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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Pacific Marine Mammal Center rescues and rehabilitates sick, injured, or malnourished marine mammals along Orange County’s coastline. As an educational hub for marine science, part of our mission is sharing what our scientists are discovering about ocean
health through the patients we treat. Our hands-on, STEAM focused education programs engage all ages and audiences, including schools, groups, scouts, children, teens, and college students. Programs include time observing rehabilitating patients and hearing their stories, which exemplify real-world conservation issues our scientists are investigating. Our visitor yard is open daily, free of charge (beginning in March of 2026). You can view our patients and talk with knowledgeable docents.
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Celebrate the Lunar New Year in the heart of Little Saigon on Saturday, February 21, as the City of Westminster presents the 2026 Westminster Tết Parade honoring the Year of the Horse. This year’s theme, “Spring of Unity: Galloping Toward Growth,”
highlights cultural pride, resilience, and community connection. The Opening Ceremony begins at 8:30 a.m., followed by the parade at 9:30 a.m. The route starts at Bolsa Avenue and Magnolia Street, travels eastbound on Bolsa Avenue, turns south on Bushard Street, and concludes at Bishop Place.
For more than two decades, the Tết Parade has attracted global audiences through local television and social media. The celebration features floats, marching bands, lion dances, martial arts, cultural attire, community groups, youth and veteran organizations, elected officials, and local and international businesses.
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Join us for an in-person tour of Guidepost Montessori at Foothill Ranch!
Our school is located at 26462 Towne Centre Dr and we are now enrolling for all programs. Tour our campus, meet our team and learn more about our authentic, accredited Montessori school.
Whether your family is new to Montessori or transitioning from a traditional or private school, we are eager to meet your family and get to know your needs.
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Little Folk Club returns to Dana Point Harbor. Join us on the Island for plenty of interactive music and Friday fun to kick off the weekend.
Located across the bridge at Island Way right in front of the Richard Henry Dana Statue. Please feel free to bring along your favorite instruments, blankets, towels, and chairs.
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Enter our CAN THE TRASH! Clean Beach Poster Contest for a chance to share your message with millions of beach visitors across Los Angeles County!
If you win, your artwork will be displayed on trash barrels at the beach—helping remind everyone to keep our beaches clean. Students can submit posters online, in person, or by mail. The contest is open to students in grades 3–5 who live in Los Angeles County. Please note that online entries must be submitted by an adult.
To enter, draw a picture with a message showing how we can keep our oceans and beaches clean, healthy, and free of pollution. Use your creativity, bold colors, and big ideas—we can’t wait to see what you create!
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It's Time to Get Tiny! Step through the Magic Door and explore Gabby's dollhouse.
Gabby and the kitty crew are throwing a special Friendship Party—but it’s not ready yet! They need everyone’s help to make, bake, and decorate the party together. Play your way through the dollhouse: Get tiny in Gabby's bedroom, "bake" in Cakey's Kitchen, explore the Magic Fairy Garden, try your hand at Spa Science, culminating in an epic dance party in the party room where you meet Gabby herself for a sweet photo moment.
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Spread the love this Valentine’s Day by creating handmade gifts for pets in need! Families can drop in anytime between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. to make toys, treats, cozy items, and vintage animal-themed Valentine cards. Each creation will help brighten
the day of a shelter pet.
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Celebrate America’s past presidents at Pretend City for President’s Day! Enjoy a little patriotic adventure through the city while learning all about the role of the President, Monday, February 17, 2020!
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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the OC 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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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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