KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
The February my daughter Ella was 1, she caught a cold that lingered for months. There were short stretches of relief, but mostly there was congestion, disrupted sleep, and a level of crankiness that turned my sunny baby into someone I barely recognized. The clouds around her felt constant, and one day, I caught myself labeling her in my head as “the crabby one.” But of course,
if I had a perpetually runny nose and no way to manage it, I’d be irritable, too! I needed to remember this wasn’t her personality, it was a season. What we needed to get through it was distraction: something fun to do "right now" and also fun things to anticipate. Aside from those who live in paradise pockets like San Diego, most of our readers are in the thick of a particularly dreary winter. The world feels heavy and gray, energy runs low, and
it’s easy to fixate on how dispirited we feel. But we need to remember that this isn't our personality, it's a season. What we need to get through it is distraction in the moment and also something positive we can place on our horizon. My family is counting down to the March 20 release of Project Hail
Mary, which stars Ryan Gosling. The movie is based on the novel by Andy Weir, who also wrote The Martian. You don't have to be a science nerd to love Weir's books (although science nerds DO love Weir's
books), because in all of them, the real hero is human ingenuity—curiosity, flexible thinking, doing what needs to be done even in extreme circumstances. When things are going awry, the answer isn’t despair, it’s problem-solving, and I always emerge from a Weir book feeling spiritually lighter. While I immerse myself in Weir and Gosling, you, of course, should do YOU! Let the art or sport that grabs you and your kids be your launch ticket to optimism now, and lift you to fun
in the future. We're glad to provide the fuel!
—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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Morning Glories is a free, drop-in program designed for kids ages 0-3 and their caregivers! The lessons will follow themes of science and nature with modifications to focus on motor skill development, sensory exploration, and social interactions between
families. A typical Morning Glories session can be expected to include story times, a sensory bin, lots of blankets for crawlers and tummy-timers, and a friendly atmosphere!
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Meet your favorite superheroes and princesses! Bring out the whole family to meet your favorite superheroes and princesses, who will be on site to meet and take pictures. There will be games with prizes, entertainment, and more family fun. Parents must
accompany children during the entire event. Adult admission is free; so, please only register children. Registration will not be taken the day of the event. For more information, contact Mike Pfeiffer at 847-850-2108 or mikep@bgparks.org.
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Open 7 days a week, the Skating Ribbon at Maggie Daley Park is a quarter‑mile outdoor ice path that winds through landscaped scenery with skyline views. Instead of a traditional oval rink, it feels like gliding along a frozen trail—almost like a “frozen
lazy river.” Both hockey and figure skates as well as skate aids are available to rent.
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Chicago’s Most Playful Store Behind the Magic Door Debuts an Interactive, Action-Packed PAW Patrol™ Adventure Featuring Obstacle Courses, Games, Sensory-Friendly Support, Birthday Parties, and More
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Explore the wonders of the museum through workshops for ages 3-6! Join us in the Crown Family PlayLab for a fun-filled morning exploring the wild colors, shapes, sounds, and textures of the world! Investigators will explore animals, plants, and fossils
through hands-on discovery and make their own colorful art inspired by their wild discoveries. Together we’ll see how artists and scientists both love to look, learn, and create!
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For Ages 1-6. It’s Chicago Children’s Theatre’s 20th birthday, and we need your help! Baking a cake will be easy, right? Let’s find out in this interactive, immersive theatrical experience. Parents and their little ones will help with every step of
cake-making using imagination, movement, and all eight senses in this one-of-a-kind participatory adventure. Participants will be invited to interact with this story through touch, sound, music and movement for a multisensory experience.
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Brookfield Zoo Chicago offers 2026 Free Days for all guests on every day January 5 - February 28 with exceptions on January 19 and February 16. Please note, parking fees and attraction fees still apply on Free Days.
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Want to climb with our staff handling the ropes? Book a Climb is a one-hour, small-group session where our instructors manage the ropes while you scale our tall walls and experience the thrill of climbing. No experience? No problem! This session is great
for beginners, families, and anyone looking for a fun, hassle-free way to climb.
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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 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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- Play Group at Lincoln Park Library - Chicago Public Library - Lincoln Park Branch, Chicago Public Library, West Fullerton Avenue, Sheffield & DePaul, Chicago, IL, Friday, February 27, 2026, 10 - 11 am
- Black History Family Game Night at Don Nash - Don Nash Community Center, East 71st Street, Chicago, IL, Friday, February 27, 2026, 4 - 8 pm
- Free Days at the Brookfield Zoo - 3300 Golf Road, Brookfield, IL, Fri Feb 27 - Sun Mar 1, 10 am - 5 pm
- Jewels of Spring Spring Flower Show at the Lincoln Park Conservatory - Lincoln Park Conservatory &
Gardens, North Stockton Drive, Chicago, IL, Fri Feb 27 - Sun Mar 1, 10:30 am - 4:30 pm
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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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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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