KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: Before I had kids, one of my colleagues told me that fundamentally, a parent’s job is to point. At first, you point physically: You point at the waterfall and say “waterfall,” at the moon and say “moon,” at the flower and say “flower.” You’re helping a child connect sounds to objects, words to concepts, language to reality. But later, and really all the way through, the
pointing becomes more metaphorical. Parenting is the ongoing work of connecting your child’s growing capacity to understand with a world that is, to them, forever expanding. As I had Madison and Ella, I came to think of this as being a tour guide to the world. A good tour guide needs to know the landscape, of course. But even more important, a good tour guide needs to know the traveler. What can this particular child see right now? What are they ready for? What do they care
about? What frightens them? What delights them? It's useful to remember that kids haven’t actually been here before: The world is brand-new to them over and over again, so what feels ordinary to us is often astonishing to a child. Tour guides who are doing their job well pay close attention to who their audience is and what they know, and that makes the pointing easier and more fun. Spring is the perfect season to practice pointing. In spring, the world changes fast enough for
kids to notice. Buds swell and burst. Birds return. Tiny green things push up through the dirt as if by magic. Day to day, the world becomes visibly more alive. If we point it out, kids can catch it happening in real time. And spring does not arrive quietly. It comes as an avalanche of the senses: color, smell, birdsong, mud, wind, sunlight, thunder, petals, pollen, rushing water. So maybe that’s part of the job, too: not just to point, but to lean into it. To stand beside our
kids in the rush of it all and say, Look! Here it comes.
—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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Join us for a fun activity for your little one. We will hunt for eggs in the play area, make a bunny headband, decorate a cookie and go home with a sweet little bunny (stuffed of course) picked out by your child (includes tag and adoption certificate) and end the event with bubbles! We might even have a dance party!
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Don’t miss the spring ART FAIR AT QUEENY PARK fine art and fine craft show March 27-29th Rain or shine, hot or cold weather, relax in the comfort of the climate-controlled Greensfelder Recreation Center. With over 100 juried artists from 20 states, the Art Fair at Queeny Park is one of the most reputable, longest-running art fairs in the bi-state region. The Art Fair at Queeny Park presents a rare opportunity for the public to see and purchase original works of fine art and fine craft directly from the artists who create them.
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Treat your family to a unique holiday experience. Enjoy a bountiful Easter brunch buffet. Hunt for Easter eggs on the lush Busch family estate (for children 12 and under). Meet some of your favorite Grant’s Farm animals and visit with the one-and-only Easter Bunny.
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Full Steam Ahead To The Island Of Sodor! Thomas & Friends™: Explore the Rails! pulls into The Magic House for a limited-time adventure that brings the Island of Sodor to life. Created by Minnesota Children’s Museum and inspired by the beloved Nick Jr. series, this interactive exhibit invites families to climb aboard for STEM-based learning through imaginative play. Explore iconic destinations like Knapford Station and Sodor Steamworks, climb into Thomas’ cab to trigger train sounds, fix Percy’s wobbly wheel, and even suit up as a conductor to sell tickets. With engaging challenges that encourage problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration, this exhibit is packed with opportunities to build foundational science, technology, engineering, and math skills. Plus, enjoy a nostalgic retrospective featuring model engines, original drawings, and memorabilia from the Rev. W. Awdry’s timeless creation. Don’t miss your chance to be a “Really Useful Engine”
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Hop on over for a morning full of springtime fun at our Easter Eggstravaganza! Bring the whole family and get ready for a magical day filled with eggs, excitement, and plenty of smiles.
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Come out to our FREE annual Eggstravaganza Egg Hunt at St. Charles County Kinetic Park in Dardenne Prairie! There are separate egg hunts for ages 3 and under, 4-6, and 7-12, with a special egg at each hunt. Make sure to bring a basket! Games, vendors, prizes and a fluffy friend bouncing around the park are also part of the festivities. Registration is limited; pre-registration is required by March 21. Sorry, no walk-ins allowed. Accommodations are available for children with diversabilities. The skatepark and climbing gym will not be open during this event.
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Join the most electrifying event of the year: our Glow Party! This is a dance event for all skill levels—no experience needed, just a desire to have a glowing good time. Wear your brightest neons, whites, or cover yourself in glow sticks! We provide the music and the dazzling black lights, you just bring your energy. Everyone is welcome to light up the day with us!
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(Ages 10 & Under) Join us inside the Community Center for our Adaptive Egg Hunt, specially designed for children with varying needs.
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Get ready for the ultimate K-Pop Skate Party at Skate City on Friday, March 27th. Skate to K-Pop hits all night long during our 4–6pm and 6–8pm sessions, dress like your favorite K-Pop star, and don’t miss our Lightstick Power Hour, dance breaks, and giveaways. Admission is just $8 with $5 skate rental if needed — so grab your crew and hit the rink for a night full of music, lights, and nonstop energy.
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Families are invited to hop into the spring season at Bunny Hop, a fun-filled event at The Magic House. Activities include an outdoor egg hunt in our Play Garden, photo opportunities with the Bunny, spring-inspired crafts and private playtime throughout the Museum. Guests can also enjoy a sweet treat while exploring The Magic House. Registration is required for adults and children age 1 and up.
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It’s your favorite day of the month! The whole family gets unlimited access to everything The REC has to offer-the Pool, Clip ‘N Climb, Nerf Games, and Bounce Houses! Family Fun Night has something for everyone – come on out and find your new favorite activity!
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Spring Break: No school? Let’s play! Looking for something fun to do while school is out? Spend part of your Spring Break at Enchanted Playroom!
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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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- Songs and Stories - Babies & Toddlers - Maplewood Public Library, 7550 Lohmeyer Ave, Maplewood, MO 63143, Saturday, March 27, 10-10:30 am
- In the Gallery| Creative Women on the Cusp - St Louis Public Library - Schlafly Library, 225 North Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63108, all day Friday-Sunday, March 27-29
- Easter Bunny at West County Center - West County Center, 80 W County Center Dr, Des Peres, St. Louis, MO 63131, all weekend, • Monday – Saturday, 11am – 8pm • Sunday, 12pm – 6pm
- Lululemon Easter Basket Giveaway - West County Center, 80 W County Center Dr,
Des Peres, St. Louis, MO 63131, all weekend, Any
- Celebrate Earth Day-Meridian Waste Children’s Coloring Contest (Contest entry ends April 13) - Submit your artwork online., all weekend, Any time.
- Lego Club - Kirkwood Public Library, 140 East Jefferson Avenue, Kirkwood, MO 63122, Saturday, March 28, 2-3 pm
- Community Egg Hunt - Brentwood Park,
Brazeau Avenue, Brentwood, MO, Saturday, March 28, 10 am
- Wildwood Spring Egg Hunt - Village Green, Saturday, March 28, 10:00
- The Lewis and Clark Expedition - 1000 Kisker Road, Saint Charles, MO, Saturday, March 28, 10-11 am
- Rise Up Family Easter Event - Hazelwood Baptist Church, Saturday, March 28, 10:00am - 12:00pm
- Rooftop Candy Drop – Free Easter Family Event (Petting Zoo + Inflatables) - Rooftop Church, Gravois Road, Affton, MO, Saturday, March 28, 2:00PM
- Special Needs Egg Hunt - Moody Park, South Ruby Lane, Fairview Heights, IL, Saturday, March 28, 11:30 am
- Easter Egg Hunt - Moody Park, South Ruby Lane, Fairview Heights, IL, Saturday, March 28, 11 am
- Youth Easter Egg Hunt - Vlasis Park, Park Dr, Ballwin, MO, Saturday, March 28, 11 am- 12:30 pm
- Community Egg Hunt - Ross Elementary School, Ross
Avenue, Saint Louis, Missouri, Saturday, March 28, 10 am
- St. Charles EGGstravaganza Hunt - Kinetic Park, Town Square Ave, Dardenne Prairie, MO, Saturday, March 28, 9 am- 12 pm
- Ausome Easter Egg Hunt - Warson Park, Grandview Drive, Olivette, MO, Saturday, March 28, 9:30-11:30 am
- Easter Eggstravaganza - The Lutheran Church of Webster
Gardens, Watson Road, Webster Groves, MO, Saturday, March 28, 10 am- 12 pm
- FREE Photo with the Easter Bunny- Bass Pro Shops - St. Charles - Bass Pro Shops, 1365 S 5th St, St Charles, St. Charles, MO 63301, Saturday-Sunday, March 28-29, See Store for Hours
- Longmeadow Rescue Ranch Wagon Days - Longmeadow Rescue Ranch, Saint Josephs Road, Union, MO 63084, Saturday, March 28, 11 am - 3 pm
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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the St. Louis 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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Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the St. Louis 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 St. Louis 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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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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