KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
|
|
|
Sun, Jun 14: National History Day Ice Cream Social Fri, Jun 19: Teacher Appreciation Days at Great Country Farms
Sat, Jun 20: Celebrating the Lab's 11th Birthday! 11 Years of Exploration!
Sat, Jun 20: Capital Pride Family Fun Festival
Sat, Jun 20: Manassas Bee Festival
Fri, Jun 26: Maryland History Day
Showcase
Sat, Jun 27: Heritage Days 2026 - National Capital Trolley Museum
Sat, Jun 27: Mount Rainier Pride
Celebration
Fri, Jun 26: King Bullfrog Hoppy Hour 2026
Sun, Jun 28: Heritage Days 2026 - National Capital Trolley
Museum
Sun, Jun 28: Montgomery County Pride in the Plaza
Wed, Jul 1: Clark's Produce Stand Opens - Clark's Elioak Farm
Sat, Jul
4: Capitol Hill 4th of July Parade
Sat, Jul 11: Kids Fishing Derby
Sat, Jul 25: Peach Fuzztival at Great Country Farms |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: When I was homeschooling Madison and Ella, one of my favorite sanity-saving tools was the Theme of the Week. If the theme was "Birds," then yes, we'd go on a bird walk. But we'd also read my favorite-ever children's book, talk about the physics of flying and of colors, and probably also do some math and logic involving eggs and
baskets. The theme made ordinary learning feel like an adventure, but more important, it gave us a focusing tool: It helped the girls connect with what they were seeing and doing, and it helped me feel that we weren’t wandering randomly through our days. Summer planning can benefit from that same kind of gentle structure. Last week, I wrote about how summer is not supposed to be a guilt-inducing race to cram in every concert, splash pad, festival, hike,
camp, road trip, library program, ice cream stand, and sunset before the school buses roll again. Trying to grab everything is a good way to miss the point; instead, to plan the summer without overstuffing it, we need to consider the kinds of experiences that make our family feel more awake, connected, and alive. The five summer lenses I keep coming back to are: music, motion, making,
nature, and food. Music helps kids hear the world differently and live what they love. Motion lets bodies teach what words cannot. Making reminds us that we can bring something new into the universe. Nature offers perspective and wonder. And food connects us to place, culture, and each other. Over the next
few weeks, I’ll address these one at a time—not as assignments, but as invitations. Even as the days fly by, a summer seen through some useful lenses can still be lazy, loose, spontaneous, and wonderfully imperfect.
—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 DC Metro 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! |
|
|
|
Life is a really, really, really big adventure as Pete the Cat and the Biddle family rock out in a fast-paced, globe-trotting musical based on the smash hit book series. When Jimmy Biddle is anxious about finishing second grade, Pete takes him to Paris in his VW bus and Jimmy connects with his inner artist. Best for ages 4+. Tickets start at $15.
|
|
|
|
Celebrate the start of summer at the National Museum of the American Indian. Visitors of all ages can enjoy curator tours of the newest exhibitions, hands-on activities, musical performances, and more (June 19-21). Experience the premiere of NASA’s Chandra Interactive Sonification Wall, a multisensory exhibit that transforms space data into a symphony of light, sound, and touch. The interactive imagiNATIONS Activity Center will be open daily 10 AM–7 PM. While at the museum, enjoy lunch at the Mitsitam Native Foods Café. Free, extended evening hours June 19-20! Check out the full schedule of activities.
|
|
|
|
The world's most playful primate is swinging into National Children's Museum this summer! Through September 6, young learners can join Curious George on hands-on STEM adventures in our Visiting Exhibit Hall. Explore an apartment building with pulleys, a produce stand, construction site, mini golf, a farm with wind-powered art, and George's space rocket. Each area encourages problem-solving and early math, science, and engineering concepts through play. Included with general Museum admission ($18.95, free for children under 1 and members). Open daily 9:30 am-4:30 pm, closed Tuesdays. Located at 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Downtown DC. Plan your adventure today!
|
|
|
|
Summer is calling, and there’s still time to join the fun! July and August camp spaces are still available at Encore Stage & Studio! Young performers ages 3–15 can spend their summer on stage building confidence, making new friends, exploring creativity, and creating unforgettable memories through theatre. With locations in Arlington and Alexandria, there’s a camp for every age and experience level. Whether your child loves acting, singing, storytelling, or simply trying something new, our camps offer a welcoming space to shine. Extended care hours are available for busy families. Register today! www.encorestage.org
|
|
|
|
Enjoy free, high-quality musical entertainment on Sunday nights in June, July and August at the Baker Park Band Shell. From tribute artists and oldies to afrofunk and bluegrass, Summer Concert Series showcases professional musicians from a wide range of musical backgrounds. Previous artists have included jazz legend Charlie Byrd, Spyro Gyro’s Scott Ambush and Julio Fernandez, country chart-climber Cleve Francis, Bluegrass favorite Railroad Earth, L.A.-based Latin group Incendio, bluesman Tom Principato and many more.
|
|
|
|
Grab your glow gear and get ready to dance — Kiddo Rave is bringing the energy! Turn up the fun at Kiddo Rave — a daytime dance party made just for kids and families! Join us at Shipgarten on June 14th from 12–6PM for an afternoon filled with music, movement, and nonstop smiles. This kid-friendly rave features upbeat music, colorful lights, and an exciting atmosphere designed for little partygoers to dance, play, and let loose in a safe, family-friendly environment. Parents can relax and enjoy Shipgarten’s food, drinks, and spacious outdoor setup while the kids burn off energy.
|
|
|
|
Everybody’s welcome at this colorful weekend at the Community Museum where we explore the science of rainbows and have imaginative crafts.
|
|
|
|
Spend Sundays tasting Thai street food every month in 2026 from April through October (EXCEPT July and August)! Mark these five dates on your calendar: April 26, May 31, June 14, Sept. 27, and Oct. 25. Savor authentic Thai street eats and be entertained by live performances, crafts, and more. Free entry and parking!
|
|
|
|
The food we grow and eat has nourished us and changed us over the last two and a half centuries. From Three sisters to victory gardens, to regenerative soil management, we are what we grow. Come and touch some of the plants that have touched history as we celebrate 250 years of American gardens. This program links to the VA250 and Fairfax250 commemoration. (6-Adult)
|
|
|
|
A full day of science fun to celebrate the Science Center's 50th Anniversary! The Maryland Science Center is more than a place to learn about science. For 50 years the Science Center has been a powerful source of inspiration and ideas, awareness and affirmation, to millions of people—and we know the best is yet to come! So, let’s celebrate. Let’s science!
|
|
|
|
Kick off Pride Week at Pride on the Pier. Now in its eighth year, Washington Blade Pride on the Pier extends the city’s annual celebration of LGBTQ visibility to the bustling Wharf waterfront with an exciting array of activities and entertainment for all ages. The District Pier will offer DJs, dancing, drag, and other fun across the afternoon. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase for those 21 and older.
|
|
|
|
Join NMHM and other DOD experts for specialized stations showcasing different varieties of bugs (some alive!) and raising awareness of the research dedicated to the prevention and treatment of bug-borne illness. Learn how to battle the bugs or use them to your advantage as you discover which bugs are bizarre, beneficial, or downright deadly. Bug costumes are encouraged!
|
|
|
|
Join us for a family-friendly movie under the stars at one of our beautiful parks! Be sure to bring your own blankets, chairs, and favorite movie snacks!
|
|
|
|
Join us for a vibrant celebration of African American Music Appreciation Month with exciting performances showcasing the rich cultural diversity of the African American community! Get ready for a day filled with music, dance, food, and more.
|
|
|
|
Glen Echo Park is proud to collaborate with the office of Montgomery County Councilmember Evan Glass to present the 6th annual Pride Family Day! We invite families to the Park to enjoy FREE activities, celebrating Pride Month!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Dallas 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 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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fruit picking is a great activity to do together as a family. It helps little ones understand where their food actually comes from, and it's a fun tradition to share every year right through the teens. Here's where you can pick fruit with your family:
Strawberry picking, cherry picking, blueberry picking, raspberry picking, peach picking, and other pick-your-own opportunities in the DC Metro area.
|
|
|
Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
|
|
