KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: A tumble is not a verdict; it's information. And kids are natural data analysts. That's what a mom half a generation older than me told me when I was getting ready to have kids, and I took it to heart. So I was secretly a little thrilled the summer my daughter Madison was almost 4, when she took her first big splash off a slippery log into a
creek. Here's why: To succeed in life, everyone needs to learn to stretch to the edge of their abilities... to gather courage from their toes, to calculate, to balance, to wobble, to slide... and eventually to succeed. Kids can learn this early if the grownups in their orbit help them see the mud and bruises that come from a tumble as badges to be worn proudly: a fail-until-we-succeed philosophy in action. That's how personal fulfillment happens, and it's how human progress happens,
too. Summer is childhood's best laboratory, where sensory experiences stick as lifelong learning. School has grades and rubrics and consequences; summer has grass stains and do-overs. An amusement park ride can teach the difference between fear and danger. A hands-on museum can teach that when your tower collapses, you simply vow to rebuild it taller. A farm can teach that maybe you don’t like strawberries from the grocery store, but
you do like the ones you picked yourself, still warm from the sun. A climbing gym can teach your muscles that “I can’t” really means “I can’t yet.” And summer camps are entire worlds built around trying something new with no transcript following you home. Last week, the KidsOutAndAbout.com team launched our annual Top 20 Places to Take Kids survey. It's a way to thank the people who make your community a great place to raise kids. Equally important, it’s a giant menu of local opportunities for your kids to stretch their legs, their minds, and their bravery this summer. Use it to create your summer bucket list! Then step back and set your family’s summer dial to “safe to fail.” Watch your kids climb, build, stumble, and try again.
Let them splash.
—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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Get ready to Zoom through the Zoo at the Memphis Zoo on Thursday, May 21, 2026! This fun-filled evening brings families, friends, and neighbors together for a one-of-a-kind race experience. Choose between a 1-mile fun run or a 4-mile race. Those 21+ will receive 2 beer tickets, and food will be available for purchase, but it is not included. Enjoy a lively awards ceremony after the race. This all-ages event is the perfect way to stay active and make memories in a wild setting.
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This Memorial Day Weekend, Graceland honors Elvis Presley's U.S. Army service (1958–1960) with the return of Private Presley Tours. Running May 22–25 daily from 3–5 PM,* these guided tours take visitors through Graceland Mansion with live guides sharing stories from Elvis' military journey — from receiving his draft notice at Christmas 1957 to his homecoming press conference in his father's office. Special artifact displays commemorating his service will be featured throughout the mansion during the weekend.
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The Great American River Run celebrates over 10 years running in downtown Memphis. Calling all levels of runners, from elite athletes to beginning runners or families, this run not only benefits your health, but it benefits the health of others. A portion of all race registrations will support The Fisher House of Tennessee on behalf of the Veteran’s Administration Hospital. The Fisher House offers shelter and support for families during a medical crisis for Veteran’s. Let’s join together Memphis to honor our Veterans’ and celebrate10 years running in the great city of Memphis.
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Get ready for a magical adventure as the Children’s Museum of Memphis brings the beloved characters and inspiring stories from Disney Jr.’s iconic “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” to life at the first-ever museum exhibit inspired by the Emmy Award-winning series, in Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: The Exhibit. Kids and families are invited to dive into the whimsical world of the hit series to help Mickey, Minnie and their pals prepare a surprise birthday party for their favorite pup- Pluto. The interactive experience, produced by The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, is filled with fun, music and delightful surprises for Disney Jr. fans of all ages, will take place from May 23 through September 6, 2026.
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- Bartlett Station Farmers Market 2026 Season Grand Opening! - 2629 Bartlett Boulevard, Bartlett, TN, USA - 05/23/2026, 8 AM - 12 PM
- Every Saturday, the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art is FREE from 10am - 12pm! - Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, 1934 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104, 05/23/2026, 10am - 12pm
- 2026 Orion Free Concert Series - Overton Park Shell, 1928 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38104, 05/24/2026, Summer concerts begin at 7:30pm unless specified (*)
- Spring 2026 Exhibitions at Crosstown Arts - Crosstown Arts, 1350 Concourse Avenue #280, Memphis, TN 38104, 05/24/2026, 11 am - 8 pm
- National Memorial Day Concert Live Stream - ONLINE ONLY, 05/24/2026, 8pm EDT / 7pm CDT / 6pm
MDT / 5pm PDT / 4pm AKDT
- Chess A2Z March Webinar: NM Austin Tang - Practical Prophylaxis: Anticipating Your Opponent’s Plans - Chess A2Z - 10940 SW Barnes Rd 247, Portland, OR 97225, 05/24/2026, 2PM to 3PM
PDT
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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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