KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
|
|
|
Tue, Jan 27: SustainabiliTEEN! Eco-Friendly Teen Program at ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center
Thu, Feb 5: TTB KidZ Children's Consignment Sale
Fri, Feb 6: Valentine's Day Craft Party - 18m-6y (Child & Caregiver) at Kidcreate Studio South Charlotte
Thu, Feb 12: The Flick at Theatre Charlotte
Mon, Feb 16: Presidents Day at the Museum! - Museum of the Waxhaws
Fri, Feb 20: Jurassic Quest x Brick Fest Live @ The Cabaruss Arena and Convention Center
Sat, Feb 28: African American Heritage Festival at Charlotte Museum of History
Sat, Feb 28: NC First in Freedom Festival at North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
Sat, Mar 7: First day of four-week Teen Leadership course at Over The Counter improv Fri, May 1: Handyman Hall Comes to Town - Knight Theater, May 1 |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
When Madison and Ella were young, I made it a point to stretch their comfort zones in small, manageable ways. They’d order their own food at restaurants, they'd arrange their own homeschool work schedules, they'd try activities where they didn’t know anyone. I did my best not to step in unless invited. Over time, they started trusting their own ability to
navigate the world without me. That, of course, was the point. But the better they got at being independent, the more I started to feel a quiet kind of discomfort. They were moving outward—into the world, into themselves—and I could feel the shift. There’s a concept in astrophysics called red shift. When a star or galaxy moves away from us, the light it emits stretches, shifting toward the red end of the spectrum. The farther away it moves, the redder the
light appears. It’s how we know the universe is expanding. The movement doesn’t mean the light is gone—just that it’s arriving to us in a new form, from farther away. I think about that a lot as my kids are no longer orbiting so closely. I still see their light; it just looks different now. I’m learning to recognize their new wavelengths. The trick, I think, is not to see red shift as loss, but as evidence of motion. The fact that I feel the stretch means the universe is doing
what it’s supposed to do: expanding, evolving, moving outward. I remind myself that this kind of shift is a mark of success. Increased wavelength, decreased frequency... it's all part of the natural order of things. Light travels and stretches, and love does, too.
—Debra Ross, publisher
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
Handyman Hal is rolling into town on his “awesome tool vehicle” for a high-energy, laugh-out-loud live show the whole family will love! In The Handyman Hal Comes to Town Tour, children’s educational YouTube favorite Handyman Hal is joined by friendly helpers and special guests as he builds a secret project using cool tools, music, and lots of kid participation. Sing and dance along to fan-favorite songs like “Tools Are Cool” and “The Awesome Song,” and hold on tight when a wild science experiment unleashes dino-sized chaos! This engaging live performance is a fantastic first theater experience for little ones and a fun-filled adventure for kids of all ages. Tickets available now!
|
|
|
|
Charlotte’s largest and most organized children’s consignment sale has been outfitting families across the Southeast for 15 years, drawing shoppers from as far as Maryland and Tennessee for a can’t‑miss shopping frenzy. Filling 80,000 square feet at Independence Hall in the Park Expo & Conference Center, the sale features more than 100,000 items—clothing, toys, baby gear, books, furniture, and more—enough clothing to stretch over half a mile on a single rack. Consignors earn 60–78% of sales, far more than typical shops. With free parking, free admission, VIP presale options, and payment flexibility, TTB KidZ is the ultimate one‑stop seasonal shop.
|
|
|
|
The ties that bind – and sometimes smother – are explored with uproarious results in this heartwarming comedy about growing up and growing old. Every Sunday, Nick crosses the river to New Jersey and has dinner with both sets of his Italian-American grandparents. When he announces a dream job that will move him to Seattle, his grandparents spring into action! Determined to keep him close, they devise hilarious schemes and hilarious shenanigans that will have you roaring in your seat while reminding you of the wonderful zaniness that is family. A warm-hearted, boisterously funny, and touching story about intergenerational relationships, deep familial love, and the inevitable little heartbreaks that occur as time passes and children grow.
|
|
|
|
Get crafty and bring your imagination to life! Preteens ages 9–12 are invited to stop by the library anytime during this drop-in workshop to create their very own colorful stick puppets. Use bright papers, markers, googly eyes, and all kinds of fun materials to design characters—silly, spooky, magical, or totally original. Come for five minutes or stay the whole time… it’s all about creating, playing, and taking home a puppet that’s uniquely you.
|
|
|
|
Join NC State Parks and the US Army Corps of Engineers to celebrate one of Jordan Lake's greatest treasures: Bald Eagles! If you've ever been curious about our nesting population or had no idea Bald Eagles lived so close to you until you read this post, please come join us on January 24th, 2026 to learn everything there is to know about Bald Eagles. There will be informational booths, activities and games, and most importantly, no admission fee. That's right. it's free! This festival will also be kicking off the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and what better way to commemorate that than by learning all about our national bird. The festival will be held at the Jordan Lake Dam, so please check their website and facebook page for the most up to date information.
|
|
|
|
Get into the Olympic spirit early with this fun, family-friendly concert! Before the world turns its eyes to the Winter Games in Italy, meet the instruments of the Orchestra as they compete in musical events of their own — from the low-note limbo to the fast-note dash and the endurance marathon. Cheer on the strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion as they show off their unique strengths and personalities. Let the games begin!
|
|
|
- SCNP: Friday Fire and S'mores (drop-in) - Stevens-Cool Springs Nature Preserve, 15700 Thompson Road, Mint Hill, NC 28227, Friday, 01/23/2026 and Friday, 01/30/2026, 10:30am to 12:00pm
- Unplugged at the Loft - ImaginOn, East 7th Street, Charlotte, NC, Friday, 01/23/2026 and Friday, 01/30/2026, See website for details
- Stick Puppet Drop-In Workshop - ImaginOn, East 7th Street, Charlotte, NC, Friday, 01/23/2026, 1:30 pm
- 2:30 pm
- Topsy-Turvy Cinderella - ImaginOn, East 7th
Street, Charlotte, NC, Saturday, 01/24/2026 to Sunday, 01/25/2026, See website for details
- Animal Ambassador Meet n' Greet - McDowell Nature Center, York Road, Charlotte, NC, Sunday, 01/25/2026, 4pm-4:30pm
|
|
|
|
Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the Charlotte area? Escape rooms are interactive, puzzle-packed experiences where you and your team work together to solve clues, unlock secrets, and complete your mission-all before time runs out! Find
top-rated escape rooms in and around Charlotte for families, kids, teens, and groups.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Charlotte 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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
2025's Top 20 Places to Take Kids in the Charlotte 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!
|
|
|
Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
|
|
