KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Mon, Mar 23: Spring Into Science at Bartholomew County Public Library- Columbus
Tue, Mar 24: Free Movie Series: The Lorax - Butler Arts & Events Center
Tue, Mar 24: The Music of the Lion King - At Payne & Mencias Palladium at, Mar 28: Presidential Egg Roll at Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site
Sat, Mar 28: Camilla Paints the Town A Children's
Opera at Indianapolis Public Library - Spades Park Branch
Sun, Mar 29: Easter Egg Hunt at Hope Community Church
Wed, Apr 1: Be Like Blippi Tour at Clowes Memorial Hall
Fri, Apr 3: Masterpiece Makers - Leonardo da Vinci (Ages 8-11) at Hamilton East Public Library-Fishers Library
Sat, Apr 4: Easter Egg Hunt at Pioneer Park - Mooresville
Sat, Apr 4: Peanut Butter & Jam: Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre - At The Center Of The Performing Arts
Fri,
Apr 10: Jurassic Quest x Brick Fest Live @ Indiana State Fairgrounds
Sat, Apr 11: Basile Opera Center Music
Fest at Indianapolis Opera
Sat, Apr 11: Kick for a Cause: Susan G. Komen Giveback - With Indy Eleven Vs Monterey
Bay FC
Sat, Apr 18: 2026 ICC Sing-A-Thon at Indianapolis Children's Choir Performing Arts Center
Tue, Apr 21: Beetlejuice The Musical - At Embassy Theatre |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: The first time I can remember having to take a public stand on anything was in eighth grade English. We were assigned an essay on a controversial topic and told we’d present our arguments to the class. When he handed back our papers, Mr. Schmidt added a twist: no reading. We’d speak from notes. I was horrified. After school, I tried to negotiate my way out of it. “This
makes me really uncomfortable,” I told him, hoping for mercy. He looked at me over his glasses. “That’s the whole point,” he said. “To get stuff done, you have to get comfortable being uncomfortable. Don’t worry, you’ll live.” Mr. Schmidt was right. I didn’t die. And more important, I learned something that stuck: Discomfort isn’t a stop sign, it’s just part of the road, and all roads are bumpy. That lesson shaped how I've raised my kids, too. Karate helped
Madison and Ella distinguish between effort and injury. Long car rides taught them to rely on their own imaginations. Theater nudged them to stand however close to the spotlight they could manage, even when they’d rather disappear. And summer camps—those muddy, unpredictable, gloriously imperfect experiences—gave them countless chances to try something new and realize I can do this without the stigma that can accompany failing in other contexts. Growth rarely happens
inside the comfort zone, which is why I’m such a believer in giving kids opportunities to stretch beyond what feels easy. Summer programs are perfect for this, so that's why during "summer camp search season" we focus on showcasing the wide variety of camps and programs available in each area we serve. Here's the
link to the portal page. These days, as we approach the 25th anniversary of KidsOutAndAbout.com in June, I see that same principle playing out: The technology has changed, the business climate has changed, but the equation hasn’t. Discomfort still shows up right before something meaningful. And I still hear Mr. Schmidt’s voice in my head: Don’t worry, you’ll live.
—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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This spring break garden gnomes from far and wide will gather at the Conservatory! See this whimsical display of garden gnomes and try to spot them all! This year’s theme is “The Beat Goes Gnome,” allowing visitors to enjoy the gnomes’ take on popular music
genres. Contact the staff for information about loaning a gnome to be part of the display. Admission is $6 for individuals and $14 for families (2 adults max per family). Remember the Conservatory is closed on Mondays.
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Enter the Wizarding World Like Never Before
Step beyond the screen and into the heart of the wizarding world with The Magical Music of Harry Potter – Live in Concert. This unforgettable evening invites audiences to relive the wonder of Hogwarts through the power of music, brought to life by the acclaimed Magical Film Orchestra & Choir. Featuring captivating illusions and a special appearance by a guest star from the Harry Potter films, this is more than a concert—it’s a journey.
A Symphony of Sorcery and Storytelling
Feel the enchantment as the most iconic scores of the series unfold before…
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Oh biscuits! Bluey and Bingo are back at the Fishers Event Center for Family Fun Day! Meet your favorite Australian pups throughout the game and celebrate as the Fuel take on the Utah Grizzlies!
It’s Sunday, so kids eat free! If you’re 12 and under, make sure to get a meal voucher in the concourse and enjoy a free hot dog, chips, and a drink! Vegetarian option available upon request. While supplies last.
Stick around after the game for a postgame skate on the ice with the players! Fans are encouraged to bring your own skates but skates will be provided while supplies last!
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Young children and their families are invited to an introduction to the orchestra through story, movement and live music. Teddy bears welcome!
Monkey’s Jungle Jam, by Victoria Kintner Griswold, is the story of a monkey’s search through a jungle to find musical friends. Young children are invited to move
along to music, listen to a story, and watch ten musicians from the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra perform. Monkey’s Jungle Jam uses common and unusual animals from the jungle to introduce common and unusual instruments found in a symphony orchestra. Musical selections featured in the video…
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Join us for a concert featuring Lilia Levina de Hernandez. This live piano performance will fill the Clowes Auditorium.
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A 12-year-old boy searches for the one thing that will enable him to win the affection of the girl of his dreams. To find it he must discover the story of the Lorax, the grumpy yet charming creature who fights to protect his world.
*This movie screening is free and open to the public – no ticket is required*
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The Music of The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit & The Rings of Power - in Concert with a special guest from the films, a symphonic orchestra and the Oscar-winning music of Ed Sheeran, Howard Shore, Annie Lennox, Enya, and more great composers.
The musical world of hobbits and elves from J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of The Rings”, “The Hobbit” and “The Rings of Power” will be performed in a unique concert by a film orchestra, choir, and star soloists. The two-hour performance features an original guest star and the greatest music from the films, in an acoustic experience ranging from the threatening…
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After cracking the biggest case in Zootopia’s history, rookie cops Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde find their partnership isn’t as solid as they thought when Chief Bogo orders them to join the Partners in Crisis counseling program. But it doesn’t take long for
their partnership to be put to the ultimate test when they find themselves on the twisting trail of a mystery tied to the arrival of a venomous snake in the animal metropolis!
Sounds like fun, right? So bring your friends, your little sister, your big brother, your granny...oh, and don't forget to bring along some snacks...and hop on over to…
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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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- Black History Hall of Fame by Bright Star Theatre - At Bartholomew County Public Library- Columbus - 5th Street, Columbus, IN, Friday, March 20, 2026, 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
- Spring is HERE! (Ages 6-11) - Brownsburg
Public Library - 450 South Jefferson Street, Brownsburg, IN 46112, Friday, March 20, 2026, 5:00 pm - 5:45 pm
- Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - Indianapolis - Broadway, New York, NY, Saturday, March 21, 2026, See link for times
- Indy Winter Farmers Market - At The AMP at 16 Tech - 1220 Waterway Blvd,
Indianapolis, IN 46202, Saturday, March 21, 2026, 9:00 am - 12:30 pm
- Teddy Bear Concert Series with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Monkey's Jungle Jam - Family Concert Series- At Indianapolis Public Library - Central Library
- 40 E St Clair St, Indianapolis, IN 46204, Saturday, March 21, 2026, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
- Circulating Sound Concert - featuring Lilia Levina de Hernandez - At Indianapolis Public Library - Central Library - 40 E St Clair St, Indianapolis, IN 46204, Sunday, March 22, 2026, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the Indianapolis 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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Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the Indianapolis? 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 Indianapolis 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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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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