KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Wed, Jul 15: Flor Bromley’s Fiesta Global at Caramoor
Fri, Jul 17: Catskill Mountain Railroad Dinosaur Express
Sat, Jul 18: Blueberry Bash at Fishkill Farms
Sat, Jul 18: Pride in July at Barton Orchards
Sat, Jul 18: Teddy Bear Festival at Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo
Sat, Jul 18: Fabric & Fashion at Philipsburg Manor
Sun, Jul 19: American Museum of Natural History FIFA World Cup 2026™ Watch Parties
Wed, Jul 22: Hopalong Andrew at Caramoor
Wed, Jul 22: Pollinator Tower Project at Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum
Thu, Jul 23: Bluey's Big Play
Fri, Jul 24: Stars, Stripes & Sanctuary
Sat, Jul 25: June Farms Kite Festival
Sat, Aug 1: 13th Annual Mess Fest
Fri, Aug 14: 2026 Esopus Creek Puppet Suite |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
When I was a kid, a giant azalea bush stretched across our backyard, exploding into glorious pink blossoms in early May. In summer, it became something even better: a secret hideout that my sister and I named the Humble Abode. We hollowed out the dead branches behind the bush and dragged in little chairs and treasures and our dollhouse family. The Humble Abode barely qualified as
a fort, and it wasn't even secret; I'm sure my parents knew when we were back there. But it was a great kids-only space. A few weeks ago, I wrote about five summer lenses through which to plan summer: music, motion, making, nature, and food. Making—the lens for this week—reminds kids that they are not merely consumers of the world, but contributors to it. They can push value into existence. They can turn sticks, cardboard, fabric, tape, mud, blocks, gears,
sand, and flour into something that wasn’t there before. Especially for younger kids, making with the hands gives the brain evidence. I did that. I made that. I can make things happen. Summer is perfect for this because summer has time and room for mess. Pull out the science kits, the rocket kits, the LEGO bins, the soap-making sets that arrived at Christmas and then sat politely in the closet. "Upcycle" old boxes, fabric, toys, crayons, paint, buttons.
Let your kids build backyard forts, fairy houses, marble runs, cardboard cities, obstacle courses, blanket tents, museum towers, and whatever else the day and their imagination suggest. Of course, glue will drip. Sand will migrate. The kitchen table may briefly disappear under invention. (If the clutter gets overwhelming, consider a trip or two to your local science museum or maker space to save your sanity.) After all, you can’t make omelets without breaking eggs. And
you can’t make a maker without giving a child some space, some tools, some trust, and permission to begin.
—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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This summer, the vineyard comes alive with unforgettable experiences in partnership with local businesses, artisans, and Hudson Valley favorites. Expect a season of outdoor events, live entertainment, hands-on activities, and plenty of wine. From an R&B cookout with Tom Swoope featuring live DJs, vendors, and a live band, to a weekend wellness day with Pilates, sound healing, and wellness specialists, there’s something for every vibe. Explore a motorcycle show with classic bikes, demos, and food, or close out the season with a beginner-friendly salsa class and Latin dance party. Join us in the vineyard and discover something new all summer long!
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See the natural beauty of the Catskills from our railroad’s unique perspective aboard the Catskill Flyer and enjoy the trip in our coaches or on our open-air flat cars for the ultimate views on the ride. On Sundays, the Ice cream Express runs and passengers get an Ice Cream to enjoy on the trip. Join us as we travel through some of the oldest farmlands in the United States where we will cross the Esopus creek on the restored C9 bridge and go through the Hurley Flats and then start climbing Hurley Mountain.
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Raspberries are what we’re picking this weekend! Stop by the Tavern to cool off with a raspberry sangria or local craft beer. Grab a wood-fired brick-oven pizza for lunch and top it off with one of our many ice cream flavors. Our bakery will be offering up our sought-after, fresh apple cider donuts and a variety of fruit pies including cherry, berry, strawberry, and apple! There will be tractor pulled wagon rides, a petting zoo, and Tiny Town for the little ones. We’ll have live music by She’s My Ex on Saturday and James Patrick on Sunday. Join us for some summer fun.
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Come join The Boulders for their 2026 Season! The New York Boulders, members of the Frontier League of Professional Baseball, play at the majestic Clover Stadium in Rockland County, NY. The Boulders provide affordable, family entertainment for the Lower Hudson Valley and northeast New Jersey.
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Celebrate America’s 250th birthday at the largest celebration in the Hudson Valley! The Greater Newburgh Symphony Orchestra is returning to Boscobel’s Great Lawn, where Conductor Russell Ger will be bringing his explosive artistic energy with a line-up of music inspired by fireworks, jubilation, and 250 years of American history. Gates open at 6PM for General Admission ticket holders. Please bring your own lawn chairs and pack a picnic to enjoy the evening’s festivities.
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Celebrate the Fourth of July with a classic summer favorite! The Dog House food truck will be serving up loaded hot dogs, crispy fries, creamy milkshakes, and more in the courtyard from 11 AM–3 PM. Grab lunch, relax with views of the orchards and mountains, and enjoy a festive day on the farm. The Dog House is the perfect way to add some all-American flavor to your holiday.
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Early Explorers is a dedicated space for families with children up to age 5 to explore, play, and recharge. Discover a selection of books, toys, and activities.
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Celebrate Independence Day with a patriotic day of wildlife and summer fun at Bailiwick Animal Park & Riding Stables. There will be special Red, White & Wild animal enrichment presentations and "Wild America" spotlight talks featuring our North American Black Bear, American Bison, and Red Fox family. We will also have a festive July 4th scavenger hunt, a food truck on site, and limited edition 4th of July merchandise! Spend the day outdoors with animals, fresh air, and family-friendly fun — the red, white, and wild way.
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Hudson Valley 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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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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It's almost time for fruit picking! 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.
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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