KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
The February my daughter Ella was 1, she caught a cold that lingered for months. There were short stretches of relief, but mostly there was congestion, disrupted sleep, and a level of crankiness that turned my sunny baby into someone I barely recognized. The clouds around her felt constant, and one day, I caught myself labeling her in my head as “the crabby one.” But
of course, if I had a perpetually runny nose and no way to manage it, I’d be irritable, too! I needed to remember this wasn’t her personality, it was a season. What we needed to get through it was distraction: something fun to do "right now" and also fun things to anticipate. Aside from those who live in paradise pockets like San Diego, most of our readers are in the thick of a particularly dreary winter. The world feels heavy and gray, energy
runs low, and it’s easy to fixate on how dispirited we feel. But we need to remember that this isn't our personality, it's a season. What we need to get through it is distraction in the moment and also something positive we can place on our horizon. My family is counting down to the March 20 release of Project Hail Mary, which stars Ryan Gosling. The movie is based on the novel by Andy Weir, who also wrote The Martian. You don't have to be a science nerd to love Weir's books
(although science nerds DO love Weir's books), because in all of them, the real hero is human ingenuity—curiosity, flexible thinking, doing what needs to be done even in extreme circumstances. When things are going awry, the answer isn’t despair, it’s problem-solving, and I always emerge from a Weir book feeling spiritually lighter. While I immerse myself in Weir and Gosling, you, of course, should do YOU! Let the art or sport that grabs you and your kids be your launch ticket
to optimism now, and lift you to fun in the future. We're glad to provide the fuel!
—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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As a parent, nothing matters more than your child’s safety — especially around water. Pool days, beach vacations, and backyard parties should be filled with fun, not fear. That’s why Pittsburgh families vote Goldfish Swim School Best Swim Lessons year
after year. Goldfish offers engaging, effective swim lessons designed specifically for children ages 4 months to 12 years old.
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Visit The Factory, our all-ages hands-on art studio. Experiment with a changing array of activities inspired by our collection and special exhibitions, from painting to collage to sculpture. Visitors can work with experienced artist educators to create
handmade silkscreen printed artworks and souvenirs. Printing on paper is free, and other materials like tote bags, t-shirts, bandanas and notebooks are available for purchase with cash or credit card. The Factory is located on the underground level of the museum and included with museum admission.
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Join Curiosity Kids at 11:30AM in the 1st Floor Activity Room to explore the size and scale of our Solar System. Ever wonder exactly how big the Sun, Earth, and Moon are? How far away are they? Explore how big our Solar System is. The size and distances
might surprise you. Create a scale map of the solar system.
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KITTY BINGO – a charity event you don’t want to miss!
Seating starts at 7:05, first ball drops at 7:30! Arrivals before our 7:00 PM lounge closing time may be subject to a $5.00 lounge entry fee.
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Enjoy two entertaining evenings of performances by students between the ages of 6 to 18. These students will display their talents including singing, dancing, magic acts, acting performance, gymnastics, and more! Tickets are $4 general admission sold at
the door. There will be one, 15 minute intermission and concessions will be sold in the lobby. Raffle baskets geared to kids and adults will be raffled after each show. All proceeds benefit the Children's Theatre program.
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Join the Pittsburgh CLO for a performance of “Young Washington.”
Experience revolutionary history like never before during a performance of the musical, “Young Washington.”
Follow the story of a young George Washington as he journeys through Western Pennsylvania during the French and Indian War, then stick around for a Q&A with the CLO cast and a museum educator-led tour of the Clash of Empires exhibition. Kids and families can keep the adventure going with a “George Washington Was Here” scavenger hunt throughout the museum.
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Join Fern Hollow staff as we learn about the history and science of maple sugaring! Discover how the process of Maple Sugaring has changed over time and has been perfected into a science. This program is intended for all ages, but youth under 16 must be
accompanied by an adult at all times.
This program blends American history, botany, chemistry, and physics into a fun, hands-on, and tasty experience. Try Fern Hollow’s exclusive “Sugar Maker’s Sundae” and spend the morning learning the importance of maple trees in Pennsylvania.
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Leapin' Lizards!
The irrepressible comic strip heroine takes center stage in one of the world's best-loved musicals!
Based on the popular comic strip by Harold Gray, Annie has become a worldwide phenomenon and was the winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The beloved book and score by Tony Award winners, Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, features some of the greatest musical theater hits ever written, including “Tomorrow,” “Easy Street,” and “Hard Knock Life.”
With courage and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone's hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. Determined to find her long-lost parents and get out of the orphanage run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan, Annie's adventures lead her to a new life with billionaire Oliver Warbucks and of course her lovable dog, Sandy.
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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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The Conservatory Dance Company presents a winter concert featuring a diverse range of ballet, modern, jazz, hip hop, and contemporary works choreographed by renowned guest artists and dance professionals. Winter Dance showcases work by Al Blackstone (Jazz),
Roderick George (Contemporary), Dwight Rhoden (Ballet), and Kenichi Kasamatsu (Hip Hop).
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Kids visit for free in February 2026!
Thanks to our event sponsor, the Alex E. Paris Contracting Company, we’re offering free admission in February 2026 to kids ages 0-17.
Enjoy a scenic 4-mile round-trip ride on an antique trolley, discover our collection of historic streetcars in our Trolley Display Building, and explore our interactive games and exhibits in our Welcome & Education Center. Also, dive into trolley history with a guided tour, check out all the cool books, toys, and collectibles in our museum gift shop, and, if the sun is shining, enjoy our Barry Stout Park and playground.
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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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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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- Kids Winter Reading 2026 at Andrew Bayne Memorial Library - Andrew Bayne Memorial Library, 34 North Balph Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15202, Friday, February 27 - Sunday, March 1, Friday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Sensory Playtime at Pleasant Hills Public Library - Pleasant Hills Public Library, Old Clairton Road, Pittsburgh, PA, Friday, February 27, 10:30 - 11:30 am
- Little Bookworms at Baldwin Library - Baldwin Borough Public Library, Wolfe Drive, Pleasant Hills, PA, Friday, February 27, 10:30 -
11:30 am
- Carnegie Lab at Carnegie Museum of Art - Carnegie Museum of Art, 4400
Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, Friday, February 27, 10 am - 1 pm
- Drop-In Beading - Pleasant Hills Public Library, Old Clairton Road, Pittsburgh, PA, Friday, February 27, 2:30 - 3:30 PM
- Story Saturdays at Carnegie Museum of Art - Carnegie Museum of Art, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, Saturday, February 28, 10 am - 5 pm
- Fizz, Fun, and Formulas - Girl Scouts Western
Pennsylvania, 503 Martindale Street Suite 500, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, Saturday, February 28
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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the Pittsburgh 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 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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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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