KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: The first time I can remember having to take a public stand on anything was in eighth grade English. We were assigned an essay on a controversial topic and told we’d present our arguments to the class. When he handed back our papers, Mr. Schmidt added a twist: no reading. We’d speak from notes. I was horrified. After school, I tried to negotiate my way out of it. “This
makes me really uncomfortable,” I told him, hoping for mercy. He looked at me over his glasses. “That’s the whole point,” he said. “To get stuff done, you have to get comfortable being uncomfortable. Don’t worry, you’ll live.” Mr. Schmidt was right. I didn’t die. And more important, I learned something that stuck: Discomfort isn’t a stop sign, it’s just part of the road, and all roads are bumpy. That lesson shaped how I've raised my kids, too. Karate helped
Madison and Ella distinguish between effort and injury. Long car rides taught them to rely on their own imaginations. Theater nudged them to stand however close to the spotlight they could manage, even when they’d rather disappear. And summer camps—those muddy, unpredictable, gloriously imperfect experiences—gave them countless chances to try something new and realize I can do this without the stigma that can accompany failing in other contexts. Growth rarely happens
inside the comfort zone, which is why I’m such a believer in giving kids opportunities to stretch beyond what feels easy. Summer programs are perfect for this, so that's why during "summer camp search season" we focus on showcasing the wide variety of camps and programs available in each area we serve. Here's the
link to the portal page. These days, as we approach the 25th anniversary of KidsOutAndAbout.com in June, I see that same principle playing out: The technology has changed, the business climate has changed, but the equation hasn’t. Discomfort still shows up right before something meaningful. And I still hear Mr. Schmidt’s voice in my head: Don’t worry, you’ll live.
—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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We are Jurassic Quest, the largest & most realistic traveling dinosaur experience in North America!
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The Pittsburgh Fringe Festival is a vibrant celebration of creativity
and innovation that thrives on the edge of mainstream culture.
As part of a global tradition of Fringe Festivals, it serves as an open platform for artists, performers, and audiences to connect through diverse and boundary-pushing art forms.
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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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Join art educators in the museum’s Art Studio every Friday for free art-making and sensory activities inspired by the exhibitions in our galleries. All ages are invited to participate, and activities are free with museum admission.
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Put on your most comfortable party outfit and join our welcoming staff for a sensory friendly evening of dancing, socializing, and artmaking. This event is planned specifically to support the enjoyment of individuals with autism spectrum disorders and those
with sensory sensitivities.
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Join us a for a Storytime reading of Sadie Sprocket Builds a Rocket by author Sue Fliess. During the program participants will learn about the planets of the solar system and get to create an image of a spaceship rocketing to the planet of their
choice.
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It's time for the BWCC Annual Easter Egg Hunt! Join us on Saturday, March 21, from 4pm - 6pm for egg-cellent family fun.
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Venture with us along the dark paths to discover and learn about the owls that reside in and around the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden. Join Shane Miller, Environmental Education Specialist with the PA Department of Conservation & Natural Resources in a
guided walk through the Garden’s woodlands. With luck along this 1-mile hike, we will hear and maybe see one of these unique and majestic creatures of the night. And who knows what other wonders we might discover!
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Explore the vibrant voices of the natural world at our second annual NatureFest! From animal communication and natural soundscapes, to human-made instruments crafted from natural materials, this one-day celebration invites you to tune in to nature with the
expertise of our scientists, educators, musicians, and community partners. Browse the full schedule below and plan your day. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly day out or a deep dive into the science of sound, NatureFest offers activities for curious explorers of all ages.
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Come and learn about Memory and Logic. Explore how to use and improve your memory and logic skills through a series of self-guided games. How good is your memory? Can you solve the puzzle? Give it a try!
Family programs are included with general admission and designed for all ages.
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Hop on into the Zoo for a fun time this Easter! Create a cute craft, meet ambassador animals, enjoy our tasty buffet, and take a picture with the Easter Bunny. Join us for an egg hunt on weather permitting days!
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Fresh from Broadway (though detoured from DC – Google it ), this all too timely, bitingly funny comedy takes place during several board meetings at an ultra-progressive California school proud of its inclusivity and commitment to consensus – at least until
a mumps outbreak reveals varying views (like, everyone’s) on vaccination. In “one of the funniest plays to open [all] year” (The New York Times) parents dance the line of advocating for their children while trying not to offend...anyone.
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Welcome to a world of fun and imagination!
Our Open Play sessions at Live, Laugh, Play, & Learn offer children the perfect environment to explore, create, and socialize. With a variety of engaginf activites and interactive play areas, kids can let their creativity run wild while developing essential social and motor skills.
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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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- Kids Winter Reading 2026 at Andrew Bayne Memorial Library – 34 North Balph Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15202, Friday, March 20, 2026, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Sensory Playtime at
Pleasant Hills Public Library – Pleasant Hills Public Library, Old Clairton Road, Pittsburgh, PA, Friday, March 20, 2026, 10:30 - 11:30 am
- Drop-In Beading – Pleasant Hills Public Library, Old Clairton Road, Pittsburgh, PA, Friday, March 20, 2026, 2:30 - 3:30 PM
- Carnegie Lab at Carnegie Museum of Art – 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, Friday, March 20, 2026, 10 am - 1
pm
- Little Bookworms at Baldwin Library – Baldwin Borough Public Library, Wolfe Drive,
Pleasant Hills, PA, Friday, March 20, 2026, 10:30 - 11:30 am
- Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - Pittsburgh area – Saturday, March 21, 2026, See link for times
- Story Saturdays at Carnegie Museum of Art – 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, Saturday, March 21, 2026, 10 am - 5
pm
- Children's Studio: Geometric Design - The Westmoreland Museum of American Art – 221 North Main Street, Greensburg, PA 15601, Saturday, March 21, 2026, 10 am- 12 pm
- Easter Egg Hunt! – 4836 Wexford Run Road, Bradford Woods, PA, Saturday, March 21, 2026, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the Pittsburgh 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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Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the Pittsburgh? 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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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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