KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
When I was a kid, a giant azalea bush stretched across our backyard, exploding into glorious pink blossoms in early May. In summer, it became something even better: a secret hideout that my sister and I named the Humble Abode. We hollowed out the dead branches behind the bush and dragged in little chairs and treasures and our dollhouse family. The Humble Abode barely qualified as
a fort, and it wasn't even secret; I'm sure my parents knew when we were back there. But it was a great kids-only space. A few weeks ago, I wrote about five summer lenses through which to plan summer: music, motion, making, nature, and food. Making—the lens for this week—reminds kids that they are not merely consumers of the world, but contributors to it. They can push value into existence. They can turn sticks, cardboard, fabric, tape, mud, blocks, gears,
sand, and flour into something that wasn’t there before. Especially for younger kids, making with the hands gives the brain evidence. I did that. I made that. I can make things happen. Summer is perfect for this because summer has time and room for mess. Pull out the science kits, the rocket kits, the LEGO bins, the soap-making sets that arrived at Christmas and then sat politely in the closet. "Upcycle" old boxes, fabric, toys, crayons, paint, buttons.
Let your kids build backyard forts, fairy houses, marble runs, cardboard cities, obstacle courses, blanket tents, museum towers, and whatever else the day and their imagination suggest. Of course, glue will drip. Sand will migrate. The kitchen table may briefly disappear under invention. (If the clutter gets overwhelming, consider a trip or two to your local science museum or maker space to save your sanity.) After all, you can’t make omelets without breaking eggs. And
you can’t make a maker without giving a child some space, some tools, some trust, and permission to begin.
—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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Make every moment sparkle at Southlake Stars and Stripes, where freedom meets festivity! Stars and Stripes is held annually on July 3 in the heart of Southlake at our beloved Town Square, this event ignites the spirit of patriotism and community. Stars and Stripes brings everyone together for a day of festivity, featuring an array of delectable festival foods, engaging free activities for all ages, and, of course, a breathtaking display of fireworks that lights up the night sky. It’s a day to honor our nation’s freedom, embrace unity, and create cherished memories with family and friends.
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Where America's Birthday Celebration Meets the World's Game. Celebrate America's birthday with two exciting days of community spirit, family fun, soccer excitement, and patriotic festivities at Red, White & Goals! This unique two-day celebration brings together the excitement of the world's game and the traditions of Independence Day for an unforgettable experience in Duncanville.
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Join the Farmhands for an adventure that brings science and history together! At Dino Dig, young explorers can step into the role of 19th-century fossil hunters as they excavate “fossils” from a sandpit dig site. Using real excavation techniques, participants will uncover buried fossils while learning how similar discoveries shaped America's history of dinosaurs. After your dig, gather the family for the Bone Wars Board Game, inspired by a famous rivalry. Through friendly competition, players will discover how two scientists raced to uncover, name and claim some of the most iconic dinosaur discoveries of the 1800s.
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Celebrate Freedom at The Colony’s Liberty By The Lake! Join us Saturday, July 4 for an all-day patriotic party you won’t want to miss! From the Liberty 5K & Fun Run in the morning, to our community Independence Day Parade and the evening Festival packed with rides, live music, a watermelon eating contest and our spectacular fireworks finale — there’s something for everyone.
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The Arlington Independence Day Parade is the largest in Texas and one of the biggest in the United States. As the longest-running annual event in Arlington, it has been named the Best Parade of Its Size in Texas for the third consecutive year by the Texas Festivals and Events Association.
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In honor of America's 250th birthday, we’re celebrating July Fourth all day long with some added fun before 4thFest! Stop by Central Park and join us for a morning of inflatable waterslides, arts and crafts, music, and food. Be sure to pack your picnic blankets, lawn chairs, and plenty of sunscreen, and enjoy the day before we party into the night at Bedford 4thFest. This event is free to attend.
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Peter and his mischievous fairy sidekick, Tinkerbell, visit the nursery of the Darling children late one night and, with a sprinkle of pixie dust, begin a magical journey across the stars that none of them will ever forget. In the adventure of a lifetime, the travelers come face to face with a ticking crocodile, the fierce Brave Girls, a band of bungling pirates and, of course, the villainous Captain Hook.
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Open Studios is a creative zone for curious kids and their grown-ups! Jump into drawing, crafting, and creating inside the Matt King Mystery Center, where imagination leads the way. Try hands-on activities like drawing, collage, and more—with friendly guides ready to help every step of the way.
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Celebrate summer with hands-on activities that are your PASS to exploring Plants, Art, Sensory, and STEM through the themes of Bunnies, Birds & Butterflies. Every Friday, Country Critters Petting Zoo joins the fun from 9am–1pm, bringing a variety of farm animals for up-close encounters the whole family will love.
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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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The Mid-Cities Area's Pick-Your-Own Fruit Listed below are farms in and near Mid-Cities that offer pick your own fruits, berries, and vegetables. And... to make the most of your experience, check out
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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