KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: When I was a teenager, I had a teacher who became a mentor without ever knowing he was one. He was aware I’d been going through some difficult times, and was glad to hear I was almost on the other side. “Some people aren't lucky enough to have dealt with hard things when they're young,” he told me. Then he added the phrase that has echoed in my head for decades: “Remember the
rocks.” Life, he explained, was always going to toss boulders into my path. The trick was to recognize, early, that even if it was painful or scary, I was capable of getting around, or over, or through them. Remembering how I’d managed would help me trust myself more when the next, bigger ones appeared. As a parent, I think about that often, about how the only way to become someone who does hard things is… to do hard things. It’s tempting
to rush in and smooth every unpleasant obstacle our kids encounter. When we email the teacher, mend the friendship, rescue the forgotten homework, eliminate every discomfort, we may feel helpful in the moment, but in fact we’re quietly removing the practice stones they need. Resilience doesn’t come from being told “You’re strong”; it comes from evidence that only they can gather, from working through manageable challenges and thinking, That was hard. And I handled it. We don’t need to
manufacture their challenges—being a kid is difficult enough. And we don’t abandon them to do it all on their own, either. We just learn to pause, to weigh advice against intervention, and to let them see what they can manage. The goal is that later in life, when something truly difficult lands in our children's path, they won’t just hope they can manage it, they’ll know. Now, many years later, when I encounter something daunting, I think back to my mentor and
remember the rocks. "I do hard things," I tell myself. And it works.
—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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Your Summer Starts Here!
Join us for a J Day Camps Open House this March and get a first look at our summer camp programs and meet the staff.
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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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Trade in those winter blues to be surrounded by thousands of blue morpho butterflies in the tropics of the Butterfly House! Morpho Mania celebrates the majestic blue morpho from Costa Rica. With its 6-inch wingspan that appears almost neon-blue as it
flashes through the sky, witnessing a sea of blue morphos is truly mesmerizing! Visitors will also learn about butterflies’ critical role in nature, how they use camouflage, and how we can help protect the blue morpho's native habitat. This special exhibition runs through the month of March.
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This year, we’re going bigger, brighter, and longer. For the first time, we’re introducing two teams – freshwater grit meets saltwater flow. Two waters. One splashy showdown. Cheer them on as animal training takes center stage – Aquarium style.
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Engineering is the process of using science and technology to solve real-world problems. Today’s preschoolers are tomorrow’s engineers and problem-solvers! In each 45-minute class, we use will use a thought-provoking storybook to engage children in STEM
(Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) challenges, exploration and play. Little engineers will learn science and math concepts as they design and create solutions to problems connected to the characters in the story or their everyday lives.
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Get ready for a farm-tastic day! Come meet local farmers and check out a variety of farm animals and machinery.
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Welcome to All About Trout! In this class you will learn all about trout species, habitat, history, and fishing and try your hand at catching your very own Rainbow Trout! Once completed, you can sign up for the follow-up class “Pond to Plate: Trout” where
you’ll put your trout fishing skills to the test in order to catch, clean, and cook them.
Register for free and create an account for ALL participants (children too). You can either create a group account or create multiple individual accounts using the same email and password, just a different username.
Please dress for the weather. Feel free to bring water, snacks, and anything else you may need. You will receive an email from us if there is need for cancellation.
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The sugarin’ season is upon us at The Historic Daniel Boone Home in Defiance! Join us at this sweet event to learn historic and modern tree-tapping methods and taste sweet treats from the trees. Kids and adults alike can try out historic hand tools and
watch reenactors boil sap at our sugar camp. Be prepared to visit with our vendors, try samples and purchase some delicious treats to take home. Cash only. This program is free and open to all ages. Dress for the weather!
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Looking for a night off while your kids have a blast? Our evening program blends creativity, activity, and glowing fun—all in a safe, supervised space. Kids cook their own meals, design cool creations, and end the night skating under the lights at the
Brentwood Ice Rink with music and glow gear! Full details emailed one week prior.
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Come join us for our monthly homeschool skate during the 2025-26 ice rink season! It's a great opportunity to have fun on the ice and spend time with other homeschooling families.
The cost is $6 per person, which includes skate rentals. We look forward to seeing you there!
Any other questions? Call us at 314-615-5572
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Come explore, jump, and play at St. Louis Spirit’s Preschool Open Gym! Perfect for ages 5 and under, this fun-filled, unstructured playtime lets little ones burn energy, build coordination, and explore our safe, kid-friendly gymnastics equipment. No
experience needed—just bring the giggles and get ready for big fun!
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Does your child need somewhere fun and safe to play? Do you need a night out or just some peace and quiet? Look no further than Miss Kelly's Parents Night Out!
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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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iD Tech: The World's #1 STEM Summer Camp! BattleBots® Camp? You can only get it here. Roblox Camp? We've got that and more in our Summer '26 lineup. Register today at the top-rated tech camp for 25 years and counting! iD Tech is the very best
experience built around your child—their interests, their skill level, their goals for the future. Trusted by 75+ of the world’s top universities and over 1,000,000 parents, iD Tech is where kids and teens learn from the best—coding, game dev, robotics, and more. The future starts at iD Tech!
Click here for more information about your local iD Tech opportunities! Virtual camps are also available!
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- In the Gallery| Creative Women on the Cusp - St Louis Public Library - Schlafly Library, 225 North Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63108, Friday, March 6, 2026 to Sunday, March 8, 2026, all day
- Songs and Stories - Babies & Toddlers - Maplewood
Public Library, 7550 Lohmeyer Ave, Maplewood, MO 63143, Saturday, March 7, 2026, 10-10:30 am
- Diaper Distribution and Sensory
Play Time - St. Louis Public Library - Central Library, 1301 Olive Street, St. Louis, MO 63103, Saturday, March 7, 2026, 10:30 am- 12 pm
- Music and Movement Storytime - St Louis Public Library - Schlafly Library, 225 North Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63108, Saturday, March 7, 2026, 10:30-11:30 am
- Maple Sugar Festival - The Historic Daniel Boone Home, 1868 Hwy F, Defiance, MO 63341, Saturday, March 7, 2026, 11 am- 3 pm
- Learn to Fish: All About Trout - August A. Busch. Memorial Conservation Area, 2360 Hwy D, St Charles, MO 63304, Saturday, March 7, 2026, 10 am- 12 pm
- Meet a Farmer - Lewis & Clark Boat House and Museum, South Riverside Drive, Saint Charles, MO, Saturday, March 7, 2026, 9 am- 12 pm
- Baby & Me: Lapsit - Jefferson County Library - Arnold Branch, 1701 Missouri State Rd, Arnold, MO 63010, Saturday, March 7, 2026, 10 am
- J Day Camps Open House, Chesterfield - The J, 16801 Baxter Rd, Chesterfield, MO 63005, Sunday, March 8, 2026, 1:00 p.m.
- PrettySmart : STEM My Beauty Lock-in With Girl Scouts! - YMCA of Hannibal, 1 YMCA Dr, Hannibal, MO, Saturday, March 7, 2026,
7:00PM
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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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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the St. Louis area! 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 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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