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:
Next week, my husband and I are heading to a Valentine's Evening behind-the-scenes tour of the Darwin Martin House in Buffalo, New York. It’s the same Frank Lloyd Wright museum we’ve visited
several times, but this version is fancily dressed for the holiday: candlelight, champagne, treats, and a fresh perspective on something familiar. That’s the real magic of Valentine’s Day: It’s one of those perfectly made-up holidays, constructed out of paper hearts, glitter, and good intentions... and it manages magically to transform our spaces, our schedules, and our spirits. As publisher, I've had a 25-year front row seat to communities
around the country who turn nothing into something every February. This year, visitors can say "I Love Thee" in a Victorian mansion in Riverside, CA while a re-enactor in a top hat explains the romantic origin of the Hershey’s Kiss. Frying Pan Farm Park in Virginia will
help kids say "I Love MOO!" with farm animal puns. The Oregon Rail Heritage Center invites everyone on a Valentine's
Express Steam Train ride that is more light-hearted than steamy. And next Saturday, biologists at the California Academy of Sciences will hand out heart-shaped valentines to their African penguins—who will then present them to their mates to help line their nests. Not
all Valentine’s Day celebrations require you to get out and about, though; just muster some creativity and apply it to stuff you already have lying around the house. Cut hearts from red paper and tape them to the door. Dress in scarlet or rose or salmon pink. Light a candle at dinner while you're eating heart-shaped cheese, toast, bacon, or lasagna (here are 25 fun recipes from Food Network). When you and your kids dress up your world together, you’re not just celebrating love, you’re celebrating creativity. And they're learning the life skill of transforming ordinary stuff around them into something special. It only takes one step beyond the good intention to make it so. Love can be grand, indeed. But it doesn’t have to be grand to be great.
—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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Reading America's past, writing our future. Celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States of America, Dallas Style. Complete your Amazing Race for Independence Passport with badges earned by attending events, visiting exhibits, and reading along with
our monthly book club.
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You’re invited to our BIGGEST event of the year! We welcome you to the 2026 Lunar New Year: Year of the Fire Horse. Asia Times Square (ATS) is proud to present one of the largest annual Lunar New Year Festival in the North Texas area attracting over tens of
thousands of guests in our three weekends of events!
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Cupid’s hiding clues all around the library! Search high and low for hearts, chocolates, and lovable book characters. Each clue brings you closer to a surprise full of friendship, fun, glitter. Ready to follow the trail of love and laughter? Return
completed list for a small prize.
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Discover the wonders of our Environmental Education Series held every second Sunday of the month! Engage in STEM and STEAM activities tailored to explore various facets of environmental conservation. Each session promises interactive learning experiences
that inspire curiosity and foster a deeper connection with our planet.
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February 7th is Ice Cream for Breakfast Day!
Rumor has it, the holiday was created by a mother whose children were complaining that it was too cold to do anything. She finally said, “Let's have ice cream for breakfast!” Her children loved it so much, they wanted to celebrate it every year.
So be sure to embrace your inner child and help everyone's dream come true! We will be serving Ice Cream…for Breakfast! Stop by the library to build your own sundae and start your day off right!
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Celebrate all the joys the library can bring! We’ll have activities all day including a bookmark craft, special scavenger hunt, photo corner, and candy! Ask the librarian at the Children’s Desk for a hands-on tour of the Children’s Area.
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Celebrate culture, creativity, and community at our Black History Month Community Event! Join us for an inspiring day filled with local vendors, live performances, and family-friendly activities that honor and highlight Black history, art, and achievement.
Enjoy music, storytelling, crafts, and interactive displays while supporting local creators and learning about the rich contributions of Black individuals throughout history and today. This event welcomes all ages to come together, connect, and celebrate unity and heritage.
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Look, learn and love your time at the Nasher every first Saturday of the month. Bring the whole crew to create, discover and make new memories together. Each month features a rotating schedule of things to see and do.
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Dig into the world of dinosaurs with hands-on STEAM fun just for preschoolers.
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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Take a flight of the imagination when a pilot stranded in the desert meets the little prince! After an action-packed galactic journey, this magical boy visits Earth, determined to find a way to save his own tiny planet and everything he cherishes.
Friendship, loss, love, and finding out that what’s truly important in life “is invisible to the eye” … much is explored in this “enchanting opera that’s filled with warm wisdom and lyrical beauty.” (BOSTON HERALD)
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A fun time just for kids, ages 4-12 years.
Supervised play time, games and pizza dinner!
Click the button above or the image to save your spot.
Registration is online through your parent portal.
Cash only, due upon drop-off.
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Attending a Texas Legends home game offers an incredible family-friendly experience that goes far beyond just watching basketball. Located at the Comerica Center in Frisco, Texas, these NBA G League games provide affordable entertainment with something for
everyone.
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- February Teen LitBox - Allen Public Library, 300 N Allen Dr, Allen, TX 75013, Feb 6-8, 10am-9pm
- Pokémon Gym Badge Challenge - Richardson Public Library, 900 Civic Center Dr, Richardson, TX, Feb 6-8, all day
- Paid Research Intervention Study for Adolescents (Ages 13-16) UT Dallas - UT Dallas, Cecil H. Green Hall, Drive D, Richardson, TX, Feb 6-8, 9:00AM
- Black History Month Scavenger Hunt - South Irving Library, Schulze Drive, Irving, TX, Feb 6-8, during normal library hours
- Texas America250 Reading Challenge - Texas State Library
and Archives Commission, 1201 Brazos St, Austin, Texas 78701, Feb 6-8, all day
- 250 Years of Us: Amazing Race for Independence - Dallas Public Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX 75201, Feb 6-8, all day
- Toddler Time (16 Months-3 Years) - John and Judy Gay Public Library, 6861 Eldorado Pkwy, McKinney, TX 75070, Feb 6,
10:30-11:15 am
- Reverchon Daddy Daughter Dance - Reverchon Recreation Center, 3505 Maple
Ave, Dallas, TX 75219, Feb 6, 6-8 pm
- 19th Annual Lunar New Year 2026 - Asia Times Square, West
Pioneer Parkway, Grand Prairie, TX, Feb 6-8, see website
- Preschool Paleontologists at JRL - Carrollton Public Library at Josey Ranch Lake, 1700 Keller Springs Rd, Carrollton, TX 75006, Feb 6, 10:15-10:45 am
- Wiggle and Read Storytime -
Greenville Public Library, 1 Lou Finney Lane, Greenville, TX, Feb 6, 10:30-11:30 am
- Book Babies - Grand Prairie Public Library, 901 Conover Drive, Grand Prairie, TX, Feb 6, 11-11:45 am
- Preschool Storytime - Nicholas P Sims Library, West Main Street, Waxahachie, TX, Feb 6, 10-11 am
- Bilingual Storytime / Hora de cuentos
bilingüe - Dallas West Branch Library, 2332 Singleton Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75212, Feb 7, 10:30-11:30 am
- Saturday Chess Meetup (All Ages) - John and Judy Gay Public Library, 6861 Eldorado Pkwy, McKinney, TX 75070, Feb 7, 11 am- 1 pm
- Saturday Morning Kids - Richardson Public Library - Richardson Public Library, 900 Civic Center Dr, Richardson, TX, Feb 7, 10:30 - 11 am
- Black History Month Film Screening “Free Renty: Lanier vs. Harvard” - Bachman Lake Branch Library, 9480 Webb Chapel Rd, Dallas, TX 75220, Feb 7, 1:30-3:30 pm
- Black History Month Community Event - Highland Hills Branch
Library, 6200 Bonnie View Road, Dallas, TX 75241, Feb 7, 12-2 pm
- Science Experiment Saturdays: Grow Your Own Crystal Heart - Oak Lawn Branch Library, 4100 Cedar Springs Road, Dallas, TX 75219, Feb 7, 11 am- 12 pm
- Free First Saturdays at the Nasher Sculpture Center - Nasher Sculpture Center, 2001 Flora St, Dallas, TX 75201, Feb 7, 11 am-
5 pm
- Saturday Make & Take Crafts - Coppell Arts Center, 505 Travis St, Coppell, TX 75019,
Feb 7, 9 am
- Love & Library: The Sweetheart Clue Hunt - Prosper Community Library, 200 South Main Street, Prosper, TX 75078, Feb 7-8, during regular library hours
- Go for Gold: Winter Olympic Kickoff Bash - Audelia Road Branch Library, 10045 Audelia Road, Dallas, TX 75238, Feb 7, 1:30-3 pm
- Cuentos & Stories - DeSoto Public Library, 211 E Pleasant Run Rd, DeSoto, TX 75115, Feb 7, 10:30-11 am
- National Take Your Child to the Library Day -
Farmers Branch Manske Library, 13613 Webb Chapel Rd, Farmers Branch, TX 75234, Feb 7, 10 am- 6 pm
- Crafternoon: Polar Puppets - Forest Green Branch Library, Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX, Feb 7, 2-3 pm
- IntelliChoice K-12 Math Tutoring - Fretz Park Branch Library, 6990 Belt Line Road, Dallas, TX 75254, Feb 7, 10:30 am- 12 pm
- Play & Learn (Ages 0-5) at the Central Library - Garland Central Library, 713 Austin Street, Garland, TX, Feb 7, 10 am- 12 pm
- Taste The Innovation: George Crum and the Potato Chip at the West Garland Library - West Garland Library, West
Walnut Street, Garland, TX, Feb 7, 2:30-3:30 pm
- Family Movie Matinee - White Rock Hills Branch Library, 9150 Ferguson Rd, Dallas, TX 75228, Feb 7, 1-3 pm
- Ice Cream for Breakfast - Nicholas P Sims Library, West Main Street, Waxahachie, TX, Feb 7, 10-10:30 am
- Family Storytime at Lewisville Public Library - Lewisville Public Library, 1197 West Main Street, Lewisville, TX 75067, Feb 7, 11- 11:30 am
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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the Dallas 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 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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