Dallas weekly e-newsletter |
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Fri, Feb 6: The Little Prince at WINSPEAR OPERA HOUSE
Sat, Feb 14: Ennis Czech Music Festival at Sokol Hall
Sun, Feb 15: Annual Lunar New Year Celebration 2026 at City of Richardson Core District
Sat, Feb 21: Lunar New Year
Festival at Bookmarks at NorthPark Center
Fri, Feb 27: Tulipalooza at Getzendaner Memorial Park
Sat, Feb 28: Celebrating Heritage Black History Month at Polk-Wisdom Branch Library
Fri, Mar 6: North Texas Irish Festival at Fair Park
Sat, Mar 7: TEXFest at City of Carrollton
Sun, Mar 15: Wizard of Oz on Ice Presented by the Coppell Arts Center
Thu, Mar 26: Let's Fly- Art Has No Limits at Louis Shanks |
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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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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You're invited to join the Texas America250 Reading Challenge! Texans of all ages are invited to log 2,500 minutes (41.6 hours) of reading, state parks visits, and/or service
activity in 2026, in honor of our nation’s 250th anniversary. Participants who complete the challenge can receive a certificate from their local librarian.
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Join us for an illuminating evening as we trek along one of LLELA's trails and enjoy the Snow Moon full Moon!
February is historically the snowiest month of the year in the Northern Hemisphere which is why this full Moon is called the Snow Moon. Hopefully there won't be any snow but if there is, we are sure to have a wonderful time on this full moon hike! Only $15 per person for this after hours event!
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Bring the whole family! Come one and all to hear excerpts from books written by African-American authors. Special guests will read selections aloud for your enjoyment.
This program is presented by Professional Achievers for Community Excellence (PACE) with support from the Friends of the Carrollton Public Library and the Carrollton Public Library.
Free books written by African American authors will be available to children and teens, while supplies last.
For all ages
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The illustrations of beloved children’s author Eric Carle leap from the page to the stage in a dazzling larger-than-life world of 75 lovable puppets with a stunning display of color and artistry.
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Bring your well-loved stuffies and fabric friends to the library for some TLC, courtesy of our Emergency Stuffing Technicians. From stitches to stuffing grafts, your plushie pal can get the care they need for many more years of cuddles and kisses.
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Vultures are such important animals to the ecosystem but they are often overlooked or hated. Come and learn about these fascinating creatures.
Attendees will receive a free gift to remember the awesomeness of vultures!
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Let’s set sail on an underwater adventure with ocean-themed STEAM activities.
Ages: 3-5
Space is limited. Tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis starting 15 minutes before the program.
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Open to ages 8 to 12. Make your own lollipops with portable candy company PapaBubbleDFW! Choose your flavors, add fun ingredients, and work alongside the candy makers to create something truly delicious!
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94 Feet of Game is a global basketball training brand founded by 3-time NBA Champion coach Phil Handy. Currently an Assistant Coach with the Dallas Mavericks, Coach Handy has trained and coached some of the game’s best, including Kobe Bryant, LeBron James,
Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, JuJu Watkins, and many more.
Coach Handy and his team of elite coaches are bringing this high-level training and proven development system to the Dallas homeschool community.
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Baby cuddles, tiny giggles, and sweet animal friends! A joyful morning made just for babies and toddlers to meet our cutest critters.
Little Critters Playdates are select Friday mornings created especially for babies and toddlers to experience the magic of the farm in a playful, age-appropriate way. Held from 10:00 AM to noon, these play dates feature gentle, staff-guided interactions with our baby animals and extra-cuddly critters—perfect for little hands, curious minds, and first animal friendships.
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Join us for high energy music, movement, stories, and crafts to promote literacy and motor skills. For ages 0-5 years.
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Engage with your little one as we explore stories, songs and activities that help enhance muscle development to rock, roll, crawl and walk!
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Splash into fun at Epic Waters every Monday through February 23 for Tiny Tot Time! From 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM, before the park officially opens, kids aged 0-5 can enjoy the waterpark for just $7, and parents get in FREE! It’s the perfect way to make a splash
and create unforgettable memories with your little ones. Don’t miss out on this exclusive early access event!
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- Toddler Time (16 Months-3 Years) - 6861 Eldorado Pkwy, McKinney, TX 75070, Saturday, January 31, 2026, 10:30-11:15 am
- Dual Language Story Time/Hora de Cuentos - 300 N Allen Dr, Allen, TX 75013, Friday, January 31, 2026 (via Saturday), 10:30 am
- Join the Fun at the My Gym Enrollment Event! - Main Street, Frisco, TX, Friday, January 31, 2026 (via Saturday), 4-6 pm
- Wiggle and Read
Storytime - 1 Lou Finney Lane, Greenville, TX, Friday, January 31, 2026 (via Saturday), 10:30-11:30 am
- Book Babies -
901 Conover Drive, Grand Prairie, TX, Friday, January 31, 2026 (via Saturday), 11-11:45 am
- 250 Years of Us: Amazing Race for
Independence - 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX 75201, Friday, January 31, 2026 to Sunday, February 1, 2026, all day
- Preschool Storytime - West Main Street, Waxahachie, TX, Friday, January 31, 2026 (via Saturday), 10-11 am
- Saturday Chess Meetup (All Ages) - 6861 Eldorado Pkwy, McKinney, TX 75070, Saturday, January 31, 2026, 11 am- 1 pm
- Saturday Morning Kids - Richardson Public Library - 900 Civic Center Dr, Richardson, TX, Saturday, January 31, 2026, 10:30 - 11 am
- Meet the Misfits: Vultures - Farm to Market Road 1382, Cedar Hill, TX 75104, Saturday,
January 31, 2026, 11 am
- Sticker Art Masterpiece - 10045 Audelia Road, Dallas, TX
75238, Saturday, January 31, 2026, 2-3 pm
- Ocean Explorers at H&J - North Josey
Lane, Carrollton, TX, Saturday, January 31, 2026, 10:15-10:45 am
- Cuentos & Stories - 211 E
Pleasant Run Rd, DeSoto, TX 75115, Saturday, January 31, 2026, 10:30-11 am
- Stuffed Animal Hospital - Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX, Saturday, January 31, 2026, 10 am - 12 pm
- IntelliChoice K-12 Math Tutoring - 6990 Belt Line Road, Dallas, TX 75254, Saturday, January 31, 2026, 10:30 am- 12 pm
- Play & Learn (Ages 0-5) at the Central Library - 713 Austin Street, Garland, TX, Saturday, January 31, 2026, 10 am- 12 pm
- Make Your Own Lollipops with PapaBubbleDFW (Ages 8-12) - 8383 Preston Center Plaza Suite 200, University Park, Dallas, TX 75225, Saturday, January 31, 2026, 2-4 pm
- Watch & Play: Frozen - West Main Street, Waxahachie, TX, Saturday, January 31, 2026, 2-3 pm
- Family Storytime at Lewisville Public Library - 1197 West Main Street, Lewisville, TX 75067, Saturday, January 31, 2026, 11- 11:30 am
- Visit All Saints - 7777 Osage Plaza Court, Dallas, TX 75252, Sunday, February 1, 2026, 10:30 am - 1:30 pm
- African American Read-In - 1700 Keller Springs Rd, Carrollton, TX 75006, Sunday,
February 1, 2026, 3:30 - 4:30 pm
- Tulsa vs. SMU Men's Tennis Jr. Ball Crew Program - N Central Expy, Dallas, TX, Sunday, February 1, 2026, 10:00AM
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Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the Dallas 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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Every May and June, thousands of local parents, grandparents, and caregivers weigh in on their favorite local places to take kids. This is the page where we showcase the Dallas-area winners for 2025. (Click here to see the full list of nominees.)
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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