KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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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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Little Learners Playgroup, hosted by Early Learning Community Preschool, is a welcoming weekly gathering designed for little ones ages birth to 3 and their caregivers. Every Thursday from 9:00–10:00 am, families are invited to connect through play in a safe, nurturing, and fun environment. Through hands-on activities, music, stories, and social time, children grow language skills, strengthen motor development, explore creativity, and build confidenceall while parents and caregivers connect!
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Meet the mechanics of fun. Science is in motion because it's Simple Machines Week at Imagination Station. Discover the unsung heroes of everyday life with a simple push or pull and find out what makes things move. Activities: Sail Cars: Use the power of wind to move your car forward Rigamajig: Simple machines on a giant scale let you create absolutely anything Pulleys: Discover how to pull your own weight with paper airplanes and the pulley system Rollers: Explore the difference between rolling friction and sliding friction and see which one keeps you moving Come see how simple…
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We are Jurassic Quest, the largest & most realistic traveling dinosaur experience in North America! You're gonna need a bigger weekend. Our world-famous, life-size dinosaurs are meticulously painted and animated to be realer-than-real. Whether you're 3 or 103, this is a one-of-a-kind experience you'll never forget. Step into a world where dinosaurs come alive! From towering giants to adorable baby dinos, your family will walk beside incredible creatures, hear them roar, and see them move just as they did millions of years ago. The adventure doesn’t stop there - kids can become junior…
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Our biggest fundraiser of the year featuring the great Donald Davis. In addition to the show, we’ll have live music, complimentary beer and wine, and a free dessert bar at intermission.Davis was born in a Southern Appalachian mountain world rich in stories. While he heard many traditional stories about Jack and other heroic characters, he was most attracted to the stories of his own family and places of origin. Davis begin retelling the stories he heard and then adding his own new stories to them until he was repeatedly asked to “tell it again, on purpose.”
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Indianapolis Opera is hosting a FREE two-day performing arts festival at the Basile Opera Center in the heart of the historic Meridian-Kessler neighborhood. This inclusive and multigenerational event features performances and experiences to engage families, neighbors, and music lovers of all ages - from vocal, orchestral, & dance performances to theater & dance classes and hands-on arts experiences, there is something for everyone to enjoy!
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Explore Science, Gardening and Rainbows During this one-hour program, children and their families can play and learn alongside one another in our early childhood space, Firefly Landing. Little ones will build a sense of wonder as they engage in storytelling, hands-on STEAM projects, and sensory exploration related to the monthly theme. Combine your love of art with the science of gardening in this colorful program. Your child will participate in hands-on exploration of real plants, and work with others to create a collaborative rainbow artwork. This program will also feature sensory…
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Since 2008, the Indy Winter Farmers Market has provided a venue for Indiana’s sustainably-minded family farms and food producers to sell products throughout the fall and winter, improving the community’s year-round access to fresh, local food. Our goal is to help bridge the gap between the community, local farmers, and food producers. In its 16th season, The Indy Winter Farmers Market is the longest-running and only winter market in downtown Indianapolis. Hosted at the AMP Food Hall & Marketplace, 16 Tech has been a key in-kind supporter over the past three years – and is now proud to…
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- Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - Indianapolis - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, USA, 04/11/2026 to 04/12/2026, See link for times
- Indy Winter Farmers Market - At The AMP at 16 Tech - The AMP at 16 Tech, 1220 Waterway Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States, 04/11/2026, 9:00 am - 12:30 pm
- Basile Opera Center Music Fest - The Basile Opera Center, 04/11/2026, Saturday 12PM - 4PM
- Teen Gourmet: French Toast (Grades 6-12) - At Hamilton East Public Library-Fishers Library - Hamilton East Public
Library - Fishers, Municipal Drive, Fishers, IN 46038, United States, 04/11/2026, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
- Basile Opera Center Music Fest - The Basile Opera Center, 04/12/2026, 2 PM - 6 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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