KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
The February my daughter Ella was 1, she caught a cold that lingered for months. There were short stretches of relief, but mostly there was congestion, disrupted sleep, and a level of crankiness that turned my sunny baby into someone I barely recognized. The clouds around her felt constant, and one day, I caught myself labeling her in my head as “the crabby one.” But of course,
if I had a perpetually runny nose and no way to manage it, I’d be irritable, too! I needed to remember this wasn’t her personality, it was a season. What we needed to get through it was distraction: something fun to do "right now" and also fun things to anticipate. Aside from those who live in paradise pockets like San Diego, most of our readers are in the thick of a particularly dreary winter. The world feels heavy and gray, energy runs low, and
it’s easy to fixate on how dispirited we feel. But we need to remember that this isn't our personality, it's a season. What we need to get through it is distraction in the moment and also something positive we can place on our horizon. My family is counting down to the March 20 release of Project Hail
Mary, which stars Ryan Gosling. The movie is based on the novel by Andy Weir, who also wrote The Martian. You don't have to be a science nerd to love Weir's books (although science nerds DO love Weir's
books), because in all of them, the real hero is human ingenuity—curiosity, flexible thinking, doing what needs to be done even in extreme circumstances. When things are going awry, the answer isn’t despair, it’s problem-solving, and I always emerge from a Weir book feeling spiritually lighter. While I immerse myself in Weir and Gosling, you, of course, should do YOU! Let the art or sport that grabs you and your kids be your launch ticket to optimism now, and lift you to fun
in the future. We're glad to provide the fuel!
—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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Camp Hidden Meadows is an all-gender sleepaway camp for ages 7–16, offering flexible one- and two-week sessions. Our program blends independent exploration with a strong sense of community, guided by our core values: Adventure, Community, Confidence, and Respect. With 40+ activities and out-of-camp trips across West Virginia, campers grow through hands-on, unplugged experiences in a nurturing environment where they can be themselves and try new things!
Older campers unlock new adventures: Earth Expeditions outdoor adventure program (Finishing 7th - 8th grade), our Counselor-In-Training program (Finishing 10th grade), and for the first time in Summer 2026, an International Earth Expeditions trip to Iceland (Finishing 9th - 10th grade)!
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Creator Camp is excited to return to the DMV for Summer 2026! Featured on Shark Tank, our camps are designed to inspire the next generation of digital innovators in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. We offer specialized tracks in filmmaking, YouTube content
creation, animation, and game design. Our hands-on approach ensures that every camper leaves with a project they are proud of and skills that last a lifetime. With weekly sessions running from June to August, there’s no better place for your child to explore the intersection of art and technology. Sign up now for a summer of creation!
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Step through the looking glass and into a mystery like no other in Encore’s Sherlock in Wonderland, running March 20–29, 2026. What happens when the brilliant Sherlock Holmes lands in the topsy turvy world of Wonderland? Clues scatter, logic tangles, and
adventure waits around every corner. This Theatre by Kids, for Kids world premiere is a whimsical journey filled with humor, heart, and delightful surprises for the whole family. Join us at TJ Community Theatre in Arlington, VA. Tickets: $13 to $16, with Special Pre-show Experiences on Saturday performances, and ASL Access. Use code KOAA26 for BOGO savings at checkout.
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As a parent, nothing matters more than your child’s safety — especially around water. Pool days, beach vacations, and backyard parties should be filled with fun, not fear. That’s why Maryland families vote Goldfish Swim School Best Swim Lessons year
after year. Goldfish offers engaging, effective swim lessons designed specifically for children ages 4 months to 12 years old.
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These 30-minute story times on Fridays are designed to be enjoyed by all ages. Promoting early literacy skills through books, songs, rhymes, and movement, Family Story Time is a great way to further your child’s lifelong love of reading and learning. The
whole family is encouraged to participate!
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February is Dino Hatching season and we are expecting some of the tiniest, cutest dinos you’ve ever seen! Come inside Great Country Farms and get up close with our baby dinos during special indoor meet and greet experiences.
But that’s not all — while you’re here, let the little ones burn off even more energy in our winter indoor play area. Open Fridays through Mondays (plus select school holidays). This cozy, weatherproof playground is the perfect escape from the chill. And parents? You’re in for a treat, too. While the kids play, you can relax with a freshly made apple cider donut and a hot coffee from our Knead It Farm Market Bakery.
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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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Kids Night Out!
Blast off with a glow-in-the-dark rocketship! Kids design and sculpt their own space-themed creation that shines bright. This hands-on class fuels inspiration, teaches simple clay building techniques, and launches young artists into a stellar glow-in-the-dark adventure!
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Join our educators at this hands-on activity table where creativity takes flight! Perfect for budding engineers and aviation enthusiasts, this interactive program allows visitors to design and build their own creations.
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Reverend Josiah Henson worked tirelessly throughout his life to advocate for freedom and education. This Saturday, come visit the Josiah Henson Museum and Park for educational, hands-on activities that demonstrate what a child’s life was like in Dawn, the
settlement he created after taking his family to Canada via the Underground Railroad. The family-friendly event is appropriate for all ages. Free with paid admission. Admission, $6 for children and seniors, and $7 for adults. Tickets available onsite. Parking is located at 5900 Executive Blvd.
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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 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!
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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.
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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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