Dallas weekly e-newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
For much of the country, it's been the hardest winter in recent memory: cold, monochrome, relentless. The kind of season that reminds us how little control we really have. We do our best to manage routines and moods and expectations, but parents feel it most. February stretches long and flat after the excitement of the holidays, before the lift of spring. You're still packing
lunches, wrangling homework, managing emotions (your kids’ and your own)... all while the cold keeps the family cooped up. This is the season of endurance. Of course, endurance isn’t about being stoic or silent or superhuman; it’s about continuing, even when things are hard. It’s about showing up for your people, your plans, and yourself, day after chilly day. And it’s about knowing that if you’re feeling the drag right now, you’re not alone. Many of us are moving through it
together. Even for those who don't live in Nature's Refrigerator,* February can still bring its own version of stuckness: that long stretch between holidays, where kids are restless and routines feel stale. Sometimes, by February, our gray matter feels just as gray as the weather. When that happens, help is allowed! Check out our article and outsource the brainstorming to KidsOutAndAbout: Stuck Inside This Winter? 20 Creative Indoor Activities for Kids is packed with creative, practical, low-effort ways to keep your family engaged (and sane) when outside play isn’t an option. And it shows you how to tap your favorite AI to be your thought partner to personalize it for your
family. February Gray doesn’t need to be conquered; it just needs to be lightened a bit. So whether you're "out and about" or "in and not at all about," we're here to brighten the rest of your winter!
—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build
Strong Communities
*Rochester, NY ☺️ |
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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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Get ready to experience unbelievable family fun at the fascinating Ripley’s Believe It or Not! with five awesome indoor attractions under one roof. Discover wonder in our Ripley’s Believe it or Not Odditorium and marvel at hundreds of rare and unusual
artifacts and interactive fun. Mingle with your favorite celebrities at Louis Tussaud Palace of Wax. Experience the thrill of riding the movies on our 7d moving theater or find your way through the exciting Ripley’s enchanted mirror maze with countless selfie opportunities. Last, test your skills at the all new Ripleys Power up video game experience. Ripley’s Grand Prairie is your one-stop destination for hours of family fun!
$3 off Combo Ticket!
https://www.ripleys.com/grandprairie/
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Kroger Delivery helps busy families reclaim time and reduce stress by delivering fresh groceries and household essentials straight to the doorstep, within the one-hour timeframe that fits your busy schedule. Conveniently shop from your phone to add favorite
items, reorder past products, and save with digital coupons. A Boost membership provides fee-free delivery on qualifying orders and extra fuel rewards, to keep costs predictable. Refrigerated trucks preserve freshness for produce, dairy, and frozen items, while professional drivers handle everything right to your doorstep. Visit Kroger.com to enjoy the convenience of delivery without sacrificing quality for fresh, making weeknight dinners, packed lunches and healthy snacks quick and
easy.
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Sights of plants and wildlife, smells of fresh air and trees, the sounds of birds and the blowing breeze. This is what you can experience on our monthly nature walk at Thrive Nature Park! Join us every 3rd Sunday for a guided walk to connect with nature and
the outdoors. This family-friendly hike will last 90 minutes.
All ages welcome!
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Inspired by Victor Hugo's novel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame features a book by Peter Parnell, music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. The musical is a dramatic retelling of the famous love story on a grand scale, with a lush, emotionally rich
score.
Get ready for a powerful reimagining of this timeless story! Join us at the Courtyard Theater for an unforgettable musical journey filled with heart, spectacle, and unforgettable music as only RCT can present. Whether you’re a fan of soaring music, classic literature, or dynamic theatrical storytelling, this production is one you won’t want to miss.
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This is a once-in-a-century celebration of 100 Years of Jaw-Dropping "No Way!" moves, 100 Years of "Wow!" and 100 Years of Heart-Pounding Thrills! The Harlem Globetrotters are coming to your city with their most LEGENDARY TOUR EVER. From gravity-defying
dunks to game-changing tricks, experience the team that redefined basketball! This is history you can feel and a celebration of 100 years of over-the-top FUN with all-new surprises like the Golden Basketball by Spalding®. This is fan celebration from the moment you arrive with epic new pre-game magic, unforgettable post-game interactions, and the most fan-fueled experience in sports. This is your only chance to be part of The Harlem Globetrotters 100 Year Tour. Don't miss your chance to be a
part of the LEGACY.
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Celebrate the Year of the Horse with a fun, creative craft workshop! Families can design and decorate their own lucky horse crafts to welcome the Lunar New Year with color, joy, and imagination.
All supplies provided!
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Grab a spot and join us for an event that is sprinkled with love!
In addition to playtime, kiddos will have a sweet time decorating their own heart-shaped cookies with icing and sprinkles (all dye-free!) before enjoying their tasty creation!
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Come join the Czech Polka Bands of Ennis at the 19th Annual Ennis Czech Music Festival, a family atmosphere filled with great music, dancing, food, kid zone, and much more!
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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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Roses are Red / Violets are Blue /
Join in today / For fun and good food!
Make cards and play games at this love themed palooza.
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Craft your own Valentine's Day card or snag one that’s already made with love (and take all the credit, we won’t tell). Whether you’re a creative cupid or a last-minute romantic, we’ve got you covered.
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Children have a blast at My Gym (3 action-packed hours My Gym fun) while parents enjoy an evening out! Perfect for children ages 2.5 - 10 years old.
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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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February 13–16, 2026- Join a global birdwatching event and help scientists track and protect bird populations!
We’ll kick off the count with a Birdwatching in the Park session on Friday, February 13 at 9:00 AM at Bob Miller Park. Learn how to identify birds, use the Merlin Bird ID app, and record your sightings.
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- Black History Month Scavenger Hunt - South Irving Library, Schulze Drive, Irving, TX, USA, Friday, February 13, 2026 through Sunday, February 15, 2026, during normal library hours
- Heart Scavenger Hunt - Allen Public Library, 300 N Allen Dr, Allen, TX 75013, United States, Friday, February 13, 2026 through Sunday, February 15, 2026, 10am-9pm M-Thur, 10am-6pm F-Sun
- Dual Language Story Time/Hora de Cuentos - Allen Public Library, 300 N Allen Dr, Allen, TX 75013, United States, Friday, February 13, 2026, 10:30am
- Pokémon Gym Badge Challenge - 900 Civic Center Dr, Richardson, TX, USA, Friday, February 13, 2026 through Sunday, February 15, 2026, all day
- Free Summer Camp Preview (Minecraft)| Feb 13th - 580 South Denton Tap Road suite 121, Coppell, Texas 75019, USA,
February 13th 6PM - 7PM
- 19th Annual Lunar New Year 2026 - Asia Times Square, West Pioneer Parkway,
Grand Prairie, TX, USA, Friday, February 13, 2026 through Sunday, February 15, 2026, see website
- Toddler Time (16 Months-3 Years) - John and Judy Gay Public Library, 6861 Eldorado Pkwy, McKinney, TX 75070, United States, Friday, February 13, 2026, 10:30-11:15 am
- Little
STEAMers - Betty Warmack Library, Bardin Road, Grand Prairie, TX, USA, Friday, February 13, 2026, 11-11:45 am
- The Great Backyard Bird Count - Bob Miller Park, Miller Rd, Melissa, TX, USA, Friday, February 13, 2026, 9 am
- Animal Encounter - Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center, Farm to Market Road 1382, Cedar Hill, TX 75104, United States, Saturday, February 14, 2026, 11-11:30 am
- Saturday Chess Meetup (All Ages) - John and Judy Gay Public Library, 6861 Eldorado Pkwy, McKinney, TX 75070, United States,
Saturday, February 14, 2026, 11 am- 1 pm
- Saturday Morning Kids - Richardson Public Library - 900 Civic
Center Dr, Richardson, TX, USA, Saturday, February 14, 2026, 10:30 - 11 am
- Chocolate Olympics - 901 Conover Drive, Grand Prairie,
TX, USA, Saturday, February 14, 2026, 1-2:30 pm
- Valentines Day Party- Lochwood Branch Library - Lochwood Branch Library, 11221 Lochwood Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75218, United States, Saturday, February 14, 2026, 1-3 pm
- Family: Valentine Hearts Paint Party - Arcadia Park Branch Library, 1302 N Justin Ave, Dallas, TX 75211, United States, Saturday, February 14, 2026, 1:30-2:30 pm
- Valentine's
Party! - West Irving Library, West Rochelle Road, Irving, TX, USA, Saturday, February 14, 2026, 2:30 pm
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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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