KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Sat, Jan 31: The Million Card Show at POST Houston
Sat, Feb 7: Library Carnival at Brazoria County Library System - Clute
Sat, Feb 14: Bubbles and More Play Day at Nature Discovery Center
Sat, Feb 14: Lunar New Year Festival 2026: Year of the Fire Horse at Parker Williams Branch Library
Sun, Feb 15: Lunar New Year- Discovery Green
Sat, Feb 21: Annual Go Texan Parade at Greater Conroe/Lake Conroe Area Chamber of Commerce
Sat, Feb 21: Mardi Gras! Galveston
Fri, Mar 20: National Youth Theater presents Diary of a Wimpy Kid the Musical
Sat, Mar 21: Heights Kids' Day of Music
Sat, Mar 28: Bayou City Art Festival at Memorial Park |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
If it weren’t for a Polish pastry, I might not exist. When my great-grandmother Karolina Stelmach was a teenager in a small village in Poland, she was told she’d be entering an arranged marriage. But her heart belonged to Sylvester Nowakowski. So she left... on her own, by boat... and made her way to America. She found work in a restaurant, where
she made her family’s signature dessert: chrusciki. One day, a “distinguished gentleman” insisted on meeting the pastry chef, and he offered her a better-paying job in his own kitchen. She took it, saved enough to bring Sylvester over, and they married. Which means if chrusciki didn’t exist, neither would I. Stories like this do more than entertain. According to psychologist Robyn Fivush, interviewed on a recent episode of the Hidden Brain podcast, they help kids develop
identity, resilience, and self-worth. The more children know about their family’s past—not just the “big” stories like crossing oceans, but even the day-to-day moments and struggles—the more connected and grounded they become. Fivush and her colleagues at Emory University found that kids who know more family stories have higher self-esteem, greater emotional understanding, and a stronger sense of meaning and purpose. But it’s not just the information that matters...it’s the telling. When we sit
down and share what came before, we help kids feel like they’re part of something bigger, and that they belong. No AI can replicate that. A chatbot can write a story, sure. But it can’t tell your kids how Grandma’s meatloaf could’ve doubled as a construction material, or how two little girls in the 1950s turned a couple of ice cream cones into a front-porch endurance contest. So this year, make a point of telling your kids about your family's shared history:
about mistakes, about perseverance, about love, about dessert. Connection doesn’t have to be complicated: Just pull up a chair, pass the cookies, and pass down the stories.
—Debra Ross, publisher
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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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Help Your Child Thrive Inside and Outside the Classroom BrainAbouts® empowers young people to make smarter decisions, manage stress, and build confidence with neuroscience-based lessons. Parents love how the program connects real-life skills with academic success, preparing children for bright, resilient futures. Support Your Child’s Growth so Discover BrainAbouts®
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Peppa Pig, along with Mummy Pig, Daddy Pig, George and new baby sister Evie, are coming to Galveston for PEPPA PIG: MY FIRST CONCERT – a fun, interactive introduction to a live orchestra for ages 18 months and older. Join Peppa and George to learn all about the different sounds that instruments make together! Enjoy some of your favorite music from the show played by a live orchestra and discover some other exciting orchestral pieces perfect for children. Plus, some little piggies can join Peppa and her family to make music of their own! Join the Grand 1894 Opera House March 6th 12:00 PM for a fun Classical Musical Journey.
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Slip, slide, spin and crash with Bumper Cars on Green Mountain Energy presents Ice at Discovery Green. This timeless amusement ride gets an updated twist at Houston’s premiere outdoor ice-skating rink. No license or experience needed to drive! Tickets are $20 plus tax for a seven-minute ride. Children must be taller than 42 inches to ride.
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Be Our Guest at Disney’s 30th Anniversary production of DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, the breathtaking musical filled with the romance and grandeur audiences know and love. This enchanting and timeless tale has been brought to life like never before, with spectacular new sets and dazzling costumes. The show boasts the Oscar®-winning and Tony Award®-nominated score, including the classic songs “Be Our Guest” and “Beauty and the Beast.” Reuniting to create this new production are members of the original Tony Award®-winning artistic team, including composer Alan Menken, lyricist Tim Rice, book writer Linda Woolverton, with direction and choreography by Matt West, scenic design by Stanley A. Meyer, costume design by Ann Hould-Ward and lighting design by Natasha Katz.
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Three Parks - Four Days - Unlimited Visits! Enjoy 4 days of unlimited thrills across all three iconic parks — Kemah Boardwalk, Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, and Downtown Aquarium — all with one pass! (exhibits at Aquarium also included)
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ARTECHOUSE's Fractal Worlds is designed for explorers of every age. Kids are drawn to the color, movement, and sense of play, while adults find moments of calm, inspiration, and awe. Whether you’re visiting with friends, family, or on your own, ARTECHOUSE offers space to wander freely, take photos, relax, and experience art in a completely new way.
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Watch us transform the library into a multitude of life-sized board games! Featuring: Candy Land, Jenga, & Hungry Hungry Hippos!
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Step into the vibrant world of K-Pop! At this month’s Super Saturday workshop, explore the creative culture behind the global phenomenon through hands-on activities, movement, and music. Join us for a fun, high-energy day that blends crafting and dance for fans of all ages.
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Each year, the Museum honors the legacy of civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with messages of unity, justice, and peace.
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Join our whimsical characters as they embark on a journey filled with adventures and valuable lessons, all from the comfort of your seat inside a magical school bus! Complimentary shows at 12:00pm and 1:00pm.
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Lights, laughter, and classic cartoons! Calling all teens—come hang out at the library for a special cartoon Bring your own favorite snacks to enjoy while you watch and get ready for a fun-filled break with nonstop cartoon comedy. If you love animation and humor, this is the perfect event for you!
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Afrique en Cirque is a show by Yamoussa Bangoura, inspired by daily life in Guinea. This performance shares the beauty, youth and artistry of African culture. A colorful show beyond its scenery, costumes and staging, it makes any theatre vibrate with energy and represents the strength, agility and life’s joys of young Africans. The audience will see acrobats execute gravity-defying moves and human pyramids, accompanied by the contemporary sounds of live Afro-Jazz, percussion, and kora. Welcome to the universe of Kalabanté Productions, and prepare for an unforgettable journey.
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Drop off your little ones for an unforgettable evening filled with crafts, games, pizza, and nonstop fun while you enjoy a night out of your own. Our festive, supervised event is designed to keep kids engaged, entertained, and smiling from start to finish.
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- Teen-Tween Space - Galena Park Library, 1500 Keene Street, Galena Park, TX 77547, Friday, January 16 to Sunday, January 18, 2:45-5:15 pm
- Toon Café - High Meadows Branch Library, 4500 Aldine Mail Route Road, Houston, TX 77039, Friday, January 16, 3-5 pm
- Movers & Shakers Storytime - 215 North Shanks Street, Clute, TX, Friday, January 16 - Saturday, January 17, 11 am
- Mr. Leo Puppet Show! - 1200 Lake Plaza Drive, Spring, TX 77389, Saturday, January 17, 12 pm and 1 pm
- Martin
Luther King Jr. Job Fair - Bayland Community Center, Bissonnet Street, Houston, TX, Saturday, January 17, 10 am- 1 pm
- Life-Sized Board Games - 215 North Shanks Street, Clute, TX, Saturday, January 17, 12 pm
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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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EXPERIENCES create memories much more than stuff does. As you're considering gifts for family and friends, consider giving the gift of a family membership to one of our local attractions. Here are local organizations that offer memberships.
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Houston 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 winners in KidsOutAndAbout's survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids in the Houston area: Houston, The Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sugar Land, and beyond. Our Top 20 results page includes a list of your top picks, plus 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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