KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
|
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: Before I had kids, one of my colleagues told me that fundamentally, a parent’s job is to point. At first, you point physically: You point at the waterfall and say “waterfall,” at the moon and say “moon,” at the flower and say “flower.” You’re helping a child connect sounds to objects, words to concepts, language to reality. But later, and really all the way through, the
pointing becomes more metaphorical. Parenting is the ongoing work of connecting your child’s growing capacity to understand with a world that is, to them, forever expanding. As I had Madison and Ella, I came to think of this as being a tour guide to the world. A good tour guide needs to know the landscape, of course. But even more important, a good tour guide needs to know the traveler. What can this particular child see right now? What are they ready for? What do they care
about? What frightens them? What delights them? It's useful to remember that kids haven’t actually been here before: The world is brand-new to them over and over again, so what feels ordinary to us is often astonishing to a child. Tour guides who are doing their job well pay close attention to who their audience is and what they know, and that makes the pointing easier and more fun. Spring is the perfect season to practice pointing. In spring, the world changes fast enough for
kids to notice. Buds swell and burst. Birds return. Tiny green things push up through the dirt as if by magic. Day to day, the world becomes visibly more alive. If we point it out, kids can catch it happening in real time. And spring does not arrive quietly. It comes as an avalanche of the senses: color, smell, birdsong, mud, wind, sunlight, thunder, petals, pollen, rushing water. So maybe that’s part of the job, too: not just to point, but to lean into it. To stand beside our
kids in the rush of it all and say, Look! Here it comes.
—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
Spring is in full bloom at Encore Stage & Studio! Don’t miss Sherlock in Wonderland, our whimsical world premiere adventure, now playing through March 29. Follow Sherlock Holmes into the curious world of Wonderland in a family-friendly production filled with humor, mystery, and imagination. Spring is also the perfect time to join Encore’s exciting classes and camps for young people who love to perform, create, and explore theatre. From acting and musical theatre to holiday mini-camps, kids can build confidence, creativity, and joy all season long. Join Encore this spring and discover memorable “Theatre by Kids, for Kids” experiences for the whole family!
|
|
|
|
Unleash your imagination this Spring Break at LEGO® Discovery Center Washington, D.C.! Build, create, and play in twelve themed play zones packed with millions of LEGO bricks, travel through an interactive LEGO world on Imagination Express ride, and meet your favorite LEGO characters! Take part in a workshop class with a Master Model Builder, then experience supercharged special effects and action-packed adventure in the 4D theater. Explore MINIWORLD, a fantasy world with interactive activities and featuring iconic DC landmarks all made from over a million LEGO bricks. Conveniently located inside the Springfield Town Center. The Ultimate Indoor LEGO® Playground Awaits! Book your tickets now!
|
|
|
|
Jr. Wizards and Mystics Basketball Camps are first and foremost teaching programs; designed to emphasize fundamental instruction, individual improvement and team concepts in a fun yet structured environment. Summer camp is for ages 6-14 of various skill levels. Campers will work every day on the fundamental skills needed to become a better player in a fast paced and fun environment. Click here to register today!
|
|
|
|
Has your child wanted to start an instrument, but you didn't know where to begin? Send them to StringTime violin, viola, and cello camps for kids ages 7-12 in Alexandria, McLean, and Burke. No prior experience is required to attend and instruments are provided. StringTime also has a continuing track for kids who already play. StringTime teachers are conservatory trained professional musicians who have performed at The Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall. At StringTime, students play in ensembles, enjoy music theory and history classes, private lessons, and faculty performances. Each week of camp ends with a concert. Students may attend one or multiple weeks. Need-based scholarships are available. Register today!
|
|
|
|
Spark Creativity All Summer Long! Children’s Art Classes Alexandria opens this June—and our Summer 2026 Art Workshops are now open for registration! Designed for young artists ages 3–18, our workshops explore drawing, painting, clay, watercolor, anime/manga, mixed media, and even specialty themes like Pokémon Artistic Academy. Our award winning curriculum builds confidence, creativity, and real artistic skills in a fun, supportive studio environment. Workshops run June 29–August 14 Alexandria, VA Register today: va-alexandria.childrensartclasses.com Spaces are limited—save your child’s spot for a colorful and inspiring summer!
|
|
|
|
After a long cold winter, nothing chases away the chill like a visit to the farm! The Easter Bunny has hidden some eggs filled with treats to enchant the children, and we need you to help us find them! Be sure to get advance tickets as our Egg Hunts Sell out every year! Come see our spring chicks and baby animals, take a wagon ride, and rejoice that it is spring! Our annual Easter Egg Hunt is a $7.99 add-on per child with your paid farm admission.
|
|
|
|
Hop aboard for an egg-citing springtime adventure the whole family will love! Each child will receive a special visit from the Easter Bunny, perfect for photos and sweet holiday memories. Enjoy a ride through the woods, and then out into picturesque Maryland farm country past Barricks Farm, established in the early 1820’s. On a clear day you can view the Catoctin Mountains west of Frederick. Before returning to the Walkersville Station you will cross the beautiful Monocacy River on the recently reconstructed railroad bridge. The view is impressive and will be the highlight of your trip. The ride is leisurely, with speeds limited to ten miles per hour.
|
|
|
|
An official part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Bloom Break at the National Building Museum with Konbini by Daikaya features Japanese-inspired hands-on activities including language exploration, paper craft, and illustration, along with a short koto and shamisen performance showcasing traditional Japanese music.
|
|
|
|
The Lab is bursting into bloom for the National Cherry Blossom Festival! Dive into the beauty, traditions, and innovations of Japan with exploration-focused activities that blend art, science, and culture. Program a robot, create cherry blossom origami to take home, and explore the Lab during the cherry blossom scavenger hunt as you learn more about the science and history behind these iconic blooms.
|
|
|
|
In this brand-new show, very young children will discover the beauty of the world during daytime and nighttime.
|
|
|
|
Celebrate Spring at the Home of the Cherry Blossoms® with Bloomaroo, The Wharf's free spring festival on Saturday, March 28, 2026! Bloomaroo® at The Wharf is a free family-friendly event. Take the kids by the Kids Zone on Recreation Pier for activites including crafts, face painting, balloon artists and more. Listen to music on outdoor stages throughout The Wharf from bands like The Julia Her Band, Pink PaLiSh, Umami House Band, Jimi Smooth, Too Much Talent, and more.
|
|
|
- Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - DC Metro area - Shoott - Broadway, New York, NY, USA, Friday, March 27, 2026 to Sunday, March 29, 2026, See link for times
- 34th Annual Strathmore Juried Exhibition: STEEPED - The Mansion at Strathmore, Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD, USA, Friday, March 27, 2026 to Sunday, March 29, 2026, Tue–Fri: 12–4pm / Sat: 10am–3pm
- Observe the Sun with Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum - Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum - Jefferson Drive Southwest, Washington, DC, USA, Friday, March 27, 2026 to Sunday, March 29, 2026, 12 pm - 3 pm
- Blossom Kite Festival 2026 - The National Cherry Blossom Festival Admin Offices, K Street Northwest, Washington, DC, USA, Sunday, March 29, 2026, 10 am - 4 pm
- 28th Annual National Cherry Blossom Freedom Walk - D St NW & Louisiana Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA, Sunday, March 29, 2026, 9 am - 1 pm
- Bloomaroo at The Wharf - 735 Water Street Southwest, Washington, DC 20024, United States, Sunday, March 29, 2026, 2
pm
|
|
|
|
The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the DMV 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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the DMV 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the DMV 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
2025's Top 20 Places to Take Kids in the Detroit Metro 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 |
|
|
