KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Fri, Mar 6: Kids Night Out at Doing Dishes Pottery Studios
Sat, Mar 7: Budding Gardeners: Fairy Gardens at Garden Club of
Jacksonville
Sat, Mar 7: Just Between Friends-Jacksonville Spring Sale at Riverplace Shopping
Center
Fri, Mar 13: Springfield St. Patrick's Day
Sat, Mar 14: St. Augustine's Celtic St. Patrick's Day
Parade
Sun, Mar 15: A Taste of the Emerald Isle at JAX Cooking Studio
Fri, Mar 20: Dinosauria at Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens
Sat, Mar 21: A Magical Disney Brunch at JAX Cooking Studio
Sat, Mar 28: Blooms Galore & More at the Garden Club of Jacksonville
Sat, Mar 28: Diamonds in the Rust Spring Market 2026
Sun, Apr 12: Lakewood 2026 “Music in the Chapel” Concert Series
Sun, Apr 19: Jax Veg Fest
Sat, Apr 25: Handyman Hall Comes to Town - Florida Theatre |
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. |
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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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Score fantastic finds at this gigantic sale featuring enticing items from homes across Jacksonville. Find housewares, artwork, furniture, books, plants—perfect for your home or for gifts. Visit the boutique of women’s, men’s, and children’s fashions
straight from the closets of our members. You’ll find cocktail dresses, suits, school clothes, and more! The Flea Market is the ultimate place to reuse and recycle. Keep these valuable items out of the landfill while you help support the Garden Club of Jacksonville. Free and open to the public.
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Celebrate National Read Across America Day on Friday, February 27, 2026, at the Jacksonville Humane Society! People of all ages are invited to visit JHS between 12-6:30pm to read out loud to the dogs and cats. From 3-6pm only, enjoy special
activities.
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As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we're pleased to continue the tradition of hosting a free festival for our community. Our celebrity authors will participate in engaging conversation, tell us about their writing life, and what it's like to see their
books made into movies or a television series. They'll give you a glimpse into the process of having their book optioned and all that entails. Guests will have a chance to purchase their books and have them signed by the author(s). During the Festival, visitors will have the opportunity to meet more than 100 exhibiting authors from across the country. Many of these authors are self-published and come to Amelia Island to introduce you to their work. We'll be announcing exhibiting authors
shortly.
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The history of the Highland Games can be traced back for well over a thousand years. The biggest gatherings were those of the military where the commanding officers, like the Clan Chiefs of old, saw the advantages of encouraging sports and pastimes which
kept their men fit, agile, and strong for war. Piping and dancing in particular were practiced as a form of relaxation wherever the regiments went. To this day some of the best pipe bands can be found in the armed forces.
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Ever dreamed of traveling the world without leaving home? Join us at the World of Nations Celebration, where the City of Jacksonville and its multicultural partners bring the vibrant sights, sounds, and flavors of the globe to one unforgettable event. Bring
your family, friends, and neighbors for a cultural adventure you won’t want to miss!
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The Canine Jamboree is back!Join us for a free festival-style event for dogs and owners on Saturday, February 28th, for adoptions, products, services, and free food!
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Join us for our annual Spring into Spring celebration! Proceeds from this event will be going to the Duval 4-H Foundation! Come on out for food, fun, & CHICKEN POOP BINGO!
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Where inspiration meets the road. See the latest automotive innovations at the Jacksonville International Auto Show at Prime Osborn Convention Center on February 27 - March 1, 2026. Over 30 car companies will be showing off their latest innovations – from
sports cars to electric to special purpose vehicles, imports and domestics. Vans, crossovers, hybrids, light trucks and sport utilities. See what’s new for 2026 and beyond!
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Sensory Play Sunday is designed for children with special needs to enjoy Surge Adventure Park the first and third Sunday of every month from 10 AM – 12 PM without loud music or flashing lights! We will not have our park open to the public, this time is
strictly for those participating in Sensory Sunday. Cost is $7.99 per person – per hour.
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Join us for the Community Wide Carnival on Sunday, March 1! Games, Bouncies, Parade, and more. Pre-purchase food from Margo's Catering! We look forward to seeing you there!
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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the Jacksonville 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…
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- 2026 Flea Market at Garden Club of Jacksonville - Garden Club of Jacksonville - 1005 Riverside Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32204, 02/27/2026 - 02/28/2026, 2/27: 5PM - 8PM | 2/28: 8AM - 2PM
- Jacksonville Humane Society's Read Across America Day - Jacksonville Humane Society - Beach Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL, 02/27/2026, 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
- Springfield Farmers & Arts Market - 1352 North Main Street, Jacksonville, FL 32206, 02/28/2026, 11AM - 5PM
- Spring into Spring | Standard Feed & Seed - Standard Feed & Seed - Kings Road, Jacksonville, FL, 02/28/2026, 1PM
- 4PM
- CANINE JAMBOREE - One Church Jacksonville Beach - 324 5th St N, Jacksonville
Beach, FL 32250, 02/28/2026, 11:00am to 2:00pm
- Canine Jamboree | One Church Jacksonville Beach - 324 5th St N, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250, 02/28/2026, 11AM - 2PM
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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville area? 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 Jacksonville 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 Top 20 Places to Take Kids in the Jacksonville Area, as voted by thousands of parents! Our Top 20 results page includes a list of your top picks, including 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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