KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: One day last week, I was driving home around 7 pm when I glanced out the passenger's window and saw a stunning rainbow stretched fully across the sky, glowing in front of dark gray storm clouds that were rushing away to the east. I was approaching a stop light. Left was the way home, where various chores awaited... but right was the way to the rainbow. My husband
was driving behind me, and I knew that if I turned right, he was going to think I had lost my mind. For a split second, practicality made its case: Don’t be silly; go home, you have stuff to do. But then another question darted into my mind: Am I a person who chases rainbows, or am I not? Once I framed it that way, the answer was easy. For kids and grownups alike, this can actually be a helpful way to make all kinds of decisions. When
the moment comes to act, it helps to ask not just What do I feel like doing? but Who am I? Am I a person who tells the truth? Am I a person who helps? Am I a person who persists when times are hard? Am I a person who stops to notice the beautiful things around me? We build identity one choice at a time for our entire lives. The clearer we are about who we want to be, the easier it becomes to know what to do in the moment, to give ourselves evidence that we are, in fact, that sort
of person. I hope the kids in your world grow up thinking of themselves as people who seek what is bright and good and full of wonder. It’s our job to show them that delight is often worth the detour.
—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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SHEN YUN’S unique artistic vision expands theatrical experience into a multi-dimensional, deeply moving journey. Featuring one of the world’s most ancient and richest dance systems—classical Chinese dance—along with dynamic animated backdrops and all-original orchestral works, Shen Yun opens a portal to a civilization of enchanting beauty and enlightening wisdom.
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Art in Bloom celebrates the accomplishments of over 150 student artists in this exhibition of artwork created in our weekend art classes for children age 3 through grade 7, from September 2025 to April 2026. These include Michener Minis (ages 3-6 with adult), Discover Art (grades 1-4), and Explore Art (grades 4-7). During these classes, students are introduced to new skills and techniques through demonstrations, observations, and individualized attention. A great emphasis is placed upon the students’ own curiosities, interests and determination. They draw from their own interpretation of special exhibitions and permanent collections within the galleries of the Museum as well as their own personal lives and imagination.
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Step into the world of Mossy Bottom Farm and join Shaun the Sheep™️ and his flock of friends for a baa-rilliant adventure! Shaun the Sheep™️: Flock This Way! is a hands-on exhibit that encourages playful problem-solving and resilience through fun, quirky activities inspired by Aardman’s award-winning animations. This exhibit runs from Feb. 7 to May 10.
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Celebrate Spring with a Festival of Colors! Philadelphia Zoo and the Council of Indian Organizations are proud to present an Indian Festival of Colors! Visit the Zoo for a day of Indian music, dancing, food, and fun featuring artists from Philadelphia’s vibrant Indian American community. Holi celebrates the arrival of spring, the end of winter, the blossoming of love, and for many, it is a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships.
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Every day is Earth Day, but today we join over 190 countries in celebrating our planet through education, action, and community! Join us at the Nature Center for hands-on activities that connect us to nature and inspire care for our environment. This is a drop-in event and will take place rain or shine.
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Celebrate Earth Day with the Schuylkill Center at Naturepalooza! Celebrate Earth Day with the Schuylkill Center at Naturepalooza! One of the longest running Earth Day celebrations in Philadelphia is back and better than ever. Check out the center-wide Nature Passport scavenger hunt; try your hand at some nature-based crafts and activities; join a guided hike led by community members; and so much more! Meet some of our favorite supporting organizations, get your hands dirty, and play in nature with us for this free event. Registration is recommended for event and weather updates.
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Explore a unique view of the Morris while walking up the gentle Magnolia Slope. Magnolias, dogwoods, and conifers are spread all across the entrance, greeting visitors. This rarely walked area captures the spring beauty of flowering trees contrasted with the majestic conifers. This tour is off path, and visitors are advised to wear walking or hiking shoes. Meet at the kiosk as you enter the Morris. Park to the left of the garden entrance. Free with general admission
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Join over a dozen historical tradespeople at the Museum on Saturday, April 25, 2026, to do hands-on crafts and activities. See demonstrations of 18th-century skills and trades, such as a pepper-pot soup seller, an engraver, a woodworker, a bandbox maker, and more. Meet the people who made the Revolution in 1770s Philadelphia. Don't forget to get your History Explorer passport stamped by all of the different makers!
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Lace up your running shoes! Join hundreds of runners and walkers for the annual Run Wild for the Zoo 5K and One-Mile Fun Run/Walk at Philadelphia Zoo! On Sunday, April 26th, join 2,000 participants at the 2026 Run Wild for the Zoo 5K at Philadelphia Zoo! Benefiting the Zoo’s 1,900 rare and endangered animals, this event provides a fun opportunity to rally behind our organization and run a truly unique course inside the Zoo’s 42-acre campus in West Philadelphia.
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Experience religious art in the making! Watch artists work in metal, glass, sand, stone, eggs, and ink. Enjoy full museum and Tower access, family activities, and The Sacred Art of Ethiopia exhibition. Food truck on-site.
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Like "Whose Line?" meets "The Lord of the Rings", Roll Play combines live interactive theater with the fantasy hijinks of D&D storytelling. Perfect for the whole family!
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Who doesn't love food...better yet from food trucks! We are partnering with local food trucks to bring you these food-tastic events at Linvilla! Along with delicious treats from the trucks make sure you grab a beer in the Beer Garden! The atmosphere will be filled with music and fun for the whole family! You won't want to miss it!
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- Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - Philadelphia area - Shoott - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, USA, 04/24/2026 to 04/26/2026, See link for times
- Habitat Stewards at Newlin Grist Mill - Newlin Grist Mill Park, Cheyney Road, Glen Mills, PA, USA, 04/25/2026, 1-3pm
- Naturepalooza - Schuylkill Center
- Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, Hagy's Mill Road, Philadelphia, PA 19128, United States, 04/25/2026, 11 am - 3 pm
- FREE Youth Choir - Singing City: Next Generation - Temple University - Presser Hall (2001 N. 13th St.) Philadelphia, PA 19121, 04/25/2026,
12:30PM-1:30PM
- Camerata Philadelphia - Season Finale - The Church of the Holy Trinity, Walnut Street, Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 04/25/2026, 1:00 PM
- Chess A2Z April Webinar: WGM Zoey Tang - Think Pawn Structures & Key Positional Ideas You Must - Chess A2Z - 10940 SW Barnes Rd 247, Portland, OR 97225, 04/26/2026, 7PM to 8PM PDT
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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the Philadelphia area is back! You can search by date, age, or categories like day/overnight, sports, drama, music, theatre, arts & crafts, technology, robotics, horseback riding, preschool, &
more. Our guide puts summer fun right at your…
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Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the Philadelphia? 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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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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