KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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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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Based on the award-winning children’s book from Mo Willems, audiences can hop on board for an unforgettable ride in this musical adaptation from TheaterWorks USA. It’s not easy being a pigeon—you never get to do ANYTHING! When the Bus Driver has a crisis,
maybe our wily bird can help! With catchy original songs and lots of jokes, this show promises to be even more fun than staying up late and having a hot dog party!
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Get ready for KidsTown Consignment — where families come together to shop, sell, and save BIG! Our twice‑a‑year community sale at the Agricenter is your one‑stop shop for amazing deals on children’s clothing, shoes, toys, books, and gear from newborn to
teen. Find fabulous gently used treasures and discover a limited selection of NEW boutique items at HUGE discounts! Whether you’re clearing closets or hunting bargains, KidsTown makes it fun to make room, make money, and make memories. Don’t miss KidsTown 2026 — March 5 (10–7), March 6 (11–7), and March 7 (9–4, ½‑price sale). See you there!
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Discover the wonder of real science explained in a way kids can easily understand during our Science Saturday workshops led by Moya Burgess. Young explorers will dive into key concepts like observation, predictions, theory, and data through playful,
hands-on learning. The fun unfolds on Saturday, February 28, with staggered classes from 1 to 3 p.m.—sessions run from 1–1:30, 1:45–2:15, and 2:30–3 p.m. PhD student Terri Cain from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital will guide participants through exciting experiments exploring oil and water, mixing substances, and sparking lively chemical reactions—all free with general admission.
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This spring, the Memphis Botanic Garden comes alive with BLOOM: A Million Shades of Spring, a dazzling three‑month celebration of color and renewal across its 96 acres. Visitors can experience more than a million blooms, from enchanting cherry blossoms to
sweeping tulip fields and Southern favorites, unfolding in ever‑changing waves. Each week offers something new—guided walks, workshops, family activities, and cultural “Bloom Saturdays” featuring special events and floral installations. With endless photo‑worthy scenes and vibrant displays that evolve through the season, BLOOM transforms the Garden into one of the South’s most breathtaking spring destinations.
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Great Scott! BACK TO THE FUTURE the beloved, cinematic classic is now a Broadway musical with its destination set for Memphis in 2026. When Marty McFly finds himself transported back to 1955 in a time machine built by the eccentric scientist Doc Brown, he
accidentally changes the course of history. Now he’s in a race against time to fix the present, escape the past, and send himself... back to the future. When BACK TO THE FUTURE hits 88mph, it’ll change musical theatre history forever.
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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the Memphis 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 fingertips!
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- Story Time at Morton Museum of Collierville History - Morton Museum of Collierville History - 196 N Main St, Collierville, TN 38017, Friday, 02/27/2026, 10:30 am
- 5 Fridays of Jazz - 3030 Poplar Ave Memphis, TN, 38111, Friday, 02/27/2026, 6:30pm - 8pm
- Every Saturday, the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art is FREE from 10am - 12pm! - Memphis Brooks Museum of Art - 1934 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104, Saturday, 02/28/2026, 10am - 12pm
- Super Saturday - Black History Month: Carl Moore - Memphis Brooks Museum of Art - 1934 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN
38104, Saturday, 02/28/2026, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Embracing Autism - Memphis Public Library - Raleigh Branch - 3452 Austin Peay Hwy., Memphis, TN, 38128, Saturday, 02/28/2026, See website for details.
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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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