KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
For 25 years, one of my core missions with KidsOutAndAbout has been to make invisible things visible, to celebrate what local communities offer families. Everyone is busy, and local treasures are easy to miss. Our job is to point, spotlight, nudge, and say Look here. Try this. Bring the kids. But there’s another kind of invisibility worth fixing:
The people who create these experiences rarely get to see their full impact. They track tickets sold and kids enrolled, but may never hear that your child talked about their field trip for six months, found courage on their stage, or simply felt welcome exactly when they needed it. That’s why our annual Top 20 Places to Take Kids survey matters. Each summer, we ask readers to vote for their favorite local places to take kids.
The results help families see what other families love. The ranking and comments help local organizations see that their work matters. So your three minutes becomes both a recommendation and a thank-you. The survey is simple: Click on your three favorite local destinations. Then also, optionally, nominate favorites in special categories—like arts, sports, and STEM education—and leave comments that we’ll pass along to the people who make these experiences
happen. So please click here to vote in the 2026 edition of the survey. Help families find the places they’ll love, and help the people behind those places know they’re making a difference. The survey will be open until June 20.
—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities
P.S. If you're interested, check out the 2025 list here to see who
won last year. |
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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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Give your kids something to get excited about and start them on Music Lessons (In-Person or Online) with the International School of Music! Voted best for Music Lessons, International School of Music has a team of nurturing and patient instructors who will customize lessons to students’ goals so each child can progress at their own pace and learn the music they love! From the Early Childhood Music Program to private Music Lesson Program, the International School of Music offers an award-winning instruction in all instruments and voice whether they play classical, rock, pop, jazz, or folk! ISM’s fun, engaging and personalized lessons help students bring structure into their lives, confidence, concentration, and self-expression that last beyond the music lessons! Call/Text: 301-396-7497 or contact them here to schedule YOUR music lessons today and save 50% off registration by 6/15! LEARN MORE: https://ismw.org/
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Experience one of D.C.’s most interactive museums at the National Law Enforcement Museum. This one-of-a-kind destination lets visitors “walk in the shoes of an officer” through hands-on exhibits, interactive activities, and engaging programs designed for all ages. Explore more than 25,000 artifacts spanning 300 years of American law enforcement history, and don’t miss the new exhibit, Without Warning: Ending the Terror of the D.C. Snipers, offering a powerful inside look at a case that impacted our region. Open year-round Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit our website to learn more!
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Give your theatre fan an unforgettable camp experience at Les Miz Jr Summer Camp! Students will work together under the guidance of seasoned performer and director, Catie Brooks, to put on a presentation of the story of Jean Valjean, a French convict, and his desire for redemption. A story expressing the strength of the human spirit, Les Miserables is quintessential for the aspiring theatre performer’s repertoire. This camp features music, singing, acting, and dance inspired by the hit musical and motion picture.Tuition includes full camp experience, sheet music, performance, and more! Enroll today, spots are going fast!
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Join the National Museum of the American Indian to welcome Kānepō Ka Lua, the museum’s new Western cardinal marker, to Washington, DC. Bring the family to celebrate with curator tours, music by The Aloha Boys, hula performances by Halau Ho'omau I ka Wai Ola O Hawai'i, and hands on activities. Learn the art of Hawaiian kapa making with Kumu (teacher) Page Chang of Pūkoʻa Studios in Waimānalo, Hawaiʻi. Check out the full schedule of activities. Free, Saturday, May 16, 11 AM–5 PM.
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Encore Stage & Studio presents Disney’s Dare to Dream Jr. this month! May 29-.June 7, 2026 in Arlington, VA. This high-energy musical revue celebrates the power of dreams, imagination, and creativity. Set inside the Walt Disney Imagineering Studio, a group of trainees journeys through unforgettable Disney stories and songs from Encanto, Frozen II, Coco, and The Princess and the Frog. This joyful production is perfect for Disney fans and families of all ages. Tickets are $13–16. Families can also add a special pre-show Pajama Dance Party experience for the June 6, 3pm performance. Please visit our website for more information!
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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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Unicorn rides, unicorn photos, music, vendors, food & more!
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McLean’s biggest and best annual festival is back! Live music, large and small carnival rides, gourmet food trucks, a beer and wine garden, sponsors, giveaways, 100+ exhibitors, balloon animals, games, a magician, petting zoo, amusements and much more! This event draws approximately 10,000+ patrons throughout the day. Ride tickets are sold onsite and online. Advance purchase available.
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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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Join us on Saturday, May 16, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Mount Rainier Nature Center as we celebrate the City’s 116th Anniversary. The celebration kicks off with the Mount Rainier Day Parade, departing from City Hall as the festival opens and making its way to the Nature Center. Mount Rainier Day is the City’s largest annual celebration—a joyful gathering that brings neighbors together and welcomes visitors for a full day of connection, activity, and community pride. This beloved tradition is a chance to enjoy free entertainment and family-friendly fun while supporting small and local businesses at our Festival Market, featuring food and merchandise vendors from near and far.
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Celebrate pride, inclusion, and diversity at this 5th annual festival in 2026 in the Greater Prince William County area, including the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park. Friends, families, and neighbors are invited to enjoy music (DJ and live), vendors, raffle prizes, and other family-friendly entertainment! Don't forget to visit our shops and restaurants in Historic Downtown!
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The Gaithersburg Book Festival is a celebration of the written word and its power to enrich the human experience. Our mission is to foster an interest in reading, writing and literary conversation.
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Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month at the Maryland Zoo! Enjoy a day of fun entertainment, community vendors and resources, cultural activities, hands-on crafts, and special Zoo experiences including keeper chats and animal ambassadors.
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- Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - DC Metro area - Shoott- National - DC Metro area, See link for times, Fri May 15 - Sun May 17, 2026
- Intersections - The Compass Atelier - The Mansion at Strathmore, Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD, Tuesday–Friday: 12–4pm / Saturday: 10am–3pm, Fri May 15 - Sat May 16, 2026
- Observe the Sun with Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum - Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum - Jefferson Drive Southwest, Washington, DC, 12 pm - 3 pm, Fri May 15 - Sat May 16, 2026
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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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