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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Dare to experience the dangers and delights of Dinosaur World Live in this Olivier award-winning interactive show for all the family? Grab your compass and join our intrepid explorer across uncharted territories to discover a pre-historic world of astonishing (and remarkably life-like) dinosaurs. Meet a host of impressive creatures, including every child's favourite flesh-eating giant, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, a Triceratops, Giraffatitan, Microraptor and Segnosaurus! This international smash hit is back by popular demand and ready for its third major US tour.
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A sensory-friendly morning designed for guests with sensory sensitivities, autism, and other disabilities, along with their families. This program is reserved for guests with pre-registered tickets only; the Museum will open to guests with general admission and member tickets at 11 AM.
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The Michener Art Museum’s annual Martin Luther King Day of Service and Art honors the memory of Dr. King. We invite you to spend time with us learning about Dr. King and his legacy. We will also hear from a representative from the Bucks County Housing Group Food Pantry before painting beautiful tote bags to share with them.
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Explore the Magic Gardens Museum with a knowledgeable educator on a 40 minute guided tour followed by 20 minutes to explore the space on your own before we open to the public. Learn about the history of the artists, neighborhood, and artwork in a tranquil setting. This tour also includes access to the fully mosaicked basement, which is not normally open for general admission visitors.
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The Kennett Square Farmers Market has been serving our community since 2000. It is a program of Kennett Collaborative, the non-profit organization that works to promote, encourage and enhance the economic, community and social vitality of our town. As a gathering point for the community, local farmers and food artisans bring their very own locally-grown and freshly-made goodness to market each week. Consumers have the opportunity to connect directly with small growers and producers, building relationships, trust, and a stronger local food economy.
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For more than 32 seasons, Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest has been Philadelphia's favorite wintertime tradition on the Delaware River Waterfront. It invites visitors to indulge in flights of fancy under thousands of sparkling lights in a wonderland with spectacular views of the Delaware River.
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Dogs, cats, birds…and more! A complement to Small Living Things: The Magical Art of Eric Carle, this exhibition features a selection of works from the Michener’s permanent collection, putting your furry, feline, and flying friends on center stage. From sculpture to painting, artists like Henry B. Snell, Daniel Garber, Lizbeth Stewart, Charles Ward, Robert Winokur, Judith Heep, Katharine Steele Renninger, and Edith Emerson depicted animals in a variety of media, emphasizing the significant artistic inspiration they found in these creatures. Whether portraits of beloved companions or unique portrayals of everyday animals, these artworks invite viewers to experience the whimsy and wonder of the creatures in our collection.
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Jan 17-18: Philadelphia Theatre Company presents a children’s tale of culture and confidence! Young Yeila dreams of being a superstar, but her lack of confidence gives her awful stage fright. With advice from her mother and mentors, Yeila begins her journey to find her roots, get confidence, and be amazing! Get four tickets for $75 using promo code FAMILY26.
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A holiday tradition since 1984! The Gingerbread Competition & Display at Peddler’s Village is a feast for the eyes with more than 100 creative and whimsical entries crafted by the public in different categories. The gingerbread entries will be on exhibit during shopping hours from November 14 through January 17, 2026 in the Visitor & Event Center. Admission is free.
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It's Ben's Birthday, You're Invited! Join us in celebration of Philadelphia’s favorite founding father and our very own namesake on his 320th birthday. This lively birthday bash is packed with hands-on fun, games, and music, plus a few surprises! Snap a pic in front of the 20-foot-tall Benjamin Franklin National Memorial. Play Franklin-themed games, design birthday hats, see hair-raising electricity experiments, and hear the unique sound of “Happy Birthday” being played live on Franklin’s own invention, the glass armonica, with a celebratory ball-pit ball explosion finale! Franklin’s legacy will be on full, festive display during his birthday celebration, with programming, experiments, and activities designed to inspire ingenuity and showcase the innovative spirit in all of us. Come celebrate Ben the Franklin Institute way. Curious, creative, and electric!
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- Open House - The Christian Academy - 4301 Chandler Drive, Brookhaven, PA 19015, Saturday, January 16, 2026, 9 - 11 am
- Gingerbread Competition & Display at Peddler's Village - Peddler's Pub, Peddlers Village, Lahaska, PA, Saturday, January 16, 2026, 10 am - 9 pm
- Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend at the Museum - Museum of the American Revolution, South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA, Saturday, January 16, 2026 to Monday, January 18, 2026, 10 am - 5 pm
- January 17 Family Art Club Ages 2-18 with Bob Dix - Tacony LAB Community Arts Center - Torresdale Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, Sunday, January 17, 2026, 10 am - 10:45 am
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service and Art - Michener Art Museum - 138 S Pine St, Doylestown, PA 18901, Sunday, January 17, 2026, 1 - 3 pm
- Gingerbread Competition & Display at Peddler's
Village - Peddler's Pub, Peddlers Village, Lahaska, PA, Sunday, January 17, 2026, 11 am - 7 pm
- Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend at the Museum - Museum of the American Revolution, South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA, Monday, January 18, 2026, 10 am - 5 pm
- Gingerbread Competition & Display at Peddler's Village - Peddler's Pub, Peddlers Village, Lahaska, PA, Monday, January 18, 2026,
10 am - 9 pm
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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 Philadelphia. Here are local organizations that offer
memberships.
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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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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Philadelphia 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 and around Philadelphia, based on KidsOutAndAbout's annual reader survey. But there is LOTS more to do in Philly! Get great ideas here at KidsOutAndAbout.com! What is listed below are just the starting point: Browse
through our site and calendar to find lots more!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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