KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Wed, Feb 18: Meet Dr. King at The Folly Theater
Wed, Feb 18: Preschool Animal Tales Storytime: Whoo are the Owls at Ernie Miller Nature Center
Fri, Feb 20: Dance Party for Littles at Lawrence Public Library
Fri, Feb 20: FREE Mobile Food Pantry at Liberty Hospital
Sat, Feb 21: All About Babies - Wildlife, that is! at Lakeside Nature Center
Sun, Feb 22: Inverted Indoor
Triathlon (ages 12+) at Lenexa Rec Center
Sun, Feb 22: Lunar New Year Celebration at Lenexa Public Market
Mon, Feb 23: Words Matter! at KindCraft
Thu, Feb 26: Board Games in the Boardroom at City of Parkville, MO
Sat, Feb 28: The Coterie Theatre presents 'My Stuffie and Me' at Midwest Trust Center |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
Next week, my husband and I are heading to a Valentine's Evening behind-the-scenes tour of the Darwin Martin House in Buffalo, New York. It’s the same Frank Lloyd Wright museum we’ve
visited several times, but this version is fancily dressed for the holiday: candlelight, champagne, treats, and a fresh perspective on something familiar. That’s the real magic of Valentine’s Day: It’s one of those perfectly made-up holidays, constructed out of paper hearts, glitter, and good intentions... and it manages magically to transform our spaces, our schedules, and our spirits. As publisher, I've had a 25-year front row seat to
communities around the country who turn nothing into something every February. This year, visitors can say "I Love Thee" in a Victorian mansion in Riverside, CA while a re-enactor in a top hat explains the romantic origin of the Hershey’s Kiss. Frying Pan Farm Park in
Virginia will help kids say "I Love MOO!" with farm animal puns. The Oregon Rail Heritage Center invites everyone on a Valentine's Express Steam Train ride that is more light-hearted than steamy. And next Saturday, biologists at the California Academy of Sciences will hand out heart-shaped valentines to their African penguins—who will then present them to their mates to help line
their nests. Not all Valentine’s Day celebrations require you to get out and about, though; just muster some creativity and apply it to stuff you already have lying around the house. Cut hearts from red paper and tape them to the door. Dress in scarlet or rose or salmon pink. Light a candle at dinner while you're eating heart-shaped cheese, toast, bacon, or lasagna (here are 25 fun recipes from Food Network). When you and your kids dress up your world together, you’re not just celebrating love, you’re celebrating creativity. And they're learning the life skill of transforming ordinary stuff around them into something special. It only takes one step beyond the good intention to make it
so. Love can be grand, indeed. But it doesn’t have to be grand to be great.
—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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One of the most popular Disney movies of all time is capturing hearts in a whole new way: as a practically perfect musical! Join Mary Poppins, Bert, and the Banks family and experience all the songs you know and love like "Spoonful of Sugar" and
"Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!"
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A coming-of-age play about two young, drum-loving African American brothers navigating a white high school, its bias, bullying, and powers-that-be.
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Follow the lives of Parisians as World War I transforms their city. Experience the city’s dramatic shift from the flourishing days of the French empire to the uncertainty and hardship brought on by hunger, air raids and the constant threat of German
artillery. Discover how ordinary people navigated moments of fear and loss, while workers and newcomers from across the globe blazed new paths on the streets of Paris.
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Powerpalooza is an indoor carnival with carnival games, prizes, face painting, balloon animals, food and more! Perfect for the whole family!
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- Kids & Crafts Storytime | Lawrence Public Library - Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St, Lawrence, KS 66044, Friday, 02/06/2026, See website
- Storytime for Babies - Mid-Continent Public Library, South Buckner Tarsney Road, Grain Valley, MO, Friday, 02/06/2026, 9:30 AM
- Crafternoon Olathe Library Indian Creek - Olathe Public Library, 16100 W 135th St, Olathe, KS 66062, Friday, 02/06/2026, 4:30pm
- Teen Zone Indian Creek - Olathe Public Library, 16100 W 135th St, Olathe, KS 66062, Friday, 02/06/2026, 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
- Community Volunteer Fair at Indian Creek Library - Olathe Public Library, 16100 W
135th St, Olathe, KS 66062, Friday, 02/06/2026, 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
- Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice - 2450 Grand Blvd, Crown Center, Kansas City, MO 64108, Friday, 02/06/2026 to Sunday, 02/08/2026, 10:00am - 6:00pm Mon-Sat | 12:00-5:00pm Sun
- Lego Club | Lawrence Public Library - Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St, Lawrence, KS 66044, Sunday, 02/08/2026, 2 pm - 3 pm
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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the KC 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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EXPERIENCES create memories much more than stuff does. As you're considering gifts for family and friends, consider giving the gift of a family membership to one of our local attractions in and around Kansas City. Here are local organizations that offer
memberships.
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Kansas City 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 Kansas City 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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