KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Sun, Mar 15: St. Patrick’s Day Macarons at JAX Cooking Studio
Sun, Mar 15: St. Augustine Celtic Music & Heritage Festival 2026
Thu, Mar 19: Dinosauria at Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens
Fri, Mar 20: Puck and Paws Night at the Icemen
Sun, Mar 22: Mommy and Me – Spring Cupcakes at JAX Cooking Studio
Fri, Apr 3: Sounds on Centre 2026 at Amelia Island, FL
Sat, Apr 4: Easter Treats at JAX Cooking Studio
Sun, Apr 19: April 2026 Jax Veg Fest at The Underground Eatery and Bar
Sun,
May 17: Beetlejuice the Musical (Broadway Series) - Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: When I was a teenager, I had a teacher who became a mentor without ever knowing he was one. He was aware I’d been going through some difficult times, and was glad to hear I was almost on the other side. “Some people aren't lucky enough to have dealt with hard things when they're young,” he told me. Then he added the phrase that has echoed in my head for decades: “Remember the
rocks.” Life, he explained, was always going to toss boulders into my path. The trick was to recognize, early, that even if it was painful or scary, I was capable of getting around, or over, or through them. Remembering how I’d managed would help me trust myself more when the next, bigger ones appeared. As a parent, I think about that often, about how the only way to become someone who does hard things is… to do hard things. It’s tempting
to rush in and smooth every unpleasant obstacle our kids encounter. When we email the teacher, mend the friendship, rescue the forgotten homework, eliminate every discomfort, we may feel helpful in the moment, but in fact we’re quietly removing the practice stones they need. Resilience doesn’t come from being told “You’re strong”; it comes from evidence that only they can gather, from working through manageable challenges and thinking, That was hard. And I handled it. We don’t need to
manufacture their challenges—being a kid is difficult enough. And we don’t abandon them to do it all on their own, either. We just learn to pause, to weigh advice against intervention, and to let them see what they can manage. The goal is that later in life, when something truly difficult lands in our children's path, they won’t just hope they can manage it, they’ll know. Now, many years later, when I encounter something daunting, I think back to my mentor and
remember the rocks. "I do hard things," I tell myself. And it works.
—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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iD Tech: The World's #1 STEM Summer Camp! BattleBots® Camp? You can only get it here. Roblox Camp? We've got that and more in our Summer '26 lineup. Register today at the top-rated tech camp for 25 years and counting! iD Tech is the very best
experience built around your child—their interests, their skill level, their goals for the future. Trusted by 75+ of the world’s top universities and over 1,000,000 parents, iD Tech is where kids and teens learn from the best—coding, game dev, robotics, and more. The future starts at iD Tech!
Click here for more information about your local iD Tech opportunities! Virtual camps are also available!
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A new era begins! Join us for the Grand Opening of the J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver Manatee River Habitat and the VyStar SkyScape Entrance. Celebrate with community festivities and be among the first to experience a reimagined arrival that offers
immersive views into manatee care and a deeper connection to conservation from the moment you enter.
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We understand, kids grow fast. So we create a community event where families can sell all the things their kids are no longer using and buy what they need for the next two seasons. Come shop over 100,000+ name-brand items, at 50-90% off retail. Save money
and time, because all the best deals are found under one roof.
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Join us for a drop off KIDS NIGHT OUT painting event for kids 6-12 years old. We will learn about using tape and stickers on pottery and paint a dinner plate, we will have pizza, and a treat! It's Friday Night Arts...kids need a night out too! Great night
to hang out, eat pizza and create a SUPER CUTE project for kids ages 6 and up!
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Register now for Budding Gardeners! Children learn about fairy container gardens with the Wildflower Garden Circle. Each registration includes one parent and child.
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Come in your robot-themed PJs & laugh, scream, and Monster-Mash the night away! This month's kids night out features an exciting lineup, including a robot craft, car-themed scavenger hunt, STEM activities, Pizza dinner, Fun dessert/snacks, dance party,
and more!
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Join us one Saturday each month for Art Explorers! Each workshop offers a new and exciting interactive gallery tour, hands-on art making, stories, and much more. Both English and Spanish speakers are welcome. Kids will explore a variety of different art
materials and techniques as they create open-ended projects and let their imaginations soar! Get creative and make new friends at this program designed specifically for ages five through 10.
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Come into the studio and try your hand at glassblowing to make a one of a kind glass creation! Select your colors and then work one-on-one with a glassblower for a unique experience.
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Enjoy midway rides for all ages from whimsical kiddie rides to state-of-the-art thrill rides, BMX Shows, livestock shows, live music, a car show, community exhibits, delicious fair food and more. Visit the website for pre-sale savings on admission and rides
and daily specials.
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Strike a pose, the Easter Bunny is here for photos! Reserve your visit now and make it an Easter Family Tradition! Bunny arrives on Friday, February 27 and will be here through April 4th. Book early to ensure your spot to see the Bunny.
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- Five Points Funky Fridays - 1021 Park Street,
Jacksonville, FL, Friday, March 6, 2026, 4PM - 8PM
- 5 Points Funky Fridays - 1650 Margaret
Street, Jacksonville, FL 32207, Friday, March 6, 2026, 4PM - 8PM
- Springfield Farmers & Arts Market - 1352 North Main Street, Jacksonville, FL 32206, Saturday, March 7, 2026, 11AM - 5PM
- Art Explorers Club at the Heckscher Museum of Art - The Heckscher Museum of Art, Prime Avenue, Huntington, NY, Saturday, March 7, 2026, 9:30 - 10:30 AM
- JaxParks Jazz at the Fountain - 214 N Hogan Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202, Sunday, March 8, 2026, 7PM - 9:30PM
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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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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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