KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: For much of the country this year, March simultaneously is bringing hope that spring may in fact return to North America AND the awareness that every car is at risk for the foreseeable future. All winter long, water seeps into asphalt cracks, freezes, expands, melts, and freezes again, and bit by bit the driving experience becomes a game called Avoid the
Crater. But lately I’ve started seeing the repair trucks out there again, their bright-vested workers moving methodically from hole to hole with their shovels. Every time I pass them, it gives me a lift, not just because it means someday soon I'll start seeing flowers out in the real world, but also because potholes are one of those perfect reminders of what humans do. Playrooms, projects, and paperwork start out neat, but over time, weather, wear, gravity, and
procrastination take their toll. No matter how strict the system, order gradually slides toward chaos. And then humans step in and make it right again. I saw the cycle in action at the KidsOutAndAbout office last week: Our storage room had slowly become a museum of random supplies, half-filled bins, and Christmas decorations that had been tossed in with a hopeful Future Us will deal with this someday. Fortunately, my colleague Michelle, who works in our data department,
is also a genius organizer. A few hours after Future Michelle stepped in and applied logic and elbow grease, the little room had transformed from a cluttered cave into a serene space. The quickening of the seasons seems to bring that same energy into our homes: Closets get sorted, garages get swept, junk drawers finally meet their match. It feels good, not just because the space looks better, but because fixing things reminds us of something important: Disorder is normal, but
it’s not permanent. Humans can step in and bring brightness back. So here’s to spring cleaning, organized shelves, and freshly patched roads. Our tires, and our spirits, roll much more smoothly because humans fill potholes.
—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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Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet offers exceptional classical ballet training in a nurturing, professional environment. Whether your child is exploring dance or pursuing it more seriously, PAB builds strong foundations in technique, discipline, and
confidence. Our experienced teachers tailor instruction to each dancer, helping them grow artistically and physically while fostering a love of dance. With small class sizes, performance opportunities, and a welcoming community, PAB is the perfect place for your child to thrive. From improved posture and balance to lifelong friendships and self-expression, ballet at PAB is an investment in your child’s well-being, happiness, and future.
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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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Adventures await this summer at Wolf PAC! From storytelling and acting to rehearsals, ensemble work, singing, and learning exciting choreography, students will build skills, confidence, and friendships — all while preparing to perform for a live audience.
With 10-week sessions, before and after care options, professional teaching artists, and the opportunity to perform in a professional black box theatre, this is more than a camp — it’s a summer your child will never forget.
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Come out for the unveiling of the Science History Institute's new exhibit. Philadelphia was once known as the “workshop of the world” due to the abundance of factories, products, and infrastructure located within the city. From the 1800s through the 1920s,
ships, yarn, paints, and more were manufactured on the banks of the Schuylkill and Delaware rivers.
This display features works originally published by some of the pioneering companies that made Philadelphia an industrial powerhouse. Guests
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There’s no stopping brainy fun on Pi Day!
Don’t be irrational and join us for Brain Awareness Day with a Pi Day twist! Let’s get rolling into the world of neuroscience with hands-on activities, engaging demonstrations, and expert dissections. On this day, you can have your Pi and eat it too!
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Let's get crafty! At this FREE, drop-in workshop, kids will make spring-themed crafts at their own pace. All materials provided.
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Join us for a shamrockin’ good time as we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 14 and March 15.
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ShamROCK ‘n’ roll! Follow the rainbow to Sesame Place and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with your favorite Sesame Street friends!
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The 2026 Bucks County St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee has selected Jeff Sproehnle as Grand Marshal, 39-year veteran of the Middletown Township Police Department. Prior to his retirement in 2011, he rose to the rank of Detective and managed many notable
cases serving residents of Middletown Township and Bucks County. A long-time member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), Jeff served as Division 1 President for eight years, stepping down in 2025. He has been instrumental in supporting fundraising efforts such as the Hibernian Hunger Project and initiatives benefiting veterans in need.
Parade day is March 14th, 2026 @ 10:30am.
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Banish any bad luck of Friday the 13th and instead come catch some great luck of the Irish & celebrate St. Patrick's Day early with us. Bill Monaghan will lead a festive program of songs, stories, jokes, and toasts from Ireland. This is an all-ages
family program not to be missed!
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Countdown to the 2026 Parade! On Sunday, March 1, 2026, at 9:00 AM, the Commemorative Parade Mass is in Saint Patrick’s Church at 20th and Locust Streets in Center City. Prior to the Mass, the Procession of the Grand Marshal, Ring of Honor and the Board
Members will be led by the Emerald Society Pipe Band.
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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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A fun, high-energy, and musical experience for children and families!
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When Eric Carle was a boy, his father took him on walks in nature, peeled back the bark of a tree to show him the tiny creatures who lived underneath. “I think in my books, I honor my father by writing about small living things,” Eric Carle said. Animals
and insects were a central theme in Eric Carle’s long career as a Picture Writer, a title given to him by a young reader. “To me pictures need writing and writing needs pictures. A child once called me a picture writer, and that’s a good way to describe me,” Carle wrote.
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Black Girls Love Math invites you to be a part of their Pi Day Run, an exciting event that combines fitness, fun, and a celebration of mathematics!
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- Philadelphia: Workshop of the World - Science History Institute – Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, Friday, March 13, 2026, 5pm-7pm
- Dig Inn Grand Opening in Philadelphia, PA – Dig Inn, Philadelphia, PA, Friday, March 13, 2026, 12 p.m.
- What's Luck Got To Do With It? - Irish Favorites – 9233 Roosevelt Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19114, Friday, March 13, 2026, 3:30 pm
- 2026 Bucks County St. Patrick's Day
Parade – Philadelphia, PA, Saturday, March 14, 2026, 10:30 am
- St. Patrick's Day Weekend at
Elmwood Park Zoo – 1661 Harding Blvd, Norristown, PA 19401, Saturday, March 14, 2026 and Sunday, March 15, 2026, 10 am - 4 pm
- Philadelphia St. Patrick's Day Parade 2026 – The St. Patrick's Day Observance Association – P.O. Box 36629, Philadelphia, PA
19107, Sunday, March 15, 2026, 9 am
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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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