KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
|
|
|
Fri, Jun 5: Battle of the Waxhaws: American Revolution Weekend - Museum of the Waxhaws
Fri, Jun 5: Collectors Jam
Sat, Jun 6: Art in the Park 2026
Mon, Jun 8: Fruity Pickin' Storytime: Blackberries - Millstone Creek Orchards
Wed, Jun 10: LGBTQ+ Teen Talks - ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin
Center
Fri, Jun 12: Oasis Spaces: Navigating Jim Crow Traveling Exhibit - Lake Norman State Park Fri, Jun 12: Jazz at the Bechtler Sat, Jun 13: Fire Truck Festival - N.C. Transportation Museum
Sun, Jun 14: Huntersville Pride at Veterans Park
Wed, Jun 17: Family Music Bingo with DJ Stu at The Mercantile
Thu, Jun 18: Juneteenth Celebration at Veteran's Park
Fri, Jun 19: Steampunk Masquerade Prom
Fri, Jun 19: Juneteenth - Town of Indian Trail Sat, Jun 20: Charlotte Cirque & Dance Center presents The Wizard of Oz Sat, Jun 20: Symphony in the Park & Fireworks - Town of Cornelius
Sun, Jun 21: Hollywood Hits -
Charlotte Symphony Orchestra
Mon, Jun 22: Fruity Pickin' Storytime: Blueberries & Blackberries - Millstone Creek Orchards
Tue, Jun 23: Sensory-Friendly Evening - Main Street Children’s Museum
Sun, Jun 28: Celebrate America - Charlotte Symphony Orchestra
Fri, Jul 3: Star-Spangled Nights at Carowinds |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: "The best thing about your newsletter," said a reader who met me in person at an event last June, "is the sheer number of things to do, and the fact that they're just packed in there, all in one handy place." "Thanks!" I said. I may have glowed a little. "And the worst thing about your newsletter," she continued, "is the guilt trip. I know
you don't mean to lay that on us. We can't do it all, so it means we read about so much we can't do. Especially in summer." She was right, in one sense, of course. June and July are the most packed months of the calendar: Kids are out of school, families are ready for fun, and our communities respond. Each local organization gets to post its own events on our calendar for free, and many are featured in this newsletter, so what's happening is right there in front of
you. But I get it! And I hereby remove the guilt. Ego te absolvo. Of course, good families try to expose their kids to great things, but no one has the time, money, or energy to do it all. This stuff needs to be spread out over a childhood, not packed into a single summer, much less a single weekend. So make a family bucket list for Summer 2026. An easy way to do that is to take our annual survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids, which is open through June 20; it has dozens of places to have fun this summer, even though you only vote for your top 3! And you should also use our 50 Ways to Love Your Summer article for ideas that require zero technology, zero travel, and zero dollars. Above all, go easy! Remember, summer is no time for grades! The only prize is the summer that's right for your family.
—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities
|
|
|
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. |
Please click through to our 2026 survey to vote for your top 3 places to take kids... it will be used to compile our 2026 Top 20 Places to Take Kids in the Charlotte area. Voting is live through June 20; believe me, winning a place on the Top 20 list matters to the people
who create amazing family-friendly experiences. Take 3 minutes to choose your favorites as your way of saying thank you... and use the list to build your summer bucket list at the same time! |
|
|
|
Follow the Yellow Brick Road — one night only! Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 7pm, Charlotte Cirque & Dance Center's faculty and students reimagine The Wizard of Oz through cirque and dance. Tornadoes that twirl. Witches that fly. Experience 75 minutes of magic at the Knight Theater, Uptown Charlotte. Info and tickets at https://www.cltcirquedancecenter.org/oz .
|
|
|
|
Our Leadership Summer Camp offers a dynamic blend of nonstop action, personal growth, learning, and adventure, all close to home. Each day brings something new with engaging daily activities and themed weekly experiences in a supportive, non-competitive environment that encourages teamwork and collaboration. Campers participate in obstacle courses, scenario-based quests, team challenges, leadership and financial skill-building, engineering projects, fitness, confidence development, mind games, construction, spy activities, self-defense concepts, and relay races. Designed for children ages 6 and up, our coed program is highly structured, socially focused, and both physically and mentally engaging. We are a nut-free, allergy-conscious facility, and campers should bring their own lunch and snacks.
|
|
|
|
Looking for the ultimate hands-on, screen-free summer adventure for your child? Brooklyn Robot Foundry Charlotte is bringing its premier STEAM robotics camps to North Charlotte and Concord for rising K-6th graders! Our inclusive programs build confidence as kids design and take home a real working robot every day. Join one or more of our camps below! Choose from four exciting weekly themes: Monster Mayhem (July 13–17), Snack Attack (July 20–24), Swamp Stomp (July 27–31), & Construction Junction (Aug 3–7). Spaces fill up fast! Secure your child’s spot today - visit SUMMER CIRCUITS - Charlotte/Concord, email [email protected], or call 704-284-7284. |
|
|
|
Welcome to Moondog’s Pride Festival! This is the third year of this event and we hope to continue every year! Join us as we celebrate pride and inclusivity, as well as create a safe space for everyone! This event will take place from 11am-5pm followed by our yearly talent show starting at 8pm! This event is free to attend! Please take the time to pay a visit to our 50+ vendors as well as indulge in the all-day food/drink specials from our friends at Moondog Pizza!
|
|
|
|
Live entertainment is BACK at Patriots Park! The City of Kings Mountain is thrilled to bring live music back to Downtown Kings Mountain with the 2026 “Live at Patriots Park” Concert Series, presented by the Albemarle Corporation. The series features a talented group of entertainers at the Liberty Falls Amphitheatre, performing a diverse range of genres, including Rhythm and Blues, Soul, Classic Rock, and more! Each concert will begin at 7 pm.
|
|
|
|
Join us for a vibrant celebration of creativity and community at the annual Art in the Park festival, proudly presented by Statesville Recreation & Economic Vitality in collaboration with the Iredell Arts Council. Art in the Park is more than just an event; it's a celebration of artistic expression, community, and the beauty of our local environment. Whether you’re an art aficionado or simply looking for a delightful day out with family and friends, Art in the Park promises something for everyone. We hope to see you there!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Charlotte Area's Pick-Your-Own Fruit Listed below are farms in and near Charlotte that offer pick your own fruits, berries, and vegetables. And... to make the most of your experience, check out
|
|
|
Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
|
|
