KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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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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Camp Integem is Magical, Fun, and Future-Focused for Ages 6-18: dive into AI, Robotics, Drones, Holographic AR, coding, 3D, Game Design, STEM, Art, Animation, Space/Nature Exploration, STEM, STEAM and more. Teleport into their creation to experience the
magic of their design with Holographic AR and prepare students for future success, all the while having a blast! No prior knowledge is needed and suitable for all levels: beginner to advanced levels. ACS WASC accredited, NVIDIA-partnered camp. Visit https://camp.integem.com or call 408-459-0657. Space is limited. Save $50/week with KOAB today!
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The Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival presented by Fantasy Springs Resort Casino will return in 2026 February 12 - March 1, Thursday - Sunday and President's Day. Stay tuned for more information!
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The Dana Point Certified Farmers Market is open every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. California farmers bring fresh produce to sell and craft vendors provide a large selection of art, jewelry, clothing, handbags, candles, handmade soaps, and unique
one-of-a-kind gifts. The Farmers Market is located in La Plaza Park on Pacific Coast Highway and Golden Lantern. It is strongly recommended that customers bring their own reusable bags.
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A Faery Hunt shows are interactive performances designed for young audiences & families to inspire creativity, imagination & fun.
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Celebrate with the Bowers Museum during our free family festivals held ever first Sunday of the month in the Museum’s beautiful Key Courtyard. Enjoy live performances, art making, face painting and complimentary treats at every festival. Free Family
Festivals are made possible with generous support from the Nicholas Endowment.
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Join us at the Museum of Riverside booth on the corner of Main Street and Mission Inn Avenue from 1-4 p.m. for First Sundays!
Special guest Joseph Hart, the Reptile Hunter, is back! Join us at the Museum of Riverside booth on the corner of Main Street and Mission Inn Avenue from 1-4 p.m. as he shares his live snakes and lizards. See the animals up close to learn about what makes these creatures special and how they’ve adapted to their environments. This event is FREE and family-friendly!
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Sprout and Bloom Playschool (formerly known as Wee People Playschool) provides a safe, nurturing environment for children ages 2½ to 5 years who are fully potty-trained and current on immunizations.
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Teens and tweens, join us every third Wednesday of the month as we munch on snacks provided by local restaurants and get creative with a different craft each month!
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An interactive story time between parent and child. Ages 0 to 7 plus adult. Following Toddler Times! is our new Movement Lab. Join us for movement and sensory exploration through play.
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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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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the Inland Empire 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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- After School Snacks at the Woodcrest Library - Riverside County Library System - Woodcrest Branch - Riverside, CA 92504, Friday, 02/23/2026 to Sunday, 02/25/2026, 2:30 pm - 4 pm
- Family Game Night @ Eastvale Library - Eastvale Library - Eastvale, CA 92880, Friday, 02/27/2026, 4:00 - 7:00pm PST
- Story Time at Louis Robidoux
Library - Louis Robidoux Library - Jurupa Valley, CA 92509, Friday, 02/27/2026, 11:00am - 12:30pm
- Family Storytime @ Eastvale Library - Eastvale Library - Eastvale, CA 92880, Saturday, 02/28/2026, 11:00am - 12:00pm
- Jazz Fest: A Black History Celebration - City of Fontana California - Fontana, CA, Saturday, 02/28/2026, 3:00 - 7:00pm PST
- Free First Sunday at RAM - Riverside Art Museum - Riverside, CA 92504, Sunday, 03/01/2026, 12 pm - 5 pm
- Joseph the Reptile Hunter - MoR at First Sundays - Riverside, CA, Sunday, 03/01/2026, 1-4
p.m.
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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the Inland Empire! 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 Inland Empire? 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 Inland Empire 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 the Inland Empire? Each May-June, thousands of parents vote in KidsOutAndAbout's survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids. Was the winner an indoor play center, museum, farm, nature center, sports team? Click through to
find out!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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