KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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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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Creator Camp is back in Fort Worth, TX, for Summer 2026! As seen on Shark Tank, our camp transforms kids from technology consumers into active creators. We’ll be hosting our award-winning programs at The Clariden School in Southlake, just outside Fort
Worth. Running weekly from June 1 to August 7, 2026, we offer immersive experiences in filmmaking, YouTube content creation, animation, music production, game design, and coding. Campers gain hands-on experience with industry-standard tools in a fun, collaborative environment. Don’t miss this opportunity for your child to unleash their digital creativity and build real-world skills this summer!
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You’re invited to our BIGGEST event of the year! We welcome you to the 2026 Lunar New Year: Year of the Fire Horse. Asia Times Square (ATS) is proud to present one of the largest annual Lunar New Year Festival in the North Texas area attracting over tens of
thousands of guests in our three weekends of events!
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Cupid’s hiding clues all around the library! Search high and low for hearts, chocolates, and lovable book characters. Each clue brings you closer to a surprise full of friendship, fun, glitter. Ready to follow the trail of love and laughter? Return
completed list for a small prize.
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Stop by the Children’s Area to take part in a scavenger hunt highlighting iconic Black athletes and sports legends.
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The illustrations of beloved children’s author Eric Carle leap from the page to the stage in a dazzling larger-than-life world of 75 lovable puppets with a stunning display of color and artistry.
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February 7th is Ice Cream for Breakfast Day!
Rumor has it, the holiday was created by a mother whose children were complaining that it was too cold to do anything. She finally said, “Let's have ice cream for breakfast!” Her children loved it so much, they wanted to celebrate it every year.
So be sure to embrace your inner child and help everyone's dream come true! We will be serving Ice Cream…for Breakfast! Stop by the library to build your own sundae and start your day off right!
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Celebrate all the joys the library can bring! We’ll have activities all day including a bookmark craft, special scavenger hunt, photo corner, and candy! Ask the librarian at the Children’s Desk for a hands-on tour of the Children’s Area.
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Black History Month is an annual celebration that includes an art competition, a program with a guest speaker, music, food, and fellowship around the theme, "SANKOFA". Sankofa translates to, “it is not taboo to fetch what is at risk of being left behind.”
Today, it is more simply interpreted as “go back and get it.” The event provides an opportunity to reflect on the significant role of African Americans.
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How about a fun, creative start to your weekend? Bring your family to the Coppell Arts Center on the first Saturday of every month for a free make-and-take craft! Stop by anytime between 9 AM to 12 PM to create your craft.
Kids will receive a do-it-yourself craft kit that they can assemble and customize at art stations inside the Coppell Arts Center. A parent must accompany all children at all times. For children ages 3 - 12.
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Dig into the world of dinosaurs with hands-on STEAM fun just for preschoolers.
Ages: 3-5
Space is limited. Tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis starting 15 minutes before the program.
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Celebrate the year of the horse at this happy hour event co-hosted by the Kimbell and Fort Worth Sister Cities International. Highlights will include performances, Lunar New Year artmaking, and an Asian art-themed scavenger hunt.
This event is free and open to the public. Kimbell Happy Hour refreshments will be available for purchase.
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Attending a Texas Legends home game offers an incredible family-friendly experience that goes far beyond just watching basketball. Located at the Comerica Center in Frisco, Texas, these NBA G League games provide affordable entertainment with something for
everyone.
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Here is an opportunity for caregivers and children to get together for free play using our developmentally appropriate toys for children 1-4 yrs. old. Tickets are not required but space is limited.
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- Black History Month Scavenger Hunt - South Irving Library, Schulze Drive, Irving, TX, Friday, 02/06/2026 to Sunday, 02/08/2026, during normal library hours
- Texas America250 Reading Challenge - Texas State Library and Archives Commission, 1201 Brazos St, Austin, Texas, Friday, 02/06/2026 to Sunday, 02/08/2026, all day
- Preschool Paleontologists at
JRL - Carrollton Public Library, 1700 Keller Springs Rd, Carrollton, TX, Friday, 02/06/2026, 10:15-10:45 am
- Book Babies - 901 Conover Drive, Grand Prairie, TX, Friday, 02/06/2026, 11-11:45 am
- 19th Annual Lunar New Year 2026 - Asia Times Square, West Pioneer Parkway, Grand Prairie, TX, Friday, 02/06/2026 to Sunday, 02/08/2026, see website
- Preschool Storytime - Nicholas P Sims Library, West Main Street, Waxahachie, TX, Friday, 02/06/2026, 10-11 am
- Little Explorers - Arlington Public Library - George W. Hawkes Downtown Library, South Center Street, Arlington,
TX, Friday, 02/06/2026, 10-11:30 am
- Family Storytime - Arlington Public Library - Southeast Branch, Southeast Green Oaks Boulevard, Arlington, TX, Friday, 02/06/2026, 10:30-11:15 am
- Children's Playtime - Bedford Public Library, 2424 Forest Ridge Dr, Bedford, TX, Friday, 02/06/2026, 11-11:30 am
- Bounce Time (Age 0-3)- Colleyville Public
Library - Colleyville Public Library, 110 Main St, Colleyville, TX, Friday, 02/06/2026, 10:15-11:15 am
- Lego Club - Kennedale Public Library, West 3rd Street, Kennedale, TX, Friday, 02/06/2026, 3:30-5 pm
- Family Place Playtime -Mansfield Public Library - Mansfield Public Library, South Wisteria Street, Mansfield, TX, Friday, 02/06/2026, 11 am- 12 pm
- Lunar New Year Celebration - Kimbell Art Museum, 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX, Friday, 02/06/2026, 5-7 pm
- Black History Month Celebration in Denton - 1300 Wilson St, Denton, TX, Saturday, 02/07/2026, 10 am- 1 pm
- Saturday Make & Take Crafts - Coppell Arts Center, 505 Travis St, Coppell, TX, Saturday,
02/07/2026, 9 am
- Love & Library: The Sweetheart Clue Hunt - Prosper Community Library, 200 South Main Street, Prosper, TX, Saturday, 02/07/2026 to Sunday, 02/08/2026, during regular library hours
- Cuentos & Stories - DeSoto Public Library, 211 E Pleasant Run Rd, DeSoto, TX, Saturday, 02/07/2026, 10:30-11 am
- National Take Your Child to the Library Day -
Farmers Branch Manske Library, 13613 Webb Chapel Rd, Farmers Branch, TX, Saturday, 02/07/2026, 10 am- 6 pm
- Play & Learn (Ages 0-5) at the Central Library - 713 Austin Street, Garland, TX, Saturday, 02/07/2026, 10 am- 12 pm
- Taste The Innovation: George Crum and the Potato Chip at the West Garland Library - West Garland Library, West Walnut
Street, Garland, TX, Saturday, 02/07/2026, 2:30-3:30 pm
- Ice Cream for Breakfast - Nicholas P Sims Library, West Main Street, Waxahachie, TX, Saturday, 02/07/2026, 10-10:30 am
- Family Storytime at Lewisville Public Library - Lewisville Public Library, 1197 West Main Street, Lewisville, TX, Saturday, 02/07/2026, 11- 11:30 am
- Heart Paper Chains (Ages 5-9) - Burleson
Public Library, 248 Southwest Johnson Avenue, Burleson, TX, Saturday, 02/07/2026, 3-4 pm
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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the Midcities 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 theMid-Cities? 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 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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