KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Hello, readers! We're sorry: we made a mistake in this week's newsletter and accidentally included activities from the wrong region. Here's a corrected edition with events around Austin this weekend. - The KidsOutAndAbout staff |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
My first job out of college was as the managing editor at a small medical publishing company in New York City. I worked alongside Steve, our associate editor. My strength was structure and rhythm; his was medical accuracy and detail. We made a good team. One day, Steve walked into my office waving some printed pages. “Deb, can you do that thing you
do, so I can check out the science?” “What thing?” I asked. “You know,” he said, “that magic you work where the writing comes in muddy and you turn it into something clear, logical, and even fun to read.” I’ve never forgotten that moment. Not just because it felt great to be seen, but because of what it taught me about leadership. We’re surrounded by people with unique strengths. As parents, friends, or leaders, one of the most powerful things
we can do is notice those strengths and say them out loud. When we do, people rise. Kids rise. They lean into what they’re good at, and their futures get brighter. It’s not magic—it’s just the natural result of being seen and valued—but it feels like it. Over the years, as I raised kids, built a business team, and worked within various communities, I kept returning to that lesson: Leadership isn’t about having a title, it’s about paying attention. You can’t run a
family or a business unless you know who you’re with and what makes them shine. And once you start validating others (“You know that thing you do? Please do that!”) you become a leader. Even if you're just leading someone to be more themselves. So today, find a reason to start a conversation: “You know that thing you do?...” You won't see it right away, but trust me: Their horizon will glow.
—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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Camp Invention 2026 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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Responsibly re-home garments in good, clean condition that you no longer need and exchange them for something you want to add to your wardrobe!
Clothing donations for the swap will be accepted from January 29 to January 31 at the Library. Limit of 5 donated items in good, clean condition.
We will NOT accept undergarments, shoes, or accessories.
This program is for all ages. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.
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Stop by our interactive table and learn about some of the common creatures of Enchanted Rock, as well as safety tips on what to do if you encounter them while hiking.
What do raccoons eat? How do bobcat teeth look? Are there venomous snakes in the park? Learn the answers to all these questions and more at our Skins and Skulls discovery table at the Gazebo on Summit Trail.
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You're invited to join the Texas America250 Reading Challenge! Texans of all ages are invited to log 2,500 minutes (41.6 hours) of reading, state parks visits, and/or service
activity in 2026, in honor of our nation’s 250th anniversary. Participants who complete the challenge can receive a certificate from their local librarian.
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Enjoy FREE exhibition admission all day during H-E-B Free First Sundays, held the first Sunday of every month. Take this chance to explore Texas under one roof through three floors of exhibitions with ever-changing artifacts and incredible stories.
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Join us for sensory play, dress-ups, crafts, dolls, play dough play, bracelet making, icicles, fingernail stickers, and Pin the nose on Olaf! Wear your favorite Frozen costume!
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Go Fish! Hutto Annual Trout Derby
Get ready to outsmart 1,225 Rainbow Trout at Adam Orgain Park! Texas Parks and Wildlife is stocking the pond for a day of free, family-friendly fishing fun.
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Learn how to navigate like a pirate and hunt for hidden booty! ARRR!
Do you know how to read a map and use a compass? Join us to learn how and embark on a fun treasure hunt! Recommended for ages 5+.
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This project will be focused on invasive removal! Join us to help remove species that normally outcompete our native species. These invasive species overgrow and take control of our natural spaces. Through our invasive species removal process, we will allow
native species to flourish and grow.
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For Middle School & High School Students • Last Friday of Each Month
Love manga? Come hang out with fellow fans for a fun, relaxed meet-up where you can swap manga, share what you're reading, and talk about your favorite characters and series.
Explore the newest manga additions to the library, try a directed drawing activity, and enjoy a creative space to connect with other manga lovers.
Snacks will be provided — just bring your enthusiasm and your favorite reads!
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Family Night Out is the perfect way to kick off the weekend with splashes, smiles, and family fun!
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Every Friday, enjoy a movement and music storytime designed for little ones and their caregivers. Snuggle, bounce, and bond as we share rhymes, songs, and stories that support early language development and nurture a lifelong love of reading.
No Registration Required
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Little Land’s Music Exploration program is designed to provide children with an experience that introduces them to various types of music, encourages exploration of musical instruments, and develops a personal sense of musicality. Our curriculum has been
developed by therapists and musicians to increase awareness of basic musical concepts, as well as improve attention, auditory comprehension, coordination and confidence!
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- Preschool Storytime - Bastrop Public Library, 1100 Church Street, Bastrop, TX 78602, Friday, 01/30/2026, 10:30 am
- Baby Lapsit (0-18 months) - Buda City Hall & Library, 405 East Loop Street, Buda, TX 78610, Friday, 01/30/2026, 10:30-11 am
- Family Storytime - Georgetown Public Library, 402 West 8th Street, Georgetown, TX 78626, Friday, 01/30/2026, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 9:30, 10:15. and 11 am
- Revolutionary Wall - 904 Main St, Bastrop, Bastrop County, TX 78602, Friday, 01/30/2026, 10am-5pm
- Manga Meet up - Dripping Springs Community Library, https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Dripping+Springs+Community+Library%
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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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Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the Austin 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,…
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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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