KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Thu, Jul 9: July Potion of the Month: Just Ducky - The Good Witch of Salem
Fri, Jul 10: 2026 Boston Jerkfest
Fri, Jul 10: Animals - A Maroon 5 Tribute
Fri, Jul 10: Nature Play Festival—free!
Fri, Jul 10: Free Play Friday - Free Entry & Unlimited Games at VERSUS in DTX – All Summer Long!
Sun, Jul 12: Folk Dance Of Korea - At Peabody Essex Museum
Fri, Jul 17: Backyard and Beyond: Treehouse Yoga
Fri, Jul 17: FREE Outdoor Movie Night Series: Angry Birds 2 at CambridgeSide
Sun, Jul 19: 2026 Blueberry & Flower Fest - At Cider Hill Farm
Mon, Jul 20: 2026 Barnstable County Fair
Sat, Jul 25: Summer Event Series: Rocket Day
Sat, Aug 1: Touch a Truck -
At Cider Hill Farm
Thu, Aug 13: Scallopalooza 2026 at FHC - New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center
Mon, Aug 24: The Wiggles – Tree of Wisdom Spectacular! - At Boch Center - Wang Theatre |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
When I was a kid, a giant azalea bush stretched across our backyard, exploding into glorious pink blossoms in early May. In summer, it became something even better: a secret hideout that my sister and I named the Humble Abode. We hollowed out the dead branches behind the bush and dragged in little chairs and treasures and our dollhouse family. The Humble Abode barely qualified as
a fort, and it wasn't even secret; I'm sure my parents knew when we were back there. But it was a great kids-only space. A few weeks ago, I wrote about five summer lenses through which to plan summer: music, motion, making, nature, and food. Making—the lens for this week—reminds kids that they are not merely consumers of the world, but contributors to it. They can push value into existence. They can turn sticks, cardboard, fabric, tape, mud, blocks, gears,
sand, and flour into something that wasn’t there before. Especially for younger kids, making with the hands gives the brain evidence. I did that. I made that. I can make things happen. Summer is perfect for this because summer has time and room for mess. Pull out the science kits, the rocket kits, the LEGO bins, the soap-making sets that arrived at Christmas and then sat politely in the closet. "Upcycle" old boxes, fabric, toys, crayons, paint, buttons.
Let your kids build backyard forts, fairy houses, marble runs, cardboard cities, obstacle courses, blanket tents, museum towers, and whatever else the day and their imagination suggest. Of course, glue will drip. Sand will migrate. The kitchen table may briefly disappear under invention. (If the clutter gets overwhelming, consider a trip or two to your local science museum or maker space to save your sanity.) After all, you can’t make omelets without breaking eggs. And
you can’t make a maker without giving a child some space, some tools, some trust, and permission to begin.
—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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2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, and there’s nowhere better to celebrate than in the Cradle of Liberty. History will come alive this summer as Boston celebrates its pivotal role in the founding of the United States, and we can’t wait to honor the past while looking forward to our country’s bright future. With hundreds of activities over Independence Day week at the city’s most iconic historic landmarks, this family-friendly event is Boston’s Official Fourth of July Celebration. Activities include the annual opening ceremony in Downtown Crossing, historical reenactments, live musical entertainment, fireworks, and much more!
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Acton will be hosting an Independence Day event on Thursday, July 2, free and open to the public. From 4-7:15 Family Fun Time and complementary beach/swimming. Welcoming ceremony starting at 7:15 at the amphitheater featuring the Acton Minutemen, reading of the Declaration of Independence, and signing of the National Anthem. At 8 PM a free concert by The Boss Project and at dusk Laser Light Show will be added to the concerts. Food Vendors on Site.
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Kick off the holiday weekend on the farm with cherry picking! It's a sweet day of live music, hard cider, family-friendly activities, hayrides, homemade cherry treats and cherry picking. Pick sweet and tart cherries, sip cherry cider and slushies and take a hayrides to the cherry orchards. It's cherry season!
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Join us in celebration of Independence Day! Experience fife and drum music, cannon demonstrations (weather permitting), performances, and a parade. Make a tri-corner hat, hear special readings of poetry and the Declaration of Independence, play games, marvel at the work of our skilled artisans and tradespeople, and more! Also, be sure to visit the Richardson House, where our costumed historians are reproducing a unique thirteen-star flag based on a c. 1820 artifact in the OSV Museum Collection. Check back closer to the event for a schedule of activities.
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The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular returns to the Hatch Shell on the Charles River Esplanade for its 52nd year on Saturday, July 4, from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. ET. Led by legendary conductor Keith Lockhart, the Pops concert welcomes three very special guest artists: Grammy-winning country music superstar Lainey Wilson, three-time Grammy winner Chance The Rapper, and Grammy-winning NOLA icon Trombone Shorty, each making their first appearance with the Pops. As the Signature Event of the Commonwealth’s MA250 (Massachusetts 250) initiative honoring the 250th anniversary of America’s founding, this year’s free July 4 concert anchors a multi-year, statewide commemoration highlighting Massachusetts’ legacy of leadership and innovation in shaping the nation’s founding and future.
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As our nation marks its 250th anniversary, we’re celebrating in a wild way. Zoo New England is proud to be part of this pivotal moment in history, and we invite you to make our Zoos a stop on your America 250 journey. Celebrate American history with us by exploring the wildlife and biodiversity that have shaped our landscapes, and the role we all play in protecting them for the next 250 years. Join us where wonder meets wildlife, discovery sparks action, and every visit helps build a more sustainable future.
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The Concord Band Returns to Fruitlands for Its 41st Summer Season! Join us on the concert lawn this summer as the beloved Concord Band returns to the Fruitlands Outdoor Stage for its 40th season of live music under the stars. Bring a picnic, enjoy stunning sunset views, and settle in for an evening of timeless tunes performed by a 65-member ensemble representing 40 area towns. With a wide-ranging program that includes historic tributes, Broadway classics, holiday favorites, and more, the Concord Band continues a tradition that has delighted audiences since 1959.
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Join us for a one-hour walk through two centuries of Boston history. Trace the city’s original shoreline, discover how Boston evolved after the American Revolution, and learn about Mayor Josiah Quincy and his remarkable vision for the future. You’ll also explore why Quincy Market became known as “The Festival Marketplace.” Our resident historian, Linda Perlman of Walking Tours Boston, has been leading tours for over two decades and at Quincy Market since 2015. In honor of Quincy Market’s 200th anniversary this August, Linda will also highlight the market’s legacy and lasting impact on the city!
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Celebrate Independence Day at Quassy Amusement & Waterpark's Blast at the Beach on Friday, July 4. Guests can enjoy a lakeside beach party from 8 to 11 p.m., with a fireworks display over Lake Quassapaug at 10 p.m. Beach party admission is $20 per person and free for Full Season Passholders. Paid beach party guests will also receive complimentary 3D fireworks glasses while supplies last.
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Nothing says SUMMER like an amusement park! Boston parents have lots of options! If there is a resource that we have missed, please email us to let us know, and we'll add it promptly. Thank you!
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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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