KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Fri, Jun 12: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse The Exhibit at CMOM Sat, Jun 13: 3rd Annual Philippine Fiesta in Memphis
Thu, Jun 18: Father’s Day Dinner Dates 2026 - Cedar Hill Farm
Fri, Jun 19: Disney's Tarzan at Harrell Theatre
Fri, Jun 19: 2026 Juneteenth Community Day - National Civil Rights Museum Sat, Jun 20: Daddy Daughter Brunch
Thu, Jul 2: Red, White & BOOM Celebration with the Memphis Redbirds!
Fri, Jul 3: All-American Weekend at Graceland! Sat, Jul 18: Totally Rad Vintage Fest at Renasant Convention Center
Sat, Jul 25: Memphis Reptile Expo (Show Me Reptile Shows)
Tue, Jul 28: Celebrating All Things TENNESSEE at CMOM!
Sat, Aug 1: 2025 Ruby Bridges Reading Festival
Sat, Aug 8: Elvis Week 2026
Thu, Aug 13: 2026 Wilson County Fair - TN State Fair Sat, Aug 15: 1970s Community Night (All Ages)
Sat, Aug 15: Bluey's Big Play
Fri, Aug 21: Mean Girls The Musical - OPENING WEEKEND
Wed, Aug 26: National Mountain Lion Day - Memphis Zoo |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: When I was homeschooling Madison and Ella, one of my favorite sanity-saving tools was the Theme of the Week. If the theme was "Birds," then yes, we'd go on a bird walk. But we'd also read my favorite-ever children's book, talk about the physics of flying and of colors, and probably also do some math and logic involving eggs and
baskets. The theme made ordinary learning feel like an adventure, but more important, it gave us a focusing tool: It helped the girls connect with what they were seeing and doing, and it helped me feel that we weren’t wandering randomly through our days. Summer planning can benefit from that same kind of gentle structure. Last week, I wrote about how summer is not supposed to be a guilt-inducing race to cram in every concert, splash pad, festival, hike,
camp, road trip, library program, ice cream stand, and sunset before the school buses roll again. Trying to grab everything is a good way to miss the point; instead, to plan the summer without overstuffing it, we need to consider the kinds of experiences that make our family feel more awake, connected, and alive. The five summer lenses I keep coming back to are: music, motion, making,
nature, and food. Music helps kids hear the world differently and live what they love. Motion lets bodies teach what words cannot. Making reminds us that we can bring something new into the universe. Nature offers perspective and wonder. And food connects us to place, culture, and each other. Over the next
few weeks, I’ll address these one at a time—not as assignments, but as invitations. Even as the days fly by, a summer seen through some useful lenses can still be lazy, loose, spontaneous, and wonderfully imperfect.
—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. |
Please click through to our 2026 survey to vote for your top 3 places to take kids... it will be used to compile our 2026 Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around Memphis. Voting is live through June 20; believe me, winning a place on the Top 20 list matters to the people
who create amazing family-friendly experiences. Take 3 minutes to choose your favorites as your way of saying thank you... and use the list to build your summer bucket list at the same time! You have my personal and fervent thanks for your participation! —Deb |
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At St. Agnes, our curriculum is both balanced and academically challenging, blending the skills of creativity, critical thinking, communication and collaboration so that each girl’s elementary experience is a time of growth and joy. Rare and limited availability in grades PK-1st. "I appreciate the nurturing educators teaching our children great values and setting them up to be leaders in the future. They are being taught how to respect one another and work through conflict. The focus on development of students as people-as good humans-has shaped much of who my daughter is." Come tour with us! Contact [email protected]. |
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Let Your Kids Experience A Fun Ride on Our Ponies in Memphis, TN! Kids (ages 4+) will enjoy this 20 min ride on one of our ponies. At Shelby Farms Stables, we believe that every ride should be more than just a trail — it should be an experience. Nestled inside the scenic Shelby Farms Park in Memphis, Tennessee, one of the largest urban parks in the country! We give riders the chance to connect with nature and horses against a backdrop of forests, lakes, and wide-open fields.
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We warmly welcome you and your family to Cedar Hill Farm for fresh U-Pick berry picking! Come enjoy the summer sunshine, pick your own pesticide-free blueberries and blackberries straight from the field, and let the kids burn off energy in our giant play areas. It’s a perfect family outing for making sweet memories just south of Memphis! Our large crop of juicy blueberries (June-July) and somewhat limited blackberries (June, with new thornless varieties in transition) are ready for you to harvest. Note: Some days berries may be picked out by mid-day, so mornings are best—call ahead for availability! (Dates subject to change based on crop availability.)
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Beat the heat! This garden-themed exhibit provides over 7,700 square feet of cool fun. With 40+ sprayers including jet streams, mists, geysers, and water tunnels, children and their families enjoy an escape from the summer heat. Your summer gear is welcomed including lawn chairs. Picnic tables line the area and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Open seasonally, Memorial Day through Labor Day.
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Unlock a summer of fun, laughter, and lasting memories - all at no cost! Kids Bowl Free is a program created with families in mind, offering children a fun and safe way to stay active and engaged all summer long. Since 2007, we've partnered with bowling centers across the US, Canada and around the globe at US military bases with bowling to give kids the chance to bowl two free games every day during the summer - all at no cost to parents. Visit our website to find a participating bowling center near you today!
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Get ready for an unforgettable night at The Drive-In Laser Show in Memphis, TN, where two incredible shows are included for one unbeatable price. This high-energy experience takes the classic drive-in to the next level with dazzling lights, powerful sound, and nonstop excitement. Enjoy a family-friendly laser show at 8:00 PM, followed by a brief intermission and an electrifying classic rock laser show at 9:30 PM on Friday and Saturday. Tailgate with your own snacks, relax in the infield seating area, or grab bites from onsite vendors. At just 39 dollars per carload, it is the perfect outing for families, friends, or date night. Secure your tickets early before prices increase at the gate.
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Experience one of the best festivals in Memphis. Voted one of the Best Local Events of 2025 by the Memphis Community Choice Awards, Philippine Fiesta returns as one of the most exciting summer festivals in Memphis. Hosted by FILAM Memphis Inc., this annual celebration invites the Memphis community to experience the vibrant traditions of the Philippines through authentic food, cultural performances, music, and family-friendly activities. Whether you're discovering Filipino culture for the first time or celebrating your heritage, Philippine Fiesta offers a welcoming and unforgettable experience for people of all backgrounds.
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Join us for a fun-filled afternoon at the Stax Museum with free admission from 1–4 PM! This month’s Free Family Day features special programming in celebration of Black Music Month and offers something for all ages. Enjoy live music in Studio A from Trap Jazz 901, plus food trucks, arts and crafts, games, and other engaging activities throughout the afternoon. Guests will also have access to the full museum experience, including the lobby, gift shop, and lounge, while exploring Memphis history and the lasting impact of Stax Records. Come celebrate with us as we welcome the community and inspire the next generation to discover the music, history, and culture that define Memphis.
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Get ready to unleash your inner scientist while exploring the best playground in the Southeast! Join University of Memphis' CAESER for free, hands-on science activities on select Saturdays from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. at the playground in Tom Lee Park. Each month features a new interactive theme designed to spark curiosity. It's scientifically proven fun for all ages!
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Come experience the national parks! All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone (other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply).
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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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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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The Memphis Area's Pick-Your-Own Fruit Listed below are farms in and near Memphis that offer pick your own fruits, berries, and vegetables. And... to make the most of your experience, check out our
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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