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
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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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Bring the entire family to the Bradley Symphony Center as we celebrate the American spirit during our nation’s 250th anniversary year! The courage, creativity, and innovation of American composers from Scott Joplin to Florence Price to John Williams have inspired us, created new genres, and even provided the soundtracks for entire generations. Tickets include an hour of pre-concert family-friendly activities, including a scavenger hunt, conductor station, composer station, and more! Visit mso.org for tickets and details.
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With day camps, overnight camps, and adventure trips, Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast’s summer camps have an adventure for everyone! Sign up for a summer full of memories, outdoor experiences, building key skills like impendence and resilience, and lifelong friendships! You don’t have to be a Girl Scout to sign up!
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For 35 years, families across greater Milwaukee have trusted USM Summer Camps for exceptional enrichment, academic, and athletic programs. Campers discover new talents, build friendships, and explore diverse interests within a flexible schedule. With healthy meals, extended care, transportation options, and multi-week discounts, families enjoy a convenient and valuable experience. Now accredited by the American Camp Association, USM meets the highest national standards for safety and quality. This milestone year introduces two exciting additions: a new Sports Camp for athletes of all levels and a Counselors in Training program for teens. Learn more at www.usm.org/summer and use code EBKOAA26 for early bird savings.
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Get ready to see the world more curiously, because Blippi is coming to your town in the all-new Be Like Blippi Tour! Join Blippi and Meekah live on stage for a one-of-a-kind interactive adventure that inspires kids to move like, play like, and explore just like Blippi! This brand-new show is packed with high-energy music and surprises, featuring fan-favorite songs like “The Excavator Song,” “Monster Truck,” “Dino Dance,” and “Curious Like Me.” With Blippi’s signature mix of play, learning, and exploration, families can get curious together while singing, laughing, and dancing along during this unforgettable adventure full of fun and discovery. The Be Like Blippi Tour invites you to break out your orange Blippi glasses and ignite that spark of curiosity that lives inside every single one of us and share in an unforgettable experience that encourages kids to… Be Like Blippi! Date Feb. 21, 2026 Event Starts 2:00 PM Venue Miller High Life Theatre Doors Open 1:00 PM
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All guests (excluding groups*) receive FREE admission to the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum on the third Thursday of every month from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Capacity restrictions apply** and walkup tickets are subject to availability and not guaranteed. Guests will not be admitted past 6:30 p.m. Betty Brinn is Milwaukee’s hands-on children’s museum, where kids can explore their world through play. Featuring interactive exhibits, educational programs, special events and more.
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The Summer Leadership Academy is a robust pre-college leadership development, college prep and career exploration program for young women who are currently freshmen, sophomores or juniors in high school. Participants spend their mornings attending leadership and college prep sessions, engage in hands-on career exploration in the afternoons, and take part in personal development and social activities each evening. Students will attend a field trip associated with their career exploration pathway that will connect them with real-world career environments and local professionals. Throughout the week, students will stay overnight in the residence hall, building lasting connections and fully immersing themselves in campus life. New participants who successfully complete this transformational leadership and college readiness program will earn 2 college credits from Mount Mary University.
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A winter tradition returns as the Milwaukee County Zoo commemorates the annual Samson Stomp. Runners and walkers of all ages are invited to join in this popular event, honoring one of the Zoo’s most famous and beloved residents, Samson, the silverback gorilla (1950-1981). Money raised from the event supports all the animals in the Zoo’s population. Presented by Prairie Farms Dairy.
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Join us for another family version of our after-hours mystery caper! Grab your magnifying glass and detective hat to follow a series of family-friendly clues that lead you through the twisting corridors and shadowy corners of the Museum’s exhibit halls. Get an extraordinary opportunity to get up close and personal with one (or two) of our rarely seen objects! Search for clues to identify the perpetrators and answer the question: "Whodunit?" Groups of 2-10 are suggested. Recommended for children age 6 and up.
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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 in and around the Milwaukee area. Here are local organizations that
offer memberships.
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Dallas 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 Milwaukee 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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