KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Sat, Feb 28: Pete The Cat at Booth Tarkington Civic
Theatre Sun, Mar 1: Spring Bulb Display 2023- At Garfield Park Conservatory
Fri, Mar 6: Barbie Game Day - Indy
Fuel at INDIANA FARMERS COLISEUM
Sat, Mar 7: Sap to Syrup Day - At Holliday Park
Sat, Mar 7: Lunar New Year Festival Year of the Horse at Indianapolis Central Library
Sun, Mar 8: The Indianapolis Children’s Choir Presents: Jubilate Deo at Hilbert Circle Theatre Sat, Mar 7: Lunar New Year Festival Year of the Horse - At Indianapolis Public Library - Central Library at Indianapolis Public Library - Central Library
Sat, Mar 7: Peanut Butter & Jam: Bobcat Opossum - At The Center Of The Performing Arts at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts
Sun, Mar 8: The Indianapolis Children’s Choir Presents: Jubilate Deo at Hilbert Circle Theatre
Tue, Mar 10: Free Movie Series: The Princess Diaries at Butler Arts & Events Center
Thu, Mar 12: Homeschool Hangout: Remarkable Women at Bartholomew County Public Library
Sun, Mar 15: Brickworld Indianapolis
Wed, Mar 18: Wonderlab: Hair Raising Science! Grades PreK-6 at Bartholomew County Public Library
Fri, Mar 20: Gnome Away From Home - At Garfield Park Conservatory and Sunken Gardens |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: February is Children’s Dental Health Month, which means it's the perfect time to talk about LYING. The first lie my daughter Madison ever attempted was when she was about 3. "Did you brush your teeth?” I asked as she was getting ready for bed. She nodded earnestly, but I had my doubts; a check of the toothbrush revealed it was dry as the Sahara. "Looks like
we need a do-over," I said. "Try again." In a 2025 Delta Dental study of 1000 parents of kids age 12 and under, 67% of respondents reported difficulty in getting their kids to brush their teeth. And in a related but thoroughly unscientific survey, 100%
of the friends I asked told me that their own kids have lied about tooth brushing at least once. See, young children don’t experience truth as adults do; their developing minds blur the line between reality and hope, between what happened and what they would prefer had happened. Brushing is tedious, being done is better. Add a desire to please Mom, and those wires can cross. In those early years, our job is to help kids gradually separate fact from wishful thinking. You might
think that prosecuting dishonesty harshly might scare kids into telling the truth, but that often just scares them into hiding more cleverly. Our goal as parents isn't just to have kids who brush their teeth and do their own homework and someday file tax returns without creative interpretations of “business mileage,” although we do want all those things. But overall, we want kids who are brave enough to be, rather than seem to be. If they see early that
mistakes can be brought into the light and fixed with a do-over, they’re far less likely to build a life around pretending they didn't happen. So my best recommendation for Children's Dental Health Month is to model both scrupulous honesty and scrupulous teeth-brushing yourself. In case you need an immediate solution, though, I hunted down a list of kids' best tooth-brushing songs thoughtfully supplied by the American Dental Association. Grit your teeth and hum along.
—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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Discover the wonders of nature through stories! Join us for a free Nature-Themed Children’s Storytime each month where kids can enjoy captivating tales about animals, plants, and the environment. Each session will cover a new topic and may include fun
activities like nature crafts, songs, or movement. The program is designed for ages 2-5 years old with parent/guardian, but kids of all ages are welcome. Let’s grow a love of reading and the great outdoors together!
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This program is an opportunity for neurodivergent teens to hang out, do an activity, and connect with their peers. Each month will feature a different theme and activity.
Lower lighting and KultureCity Kits (which include fidgets and noise reducing headphones) will be provided. Parents are not required to stay in the room but should stay in the library to be available if needed. This program is designed as a social club, not a form of childcare. For teens in grades 6-12 and their caregivers only. Registration required.
*What does it mean to be neurodivergent? Someone who is neurodivergent behaves, thinks and learns differently compared to those who are neurotypical. This includes autistic people and people with ADHD, Tourette’s, dyslexia, or a range of other neurodiverse conditions.
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Indianapolis' Largest Anime Convention. Held at the Plainfield Embassy Suites Convention Center for three days of Anime, Animation, Videogames, Board games and Fun! Join us for a three day weekend celebration that will be full of events, activities, c
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Dig in! Geofest returns with crystals, fossils, and fun!
From fossil fiends to crystal connoisseurs, there’s something for everyone at GEOfest!
Explore three floors of rock, mineral and fossil vendors, hands-on activities, community partner displays and a live concrete mixing truck during this highly anticipated annual event. Plus, in honor of America’s 250th anniversary, dive into the history and impact of Indiana’s geological makeup.
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Join ICC directors for a fun day of singing and learning for children, beginners welcome! Day of Song is an accessible way for singers in preschool – 8th grade from the community to come together to experience the musical expertise of the ICC.
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Freezing nights and sunny days cause maple sap to flow through the trees. Together you and your family will learn how to tap a maple tree, make maple syrup and create maple sugar candy. You'll also taste real syrup made from trees right here in Central
Park. One registration per family.
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Take a musical journey through American history with folk songs that kids have loved for generations. With rich voices, engaging personalities and a wide variety of folk instruments, Michael Lewis and Denise Wilson captivate listeners with Celtic jigs,
lively voyageur songs and American folk favorites. Children will be encouraged to interact and sing along!
About the Performers:
Traveler’s Dream, featuring Michael Lewis and Denise Wilson, creates music that is rich in tradition but driven by innovation and creativity. With powerful voices and a wide variety of traditional and modern instruments, they have toured widely for over 20 years, sharing their music in settings as diverse as concert halls and music festivals, schools and colleges, French and Celtic cultural celebrations, and living history events. Find more information
at TravelersDream.net.
Designed for children ages 1-7, Peanut Butter & Jam sessions encourage young children to become engaged in the arts. Join us for these…
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SHEN YUN’S unique artistic vision expands theatrical experience into a multi-dimensional, deeply moving journey. Featuring one of the world’s most ancient and richest dance systems—classical Chinese dance—along with dynamic animated backdrops and
all-original orchestral works, Shen Yun opens a portal to a civilization of enchanting beauty and enlightening wisdom.
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- Drop-In Activity :Love Bugs (ages 5 & up) - At Hamilton East Public Library-Fishers Library - Hamilton East Public Library-Fishers Library, Municipal Drive, Fishers, IN 46038, Friday, February 20, 2026 to Sunday, February 22, 2026, All day
- Indy Winter Farmers Market - At The AMP at 16 Tech - The AMP at 16 Tech, 1220 Waterway Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46202, Sunday, February 22, 2026, 9:00 am - 12:30 pm
- Model Train Show - at Avon-Washington Township Library - Avon-Washington Township Public Library, 498 N
Avon Ave, Avon, IN 46123, Sunday, February 22, 2026, 10:00 am - 3:00 Pm
- Family Concert Series - Cathy Morris - Indianapolis Public Library - Pike Branch - Indianapolis Public Library - Pike Branch, 6525 Zionsville Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268, Sunday, February 22, 2026, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the Indianapolis 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 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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2025's Best Places for Kids in the Indianapolis area! Here are the Top 20 places to take kids in and around Indianapolis, based on KidsOutAndAbout's annual reader survey. Of course, there is LOTS more to do locally "out and about"! Get great ideas here at
KidsOutAndAbout.com!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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