KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter
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Wed, Apr 15: Keller Lions Club Fair
Thu, Apr 16: Main Street Fort Worth Arts Festival
Sat, Apr 18: Log Cabin Village's 60th Birthday Party
Sat, Apr 25: Earth Day Celebration at Grapevine Botanical Gardens
Sat, Apr 25: Earth Day Mansfield at Chris W. Burkett Service Cente
Sat, May 2: Highland Village Art Festival
Sat, May 2: Music Alley Festival
Fri, May 8: “Gracias Mamá” A Mother’s Day Concert
Sat, May 9: Super Safety Saturday
Sun, May 10: Mother’s Day Brunch at Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa
Sun, May 10: Mother's Day Brunch at the Fort Worth Zoo
Thu, May 14: Watauga Fest
Fri, May 15: 42nd Annual Main Street Fest
Fri, Jun 5: Puppy Pals Live
Sat, Jun 13: Champion’s Day Celebration at Hawaiian Falls |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
As I write this column, three Americans and one Canadian are hurtling home from a trip around the Moon, inside a machine that had better do exactly what it’s supposed to do. For years, every person involved in the mission obsessed over every detail at every stage until as little as possible was left to chance. “Failure is not an option,” an ethos long associated with our quest to
explore outer space, makes perfect sense when we're talking about Artemis II. But decades ago, the attitude leaked out of the space program and into everyday life, and that was a mixed blessing. When I was a teenager, “failure is not an option” might as well have been tattooed on my brain: For me, not only was failure not an option, but anything below an A grade wasn’t an option, either. I was so afraid of not being perfect that if I felt unprepared for a test, I’d stay home
“sick.” I looked successful from the outside, but because I was working so hard to avoid mistakes, I played it safe. So I didn't actually accomplish much aside from some sharp-looking letters on a report card. It took me years out in the real world to realize that real accomplishment usually looks less like gliding and more like bumping into things until you find the way through. So these days, failure and I are best buddies: I've replaced "failure is not an option" with
"nothing ventured, nothing gained" as I inch toward and away from success each day. Even writing my column each week is an act of resilience: I add and then murder my words until they say what I mean, and I'm always aware in the end that it could be better. One of my goals when I was homeschooling Madison and Ella was to make failure safe and ordinary... cheerful, even... a sign of progress. Kids need chances to try things that might flop: recipes that taste weird, projects
that collapse, math problems they have to redo, conversations they wish they’d handled better. I wanted them to understand that when the stakes are low, failure is not a tragedy, it’s just how learning works. It doesn't usually feel fun, or comfortable. But it's the only way to fly.
—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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Come on out to Riders field to cheer on the RoughRiders! The Frisco RoughRiders are a Minor League Baseball team of the Texas League and the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers.
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All aboard this STEAM-based storytime! Explore with your child as they tap into their innate curiosity to discover the world around them.
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Catch a flick on the big screen in the PGA District! Friday movies will begin at 7:00 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring a lawn blanket to sit on. PGA District restaurants will be open to serve your favorite foods before and after each show; concession beverages will also be available for purchase from our roaming beverage carts. As a reminder, outside food and drinks are not permitted, nor are lawn chairs. Pets are welcome but must be kept on a leash at all times.
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Calling all Pokémon fans in grade K-9! Join us on the 2nd and 4th Fridays after school from 4:30-5:45 p.m. in the Learning Center. 2nd Friday of the month: Enjoy snacks, trade your cards, and express your creativity with a Pokémon-related craft. 4th Friday of the month: Sharpen your skills! We'll focus on playing Pokémon TCG and sharing tips for caring for and collecting cards.
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The Colony Parks and Recreation Department and The Colony Roadrunners Club present the 25th Annual Coach Cox's Kids Race by the Lake. Children ages 9 and under will compete in a half mile race, while children ages 10-12 run a one mile course on the shores of beautiful Lake Lewisville at Stewart Creek Park. All participants will receive a ribbon and goody bag. T-shirts guaranteed until March 27. No event-day registration.
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The Keller Public Arts Board is excited to host the 9th Annual Keller Art Festival, a vibrant celebration of local art, creativity and community! Explore a wide variety of original works from over 25 talented artists, and enjoy live music and performances, vendors, food trucks and kids' activities.
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This annual event is dedicated to honoring our planet and promoting environmental awareness through a variety of engaging activities and experiences. The Earth Day Festival offers something for everyone. Guided nature walks, Story times featuring readers from the Arlington Public Library and animal ambassador presentations from River Legacy naturalists, interactive demonstrations and informative exhibits from US Fish and Wildlife, Native Plant Society of Texas, Trinity River Authority, Wild Birds Unlimited, as well as eco-friendly crafts and activities for all ages. These demonstrations provide practical tips and knowledge that you can take home to help make a positive impact on the environment.
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Ring in Earth Day with some crafty fun! Use bottle caps, string, and other recycled treasures to make your very own wind chimes. It’s a hands-on way to get creative and give old stuff a brand-new jingle!
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Grab your friends and join us at the City Hall Plaza for some FREE concerts! In 2026, we will be focusing on all tribute bands! All concerts are BYOB- no glass.
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Join us in 2026 for Mainstay Farm’s Spring Festival in Cleburne, TX, just outside Dallas & Fort Worth! Enjoy two Easter themed weekends with egg hunts and Easter Bunny visits, followed by two weekends celebrating baby animals and strawberry themed treats, plus picture-perfect photo ops and 30+ family-friendly attractions. Experience one of the top spring events in North Texas!
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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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Prepare for Adventure and Step Back in Time for the Time of Your Life into the 16th century world of the iconic Scarborough Renaissance Festival filled with lively entertainment, amazing artisanship, and interactive fun for everyone!
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- Earth Day Festival - River Legacy Nature Center, 703 NW Green Oaks Blvd, Arlington, TX, Saturday, April 11, 2026, 10 am- 2 pm
- Free Spring Mini Photo Session with Shoott - Dallas - Fort Worth - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, Friday, April 10, 2026 to Sunday, April 12, 2026, See link for times
- Free Demonstrations & Open Studios Night - April 2026 - SiNaCa Studios School of Glass and Gallery, Thursday, April 10, 2026, 6-9 p.m.
- Spring Market at the Glass Garden - SiNaCa Studios, 1013 West Magnolia Avenue, Fort Worth, TX,
Saturday, April 11, 2026, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
- Recycled Wind Chimes - Prosper Community Library, 200 South Main Street, Prosper, TX, Saturday, April 11, 2026, 1 pm
- Nature Adventure at Frisco Commons Park - Frisco Commons Park, McKinney Road, Frisco, TX, Saturday, April 11, 2026, varies
- Saturday Stories: Bunnies - Keller Public Library, 640 Johnson Road, Keller, TX, Saturday, April 11, 2026,
10:30-11:30 am
- Concert in the Plaza Series - City of Colleyville, Main Street, Colleyville, TX, Sunday, April 12, 2026, 4:30-6 pm
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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth 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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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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