KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: February is Children’s Dental Health Month, which means it's the perfect time to talk about LYING. The first lie my daughter Madison ever attempted was when she was about 3. "Did you brush your teeth?” I asked as she was getting ready for bed. She nodded earnestly, but I had my doubts; a check of the toothbrush revealed it was dry as the Sahara.
"Looks like we need a do-over," I said. "Try again." In a 2025 Delta Dental study of 1000 parents of kids age 12 and under, 67% of respondents reported difficulty in getting their kids to brush their teeth. And in a related but thoroughly unscientific
survey, 100% of the friends I asked told me that their own kids have lied about tooth brushing at least once. See, young children don’t experience truth as adults do; their developing minds blur the line between reality and hope, between what happened and what they would prefer had happened. Brushing is tedious, being done is better. Add a desire to please Mom, and those wires can cross. In those early years, our job is to help kids gradually separate fact from wishful
thinking. You might think that prosecuting dishonesty harshly might scare kids into telling the truth, but that often just scares them into hiding more cleverly. Our goal as parents isn't just to have kids who brush their teeth and do their own homework and someday file tax returns without creative interpretations of “business mileage,” although we do want all those things. But overall, we want kids who are brave enough to be, rather than seem to be. If
they see early that mistakes can be brought into the light and fixed with a do-over, they’re far less likely to build a life around pretending they didn't happen. So my best recommendation for Children's Dental Health Month is to model both scrupulous honesty and scrupulous teeth-brushing yourself. In case you need an immediate solution, though, I hunted down a list of kids' best tooth-brushing songs thoughtfully supplied by the American Dental Association. Grit your teeth and hum along.
—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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Make a splash at Goldfish Swim School! With six convenient locations across PA and NJ, we’re bringing the Science of SwimPlay to your neighborhood. Our shiver-free, 90-degree pools and small class sizes ensure your child gains confidence and essential water
safety skills in a fun, tropical environment all while providing a flexible schedule and makeup lessons! Whether your kiddo is a beginner or advanced swimmer, Goldfish has a level for them! Join the fun at our Pennsylvania locations in Fort Washington, Oaks, Doylestown, and Langhorne, or catch a wave in New Jersey at Mount Laurel or Princeton. Dive into a golden experience today!
https://goldfishswimschool.com/greater-philadelphia
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Enjoy locally sourced spirits and wines, a late stroll in our galleries, and music. We keep our galleries open late and reduce our prices every Friday night. Join us for half-off admission, music, locally sourced drinks and snacks, and tours to start your
weekend. Every Friday at the Art Museum from 5–8:45 p.m.!
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Put your imagination to work this January & February during our CRAFT-Struction Zone craft theme! Hammer out big ideas and build colorful creations as you glue, paint, and craft your way through the attraction.
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Love is in the air at Winter in Franklin Square! Celebrate Valentine’s Day all February at Philly Mini Golf with LOVE. Adorable decorations and red and pink lights adorn the Philly Mini Golf course, setting a dreamy mood for you and your Valentine!
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Celebrate the Year of the Horse with themed food and drink specials throughout the week.
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Contemporary Ballet Sure to Move You. This program explores the whimsical and surrealist side of the dreamscape with two ballets from FSBT’s repertoire by choreographer Viktor Plotnikov: Fantasy to Dvorak and Nonsense (In the Sense of Innocence). Audiences
will enjoy the striking costumes and electrifying movement brought back onstage for the first time since their premieres.
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Ring in the Lunar New Year with us! Enjoy a festive performance by the Philadelphia Suns and themed workshops that bring the traditions of the holiday to life.
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Come to Reading Terminal Market on Saturday, February 21 and enjoy a traditional Lion Dance from the Philadelphia Suns to celebrate Lunar New Year!
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Praised by the New York Times as a company of “warm, generous dancers presenting a vibrant tour of Mexican traditions with eye-popping costumes,” the acclaimed folkloric dance ensemble presents the Philadelphia premiere of a full-length production of Native
Mexico honoring Native American dance traditions still alive in Mexico.
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Make Victorian Valentine's Day Cards and seal them with wax at Historic St.
George's, Museum & Archives! This event is FREE for all ages (donations appreciated).
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A calm and welcoming skate session designed for all! Come enjoy a relaxed skating experience in a comfortable and inclusive environment!
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Join the National Constitution Center for its Sensory-Friendly Days, an accessible learning experience for people of all abilities and their families. Visitors with sensory-processing challenges can experience the museum in a secure and comfortable
environment that includes modified programming and emotionally safe spaces with sensory objects, comfortable seating, and cool blue lighting.
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Meet colonial women who will share true tales of the Black experience in Philadelphia and listen to Ince Upon A Nation Storytellers share little-known stories about the city’s Free Black community in the 18th century and beyond. These Black History Month
programs at the Betsy Ross House are FREE.
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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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- Lunar New Year Celebration with the Philadelphia Suns at Reading Terminal Market – Reading Terminal Market, Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA, Friday, February 21, 2026, 11 AM - 5 PM
- Crafting History: Victorian Valentines –
235 N 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, Friday, February 21, 2026, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
- Lunar
New Year at the Rail Park – The Rail Park, Callowhill Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, Friday, February 21, 2026, 1 - 4 PM
- Soup, Chili, Rummage, Used Book & Bake Sale – 301 North Main Street, Chalfont, PA, Friday, February 21, 2026, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Black History Month: History Maker Saturdays & Storytelling Sundays - Betsy Ross House – Betsy Ross House,
Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA, Saturday, February 22, 2026, 11 AM - 3 PM
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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the Philadelphia 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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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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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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