KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Thu, Feb 5: TTB KidZ Children's Consignment Sale
Sat, Feb 7: Sensory-Friendly Winterfest at Kind Behavioral Health
Sat, Feb 7: Fifth Annual
Burning of the Baggage - North Carolina Department of Natural & Cultural Resources
Wed, Feb 11: LGBTQ+ Teen Talks - ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Cente
Thu, Feb 12: Little Mess Makers - Weekly Art Class with Kidcreate Studio
Sun, Feb 15: Sing Play Move: Heart Beats! at Arts+
Thu, Feb 19: The Flick at Independent Picture House Fri, Feb 20: SCNP: Owl Prowl at Stevens Creek Nature Preserve and Center
Sun, Feb 22: NC First in Freedom Festival - North Carolina Department of Natural & Cultural Resources
Sat, Feb 28: Fossil Fair at The Schiele Museum of Natural History and Planetarium
Sat, Mar 7: First day of four-week Teen Leadership course at Over The Counter improv
Mon, Jun 15: Teen Summer Leadership Camp from Over the Counter Improv |
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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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the Charlotte 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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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.
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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.
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Join us at ImaginOn on Saturday, January 31, 2026 from 10 am - 4:30 pm for our third annual puppetry festival! PuppetPalooza 2026 will be an all-day, non-stop, FREE, family-friendly event celebrating the joy and art of puppetry, and all ages are welcome.
Shows will be running all day. Come for the puppet procession at 9:45 am to see who's in the festival, and then pop in for one or stay for them all. Meet our giant roving puppets, explore our balcony exhibit of past puppets from Children's Theatre of Charlotte (CTC) shows, try your hand at puppet karaoke, make a simple puppet to take home with you, and make sure you join our puppet parade at the end of the day!
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Every child deserves a chance to have fun. At Chuck E. Cheese Pineville, Sensory Sensitive Sundays are special hours designed to provide children with sensory sensitivities and their families a quieter, more comfortable experience. With dimmed lighting,
reduced noise levels, and a calm atmosphere, we’ve made it easier for everyone to enjoy our games, food, and activities in a setting that feels just right. During Sensory Sensitive Sundays at Chuck E. Cheese Pineville, our game room transforms into a quieter, more soothing space where children with sensory sensitivities can enjoy all their favorite games without the overwhelming sights and sounds. The team at Chuck E. Cheese Pineville understands the unique needs of sensory-sensitive children
and is committed to providing thoughtful assistance and care, making sure everyone can have a safe and fun experience. We offer a dedicated dining experience in Pineville with a quieter atmosphere and softer lighting, making it easier for children…
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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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- SCNP: Friday Fire and S'mores (drop-in) - Stevens Creek Nature Preserve, 15700 Thompson Road, Mint Hill, NC 28227, Friday, January 30, 2026, 10:30am to 12:00pm
- Unplugged at the Loft -
ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center - ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center, East 7th Street, Charlotte, NC, Friday, January 30, 2026, See website for details
- Buddy's Rodeo Birthday Bash (Clemmons, NC) - 23 Twin Brook Drive, Clemmons, NC, Friday, January 30, 2026, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
- PuppetPalooza 2026 - ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center - ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center, East 7th Street, Charlotte, NC, Saturday, January 31, 2026, 10 am - 4:30 pm
- Open House - Chesterbrook Academy Preschool - Providence Road West - Chesterbrook Academy Preschool of Ballantyne, Providence Road West, Charlotte, NC, Saturday, January 31, 2026, 10 am - 12 pm
- Open House -
Chesterbrook Academy Preschool - Mallard Creek Road - Chesterbrook Academy Preschool, Mallard Creek Road, Charlotte, NC, Saturday, January 31, 2026, 10 am - 12 pm
- Open House - Chesterbrook Academy Preschool - Beverly Crest Blvd - Chesterbrook Academy Preschool, Beverly
Crest Blvd, Charlotte, NC, Saturday, January 31, 2026, 10 am - 12 pm
- SCNP: National Serpent Day Animal Care Behind-the-Scenes - Stevens Creek Nature Preserve, 15700 Thompson Road, Mint Hill, NC 28227, Sunday, February 1, 2026, 1:30pm to 2:30pm
- Campfire Talks - 15222 York Road, Charlotte, NC, Sunday, February 1, 2026, 1:30pm-3:30pm
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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 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 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!
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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!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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