KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: One summer afternoon during a family camping trip in New Jersey when I was about 6 or 7 years old, a horse fly suddenly appeared next to my ear and started following me everywhere I went. I’m sure that, from its own perspective, it was just going about its business doing ordinary horse fly things, but to me it felt enormous, ominous, and purposeful. I can't remember if it
actually bit me, but I can still summon the hot panic of not being able to get away from its threatening buzz. To my small self, that fly wasn't a little distraction, it was a crisis with wings. The memory surfaced recently when my daughter Ella sent me the above photo, taken in Quintana Beach County Park, near Houston. The point was clear: Proceed, and you will be under attack, and not by any adorable Northeastern bugs you might be used to. No, these bugs were born in Texas. Beware. Sometimes that is exactly
how challenges feel, especially to kids: Problems loom much larger to them than they do to adults with decades of experience. A broken toy, a skinned knee, a mistake in front of the class, or a slight misunderstanding with a friend may be a fly in the ointment to us, but a Texas-sized monster to a child. The trick is to validate the feeling without validating helplessness. We stand beside them and say, Yes, I know, this feels huge. The bugs, even if they're not as large as they
think, are real. They watch us shoo them away and learn gradually to do it for themselves. If I had seen the sign above, my first instinct would have been to flee back to the safety of the car. And Ella said it was not exaggerating, at least not by much: The moment she stepped onto the property, giant mosquitoes descended, and they were hungry; even leggings soaked with OFF Deep Woods did not deter them. She assures me that the photo she got of the Bay-breasted Warbler was
worth all the bites on the backs of her knees. She knew better than to show me the damage. Clearly, the script has flipped.
—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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Join us for The Loom: A Competitive Cyberpunk RPG (role-playing game) designed with teens in mind! The Loom is the fabric the world is built on –– older than any neighborhood, woven from threads that breathe, and right now –– it is starting to come apart. The people who tend The Loom are out of options. Something has reached across the threshold looking for help. It chose you. In this 90-minute role-playing game, you'll battle giant moths and monsters, solve puzzles, and work together with your group to help save the people of The Loom. One lead facilitator runs the room as The Weaver, the world's guide to its own crisis. No prior tabletop or gaming experience needed. No reading needed before you arrive. Snacks, a table, and curiosity are the equipment. You are invited to come explore a magical world that is tearing –– and bring with you the possibility of stitching together something new. The strongest agents in each session will emerge not only with bonuses to wisdom, but…
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The Circus is here! You're invited to the most next-level family fun party on the planet. The all-new Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® is a non-stop celebration of jaw-dropping acts, laugh-out-loud fun, and memory-making moments you won't want to miss. Because this isn't just about the action on stage-it's about the fun of sharing it with the people who matter most. From wide-eyed kids to "seen-it-all" grown-ups, we've got the WOW that will amaze them all. We've taken the biggest, boldest, most joy-sparking acts in the world and transformed them into a one-of-a-kind shared experience. So grab your crew and bring your biggest energy. The Greatest Show On Earth® is throwing the world's most unforgettable party--and the best seat in the house is the one right next to you.
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Join us for a fun-filled Story Hour related to the many sides of Fruitlands Museum! From the Fairy Forest of Louisa May Alcott’s childhood to the bustling herb gardens of the Shakers and the visionary views of artists and writers, explore the wonders of the natural world through stories, crafts, and other fun adventures!
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Cozy up with the sheep on the farmyard and feed them their hay as we get them ready for their day or settled in for the evening. Learn about the many ways wool is used as we card our sheep's wool and make a woolly craft to take home.
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Celebrate your achievements and new beginnings by creating a one-of-a-kind charm bar piece! Whether you graduated from school, are heading to college, or started a new job, this workshop is the perfect way to commemorate your next chapter.
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Let’s have a Spa Day! Join us for a little pampering and relaxation at Unicorn Spa Day! Children will mix up their very own unicorn potion, create crystal wishes, get glittery nails and a touch of magic! This workshop is limited to 8 children, pre-registration is required. All ages are welcome! Children age three (3) and up may be dropped off with a signed Consent Form. Any child under the age of three must have an adult alongside participating. We thank you for encouraging your child to take part in magical play!
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Calling All Woodland Fairies and Gnomes! The Fruitlands Fairy Forest is back! While living at Fruitlands, 10-year-old Louisa May Alcott wrote in her diary that she “had a lovely time in the woods with Anna and Lizzie. We were fairies, and made gowns and paper wings. I ‘flied’ the highest of all.” Don your wings, grab your crowns, and come play in the Fruitlands woods as Louisa and her sisters once played. We encourage all visitors to our grounds and trails to build fairy and gnome houses around the Willard Archeological site along the yellow trail at Fruitlands Museum. Collect natural materials and build a house for the Fruitlands fairies and gnomes then leave your house for the sprites to enjoy and other guests to see as the fairy forest grows.
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- Friday Storytime At Mill Cafe - The Mill Cafe - 14 Mill St, Arlington, MA 02476, United States, 05/29/2026, 3:30 - 4:15 pm
- Free Open Houses at the Betsey Williams Cottage - Museum of Natural History and Planetarium - Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI, USA, 05/29/2026, 10:00 am - 3:00pm
- Music Production with Hamstank: Beats, Recording, Mixing, & Mastering (Ages13-18) at the Central Library in Copely Square - Boston Public Library - Central Library - Boylston Street, Boston, MA, USA, 05/29/2026, 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
- 2026 Copley Square Farmers Market - 240 Beaver St, Waltham, MA 02452, United States, 05/29/2026, 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
- Story Hour at Fruitlands Museum -
Fruitlands Museum - 102 Prospect Hill Rd, Harvard, MA 01451, United States, 05/29/2026, 10:30 am - 11:30 am
- Carnivorous Plants with New England Carnivorous Plant Society, Ages 6-12 - At Boston Public Library - Central Library in Copley Square
- Boston Public Library - Central Library - Boylston Street, Boston, MA, USA, 05/30/2026, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
- Musical Instrument Petting Zoo - Note-worthy Experiences Music Studio, 05/31/2026, 1:30 - 3:30 pm
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Boston 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 (and dozens) of ideas!
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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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