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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Now that the season is underway, there’s never been a better time to join Rascal’s Kids Club! With two exciting membership options, the Home Run and Grand Slam, young fans can enjoy awesome perks all season long, including free game tickets, postgame runs on the field, exclusive Kids Club activities, special experiences at the ballpark, and more. Whether you’re visiting a few games or spending the whole summer with us, Rascal’s Kids Club is the perfect way to make every trip to the ballpark even more memorable for the youngest Renegades fans!
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Simon’s Rock at Bard College offers rising 11th and 12th graders the opportunity to leave high school early to begin college at Simon’s Rock. With immediate college-level study and a supportive, close-knit campus, Simon’s Rock is ready for students who are ready for more. Located in Barrytown, NY, day and boarding options are available. It’s not too late to apply for fall 2026 admission. Visit our campus on Wednesdays or Fridays from 12-3pm from May through August. Learn more at simons-rock.edu
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Calling all foodies and book lovers! Join us on Sunday, May 17th from 12pm-3pm for a family friendly outdoor tasting event featuring Harrison's restaurants and shops. Participants can stroll and taste along the 1 mile route in Downtown Harrison or hop on the free shuttle. All money raised benefits the Harrison Public library. Purchase in advance at https://www.harrisonpl.org/taste-of-harrison.
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Bailiwick Animal Park will recognize Endangered Species Day with special conservation-focused programming throughout the day. Guests are invited to attend spotlight talks featuring our endangered Bengal Tiger and Ring-Tailed Lemurs and learn about the conservation challenges these species face in the wild. Conservation activities and educational displays will be available for guests who wish to explore ways individuals can support wildlife protection efforts. This event takes place during regular park hours and is included with general admission.
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Vendors! Food! Fun! A great, family friendly day at Camp Herrlich. Support local businesses, community organizations, and craftspeople, get some shopping done, and have a great time! Plus, there is a Kids' Club so the kids can play while the grown ups shop!
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The Hudson Valley Beltane Festival is a donation-based, family-friendly outdoor celebration that blends the pomp and whimsy of a Renaissance fair with the magic of a springtime picnic gala. Held on the beautiful grounds of Stone Mountain Farm, the festival brings together music, dance, storytelling, and community as we celebrate the turning of the seasons. Proceeds from the event support the continued stewardship of Stone Mountain Farm and the Center at Stone Mountain, as well as the year-round arts programs of The Vanaver Caravan.
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A joyful day of kites, community, creativity, and family fun on the Kingston waterfront.
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- Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - Hudson Valley - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, Saturday, May 16, 2026, See link for times
- The Storm King School Open House Events - The Storm King School, Mountain Road, Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY 12520, Saturday, May 16, 2026, See website
- Spring
Fling Outdoor Market - Camp Herrlich, 101 Deacon Smith Hill Road, Patterson, NY 12563, Saturday, May 16, 2026, 10am - 3pm
- Camp Herrlich's Spring Fling Market (FREE) - Camp Herrlich, 101 Deacon Smith Hill Road, Patterson, NY 12563, Saturday, May 16, 2026, 10am -
3pm
- Maker May Balloon Blowout - FASNY Museum of Firefighting, Harry Howard Avenue, Hudson, NY, Saturday, May 16, 2026, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
- Free Buddhist Temple Tours Upstate New York (Sullivan County/Catskills) - Kadampa Meditation Center New York, Sweeney Rd, Glen Spey, NY, Saturday-Sunday, May 16-17, 2026, 1:30PM
- Camp Weona Open House: Camp Clue Quest - YMCA Camp Weona, Poplar Tree Road, Gainesville, NY, Sunday, May 17, 2026, 1:00pm to 4:00pm
- Farmers Market at
Muscoot Farm - Muscoot Farm, 51 New York 100, Katonah, NY 10536, Sunday, May 17, 2026, 9:30 am - 2:30 pm
- Family Free Night at Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum - Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum, 75 North Water Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601, Sunday, May 17, 2026, 5:30 pm -
7:30 pm
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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the Hudson Valley 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…
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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the Hudson Valley 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 Hudson Valley? 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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