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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Play, explore, and discover the joy of music.
From first notes to bold new musical goals, MacPhail’s summer camps are designed to help young musicians ages 3–18 grow skills, explore creativity, and make music together. Led by world-class teaching artists, camps welcome students looking to deepen their skills, try something new, or play alongside other passionate musicians. From songwriting and electronic music to classical, jazz, rock, and more, there’s a camp designed for
every interest and skill level. Day camps run June–August in downtown Minneapolis. Financial assistance is available. Learn more at macphail.org/camp.
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Martha Graham Dance Company celebrates 100 years with a modern dance program for middle and high school students, featuring excerpts from Appalachian Spring (music by Aaron Copland), Jamar Roberts’ We the People (music by Rhiannon Giddens), and a new
Graham-inspired piece created and performed by students from Minneapolis’ South High School.
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Step into our pretty-in-pink world! Kids will delight their senses by exploring fluffy pink “cotton candy”, bubbly pink “lemonade”, and a jumbo pink tiara fit for royalty. This immersive pink-tastic adventure is bursting with fun! Come and explore the
sensory stations with your child
Children must be accompanied by a caregiver.
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A bilingual musical based on P.D. Eastman’s beloved classic, bursting with playful, high-speed energy as dogs drive, swim, play baseball, and race to the big dog party!
Like a pop-up book that comes to life, Go, Dog. Go! • Ve Perro ¡Ve! is a heart-warming spectacle of music, color, language, and delight. With dialogue in both English and Spanish and plenty of expressive, physical storytelling, this show is easy to follow and enjoy, whether you speak English, Spanish, or another language entirely.
Perfect for early learners, first-time theatre-goers, and families looking for a joyful shared experience, Go, Dog. Go! • Ve Perro ¡Ve! is sure to have audiences howling with laughter.
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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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Celebrate Black History Month through music that uplifts, honors, and inspires. This special MacPhail Student Performance Festival features students of all ages, instruments, and programs performing works that celebrate the contributions of Black composers,
artists, and musical traditions. Throughout the day, our downtown Minneapolis campus comes alive with performances that showcase learning, creativity, and community—reflecting the rich diversity of MacPhail’s students and the music that moves us all.
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As Dyani White Hawk: Love Language comes to a close, join us in celebrating interconnectedness and intergenerational knowledge at this family-friendly event.
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This Lunar New Year, the Zodiac celebrates the Year of the Horse. In Chinese zodiac, the Year of the Horse symbolizes energy, independence, and forward momentum. The Horse is associated with passion and perseverance, encouraging bold action, personal
growth, and progress—making it a year that favors initiative, travel, and pursuing ambitious goals.
Stop by the Atrium to see the beautiful Lunar New Year lantern display and celebrate the Year of the Horse!
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Join us for our free monthly event for families, kids, and the young at heart. On the second Sunday of every month, the museum is filled with hands-on art activities, storytelling, artist demonstrations, gallery hunts, self-guided tours, and more—all
inspired by Mia’s incredible collection.
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We invite you to join Dr. Talaya Tolefree in her Sankofa D.E.A.R. Time challenge to Drop Everything And Read! Meet a different local Black author each month who will read from their book and share their creative writing experience to affirm, nurture and
empower young readers.
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Join us indoors at the annual Flower Show! The Arboretum's annual Spring Flower Show is back! Get an early taste of spring with thousands of blooms, including spring bulbs, orchids and tropicals on display throughout the Visitor Center buildings. This
year's show explores the theme of water, drawing inspiration from Minnesota's lakes, rivers, wetlands and the life they support. Please reserve your gate admission on the website.
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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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- FunLab at George Latimer Central Library - Saint Paul Public Library - George Latimer Central Library, 90 West 4th Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102, Friday, 02/06/2026, 3:30pm-4:30pm
- Celebrate
Lunar New Year with Mall of America® - Mall of America, 2131 Lindau Lane, Bloomington, MN 55425, Friday, 02/06/2026 to Sunday, 02/08/2026, 12:30 pm – 5:30 pm
- Mill City Farmers Market - Mill City Farmers Market, 704 S 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55401, Saturday, 02/07/2026, First & Third Saturdays November - April
(10am-1pm, indoors)
- Saturday Vibe: Puppet Show at George Latimer Central Library - Saint Paul Public Library - George Latimer Central Library, 90 West 4th Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102, Saturday, 02/07/2026, 11:00am-12:00pm
- Free First Saturday: Celebrate Dyani White Hawk: Love Language at the Walker - Walker Art Center, 725 Vineland Place, Minneapolis, MN 55403, Saturday, 02/07/2026, 10 am - 5 pm
- Winterfest at YMCA Camp Pepin - YMCA Camp Pepin, E Lake Dr, Stockholm, WI, Saturday, 02/07/2026, 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM
- Family Day at Minneapolis Institute of Art - Minneapolis Institute of Art, 2400 3rd Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN
55404, Sunday, 02/08/2026, 10 am - 5 pm
- Sensory Friendly Sunday at the Walker - Walker Art Center, 725 Vineland Place, Minneapolis, MN 55403, Sunday, 02/08/2026, 8 am - 11 pm
- Sankofa D.E.A.R. Time With Nekima Levy Armstrong - Washburn Library - Washburn Library, 5244 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419, Sunday, 02/08/2026, 3 - 4 pm
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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the Minneapolis - St. Paul 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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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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The Minneapolis / St. Paul area has tons of indoor playgrounds, recreation centers, bounce houses, escape rooms, rock climbing, ropes courses, swimming, roller skating, gyms, and other ways to be active...regardless of the weather! Need some ideas?
KidsOutAndabout has dozens of ideas. Send us an email if you don't see your favorite.
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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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