KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Ann Arbor / Detroit Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
The summer I was 5, my parents took our family to Cape Cod for a week. In Provincetown, we bought a kite, then headed to the dunes in North Truro, where my sister and I spent hours running full-tilt up and down the bare white hills. We’d scramble to the top, turn, and launch ourselves downward, legs windmilling, hair flying, lungs full of salt air and triumph. Invariably, we’d
fall, slap into the soft, sun-warmed sand, pop back up, and do it again. Tumbling down the dunes was gravity. Sand was friction. The kite tugging on our arms was air on the move. We didn't have words to describe these phenomena—we were little kids, not tiny physicists with notebooks. A decade later, my calculus teacher would give me the words and symbols to process motion conceptually, but experiences like this had already taught my body that I was an actor in the physics of
the world. My body understood. Summer is the perfect time for kids to learn motion from the inside out. Motion is in amusement park rides, in waves bobbing ducks and inner tubes up and down at the lake, in trains pulling you forward in one dimension and airplanes moving you through three. It’s in bikes and swings and Frisbees and trampolines and slip-and-slides, in tumbling through the days without realizing that learning is happening. As tour guides to our
kids’ universe, we can point gently: Feel how the swing slows at the top? Notice how the wave lifts you before it lets you down? See how leaning changes the bike’s path? But the point is not to turn summer into physics class. The point is to help kids notice how the world feels as they move through it. The equations can come later; now is the time for motion, and for the emotion that accompanies it. Summer’s gift is the body’s memory: wind, water, speed, balance, falling, landing, and getting up
to run again.
—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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Summer Camps are filled with both Gymnastics and Ninja Warrior skills/games. Other Activities Include: Creative Movement, Free Play, Arts & Craft, Fun Games, Friendship Building, Outdoor Water Play. This year we are offering 8 weeks of camp and every day will contain both gymnastics and ninja skills and games! Best of both worlds! Campers can register for full or half days throughout the week. We are limiting the number of campers to 40 per week, and campers must be at least 6 years old to attend. 5 year old campers will be allowed if a sibling 6 or older is attending camp.
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The City of Dearborn is proud to present the 2026 season of “Under the Stars”, hosted at Dearborn PEACE Park West. An evolution of the city’s decades-long “Music Under the Stars” concert series, the 2026 season reflects an expansion of the event to provide a wide array of entertainment to the Dearborn community.
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Join us on the last Friday of each month for a fun, hands-on nature adventure designed for preschoolers and their grown-ups! Each session introduces a new nature theme through engaging stories, outdoor exploration, and creative activities or crafts. Come ready to explore the outdoors while building early childhood learning and readiness skills.
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The Michigan Challenge Balloonfest is one of the premier summertime activities in Michigan, offering entertainment for the entire family. This community event has activities planned for everyone – from carnival rides, kid attractions, and the always-popular balloon launches, fly-ins, and evening glow. There are lots of events and attractions planned this year, and we look forward to seeing you there!
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Experience the Fireworks Extravaganza, presented by FirstState Bank at Veterans Memorial Park. Don’t wait to grab your tickets and parking passes, this event shouldn’t be missed! Come early to picnic, grill or take advantage of the great food trucks and vendors that will be set up.
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It’s one of Southeast Michigan’s favorite traditions: The Huron-Clinton Metroparks fireworks displays, bringing together so much fun and excitement. Tens of thousands of our neighbors gather – over picnics and under the stars – to enjoy this celebration of our American Independence. And you can be part of it. Live music performed at Eastwood Beach from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm. Fireworks begin when it starts getting dark and will be shot off over the lake (approximately 10:05 pm).
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Join Ariel for live song performances, an under-the-sea-style dance party, mermaid games, and so much more in this interactive evening of fun for the whole family! Program includes play time in the Hide and Seek playroom.
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Get ready to paint the town with patriotic spirit at the Red, White & Blues Festival, our annual celebration of Independence Day right here in Downtown Highland! Join us for a day filled with live music, kids’ activities, bounce houses, face painting, delectable food trucks, and a vibrant Craft & Vendor Show featuring local artisans. As the sun sets, prepare to be dazzled by a spectacular fireworks display that lights up the night sky in a dazzling array of red, white, and blue. This cherished event brings our community together to honor the nation’s birthday in style, and it’s a tradition we eagerly anticipate every year.
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Something magical is coming! Join the Detroit Symphony and PRISM Chorus for a spectacular new concert celebrating LGBTQ+ life, love, family, and pride through the timeless songs of Disney. Disney PRIDE in Concert features dazzling new arrangements, paired with curated video clips from the Disney vault, bringing beloved films to life in a whole new way. Experience musical moments from classics like The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, and Mary Poppins to modern favorites including Coco, Zootopia, and Wreck-It Ralph, plus the enchanting music of Disney Parks—all woven together with universal themes of love, identity, and belonging.
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It’s our favorite month of the year! Happy Pride everyone, we can’t wait to celebrate you on June 27th! There will be performances throughout the day, along with informational booths, food trucks, the art market, games, and more. Monroe County Pride is for everyone, members of the community and allies. We are a family friendly event, so all ages are welcome to come and enjoy!
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The annual Kickoff to Summer event is BACK with some super exciting activities! Bring your cameras for photos with Woody and Jessie, ride the trackless train, and enjoy a free ice cream! As always, this is a FREE event.
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Soak in the magic of summer evenings at Blake’s with extended hours in Funland and a full lineup of family-friendly fun. As the sun starts to set, the farm comes alive with music, laughter, and interactive activities for all ages. It’s the perfect way to wind down your day and make some sweet summer memories together.
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Join us at Pioneer High School for four days of rides, games, food, and family fun at the 2026 Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival! Hosted in partnership with Skerbeck Entertainment Group, the carnival is one of the Ann Arbor Jaycees’ signature annual events and an important fundraiser supporting local service projects throughout the year. Every ride ticket, game, and visit helps fund volunteer-driven programs focused on civic engagement, leadership development, nonprofit partnerships, and community service initiatives across Washtenaw County.
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Join Metro Detroit Sled Hockey for the 5th Annual Golf Outing, a high-energy day on the course that directly funds adaptive hockey opportunities for youth, adult and veteran athletes with physical disabilities across our region.
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Wander the rows, pick a bundle, and make a summer memory. Our U-Pick lavender is offered on select weekends in June and July. Reserve online so every visit feels relaxed, unhurried, and easy to enjoy.
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Dallas 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 of ideas!
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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the Ann Arbor - Detroit area is back! You can search by date, age, or categories like day/overnight, sports, drama, music, theatre, arts & crafts, technology, robotics, horseback riding, preschool,
& more. Our guide puts summer fun right at your…
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It's almost time for fruit picking! Fruit picking is a great activity to do together as a family. It helps little ones understand where their food actually comes from, and it's a fun tradition to share every year right through the teens.
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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