KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Sat, Mar 7: NatureFest 2026
Fri, Mar 20: Good Ole Days Festival at Hitchcock Chamber of Commerce
Sat, Mar 21: International Art & Kite Festival at The Crown Festival Park at Sugar Land
Sat, Mar 28: 26th Annual Heritage Day Experience at Humble Civic Center Arena Complex
Sat, Mar 28: MyCHN at Westwood Open House
Thu, Apr 2: Disney On Ice presents Jump In! at State Farm Arena
Sat, Apr 4: Easter Egg Hunt & Spring Fun! at THE GEORGE RANCH
Fri, Apr 10: Poteet Strawberry Festival
Sat, Apr 11: Houston Latin Festival at Crown Festival Park
Sat, Apr 18: Reptile Open House at Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center
Sat, Apr 18: 37th Annual Burton Cotton Gin Festival at Texas Cotton Gin Museum
Sat, Apr 25: Sylvan Beach Festival at La Porte-Bayshore Chamber of Commerce
Sat, Apr 25: The Grand Kids Festival at The Grand 1894 Opera House
Sat, Apr 25: Conroe KidzFest
Sun, Apr 26: Kids Markets at the Tomball Flea Market |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
The February my daughter Ella was 1, she caught a cold that lingered for months. There were short stretches of relief, but mostly there was congestion, disrupted sleep, and a level of crankiness that turned my sunny baby into someone I barely recognized. The clouds around her felt constant, and one day, I caught myself labeling her in my head as “the crabby one.” But of course,
if I had a perpetually runny nose and no way to manage it, I’d be irritable, too! I needed to remember this wasn’t her personality, it was a season. What we needed to get through it was distraction: something fun to do "right now" and also fun things to anticipate. Aside from those who live in paradise pockets like San Diego, most of our readers are in the thick of a particularly dreary winter. The world feels heavy and gray, energy runs low, and
it’s easy to fixate on how dispirited we feel. But we need to remember that this isn't our personality, it's a season. What we need to get through it is distraction in the moment and also something positive we can place on our horizon. My family is counting down to the March 20 release of Project Hail
Mary, which stars Ryan Gosling. The movie is based on the novel by Andy Weir, who also wrote The Martian. You don't have to be a science nerd to love Weir's books (although science nerds DO love Weir's
books), because in all of them, the real hero is human ingenuity—curiosity, flexible thinking, doing what needs to be done even in extreme circumstances. When things are going awry, the answer isn’t despair, it’s problem-solving, and I always emerge from a Weir book feeling spiritually lighter. While I immerse myself in Weir and Gosling, you, of course, should do YOU! Let the art or sport that grabs you and your kids be your launch ticket to optimism now, and lift you to fun
in the future. We're glad to provide the fuel!
—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. |
Discover the Best of Texas & Beyond Want to stay in the know on the best places to go, things to do, and experiences worth exploring? The Lone Star Low Down from Texas Lifestyle Magazine highlights top travel destinations,
family-friendly outings, local events, dining, and exclusive giveaways. Whether you’re planning weekend adventures, road trips, or looking for inspiration close to home, this is your go-to source for discovering the best of Texas and beyond. Sign up here to receive the Lone Star Low
Down. |
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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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Houston’s multicultural environment makes Spanish–English dual language education more than an advantage—it’s a necessity. Research shows bilingual learners develop stronger problem-solving skills, deeper critical thinking, and valuable cultural awareness
needed in a global world.
At iBis Learning, families don’t choose between academic excellence and language fluency—they get both. Our innovative second-language acquisition approach is based on rich, comprehensible input and always embedded in academic subjects, making language learning meaningful and natural. We do not focus on long grammar lists or repetitive drills; instead, children learn Spanish and English by doing—performing actions, exploring hands-on activities, and
using language with purpose. This prepares them for future academic pathways and global careers.
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Get ready, Houston! Creator Camp is back for Summer 2026 with our Shark Tank-featured digital arts programs. We offer weekly camps across the Houston area focusing on filmmaking, animation, YouTube creation, and game design. Our mission is to turn screen
time into "creative time" by teaching kids how to use professional tools to build their own projects. From music production to advanced coding, our expert instructors guide campers through a fun, social, and educational experience. Secure your spot today and let your child discover the magic of content creation in the heart of Houston!
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Gem & Mineral Show with lots of kids activities. Dinosaur Shows, Geology 101 to help scouts earn their geology badges, arts & crafts & a gem mine to sift for your own gems. Plus vendors with gems, minerals, jewelry, home decor and
fossils.
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Introduce kids and families to the joy of fishing in a fun, safe, and hands-on outdoor setting. This free clinic is designed to build confidence, skills, and a love for being outdoors.
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At Mardi Gras! Galveston, the extravagance found in Texas’s largest Mardi Gras celebration starts with the beads! More than 3 million beads will be thrown at Mardi Gras! Galveston and that’s just the beginning of the elaborate parades, headliner
performances, family events, feasting, and other festivities that come with hosting Mardi Gras island style.
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Get a sneak peek of TXU Energy presents Mythical Realms at our Brunch with Dragons event on Saturday, February 28 or Sunday, March 1, from 8:00-10:00 a.m. at the H-E-B Lone Star Pavilion.
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Save the Date: Run For Your Wildlife at the Baytown Nature Center!
Dress up like your favorite wildlife. Hit the trails. Choose a timed 1K or 5K surrounded by marsh, water, and trees. When the run ends, the fun keeps going, live animals from the Eddie V. Gray Wetlands Center and light refreshments waiting at the finish.
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Teens, ages 12-18, are invited to join us for an evening of fun inspired by the Percy Jackson book series written by Rick Riordan. Teens will have the chance to play Capture the Flag, test their knowledge of mythology, create a banner, and evade Medusa in
an evening of fun.
All supplies are provided. Space is limited.
Signed permission forms and pre-registration are required to attend. Registration opens January 28th.
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Join us throughout February for weekly spotlights, hands-on STEM activities, and special programs honoring Black pioneers of flight and space.
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Join us every Saturday at Blackwood Farm for Agritourism Day!
Stroll through the gardens, woods, and prairies with one of Blackwood’s staff members and learn about our seasonal highlights. We’ll share our favorite spots, visit the farm animals, and discuss how Blackwood is working toward modeling a closed loop food system.
We also offer chef-curated meals that feature ingredients sourced directly from our farm and other local farmers to provide an authentic farm-to-plate experience. In addition to our delicious food options, we will also have a diverse selection of beers, wines, and non-alcoholic beverages available for your enjoyment.
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Wrap up February with a night your kids will absolutely love! Send them in their favorite pajamas for an evening packed with high‑energy games, obstacle courses, silly challenges, and instructor‑led fun at The Little Gym. While they’re jumping, laughing,
and making new friends, you get a well‑earned night to yourself. Kids adore the chance to wear PJs, bring a favorite stuffed buddy, and enjoy a mini‑party made just for them — all in a safe, supervised, and seriously fun environment.
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Enjoy a family friendly evening featuring "Despicable Me" with Spanish subtitles. Bring blankets or folding chairs. Wagons and strollers welcome.
Food and pets are Not Allowed.
All Ages. Outdoors. Dress for the weather.
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$15/guest will include admission, (1) family feed pack per family, and (1) Excavation Kit per child. Each attending guest over the age of 12months will require a ticket.
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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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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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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the Houston area is back! You can search by date, age, or categories like day/overnight, sports, drama, music, theatre, arts & crafts, technology, robotics, horseback riding, preschool, & more. Our
guide puts summer fun right at your fingertips!
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- Toon Café - High Meadows Branch Library, 4500 Aldine Mail Route Road, Houston, TX 77039, Friday, 02/27/2026, 3-5 pm
- Movers & Shakers Storytime - 215 North Shanks Street, Clute, TX, Friday, 02/27/2026 - Saturday, 02/28/2026, 11 am
- Frost Chuck Wagon Breakfast - Frost Bank, 281 N Financial Center, Friday, 02/27/2026, 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
- Texas America250 Reading Challenge - Texas State Library and Archives Commission, 1201 Brazos St, Austin, Texas 78701, Friday, 02/27/2026 - Sunday, 03/01/2026, all day
- Wagging Tales - Katherine Tyra Branch
Library, Clay Road, Houston, TX, Saturday, 02/28/2026, 10:30-11 am
- Agritourism Days at Blackwood Farm
2026 - Blackwood Educational Land Institute, 27144 Rock Island Road, Hempstead, TX 77445, Saturday, 02/28/2026, 12-4 pm
- Saturdays @ HPL - Flores Neighborhood Library, 110 North Milby Street, Houston, TX 77003, Saturday, 02/28/2026, 2-4 pm
- Teen Lock In- Percy Jackson - 250 Circle Way, Lake Jackson, TX, Saturday, 02/28/2026, 6:30-9 pm
- Saturday Movers and Shakers - 20514b Highway 6, Manvel, TX, Saturday, 02/28/2026, 11-11:30 am
- Children's Storytime- Saturday - Barnes & Noble, West Gray Street, Houston, TX, Saturday, 02/28/2026, 11 am
- 51st Annual Gem & Mineral Show by the Clear Lake Gem & Mineral Society - Clear Lake Gem & Mineral Society, Fairmont Parkway, Pasadena, TX, Saturday, 02/28/2026 - Sunday, 03/01/2026, 10:00 am
- Dinosaur Shows - "Fossils ROCK!" & "Dinosaurs of Texas" - Fairmont Parkway, Pasadena, TX, Saturday, 02/28/2026 - Sunday, 03/01/2026, Dinosaur Shows are at 12, 2 & 4 pm both days. The show is open 10 to 6 on Saturday and 10 to 5 on Sunday.
- Scouts Geology 101 Information Sessions (to start earning your geology badge) - Houston Gem & Mineral Society, Brooklet Drive, Houston, TX, Saturday, 02/28/2026 - Sunday, 03/01/2026, The gem show is Saturday from 10 to 6 pm and Sunday from 10 to 5 pm and the Geology 101 sessions are at 1 & 3 pm both days.
- Weekly Film Acting INTRO Class - FM 529, Houston, TX, Saturday, 02/28/2026, 5:30PM and 6:30PM
- Kids Fishing Clinic - 5310 South Willow Drive, Houston, TX, Sunday, 03/01/2026, 1-5 pm
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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the Houston 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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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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Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the Houston? 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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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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