KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: For much of the country this year, March simultaneously is bringing hope that spring may in fact return to North America AND the awareness that every car is at risk for the foreseeable future. All winter long, water seeps into asphalt cracks, freezes, expands, melts, and freezes again, and bit by bit the driving experience becomes a game called Avoid the
Crater. But lately I’ve started seeing the repair trucks out there again, their bright-vested workers moving methodically from hole to hole with their shovels. Every time I pass them, it gives me a lift, not just because it means someday soon I'll start seeing flowers out in the real world, but also because potholes are one of those perfect reminders of what humans do. Playrooms, projects, and paperwork start out neat, but over time, weather, wear, gravity, and
procrastination take their toll. No matter how strict the system, order gradually slides toward chaos. And then humans step in and make it right again. I saw the cycle in action at the KidsOutAndAbout office last week: Our storage room had slowly become a museum of random supplies, half-filled bins, and Christmas decorations that had been tossed in with a hopeful Future Us will deal with this someday. Fortunately, my colleague Michelle, who works in our data department,
is also a genius organizer. A few hours after Future Michelle stepped in and applied logic and elbow grease, the little room had transformed from a cluttered cave into a serene space. The quickening of the seasons seems to bring that same energy into our homes: Closets get sorted, garages get swept, junk drawers finally meet their match. It feels good, not just because the space looks better, but because fixing things reminds us of something important: Disorder is normal, but
it’s not permanent. Humans can step in and bring brightness back. So here’s to spring cleaning, organized shelves, and freshly patched roads. Our tires, and our spirits, roll much more smoothly because humans fill potholes.
—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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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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Mark your calendars for Friday, March 13 for St. Patrick's Day, Presented by Amanda Searle, Realtor | Cowford Realty & Design. It's a St. Patrick's Day celebration, Historic Springfield-style, featuring live music by Spade McQuade, food trucks, and free
fun for the whole family. And this year, our celebration will feature a little "hidden pot of gold" twist...by taking over an historic Springfield alleyway for the evening! The alleyways are a vital connection in our neighborhood and make Springfield unique. They are also an important part of the history of Springfield that we are working to preserve and maintain. Over the past year, our Springfield Cleanup Corps has worked hard to landscape overgrown alleys throughout Springfield and we are
even working on funding to pave an alley in the Northwest Quadrant. We are so excited to use this event to showcase the importance of our alleyways.
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We will meet at Springfield Middle School (2034 Hubbard Street) and clean up the northeast quadrant of Springfield. Trash bags, gloves, and trash grabbers will be provided—just show up ready to help. Late arrivals are welcome, and any amount of time you can
give is appreciated. Thank you to CSX for being our community volunteer partners, and a very special thanks to TerraWise Homes for sponsoring our 2026 Community Cleanups.
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Our historic celebration Is the site of the World’s First St. Patrick Parade! And it's the only St. Patrick Parade in Northeast Florida! The Parade marches to huge crowds all around downtown St. Augustine! The parade finishes at the festival site on Francis
Field.
You won’t want to miss it!
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The St. Augustine Celtic Music & Heritage Festival returns to Francis Field March 14-15, 2026. Featuring two days packed with live Celtic bands, Highland Games, the St. Patrick Parade, a Whiskey Tasting, vendors, and more.
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Get ready to celebrate the luck of the Irish! Join us for a festive culinary journey where you’ll learn to create a variety of dishes inspired by the flavors of St. Patrick’s Day. From sweet treats to savory delights, this class promises to bring a touch of
green and a lot of flavor to your plate! Dress in green, if you wish, for extra good luck!
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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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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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Join us for a week long camp from 9am to 3pm. Children potty trained to age 12 permitted. We will have daily themed crafts, activities and games!
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Dinosauria is bigger, bolder and BACK! Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens invites explorers of all ages to journey back in time and come face-to-face with more than 40 life-size dinosaurs. Get up close with the mighty T. rex, marvel at the towering
Brachiosaurus and dig into hands-on fossil experiences along the way. This is the largest Dinosauria in Zoo history — a prehistoric adventure you won’t want to miss! Admission to Dinosauria is included with Total Experience tickets.
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- Springfield St. Patrick's Day - 1253 N Market St, Jacksonville, Friday, March 13, 2026, 5:30PM - 8:30PM
- SPAR Community Cleanup: Springfield Middle School - SPAR, Springfield Middle School, Hubbard Street, Jacksonville, Friday, March 13, 2026, 9AM - 11AM
- Springfield Farmers & Arts Market - 1352 North Main Street, Jacksonville, Saturday, March 14, 2026, 11AM - 5PM
- St. Augustine's Celtic St. Patrick's Day Parade -
Francis Field, West Castillo Drive, St. Augustine, Saturday, March 14, 2026, 10:00AM
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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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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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