice at a time for our entire lives. The clearer we are about who we want to be, the easier it becomes to know what to do in the moment, to give ourselves evidence that we are, in fact, that sort of
person. I hope the kids in your world grow up thinking of themselves as people who seek what is bright and good and full of wonder. It’s our job to show them that delight is often worth the detour.
—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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Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater embarks on its next era under the leadership of new Artistic Director Alicia Graf Mack, guided as ever by Alvin Ailey’s pioneering legacy. Audiences will be treated to classic works from the Ailey repertory that have inspired and uplifted fans for decades—including the touchstone of inspiration Revelations, the ultimate anthem to resilience and joy. Ailey will continue to break ground with new works by contemporary choreographers that promise to propel dance in exhilarating new directions—pushing the bounds of what the human body can do and what the human spirit can achieve.
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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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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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Starting on Monday, April 20 the zoo is hosting activities and programs throughout the week, including celebrating Earth Day on April 22 and Arbor Day on April 24. Throughout the week, you can participate in a variety of free, family-friendly activities. Learn different ways to Take Action With Us! Visit the website to see the full schedule of events and activities.
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This year our spring festival focuses on giving back to nature to say thank you for all it has provided for us. Join the Natural Areas and North Park Village Nature Center Staff as we plant as many seedlings as we can in one day. There will also be a plant give away, live music, food, and other vendors. Perfect if you are looking for an Earth Day-centered service activity, or just a fun family event celebrating spring.
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Tea for two and two for tea. Dress in your best for a morning tea par-tea, refreshments, carousel rides, etiquette games and mini bouquet making. Children are accompanied by a ticketed adult guest.
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Ready to craft, create, and unleash your wild side? Swing by and take on the challenge: design paper mache enrichment items that’ll spark joy for our amazing ambassador animals! We’ll supply all the materials—you bring the brilliance. Groups welcome.
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This sensory art class will allow you and your little artist to explore and create together. Process-based art projects and creative activities will focus on the joy of creating in addition to the final product. Held on the 4th Monday of each month. Free with paid admission. Admission required for all adults and children over 1 year old. Exploritorium admission: $7/$8 (resident/non-resident). Recommended for children aged 2-6 years old. Contact Alyssa at (847) 929-7710 or [email protected] with any questions. |
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- Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - Chicago - Shoott - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, USA, 04/24/2026 - 04/26/2026, See link for times
- Frogs at Little Red School House Nature Center - Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, 9800 Willow Springs Rd, Willow Springs, IL 60480, 04/24/2026, 7:30 pm
- Plant-A-Thon Spring Festival at NPV - North Park Village Nature Center Park, 5801 North Pulaski Road, Chicago, IL, 04/25/2026, 10 am - 2 pm
- Wild About Play at Little Red School House Nature Center - Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center,
9800 Willow Springs Rd, Willow Springs, IL 60480, 04/25/2026, 11 am
- Celebrate Earth Week at Lincoln Park Zoo - Lincoln Park Zoo, 2400 North Cannon Drive, Lincoln Park, Chicago, IL 60614, 04/24/2026 - 04/26/2026, 10 am - 2 pm
- Chess A2Z April Webinar with WGM Zoey Tang "Think in Pawn Structures: The Key Positional Ideas You Must Know" - Chess A2Z, 10940 SW Barnes Rd 247, Portland, OR 97225, 04/26/2026, 7PM to 8PM PDT
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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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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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