KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter
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Wed, Jan 14: Weekly Storytime at Haven
Sat, Jan 17: Tree Toss at Animal Park at the Conservators Center
Mon, Jan 19: Dr. Martin L. King 5K Walk for Hope at Town of Cary
Fri, Jan 23: Overnight and Visitation Days - Saint Mary's School
Sat, Jan 24: Mammals of Wake County at Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park
Wed, Jan 28: Oz Onstage at Vault Theatre
Wed, Feb 4: Teen Zine Club - Holly Springs Community Library
Sat, Feb 14: Bravo Broadway - North Carolina Symphony Orchestra
Sun, Feb 22: NC First in Freedom
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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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Elevate Your Next Birthday Bash at Urban Air Raleigh! Looking for a stress-free, action-packed birthday party? Urban Air Raleigh is the ultimate indoor adventure park for kids and teens! With trampolines, climbing walls, slam dunk zones, obstacle courses and more, there’s something for every guest to enjoy. Our party pros handle all the details—from setup to cleanup—so you can focus on making memories. Whether they’re bouncing, climbing, or racing through the park, your birthday star will have a blast. Easy. Epic. Unforgettable. Book your Urban Air Raleigh party today and let the fun take flight!
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Welcome to the North Carolina Transportation Museum! The N.C. Transportation Museum is a historic site, once home to one of Southern Railway’s major steam locomotive repair facilities located between Washington, DC, and Atlanta, GA, and a museum featuring all types of transportation history – railroading, automotive, aviation, and more! Visitors can take a 25-minute train ride around our 60-acre site pulled by a vintage diesel locomotive and explore our displays and exhibits. We also host a variety of fun events for kids! Visit our website to learn about upcoming events, see our seasonal train ride schedule, and more! Plan your visit today for a trip into the past at the museum that moves you!
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Experience the Magic of the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival. Join us in Cary, North Carolina, for the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival, a spectacular holiday event perfect for the whole family. From November 15 through January 11, immerse yourself in a world of wonder with thousands of handcrafted, illuminated lanterns showcasing various themes. This walk-through experience also features captivating cultural performances, a variety of concessions, and interactive elements that delight both children and adults. This year, we are thrilled to celebrate a decade of dazzling displays. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this enchanting tradition!
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Back by popular demand for the 13th year, it won't be long before its time to greet the New Year again with a a fun run with friends and a big mug of hot chocolate! As always everyone who finishes the race gets a great mug and medal, all the hot chocolate they can drink, and all dog entries go to support the SPCA of Wake County. Mutts & Marshmallows has in-person and virtual 5K, 8K, and Fun Run races.
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Art on the Dot is the NCMA’s newest tour offering! We encourage you to join a docent in the galleries for a bite-sized tour experience. Starting at 11 am on Saturdays and Sundays, a docent invites you to engage with about three works of art for 30 minutes. Each weekend morning, a docent conducts three rounds of these 30-minute tours. You can expect a 15-minute break between each round. We hope you enjoy one, two, or all three rounds and come back another day to see what the next docent includes.
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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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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 the Triangle. Here are local organizations that offer
memberships.
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Researvh Triangle 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 the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area, based on KidsOutAndAbout's annual reader survey. Of course, there is LOTS more to do around the Triangle...Get great ideas here at KidsOutAndAbout.com! What is listed below are just the
starting point: Browse through our site and calendar to find lots more, and be sure to click on Everything That's Free.
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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