KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Wed, Feb 11: Dungeons & Dragons for Teens at Ironwood Library
Thu, Feb 12:
Homeschool Explorations: Stained Glass Discovery (For students 6-11) at The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation
- Taliesin West
Fri, Feb 13: Ernie Barnes-Inspired Painting - Black History Month | at Ironwood Library
Sat, Feb 14: Transportation Day at God's Garden Preschool of Ahwatukee
Sat, Feb 14: Girls in STEM: Stellar Science at Arizona Science Center
Sat, Feb 14: Pokémon Trainer Academy at Cholla Library
Mon, Feb 16: Lunar New Year Celebration at Sam Garcia Library (All Ages)
Thu, Feb 19: Alice in Wonderland Jr. at Musical Theatre of Anthem!
Sat, Feb 21: Kids Market- Casa Grande Farmers Market
Sat, Feb 21: Arizona Matsuri 2026 at Steele Indian School Park |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
My first job out of college was as the managing editor at a small medical publishing company in New York City. I worked alongside Steve, our associate editor. My strength was structure and rhythm; his was medical accuracy and detail. We made a good team. One day, Steve walked into my office waving some printed pages. “Deb, can you do that
thing you do, so I can check out the science?” “What thing?” I asked. “You know,” he said, “that magic you work where the writing comes in muddy and you turn it into something clear, logical, and even fun to read.” I’ve never forgotten that moment. Not just because it felt great to be seen, but because of what it taught me about leadership. We’re surrounded by people with unique strengths. As parents, friends, or leaders, one of the most
powerful things we can do is notice those strengths and say them out loud. When we do, people rise. Kids rise. They lean into what they’re good at, and their futures get brighter. It’s not magic—it’s just the natural result of being seen and valued—but it feels like it. Over the years, as I raised kids, built a business team, and worked within various communities, I kept returning to that lesson: Leadership isn’t about having a title, it’s about paying attention.
You can’t run a family or a business unless you know who you’re with and what makes them shine. And once you start validating others (“You know that thing you do? Please do that!”) you become a leader. Even if you're just leading someone to be more themselves. So today, find a reason to start a conversation: “You know that thing you do?...” You won't see it right away, but trust me: Their horizon will glow.
—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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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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Cactus Clubhouse is an engaging, hands-on nature play space designed especially for kids 12 and under. Bursting with opportunities for curiosity and discovery, it’s the perfect place for young explorers to let their imaginations run wild! Join us on the
weekends too for fun hands-on activities and crafts.
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Find out why Old Town Scottsdale is "the West's Most Western Town" during a morning filled with horses, line dancing, live music, historic wagons, rope demonstrations and more!
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This is what it's like celebrating at the Asian Festival on Jan 31 & Feb 1, 2026
at Mesa Community College from 11 am to 6 pm. The Asian Festival present
experiences that deepen our knowledge and understanding of Asian Culture,
traditions and heritage.
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Rev up the fun at CARnival, an epic car show for kids at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix on Saturday, January 31st from 9am-4pm! CARnival takes place in the Museum’s north parking lot where kids and adults can get up close and personal with a variety of
vehicles.
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Performances inside the Studio are FREE but require a ticket. Showcases the Valley's most talented youth performers with a day full of music, dance, and storytelling. The festival starts at 2 pm-6 pm and is completely free. Known for its signature community
parade across the bridge, or “el puente” in spanish, this festival brings together artists of all ages to highlight the importance of connecting traditional arts and culture practices from one generation to the next.
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- Music & Movement | Ironwood Library - Ironwood Library, 4333 E Chandler Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85048, Thursday, January 29, 2026, 9:30 am
- Family Storytime at Pecos Park - Pecos Park, South 48th Street, Phoenix, AZ, Friday, January 30, 2026, 9:30 am - 10 am
- emPOWERed Play: K-12 Homeschool Field Day - Encanto Sports Complex 2121 N 15th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ, Friday, January 30, 2026, 10 am
- Yoga Storytime | Century
Library - Century Library, 1750 E Highland Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85016, Friday, January 30, 2026, 10:15 am
- Pony
Express - 7506 East Indian School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, Friday, January 30, 2026, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
- Music
& Movement | Ironwood Library - Ironwood Library, 4333 E Chandler Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85048, Saturday, January 31, 2026, 9:30 am
- MakersBase | Ironwood Library - Ironwood Library, 4333 E Chandler Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85048, Saturday, January 31, 2026, 3 pm - 4 pm
- Asian Festival 2026 - Asian Festival, Saturday, January 31, 2026 to Sunday, February 1, 2026, 11 am
- Open House Sunday Series - At The Outlet, Inc., 3004 North 16th Street, Phoenix, AZ, Sunday, February 1, 2026, 3 - 5 pm
- POWER IN MOTION: SUNDAY OPEN HOUSES POP UP SESSIONS - At The Outlet, Inc., 3004 North 16th
Street, Phoenix, AZ 85016, Sunday, February 1, 2026, 3-5 pm
- El Puente Fest - Tempe Center For The Arts, West
Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ, Sunday, February 1, 2026, 2:00 PM
- AZ Rattlers Halftime Show Performance Opportunity - At The Outlet, Inc., 3004 North 16th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85016, Sunday, February 1, 2026, 3 - 5 pm
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Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the Phoenix area? 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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There are lots of places to have a birthday party in the Phoenix area! If there is an attraction that we have missed, please email us to let us know, and we'll add it promptly. Thank you! And you can
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2025's winners in KidsOutAndAbout's survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids in the Phoenix area. Our Top 20 results page includes a list of your top picks, including winners in special categories like Top Arts Educator, Top Sports Educator, and Top STEM
Educator!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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