KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Wed, Apr 8: Kannapolis Cannon Ballers Home Game
Fri, Apr 10: AutoFair at Charlotte Motor Speedway
Sat, Apr 11: 2026 Harrisburg Art Walk & Market on Main
Thu, Apr 16: “Logistics of Liberty” A250 Presentation - At N.C. Transportation Museum
Fri, Apr 17: Panda Fest Charlotte 2026
Sat, Apr 18: Charlotte Woodcarvers present the 43rd Showcase of Woodcarvings
Sat, Apr 18: Litter Sweep at Town of Waxhaw
Fri, Apr 24: Tuck Fest 2026 at U.S. National Whitewater Center
Tue, Apr 28: Girls Rugby Spring 2026
Sat, May 2: Spring Fest 2026 at Pleasant Plains Christian School
Sat, May 2: Cornelius Brick Race at Town of Cornelius Parks & Recreation
Sat, May 2: 20th Annual Daniel Boone Family Festival at Sunny Day Markets |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: One of the best things about spring is that it turns all of us into treasure hunters. After a long winter, we adults start scanning the world for signs that life is returning: We notice the first mist of green in a forest's understory, the first brave crocus, the first daffodil. If we point out loud, kids catch on quickly, drawn by the thrill of seeking what
winter was hiding even just a few weeks ago, and they're ready to find magic behind every tree. Of course, in certain parts of North America, spring can be stingy in early April: The calendar may insist it’s here, but the yard is still beige, the trees are still bare, and the only things blooming outside are spreading patches of mud. But there’s no rule that says spring surprises have to come only from Mother Nature! That’s one reason I’m such a fan of egg
hunts. Last year, I wrote an extremely popular step-by-step article showing how to Turn Easter Into a Treasure Hunt, complete with a printable PDF of rhyming clues. It’s right there waiting for you, ready to make you look like a genius with practically zero effort. And if you want to kick it up a notch and invite a crowd, our article Easter Egg Hunts: Tips and Tricks for a Great Party lays out the
strategies for what may be the easiest, fastest, best-bang-for-the-buck kids’ party on Earth. Sure, egg hunts feature prominently in our culture's Easter traditions, but they needn't belong only to Easter, they're a wonderful diversion anytime, in any context. Spring is a season that proves there’s treasure everywhere. Sometimes the universe provides the fun for us. And sometimes we create it ourselves.
—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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Looking for a summer camp that builds confidence, communication, and creativity without sunscreen or bug spray? Over the Counter Improv's Teen Leadership Camp is a hilarious, high-energy indoor adventure designed for ages 12–18! Teens will sharpen public speaking, teamwork, and quick thinking through fast-paced improv games and right-brain training led by founders Paul and Kelly, experienced educators who’ve worked with over 100,000 students and professionals nationwide. This program goes way beyond the stage, it's about building leadership skills that last a lifetime. The week wraps up with a special interactive showcase on Friday, June 19, from 3:00–4:00 PM, where campers will share their newfound talents with family and friends. Educational, empowering, and full of laughs.
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Skip the glitter glue—this is real art camp. Small Hands Big Art Summer Camps give kids a true fine-art experience—not a one-size-fits-all craft camp. In our Mixed Media Art Camps, young artists explore painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, collage, and pastels while learning how artists think, experiment, and bring ideas to life. In our Pottery Camps, kids build, shape, and spin real clay using handbuilding techniques (and even try the pottery wheel at our Waverly studio!). Every project is thoughtfully guided by experienced art educators and designed to build confidence, creativity, and independence. Choose half-day Art or Pottery camps, or our popular full-day Art + Pottery combo. Ages 4–12. Small Hands Big Art - Waverly Small Hands Big Art - Fort Mill
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Ready to see your athlete build unstoppable confidence? Join Girls Rugby . for our Spring 2026 season! Running from April 13th to May 31st, our non-contact flag rugby program is perfect for girls in grades 2-8 of all skill levels. We combine athletic fun with a unique values-based curriculum that teaches leadership and respect. Registration is $225 for new players (includes a full uniform and ball) and $150 for returning players. With locations at Nevin Park and Montclaire Elementary, it’s the perfect time to get involved! Scholarships are available.
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Hop into spring with an egg-citing day of family fun at our 5th Annual Easter Day Community Event, hosted in partnership with the Ramseur/Eastern Randolph Chamber of Commerce! Bring your family and friends and join us for an afternoon packed with festive activities and Easter cheer. With something for everyone, it’s the perfect way to celebrate the holiday together! Reservations are required for our Easter Eggstravagnza so that we can best plan for egg hunts, staffing and activities.
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Whitewater is proud to host the Whitewater Film Series each Friday in April and October screening outdoor lifestyle films from across the globe. These films represent some of the best artists creating outdoor films and often include works produced by Whitewater.
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Spring is in the air and we’re inviting YOU and the whole family out for a day full of fun, community, and shopping small! Whether you’re hunting for Easter goodies, enjoying family-friendly activities, or supporting amazing local businesses, this is the perfect way to kick off spring! Grab your baskets, bring your friends, and make a day of it.
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Come and join the Concord Parks and Recreation for a hopping good time with our Bunny Run 5k & Festival on Saturday, April 4. The festival includes face painting, DJ/MC, food trucks, arts & crafts and dancing with the Easter Bunny! Festival is from 9 am to 11 am. The festival is free.
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iD Tech: The World's #1 STEM Summer Camp! 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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- Film Series at U.S. National Whitewater Center - U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28214, April 3-5, 2026, See website for details.
- SCNP: International Beaver Day - 15700 Thompson Road, Mint Hill, NC 28227, April 4, 2026, 10:00am to 11:00am
- CLT SHOUT! Free Kids
Dance Class - Charlotte Ballet Academy, First Ward Park, 301 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28202, April 4, 2026, 2 - 2:30 PM
- Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt - Matthews United Methodist - Matthews United Methodist Church, 801 S Trade St, Matthews, NC 28105, April 4, 2026,
6 pm - 8 pm
- Bunny Run 5K & Festival - City of Concord, NC - City of Concord, NC, 40 Cabarrus Avenue West, Concord, NC, April 4, 2026, 9 am - 11 am
- Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - Charlotte - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, USA, April 4-5, 2026, See link for times
- United Kids 2026 Easter Jam Acoustic Service & Butterfly Release - Matthews United Methodist Church, 801 S Trade St, Matthews, NC 28105, April 5, 2026, 9:30 am
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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the Charlotte 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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CSAs are becoming more popular each year! Farm-to-table fresh weekly produce is a wonderful option for families, to connect kids with what they eat and the wider community.This is KidsOutAndAbout's big list of local community-supported agriculture.
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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the Charlotte area! Use our Big List to help find the best one for your kiddos and check our events calendar to find Open Houses where you can meet teachers and tour the
schools.
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Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the Charlotte 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, or breaking a magical curse, escape rooms offer exciting, screen-free fun for kids, teens, and adults.
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Charlotte 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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2025's Top 20 Places to Take Kids in the Charlotte Area, as voted by thousands of parents! Our Top 20 results page includes a list of your top picks, including winners in special categories like Top Arts Educator, Top Sports Educator, and Top STEM
Educator!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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