KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Sun, Feb 1: Families Together: Main Building Open House at Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
Sun, Feb 1: Family Day: Tu B’shevat at Capital Jewish Museum
Fri, Feb 6: Chocolate Lovers Festival at Old Town Square
Sat, Feb 7: Big Lick Comic Con 2026 at Berglund Center
Sat, Feb 7: Games With Trains at B&O Railroad Museum
Sat, Feb 14: Family Day at the Library of Congress: Happy Birthday, George Washington
Sat, Feb 21: Berliner Helicopter Family Day at College Park Aviation Museum
Sat, Feb 21: Family Day: Year of the Horse at Textile Museum
Sat, Feb 28: Black History Month Family Day at Josiah Henson Museum and Park
Fri, Mar 13: Awesome Con 2026
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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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Art Play Learn is holding an Educational Resources Fair this Saturday from 11am-2pm at the Largo-Kettering-Perrywood Community Center. This free, fun family event is the perfect way to entertain your kids after being stuck inside from the storm! We will
have hands-on activities for them to do to move, play and create. The resources include several Speech & Occupational Therapists, programs for adults with Cognitive Disabilities, Homeschool Programs, Summer Camps, and more! Families will fill out a passport as they participate in the various activities. Completed passports will enter them to win a prize, including a $50 Amazon gift card, a week of Summer Camp and a free session of ASL lessons. Come out and join us!
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Join us for these quick winter activities afterschool. Drop in for winter-themed activities after school or pick up a snow kit to enjoy at home! Be sure to check the schedule for specific activity dates and kit pickup times (while supplies last).
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Parent and Tot Skate sessions are a great way to introduce your little one to the ice!
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We’re throwing a birthday party for the trees! Tree-lovers of all ages and from all backgrounds are welcome to learn, connect, and create while we celebrate all the wonderful gifts of the trees.
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We are excited to be hosting a Families Together Open House! Learn more about the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center’s teaching philosophy by seeing it in action
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As our nation prepares for its 250th birthday, DCPL is giving you the chance to imagine our city's next 250 years with a community songwriting program! What do you hope for Washington, DC in the next 250 years? Join us on Saturday, January 31, at 12pm at
the Woodridge Neighborhood Library where musicians will work with attendees to collaborate on and then record a song of hope and inspiration for our city's future. Attendees will work together to pick a topic for the song, write song lyrics, and assist the musicians perform their song. We will record one song at a DCPL location in each quadrant and then provide our residents with a 'The Next 250' mixtape to enjoy and the mixtape will be part of our America 250 celebrations. The Northwest and
Southeast quadrants have already recorded amazing songs! Come represent the Northeast quadrant and share your ideas and your voice about our city's future. All are welcome to attend. Registration is recommended but not required. Snacks will be…
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Join us for an up-close encounter with one of our animal ambassadors. Why do they live at the nature center? What would their wild counterparts be doing at this time of year? We’ll answer these questions and more. No registration required.
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We will read a story, sing songs, and dance. Children and their grownups are encouraged to actively engage and participate in the ways that work best for them. This can include moving around the room rather than sitting down, communicating with sign
language or AAC devices, and more! Content is designed for children ages 0-5,but children of all ages are welcome to attend with a caregiver. Online registration is required as space is limited.
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The Pyramids of Giza have arrived in DC! This revolutionary virtual reality immersive experience takes you back to the golden age of ancient Egypt, allowing you to explore the depths of the iconic pyramids, decipher hieroglyphs, relive the reign of King
Khufu, and more! Embark on a journey to the past that has already been enjoyed by more than +1-million others with Horizon of Khufu! Located at 926 F St NW, Washington DC.
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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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- The Compass Atelier Thesis Exhibition - Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD 20852, Sunday, Feb 1, Sat: 10am–3pm
- Imagine Our City's Next 250 Years at Woodridge Neighborhood Library - Woodridge Neighborhood Library, 1801 Hamlin Street Northeast, Washington D.C., D.C. 20018, Sunday, Feb 1, 12 pm - 1:30 pm
- Families Together: Main Building Open House - Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Constitution Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC, Sunday, Feb 1, 10:00am to 12:00pm
- Families Together: American History Open House - Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Constitution Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC, Sunday, Feb 1, 10:00am to 12:00pm
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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.
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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 Dallas 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 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!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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