KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
The February my daughter Ella was 1, she caught a cold that lingered for months. There were short stretches of relief, but mostly there was congestion, disrupted sleep, and a level of crankiness that turned my sunny baby into someone I barely recognized. The clouds around her felt constant, and one day, I caught myself labeling her in my head as “the crabby one.” But
of course, if I had a perpetually runny nose and no way to manage it, I’d be irritable, too! I needed to remember this wasn’t her personality, it was a season. What we needed to get through it was distraction: something fun to do "right now" and also fun things to anticipate. Aside from those who live in paradise pockets like San Diego, most of our readers are in the thick of a particularly dreary winter. The world feels heavy and gray, energy
runs low, and it’s easy to fixate on how dispirited we feel. But we need to remember that this isn't our personality, it's a season. What we need to get through it is distraction in the moment and also something positive we can place on our horizon. My family is counting down to the March 20 release of Project Hail Mary, which stars Ryan Gosling. The movie is based on the novel by Andy Weir, who also wrote The Martian. You don't have to be a science nerd to love Weir's books
(although science nerds DO love Weir's books), because in all of them, the real hero is human ingenuity—curiosity, flexible thinking, doing what needs to be done even in extreme circumstances. When things are going awry, the answer isn’t despair, it’s problem-solving, and I always emerge from a Weir book feeling spiritually lighter. While I immerse myself in Weir and Gosling, you, of course, should do YOU! Let the art or sport that grabs you and your kids be your launch ticket
to optimism now, and lift you to fun in the future. We're glad to provide the fuel!
—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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Be Our Guest at BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Disney’s first North American production of the beloved musical in over 25 years. This enchanting and timeless tale, filled with the romance and grandeur audiences know and love, has been brought to life like never
before, with spectacular new sets and dazzling costumes. The show boasts the Oscar®-winning and Tony Award®-nominated score, including the classic songs “Be Our Guest” and “Beauty and the Beast.”
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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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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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The PHS Philadelphia Flower Show is the nation’s largest and longest-running horticultural event and fundraiser featuring stunning displays by the world’s premier floral, garden, and landscape designers.
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Our annual celebration that focuses on the joys of reading returns on Sunday, March 1, from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm! Read Across America is a nationally-celebrated event that aims to motivate reading among children of all ages. You can purchase books from our
book fair, spend time with local authors, and meet characters Beauty and Beast during a special story time presentation!
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Celebrate the young musicians of the Philadelphia region by joining Philadelphia Youth Orchestra (PYO) concert at the Kimmel Center on March 1! Violist Dillon Scott, PYO ’22 & current student of Curtis Institute of Music, returns as soloist for Bartók’s
expressive Viola Concerto. The program concludes with Rachmaninoff’s Second Symphony, celebrated for its sweeping melodies and emotional depth.
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Celebrate the 2026 Lunar New Year at the Comcast Center Campus.
In 2026, the Comcast Center Campus welcomes the Year of the Horse with free programming, events, and experiences. The Lunar New Year is celebrated by millions of people around the world, including the vibrant community of Philadelphia.
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Looking for the perfect family block of fun this winter? Join us at Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest for Storytime & Skate with Characters, an afternoon of magical moments, cozy stories, and ice skating with your child’s favorite costumed
friends on select Sundays this season.
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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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Looking for something fun to do with the ENTIRE family? We've got you - go see John Cassidy's ALL AGES Magic Show at Soul Joel's in Pottstown PA on February 28th! This show has it all - comedy, magic and even really weird things with balloons! This show
is meant to be enjoyed as a family so bring everyone!
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The time of freezing nights and thawing days has come...and the smell of maple syrup is in the air! Help farmers collect sap in the woods, make syrup in the sap house, and taste whole wheat pancakes. Lunch will also be available for purchase.
Visitors can also learn how to bring the operation into their own backyards, with tree tapping demonstrations. Dress for the job: the work has sweet rewards, but it can be muddy, icy, and windy in the sugar bush.
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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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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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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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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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