KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter
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Wed, Feb 4: Alphabet Soup: An LGBTQ+ Club for Teens - Sprague Branch Library
Fri, Feb 6: Tinker Time at Utah STEM Action Center
Sat, Feb 7: HawkWatch - Loveland Living Planet
Aquarium
Sat, Feb 7: NHMU Family Seasonal Science: Love Bugs! at Natural History Museum of Utah
Sat, Feb 7: Make Your Own Valentine's Day Card at the Sweet Branch Library
Sat, Feb 7: Hola Frida at Utah Film Center
Wed, Feb 11: Cryptozoology for Kids at Arapahoe Libraries
Wed, Feb 11: Discover Girl Scouts - Mermaid Party at Herriman Library
Sat, Feb 28: EB & FLO at Studio Theatre, Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center |
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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Realms of Inquiry is a cooperative learning community for grades 6–12 in Taylorsville dedicated to nurturing bright, creative, independent thinkers. With small class sizes, mentor‐guided learning, and opportunities for project-based, outdoor, and
international programs, students help design a learning path that fits their interests and learning style. Realms offers accredited academics as well as real-world experiences—whether that’s exploring nature, leading in community projects, or discovering new cultures abroad. If you want an education where your student is seen, supported, and challenged, we invite you to visit us and learn more. Contact us at frontdesk@realmsofinquiry.org or 801-467-5911.
Click on the image for more information.
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While the dinosaurs you know and love roamed the land, the sky above was filled with ancient creatures large and small. At NHMU’s 10th-annual DinoFest on January 31 and February 1, 2026, we’ll be joined by paleontologists from around the world as we explore
the animals that dominated these Prehistoric Skies and learn how they interacted with dinosaurs below.
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Join us for an extraordinary evening where we'll turn the tide on epilepsy in Utah! The Epilepsy Foundation Utah's annual Gala is moving to a spectacular new location this year: the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium! Kids tickets only $20!
On Saturday, January 31, 2026, you're invited to an unforgettable night of compassion, connection, and marine wonder, all to raise vital funds for the over 30,000 people living with epilepsy and their families right here in Utah.
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In this beginner-focused workshop, you’ll learn the fundamentals of podcasting—from choosing and using microphones to navigating audio-editing software. We’ll also explore simple storytelling and production techniques to help you craft engaging,
listener-friendly episodes. Whether you’re building a personal project or exploring a new creative medium, you’ll leave with the skills and confidence to create your first podcast episode.
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- Tinker Time - Utah STEM Action Center, 3848 SW Temple Suite 105, South Salt Lake City, Utah 84115, Friday, 01/30/2026, 12 - 8 PM
- Storytime at Glendale
Branch - Glendale Branch, Concord Street, Salt Lake City, UT, Friday, 01/30/2026, 10:30 am - 11 am
- Playtime at Glendale Branch - Glendale Branch, Concord Street, Salt Lake City, UT, Friday, 01/30/2026, 11 am - 11:30 am
- Creative Lab Workshops: Handmade New Years Journals at the Main Library - Salt Lake City Public Library, East 400 South, Salt Lake City, UT, Friday, 01/30/2026 to Sunday, 02/01/2026, See website for details
- 2026 Utah Traditional Chinese Calligraphy and Painting Exhibit at the Main Library - Salt Lake City Public Library, East 400 South, Salt Lake City, UT, Friday, 01/30/2026 to Sunday, 02/01/2026, See website for details
- Bouncing Babies - Orem Public Library, 58 North State Street, Orem, UT 84057, Friday, 01/30/2026, 10 am
- Creative Lab Workshops: Podcasting Basics at the Main Library - Salt Lake City Public Library, East 400 South, Salt
Lake City, UT, Saturday, 01/31/2026, 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
- Hourly Comic Day! at the Anderson-Foothill Branch Library - Anderson-Foothill Branch, South 2100 East, Salt Lake City, UT, Saturday, 01/31/2026, 11 am - 12 pm
- Kids Café | Café para niños 2026 at Hunter
Library - Hunter Library, West 4100 South, West Valley City, UT, Saturday, 01/31/2026, See website for details
- Kids Café | Café para niños 2026 at Ruth Vine Tyler Library - Ruth Vine Tyler Library, Wood Street, Midvale, UT,
Saturday, 01/31/2026, See website for details
- Playtime at the Main Library - Salt Lake City Public Library, East 400 South, Salt Lake City, UT, Sunday, 02/01/2026, 2 pm - 3 pm
- Letter Writing at the Main Library - Salt Lake City Public Library, East 400 South, Salt Lake City, UT, Sunday, 02/01/2026, 12 pm - 2 pm
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Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the Salt Lake City 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…
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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 Salt Lake City 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 Top 20 Places to Take Kids in the Salt Lake City area. Our Top 20 results page includes a list of your top picks, including winners in special categories like Top Arts Educator, Top Sports Educator, and Top STEM Educator! Check out your fellow
readers' favorites, and enjoy exploring the best of the region!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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