KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Mon, Mar 2: First Day of Creative Art Classes for Kids on Mondays (March) at Picket Fence Art Studio
Wed, Mar 4: Bird Science Exploration at the Renton Library
Thu, Mar 5: Emerald City Comic Con 2026 at Seattle Convention Center
Sat, Mar 7: Bug Bonanza! Family Workshop at Bellevue Botanical Garden
Sat, Mar 7: Carnation Farms Meat & Greet: a Hands-on Visit with Sheep and Cattle
Sun, Mar 8: Northwest Record Show at Seattle Center
Tue, Mar 10: Snow White at Kirkland Performance Center
Sat, Mar 14: Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead: Diving Bells - Puget Sound Navy Museum
Thu, Mar 19: March Art Walk Edmonds
Sat, Mar 21: Spring for Local Market at Infinity Farm Issaquah |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
The February my daughter Ella was 1, she caught a cold that lingered for months. There were short stretches of relief, but mostly there was congestion, disrupted sleep, and a level of crankiness that turned my sunny baby into someone I barely recognized. The clouds around her felt constant, and one day, I caught myself labeling her in my head as “the crabby one.” But
of course, if I had a perpetually runny nose and no way to manage it, I’d be irritable, too! I needed to remember this wasn’t her personality, it was a season. What we needed to get through it was distraction: something fun to do "right now" and also fun things to anticipate. Aside from those who live in paradise pockets like San Diego, most of our readers are in the thick of a particularly dreary winter. The world feels heavy and gray, energy
runs low, and it’s easy to fixate on how dispirited we feel. But we need to remember that this isn't our personality, it's a season. What we need to get through it is distraction in the moment and also something positive we can place on our horizon. My family is counting down to the March 20 release of Project Hail Mary, which stars Ryan Gosling. The movie is based on the novel by Andy Weir, who also wrote The Martian. You don't have to be a science nerd to love Weir's books
(although science nerds DO love Weir's books), because in all of them, the real hero is human ingenuity—curiosity, flexible thinking, doing what needs to be done even in extreme circumstances. When things are going awry, the answer isn’t despair, it’s problem-solving, and I always emerge from a Weir book feeling spiritually lighter. While I immerse myself in Weir and Gosling, you, of course, should do YOU! Let the art or sport that grabs you and your kids be your launch ticket
to optimism now, and lift you to fun in the future. We're glad to provide the fuel!
—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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Give your child the ultimate summer adventure at Legacy Horsemanship Camp in Woodinville, WA! Designed for horse-loving kids ages 7 & up, this immersive camp offers a hands-on experience where young riders learn the fundamentals of horsemanship in
a safe, supportive environment. Each day, campers will enjoy a structured hunt seat (English) riding lesson, while also gaining valuable skills in grooming, tacking up, horse care, and more. Beyond the saddle, interactive games and activities make learning fun, from equine anatomy to safety and feeding. With experienced instructors and well-trained lesson horses, this is the perfect camp for building confidence and a love for riding. Weekly sessions run Tuesday – Friday, 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM. Learn
more and register today!
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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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Seattle Magic Academy, led by Xakary the Magician from America’s Got Talent, offers award-winning Magic Camps and Classes for kids ages 6–12. As the exclusive Discover Magic licensee in Seattle, the program teaches magic and life skills through four unique
wand courses, each featuring different tricks. Camps run 9 AM–3 PM at four locations, with the number-one rule: “Have Fun!” This summer, returning favorite activities like the foam bubble party join brand-new “2026 Wizard” camps featuring never-before-taught tricks. Taught by two award-winning magicians, these camps promise extraordinary fun, excitement, and unforgettable magical adventures. Register early—spots fill fast!
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iCode Redmond Summer Camp is here! Join us for an exciting summer of coding, robotics, game development, and hands-on STEM activities designed to keep kids learning and creating in a fun, tech-driven environment. Our camps fill quickly, so don’t miss
out—take advantage of our Early Bird Discount and secure your child’s spot today. Give your child a summer of innovation, creativity, and future-ready skills!
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Never Turn Back: Echoes of African American Music unveils the profound legacy of Gospel, Blues, Jazz, and Soul artists who shaped the soundscape of American culture and used their music as instruments of resistance, identity, and representation.
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In celebration of the museum building’s 30th anniversary, you’re invited to explore the story behind the State History Museum. 30 Years and Counting: The Making of the Washington State History Museum is a special exhibition that uncovers the vision, effort,
and community spirit that brought this iconic Tacoma landmark to life.
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Join us for a tour of Holly Farm! On the first and third Sunday of each month, we welcome a limited number of guests to tour our farm and learn more about us. You’ll get to see our historic barn, meet some horses, peek into our stables, and see riding
lessons happening in our huge arena. And when the tour is done, spend time petting and feeding our donkeys, chickens and more small animals.
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"Enjoy a group meet & greet with our resident Alpacas, Goats, Sheep, Piglets, Ducks, Bunnies and Chickens on the farm. Each participant will have an opportunity to feed, snuggle and scratch our farm friends. We’ll answer all your questions and share all
the fun farm facts.
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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the Seattle area is back! You can search by date, age, or categories like day/overnight, sports, drama, music, theatre, arts & crafts, technology, robotics, horseback riding, preschool, & more. Our
guide puts summer fun right at your fingertips!
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- Lap Sit Baby Story Time | Redmond Library - Redmond Library, 15990 Northeast 85th Street, Redmond, Fri 02/26 - Sat 02/27, 12 pm - 1 pm
- Celebrate Black History Month at People's Community
Center - People's Community Center & Pool, Tacoma, Fri 02/26 - Sat 02/27, See website
- Family Story Time - Shoreline Library - Shoreline Library, 345 Northeast 175th Street, Shoreline, Sat 02/27, 10 am - 10:30 am
- La Hora de Cuentos | Greenwood Public Library - Greenwood Branch - The Seattle Public Library, 8016 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle, Sat 02/27, 11:15 am - 12:15 pm
- Celebrate Black History Month at People's Community Center: Open Art Activities for Youth - People's Community Center & Pool, Tacoma, Sat 02/27, 5 pm - 7 pm
- Free Dental Screenings - Hands On Children's Museum, 414 Jefferson St NE, Olympia, Sun 02/28, 2–4 pm
- Zine & Comic Workshop | Puyallup Public
Library - Puyallup Public Library, 324 South Meridian, Puyallup, Sun 02/28, 11 am - 2 pm
- La Hora de Cuentos | Beacon Hill Library - Beacon Hill Branch - The Seattle Public Library, Beacon Avenue South, Seattle, Sun 02/28, 11 am
- Sunday Story Time - Holi! | Sammamish Library - Sammamish Library, 825 228th Ave SE, Sammamish, Sun 03/01, 1
pm
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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the Seattle 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 Seattle 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 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 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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