KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
For much of the country, it's been the hardest winter in recent memory: cold, monochrome, relentless. The kind of season that reminds us how little control we really have. We do our best to manage routines and moods and expectations, but parents feel it most. February stretches long and flat after the excitement of the holidays, before the lift of spring. You're still packing
lunches, wrangling homework, managing emotions (your kids’ and your own)... all while the cold keeps the family cooped up. This is the season of endurance. Of course, endurance isn’t about being stoic or silent or superhuman; it’s about continuing, even when things are hard. It’s about showing up for your people, your plans, and yourself, day after chilly day. And it’s about knowing that if you’re feeling the drag right now, you’re not alone. Many of us are moving through it
together. Even for those who don't live in Nature's Refrigerator, February can still bring its own version of stuckness: that long stretch between holidays, where kids are restless and routines feel stale. Sometimes, by February, our gray matter feels just as gray as the weather. When that happens, help is allowed! Check out our article and outsource the brainstorming to KidsOutAndAbout: Stuck Inside This Winter? 20 Creative Indoor Activities for Kids is packed with creative, practical, low-effort ways to keep your family engaged (and sane) when outside play isn’t an option. And it shows you how to tap your favorite AI to be your thought partner to personalize it for your
family. February Gray doesn’t need to be conquered; it just needs to be lightened a bit. So whether you're "out and about" or "in and not at all about," we're here to brighten the rest of your winter!
—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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Summer art camps at Children’s Art Classes of Cary let kids ages 7+ explore drawing, painting, sculpture, and mixed media in a fun, creative studio. Each week features new, hands-on projects that build skills, confidence, and imagination. Choose from
full-day or half-day camps—all materials included, just bring your creativity!
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Come ride on more than 10 miles of wooded trails at Dead Broke Farm – a 110-acre farm conveniently located in Raleigh, NC. Our bridle trails have rolling hills, creek crossings, lots of beautiful hardwood trees, and wildlife. Our trails are suitable for
beginners but challenging enough to be interesting for more experienced riders.
We offer 1-hour and 2-hour rides 7 days a week, year-round. Children ages 6 and up can ride on their own. Younger children may ride double with an experienced guide. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 919-596-8975.
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The Town of Wake Forest and the Wake Forest Historical Museum are partnering to offer free Black History Month Walking Tours of the Northeast Community the first three Fridays in February at 1 pm. Led by staff from Historic Preservation Planning and the
Wake Forest Historical Museum, the tours will include Olive Branch Baptist Church, Alston-Massenburg Center, the newly restored Ailey Young House, the African American Cemetery, and more. Along the way, each group will discuss the developmental and architectural history of the area, along with the significant men and women who shaped the Northeast Community. Tours are outside only and will not include the inside of individual homes or buildings. Pre-registration is required. Space is limited to
the first 15 participants to sign up for each tour.
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Valentine's on Ballentine is a sweet celebration for the whole family! Celebrate love and friendship inside the Holly Springs Cultural Center! Enjoy an evening filled with dancing, crafts, snacks, face painting, and more. Bring your loved ones, dress in
your favorite reds and pinks, and dance the night away in our charming ballroom on Ballentine Street. Tickets are required, and space is limited. Buy today!
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Join us for a Kidz Bop Valentines Pajama Skate! Wear your favorite pajamas, stay cute, and skate cozy! We'll be listening to super clean Kidz Bop hits and Disney music. All adults (skaters and non-skaters) must fill out a waiver to enter the building. Free
skatemate with paid admission.
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- Garden Story Walk - JC Raulston Arboretum, Beryl Road,
Raleigh, NC, Friday, 02/13/2026 to Sunday, 02/15/2026, During Garden Open Hours
- Dear Garden, - JC Raulston Arboretum, Beryl Road,
Raleigh, NC, Friday, 02/13/2026 to Sunday, 02/15/2026, During Garden Open Hours
- Black History Month Walking Tours - Town of Wake Forest, NC - Town of Wake Forest, 301 Brooks Street, Wake Forest, NC, Friday, 02/13/2026, 1 pm
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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the Triangle 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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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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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.
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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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