KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
I'm in Phoenix this week for a meeting of the American Astronomical Society, where I'm giving a talk about my new book, The Eclipse Effect. One of the best parts of being here is getting to attend the other presentations, too, which is how I found myself Monday night inside under the Dorrance Planetarium Dome at the Arizona Science Center, gazing up at a sky unlike any I’ve ever seen. Thanks to cutting-edge LED projection technology and the first imagery from the nearly-complete Rubin Observatory in Chile, the dome became a portal into the depths of our galaxy and beyond,
rendered in light so vivid and detailed it felt like we could fall in. The room was full of astronomers, researchers, educators—professionals who have dedicated their careers to explaining the universe. These were the very people who helped build the tools, who'd worked the math, who’d waited decades to see the science take shape... and even they were astonished: Their faces were lit up with the kind of awe you usually only see in children. It was a reminder that at its
heart, science is about connection. Connecting those points of light above my head, yes; connecting the dots, sure... but also connecting people—to each other, to wonder, and to what’s possible. If you want your kids to connect deeply with science—or history, or nature, or culture, or space—you don’t need a telescope on a mountain, you just need a person. So go to the museum, walk the trail, step into the planetarium. But don’t stop at the
exhibit signs: Find the people! Ask them questions. They want to talk to you! These docents, tour guides, librarians, explainers, and educators are the ones who turn information into illumination. They are the lens your kids can look through to see what their future might be. So seek the sky painters. Then stand next to your kids, look up, and be amazed together.
—Debra Ross, publisher |
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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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JOIN US FOR OUTDOOR ICE SKATING AT PPG PLACE IN PITTSBURGH! We are an outdoor ice skating rink in the center of the crown jewel of the Pittsburgh skyline, PPG Place.
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Discover the history and art of crayons. For over 100 years Crayola has been the favorite art tool for children and adults. This Pennsylvania based company has inspired countless projects, test some innovative crafts. Curiosity Kids programs are designed for visitors age kindergarten to grade 2. Programs are free, but space is limited. Please pick up a free ticket at the front desk when you arrive.
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Photojournalism is work and it is livelihood, it is craft and it is documentation, it is a way to be in the world and to share the world, it is a way to resist oppression while insisting on the fullness of life. Black Photojournalism presents work by nearly 60 photographers chronicling historic events and daily life in the United States from the conclusion of World War II in 1945 to the presidential campaigns of 1984, including the civil rights movements through the 1950s, 60s, and 70s.
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Story Saturday is a monthly story time that takes place in Extraordinary Ordinary Things, our decorative arts and design collection galleries. Each month, assistant curator Alyssa Velazquez will read a different children’s book. After the story, Jena Schieb, manager of youth programs, will lead an art-making activity designed for children ages 12 and under.
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Join The Lotus People and our favorite rescue felines to practice your best cat stretches at our Kitty Yoga! Led by a certified instructor from The Lotus People, our relaxing yoga flow is gentle enough for any experience level, even if you haven’t mastered the flexibility of our kitties yet! Need to unwind? Try Kitty Yoga at Kitty Queen! All yoga levels welcome and ages 8 and up are recommended. Please bring your own yoga mat.
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You are invited to join us for the very first Sensory Friendly Hours event at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum! Explore the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum in a sensory modified setting with quieter streetcars, lowered exhibit sounds, and soft lighting. Advanced registration is not required for this event. Tickets will be available at our regular admission prices.
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Join us for our Kids’ Winter Reading program! Kids ages 0-18 years can sign up beginning 1/5 and the program runs until 3/21. Read 10 chapter books or 50 picture books and receive a free scoop of ice cream from Scoops in Bellevue!
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Penguins on Parade is dependent on many conditions and may be canceled for the safety of our resident birds. Please check back regularly to see if Penguins on Parade will be available on your weekend of interest. Waddling back into weather-permitting weekends this winter, enjoy our Pittsburgh Zoo penguins taking a walk outside the Aquarium. Fun for everyone!
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Children 0-5 can explore a variety of stations on their own time. Possible stations include sensory baskets, ball pit, water table, light table, Kinetic sand, Playdoh, seasonal sensory bins, and more! No registration necessary, just come to the program room to join the fun!
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Relive the magic of year six in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince™ in Concert. With this film, based on the sixth installment of the classic saga, fans of all ages can now experience the thrilling tale of Harry’s obsession with a mysterious potions book accompanied by the music of a live symphony orchestra as Harry soars across the big screen in HD!
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- Winter Tales: An Immersive Experience - The Westmoreland Museum of American Art - 221 North Main Street, Greensburg, PA 15601, Friday, January 9, 2026, 10 am - 3 pm
- Sensory
Playtime at Pleasant Hills Public Library - Old Clairton Road, Pittsburgh, PA, Friday, January 9, 2026, 10:30 - 11:30 am
- Drop-In Beading - Old Clairton Road, Pittsburgh, PA, Friday, January 9, 2026, 2:30 - 3:30 PM
- Black Photojournalism at Carnegie Museum of Art - 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, Friday, January 9, 2026, Friday–Wednesday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Thursday: 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
- Kids Winter Reading 2026 at Andrew Bayne Memorial Library - 34 North
Balph Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15202, Friday, January 9, 2026, Monday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Tuesday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Thursday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Friday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Little Bookworms at Baldwin Library - Wolfe Drive, Pleasant Hills, PA, Friday, January 9, 2026, 10:30 - 11:30 am
- Carnegie Lab at Carnegie Museum of
Art - 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, Friday, January 9, 2026, 10 am - 1 pm
- Story Saturdays at Carnegie Museum of Art - 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, Saturday, January 10, 2026, 10 am - 5 pm
- Winter Tales: An Immersive Experience - The Westmoreland Museum of American Art - 221 North Main Street, Greensburg, PA 15601, Saturday, January 10, 2026 and Sunday, January 11, 2026, 10 am - 3 pm
- Black Photojournalism at Carnegie Museum of Art - 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, Saturday, January 10, 2026 and Sunday, January 11, 2026, Friday–Wednesday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Thursday: 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
- Kids Winter Reading 2026 at Andrew Bayne Memorial Library - 34 North Balph Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15202, Saturday, January 10, 2026 and Sunday, January 11, 2026, Monday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Tuesday: 10 a.m.
– 7 p.m., Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Thursday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Friday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
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EXPERIENCES create memories much more than stuff does. As you're considering gifts for family and friends, consider giving the gift of a family membership to one of our local attractions in and around Pittsburgh. Here are local organizations that offer
memberships.
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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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2025's best places to take kids in and around Pittsburgh, based on KidsOutAndAbout's annual reader survey. Plus there is LOTS more to do in and around Pittsburgh beyond the Top 20: Get great ideas here at KidsOutAndAbout.com!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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