KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Sat, Jan 31: Little Sweetheart Dance at Plano Event Center
Sat, Feb 7: Black History Month Celebration at MLK Jr. Rec Center
Sun, Feb 15: City of Richardson Annual Lunar New Year Celebration 2026
Sun, Feb 15: The Harlem Globetrotters 100 Year Tour at Moda Center
Sat, Feb 21: College & Career Fair at Denton Civic Center
Sat, Mar 7: TEXFest at City of Carrollton
Sun, Mar 15: Wizard of Oz on Ice Presented by the Coppell Arts Center
Sat, Mar 21: The World's Only St. Paddy's Pickle Parade
Tue, Mar 24: Back to the Future: The Musical at Bass Performance Hall
Thu, Mar 26: Disney On Ice presents Jump In! at State Farm Arena |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
If it weren’t for a Polish pastry, I might not exist. When my great-grandmother Karolina Stelmach was a teenager in a small village in Poland, she was told she’d be entering an arranged marriage. But her heart belonged to Sylvester Nowakowski. So she left... on her own, by boat... and made her way to America. She found work in a restaurant, where
she made her family’s signature dessert: chrusciki. One day, a “distinguished gentleman” insisted on meeting the pastry chef, and he offered her a better-paying job in his own kitchen. She took it, saved enough to bring Sylvester over, and they married. Which means if chrusciki didn’t exist, neither would I. Stories like this do more than entertain. According to psychologist Robyn Fivush, interviewed on a recent episode of the Hidden Brain podcast, they help kids develop
identity, resilience, and self-worth. The more children know about their family’s past—not just the “big” stories like crossing oceans, but even the day-to-day moments and struggles—the more connected and grounded they become. Fivush and her colleagues at Emory University found that kids who know more family stories have higher self-esteem, greater emotional understanding, and a stronger sense of meaning and purpose. But it’s not just the information that matters...it’s the telling. When we sit
down and share what came before, we help kids feel like they’re part of something bigger, and that they belong. No AI can replicate that. A chatbot can write a story, sure. But it can’t tell your kids how Grandma’s meatloaf could’ve doubled as a construction material, or how two little girls in the 1950s turned a couple of ice cream cones into a front-porch endurance contest. So this year, make a point of telling your kids about your family's shared history:
about mistakes, about perseverance, about love, about dessert. Connection doesn’t have to be complicated: Just pull up a chair, pass the cookies, and pass down the stories.
—Debra Ross, publisher |
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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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A special morning designed for kids and families who would like to experience the attraction adapted just for sensory needs. Lights will be dimmed, music will be turned off and a quiet room will be available.
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Grab a spot and join us on Sunday, January 18th from 11:30 am -1 pmfor a Dinosaur Exploration where your kiddos will become paleontologists for a day! Uncover the mysteries of the past as we dig deep into the fascinating world of fossils, volcanoes, and the incredible creatures that once roamed the Earth.
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The City of Irving hosts an annual observance honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The program features a special performance by Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Cherish Love, and recognition of the MLK Essay Contest winners. Admission is free and open to the public. Get ready for an unforgettable show filled with talent and inspiration!
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The Dallas Area Train show features model railroads, vendors and several activities for kids. Those include the Junior Engineer layout, the Mini-Diorama table and the Switching layout. Kids can see a Lego Model Railroad and get down on the floor in the large scale garden railroad room, The Dallas Area Train Show will be held at the Plano Event Center, 2000 East Spring Creek Parkway, Plano, TX. Dates are Saturday, January 17th, 10am to 5pm and Sunday, January 18th, 2026, 10:00am to 4:00 pm.
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Join Horizon members and friends as we join in honoring Dr. King’s legacy and work toward the vision of beloved community.
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Dive under the sea this January with Plano Metropolitan Ballet's The Little Mermaid! Join us for a magical retelling of the classic fairytale, filled with shimmering costumes, enchanting choreography, and a splash of wonder for the whole family. Don't miss this unforgettable journey where dreams, love, and courage sparkle on the stage.
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Honor Dr. King’s enduring impact through creativity and community by crafting flowers from a variety of materials. Take-and-make kits will also be available for individuals to create flowers at home and return them to the South Irving Library to be included in a collaborative art display.
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Barbie is the ultimate career guide having had more than 200 jobs over the last 60 years. Explore a variety of careers and learn the story of real-life women who broke barriers in their industry. Discover your career with Barbie™ You Can Be Anything™:The Experience! Barbie dolls and their accessories encourage imaginative play. The kind that teaches us no matter our gender, ethnicity, or background, we can make the world a better place by doing work that excites us, challenges us and brings us fulfillment. This exhibit has something for everyone!
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Harry Potter™: The Exhibition celebrates all things Harry Potter™ by bringing to life some of your favourite moments, characters, locations, and beasts from the film series, as well as the extended Harry Potter universe. Get up close to authentic props and costumes, practice your Quidditch™ skills, pot a Mandrake, and more in this unforgettable experience.
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This isn’t just a game—it’s a live, interactive fantasy quest where every choice shapes your destiny. Explore immersive sets, face thrilling challenges, and experience the magic of storytelling brought to life. Solve puzzles, battle mythical foes, and uncover secrets in a one-of-a-kind fantasy world for all ages. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a curious newcomer, gather your party and embark on an unforgettable journey. Book your adventure now and become a hero!
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- Carrollton MLK Parade 2026 - Horizon Unitarian Universalist Church, 1641 West Hebron Parkway, Carrollton, TX 75010, Saturday, January 17, 2026, 9-11 am
- MLK Parade & Program -
Carrollton City Hall, East Jackson Road, Carrollton, TX, Saturday, January 17, 2026, 10 am
- Blooms of Peace: Honoring Martin Luther King Jr. - South Irving Library, Schulze Drive, Irving, TX, Saturday, January 17, 2026, 11 am
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance Event - Irving Arts Center, North MacArthur Boulevard, Irving, TX, Sunday, January 18, 2026, 6
pm
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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 the Mid-Cities. Here are local organizations that offer
memberships.
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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 Mid-Cities 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 Mid-Cities 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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