KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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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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You're invited to join the Texas America250 Reading Challenge! Texans of all ages are invited to log 2,500 minutes (41.6 hours) of reading, state parks visits, and/or service
activity in 2026, in honor of our nation’s 250th anniversary. Participants who complete the challenge can receive a certificate from their local librarian.
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You're invited to Painting in the Plaza - a FREE family-friendly event to be held every FIRST SUNDAY of the month, through May 2026 in the Cos House at La Villita Historic Arts Village.
Returning for another season will be acrylic artist Chantia "Tia" Bailey of San Antonio, Texas, who believes, “Art allows expression without limitation.”
Tia's 9-part series started September 2025, and runs through May 2026, creates images that align with the theme of Music.
Registration is required - LIMIT 2 PER PERSON - with sign up links in Facebook or Instagram. Your spot will be held 30 minutes past start of event, then walk-ins welcome. All supplies provided while they last.
Just bring yourself, your friends, and family. Come early to dine on light bites and beverages for purchase from onsite restaurants. THIS IS NOT A BYOB EVENT.
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The Briscoe Western Art Museum is happy to welcome all residents of San Antonio and Bexar County to come and experience the culture and art of the West for FREE! Our neighbors can enjoy a FREE day of art and culture on the first Sunday of each month.
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Come join us for 3 weekends filled with top entertainment, handmade crafts, fantastic food, games and fun!
Rain Shine or Cold
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Bring your flashlights and experience the nocturnal side of the Garden with the whole family at our annual Family Flashlight Night event. Explore the Garden by moonlight, and your way through the giant light maze, star gaze, enjoy campfire stories, and
learn about the animal nightlife of the Garden with educators. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please email education@sabot.org with questions.
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Come join us and be a part of our Tabletop Gaming Club and roleplay as adventurers going on quests throughout mystical lands!
The Tabletop Gaming Club meets Every Other Saturday from 10:30am-12:30pm in the Library.
This event is for teens aged 13-17
Registration required
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Looking for the perfect way to spend time? Join us for "Valentine's Gnome" on January 31st at 2-4 pm. Enjoy a fun, relaxing experience with your loved ones. Reserve your spot today!
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Mark your calendars for the Methodist Hospital Northeast Health & Home Show on January 31st, 2026 at the Schertz Civic Center from 10 AM to 1 PM. This event is free and open to the public, offering a range of health services, home improvement tips, and
more!
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Free-to-Play Fridays are here! Grab your friends (or your rivals) and face off in epic battles on our Nintendo Switch, Xbox consoles, and Beyblade Arenas! From racing and brawling to building and strategizing, it’s all fun, no quarters required. Are you
game?
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DreamWeek San Antonio (DWSA) is an annual, multi-day summit dedicated to celebrating humanity by creating environments for civil and civic engagement. Its core purpose is to foster the exchange of ideas and dreams for the common good, ultimately revealing
the inherent “community genius” within San Antonio.
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Let’s get creative! Join us for our Little Artist workshop, designed for learners 5 years and younger. During these workshops, children will get explore textures, create with colors, and get messy! Your little artist will also learn great studio habits,
such as caring for their artistic tools, embracing challenges, talking about their work, and exploring new materials. Will we discover the next Picasso?
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Enjoy the Premier Combo Package for $21.50 every Friday from 10 AM to 12 PM. Climb, zip, and explore Sky Trail®, Sky Rail®, and Clip ‘n Climb® at the Shops at Rivercenter.
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- Storytime - Converse Public Library, 601 S Seguin Rd, Converse, TX 78109, Friday, January 30, 2026, 10:30-11:15 am
- Sensory Playtime at Seguin Public Library - 313 West Nolte Street, Seguin, TX 78155, Friday, January 30, 2026, 11 am- 12 pm
- Free-to-Play Fridays - Patrick Heath Public Library, North Main Street, Boerne, TX, Friday, January 30, 2026, 4:15 pm
- Texas America250 Reading
Challenge - Texas State Library and Archives Commission, 1201 Brazos St, Austin, Texas 78701, Friday, January 30, 2026, all day
- Methodist Hospital Northeast & The Chamber Living Well Health & Home Show - The Chamber, 1730 Schertz
Parkway, Schertz, TX 78154, Saturday, January 31, 2026, 10 am- 1 pm
- Family Storytime - Mammen Family Public Library, 131 Bulverde Crossing, Bulverde, TX 78163, Saturday, January 31, 2026, 10:30 - 11 am
- Guided Tours of Jacob's Well Natural Area - 1699 Mt Sharp Rd, Wimberley, TX 78676, Saturday, January 31, 2026, 10 am
- Teen Tabletop Gaming Club- Converse
Public Library - Converse Public Library, 601 S Seguin Rd, Converse, TX 78109, Saturday, January 31, 2026, 10:30 am-12:30 pm
- iCode Cibolo Re-Grand Opening - 18384 I-35 N Ste. 121, Schertz, TX 78154, Saturday, January 31, 2026, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Texas America250 Reading Challenge - Texas State Library and Archives Commission, 1201 Brazos St, Austin, Texas
78701, Sunday, February 1, 2026, all day
- Locals Day| FREE Admission for Bexar County Residents - Briscoe Western Art Museum, 210 West Market Street, San Antonio, TX 78205, Sunday, February 1, 2026, 10 am- 5 pm
- Painting in the Plaza - La Villita Historic
Arts Village, 418 Villita St, San Antonio, TX 78205, Sunday, February 1, 2026, 11 am- 1 pm
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Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the San Antonio? 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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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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Planning a kids birthday party in the San Antonio area? Here are lots of ideas for where to have it! If there is a resource that we have missed, please email us to let us know, and we'll add it
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2025's best places to take kids in San Antonio and the surrounding area: Early each summer, thousands of parents vote in the KidsOutAndAbout survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids. Our Top 20 results page is an annotated list of the winners, both of the
top 20 slots and of the three catgory winners.
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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