KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: One summer afternoon during a family camping trip in New Jersey when I was about 6 or 7 years old, a horse fly suddenly appeared next to my ear and started following me everywhere I went. I’m sure that, from its own perspective, it was just going about its business doing ordinary horse fly things, but to me it felt enormous, ominous, and purposeful. I can't remember if it
actually bit me, but I can still summon the hot panic of not being able to get away from its threatening buzz. To my small self, that fly wasn't a little distraction, it was a crisis with wings. The memory surfaced recently when my daughter Ella sent me the above photo, taken in Quintana Beach County Park, near Houston. The point was clear: Proceed, and you will be under attack, and not by any adorable Northeastern bugs you might be used to. No, these bugs were born in Texas. Beware. Sometimes that is exactly
how challenges feel, especially to kids: Problems loom much larger to them than they do to adults with decades of experience. A broken toy, a skinned knee, a mistake in front of the class, or a slight misunderstanding with a friend may be a fly in the ointment to us, but a Texas-sized monster to a child. The trick is to validate the feeling without validating helplessness. We stand beside them and say, Yes, I know, this feels huge. The bugs, even if they're not as large as they
think, are real. They watch us shoo them away and learn gradually to do it for themselves. If I had seen the sign above, my first instinct would have been to flee back to the safety of the car. And Ella said it was not exaggerating, at least not by much: The moment she stepped onto the property, giant mosquitoes descended, and they were hungry; even leggings soaked with OFF Deep Woods did not deter them. She assures me that the photo she got of the Bay-breasted Warbler was
worth all the bites on the backs of her knees. She knew better than to show me the damage. Clearly, the script has flipped.
—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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The Memphis Italian Festival demonstrates the values of family, faith, and fellowship in the Italian-American tradition. The Memphis Italian Festival presents family-oriented fun in music, food, events, games, and more for the benefit of the children of Holy Rosary Parish School. Kids 10 and under get in FREE! Active military with ID gets in FREE! The best family friendly festival in town.
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We have activities and fun for all ages from exhilarating coasters and family-friendly rides to our expansive water park and concert amphitheater. Don’t miss our signature events like the summer concert series and Magic Screams. Located in the natural beauty of Hot Springs, Arkansas, a short drive from Little Rock.
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Get ready to dig into a new season of stories! Join us for our 27th Annual Frayser Fun Fest, the Frayser Branch Library's summer reading kick-off! This year, we’re inviting you to "Unearth a Story" as we transform the library grounds into a hub of community vendors, hands-on activities, and hidden treasures. Summer reading isn't just for kids! Patrons of all ages are encouraged to sign up, log their progress, and explore the incredible lineup of fun, creative programs we have buried in our summer calendar! Grab your gear and help us kick off a legendary summer of reading! Let's make this the best chapter yet!
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Let’s roll, Memphis! The 2x award-winning Sunset Skate returns to the riverfront for another unforgettable season of community fun. Join Memphis River Parks Partnership on the last Thursday of the month, May through July, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. under the Sunset Canopy in Tom Lee Park. Each night features free 30-minute skate rentals provided by Cordova Skating Center (first come, first served), high-energy DJ sets from the Voice of MSCS (88.5FM), and skate dance lessons with Step & Skate Movement. Plus, enjoy funky themed skate nights all season long.
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Get ready for an unforgettable day of racing, culture, and community! Feel the rhythm of the drums, cheer on the teams, and enjoy food, performances, and family-friendly fun by the lake. Whether you’re racing, cheering, or just soaking in the atmosphere—this is a Memphis event you don’t want to miss. Come celebrate culture, teamwork, and community—all for a great cause! General Admission is completely free - the event is open to all!!! Reserve your spot today!
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- 2026 Orion Free Concert Series - Overton Park Shell - 1928 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38104, May 29, 2026, Summer concerts begin at 7:30pm unless specified (*)
- Every Saturday, the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art is FREE from 10am - 12pm! - Memphis Brooks Museum of Art - 1934 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104, May 30, 2026, 10am - 12pm
- 27th Annual Frayser Fun Fest - Memphis Public Library - Frayser Branch - 2220 James Rd, Memphis, TN 38127, May 30, 2026, 11:30am - 2:30pm
- Super Saturday - Pointilism - Memphis Brooks Museum of Art - 1934 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104,
May 30, 2026, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Super Saturday - Brooks Museum - Memphis Brooks Museum of Art - 1934 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104, May 30, 2026, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- 2026 Memphis Dragon Boat Festival - Shelby Farms Park - 6938 Great View Dr N, Memphis, TN 38134, May 30, 2026, 8AM - 5PM
- Spring 2026 Exhibitions at
Crosstown Arts - Crosstown Arts - 1350 Concourse Avenue #280, Memphis, TN 38104, May 31, 2026, 11 am - 8 pm
- Summer Movie Series at the J - Memphis Jewish Community Center - 6560 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38138, May 31, 2026, 1:00pm
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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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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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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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