KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter
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Sun, May 3: Bones & Stones: Fossil, Rock and Artifact Fest Sun, May 3: Devine Lake Kite Festival Sat, May 9: Mother's Day Hill Country Flyer Sat, May 9: Pecan Street
Festival Tue, May 12: The Wiz Sun, May 17: Kids Adventure Storytime Event:
Meet 11-yr-old Author Bella Olson (Austin 5/17) Fri, May 22: Fredericksburg Crawfish Festival Sat, May 23: Kids on Bikes in
Parks Sat, Jun 6: Old Town Street Festival Sat, Jun 20: Dino Discovery Days Sun, Jun 21: Austin Symphonic Band: Father's Day Concert
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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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Kids 5-12 years old love playing at Central Texas #1 sports camp, the All-Star Sports Camp, where our coaches keep kids active with various games and sports each day of Summer and Thanksgiving. Located at SoccerZone South Austin (512-280-2244) and SoccerZone Lakeline (Cedar Park, 512-940-4025). In age-specific groups, we play badminton, dodgeball, kickball, whiffleball, basketball, soccer, flag football, capture the flag, ultimate frisbee, battleship, field hockey and more. Early-bird pricing is only $245/week for mornings or afternoons, and $395/week for full days. Sibling and multi-week discounts available. www.AllStarSportsCamp.org
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Mayfest 2026 in Marble Falls is a lively four-day community festival taking place from April 30 through May 3, 2026, at Johnson Park. Hosted by the Marble Falls/Highland Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, the event features a mix of family-friendly attractions, including carnival rides, games, food vendors, and live entertainment. Activities run throughout each day—beginning in the evenings on Thursday and Friday and expanding to full-day schedules over the weekend—giving attendees plenty of opportunities to enjoy the festivities. With wristbands available for rides and a welcoming outdoor setting, Mayfest serves as a major annual celebration that brings together locals and visitors for entertainment, music, and community fun.
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Calling all Swifties! Sing, dance, and celebrate all things Taylor Swift with themed games, music, and crafts inspired by your favorite eras. Dress in your best Taylor-inspired outfit and get ready for a night of sparkle and fun! **DbD Membership Discounts Apply MUST BE POTTY TRAINED.
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Join us for a free family film at the McKenna Events Center, near the Museum! Bring blankets and pillows for a cozy experience! Doors open at 5:30pm and the movie starts at 6pm **Snacks and Drinks will be provided while supplies last** **Movie is rated PG** **Sponsored by New Braunfels Pediatric Dental Associates**
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Hey, y'all! It's Helotes Cornyval time, which means we're cooking something up. We'll be serving BBQ Brisket, beans, potato salad, peach cobbler and tea while supplies last. Come on down to our Bandera & 1604 Financial Center and enjoy a delicious meal the only way Texans know how: full of friends, family and big appetites. This event is free and open to the public.
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Free family-friendly festival celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month! Save the date for CelebrASIA Austin, our annual event celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, happening at the Asian American Resource Center on Saturday, May 2 from 11am to 3pm! This family-friendly, all-ages festival will feature a variety of performances, food vendors, exhibits, and cultural experiences. This event is free and open to the public. CelebrASIA will be entirely indoors this year, with special performances, food and drink vendors, Cultural Experience Rooms, and tables by local community organizations.
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Annual Spring Festival with special animal shows, Tractor rides, Sheep shearing, live music, food and much more!
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Mark your calendars! Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) is almost here. On the first Saturday in May, May 2, comic shops across the country will be celebrating one of the best days of the year for fans. It’s your chance to grab free comics, discover new stories, and connect with your local community of fans and creators. This year’s lineup is packed with support from some of the biggest names in comics. Here’s the initial line up of comic publishers: Archie Comics, DC Comics, Dynamite Entertainment, Image Comics, Mad Cave Studios, Oni Press, Titan Comics, Udon Entertainment and Vault Comics! There will be a story for every kind of reader.
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ColdTowne's Youth Program, Excused Absence Comedy, invites you to Story Starts, our weekly Improv show for kids and families. Interactive, high-energy, and hilarious, each show is a brand new story inspired by our audience!
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Sunday May 3rd 11-5pm at the Pfugerville Heritage House Museum: A Paleontology, Archeology and Geology Festival for all ages! Vendors, Door Prizes, Presentations and more! Free and Fun for the whole Family! Come Dig for Fossils in the Dig Pit, play Fossil Bingo, see presentations from Austin Gem and Mineral Society, Paleontological Society of Austin and Texas Archeological Society, shop our vendors and grab a snack from Texas Dawgs.
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Stop by our interactive table and learn about some of the common creatures of Enchanted Rock, as well as safety tips on what to do if you encounter them while hiking. What do raccoons eat? How do bobcat teeth look? Are there venomous snakes in the park? Learn the answers to all these questions and more at our Skins and Skulls discovery table at the Gazebo on Summit Trail.
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Explore the iconic festivals that bring Texans together, from kolaches to art cars and roses to sandcastles, discover how community celebrations reflect Texan identity.
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Join us on the second Sunday of every month for Family Yoga! Family classes are a playful and inspiring way to connect with other families in your community. Stretch, breathe, connect, relax, and have fun! This lighthearted class includes partner poses, whimsical music, and mindful moments as you connect with nature. No experience is required.
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- Bones & Stones: Fossil, Rock and Artifact Fest - Pfugerville Heritage House Museum, Old Austin Hutto Road, Pflugerville, TX, Sunday, May 3, 11am
- Devine Lake Kite Festival - City of Leander, Devine Lake Park, Waterfall Avenue, Leander, TX, Sunday, May 3, 11 am to 4 pm
- Free spring mini photo session
with Shoott! - Austin - Shoott, See link for times, Friday, May 1 to Sunday, May 3
- Saengerfest - New Braunfels, TX, Saturday, May 2, 12-10 pm
- CelebrASIA - Asian American Resource Center, 8401 Cameron Rd, Austin, TX, Saturday, May 2, 11 am- 3 pm
- Free Comic Book Day 2026 - Free Comic Book Day, Multiple locations, Saturday, May 2, see store location for hours
- Fiesta de Mayo at Harmony Science Academy-Austin - Harmony Science Academy-Austin, East Rundberg Lane, Austin, TX, Saturday, May 2, 10:30 am-12:30 pm
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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the Austin 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 fingertips!
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Enjoy the weekend!
Debra Ross Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com Mom of Madison and Ella
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