KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Sat, May 16: A'Fair Arts and Crafts Festival 2026 Thu, May 21: Zoom Through
the Zoo
Sat, May 23: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse The Exhibit
Mon, May 25: 2026 Free Entrance Days in the National
Parks
Thu, May 28: Memphis Italian Festival 2026 Sun, May 31: Collage Dance Conservatory: Charlene & The
Chocolate Factory
Tue, Jun 2: Disney's Beauty and the Beast (Orpheum Theatre)
Fri, Jun 19: Disney's Tarzan at Harrell
Theatre
Sat, Aug 8: Elvis Week 2026
Thu, Aug 13: 2026 Wilson County Fair |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: There’s a sign on the New York State Thruway heading west that marks 70 miles to where I live. For Rochesterians driving back to Western New York from the east or southeast, that marker elicits both a sigh of relief and a groan: You’re close, especially relative to where you started. But in that final stretch, each mile is somehow psychologically
longer. Over the years, this became a useful metaphor in my family: You're pushing through to the end of a project, you'd love to see the finish line, but the murky distance between you and that goal is in your way. "Ugh, it's those last 70 miles," one of us will say to the person suffering, and we'll all nod sympathetically. At this time of year, families with kids in school are experiencing those last 70 miles: The end of the school year is in sight, yet
not quite here. The energy reserves are low, and the end point seems stuck in the distance. We feel like we’re sprinting but not getting closer fast enough. As in any journey, that’s precisely when it’s worth keeping in mind that these last miles may feel long, but they’re also the most meaningful: They become the lens through which we look back at the whole experience, so these final steps really count. Remembering this can provide the last surge of energy to press
forward. So whatever final 70 miles you and your kids are facing, remind yourself and the people traveling with you that if you put your best self into it now, the rewards will feel sweeter, and the memories of success will help fuel you next time. You’re on the last leg. You're almost there. And you have lots of company.
—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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Camp Discovery is a fun, enriching summer experience designed to help children explore, grow, and build lifelong memories. Through hands-on activities, outdoor adventures, and creative play, campers develop confidence, independence, and teamwork skills in a safe and supportive environment. Each day offers a mix of structured programming and free exploration, including arts and crafts, STEM challenges, swimming, sports, and nature activities. Led by trained and caring staff, Camp Discovery emphasizes inclusion, friendship, and personal growth. Campers are encouraged to try new things, make friends, and discover their unique strengths while enjoying an unforgettable summer filled with learning and fun today.
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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, May 9, 2026, 10am - 12pm
- Project Grow (all ages) - Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Park Avenue, Memphis, TN, Saturday, May 9, 2026, 1pm-3pm
- SciPlay - Memphis River
Parks - Memphis River Parks, River Playground, Tom Lee Park 422 Riverside Drive, Memphis, TN 38103, Saturday, May 9, 2026, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
- Kids Markets at Mi So Beachy Grand Opening - Mi So Beachy, Cordova, TN 38016, Saturday, May 9, 2026, 10:00AM
- Memphis Parks Movie Night with The Wolf River Conservancy 2026 - Wolf River Conservancy, Union Avenue Extended, Memphis, TN, Saturday, May 9, 2026, 6 PM - 9 PM
- Art for All Festival - Dixon Gallery & Gardens, Park Avenue, Memphis, TN, Saturday, May 9, 2026, 11:00am -3:00pm
- Second Saturday Volunteer Days (V&E Greenline) - V&E Greenline, Kirby Station, Tutwiler Avenue,
Memphis, TN, Saturday, May 9, 2026, 9am - 11am
- Spring 2026 Exhibitions at Crosstown Arts - Crosstown Arts, 1350 Concourse Avenue #280, Memphis, TN 38104, Sunday, May 10, 2026, 11 am - 8 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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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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