KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Wed, May 13: Family Program: Sorting and Shaping Seeds at United States Botanic Garden Conservatory
Sat, May 16: Mount Rainier Day Festival 2026
Sat, May 16: Gaithersburg Book Festival Sun, May 17: Family Concert: Vivaldi's Four Seasons
Sat, May 23: Strawberry Jubilee Fest at Great Country Farms
Mon, May 25: Falls Church 44th Annual Memorial Day Parade & Festival
Fri, May 29: Annapolis Irish Festival
Fri, Jun 5: Elmo's Got the Moves - June 5, Capital One Hall, Tysons |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: There’s a sign on the New York State Thruway heading west that marks 70 miles to where I live. For Rochesterians driving back to Western New York from the east or southeast, that marker elicits both a sigh of relief and a groan: You’re close, especially relative to where you started. But in that final stretch, each mile is somehow psychologically
longer. Over the years, this became a useful metaphor in my family: You're pushing through to the end of a project, you'd love to see the finish line, but the murky distance between you and that goal is in your way. "Ugh, it's those last 70 miles," one of us will say to the person suffering, and we'll all nod sympathetically. At this time of year, families with kids in school are experiencing those last 70 miles: The end of the school year is in sight, yet
not quite here. The energy reserves are low, and the end point seems stuck in the distance. We feel like we’re sprinting but not getting closer fast enough. As in any journey, that’s precisely when it’s worth keeping in mind that these last miles may feel long, but they’re also the most meaningful: They become the lens through which we look back at the whole experience, so these final steps really count. Remembering this can provide the last surge of energy to press
forward. So whatever final 70 miles you and your kids are facing, remind yourself and the people traveling with you that if you put your best self into it now, the rewards will feel sweeter, and the memories of success will help fuel you next time. You’re on the last leg. You're almost there. And you have lots of company.
—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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The Hylton Family Series is an inspiring series of four performances with children in mind that offers great family entertainment ataffordable family prices. The 2026-27 Season features “The undisputed queen of kindie rock” (USA Today), Laurie Berkner; the crowd-pleasing "must see" show (The Washington Post) Mutts Gone Nuts, and much more. Check out the full series!
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Framed by the story of Vivaldi and his pupils, this program features the “Spring” Concerto and other selections from the Four Seasons. In an original adaptation by musicologist and children's book author Anna Harwell Celenza, Chiarina presents the story of Antonio Vivaldi, his extraordinary set of concerti The Four Seasons, and the young pupils in early 18th-century Venice who first performed the now-beloved work. Soloist Audrey Wright shines in this program that features the “Spring” concerto and other selections from the Seasons, with narration and visuals. Best enjoyed by audience members aged 5 and up.
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Make it a summer of creativity and fun with Brooklyn Robot Foundry! Each week of this popular Summer Circuits program features a cool theme, with special robot projects, crafts, games, outside time, and more awesomeness. Yes, kids will learn about circuitry and other STEAM-tastic wonders, but most of all they'll get silly and have a great time! Pick one theme or try all four - each day kids will get to build a unique robot and take it home with them for more fun! These fun-filled weeks for rising 1st - 5th graders run from June through August from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM each day (Extended day is available).
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Enjoy extended hours in the garden with food trucks on site. Grab a drink or snack and wander the wooded paths that meander past sculpture collections. Perfect for a date night, a gathering with friends, or solo reflection. Evenings at Annmarie during golden hour are truly magical.
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Join us for a vibrant celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with exciting performances showcasing the rich cultural diversity of the Asian community! Get ready for a day filled with music, dance, food, and more.
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Moms get in FREE with a paid admission. Come out for a fun day feeding farm animals, going on a hayride, & watching pigs race along with lots of hands-on with our many farm animals.
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Celebrate Mother’s Day on the wild side at Wild Field Days! Whether you are 1 or 100, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Just as the Zoo cares deeply about the well-being of the animal residents, your well-being is important to us too. Take a walk on the wild side and learn fun ways to make fitness and nature a part of your everyday life while gathering some interesting facts about the animals.
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Enjoy our friendly farm animals, homegrown plants and produce, savory barbecue, live music and more at the Corner Market! Our spring season has been evolving for almost a decade, and we have gradually streamlined our greenhouse operation. Spring & Summer at the Corner Market combines the best of our greenhouse operations with seasonal produce crops and so much more!
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Take part in a full day of free family-friendly fun and performances to celebrate the opening ofThe Source: Where Curiosity Sparks Discovery. Enjoy activities highlighting Library materials and staff specialists, and performances. Join an author talk with bestselling cocreators Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud as they discuss their middle grade graphic novel, "The Cartoonists Club."
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- Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - DC Metro area - DC Metro area, Friday, May 8, 2026 - Sunday, May 10, 2026, See link for times
- Observe the Sun with Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum - Jefferson Drive Southwest, Washington, DC, Friday, May 8, 2026 - Saturday, May 9, 2026, 12 pm - 3 pm
- Intersections - Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD, Saturday, May 9, 2026, Tuesday–Friday: 12–4pm / Saturday: 10am–3pm
- Farmers Market SW at District Wharf - 735 Water Street Southwest, Washington, DC 20024, Saturday, May 9, 2026, 9 am - 1 pm
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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the DMV 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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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the DMV 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 DMV 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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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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