KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Sat, Jan 24: Kirby Hall School Open House
Sat, Jan 24: Brick Convention
Sun,
Feb 1: Little Rookies T-Bal Winter Season at Soccer Stars, Little Rookies and Amazing Athlete NW Austin
Sun, Feb 1:
Georgetown's Health & Wellness Expo
Sun, Feb 8: The Harlem Globetrotters 100 Year Tour - Cedar Park
Fri, Feb 13: PALentine’s Day Party- The Little Gym of Austin South
Sat, Feb 21: 2nd Annual Small Schools Fair
Sat, Feb 21: Urban Quest 2026 at ATX KIDS CLUB
Sat, Mar 7: Texas Wildlife Day at Texas Science & Natural History Museum
Fri, Mar 13: Rodeo Austin |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
If it weren’t for a Polish pastry, I might not exist. When my great-grandmother Karolina Stelmach was a teenager in a small village in Poland, she was told she’d be entering an arranged marriage. But her heart belonged to Sylvester Nowakowski. So she left... on her own, by boat... and made her way to America. She found work in a restaurant, where she made her
family’s signature dessert: chrusciki. One day, a “distinguished gentleman” insisted on meeting the pastry chef, and he offered her a better-paying job in his own kitchen. She took it, saved enough to bring Sylvester over, and they married. Which means if chrusciki didn’t exist, neither would I. Stories like this do more than entertain. According to psychologist Robyn Fivush, interviewed on a recent episode of the Hidden Brain podcast, they help kids develop identity,
resilience, and self-worth. The more children know about their family’s past—not just the “big” stories like crossing oceans, but even the day-to-day moments and struggles—the more connected and grounded they become. Fivush and her colleagues at Emory University found that kids who know more family stories have higher self-esteem, greater emotional understanding, and a stronger sense of meaning and purpose. But it’s not just the information that matters...it’s the telling. When we sit down and
share what came before, we help kids feel like they’re part of something bigger, and that they belong. No AI can replicate that. A chatbot can write a story, sure. But it can’t tell your kids how Grandma’s meatloaf could’ve doubled as a construction material, or how two little girls in the 1950s turned a couple of ice cream cones into a front-porch endurance contest. So this year, make a point of telling your kids about your family's shared history: about
mistakes, about perseverance, about love, about dessert. Connection doesn’t have to be complicated: Just pull up a chair, pass the cookies, and pass down the stories.
—Debra Ross, publisher |
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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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Our friends at Fantastic Magic Camp have just announced their Early Bird Special discount for the Spring Break week and all Summer Camp weeks this year - as well as for their new Afterschool program in the Crestwood area. All prices on their registration page already include the discounts - until January 31 at midnight, when they go back to their regular prices. Fantastic Magic Camp is a fully inclusive day camp for children between 5 and 12 and in addition to magic, campers will enjoy juggling, puppetry, comedy improvisation, craft options, outdoor games and an amazing magic show at the end of every day. Don't miss out on this opportunity—enroll your child today at Early Bird Pricing!
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Free Family Fun Outside! On January 24, 2026, join Friends of Balcones for #TheReset—a national call to unplug and step outside together. Spend the morning at Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, where screens are set aside and nature takes center stage. Families can join a Guided Hike with Nature Bingo or explore at their own pace using a borrowed Nature Backpack filled with fun tools for discovery. Breathe fresh air, spot wildlife, and watch curiosity come alive. This relaxed outing ends with refreshments and a chance for kids to share their favorite finds. Registration is FREE for all ages—come explore, laugh, and make new memories outdoors!
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Kick off the New Year in style at our Open House — a daytime celebration bursting with fun for the whole family! Kids can climb, tumble, and explore in the Gym! Come share the sparkly Serious Fun as the New Year rolls in!
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Fortlandia aims to connect people of all ages to the environment by evoking a sense of childhood play and wonder. Get ready to explore a brand new lineup of custom designed forts in our Family Garden this fall. Your secret hideout awaits!
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Your move! Meet up with other chess fans to play a few games. Players of all abilities are welcome, but basic knowledge of how to play is recommended. Formal instruction is not provided. Boards and pieces are provided. This program is for ages 5-17 only.
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This historical walking tour takes guests through the presence of Black people in the heart of downtown Austin. Since Austin’s establishment in 1839 and before, people of African descent have played an integral part in this city’s development. We journey through centuries of histories, contributions, and experiences that are seldom told. We will explore the history of enslavement in Austin, routes to freedom in Mexico for enslaved persons passing through Austin, and the Black businesses and institutions that once flourished downtown. On this one-mile walk, guests will engage in dialogue about Black people's role in Austin’s development and their continued presence.
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Get ready to move, spin, and test your curiosity! At STEM in Motion, you’ll dive into hands-on challenges that reveal the science behind everyday movement. It’s an exciting way to explore the science of movement—one discovery at a time.
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Join us for a FREE indoor soccer demo and experience why so many Austin-area families love Soccer Stars! This event is perfect for new families interested in our upcoming Winter Season at GUS Garcia.
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MLK Kids Event Join the Dunbar Heritage Association for a celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Discover new books, art, videos, and crafts, and create your own poster for the upcoming annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day March, along with other fun crafts to learn and celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This is a family friendly event. We’ll have lots to do for children ages 3 through 18! All craft materials and snacks will be provided.
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Join Austin Fencers Club for a free Open House on Saturday, January 17 from 12:30pm to 1:30pm. This event is designed for kids and families who are new to fencing. Learn more about fencing and scoring, see a demo from our competitive athletes, and try some of the moves!
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Baby Lapsit invites newborns, infants, babies, and their caregivers to learn together through stories, songs, rhymes, books, and play. This program is for babies that are not yet walking confidently (generally babies 0-18 months) and their caregivers. We ask caregivers coming with older siblings, such as toddlers or preschoolers, to attend one of our other storytimes! Babies are always welcome at any storytime.
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Explore the amazing story of the most iconic dinosaur in the world through life-size models, fossil casts, and interactives that bring T. rex to life.
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- Information Session - Magellan International School - Magellan International School - 7130 Chimney Corners, Northwest Hills, Austin, TX 78731, Friday, January 16 to Sunday, January 18, 9:30 am
- Family Storytime - Georgetown Public
Library - 402 West 8th Street, Georgetown, TX 78626, Friday, January 16 to Sunday, January 18, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 9:30, 10:15. and 11 am
- Preschool Storytime - 1100 Church Street, Bastrop, TX 78602, Saturday, January 17, 10:30 am
- Baby Lapsit (0-18 months) - 405 East Loop Street, Buda, TX 78610, Saturday, January 17, 10:30-11 am
- Revolutionary Wall - 904 Main St, Bastrop, Bastrop County, TX 78602, Saturday, January 17, 10am-5pm
- MLK Kids Event - San Marcos Public Library - East Hopkins Street, San Marcos, TX, Saturday, January 17, 10:30 am- 1:30 pm
- FREE Indoor Soccer Demo ay GUS Garcia Rec Center - 234 Escarpment Way, Cedar Park, TX, Saturday, January 17,
10:00AM
- Austin Fencers Club Open House - Austin Fencers Club - 4425 Red River Street,
Austin, TX 78751, Saturday, January 17, 12:30pm-1:30pm
- Join us for Our Journal Personalization Day! - Letterpress Play - Letterpress Play,
Saturday, January 17, 12:00 PM
- Kids Chess Open Play - 550 Discovery Boulevard, Cedar Park, TX, Sunday, January 18, 1:30-3
pm
- Open House- The Little Gym of Austin South - The Little Gym of Austin South - West
William Cannon Drive, Austin, TX, Sunday, January 18, 2:30-4 pm
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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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EXPERIENCES create memories much more than stuff does. As you're considering gifts for family and friends, consider giving the gift of a family membership to one of our local attractions. Here are local organizations that offer memberships.
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Planning a kids birthday party in the Austin area? Here are lots of ideas for where to have it! If there is a resource that we have missed, please email us to let us know, and we'll add it promptly.
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Enjoy the weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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