KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Sorry for the second send this morning! The first edition of this newsletter had a glitch that erased much of the content. —Deb |
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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At Spirit Technique, we're not baby sitters — our camps are a space for our littles to explore gymnastics, ninja, trampoline and more in a safe, structured environment where they’re celebrated for who they are and encouraged to try hard things. We put safety, belonging, and progress first, we create bully-free spaces where kids can build confidence, curiosity, and resilience. Because, when school’s out, your child still deserves a place to shine!
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A musical adaptation of Charles Dickens's Oliver Twist, Oliver! is a Broadway classic that follows an orphan in Victorian London who finds a new lease on life after joining Fagin and his gang of pickpockets. Winner of both Tony and Olivier Awards, this musical includes classic songs like "Consider Yourself," "You've Got to Pick a Pocket or Two," and "I'd Do Anything."
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Welcome to Color Craze, one of the most vibrant experiences in the ColorVerse! This isn’t just a run, it’s a full-blown festival where color, music, and celebration collide. From the moment you arrive, you’ll be part of a living, breathing rainbow, surrounded by energy, laughter, and epic moments you’ll never forget. Whether you run, walk, or dance your way through, Color Craze is all about celebrating life in full color. It’s your chance to immerse yourself in the ColorVerse, make new memories that will last forever.
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Intimate passion and sweeping social forces infuse every breathtaking moment of Artistic Director Steven McMahon’s version of Shakespeare’s tragic love story. Set to the sublime score by Prokofiev, the exploration of external pressures influencing who we can love and the price we pay for following our hearts shows perfectly how the story of the star-crossed lovers endures still today. This audience favorite, which debuted in 2012 and was last performed in 2019, returns for the very first time on the GPAC stage.
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Join us for the Memphis Parks Autism Acceptance Festival on Saturday, April 11, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Bert Ferguson Community Center! Hosted by the Memphis Parks Health and Wellness Department, this vibrant celebration will highlight inclusion, understanding, and community. This FREE, family-friendly event will feature local vendors, food, music, fun stations, and a sensory safe zone to support individuals on the autism spectrum. Together, we’ll shine a light on neurodiversity and create a space where everyone feels valued and understood. No preregistration is required. Come celebrate differences and help build a more inclusive future!
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The Atoka BBQ Fest will be back again in 2026! The contest will take place in Atoka, TN on April 10th & 11th, 2026. It will be located at Nancy Lane Park, 118 Atoka Park Ave, on the south side of the Park. The contest will again be sanctioned by the Memphis Barbeque Network.
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- Every Saturday, the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art is FREE from 10am - 12pm! - Memphis Brooks Museum of Art - 1934 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104, Saturday, April 11, 10am - 12pm
- Project Grow (all ages) - Dixon Gallery and Gardens - Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Memphis, TN, Saturday, April 11, 1pm-3pm
- SciPlay - Memphis River
Parks - River Playground, Tom Lee Park 422 Riverside Drive, Memphis, TN, 38103, Saturday, April 11, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
- Kids Market at Atoka Spring BBQ Festival - Cordova, TN 38016, USA, Saturday, April 11, 10:00AM
- Memphis Parks Autism Acceptance Festival - Memphis Parks - Bert Ferguson Community Center (8505 Trinity Rd., Cordova, TN 38018), Saturday, April 11, 10am - 1pm
- April Family Day at Stax Museum of American Soul Music - Stax Museum of American Soul Music, 926 E McLemore Ave, Memphis, TN 38106, United States, Saturday, April 11, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
- Super Saturday - Brooks Museum - Memphis Brooks
Museum of Art - 1934 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104, United States, Saturday, April 11, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the Memphis 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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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the Memphis 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 Memphis 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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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Memphis 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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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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