KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Tue, Feb 3: Movie Night: Magnetosphere - Seekonk Public Library Wed, Feb 4: Chatty Cats at Wanskuck Library Sat, Feb 7: Take Your Child to the
Library Day - Seekonk Public Library
Sun, Feb 8: Gwendolyn Goes Hollywood: A children's ballet Feb 8-22 at Ballet RI (formerly Festival Ballet Providence)
Thu, Feb 12: Young Explorers Stuffed Critter Clinic at Roger Williams Park Zoo & Carousel Village
Thu, Feb 12: One Hit Wonder- Valentine's Workshop in Plymouth Fri, Feb 13: Young Explorers Stuffed Critter Clinic at Roger Williams Park Zoo & Carousel
Village
Sat, Feb 14: Will Ewe Be Mine? - At Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary
Sat, Feb 14: Valentine Story Yoga at South Kingstown Public Library - Kingston Free Library
Mon, Feb 16: Winter Adventures: Island Trekking - Zoo Camp (Ages 6-10) - Roger Williams Park Zoo
Sat, Jan 17: Geology Rocks Weekend at the Museum of Natural History in Roger Williams Park
Sat, Jan 24: Farmer's Helpers - At Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary
Fri, Feb 27: Overnight Snore & Roar - at Roger Williams Park Zoo |
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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Back by popular demand, this Winter Homework Café will be much like the Fall Café…if Buddy the Elf was in charge of decorations… Join us for a calm (you might even say “chill) winter’s afternoon of homework productivity with a café vibe. You can work on
school assignments alone or in groups, enjoy a variety of snacks and drinks, and maybe even bond with your peers over the shared hardship of school life.
This 90-minute event is free and open to tweens and teens in grades 6 through 12. In order to make sure we have enough snacks prepared, please register online at seekonkpl.org/events.
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Dive into Enchantment with live Mermaids at Mystic Aquarium!
When: January 23–25, January 30–February 1, February 6–February 8
Prepare to be spellbound as mesmerizing mermaids return to Mystic Aquarium! On select weekends this January and February, embark on an enchanting adventure as these aquatic wonders gracefully glide through our Caribbean Reef habitat, captivating hearts and sparking imaginations with their magical underwater performances.
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Celebration for Lunar New Year, programs including Recitation; Dance/Talent show; Plays: Di Zi Gui (Disciple Rules) ; Lantern riddles game; Brush writing/handcraft etc. Lunar New Year Celebrations 誠邀各位家長、老師、同學們及各界朋友蒞臨指導!
Happy Lunar New Year! Gong Xi Gong Xi!
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Birth of Planet Earth & The Scale of the Universe
Thursday, January 29, 2026
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Get ready for a weekly double-feature to kick off the new year! Every Thursday in January, relax with a snack and a fully immersive movie in the EcoTarium’s 4K planetarium, then dive deeper with an interactive experience with one of our resident experts.
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Marking 250 years since the Revolutionary War and the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the exhibition Revolution! 250 Years of Art & Activism in Boston reflects on the nation’s founding ideals, asking: To whom were these promises made? And
how have people worked together to ensure they were kept?
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Popcorn and lemonade for all attendees! Everyone is welcome! The film follows a teenage girl named Yi (Bennet) who encounters a young Yeti on the roof of her apartment building in Shanghai, names him Everest and embarks on an epic quest to reunite the
magical creature with his family at the highest point on Earth along with her mischievous friends Jin (Trainor) and Peng (Tsai), but the trio of friends will have to stay one-step ahead of Burnish (Izzard), a wealthy man intent on capturing a Yeti, and zoologist Dr. Zara (Paulson) to help Everest get home.
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FUN-damentals of Art is a creative space for your child’s imagination and artistic energy to go crazy! This class aims to enhance the young artist’s foundational drawing skills while fostering an intrigue for various materials and creative explorations.
Students will have the opportunity to experiment with a diverse variety of mediums and subjects, each class resulting in an original take home piece. Each weekly 90 minute class will offer different activities including time for free draw and experiment with their own ideas in a free-form instructional environment. Our goal is for students to explore their creativity, providing inspiration and materials, and pursuing their interests under artistic guidance.
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Say it with style this Valentine’s Day. Design and hand-print your own heartfelt cards on our 19th-century press using traditional type and imagery. Learn the basics of letterpress printing and take home your own custom creations. No experience
required—feel free to bring your favorite quote! (ages 16+, capacity: 4)
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We Be Jammin’ Events has partnered with Warwick Mall to bring you The Winter Farmers Marketplace!
Starting February 1 through May 3, 2026, join us every Sunday from 11 AM – 4 PM inside the former Forever 21 at Warwick Mall (near the Target entrance).
This juried indoor market will feature an amazing mix of local farms, bakers, specialty food vendors, and artisans — all in a cozy 13,000 sq. ft. space, perfect for winter shopping!
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- MOVIE NIGHT: ABOMINABLE - At South Providence Library - South Providence Library - 441 Prairie Avenue, Providence, RI, Friday, January 30, 4:00 pm- 5:30 pm
- January StoryWalk® at WEAVER - East Providence Public Library - 41 Grove Avenue, East Providence, RI, Saturday, January 31 to Sunday, February 1, 8:00am
- Lunar New Year Celebration - Ming Hui Academy Boston - 2464 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA, Saturday, January 31, 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
- Lunar New Year Celebrations - Ming Hui Academy Boston - 2464 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA, Saturday, January 31, 1:30 pm -
3:30 pm
- The Winter Farmers Marketplace - At Warwick Mall - With We Be Jammin' Events - We Be Jammin Events - 1923 Post Rd, Warwick, RI, Sunday, February 1, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
- The Winter Farmers Marketplace - With We Be Jammin' Events - Warwick Mall - 400 Bald Hill Rd, Warwick, RI, Sunday, February 1, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
- February StoryWalk® at WEAVER - East Providence Public Library
- Grove Avenue, East Providence, RI, Sunday, February 1, 8am
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Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the Providence 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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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Providence area. From Arcades to Ziplines our Big List will help you think outside the box and plan the party of your kids' dreams! KidsOutAndAbout has dozens of ideas!
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2025's best places to take kids in and around Providence, based on KidsOutAndAbout's annual reader survey. This list provides some great ideas, but there is LOTS more to do in Providence, all year round: Our Top 20 results page only scratches the
surface!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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