Hope you're staying warm and cozy as we brace for this ice storm rolling into Charlotte! Please be safe out there, and make sure to double-check any weekend plans- lots of events might be getting canceled or rescheduled. And here's a little New England tip from my Massachusetts childhood: if ice melt is sold out everywhere (which it probably will be), grab some kitty litter! It works wonders for traction on those slippery walkways and driveways. Trust me on this one.
Last weekend was all about family time over here. We had some more belated birthday celebrations, spent quality time with loved ones, and finally got caught up on the new season of Traitors (no spoilers, but WOW). I also tried to catch the northern lights Monday night, but I think our street is just too bright 😔. Did any of you manage to see them? Send me pics if you did!
The real highlight this week though? My birthday gift to myself finally arrived: dozens of English muffins from Model Bakery via Goldbelly. These are my absolute favorite obsession when I'm in Napa, and now I can finally have them at home. I actually have the Model Bakery cookbook and tried to make them once, but wow was that a disaster. Sometimes you just have to admit defeat and order the real thing.
Stay safe this weekend, friends! And if you're stuck inside, at least you've got this newsletter to keep you company. 😉
Know another Charlotte parent who needs easy ideas this week?
Your roundup of family-friendly events and activities happening this week.
If your weekend plans are currently buried under weather alerts and cancellation emails, take a deep breath. We're navigating that tricky mid-January stretch in Charlotte where Mother Nature likes to keep us guessing, and while the ice storm might put a pause on some outdoor adventures, it also means cozy indoor moments are calling your name.
The trick isn't to fight the weather; it's to find the activities that roll with whatever this week throws at us. Maybe that means a museum morning before the roads get dicey, an indoor play space when cabin fever hits, or just embracing a full weekend of pajamas and hot chocolate. Whether you're looking for weather-proof entertainment or planning ahead for when things thaw out, this week has options.
✨ Don't miss these favorites:
Life-Sized Candy Land at Kannapolis Library, a free drop-in event where kids travel through colorful game zones and race to Candy Castle—perfect for burning energy when cabin fever hits.
Snow Days: Winter Experience at Discovery Place Science, running daily through Feb 1 with sock skating, igloo building, and a Hygge lounge that's basically Charlotte's coziest escape from reality right now.
India's Republic Day Celebration at Hindu Center of Charlotte, with cultural performances, food, and shopping—a vibrant, free community event that introduces kids to rich traditions in the most delicious way possible.
Stay flexible, keep an eye on those event pages for weather updates, and build the week that keeps your family safe and entertained.
Your featured park, playground, or indoor play spot.
I've dragged Jamie to a lot of Charlotte playgrounds, but Park Road Park is the one we keep coming back to. Between the toddler-friendly play area with its sandbox and imaginative market structure, the bigger-kid zone that keeps him entertained just watching, and the fact that it never feels too crowded even when it's busy, this park has earned its spot as our default answer to "where should we go today?"
Bonus: the little free library recently gifted us a book that's become Jamie's obsession.
I took Jamie and a couple mom friends to Amelie's at Park Road on MLK Day, and watching three toddlers (ages 4 months to 16 months) navigate blueberry muffins and quiche in the most chaotic, joyful way possible reminded me why this place is special. The space is huge so we found a table easily, high chairs are plentiful, and when Jamie started running laps between tables screaming and pointing with delight at the colorful art, everyone just smiled. This is the kind of place that gets it.
A quick tip, insight, or reflection from a local expert or parent.
Ice Storm Prep
The forecast for this weekend went from "fun snow flurries" to "potentially serious power outages," and I went into full panic prep mode. We ordered lanterns, Hot Hands, fleece pajamas for Jamie, and I'm hunting down a propane heater today. After talking to friends with babies and older kids, I put together a practical guide for Charlotte families: what to stock up on for different ages (extra formula and room-temp bottles for babies, battery-powered lanterns and shelf-stable snacks for toddlers), how to stay warm if the heat goes out, and the mental game of keeping little ones calm and entertained in the dark. This might all be overkill, but I'd rather have supplies I don't need than be scrambling with a cold toddler.
A sneak peek at upcoming events and seasonal fun around Charlotte.
We're marking our calendars for Pineville's First Fridays on February 6th, and this month's Valentine's theme sounds adorable. From 5 to 9pm in downtown Pineville, there will be horse-drawn carriage rides (yes, really!), a pop-up market with unique gift ideas, and food trucks including Cousins Maine Lobster. You can grab custom bouquets at Monarch Moments and Co, do crafts at AR Workshop, and of course hit up Carolina Scoops Ice Cream. It's free, it's family-friendly, and honestly it sounds like a perfect excuse to get out of the house on a Friday night and let Jamie people-watch while we stroll around with ice cream.
Downtown Pineville is at 303 Main Street, and these First Friday events happen every month with different themes, so this could become a new regular outing for us.
Wishing you a week that's warmer than the forecast suggests and flows much smoother than checking event cancellations every three hours. I'll be back in your inbox next week with more honest Charlotte adventures and hopefully some actual sunshine to report on.
Until then, stock up on the kitty litter and embrace the pajama days.
💚 Emily Founder, The Charlotte Sprout
P.S. If you try any of these spots, tag us on Instagram @charlottesprout! I love seeing your family adventures (and secretly judge how much better your kids behave in public than mine does).
Help The Sprout grow. If one idea made your week easier, please forward this email or tag @thecharlottesprout so more Charlotte parents can find us. 🌱
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