KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
The summer I was 5, my parents took our family to Cape Cod for a week. In Provincetown, we bought a kite, then headed to the dunes in North Truro, where my sister and I spent hours running full-tilt up and down the bare white hills. We’d scramble to the top, turn, and launch ourselves downward, legs windmilling, hair flying, lungs full of salt air and triumph. Invariably, we’d
fall, slap into the soft, sun-warmed sand, pop back up, and do it again. Tumbling down the dunes was gravity. Sand was friction. The kite tugging on our arms was air on the move. We didn't have words to describe these phenomena—we were little kids, not tiny physicists with notebooks. A decade later, my calculus teacher would give me the words and symbols to process motion conceptually, but experiences like this had already taught my body that I was an actor in the physics of
the world. My body understood. Summer is the perfect time for kids to learn motion from the inside out. Motion is in amusement park rides, in waves bobbing ducks and inner tubes up and down at the lake, in trains pulling you forward in one dimension and airplanes moving you through three. It’s in bikes and swings and Frisbees and trampolines and slip-and-slides, in tumbling through the days without realizing that learning is happening. As tour guides to our
kids’ universe, we can point gently: Feel how the swing slows at the top? Notice how the wave lifts you before it lets you down? See how leaning changes the bike’s path? But the point is not to turn summer into physics class. The point is to help kids notice how the world feels as they move through it. The equations can come later; now is the time for motion, and for the emotion that accompanies it. Summer’s gift is the body’s memory: wind, water, speed, balance, falling, landing, and getting up
to run again.
—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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Fill your summer with creativity, confidence, and fun at Youth Performance Company! From acting and musical theatre to movement and performance skills, YPC’s summer classes provide a welcoming environment where young artists can explore their talents, make new friends, and grow both on and off the stage. Whether they're stepping into the spotlight for the first time or building on years of experience, there's a class designed to inspire everyone. Registration is open for summer classes! Space is limited, secure your spot now at www.youthperformanceco.org/classes/
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The Blaine Festival is an annual community celebration with weekend-long events for the whole family. Join us at Aquatore Park (corner of Hwys. 65 & 10) showcasing a wide variety of entertainment with something for everyone.
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Twin Cities Pride Youth Night is back for year 3! Join us as we kick off the festival with a night of fun, activities, and entertainment for LGBTQIA2S+ youth. Join us on Friday, June 26th from 5pm-8pm in Loring Park for Twin Cities Pride Youth Night! This special event is tailored for ages 10-20, offering a safe and inclusive space for LGBTQIA2S+ youth to celebrate Pride. Don’t miss this unforgettable night of fun, entertainment, and community!
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Get ready for a roaring, rolling sensory adventure! In this trucks and dinosaurs-themed class, kids will dig, build, and explore with activities like fossil excavation, truck races, and creating their own prehistoric construction site. It’s a hands-on journey packed with imagination, fun, and a whole lot of mess! Come and explore the sensory stations with your child.
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The Afton Strawberry Festival will be celebrated in the historic village of Afton, MN, which is located along the scenic St. Croix River. The 2026 Afton Strawberry Festival will take place on Saturday, June 27th from 10am to 5pm and Sunday, June 28th from 10am to 4pm.
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Look, play, and learn with your child at Mini Mia! This free program occurs on the first Wednesday of each month at 10:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. and the first Friday of each month at 10:15 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. (January only). Mini Mia features a gallery tour specially designed for caregivers and little ones (ages 0–5), a movement class with Young Dance, and a cozy story time. Make new friends and introduce your child to the wonders of art in a comfortable, kid-friendly setting. In Family Dance, children and their caregivers discover the joys of movement through games, stories, and songs. These early classes introduce children to group learning environments while using movement to develop strong bonds with their caregivers. Children also develop large and fine motor skills in classes…
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Enjoy a relaxing, family-friendly journey filled with sweet treats and scenic views on this 50 minute (round trip). The train travels to the bridge overlooking the St. Croix River before returning to the depot—just the right amount of time for kids to stay engaged and families to soak in the experience without feeling rushed.
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Music, creativity, and hands-on fun for the whole family! Join MacPhail Center for Music and Be That Neighbor for a free morning of music-making, exploration, and family fun at Gold Medal Park. Kids of all ages can discover instruments, create art, and experience live performances in an engaging outdoor setting
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Minneapolis/St. Paul 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 MSP 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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It's almost time for fruit picking! Fruit picking is a great activity to do together as a family. It helps little ones understand where their food actually comes from, and it's a fun tradition to share every year right through the teens.
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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