KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Sun, Jan 25: Holy Rosary School Open House
Sun, Jan 25: St. Brendan
Catholic School Open House
Tue, Jan 27: Math Club: Math Games at Redmond Library (Study Zone) at King County Library
System - Redmond Library
Fri, Jan 30: Cirque du Soleil ECHO – Under the Big Top, At King County’s Marymoor Park
Fri, Jan 30: 2026-2027 Enrollment Open House at Kirkland Co-operative Preschool
Sun, Feb 1: Inspiration from Afar:
Philharmonia Northwest concert ft. Canadian cellist Noémie Raymond
Mon, Feb 2: First Day of Creative Art Classes for Kids on Mondays at Picket Fence Art Studio
Sat, Feb 7: Cascade Symphony Orchestra presents The Story of Babar at Edmonds Center for the Arts
Sat, Feb 7: Free Dental Screenings at Hands On Children's Museum
Thu, Feb 12: Mid Winter Break Camp (ages 5-13) | Alpha Gymnastics |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
I'm in Phoenix this week for a meeting of the American Astronomical Society, where I'm giving a talk about my new book, The Eclipse Effect. One of the best parts of being here is getting to attend the other presentations, too, which is how I found myself Monday night inside under the Dorrance Planetarium Dome at the Arizona Science Center, gazing up at a sky unlike any I’ve ever seen. Thanks to cutting-edge LED projection technology and the first imagery from the nearly-complete Rubin Observatory in Chile, the dome became a portal into the depths of our galaxy and beyond,
rendered in light so vivid and detailed it felt like we could fall in. The room was full of astronomers, researchers, educators—professionals who have dedicated their careers to explaining the universe. These were the very people who helped build the tools, who'd worked the math, who’d waited decades to see the science take shape... and even they were astonished: Their faces were lit up with the kind of awe you usually only see in children. It was a reminder that at its
heart, science is about connection. Connecting those points of light above my head, yes; connecting the dots, sure... but also connecting people—to each other, to wonder, and to what’s possible. If you want your kids to connect deeply with science—or history, or nature, or culture, or space—you don’t need a telescope on a mountain, you just need a person. So go to the museum, walk the trail, step into the planetarium. But don’t stop at the
exhibit signs: Find the people! Ask them questions. They want to talk to you! These docents, tour guides, librarians, explainers, and educators are the ones who turn information into illumination. They are the lens your kids can look through to see what their future might be. So seek the sky painters. Then stand next to your kids, look up, and be amazed together.
—Debra Ross, publisher
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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 camps at The Center for Wooden Boats give young people the chance to learn, explore, and build confidence on Seattle’s waterfront. From beginner sailing for first-time sailors to hands-on woodworking and boatbuilding camps, our programs combine skill-building, teamwork, and outdoor adventure. Campers learn to sail small boats, work safely with tools, solve problems, and develop independence in a supportive, welcoming environment. Camps run throughout the summer for ages 5–14, with experienced instructors and a strong focus on safety, curiosity, and fun. Scholarships are available to ensure cost is not a barrier. Explore sessions and enroll now to give your child a summer they will remember.
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Turn Screen Time into Skill Time at Code Ninjas Queen Anne! At Code Ninjas Queen Anne, kids use technology to build real-world skills—not just play games. Through coding, Minecraft and Roblox programming, robotics, AI, and hands-on STEM projects, children build confidence, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in a fun, structured environment parents trust. This January only, Seattle families are invited to a FREE Coding Trial Month, allowing kids to explore programs like block coding, JavaScript, Unity, robotics, clubs, and after-school options—at no cost. Whether your child is brand new or ready for advanced challenges, it’s the perfect time to try. Bonus: Save 20% on Summer Camps! Visit the website or call/text 206-960-5511 to learn more. FREE Coding Trial Month this January.
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ILLUMINATE YOUR HOLIDAYS! WildLanterns presented by Western Washington Toyota Dealers returns to Woodland Park Zoo this November with all-new, larger-than-ever lantern displays. Experience an immersive adventure that promises a magical holiday moment for all!
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Bellevue Downtown Ice Rink presented by Symetra is back and better than ever! The region’s largest open-air ice rink returns November 21 through January 19. The rink features more than 9,000 square feet of real ice in a fully covered, open-air venue surrounded by the beautiful Downtown Bellevue skyline. With themed skate nights, skate lessons, on-site concessions and more, we’re excited for you to join us again this season.
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Play chess and have fun! All skill levels are welcome and all materials provided. Sponsored by the Friends of the Shoreline Library. Ages 6 and older, tweens and teens. Ages 6 and 7 with adult.
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- Lap Sit Baby Story Time | Redmond Library - Redmond Library, 15990 Northeast 85th Street, Redmond, WA 98052, Friday, 01/08/2026 to Saturday, 01/09/2026, 12 pm - 1 pm
- Little Science
Lab with Imagine Children's Museum | Mariner Library - Imagine Children's Museum, Mariner Library - Sno-Isle Libraries, 520 128th St SW, Everett, WA 98204, Friday, 01/09/2026, 10 am
- Family Story Time - Shoreline Library - Shoreline Library, 345 Northeast 175th Street, Shoreline, WA 98155, Friday,
01/09/2026, 10 am - 10:30 am
- Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead: Robotics - Puget Sound Navy Museum - Puget Sound Navy Museum, 251 1st Street, Bremerton, WA 98337, Saturday, 01/10/2026, 10am - 2pm
- Redmond’s Got Talent - Redmond Senior & Community Center, 160th Avenue
Northeast, Redmond, WA, Saturday, 01/10/2026, 5 pm - 7:30 pm
- Fireside
Storytellers League | Puyallup Public Library - Puyallup Public Library, 324 South Meridian, Puyallup, WA 98371, Saturday, 01/10/2026, 3 pm - 4:30 pm
- Chess Tournament at Shoreline Library - Shoreline Library, 345 Northeast 175th Street, Shoreline, WA 98155, Saturday,
01/10/2026, 11:30 am - 3:30 pm
- 2nd Sundays at 2: youth music event with open mic + improv jam - Seattle Drum School of Music, Lake City Way Northeast, Seattle, WA, Sunday, 01/11/2026, 2PM
- Chess Club for Kids and Teens - Shoreline Library - Shoreline Library, 345
Northeast 175th Street, Shoreline, WA 98155, Sunday, 01/11/2026, 1 pm - 3 pm
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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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EXPERIENCES create memories much more than stuff does. As you're considering gifts for family and friends, consider giving the gift of a family membership to one of our local attractions in and around the Seattle Area. Here are local organizations that
offer memberships.
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Seattle 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! In addition to Seattle there are
locations in Mercer Island, Bellevue, Kirkland, Newcastle, Shoreline, Renton, Lake Forest Park, Redmond, Kingsgate, Kenmore, and SeaTac.
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2025's best places to take kids in the Seattle area. Each May-June, 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 category winners: Who won for Top Arts Educator, Top Sports Educator, and Top STEM Educator?
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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