Dallas weekly e-newsletter |
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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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Adventure Kids Playcare Summer Camps are packed with creativity, friendship, and hands-on fun to keep kids engaged all summer long! Campers dive into dynamic group activities that build teamwork and collaboration while exploring their imaginations through exciting maker projects. Each week features exciting themes like Grossology, Tropical Vibes Studio, Trendy Treats Lab, and Eras Art Tour, with activities that include glow parties, global adventures, art projects, marble maze building, and even robot creation. Along the way, campers also explore STEAM through cooking, baking, and fun experiments that spark curiosity and creativity. Camp runs daily from 9:00 AM–4:00 PM, with before and after care available, and flexible options including half-day, full-day, and flex passes. It’s a summer full of adventure, discovery, and fun in a safe, nurturing environment!
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This summer, kids can shine on stage with North Texas Performing Arts’ performing arts camps for grades K–8! Offered in Plano, Fairview, Frisco, Dallas, and Southlake, NTPA camps immerse students in acting, movement, improvisation, theatre games, choreography, and hands-on visual art. Each age-appropriate session builds creativity, confidence, and collaboration while encouraging kids to explore characters and storytelling in a fun, supportive environment. Adaptive camps are available through NTPA Deaf Theatre and NTPA Starcatchers for Deaf students and students with disabilities, ensuring every child has a place to belong. All programs are guided by NTPA’s Ten Characters leadership values. New students receive 40% off their first camp. Link: www.ntpa.org/camps
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Saint Paul Catholic Classical School in Richardson, Texas, has formed students in Catholic faith and academic excellence since 1957. Serving PreK3 through eighth grade, SPCCS nurtures students in a close-knit community where they grow in faith, wisdom, and virtue. Through daily prayer, small class sizes, and a rigorous liberal arts curriculum, our students are shaped by the Gospel message and a strong Catholic tradition. Applications for the 2026–2027 school year are now open. We invite you to explore our academic and extracurricular offerings. Schedule a tour today and discover a community where Christ is at the center of all we do.
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Bring your family to our annual Meadows Museum Family Day! Enjoy FREE art-making, gallery activities, story time, and more as you explore the museum. Strollers are welcome, changing tables will be available, and parking in the museum’s underground garage is free. This is not a drop-off program; children must be accompanied by at least one adult over the age of 18. FREE!
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Uncork the magic at the Arts In Bloom Festival in Downtown McKinney! Experience a weekend of artistic enchantment and sensory delight as Arts In Bloom returns to Historic Downtown McKinney! Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of creativity and culture as over 120 handpicked artists grace the tree-lined streets surrounding the magnificent McKinney Performing Arts Center. Step into a world of timeless beauty within the heart of McKinney's Historic District, renowned for its charm and character. Adorned with lovingly restored turn-of-the-century buildings, this picturesque setting boasts quaint cafes, cozy boutiques, and lively bars nestled amidst galleries and restaurants, creating a captivating backdrop for your artistic adventure. Indulge your senses as downtown McKinney comes alive with a symphony of sights, sounds, and flavors during this three-day celebration. Explore an array of fine artistry, tantalize your taste buds with offerings from Texas wineries and culinary…
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Go BUNNY Wild! With egg hunts, barnyard animals, over 30 exciting rides & attractions, baby lamb photos, and the Easter Bunny himself, BUNNYPALOOZA at Yesterland Farm is choc-full of springtime fun for the whole family!
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Come on out to Riders field to cheer on the RoughRiders! The Frisco RoughRiders are a Minor League Baseball team of the Texas League and the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers.
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Get your hands on history at Warbird Weekend! See historic aircraft, living history reenactors, Star Wars Characters, and participate in fun family STEM activities!
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Celebrate National Pet Day all weekend long at the Dallas Farmers Market. Grab your leashes and bring your four-legged besties for a paw-some celebration filled with adoptable pups, live music, kid-friendly fun, and our Farmer Market themed Doggy Costume Contest! We’re spotlighting amazing local rescues, welcoming pet-loving vendors, and hosting fun activities the whole family can enjoy. Join us this weekend for a tail-wagging good time!
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Hear ye! Hear ye! The Dallas Christian Theatre department cordially invites you to attend our spring musical of Cinderella. Growing up in her step-mother’s house, Cinderella is mistreated and faces many challenges; however, her joy and kindness shine through, bringing hope to her community. May our story remind you that nothing is impossible.
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Come explore, climb, and learn more about all your favorite vehicles at Touch-a-Truck on Saturday, April 11! Take a look around a police car, check out the fire trucks and ambulances, pretend to dig dirt in the tractors, and meet those who help build, protect, and serve our community at the Commons at Agora! Come explore, climb, and learn more about all your favorite vehicles at Touch-a-Truck on Saturday, April 11! Take a look around a police car, check out the fire trucks and ambulances, pretend to dig dirt in the tractors, and meet those who help build, protect, and serve our community at the Commons at Agora!
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Little Farmer Fridays are interactive programs designed for preschoolers and their grown-ups. Most appropriate for children ages 2 to 5 years old, our programs offer families the opportunity to hear a story, make a craft, meet the animals, enjoy a wagon ride, and have fun on our 4.5-acre farm. Gates open at 10am. Stations are open during our two-hour, come-and-go style program and close at 12 pm. After the program is over, guests are welcome to enjoy time on their own until we close at 2 pm. You are welcome to bring a picnic lunch, snack, and/or drinks.
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Immerse yourself in a fantastical story! Teen LitBox is a curated box created just for teens!
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Reading America's past, writing our future. Celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States of America, Dallas Style. Complete your Amazing Race for Independence Passport with badges earned by attending events, visiting exhibits, and reading along with our monthly book club.
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The dragon exhibit at Heard Museum will give families & friends a fun, educational activity to enjoy together. See the dragons move & hear them roar!
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- Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - Dallas - Fort Worth - Shoott - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, USA, Friday, April 10 to Sunday, April 12, See link for times
- Family Fest at Triesch Memorial United Methodist Church - Trietsch Memorial United Methodist Church - Trietsch Memorial United Methodist Church, Saturday, April 11, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
- Arts in Bloom - McKinney, Texas, USA, Friday, April 10 to Sunday, April 12, Friday, 5 - 10 pm • Saturday, 11 am - 10 pm • Sunday, 12 - 5 pm
- Free Demonstrations: Open Studios Night April 2026 - SiNaCa Studios -
SiNaCa Studios School of Glass and Gallery, Friday, April 10, 6-9 p.m.
- Animal Encounter - Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center - Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center, Farm to Market Road 1382, Cedar Hill, TX 75104, United States, Saturday, April 11, 11-11:30 am
- Touch-A-Truck - Commons at Agora, Agora Way, Corinth, TX, USA, Saturday, April 11, 10:30 am- 1 pm
- National Pet Day at the Dallas Farmers Market - Dallas Farmers
Market - Dallas Farmers Market, South Harwood Street, Dallas, TX, USA, Saturday, April 11, 9 am- 5 pm
- Spring Market & Glass Garden - SiNaCa Studios - SiNaCa Studios, 1013 West Magnolia Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76104, United States, Saturday, April 11, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the Dallas 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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Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the Dallas 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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