KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter
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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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In a world where individuality is frowned upon and uniformity prevails, one girl chooses to have hope. Set in Blahville, a city of conformity ruled by the power-hungry Mayor Grey, Penny Thompson must challenge the status quo through her fierce belief in Imagineville – a colorful and whimsical circus where every person is encouraged to be themselves. When Penny finds a book that transports her to Imagineville, she is set on the path to restoring saturation and whimsy to Blahville with the aid of her dysfunctional siblings, unconventional friends, and the very creator of Imagineville: The Ringmaster. Join us for a story that confronts the past in order to make way for a brighter future, and that shows both the downfalls and triumphs of taking control of one’s own life.
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Join us in Kennedale, TX as we come together to honor and remember our nation’s heroes. This community event is part of Carry The Load’s national movement to honor the sacrifices of our military, first responders, and their families. Specific event details coming soon.
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Get ready to kick off summer on the Granbury Square! Join us May 22–24 for the Memorial Day Festival on the historic Granbury Square. Spend the weekend enjoying local vendors, shopping, great food, live entertainment, and plenty of hometown fun as our community comes together to celebrate the holiday weekend. Bring your friends, bring your family, and come experience the charm of the Granbury.
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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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Calling all young scientists, engineers, and creative thinkers! Join us for a special event designed just for children in grades K–5 to explore, experiment, and share their big ideas. Sign up to participate or visit us to see all the amazing experiments. General Admission applies.
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WhoaZone at Grapevine, located in Meadowmere Park, offers a full day of family fun. Featuring our action-packed floating obstacle course and shaded seating rentals. We offer a full day of active entertainment that’s great for the whole family, including the shallow water KidsZone. We even host the best group events and birthday parties for everyone ages 4+! Meadowmere Park is the area’s best kept secret in the DFW area, nestled on the edge of Grapevine, near Southlake and Trophy Club, featuring a large swimming area with lots of parking and a safe place for summer family fun!
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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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Wander through a luminous world of imagination and see the wild in a whole new glow. Explore larger-than-life lanterns and towering sculptures inspired by wildlife and nature. Along the way, immerse yourself in captivating performances and interactive experiences – making each night an illuminating adventure!
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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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Waste to Wonder explores how creativity and innovation can transform discarded materials into something new. Made in collaboration with the Tarrant County Education Foundation, the exhibit examines how long common items take to decompose, what materials people used before plastics, and how artists and companies are rethinking waste today. Interactive stations invite visitors to sort materials, test recycling knowledge, and explore how many bottles, cans, or plastic bags it takes to make familiar products. Designed using repurposed materials where possible, Waste to Wonder acknowledges that sustainability is an ongoing effort and that imperfect can still be impactful.
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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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- BTX Honey Tour Carnival - - Burleson, TX, USA - Thursday, May 21, 2026 through Sunday, May 24, 2026; Thursday 5-10 pm, Friday-Saturday 12-11 pm, Sunday 2-11 pm
- Free Spring Mini Photo Session - Shoott - Shoott - Dallas-Fort Worth - April 24-26, 2026; see link for times
- Memorial May – Kennedale,
TX - - TownCenter Park, 405 Municipal Dr, Kennedale, TX 76060, USA - Friday, May 22, 2026, 2 pm
- Hot Sounds of Summer Concert Series - - Mayor Vera Calvin Plaza, West Renfro Street, Burleson, TX, USA - Friday, May 22, 2026, 7:30 pm
- Movie Night District - - PGA District, PGA Parkway, Frisco, TX, USA - Friday, May 22, 2026, 8 pm
- Poké Club - - Hurst Public Library, 901 Precinct Line Road, Hurst,
TX 76053, United States - Friday, May 22, 2026, 4:30-5:45 pm
- Sensory Station - - Hurst Public Library, 901 Precinct Line Road, Hurst, TX 76053, United States - Friday, May 22, 2026, 10:30-11 am
- Memorial May – Fort Worth, TX - - Fort Worth Police & Firefighters Memorial, West 7th Street, Fort Worth, TX, USA - Saturday, May 23, 2026, 9:15 am
- National Memorial Day Concert - LIVE STREAM - - ONLINE ONLY - Sunday, May 24, 2026, 8pm EDT / 7pm CDT / 6pm MDT / 5pm PDT / 4pm AKDT
- Memorial Day Weekend - Traders Village Grand Prairie - Traders Village Grand Prairie - Traders Village Grand
Prairie, 2602 Mayfield Road, Grand Prairie, TX 75052, United States - Sunday, May 24, 2026, 1-5 pm
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Fort Worth 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!
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Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the Fort Worth 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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