KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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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 P.S. From KOAA Central to our Twin Cities friends and beyond who’ve been shaken by recent events, please know that you’re in our hearts and
thoughts. |
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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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They’ll love our Future Vet Workshop! Opportunities are available for grades 3-8, and the skills and topics covered (like administering pretend vaccinations, performing mock blood draws, and practicing their suturing skills) are tailored to each age group. This single day workshop is $45 and is offered from 9:30 AM-11:30 AM.
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Join Sing Play Learn with MacPhail® for a fun-filled musical morning featuring The Jolly Pops! Enjoy kid-friendly rock and roll, meet the performers, explore instruments, make a rainbow ribbon wand, and enjoy a snack. Come sing, play, and learn with us at this free, family concert on Saturday, January 17!
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Tis the season to embrace the fantastical. Traverse the castle into a magical realm led by Tomte and all his friends. It’s time to hear his side of the story. The American Swedish Institute’s annual Holiday Experience takes visitors on a journey that explores the Legends of Winter. Explore the Turnblad Mansion with Tomte to discover iconic holiday characters, each with their own spectacular space.
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Dive into Learning During Homeschool Month at SEA LIFE Aquarium! Just $12 per person – Monday through Friday – No group minimum!
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After captivating more than one million guests across the world, LUMINISCENCE continues its tour and settles in the heart of Minneapolis for a series of exceptional dates in The Basilica of Saint Mary. For the first time, experience a show where history, 360° video mapping, and music come together to reveal this jewel of Minnesota's heritage as you have never seen it before. The luminous projections enhance the mesmerizing architecture and the history of the Basilica in the heart of Minneapolis.
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This trailblazing new show, an electrifying fusion of Irish dance, music, theater and cinema, traces the history of Ollav Fola, the ancient Irish sage and legislator commissioned to perpetuate the legacy of one of the world's greatest kings in the British Isles.
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Start your weekend with Morning Yoga—open to all levels, with the first Saturday of each month tailored specifically for beginners. This grounding and energizing practice helps set the tone for the day ahead.
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Back with more jaw-dropping feats of physics, the 2026 Physics Force Winter Shows return to Northrop at the University of Minnesota with more big demos and exhilarating experiments— now incorporating some fascinating features of the historic Northrop pipe organ—that bring the wonders of physics to life.
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Step into wonder this winter as Ice Castles celebrates 15 years of magic. Immerse yourself in an awe-inspiring winter experience that transports you into another realm. Explore ice caverns, squeeze through passageways, wander beneath icy archways, race down ice slides, and feel like royalty upon frozen thrones.
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Drop in to hang out and make cool stuff at FunLab! Featuring crafts, science experiments, engineering projects, video games, and more. This program is designed for ages 7-11.
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Let’s fill your world with rainbows! You and your child will create a dazzling crystal window hanging that transforms sunlight into a cascade of vibrant rainbows. Perfect for all skill levels. Each participant will create their own project. To learn how to save on our classes with our Family Membership, click here: https://app.amilia.com/store/en/kidcreate-studio-eden-prairie/shop/memberships/27085
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The Art Sled Rally, currently in its 12th or 15th year, (we don’t really keep track), is put on by a rotating group neighborhood artists and families in and around the Powderhorn Neighborhood who all want to enrich the spirit of community life in Powderhorn through free public events with a focus on artistic expression and out-of-the-ordinary spectacle. We believe part of a healthy existence is being outside a little bit at all times of year, and part of a healthy community is getting together as often as possible, especially during the coldest and most isolating parts of the year.
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- FunLab at George Latimer Central Library - Saint Paul Public Library - George Latimer Central Library, 90 West 4th Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102, Friday, January 16, 3:30pm-4:30pm
- Mill City Farmers Market - Mill City Farmers Market - 704 S 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55401, Saturday, January 17, 10am-1pm
- The 974th Annual Art Sled Rally at Powderhorn Park - 3400 15th Ave S, Powderhorn Park, Minneapolis, MN 55407, Saturday, January 17, 2 - 4 pm
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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. Here are local organizations that offer memberships.
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Minneapolis/St. Paul 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 winners in KidsOutAndAbout's survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. 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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