Dallas weekly e-newsletter |
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Sat, May 30: Downtown Block Party
Thu, Jun 4: The Addams Family
Musical
Sat, Jun 6: Dallas Pride 2026
Sat, Jun 13: CAC Birthday Bash
Sat, Jun 13: Best Southwest Juneteenth Celebration
Fri, Jun 19: Little Elm Juneteenth Concert Presented By Cowboy Car Wreck
Fri, Jun 19: Juneteenth 2026
Sat, Jun 27: Ennis Freedom Fest in the Park
Sat, Jul 4: Fireworks on Main 2026
Wed, Jul 15: Hamilton
Fri, Jul 17: James and the Giant Peach Jr. |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: A tumble is not a verdict; it's information. And kids are natural data analysts. That's what a mom half a generation older than me told me when I was getting ready to have kids, and I took it to heart. So I was secretly a little thrilled the summer my daughter Madison was almost 4, when she took her first big splash off a slippery log into a
creek. Here's why: To succeed in life, everyone needs to learn to stretch to the edge of their abilities... to gather courage from their toes, to calculate, to balance, to wobble, to slide... and eventually to succeed. Kids can learn this early if the grownups in their orbit help them see the mud and bruises that come from a tumble as badges to be worn proudly: a fail-until-we-succeed philosophy in action. That's how personal fulfillment happens, and it's how human progress happens,
too. Summer is childhood's best laboratory, where sensory experiences stick as lifelong learning. School has grades and rubrics and consequences; summer has grass stains and do-overs. An amusement park ride can teach the difference between fear and danger. A hands-on museum can teach that when your tower collapses, you simply vow to rebuild it taller. A farm can teach that maybe you don’t like strawberries from the grocery store, but
you do like the ones you picked yourself, still warm from the sun. A climbing gym can teach your muscles that “I can’t” really means “I can’t yet.” And summer camps are entire worlds built around trying something new with no transcript following you home. Last week, the KidsOutAndAbout.com team launched our annual Top 20 Places to Take Kids survey. It's a way to thank the people who make your community a great place to raise kids. Equally important, it’s a giant menu of local opportunities for your kids to stretch their legs, their minds, and their bravery this summer. Use it to create your summer bucket list! Then step back and set your family’s summer dial to “safe to fail.” Watch your kids climb, build, stumble, and try again.
Let them splash.
—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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Janel Nansenn, MA, is an educational therapist and the founder of Read-A-Rific®, a reading comprehension program and Texas PDSES vendor. Nansenn's work has transformed the lives of struggling readers. Over the course of her career, she has helped thousands
of struggling learners achieve success both academically and personally.
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Kroger Delivery helps busy families reclaim time and reduce stress by delivering fresh groceries and household essentials straight to the doorstep, within the one-hour timeframe that fits your busy schedule. Conveniently shop from your phone to add favorite items, reorder past products, and save with digital coupons. A Boost membership provides fee-free delivery on qualifying orders and extra fuel rewards, to keep costs predictable. Refrigerated trucks preserve freshness for produce, dairy, and frozen items, while professional drivers handle everything right to your doorstep. Visit Kroger.com to enjoy the convenience of delivery without sacrificing quality for fresh, making weeknight dinners, packed lunches and healthy snacks quick and easy.
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Calling all storytellers! Step into the spotlight with Shakespeare Dallas this summer. Choose from Summer Camp, where beginners bring a short Shakespeare play to life, or Shakespeare Lab Mainstage, a fully produced performance program for students in grades 8–12. Build confidence, sharpen your skills, and work alongside professional artists. No experience needed—just curiosity and a passion for storytelling. Whether it’s your first time on stage or your next big step, there’s a place for you here. Please visit https://www.shakespearedallas.org/ to learn more and register today!
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We offer a variety of fun and educational themes for Campers aged 3 - 8! Campers will be immersed in the Spanish language and culture while enjoying hands-on activities related to each camp's theme. Full and part-time programs are available to meet your needs.
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Come help celebrate 60 years of Czech heritage and traditions Friday through Sunday, May 22-24, 2026. Held every year on Memorial Day Weekend, the National Polka Festival offers an abundance of activities to be enjoyed by the entire family in a small town atmosphere.
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Kick off the official first week of Summer and cool off with entertainment and special vehicle displays from area first responders. As a special thank you for your service we will be offering one free admission ticket for all active and retired members of the Military (with valid Military ID).
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The Taste of Lancaster is back and bigger than ever as we celebrate the birthday of Lancaster! Join us for an evening packed with delicious flavors from some of Lancaster’s favorite local restaurants, all in one place. It’s the perfect chance to sample amazing dishes, discover new favorites, and support the incredible food scene right here in our community. Bring the whole family and enjoy food trucks, local vendors, bounce houses for the kids, and great music while celebrating everything that makes Lancaster special. From savory bites to sweet treats, there will be something for everyone to enjoy!
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Join us at Adventure Kids Playcare for an exhilarating Kids Night Out! Designed for ages 3-12, it's a playground paradise from 6pm to midnight. Each week brings a fresh theme, promising endless excitement and imagination for your little adventurers. Drop them off for a night of supervised fun while you enjoy some well-deserved downtime. It's the perfect blend of play, creativity, and socialization in a safe environment.
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Join us for a family-friendly weekend of live music, outdoor fun and games, food and drink! We will have extended hours and be open on Memorial Day. All ages welcome.
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Get ready for an unforgettable day at Rowlett’s FIRST EVER Rowlett Rides Car Show, where classic cars meet timeless rock for a high-energy community celebration! In partnership with Mustang Sally Productions, this exciting event brings together an impressive showcase of cars, trucks, and motorcycles alongside a live concert experience in the heart of Downtown Rowlett.
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Reel in the fun at Kid Fishing Derby! Prizes and awards will be given out across various categories, so every young angler has a shot at winning! Although you can bring your own gear, you don't need to - rods, reels, and bait are all provided. Don't miss out on this fin-tastic day!
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At the Downtown Denison Farmers Market, we care about giving our customers the best shopping experience yet. Since 2011, we’ve played an active role in the Denison community by offering residents a chance to enjoy our wide range of homemade and homegrown goods. We’re more than just a venue to buy one-of-a-kind items and locally-made goods — we’re your best excuse for a day out in town! View our calendar and see what’s in store for the future.
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Walk alongside family, friends, and community members as we come together to celebrate our heroes, remember the fallen, and honor the true meaning of Memorial Day. Carry The Load’s signature event embodies our mission and unites people across generations to reflect, pay tribute, and educate others on the importance of this sacred day. Whether you walk one mile or stay for the entirey of the two day event, your presence helps ensure the legacies of our fallen heroes live on.
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Spend your Sunday in one of the best backyards in Texas! Sip a craft beer from our on-site brewery, Unlawful Assembly Brewing Co, shop local vendors including permanent jewelry, custom hat bar, boot branding, embroidered bandanas, indulge in barbecue plates from Dry Rub, sip on cold cocktails, and of course – listen to live country music all day long!
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Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend at Traders Village Grand Prairie with an afternoon packed full of live music, energy, and family fun! Join us Sunday, May 24 from 1 PM – 5 PM for an incredible lineup featuring La Joya Romantica Caminantes, 360 Band Regios, and La Gran Señora Laura Elena bringing unforgettable performances to the stage. Enjoy great food, unique vendors, and a lively atmosphere perfect for spending the holiday with family and friends.
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Stop by the Sensory Cart in the galleries to explore art through the multiple senses. Visitors are invited to touch different textures, smell distinctive scents, and listen to sounds that bring a featured work of art to life. The cart will feature a new work of art every other month.
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- The City of Lancaster Birthday Celebration: A Taste of Lancaster - 250 North Dallas Avenue - Lancaster, TX 75146, USA, Friday, May 22, 2026, 6-9 pm
- Flower Mound Concerts in the Park - Heritage Park - 600 Spinks Rd, Flower Mound, TX, USA, Friday, May 22, 2026, 7 pm
- Movie Night in The District - PGA
District - PGA Parkway, Frisco, TX, USA, Friday, May 22, 2026, 8 pm
- Memorial Day Weekend at Hawaiian Falls - Hawaiian Falls Mansfield - Heritage Parkway, Mansfield, TX, USA, Friday, May 22, 2026 to Sunday, May 24, 2026, see website
- Kid Fishing Derby - Rheudasil Park - 2401 Lake Forest Blvd, Flower Mound, TX, USA, Saturday, May 23, 2026, 8-11 am
- Rowlett Rides - 3908 Main St - Rowlett, TX, USA, Saturday, May 23,
2026, 9 am- 1 pm
- Texas Turtle Day - Leonhardt Lagoon Nature Walk - 1st Avenue, Dallas, TX, USA, Saturday, May 23, 2026, 10 am
- Showtime Saturdays at Galleria Dallas - Galleria Dallas - 13350 Dallas Parkway, Dallas, Dallas, TX 75240, United States, Saturday, May 23, 2026, 11:30 am
- Dungeons & Dragons - Prairie Creek Branch Library - 9609 Lake June Rd, Dallas, TX 75217, United States, Saturday, May
23, 2026, 1-3:30 pm
- Dallas Memorial March - Reverchon Park - Maple Avenue, Dallas, TX, USA, Sunday, May 24, 2026, see schedule
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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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