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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Janel Nansenn, MA, is an educational therapist and the founder of Read-A-Rific®, a reading comprehension program and Texas PDSES vendor. Nansenn's work has transformed the lives of struggling readers. Over the course of her career, she has helped thousands
of struggling learners achieve success both academically and personally.
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Join us in Kennedale, TX as we come together to honor and remember our nation’s heroes. This community event is part of Carry The Load’s national movement to honor the sacrifices of our military, first responders, and their families. Specific event details coming soon.
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The Taste of Lancaster is back and bigger than ever as we celebrate the birthday of Lancaster! Join us for an evening packed with delicious flavors from some of Lancaster’s favorite local restaurants, all in one place. It’s the perfect chance to sample amazing dishes, discover new favorites, and support the incredible food scene right here in our community. Bring the whole family and enjoy food trucks, local vendors, bounce houses for the kids, and great music while celebrating everything that makes Lancaster special. From savory bites to sweet treats, there will be something for everyone to enjoy!
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Are you looking to get a break from the kids for a night? Join us once a month, where Game On will host a Parent's Night Out Program! Parents Night Out is from 6-10 pm for $25 for Members and $40 for Non Members. We can also provide dinner for the night for an additional $10. Kids will indulge in activities such as Kickball, Dodgeball, Basketball, Volleyball, Special Activity, Dinner, and more! If you are signing up more than one child, use the code "pnosibling" for an additional discount!
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Stop by the Sensory Cart in the galleries to explore art through the multiple senses. Visitors are invited to touch different textures, smell distinctive scents, and listen to sounds that bring a featured work of art to life. The cart will feature a new work of art every other month.
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Kick off the official first week of Summer and cool off with entertainment and special vehicle displays from area first responders. As a special thank you for your service we will be offering one free admission ticket for all active and retired members of the Military (with valid Military ID).
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Calling all young scientists, engineers, and creative thinkers! Join us for a special event designed just for children in grades K–5 to explore, experiment, and share their big ideas. Sign up to participate or visit us to see all the amazing experiments. General Admission applies.
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WhoaZone at Grapevine, located in Meadowmere Park, offers a full day of family fun. Featuring our action-packed floating obstacle course and shaded seating rentals. We offer a full day of active entertainment that’s great for the whole family, including the shallow water KidsZone. We even host the best group events and birthday parties for everyone ages 4+! Meadowmere Park is the area’s best kept secret in the DFW area, nestled on the edge of Grapevine, near Southlake and Trophy Club, featuring a large swimming area with lots of parking and a safe place for summer family fun!
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Spend your Sunday in one of the best backyards in Texas! Sip a craft beer from our on-site brewery, Unlawful Assembly Brewing Co, shop local vendors including permanent jewelry, custom hat bar, boot branding, embroidered bandanas, indulge in barbecue plates from Dry Rub, sip on cold cocktails, and of course – listen to live country music all day long!
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Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend at Traders Village Grand Prairie with an afternoon packed full of live music, energy, and family fun! Join us Sunday, May 24 from 1 PM – 5 PM for an incredible lineup featuring La Joya Romantica Caminantes, 360 Band Regios, and La Gran Señora Laura Elena bringing unforgettable performances to the stage. Enjoy great food, unique vendors, and a lively atmosphere perfect for spending the holiday with family and friends.
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Drop by the Education Studio each month for the opportunity to explore materials and create art projects inspired by works on view at the museum. A new project is offered each month, so families are encouraged to return frequently. On February 22, get creative with a variety of materials to make your own mixed media work of art. All materials are provided.
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- BTX Honey Tour Carnival - Burleson, TX, USA - Thursday-Saturday 12-11 pm; Sunday 2-11 pm
- City of Lancaster Birthday Celebration: Taste of Lancaster - 250 North Dallas Avenue - Friday, May 22, 2026, 6-9 pm
- Memorial May –
Kennedale, TX - TownCenter Park, 405 Municipal Dr - Friday, May 22, 2026, 2 pm
- Hot Sounds Summer Concert Series - Mayor Vera Calvin Plaza, West Renfro Street - Friday, May 22, 2026, 7:30 pm
- Lego Club - Kennedale Public Library, West 3rd Street - Friday, May 22, 2026, 3:30-5 pm
- Memorial Day Weekend at Hawaiian Falls - Hawaiian Falls Mansfield,
Heritage Parkway - Friday, May 22, 2026 through Sunday, May 24, 2026, see website
- Downtown Denison Farmers Market - 701 West Main Street - Saturday, May 23, 2026, 9 am-Noon
- Open Studio - Meadows Museum, 5900 Bishop Blvd - Sunday, May 24, 2026, 1:00PM - 4:00PM
- National Memorial Day Concert Live Stream - ONLINE ONLY - Sunday, May 24, 2026, 8pm EDT / 7pm CDT / 6pm MDT / 5pm PDT / 4pm
AKDT
- Texas America250 Reading Challenge - Texas State Library and Archives Commission, 1201 Brazos St - Friday, May 22, 2026 through Sunday, May 24, 2026, all day
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Mid-Cities 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 Mid-Cities 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 theMid-Cities? 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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