KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
My first job out of college was as the managing editor at a small medical publishing company in New York City. I worked alongside Steve, our associate editor. My strength was structure and rhythm; his was medical accuracy and detail. We made a good team. One day, Steve walked into my office waving some printed pages. “Deb, can you do that
thing you do, so I can check out the science?” “What thing?” I asked. “You know,” he said, “that magic you work where the writing comes in muddy and you turn it into something clear, logical, and even fun to read.” I’ve never forgotten that moment. Not just because it felt great to be seen, but because of what it taught me about leadership. We’re surrounded by people with unique strengths. As parents, friends, or leaders, one of the most
powerful things we can do is notice those strengths and say them out loud. When we do, people rise. Kids rise. They lean into what they’re good at, and their futures get brighter. It’s not magic—it’s just the natural result of being seen and valued—but it feels like it. Over the years, as I raised kids, built a business team, and worked within various communities, I kept returning to that lesson: Leadership isn’t about having a title, it’s about paying attention.
You can’t run a family or a business unless you know who you’re with and what makes them shine. And once you start validating others (“You know that thing you do? Please do that!”) you become a leader. Even if you're just leading someone to be more themselves. So today, find a reason to start a conversation: “You know that thing you do?...” You won't see it right away, but trust me: Their horizon will glow.
—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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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the Milwaukee 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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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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Dive into the thrilling Blue Man Group experience – a blend of captivating music, interactive art and audience engagement. Blue Man Group creates a fun, disruptive and out of the ordinary atmosphere that exhilarates the senses and uplifts spirits for
audiences of all ages. Join over 50 million fans who’ve experienced the magic of Blue Man Group across the world!
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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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Actor, singer, and ventriloquist Darci Lynne was 12 years old when she paired her love of music and captivated audiences across the country on NBC’s America’s Got Talent. She became one of the youngest winners in the show’s history—and the youngest
ventriloquist ever to win a televised talent competition—garnering over 90 million views on AGT’s YouTube channel and earning a finalist performance that remains one of the most-watched in franchise history.
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Experience full-throttle family fun at Monster Jam®, where these 12,000-pound monster trucks tear up the dirt in intense competitions of speed and skill. Witness world-class drivers demonstrate technical skills in fierce head-to-head battles for the Event
Championship. You will be close to the action with many of your favorites like the legendary Grave Digger®, innovative Max-D, mighty Megalodon® and more, as they push the limits in Freestyle, Skills, Donut and Racing competitions. Monster Jam also features breathtaking Freestyle Motocross exhibitions. Unexpected. Unscripted. Unforgettable. This is Monster Jam.
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Dads & daughters, get ready for an unforgettable night at the 2nd Annual Daddy Daughter Dance! Wisconsin Lutheran High School’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) is excited to host an evening of activities, crafts, games, nail painting,
refreshments and lots of dancing. Girls in preschool through 8th grade are invited to join in the fun on Saturday, January 31, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Registration is $20 per family, with an additional $5 for each additional daughter through Saturday, January 24. Visit our Facebook page or website to register for the event. We can’t wait to see you there!
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Enjoy a day of family-friendly fun at Up-Down during Family Hours on Sunday, February 1st, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.! For this special event, guests under 21 are welcome to join in the arcade excitement, with games priced at just 25 cents or one token per
play. Families can enjoy delicious pizza sold by the slice, along with soda and other kid-friendly drinks, while adults over 21 can also enjoy a full bar. Admission is free for everyone, but minors must be accompanied by someone 21 or older. After 2 p.m., the venue returns to 21+ only, so plan to arrive early for the fun.
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Join us for a one-night-only, ticketed event at Discovery World as we celebrate the magic of winter weather with an unforgettable dance party! Bring family and friends to enjoy music, movement, and merriment. Groove to the beats of Kid Boogie Down, explore
interactive spaces, and soak in the seasonal vibes. This evening experience is perfect for all ages. Come ready to dance, laugh, and make warm memories on a chilly night! Reserve your tickets today!
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What comes to mind when you think of a scientist? Most people imagine a man in a white lab coat who looks like Einstein. This open-house-style event aims to break the stereotype of who can be successful in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math)
fields. Girls (and boys) can catch the “science bug” through hands-on activities and learn about female STEAM pioneers and their important contributions to our world. Local women leaders from various STEAM backgrounds present hands-on activities so young women can connect with a potential mentor, and everyone can see that anyone can be a scientist! Recommended for ages 10 and up. Event is free, held at King Community Center. Advanced registration required.
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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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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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Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the Milwaukee area? 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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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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