KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Fri, Mar 20: Encanto in Concert", March 20-21 at Charlotte Symphony Orchestra
Fri, Mar 20: Baker's Delight Camp | Lil' Chef / Tween Chef (Ages 5-12) - Flour Power Cooking Studios Charlotte Rea Farms
Sat, Mar 21: Charlotte Checkers Home Game
Fri, Mar 27: Charlotte Independence Home Game at American Legion Memorial Stadium
Sat,
Mar 28: Easter Bunny Express at N.C. Transportation Museum
Sat, Mar 28: Dino Egg Hunt at Catawba Science Center
Tue, Mar 31: Tasty Tuesdays at Matthews United Methodist
Sun, Apr 12: Spring 2026 FLAG FOOTBALL at Carolina Panthers NFL Flag
Sat, Apr 18: Disney's Frozen the Broadway Musical at Children's Theatre of Charlotte
Sat, Apr 18: Earth Day Celebration - Town of Waxhaw |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: For much of the country this year, March simultaneously is bringing hope that spring may in fact return to North America AND the awareness that every car is at risk for the foreseeable future. All winter long, water seeps into asphalt cracks, freezes, expands, melts, and freezes again, and bit by bit the driving experience becomes a game called Avoid the
Crater. But lately I’ve started seeing the repair trucks out there again, their bright-vested workers moving methodically from hole to hole with their shovels. Every time I pass them, it gives me a lift, not just because it means someday soon I'll start seeing flowers out in the real world, but also because potholes are one of those perfect reminders of what humans do. Playrooms, projects, and paperwork start out neat, but over time, weather, wear, gravity, and
procrastination take their toll. No matter how strict the system, order gradually slides toward chaos. And then humans step in and make it right again. I saw the cycle in action at the KidsOutAndAbout office last week: Our storage room had slowly become a museum of random supplies, half-filled bins, and Christmas decorations that had been tossed in with a hopeful Future Us will deal with this someday. Fortunately, my colleague Michelle, who works in our data department,
is also a genius organizer. A few hours after Future Michelle stepped in and applied logic and elbow grease, the little room had transformed from a cluttered cave into a serene space. The quickening of the seasons seems to bring that same energy into our homes: Closets get sorted, garages get swept, junk drawers finally meet their match. It feels good, not just because the space looks better, but because fixing things reminds us of something important: Disorder is normal, but
it’s not permanent. Humans can step in and bring brightness back. So here’s to spring cleaning, organized shelves, and freshly patched roads. Our tires, and our spirits, roll much more smoothly because humans fill potholes.
—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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Welcome to Family Madrigal! Join the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra for a one-of-a-kind cinematic experience at Encanto in Concert on March 20 & 21. Telling the tale of an extraordinary family living in a magical house in the mountains of Colombia, the
entire feature-length Disney movie plays on the big screen at Belk Theater while the CSO performs the score live on stage.
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Grab your instrument and join us for a week of high-energy music, toe-tapping rhythms, and good old-fashioned bluegrass fun! Our Kids Bluegrass Camp introduces young musicians to acoustic instruments like guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, bass, and dobro in
a supportive, hands-on environment.
Learn classic bluegrass songs by ear and by heart. Explore rhythm, melody, and harmony through fun games and jam sessions. Take turns playing solos and learn to listen as part of a band. Build confidence performing in a friendly setting and make new friends who love music.
No prior experience needed—beginners and intermediate players are welcome. Camp ends with a fun showcase performance for family and friends.
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Unforgettable Birthday Parties & Family Fun at Spare Time Entertainment!
Spare Time Entertainment is the ultimate destination for kids to be kids! Our mission is to Create Memorable Experiences, and when you host a party with us, we’ll go out of our way to create an unforgettable memory for your family and friends.
Each of our four customizable birthday party packages include:
Tons of Activities including Bowling, Laser Tag, Game Zone, and more.
Hand-Tossed Pizza and Soft Drinks
Celebratory Place Settings, Lights, and Music
Dedicated Party Host
This year, let our team handle all the hard work while you kick back, relax, and enjoy the celebration!
Spare Time Pineville - 9600 Pineville-Matthews Road, Pineville NC 28134 https://www.sparetimeentertainment.com/pineville/
Spare Time…
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March 12 - 22, 2026 in Concord: Shake off the winter blues at the Charlotte Spring Fair. It's an annual family friendly event offering carnival rides, carnival foods, and carnival shows for kids of all ages. There is plenty to do and see and taste and
smell and touch! Enjoy traditional fair foods, like corn dogs, funnel cakes, cotton candy, hot dogs, a wide assortment of fried delights and sweet treats. ALL shows are FREE with fair admission! Get out of the house and create some family memories!
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Kick-off spring festivities with Green River Revival. Watch as the Whitewater Center’s resident leprechaun transforms the river green for St Patrick’s Day. Start the day with the Color Me Green 5K Trail Run before rafting down the river and listening to
live music.
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The Charlotte St Patrick’s Day Parade is back! We are planning a wonderful parade with marching bands, floats, and civic organizations celebrating our city and Saint Patrick's Day! In addition, we plan to have a full festival event with food, vendors and
attractions.
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READY, SET, SHOW! Start your engines and help us rev up for a great spring season! Join us for our annual Spring Car and Truck Show on Saturday, March 14, 2026, from 9 am to 12 pm. Cars, trucks, and motorcycles will line Main Street at Veterans Park, on
display for public viewing and voting. This exciting event is a must-see for car enthusiasts of all ages. Come admire the paint schemes, chrome, engines, interiors, and unique details of both classic and modern vehicles. It’s a great opportunity to enjoy food, friends, and plenty of car talk in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. This event is made possible with the help of our sponsors WSIC News and Joyce Factory Direct. American Legion Auxiliary Unit 321 will be on site selling breakfast and
coffee.
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Calling all Creatives! Join us at Johnston Center for the Arts on Saturday, March 14th from 12pm-2pm for National Children's Craft Day! Each year, National Children's Craft Day on March 14th unleashes a boost of creative energy right in the middle of
National Craft Month. The day celebrates crafting with children. All ages are welcome! There will be something for all! We hope to see you there! No registration required and the event is absolutely free!
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- SCNP: Why All The Buzz For Buzzards? (drop-in) - Stevens Creek Nature Preserve, 15700 Thompson Road, Mint Hill, NC 28227, Saturday, March 13, 2026, 2:30pm to 4:00pm - ongoing
- SCNP: St. Patrick's Day
Treasure Hunt (drop-in) - Stevens Creek Nature Preserve, 15700 Thompson Road, Mint Hill, NC 28227, Saturday, March 14, 2026 to Sunday, March 15, 2026, ongoing 9:00am to 3:00pm – Saturday, ongoing 1:00pm to 3:00pm - Sunday
- National Children's Craft Day at Johnston YMCA - Johnston YMCA, 3025 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC
28205, Saturday, March 14, 2026, 12:00pm
- Charlotte St Patrick's Day Parade 2026 - South Tryon Street, Charlotte,
NC, Saturday, March 14, 2026, Parade: 11 am - 1 pm, Festival: 10 am - 7 pm
- LEGO Club Contest: Build Leprechaun Trap - North County Regional Library - North County Regional Library, Holly Crest Lane, Huntersville, NC, Saturday, March 14, 2026, 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the Charlotte 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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CSAs are becoming more popular each year! Farm-to-table fresh weekly produce is a wonderful option for families, to connect kids with what they eat and the wider community.This is KidsOutAndAbout's big list of local community-supported agriculture.
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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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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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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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