KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Wed, Apr 15: Breakfast Bites (Special Needs Class) - Flour Power Cooking Studios Charlotte Rea Farms
Thu, Apr 16: “Logistics of Liberty” A250 Presentation - At N.C. Transportation Museum
Fri, Apr 17: Film Series at U.S. National Whitewater
Center
Sat, Apr 18: Carolina BBQ Festival
Sun, Apr 19: Come-See-Me Festival 2026
Mon, Apr 20: Earth Day Celebration - Reedy Creek Nature Center
Sat, Apr 25: Kids' Night Out: Magical Mud Mosaics
Sun, Apr 26: Tuck Fest 2026 at U.S. National Whitewater Center
Wed, May 13: SCNP: High School Conservation Corps
Fri, May 22: Family Campout
Sat, May 30: Gastonia Ghost Peppers Home Game |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
As I write this column, three Americans and one Canadian are hurtling home from a trip around the Moon, inside a machine that had better do exactly what it’s supposed to do. For years, every person involved in the mission obsessed over every detail at every stage until as little as possible was left to chance. “Failure is not an option,” an ethos long associated with our quest to
explore outer space, makes perfect sense when we're talking about Artemis II. But decades ago, the attitude leaked out of the space program and into everyday life, and that was a mixed blessing. When I was a teenager, “failure is not an option” might as well have been tattooed on my brain: For me, not only was failure not an option, but anything below an A grade wasn’t an option, either. I was so afraid of not being perfect that if I felt unprepared for a test, I’d stay home
“sick.” I looked successful from the outside, but because I was working so hard to avoid mistakes, I played it safe. So I didn't actually accomplish much aside from some sharp-looking letters on a report card. It took me years out in the real world to realize that real accomplishment usually looks less like gliding and more like bumping into things until you find the way through. So these days, failure and I are best buddies: I've replaced "failure is not an option" with
"nothing ventured, nothing gained" as I inch toward and away from success each day. Even writing my column each week is an act of resilience: I add and then murder my words until they say what I mean, and I'm always aware in the end that it could be better. One of my goals when I was homeschooling Madison and Ella was to make failure safe and ordinary... cheerful, even... a sign of progress. Kids need chances to try things that might flop: recipes that taste weird, projects
that collapse, math problems they have to redo, conversations they wish they’d handled better. I wanted them to understand that when the stakes are low, failure is not a tragedy, it’s just how learning works. It doesn't usually feel fun, or comfortable. But it's the only way to fly.
—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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Step back in time at the historic homestead during our 2026 Living History Saturdays! On select Saturdays throughout the year, the homestead will come alive as skilled interpreters live, work, and demonstrate daily life of the past right before your eyes. Visitors are invited to slow down, step inside history, and learn by watching and doing—from traditional household tasks and crafts to the rhythms of work, family, and survival in earlier times. Wander the grounds, ask questions, and experience what life was truly like centuries ago. Whether you’re a history lover, a family looking for hands-on learning, or simply curious about the past, Living History Saturdays offer a memorable, immersive experience for all ages.
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Prior to opening to the general public, the museum will be open for a Sensory-Friendly event. Sensory Friendly Day begins at 9 a.m. You are welcome to stay as long as you wish, however the museum will open to the public at noon on Sensory Friendly Day. Trained museum educators and volunteers will be stationed around the museum with specially designed interactive activities to create a meaningful experience at each exhibit. Sensory-friendly activities are available until 1pm. Social Narratives and maps are available for download on our website prior to your visit. Visual supports, such as schedules and sensory-friendly maps will be available to help guide individuals through their preferred routes. Quiet/Calm down spaces will be available throughout the museum and highlighted on…
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Charlotte AutoFair transforms Charlotte Motor Speedway into a world-class automotive showcase, delivering a thrilling three-day experience for enthusiasts of all ages. With more than 50 car clubs, rare specialty vehicles, extensive vendor displays, and a sprawling flea market, this signature event offers nonstop excitement and something for everyone! This year’s AutoFair delivers a clearer, better-organized experience that’s easier than ever to enjoy.
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Celebrate the arrival of spring at the Holly Springs Spring Festival on April 11! Free Admission Holly Springs SpringsFest. SpringsFest is our largest event of the year and continues to grow annually. Last year, the festival welcomed over 15,000+ attendees, and we expect even greater turnout in 2026. The event provides an exceptional platform for businesses to showcase their brand, connect directly with the community, and gain visibility among thousands of local residents and visitors.
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- SCNP: Spring Break Storytime Series - Stevens Creek Nature Preserve, 15700 Thompson Road, Mint Hill, NC 28227, 04/10/2026, 9:30am to 11:00am
- SCNP: Early Bird Bug Hunt - Stevens Creek Nature Preserve, 15700 Thompson Road, Mint Hill, NC 28227, 04/10/2026, 11:00am to Noon
- Mindfulness in Nature - McDowell
Nature Center, York Road, Charlotte, NC, 04/10/2026, 9:30am-10:45am
- Film Series at U.S. National Whitewater Center - U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28214, 04/10/2026, See website for details.
- Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - Charlotte - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, 04/11/2026 to 04/12/2026, See link for times
- Holly Springs SPRINGSFEST 2026! Free Admission - Town of Holly Springs, 241 S. Main Street Holly Springs NC, 04/11/2026, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Holly Springs Festival - SpringsFest - 242 S Main St, Holly Springs, NC, 04/11/2026, 11:00-4:00
- 2026 Harrisburg Art Walk & Market on Main - Harrisburg Town Center, Harrisburg, NC, 04/11/2026, 10 am to 2 pm
- Explore the Carolinas: McDowell Nature Preserve - McDowell Nature Center, York Road, Charlotte, NC, 04/11/2026, 9:30am-11:30am
- Celebrate Earth Day with the Meridian Waste Children’s Coloring Contest!
***Contest entry ends April 13, 2026, at 11:59 PM EDT - Meridian Waste, Submit your artwork online., 04/10/2026 to 04/12/2026, Any time.
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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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