KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
|
|
|
Sat, Apr 18: Earth Day at the Watershed at The Nature Preserve Foundation
Fri,
Apr 24: Arbor Day Celebration at Blanchette Park
Sat, Apr 25: St. Louis Earth Day Festival at Forest Park- Across from Cricket Field
Fri, May 1: Florissant Valley of Flowers Festival at Duchesne Grounds
Fri, May 8: 39th Annual Art Fair at Laumeier Sculpture Park
Fri, May 15: Maifest 2026 at Donau Park
Fri, May 15: Wentzville Days
Sat, May 16: Monster Machines Day at Des Peres Park
Fri, May 22: St. Louis County Greek Festival at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church
Fri, May 22: 20th Annual Missouri River Irish Fest 2026 at Lewis & Clark Boat House Museum |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
As I write this column, three Americans and one Canadian are hurtling home from a trip around the Moon, inside a machine that had better do exactly what it’s supposed to do. For years, every person involved in the mission obsessed over every detail at every stage until as little as possible was left to chance. “Failure is not an option,” an ethos long associated with our quest to
explore outer space, makes perfect sense when we're talking about Artemis II. But decades ago, the attitude leaked out of the space program and into everyday life, and that was a mixed blessing. When I was a teenager, “failure is not an option” might as well have been tattooed on my brain: For me, not only was failure not an option, but anything below an A grade wasn’t an option, either. I was so afraid of not being perfect that if I felt unprepared for a test, I’d stay home
“sick.” I looked successful from the outside, but because I was working so hard to avoid mistakes, I played it safe. So I didn't actually accomplish much aside from some sharp-looking letters on a report card. It took me years out in the real world to realize that real accomplishment usually looks less like gliding and more like bumping into things until you find the way through. So these days, failure and I are best buddies: I've replaced "failure is not an option" with
"nothing ventured, nothing gained" as I inch toward and away from success each day. Even writing my column each week is an act of resilience: I add and then murder my words until they say what I mean, and I'm always aware in the end that it could be better. One of my goals when I was homeschooling Madison and Ella was to make failure safe and ordinary... cheerful, even... a sign of progress. Kids need chances to try things that might flop: recipes that taste weird, projects
that collapse, math problems they have to redo, conversations they wish they’d handled better. I wanted them to understand that when the stakes are low, failure is not a tragedy, it’s just how learning works. It doesn't usually feel fun, or comfortable. But it's the only way to fly.
—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
Spring is in full bloom, and there’s no better place to experience it than at Eckert’s Tulip Trail. Stroll through thousands of vibrant tulips, tall in the fresh spring air, and capture beautiful moments along the way. Whether you’re planning a day out with family, a date, or just looking for a peaceful escape, Tulip Trail is the perfect way to welcome the season.
|
|
|
|
Uncover the stories of the Museum’s collection on Sunday afternoons with a gallery exploration and hands-on art activities. This week highlights artists of all abilities in connection with Autism Awareness Month. Enjoy special performances and sensory activities, and create an artwork to take home in the Create Lab.
|
|
|
|
Busch Stadium is a terrific place to watch baseball! There are lots of great food and beverage options and don't forget our popular theme nights! See you at the park!
|
|
|
|
The National Museum of Transportation is proud to announce a special exhibition celebrating the 100th anniversary of historic Route 66. Titled “Roads, River, Rooms, and Reels,” the exhibit will open to the public on March 14, 2026, and will explore the stories, memories, and modes of travel that shaped America’s most iconic highway and the communities connected to it.
|
|
|
|
SAVE THE DATE for Crafty Kids on the Square: a hands-on, make-and-take event by Sawdust and Glitter designed especially for little creators! Celebrate spring with a day full of DIY fun, painting, tie-dye, and colorful crafts in the heart of the square. Kids can explore their creativity through guided projects, playful materials, and plenty of imagination—no experience needed, just a love for making things. Crafty Kids on the Square is all about creativity, smiles, and messy-in-the-best-way fun. Come craft, paint, and create springtime memories together!
|
|
|
|
Don't miss this fun-filled day of learning, crafting, and supporting the treatment of more than 2,000 wild orphans at the Wildlife Rescue Center!
|
|
|
|
Parents and guardians will have the chance to speak directly with program providers, learn about registration options, explore scholarship opportunities, and discover activities that match their child’s interests—from outdoor adventures and sports to STEM, arts, and academic enrichment. The event is free and open to the public, and families are encouraged to stop by, ask questions, and start planning a fun and productive summer.
|
|
|
|
Main Street Kid’s Day returns to Downtown Belleville after three successful years! With more than 500 families attending, Belleville Main Street is expanding Kid’s Day to include more fun for families in our community. Belleville Main Street utilizes partnerships with Belleville Chamber community organizations that offer services and programming for our young residents & visitors to provide a fun-filled day on Main Street- just for them.
|
|
|
|
Step back into history with a guided tour of The Historic Daniel Boone Home. Experience an educational and inspiring journey through the lives of Daniel and Rebecca Boone as you explore what life was like on the early American frontier. Through engaging storytelling and authentic artifacts—including original antique weapons and gear from the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War—gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and triumphs that shaped their 56-year partnership. This tour offers a powerful glimpse into Missouri’s past and the resilience of those who helped shape it. Admission to the Boone Home is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors ages 60 and up, and $5 for children ages 5–12. Active and retired military and children 4 and under are free
|
|
|
|
We're expecting....Kittens! Kitten season is just around the corner, and the shelter and fosters are about to be full of tiny paws and hungry bellies! To make sure we’re ready for the little meowing fuzz balls of joy- we are hosting our 2026 Kitten Shower on Friday, April 10th, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It takes a lot of resources to keep these little ones healthy and happy, and we would love for you to be a part of their journey! Here is the best part: if you drop by with a monetary or supply donation, we’ll have adorable kittens ready and waiting for some thank-you snuggles! There’s no need to make an appointment; just stop by whenever you can during our event hours to deliver your gift and get some kitten therapy in return!
|
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
Please join our Park Horticulturist on a walk through Rau Garden and the surrounding areas in Blanchette Park to enjoy nature waking up from a long winter’s nap. We will discuss what plants are blooming, what has just bloomed and what is about to bloom in the near future. We will answer questions you may have along the way as well. Please keep in mind this is a walking tour, comfortable shoes are recommended.
|
|
|
|
She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition follows high schooler Agnes Evans as she copes with the loss of her younger sister, Tilly. Discovering Tilly’s Dungeons & Dragons notebook pulls Agnes into a thrilling, imaginative world filled with monsters, magic, and ’90s pop culture, resulting in a fast-paced, heartfelt comedy by Qui Nguyen that celebrates both the geek and the warrior within us all.
|
|
|
- Toddler and Me—Story Time - Saint Louis Art Museum, Fine Arts Drive, St. Louis, MO, Friday, April 10, 2026, 10 AM
- Songs and Stories - Babies & Toddlers - Maplewood Public Library, 7550 Lohmeyer Ave, Maplewood, MO 63143, Friday, April 10, 2026, 10-10:30 am
- Spring Bloom
Tour - Blanchette Park, West Randolph Street, Saint Charles, MO, Friday, April 10, 2026, 10-11 am
- Lego Club - Kirkwood Public Library, 140 East Jefferson Avenue, Kirkwood, MO 63122, Saturday, April 11, 2026, 2-3 pm
- STEAM Club - Rock Hill Public Library, 9811 Manchester Rd, Rock Hill, MO 63119, Saturday, April 11, 2026, 11 am- 12 pm
- Chooks With Books: Chicken Storytime -
SLPL, 2260 South Vandeventer Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, Saturday, April 11, 2026, 2-3 pm
- Family Crafternoon - St. Louis Public Library - Walnut Park Library, 5760 West Florissant Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63120, Saturday, April 11, 2026, 3-4 pm
- Main Street Kid's Day - 216 East A Street, Belleville, IL, Saturday, April 11, 2026, 10 am- 4 pm
- Wildlife Rescue Center Open House - 1128 New
Ballwin Road, Ballwin, MO 63021, Saturday, April 11, 2026, 11 am- 4 pm
- Wildlife Rescue Center's Open House - 1128 New Ballwin Road, Ballwin, MO 63021, Saturday, April 11, 2026, 11am-4pm
- Explore & Play - Jefferson County Library - Arnold Branch, 1701 Missouri State Rd, Arnold, MO 63010, Saturday, April 11, 2026, 10 am
- Littles @ the Library: Dance Party
- Jefferson County Library - Arnold Branch, 1701 Missouri State Rd, Arnold, MO 63010, Saturday, April 11, 2026, 3 pm
- North County Summer Camp & Resource Fair - McCluer North High School, Waterford Drive, Florissant, MO, Saturday, April 11, 2026, 10 am - 1 pm
- Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - St. Louis - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, Saturday, April 18, 2026, See link for times
- Family Sunday—Embracing Every Ability - Saint Louis Art Museum, Sunday, April 12, 2026, 1 PM
|
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
|
|
