KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter
|
|
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
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
The African American Cultural Celebration (AACC)—with support from its community partner, the North Carolina African American Heritage Commission—kicks off Black History Month with engaging demonstrations, inspiring presentations, and powerful performances.
For 25 years, this celebration has brought together African American community members, organizations, authors, artists, musicians, filmmakers, scholars, and more around a central theme to highlight the contributions that African Americans, past and present, have made to North Carolina’s history and culture. The AACC consists of a virtual education day on Friday, January 30, and an in-person festival on Saturday, January 31, at the NCMA. Multiple demonstrations, presentations, and performances
reach thousands of people each year, encouraging strong community ties and the celebration of African American culture.
|
|
|
|
For 3 BIG DAYS the Fayetteville Fishing Expo will bring together the finest products and services the fishing industry has to offer. Local, regional and national companies showcase tackle, rods & reels, apparel, maps, charters, sunglasses, boats,
motors, electronics, ... well you get the picture. Everything to get you out on the water "Rigged & Ready" for the season. And just to make sure you make the most of our fishing trip .... we've put together a top notch panel of national & regional pros to share their secrets on "When, Where and How" to have the best fishing trip possible. There's only one thing these guys enjoy more than fishing .... and that's telling others how to! From Catfish to Cobia ...... Sunfish to Sailfish ....
this show brings it all under one roof.
|
|
|
|
Come along for a Ranger-led guided night hike. Night hikes are a unique and fun way to experience the outdoors in areas you may or may not be familiar with. Meeting location is at the Mayo Mountain Access parking lot. The Fox Trail is an easy to moderate
1.8 mile loop. Please bring hiking shoes, a jacket, water, and a flash light.
|
|
|
- 25th Annual African American Cultural Celebration - North Carolina Museum of Art - North Carolina Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607, Jan. 30-31, January 30 is a virtual education day, January 31 festival hours at the museum will be 10 am - 4 pm
- Astronomy Days (rescheduled to Jan. 31 – Feb. 1) - NC Museum of Natural Sciences - North Carolina Museum
of Natural Sciences, 11 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601, 01/31/2026-02/01/2026, 10am-5pm
- There's a Yeti in the Garden! - JC Raulston Arboretum, Jan.
30-Feb. 1, During Garden Open Hours
- Cocoa with KATAL the Dragon - Kids Together Playground, Thurston Drive, Cary, NC,
01/31/2026, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the Triangle? 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
|
|
