KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
For much of the country, it's been the hardest winter in recent memory: cold, monochrome, relentless. The kind of season that reminds us how little control we really have. We do our best to manage routines and moods and expectations, but parents feel it most. February stretches long and flat after the excitement of the holidays, before the lift of spring. You're still packing
lunches, wrangling homework, managing emotions (your kids’ and your own)... all while the cold keeps the family cooped up. This is the season of endurance. Of course, endurance isn’t about being stoic or silent or superhuman; it’s about continuing, even when things are hard. It’s about showing up for your people, your plans, and yourself, day after chilly day. And it’s about knowing that if you’re feeling the drag right now, you’re not alone. Many of us are moving through it
together. Even for those who don't live in Nature's Refrigerator,* February can still bring its own version of stuckness: that long stretch between holidays, where kids are restless and routines feel stale. Sometimes, by February, our gray matter feels just as gray as the weather. When that happens, help is allowed! Check out our article and outsource the brainstorming to KidsOutAndAbout: Stuck Inside This Winter? 20 Creative Indoor Activities for Kids is packed with creative, practical, low-effort ways to keep your family engaged (and sane) when outside play isn’t an option. And it shows you how to tap your favorite AI to be your thought partner to personalize it for your
family. February Gray doesn’t need to be conquered; it just needs to be lightened a bit. So whether you're "out and about" or "in and not at all about," we're here to brighten the rest of your winter!
—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build
Strong Communities
*Rochester, NY ☺️ |
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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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Celebrate President’s Day Weekend at East End! From February 13th through 16th, join us for a fun-filled getaway perfect for all ages. Your ticket includes skating admission, skate rental, and 30 arcade credits—everything you need for a weekend packed with
excitement and smiles! Grab your tickets online for just $9.99 at eastendskatingrink.com, or purchase at the door for $12.99. It’s the perfect way to make memories and enjoy the long weekend with family and friends!
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FOOD: Science, Culture, and Cuisine explores the concept of food and feasting through sight, smell, taste, touch, and sound. It is a multi-sensory feast of an exhibition that engages you in new ways to think about food. This exhibition examines the
intersections of food with history, technology, health, and culture. It presents food in an entirely new way, inviting you to experience its evolution from ancient cooking methods to modern culinary innovations. This is a unique opportunity to learn about food science while exploring its connections to culture, arts, and society. FOOD is open daily to the public from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Jan 24 through May 24 at the Pink Palace Museum & Mansion, Tuesday - Sunday.
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We’re letting the good times roll at the Children’s Museum of Memphis on Saturday, February 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during our annual Mardi Gras Bash! Children can adorn masks or crowns with glittering gold, vibrant green, and royal purple, dance to
lively Cajun music spun by the DJ, or help the dancing man find his rhythm. Kids can decorate floats for the parade, join a robotics session to help route it, and gather on the carpet to hear the tale of a weary alligator and his pot of gumbo. Enjoy a scavenger hunt for swamp creatures, play sweet rounds of king-cake musical chairs, and delight in free candy and carousel rides.
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Come experience the national parks! All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone (other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply).
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For 65 years, THE SOUND OF MUSIC has been one of our “favorite things.” With its timeless story and irresistibly charming score, this Rodgers & Hammerstein classic isn’t just meant to be enjoyed - it’s meant to be shared. Now, a critically acclaimed
North American tour brings the cherished musical to stages across the country to teach a new generation to sing. Directed by three-time Tony Award® winner Jack O’Brien (Hairspray), this vibrant and romantic tale of Maria and the von Trapp family will captivate audiences with its universal themes of love, resilience and the power of music.
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- Birds & Seeds – Central Avenue, Memphis, TN, Saturday, February 14, 2026, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
- Lego Club - Memphis Public Library (Randolph Branch) – 3752 Given Ave, Memphis, TN 38122, Saturday, February 14, 2026, 3:00 PM
- MPsnaps Monthly: Valentine's Day Edition – 4221 Macon Rd, Memphis, TN 38122, Saturday, February 14, 2026, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
- Project Grow (all ages) – Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Memphis, TN, Saturday, February 14, 2026, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
- Every Saturday, the Memphis Brooks Museum of
Art is FREE from 10am - 12pm! – 1934 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104, Saturday, February 14, 2026, 10:00 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 Memphis 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 Memphis 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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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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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Memphis 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 to take kids in Memphis, based on KidsOutAndAbout's annual reader survey. Check out our most recent winners list, then check out our calendar and resource lists for lots more to do in Memphis!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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