KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Tue, May 5: Preschool Story Hour-Pollinators (Ages 3-5) at Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary
Sun, May 10: Lilac Sunday at Arnold Arboretum of Harvard
University
Sun, May 10: Muffins for Mom: Mother's Day 5K & Children’s Entrepreneur Market at Good Pickin' Farm Fri, May 15: 2026 Copley Square Farmers Market at Copley Square Farmers Market
Sat, May 16: Coggeshall Farm Sheep & Wool Festival Sun, May 17: Story Pirates Live! - Chevalier Theatre
Sat, May 23: Family Paddle at Dusk - Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
Sat, May 23: Powisset Pals: Guided StoryWalk with Mia Wenjen and Kiddos in the Kitchen! (Ages 7-11) - The Trustees of Reservations
Sat, May 23: Fruitlands Fairy Forest Sat, May 30: Unicorn Spa Day - At The Good Witch of Salem
Sat, May 30: Fruitlands Fairy Forest - At Fruitlands Museum
Wed, Jun 3: Children's Playgroup: June Series - At Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory &
Gardens
Fri, Jun 5: 2026 Glow in the Park - At Rose Kennedy Greenway - With Faneuil Hall Marketplace
Sat, Jun 6: Farm & Field Festival featuring Zach Field Drums & Music - At Cider Hill Farm
Sat, Jun 6: Meet Live Animals! Family Event Supporting RRS Oasis Animal Sanctuary |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: When they were handing out high school yearbook awards, some of my classmates unofficially, though cheerfully, voted me Least Likely to Become a Professional Cheerleader. I couldn’t really disagree: After all, I was a nerd before being a nerd came into fashion, much more comfortable in a library than at a pep rally. So much for teenage
predictions! Yesterday, my daughter Ella turned 25, which means KidsOutAndAbout turns 25, too. When Ella was imminent, and her sister Madison was one-and-a-half, I was realizing just how many incredible experiences for kids and families were all around us in Rochester, NY. Back then, before web calendars were a thing, finding out about stuff happening meant you had to know where to look. So during maternity leave from my old technology consulting firm, I
decided to build a place to make invisible opportunities visible, to celebrate the people who create them, and to build audiences for these great things. We’ve grown to a dedicated team of 20 people doing work that matters, serving 52 regions with 15 million readers per year and 750,000 weekly newsletter subscribers. So yes, I’m a professional cheerleader, and I love it. I love this. I love that my job is to help build an audience for the remarkable experiences
people are bringing to life. I love that our mission is to shine a light on the concerts, camps, classes, festivals, trails, museums, libraries, theaters, and local treasures large and small that become family stories and memories. Far from slowing down, we’re heading into hyper-drive for our Silver Anniversary, so stay tuned! Thank you for being part of the journey, and for giving us so much to cheer about.
—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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Get ready for Story Pirates Live in Medford, MA on May 17th! Featuring fan-favorite songs from the multi-award winning The Story Pirates Podcast and improvised sketch comedy based on ideas from kids in the audience. The Story Pirates believe that all kids are creative geniuses, and they’re ready to prove it with their fast-paced, hilarious and inspiring show for the whole family. Featuring Eric from The Story Pirates Podcast, plus a cast of the funniest Story Pirate actors, singers, and comedians around. The Story Pirates, best known for their flagship podcast with more than 100 million downloads, are a family media company that amplifies the words and ideas of kids. The award-winning The Story Pirates Podcast takes stories submitted by kids and turns them into sketch comedy and songs with help from celebrity guests like Kristen Bell, John Oliver, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Sara Bareilles, Seth Meyers, and more. Story Pirates have also produced the Looney Tunes podcast and co-created…
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Discover the wonders of the natural world through storytelling and seasonal exploration! Dive into captivating books about different seasonal themes. Each session bursts with interactive fun as you craft nature-inspired projects and play games that connect you to wildlife and the changing seasons. Come ready to laugh, learn, and create lasting memories while discovering fascinating facts about the natural world!
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Glide into a cherished Boston tradition with a ride on the iconic Swan Boats in the Public Garden—a beloved experience since 1877! These graceful paddle boats offer a peaceful float through the city's lush oasis, where blooming flowers, calm waters, and immaculately kept paths create a postcard-perfect scene. The Swan Boats are a magical way to soak in the city's charm and history. Just be sure to check the day’s forecast—rides only run when the weather’s as welcoming as the garden itself! Mayor Michelle Wu and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department are pleased to announce that the popular Boston Swan Boats will open for the 2026 season at the Boston Public Garden lagoon on Saturday, April 18, at 10 a.m.
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Celebrate the arrival of spring with a vibrant new take on our annual Holi celebration at Wright-Locke Farm! This year, we’re transforming the evening into a lively Holi Cocktail Party—an opportunity to mix, mingle, and soak in the beauty of the season with great food, drinks, and community. Join us from 6:30–8:30 PM in our stunning All Seasons Barn and patio (weather permitting) for an evening filled with color, flavor, and festivity. Enjoy an open bar featuring signature cocktails, beer from Rupee Beer, and wine, alongside a selection of passed hors d’oeuvres and a flavorful station.
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Step into a magical potion making experience in Salem, MA where kids and families create their own enchanting potions. Located on Essex Street near the historic Witch House, this hands-on activity is one of the most unique things to do in Salem with kids.
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Gather at Peters Hill Summit for a one-of-a-kind concert celebrating the beautiful crabapple collection in peak bloom. Chloe DeSteno and Ariana Mascari, graduate students at the New England Conservatory, have assembled a collection of musical pieces about the crabapples and Peters Hill, as well as plants and the Arboretum more broadly–including one original piece composed specifically for this part of the Arboretum. The concert will feature a chamber ensemble playing genres from Renaissance to jazz, all rooted in classical music. Seating will be on the grass. We recommend bringing a blanket or lawn chair to sit on if desired, as chairs will not be provided.
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This is the way. Join the Red Sox for Star Wars Day at Fenway Park on Sunday, May 3. In celebration of the premiere of The Mandalorian and Grogu, Fenway Park will become the ultimate destination for fans of the galaxy far, far away. Fans who purchase tickets through this special offer will receive an exclusive Red Sox x STAR WARS™ Grogu Bobblehead - the perfect companion for any bounty hunter (or baseball fan). Before first pitch, encounter the 501st New England Garrison, who will be stationed throughout the ballpark for photo opportunities.
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Travel through 300 years of history on this fun and interactive tour of Boston's Freedom Trail. Designed for families with children 6-12 years old, this tour encourages discovery and exploration.
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This award winning tribute to Taylor Swift is the most highly regarded tribute act for Taylor Swift in the US and some may say, the world. Created with the highest level of attention to detail, with an incredible live band, this show promises to deliver the energy and authenticity of a live Taylor Swift concert.
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- Drop-In Gaming Time (All Ages) - At Boston Public Library - Chinatown Branch - Boston Public Library, 2 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116, Friday, May 1, 2026, 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm
- Discovery Tykes at the Museum of Natural History - Museum of Natural History and Planetarium, Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI, USA, Friday, May 1, 2026, 10:00AM-10:30AM
- Free Open Houses at the Betsey Williams Cottage - Museum of Natural History and Planetarium, Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI, USA, Friday, May 1, 2026, 10:00 am - 3:00pm
- Discovery Tykes at Betsey Williams Cottage - Museum of Natural History and Planetarium, Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI, USA, Friday, May 1, 2026, 10:00 am -10:30 am
- Friday Storytime At Mill Cafe - The Mill Cafe, 14 Mill St, Arlington, MA
02476, United States, Friday, May 1, 2026, 3:30 - 4:15 pm
- Family Dinner - At Mill Cafe - The Mill Cafe, 14 Mill St, Arlington, MA 02476, United States, Friday, May 1, 2026, 4:30 - 7:00
- Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - Boston - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, USA, Saturday, May 2, 2026 - Sunday, May 3, 2026, See link for times
- Crabapples in Bloom: Music Inspired by Nature - At the Arboretum - Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, 125 Arborway, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130, United States, Saturday, May 2, 2026, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
- Mayor Michelle Wu's Boston Family Days- At
Old State House (Boston) - Mayor Michelle Wu, 310 Washington Street, Boston, MA, USA, Sunday, May 3, 2026, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
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View our local Boston area 2026 summer camp guide for kids! Pick the dates you want to explore on our calendar and see what summer camps are available. Hundreds of local summer camps: day camps, overnight camps, sports, drama, music, theatre, arts &
crafts, technology, robotics, horseback riding, preschool, & more!
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Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the Boston 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,…
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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