KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: One day last week, I was driving home around 7 pm when I glanced out the passenger's window and saw a stunning rainbow stretched fully across the sky, glowing in front of dark gray storm clouds that were rushing away to the east. I was approaching a stop light. Left was the way home, where various chores awaited... but right was the way to the rainbow. My husband was driving
behind me, and I knew that if I turned right, he was going to think I had lost my mind. For a split second, practicality made its case: Don’t be silly; go home, you have stuff to do. But then another question darted into my mind: Am I a person who chases rainbows, or am I not? Once I framed it that way, the answer was easy. For kids and grownups alike, this can actually be a helpful way to make all kinds of decisions. When the moment
comes to act, it helps to ask not just What do I feel like doing? but Who am I? Am I a person who tells the truth? Am I a person who helps? Am I a person who persists when times are hard? Am I a person who stops to notice the beautiful things around me? We build identity one choice at a time for our entire lives. The clearer we are about who we want to be, the easier it becomes to know what to do in the moment, to give ourselves evidence that we are, in fact, that sort of
person. I hope the kids in your world grow up thinking of themselves as people who seek what is bright and good and full of wonder. It’s our job to show them that delight is often worth the detour.
—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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Step right into the magic of live performance! City of Lakes Waldorf School, in collaboration with Hup (clap) HEY!, presents its 33rd Annual Circus, The Marble Palace, on Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25 at the historic Music Box Theatre in Minneapolis. Performed by CLWS students in grades 6–8, The Marble Palace is a high-energy circus spectacle and playful tribute to vaudeville—celebrating 100 years of entertainment on the very stage where the show unfolds. Set inside the theatre itself, audiences are taken on a theatrical journey through time, guided by Finklestein and Ruben—two vaudeville-era founders who still “haunt” the theatre they opened in 1920. With humor, heart, and plenty of surprises, they bring a century of performance to life! Expect an unforgettable mix of juggling, tumbling, physical comedy, and toe-tapping fun—perfect for all ages. Based on a true story (mostly). Performances:Friday, April 24 at 7:00 pmSaturday, April 25 at 1:00 pmSaturday, April 25 at 7:00 pm
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Celebrate your child’s big day with hands-on engineering fun at The Works Museum! Families love the easy-to-supervise open floor plan, where guests can build with LEGO-style bricks, design K’NEX racers, look through a giant kaleidoscope, launch paper creations into the air, and more. Each party can also include a staff-led, guided engineering project that doubles as a one-of-a-kind party favor for every guest.
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Performing songs created by the most iconic musicians in rock history, The Rock and Roll Playhouse band offers its core audience of families with children age ten and under games, movement, stories and an opportunity to rock out in an effort to educate children and explore their creativity. The Rock and Roll Playhouse is an early and often first introduction to a child’s lifelong journey with live music and rock and roll. See you at the show! The Rock and Roll Playhouse presents The Music of Taylor Swift & More for KidsFirst AvenueSunday, April 26, 2026All Ages showNOTE: Free admission for kids under 1.11:00 AM Doors11:30 AM ShowtimeMore info: Performing songs created by the most iconic musicians in rock history, The Rock and Roll Playhouse band offers its core audience of families with children age ten and under games, movement, stories and an opportunity to rock out in an effort to educate children and explore their creativity. The Rock and Roll Playhouse is an early and…
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Your Best Summer Starts Here! Saint Paul Urban Tennis is registering now for spring, summer, and fall programs for youth ages 5–18! From beginner camps to competitive team tennis, SPUT offers affordable, inclusive programming at accessible Saint Paul locations — welcoming all skill levels and backgrounds. We offer summer camps, seasonal clinics, and junior team tennis for every age and ability. Don't miss your spot — spaces fill fast! Register today and make this summer one to remember.
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City of Lakes Waldorf School's highly anticipated Circus is back in town! Come see extraordinary performances from our 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students including trampoline acts, juggling, acrobatics, and more. This mesmerizing show will delight and inspire children and adults of all ages. Get your tickets now before they're all gone!
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Enjoy this annual festival celebrating Minneapolis' urban forest, hosted by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) Forestry Department and its network of community partners! Help plant a tree at Bethune Park and enjoy a unique variety of tree-themed activities, education, and entertainment for all ages.
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The world’s most beloved blue engine is rolling into St. Paul! Inspired by the popular children’s series and featuring engines and destinations from Thomas & Friends™, this interactive exhibit engages children and families in foundational skills that foster STEM literacy through playful learning experiences.
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Celebrate Earth Day by gathering with your neighbors and cleaning up your community! The Parks and Recreation Department is looking for residents to organize an Earth Day clean-up event at any of Blaine’s 66 parks. You select the date, time, and project….we provide the supplies! Select a date anytime between April 20 and May 15.
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The Arthritis Foundation's Walk to Cure Juvenile Arthritis returns to Mall of America on April 25. This family-friendly event brings together walkers of all ages to raise funds for the 300,000 children in the U.S. living with juvenile arthritis. Start the morning with a Warm Up, refuel with anti-inflammatory bites at Joint Friendly Fare, and let the kids explore the Family Fun Zone. Every dollar raised funds research, advocacy, and programs like JA Camps that help kids build confidence and community year-round. Registration is free and open now.
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The Right Thing To Do is a lively and inspiring world-premiere musical that explores the power of small acts of kindness, the impact of friendship, and the importance of doing what’s right. With vibrant music, unforgettable characters, and a message that resonates beyond the baseball field, The Right Thing To Do reminds us that every act of kindness, no matter how small, has the power to create a ripple effect that transforms our communities in ways we might never expect.
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Spend the day at the Arboretum and bring the entire family! Celebrate Arbor Day at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum! Join us for a day of discovery, nature and creativity as we honor the beauty and importance of trees with a series of exciting activities and events. Whether you're a nature lover, a family looking for fun or an art enthusiast, we’ve curated an unforgettable experience for all ages. See the website for daily activities and reserve your admission.
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Come to Choo Choo Bob's Train Store for a Train-Tastic story time! It’s educational & interactive! Come hear stories, songs and jokes about…TRAINS! Chugga, chugga! Choo Choo! See you there, Engineers!
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It’s not every day that a wild tornado whizzes right over your head, taking the house and the whole farm with it! Or that the entire world magically shifts from black and white to technicolor right before your very eyes. But there’s nothing everyday about a shoe-obsessed witch, flying monkeys, or a yellow brick road, either. Join Dorothy, her three oh-so-curious friends, and Toto (played by a real dog!) in this grand spectacle, featuring songs you know and love from the classic film!
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Celebrate your family’s special moments with Shoott’s FREE 30-minute outdoor photo sessions! Whether it’s spring photos, family portraits, birthday milestones, or simply capturing everyday joy, our talented local photographers make the experience easy and fun. You only pay for the photos you love, with no upfront cost or sitting fee. Receive a gallery of beautifully edited images within days and choose your favorites. Book your session at shoott.com and create lasting memories!
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Tired of overpaying for clothes your kids outgrow fast? Shop Just Between Friends Maple Grove and save big on kids’ clothes, shoes, toys, books, and baby gear—all in one place! Imagine everything organized by size, gender, and category, inspected for quality and recalls & at deeply discounted prices. It’s bigger than any large, multi-family garage sale—300+ families selling quality children’s items under one roof!
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Are you ready to welcome the little ones? Then be here for Farm Babies, a beloved springtime tradition at the Minnesota Zoo! Every day, you can meet babies and their hardworking moms. Saturdays and Sundays, you can also kick up your heels with live music, activities and learning from the Farmkeepers about the agriculture and animals. The Wells Fargo Family Farm is a small demonstration farm featuring heritage and rare breeds – come meet them and learn what makes them so special.
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Great parent & child activity! Welcome to Craft O'Clock! Enjoy open studio time where artists of all levels can explore their creativity. Choose from a variety of exciting art projects to complete, from painting to crafting and more. Unleash your imagination in a supportive space made for artistic freedom! Craft O’ Clock is geared towards tweens, teens and adults. This is not a structured class, this is independent art time. Stay as long as you like during the scheduled time.
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Join local artist Lindsey Reyes at the TMORA Education Center to create your own unique artwork in a beginner-friendly printmaking workshop. You’ll be guided through drawing, carving, and hand-printing your own design, inspired by the space imagery in our Main Gallery exhibition, Spies and Space.
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- Kindergarten Discovery Day - Hope Academy, Hope Academy, Friday, April 24, 2026, Morning: 9:00am - 11:30am (with classroom time!) Afternoon Session: 1:00pm-3:00pm
- Kids' Huge Pop-Up Consignment Sale - , Springbrook Mall, 85th Avenue Northwest, Coon Rapids, MN, USA, Friday, April 24, 2026 to Sunday, April 26, 2026, Thur & Fri 10am to 7pm, Sat & Sun 10am to 5pm
- Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - Minneapolis-St. Paul - Shoott, Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, USA, Friday, April 25, 2026, See link for times
- Jam Lab at Cadenza Music Shop - , Cadenza Music, 149 Snelling Avenue North, Saint Paul, MN, USA, Friday, April 25, 2026, 2:00PM
- 2026 Earth Day Celebration at Harriet Alexander Nature Center - Harriet Alexander Nature Center, Harriet
Alexander Nature Center, 2520 Dale St N, Roseville, MN 55113, United States, Friday, April 25, 2026, 10 am - 2 pm
- Earth Day Celebration - Harriet Alexander Nature Center - Harriet Alexander Nature Center, Harriet Alexander Nature Center, 2520 Dale St N, Roseville, MN 55113,
United States, Friday, April 25, 2026, 10 am - 2 pm
- Middle School Movie Club: Be Kind Rewind - , Walker Art Center, Vineland Place, Minneapolis, MN, USA, Friday, April 25, 2026, 12:00 - 4:00PM
- Spring Cleaning Day on the Farm at Oliver Kelly Farm - , Oliver Kelley Farm, 15788 Kelley Farm Rd, Elk River, MN 55330, United States, Friday, April 25, 2026, 9 am - 3 pm
- Free Admission Day: Mill City Museum - , Mill City Museum, 704 S 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55401, United States, Friday, April 25, 2026, 10 am 5 pm
- Free Admission Day: Minnesota History Center - , Minnesota History Center, West Kellogg Boulevard, Saint
Paul, MN, USA, Friday, April 25, 2026, 10 am - 4 pm
- Preschool Preview - , 7540 Penn Ave S, Richfield, MN, USA, Friday, April 25, 2026, 10-11:30am
- Sundays at Landmark: BandWidth Community Band Festival - , Landmark Center, West 5th Street, Saint Paul, MN, USA, Sunday, April 26, 2026, 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
- Family Art Workshop: Printmaking with Teaching Artist Lindsey
Reyes - , The Museum of Russian Art Education Center, 5904 Pleasant Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55419, Sunday, April 26, 2026, 1:00-2:30pm
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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the MSP 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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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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