KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Sat, Mar 28: Annual Doggie Street Festival Scottsdale at Chaparral Dog
Park
Sat, Mar 28: 2026 Dark Sky Festival - Fountain Hills Community Center
Sat, Mar 28: Dino Days: Dino Crew
Entertainment at Children's Museum of Phoenix
Thu, Apr 2: Eggstravaganza at Donnie Hale Park
Fri, Apr 3: Eggstravaganza at Mountain View Park
Sat, Apr 4: Bunnanza at Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza
Sat, Apr 4: Free Movies at the Boardwalk: Finding Nemo - Arizona Boardwalk
Sat, Apr 4: FBC Spring Festival 2026 at Foundation for Blind Children
Fri, Apr 10: Whoopee Daze Festival at Tolleson Veterans Park
Sat, Apr 11: KidFest 2026 at Friendship Park |
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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Lean Teen is a virtual nutrition, fitness and weight loss program for teens age 13-17 yrs. Lean Teen is designed to address unique teen challenges with the goal of changing daily eating habits by nutrition education and interactive challenges. This 90 day
program is paid for by most health insurance companies. You and your teen will meet with us virtually at a time that is convenient for you.
Our website contains all the information you need and once you contact us any questions can be answered. I have been using this system in a face to face office setting with excellent results. I am a pediatric nurse practitioner with over 20 years of experience in the Phoenix area.
Pauline GossPediatric Nurse Practitioner
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The Chandler Chamber Ostrich Festival returns for two weekends in 2026: March 13-15 and March 20-22, now bigger and better than ever at its new home, Rawhide Western Town & Event Center. This family-friendly festival features a mix of national and local
entertainment, stage shows, carnival rides and games, classic festival food, and interactive activities for all ages.
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Visit the Children's Museum of Phoenix and meet some very realistic dinosaurs from Dino Crew Entertainment! They will be hanging out in the Museum's Atrium, taking photos, and interacting with guests.
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Experience the Emerald Isle at MIM! Learn about the beautiful culture of Ireland through its rich and captivating musical traditions.
Programming supported in part by the City of Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture and Arizona Commission on the Arts.
Supported by the Irish Cultural Center and McClelland Library.
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Come experience "Movies at the Boardwalk," sponsored by Valley Toyota Dealers, a free family event with music, games, and tons of prizes beginning at 5:00 pm. The movie will begin at 6:30pm. There are plenty of options to grab a bite before the movie in the
courtyard.
Come early to claim your spot, as space will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. We recommend bringing your own folding chairs and/or blankets.
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Put on your green and join the Town of Fountain Hills as we ShamROCK the Hills at our Irish Fountain Fest! Food, fun, and music will all be a part of this family-friendly event, and who could forget that our World Famous Fountain will be transformed into a
bright emerald green geyser at 12:00 and 4:00 p.m. This event will feature a kid’s zone, Traditional Irish folk music, a Celtic rock band, food trucks, beer garden, and much more! This event is open to families of all ages and is completely free of charge!
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Spring Break just got upgraded! Join us at iCode Scottsdale for 1-day Spring Break camps from March 16th – March 19th, featuring a full day of hands-on creativity, coding, and game design. Each camp runs 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM and is $129 per student. Students
will build real tech skills in a fun, instructor-led environment while creating projects they’ll be excited to show off!
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- Yoga Storytime | Century Library - Century Library, 1750 E Highland Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85016, Phoenix, Friday, 03/13/2026, 10:15 am
- Phoenix Zoo Live on Location | Century Library - Century Library, 1750 E Highland
Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85016, Phoenix, Friday, 03/13/2026, 12 pm
- Brick Builders | Juniper
Library - Juniper Library, 1825 W Union Hills Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85027, Phoenix, Friday, 03/13/2026, 3:30 pm
- Let's Build | Century Library - Century Library, 1750 E Highland Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85016, Phoenix, Saturday, 03/14/2026, 2 pm
- Tools for School | Cholla Library - Cholla Library, 10050 North Metro Parkway East, Phoenix, AZ 85051, Phoenix, Saturday, 03/14/2026,
10 am
- Dungeons and Dragons for Teens - Desert Broom Library, 29710 N Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85331, Phoenix, Saturday, 03/14/2026, 1 pm
- Community Crafting | Sunshine Craft Co - Sunshine Craft Co, 700 W Campbell Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85013, Phoenix, Sunday, 03/15/2026, See website
- MakersBase | Ironwood Library - Ironwood Library, 4333 E Chandler Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85048, Phoenix, Saturday, 03/14/2026, 3 pm - 4 pm
- Free Movies at the Boardwalk: The
Little Mermaid - Arizona Boardwalk - Arizona Boardwalk, 9500 East Vía de Ventura, Scottsdale, AZ 85256, Scottsdale, Saturday, 03/14/2026, 5 pm
- Briar Patch Marketplace at Horizon High School - Horizon High School, East Greenway Road, Scottsdale, AZ, Scottsdale, Saturday,
03/14/2026 to Sunday, 03/15/2026, 9 am - 4 pm
- Irish Fountain Fest 2026 - Fountain Park, North Saguaro Boulevard, Fountain Hills, AZ, Fountain Hills, Saturday, 03/14/2026, 11 am - 5 pm
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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the Phoenix 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 fingertips!
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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the Phoenix 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 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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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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