KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
For much of the country, it's been the hardest winter in recent memory: cold, monochrome, relentless. The kind of season that reminds us how little control we really have. We do our best to manage routines and moods and expectations, but parents feel it most. February stretches long and flat after the excitement of the holidays, before the lift of spring. You're still packing
lunches, wrangling homework, managing emotions (your kids’ and your own)... all while the cold keeps the family cooped up. This is the season of endurance. Of course, endurance isn’t about being stoic or silent or superhuman; it’s about continuing, even when things are hard. It’s about showing up for your people, your plans, and yourself, day after chilly day. And it’s about knowing that if you’re feeling the drag right now, you’re not alone. Many of us are moving through it
together. Even for those who don't live in Nature's Refrigerator,* February can still bring its own version of stuckness: that long stretch between holidays, where kids are restless and routines feel stale. Sometimes, by February, our gray matter feels just as gray as the weather. When that happens, help is allowed! Check out our article and outsource the brainstorming to KidsOutAndAbout: Stuck Inside This Winter? 20 Creative Indoor Activities for Kids is packed with creative, practical, low-effort ways to keep your family engaged (and sane) when outside play isn’t an option. And it shows you how to tap your favorite AI to be your thought partner to personalize it for your
family. February Gray doesn’t need to be conquered; it just needs to be lightened a bit. So whether you're "out and about" or "in and not at all about," we're here to brighten the rest of your winter!
—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build
Strong Communities
*Rochester, NY ☺️ |
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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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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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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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Celebrate a full day of love in all its forms with art, music, wellness, and community-focused activities for all ages at the Milwaukee Art Museum’s Heart Edition free day. Guests can create visionary artworks inspired by Lois Mailou Jones and join Tia
Richardson for caring-themed activities, enjoy a special story time and gathering for families with young children, and reconnect with the Haitian Art Collection on film. The day also features a community engagement fair, sound bowl healing, live DJs, and an accessible drop-in tour highlighting artworks that honor the beauty and joy of love.
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Feb 12-16 at Fiserv Forum: Step inside the magical adventures of Disney's Frozen and Encanto as they are brought to life like never before at Disney On Ice! Join Mirabel on her journey to save her enchanted family home alongside her sisters, Isabela and
Luisa. Hosted by Mickey and Minnie, invite your family and friends to sing along to your favorite songs and celebrate the power of love and courage at Disney On Ice presents Frozen & Encanto - the show everyone will be talking about!
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Join the Greater Milwaukee Foundation for a joyful, family-centered Black History Month celebration filled with music, art, games, and community connection. This multigenerational gathering invites families, elders, and neighbors to come together to
celebrate Black history through fun, creativity, and shared experiences. The event will take place on Saturday, February 14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with bingo beginning at 10:30 a.m., at the ThriveOn King Neighborhood Hall.
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This February, celebrate Valentine’s or Galentine’s Day with an indulgent Sweetheart Tea at the Pabst Mansion. Enjoy bottomless champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries, and signature teas inspired by Captain and Mrs. Pabst, all served in the elegance of
Mrs. Pabst’s Parlor. Guests can explore the first floor during this immersive Gilded Age experience in one of Milwaukee’s iconic landmarks. The event does not include a full mansion tour, though tickets for the 3 p.m. tour are available separately. Space is limited, advance reservations are encouraged, and while children may attend, no child rate or vegan/gluten-free options are provided.
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The Sweetheart Dance, is a chance for kids (ages 4-11) to bring their adult sweetheart (mom, dad, grandparent, etc.) out for an evening of dancing, interactive games, photos, and life long memories. Check your coat at the door and enjoy the celebration!
There will be music and interactive games, craft activities, a DIY photo booth, and delicious desserts and refreshments. Pre-Registration required for this event. Tickets on sale at Greenfield Parks & Recreation Office ONLY from January 12-February 16, 2026. $6 Youth (Ages 4-11) and $8 Parent/Guardian (Ages 18+).
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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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