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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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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Join us for a dazzling 31-day celebration as we welcome the Year of the Horse with vibrant festivities and joyous tributes to Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese cultures!
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The ULTIMATE SHOPPING EVENT for Baby & Kid Items!
Looking for INCREDIBLE DEALS on kids' clothes, toys, gear, and more? The Kiddos Consignment pop-up event is your chance to shop THOUSANDS of quality, gently used items at 50-90% OFF RETAIL PRICES! Some items brand new still in the box!
WHY PAY FULL PRICE? Get the brands you love at a fraction of the cost--everything for ages 0-12 from baby gear and strollers to books, puzzles, and clothes for every season.
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Embark on an immersive journey through our cosmic neighborhood as the Solar System Encounter returns to Discovery Cube Orange County! Featuring stunning, ultra-high-definition imagery from the James Webb Telescope. This stellar exhibit surrounds guests with
colossal 360° models of the sun, planets, Earth’s moon, and even the dwarf planet Pluto. Vivid lights, breathtaking visuals, larger-than-life displays bring each world to life, inspiring visitors of all ages to explore, discover, and be amazed by the wonders of our Solar System.
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Held every last Saturday of the month, Storytime in the Galleries includes free copies of each author’s featured book while supplies last and free General Admission to the galleries. Reading in the galleries will be followed by a simple, fun art project
that kids will love.
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Join us as we break ground on a living ecosystem designed to restore biodiversity and capture carbon in the heart of the city. Featuring a ceremonial Land Acknowledgment, a hands-on "Legacy Workshop" with Legacy LA students, and a vibrant partner village,
this event is a commitment to a greener, more resilient future for Los Angeles.
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Join us for tons of fun as we celebrate the migration of the Pacific gray whale and the beginning of the whale watching season! It's a family day filled with activities and exhibits for all -- games, arts and crafts, puppet shows, expert guest lecturers and
festive music. You wont want to miss our incredible life-sized inflatable whales and the famous duct tape Whale Contest.
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A brand-new Rudie-DeCarlo Family Theatre Musical in which not one, not two, but three Dorothys come face to face with the Wizard, the Queen of Hearts, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, the White Rabbit, Fairygodmother, and – well, but we don’t want to
give away all the surprises.
“You won’t find more professional theatre – for children or adults – anywhere in Los Angeles!” LA PARENT
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- Campus Tour - Guidepost Montessori at Foothill Ranch - 26462 Towne Centre Drive, Foothill Ranch, CA 92610, Friday, January 29, 2026 - Check Website for Time
- KIDDOS Mega Resale Event (5-DAYS ONLY - Thousands of Discount Kid Items) - 27620 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo, CA 92692, Friday, January 29, 2026 - 10am-6pm
- Plaza West Covina's FREE Lunar New Year Celebration on Jan 31 - Plaza Drive, West Covina, CA, Saturday, January
31, 2026 - 1:00pm - 3:00pm
- Whale Fiesta - Cabrillo Marine Aquarium - 3720 Stephen M White Drive, San Pedro, CA 90731, Sunday, February 1, 2026 - 10:00am - 3:00pm
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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 Orange County? 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 Orange County 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 best places to take kids in the Orange County, CA area. Each May-June, thousands of parents vote in the KidsOutAndAbout survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids. Who won the top spot? An indoor play center, museum, farm, nature center, sports team?
Click through to find out!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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