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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This February, celebrate Black History Month at Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum with “Celebrating Black Artists,” an inspiring month-long experience in our Art Studio, open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Kids will unleash their creativity as they
explore the vibrant styles of influential Black artists like Alma Thomas, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Kehinde Wiley. Through hands-on artmaking, children will connect history, culture, and imagination in a fun, interactive way. Discover how play sparks curiosity, inspires creativity, and turns every visit into a memorable learning adventure at Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum!
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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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Save your seats by registering for FREE tickets! Each season, Plan-B Theatre creates a new play by an Utah playwright that serves 100 schools statewide throughout the school year as our Free Elementary School Tour. This year's offering is EB & FLO
by Elaine Jarvik, created specifically for grades K-3. "Flo, a fantastic flamingo who craves adventure meets Eb, a sensible seagull worried about a shrinking lake. They concoct a unique way to spread the word about the importance of Great Salt Lake and how small actions can have big effects." Join us for free public performances on February 14, 21, and 28 at 1pm in the Studio Theatre at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center (138 W 300 S, SLC). And we have cushions for your kiddos to sit on the
floor! **TICKETS ARE FREE, BUT REQUIRED**
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Break out the tissues and get ready to experience this beloved animated classic like never before! Watch the unlikely duo of Carl and Russell on their hilarious and heartwarming journey to a lost world in Disney and Pixar’s Up in Concert. The Utah Symphony
performs the sentimental Oscar® and Grammy®-winning composer Michael Giacchino’s musical score live as Carl and Russell triumph over danger—while discovering friends in unexpected places.
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This February, Millcreek honors Black History Month with a month-long celebration of art, culture, and community. Throughout the Common, experience programs that illuminate the legacy, creativity, and ongoing contributions of Black Utahns past, present, and
future.
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The 12 Minutes Max program is a curated monthly performance series featuring experimental short works by local artists in many different disciplines, including dance, music, film, and more. Each piece is followed by a Q&A with the artist. Held the third
Sunday of each month. 12MM is modeled after the program originated by On the Boards in Seattle.
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- Tinker Time - Utah STEM Action Center, 3848 SW Temple Suite 105, South Salt Lake City, Friday, February 13, 2026, 12 - 8 PM
- Storytime at Glendale Branch - Glendale Branch, Concord Street, Salt Lake City, Friday, February 13, 2026, 10:30 am - 11 am
- Playtime at Glendale Branch - Glendale Branch, Concord Street, Salt Lake City, Friday, February 13, 2026, 11 am - 11:30 am
- Community Art Hour at the
Day-Riverside Branch Library - Day-Riverside Branch, West 1000 North, Salt Lake City, Friday, February 13, 2026, 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
- Creative Lab Workshops: UV Resin at the Main Library - Salt Lake City Public Library, East 400 South, Salt Lake City, Friday, February 13, 2026, 4 pm
- 2026 Utah Traditional Chinese Calligraphy and Painting Exhibit at the Main Library - Salt Lake City Public Library, East 400 South, Salt Lake City, Friday, February 13, 2026 to Sunday, February 15, 2026, See website for details
- Kids Café | Café para niños 2026 at Hunter Library - Hunter Library, West 4100 South, West Valley City, Friday, February 13, 2026, See website for details
- Kids Café | Café
para niños 2026 at Ruth Vine Tyler Library - Ruth Vine Tyler Library, Wood Street, Midvale, Friday, February 13, 2026, See website for details
- Leap Into Reading - Springville Library - Springville Library, 45 South Main Street, Springville, Friday, February 13, 2026, 10:30 am
- Tiny Tot Tales - Springville Library - Springville Library, 45 South Main Street, Springville, Friday, February 13, 2026, 11:30 am
- Hidden Hearts - Springville Library - Springville Library, 45 South Main Street, Springville, Friday, February 13, 2026, See website for
details
- Wasatch Ballet's Spring Show at Orem Public Library - Orem Public Library, 58 North State Street, Orem, Friday, February 13, 2026, 7 pm
- Bouncing Babies - Orem Public Library - Orem Public Library, 58 North State Street, Orem, Friday, February 13, 2026, 10 am
- February Film Screenings: Sweethearts
Showcase - Orem Public Library - Orem Public Library, 58 North State Street, Orem, Friday, February 13, 2026, 6 pm
- Great Backyard Bird Count for Kids - Tracy Aviary’s Nature Center at Pia Okwai, 3310 South 1000 West, South Salt Lake, Sunday, February 15, 2026, 12:00PM - 2:00PM
- Playtime at the Main Library - Salt Lake City Public Library, East 400 South, Salt Lake City, Sunday,
February 15, 2026, 2 pm - 3 pm
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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the Salt Lake City 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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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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