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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Spark your child’s inner innovator with Ignite Academy’s FREE workshop series designed specifically for curious minds ages 8 to 10. In these high-energy 90-minute sessions, we move beyond textbooks to explore financial literacy and entrepreneurship through
dynamic hands-on creation. Whether they are minting their own custom currency, building physical invention prototypes, or designing real product packaging, your child will leave every class with a tangible project and a new understanding of the value of money. These intimate sessions are strictly limited to just six students to foster deep collaboration and confidence in a fun, supportive environment. We welcome you to visit us at our head office in the heart of Bloor West Village in
Toronto.
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This collective exhibition of textile artwork was handcrafted by Syrian women, all newcomers to Toronto, as part of a Toronto Arts Council Animating Historic Sites program.Each quilt is composed of individual squares handcrafted by one woman, reflecting her
emotions, memories, hopes and personal stories.
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Created by Canadian David West Read, the Emmy® Award–winning writer from “Schitt’s Creek”, this hilarious new musical flips the script on the greatest love story ever told. & JULIET asks: What would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo?
Get whisked away on a fabulous journey as she ditches her famous ending for a fresh beginning and a second chance at life and love—her way.
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Winterlit tickets are now available!
Add some whimsy to your winter nights and plan your visit to Mountsberg’s award-winning display of outdoor lights at Winterlit. Enjoy a moonlit stroll along two different trails featuring sustainably sourced, illuminated art installations.
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Toronto’s award-winning winter art exhibit, Window Wonderland, returns to the Junction for its sixth consecutive year! From Friday, November 28 to Sunday, February 1, 2026, the streets of the Junction will once again be transformed into a FREE, open-air
gallery, showcasing 20 artist-designed storefront windows and 11 vibrant wall murals. Each installation will be brought to life through the magic of augmented reality (AR), blending creativity, technology and community spirit.
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Explore the origins of Groundhog Day, get to know some famous woodchucks, and learn about other rodents that call High Park and Toronto home.
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What's that sound?? It's the chuff of a mighty steam locomotive as it winds through cities and towns—disappearing into mountain tunnels and thundering across bridges overhead! Discover the artistry behind every detail: from hand-crafted scenery to
cutting-edge 3D-printed components. Watch as our steam and diesel trains operate just like the real thing—switching maneuvers, signal systems, and precisely coordinated dispatch of passenger and freight traffic. The best part? It's all controlled digitally over WiFi, bringing 21st-century technology to classic model railroading.
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Join us for another season of Free Public Skating at Evergreen Brick Works! Whether you’re skating with your family, meeting up with a friend or connecting with a stranger, this program is the perfect opportunity to get outside, get active and connect with
community during the winter season. Where else in the city can you skate under the beams of a historic brick factory? It truly is an experience that you won’t want to miss!
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WonderPhil creates the perfect balance of amazement and laughs to keep everyone entertained from beginning to end. After the show, adults and kids alike will be scratching their heads with wonder! His pet parrot Ha-Ha may stop in for a surprise visit
too!
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Cozy, Family Friendly Movies
Beat the winter blues with a series of FREE indoor movie nights at Evergreen Brick Works. Enjoy cozy, family-friendly films in a warm indoor space on select Saturday evenings throughout January and February.
Gather your friends and family for an unforgettable evening filled with laughter, thrills and nostalgia. From timeless classics to family-friendly blockbusters, there’s something for everyone in our lineup of movies which you helped us pick on Instagram!
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Get ready to travel through time on a prehistoric adventure scavenger hunt! From the first fierce predators to the mighty giants of the late Cretaceous, you'll uncover dino facts, solve ancient puzzles, and test your paleontology skills. Gather your team of
family and friends, channel your inner explorer, and race through millions of years of history. No time machine required.
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Tackle engineering challenges, develop critical thinking skills, and design solutions to global issues during CREATE Weekends.
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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 Toronto 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 Toronto 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 best places to take kids in Toronto, based on KidsOutAndAbout's annual reader survey. Our Top 20 results page is an annotated list of the winners, both of the top 20 slots and of the category winners. But there is LOTS more to do in and around
Toronto!
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Wishing you and your family health and happiness,
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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