KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Fri, Jan 30: The Wizard of Oz in Concert at St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
Sat, Jan
31: Preschool Fair at Jefferson County Library Arnold Branch
Sat, Feb 7: Open House at The Soulard School
Sun, Feb 8: Safe Sitter at Ballwin Golf Course
Sun, Feb 8: Purina Pet Parade at Mardi Gras, Inc.
Sat, Feb 14: Talon-tine's Day at the Edwardsville Children's Museum
Sat, Feb 14: Bud Light Grand Parade of Mardi Gras at Mardi Gras, Inc.
Fri, Feb 20: Stories in the 100 Aker Wood at DaySpring Arts and Education
Sat, Feb 21: Royal Winter Ball at Maryland Heights Centre
Sat, Feb 28: Snow Sisters Winter Festival
Sat, Mar 7: A Visit with Daniel and Rebecca Boone at The Historic Daniel Boone Home & Heritage Center
Sat, Mar 7: Maple Sugar Festival at The Historic Daniel Boone Home & Heritage Center
Sat, Mar 21: Skate with the Bunny at Brentwood Ice Arena
Fri, Mar 27: The Art Fair at Queeny Park at Greensfelder Recreation Complex Sun, Apr 19: Handyman Hall Comes to Town - Touhill Performing Arts Center, April 19 |
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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Explore the Children’s Area to find pictures of books by local author Patricia McKissack to win a small prize. In celebration of Black History Month.
Ages 3-10.
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Snow tubing is just like sledding, but better!
No sleds required- we provide each rider with special tubes that are fast, safe, and comfortable. No skills required and anyone can participate! Simply grab a snow tube and experience a thrilling day of fast-paced runs down our specially designed tubing lanes.
Polar Plunge has convenient and easy-to-use conveyors to take you and your tube back to the top so you can get the most out of your day! It is a great way to beat the winter blues and experience the snow in a new way.
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Capture the love and joy of the season with professional photos that make perfect keepsakes or heartfelt gifts. After your session, let the kiddos play in our fun-filled play space. It’s the perfect treat for their sweet smiles!
Includes:
10-minute photo session in a Valentine’s Day themed set
Digital downloads of at least 10 high-quality images
Access to Wild Sprouts playroom after photos
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Inspired by Dr. Maya Angelou’s powerful poem “Life Doesn’t Frighten Me,” this 50-minute original play by multidisciplinary hip-hop artist Paige Hernandez brings to life the everyday fears we all face.
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The Very Asian Foundation and Duane Reed Gallery cordially invite you to a Very Asian Lunar New Year celebration as we recognize works by nationally and internationally renowned Asian American artists based in the Midwest at the MICDS Messing Gallery!
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Join us for an Open House on Saturday, January 31, 2026! Drop in anytime between 1 and 4 pm, enjoy an art activity, tour our space, and chat with Saint Louis Sudbury School students, parents, staff, volunteers, and board members at our beautiful space
inside Intersect Arts Center. Connect, ask questions, share experiences, and discover what learning can look like!
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You’re invited to join us at our Open House on January 31, 2026 10:00 a.m – 12:00 p.m. This is your opportunity to take a peek inside our classrooms and speak with faculty and staff. We are enrolling for all grades for the 2026-27 school year.
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An hour of quality time for Dads and their 3-5 year old children. Art project, movement, and a snack all in an action packed hour.
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In the heart of winter, come enjoy a night poolside involving all things GLOW! There will be glow beach balls, floating water fountains, and many more glow surprises!
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The timeless 1939 film classic The Wizard of Oz returns to the big screen with the SLSO performing Herbert Stothart’s iconic score live. Join Dorothy and her friends as she follows the Yellow Brick Road to Oz and faces the Wicked Witch of the West. Sing
along to the music you love, and the songs you know by heart—from “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” to “The Merry Old Land of Oz”—at this truly Technicolor event at Powell Hall.
Upgrade your film experience with a Premium Pass, including complimentary soft drinks, valet parking, and more
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Caregivers and children come together in a nurturing, joyful environment inspired by the rhythms and atmosphere of Waldorf Early Childhood. These classes offer a gentle introduction to a group setting, providing a bridge between home and the wider world of
preschool.
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St. Louis Public Library (SLPL) is launching its annual MLK Food Drive in partnership with St. Louis Area Foodbank, honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by supporting individuals and families across the St. Louis community.
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Open Gym is an opportunity for any child to have supervised free play in the gym. Kids can work on existing skills, try something new, or simply play around. It is completely up to them!
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St. Louis Public Library (SLPL) is launching its annual MLK Food Drive in partnership with St. Louis Area Foodbank, honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by supporting individuals and families across the St. Louis community.
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- We Can All Serve - MLK Food Drive - St. Louis Public Library - Central Library, 1301 Olive Street, St. Louis, MO 63103, Friday, 01/30/2026 to Saturday, 01/31/2026, all day
- Life Doesn’t Frighten Me—A Metro Theater Company Production - Metro Theater Company - Saint Louis Art Museum, Saint Louis Art Museum, Friday, 01/30/2026, 11 am
- Songs and Stories - Babies & Toddlers - Maplewood Public Library, 7550 Lohmeyer Ave, Maplewood, MO 63143, Friday, 01/30/2026, 10-10:30 am
- City Academy Open House - City Academy, Kingshighway Boulevard, St. Louis, MO, Saturday, 01/31/2026, 10 am - 12 pm
- Preschool Fair - Jefferson County Library - Arnold Branch, 1701 Missouri State Rd, Arnold, MO 63010, Saturday,
01/31/2026, 10 am
- Open House at Sudbury - Saint Louis Sudbury School, Texas Avenue, St. Louis, MO,
Saturday, 01/31/2026, 1 to 4 pm
- A Very Asian Lunar New Year Celebration - The Bridges Foundation Retreat, North New Ballas Road, St. Louis, MO, Saturday, 01/31/2026, 1-4 pm
- Life Doesn’t Frighten Me—A Metro Theater Company Production - Metro Theater Company - Saint Louis Art Museum, Saint Louis Art Museum, Saturday, 01/31/2026, 11 am
- Life Doesn’t Frighten Me—A Metro Theater Company Production -
Metro Theater Company - Saint Louis Art Museum, Saint Louis Art Museum, Saturday, 01/31/2026, 2 pm
- Free Reading Tutoring - St. Louis Public Library -
Carpenter Library, 3309 South Grand Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63118, Saturday, 01/31/2026, 12-1 pm
- Black History Month Seek-and-Find Challenge: Patricia McKissack - 195 South New Florissant Road, Florissant, MO, 195 South New
Florissant Road, Florissant, MO, Sunday, 02/01/2026, 1 pm
- Sunday S'mores with Nature Valley - Hidden Valley Ski Resort, 17409 Hidden Valley Drive, Wildwood, MO 63025, Sunday, 02/01/2026, 3 pm while supplies last
- Family
Sunday—Life Doesn’t Frighten Me - Saint Louis Art Museum, Fine Arts Drive, St. Louis, MO, Sunday, 02/01/2026, 1-4 PM
- Family Sunday—Life Doesn’t Frighten Me - Saint Louis Art Museum, Saint Louis Art Museum, Sunday, 02/01/2026, 1 PM
- Life Doesn’t Frighten Me—A Metro Theater Company Production - Metro Theater Company, 1 Fine Arts Drive, St. Louis, MO, Sunday,
02/01/2026, 2 PM
- Birding Sunday- Audubon Center at Riverlands - Audubon Center at Riverlands, 301 Riverlands Way, West Alton, MO 63386, Sunday, 02/01/2026, 9 am - 2 pm
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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 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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Best places to take kids in St Louis in 2024! Once again, our readers have spoken! Thousands of parents voted in the KidsOutAndAbout survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids. Our Top 20 results page includes a list of your top picks, including winners in
special categories like favorite spot for indoor play, favorite nature center, favorite museum, and much more!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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