KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Sun, Jun 21: Summer Solstice Celebration on the Drumlin - At Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary Sun, Jun 21: Father's Day at the Museum - At Museum of Natural History and Planetarium
Sun, Jun 21: Father's Day FREE Admission - At Stone Zoo
Sun, Jun 21: Father's Day at Lupa Zoo
Mon, Jun 22: Pollinator Festival - At Cider Hill Farm Wed, Jun 24: Children's Playgroup: June Series - At Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory & Gardens
Wed, Jun 24: Dirtopia! Wed, Jun 24: Children's Playgroup: June Series - At Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory & Gardens
Thu, Jun 25: Pride Concert with Carrie Ferguson, Ages 0-12 - At Boston Public Library - Central Library in Copley Square
Sat, Jun 27: Summer Event Series: Mud Day
Sat, Jun 27: Chalk-a-Palooza! - At Fruitlands Museum
Sat, Jun 27: Town of Sturbridge 250th Parade and Festival
Sun, Jun 28: Dirtopia!
Tue, Jun 30: K-Pop Icons - The Cabot
Wed, Jul 1: America’s 250th Anniversary Celebration - Franklin Park Zoo
Fri, Jul 3: Boston Harborfest 2026
Fri, Jul 10: Animals - A Maroon 5 Sat, Jul 11: 2026 Boston Jerkfest
Sat, Jul 18: City Shorebird Festival - At Carson Beach
Tue, Jul 21: 2026 Barnstable County Fair
Fri, Jul 24: Lowell Folk Festival 2026 |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: I’m a sucker for songs in 6/8 time, no matter the music style. I don’t know why that ONE-two-three-FOUR-five-six swinging rhythm so captures me whether it’s fast or slow, but there’s no denying that it does. And I might not even notice this rhythm, but for one little fact: I’m a thoroughly mediocre cellist. I took cello lessons from age 8 to age 14; during
those years, I graduated from “truly bad” to “moderately acceptable,” at least acceptable enough to play in orchestras where my individual sound would be drowned out by the better kids’ playing. But even as unskilled as I was, I know I am happier as an adult for having played: I can understand music from the inside. I hear patterns and styles and instruments with far different ears than I would have had I not studied music early in life. Understanding what makes your heart sing helps
you be on the lookout for more, and that makes your life better. Summer is the perfect season to help kids grow their ears. Yes, check out the big open-air concerts from your local orchestra, municipal band, or jazz ensemble. But also keep an active ear out for the smaller stuff: free concerts in parks, weekly community series, festivals, buskers, church lawn performances, library gigs, and whatever band happens to be playing near the funnel cakes. When you hear something,
name it: bluegrass, salsa, soul, swing, zydeco, classical, funk, folk, rock, rap, mariachi. Kids don’t have to like everything, but knowing the names of things helps them understand what they do like, and gives them handles for finding more of it later. A couple of tips: If you know you're headed in the direction of something new, play a sample of the style before you leave so kids have a hook on which to hang the experience. While you’re there, help them notice one thing: the
bass line, the drummer, the singer’s breathing, the way people move. That will help the music swirl around in their minds long after the last note fades. Remember, music isn’t only on stages. It’s in carousels, movie scores, worship services, elevators, malls, ballparks, and the ice cream truck coming around the corner. So as tour guide to your kids’ universe, don’t ignore the invisible! Point your ears toward the music, tune everyone's radar, and grow.
—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. |
Please click through to our 2026 survey to vote for your top 3 places to take kids... it will be used to compile our 2026 Top 20 Places to Take Kids in the Boston area. Voting is live through June 20; believe me, winning a place on the Top 20 list matters to the people who
create amazing family-friendly experiences. Take 3 minutes to choose your favorites as your way of saying thank you... and use the list to build your summer bucket list at the same time! |
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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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The Copley Square Farmers Market is Boston's biggest and busiest farmers market. Located in the heart of the commercial and cultural hub of Back Bay, the long-running Copley Square Farmers Market features over three dozen Massachusetts farmers and food producers offering a vibrant selection of delicious produce, proteins, baked goods, ready-to-eat meals, alongside a host of other locally made products. Taking place right in Copley Square, this beloved twice-weekly event takes place in one the city’s most dynamic public spaces, and is a bustling attraction to locavores from across the state!
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Immerse yourself in our serene farm setting as you embark on a memorable journey at Farm tour & visit. Explore our grounds find some fun activities and get up close with our majestic horses, animated alpacas, goofy goats, silly bunnies and clucking chickens. Whether you're visiting as an individual or part of a group, our farm offers a unique opportunity to connect with nature, witness the beauty of our resident turkeys, and relax by our tranquil pond. Discover the perfect blend of relaxation, education, and entertainment at our enchanting farm. After your tour which last from 30-40 minutes, feel free to hang out at some of our tables. Food and beverages available for purchase!
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Get ready for big adventure as a tiny explorer in A Bug’s World, a new exhibit open from April 11 – August 9. This immersive, hands-on exhibit brings the busy world of backyard bugs to life while showing how these tiny creatures play a big role in our environment and how we can help protect them.
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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 Father’s Day Weekend with a memorable day at Southwick’s Zoo. Treat the dads, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers in your life to an outdoor adventure filled with incredible wildlife, scenic walking paths, and time well spent together. As part of the celebration, dads will receive $15 general admission all weekend long, making it the perfect opportunity to plan a meaningful family outing.
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Cruise on down to Wojcik's Farm & enjoy a night of fun for all! Saturday June 20 2026! More than just a car show! All makes/models/years of show cars & trucks welcome! Family-friendly! Enjoy food trucks, a live band, beer & wine, vendors, yard games, kids zone & more! $10.00 admission per vehicle. Cash only. Parking lots open at 3pm Come early for a good spot, it fills up fast! Limited "paved" motorcycle parking! ATM available once inside event.
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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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Celebrate all things strawberries! The multi-weekend event feature free live music, outdoor hard cider bar, family-friendly activities, hayrides, food trucks, homemade strawberries treats and PYO strawberries. Dates may be shift per weather & fruit readiness.
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Celebrate Pride where it belongs—out in the open. Come together for a joyful afternoon of community art-making and guided exploration, where creativity and nature meet in one vibrant space. Try your hand at printmaking, collage, and button-making, then head outside for a guided nature walk highlighting the ecology of the season and the importance of building inclusive outdoor spaces for everyone. Whether you're here to make art, explore the trails, or simply be in community, this is a space built on connection, joy, and belonging. All are welcome. Come as you are.
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2nd annual summer safety event on June 20, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. This important initiative aims to promote safety for the upcoming summer season. Engage with representatives from the Ludlow Police Department, the Ludlow Fire Department, the Hampden County Sheriff's Office, the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, and the USDA to learn safety tips for biking, hiking, and boating. The event will be informative and enjoyable, with information on biking, hiking, and boating safety. All activities will be conducted in a fun and engaging environment. We invite everyone to join us for this important event and help create a safer, more enjoyable summer for our community. No zoo admission is required to attend this event; however, regular admission is necessary to enter the zoo. Join us for a day filled with learning, fun, and community connection!
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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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The Boston Area's Pick-Your-Own Fruit Listed below are farms in and near Boston that offer pick your own fruits, berries, and vegetables. And... to make the most of your experience, check out our
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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