KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Sometimes, paradise itches. While on vacation recently, I discovered an almost-perfect trail adjacent to our rental house: flat, sandy, well-maintained, and, that morning, completely empty except for my family, Penny, and Skye. The dogs raced ahead and back as we wandered at a gentler pace. But the farther we ventured from civilization, and the more times we lingered to check out a surprising little stream
or colorful mushroom, the more the mosquitoes flocked. And when we got back to the house, I found a tick on Penny. Software people have an old joke: “It’s not a bug; it’s a feature.” After 25 years of publishing on the internet, I can confirm that anything complicated you create with software requires plenty of debugging. Bugs are part of the creative process, whether the creator is a human being or Nature itself. They’re built-in features of a world busy being alive. An
entirely bug-free life would be a pretty sterile one. Kids take their cues from us about what counts as a good experience, which is why I advocate looking at life through rose-colored lenses. Was the picnic still fun if it rained? Was the trip worthwhile if someone got cranky? Did the missed turn spoil the adventure? If one inconvenience earns the whole day a rating of RUINED, we teach children that delight is fragile and reality perpetually defective. They may start waiting
for perfect conditions before letting themselves have fun... and that is a lot of power to hand a mosquito. Tweezer out the ticks. Then keep walking.
—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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Kidcreate Studio’s award-winning summer camps are designed to inspire and educate young artists, ages 3 to 12, in an environment where giggles and grins are encouraged. Camps combine art education with an atmosphere full of fun. Campers get to explore drawing, painting, clay and more. This year’s camps include- KPop Demon Hunters, IlluminART, Introductory Drawing, Kawaii Cute, Modern Masters in Clay, STEAM-sational and many more!
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Make this summer one to remember with YPC! Young artists can build confidence, make friends, and explore acting, musical theatre, movement, and more in a fun, supportive environment.Limited spots are still available in select summer classes. Register today!
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Join us for our next Star Party! Join us at the Bell for our next star party! Outside, we'll have our telescopes set up to observe our favorite deep space objects (weather permitting). Inside, our expert astronomy team will guide you through the night sky and highlight cosmic sights in our planetarium and you can explore different hands-on activities.
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Animal Crossing™ Aquarium Tour is making a splash at SEA LIFE at Mall of America beginning June 11th! Explore themed aquarium displays, complete the Stamp Rally, snap memorable photo ops and more! This event is included in regular admission.
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Yoga for kids (and monsters!) designed to support physical wellness and emotional regulation. With yoga instructor Kealoha Ferreira and puppeteer Andrew Young. Monster Yoga will take place in the rooftop gallery (weather permitting) but will move indoors if the weather is bad. Monster Yoga is included with museum admission or membership. Learn more at https://mcm.org/monster-events/.
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The Loring Park Art Festival has been celebrating art and community since 2000. Set in the heart of Minneapolis at beautiful Loring Park, the festival transforms the gardens and ponds into a vibrant, two-day showcase of creativity, live entertainment, and local flavor.
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Pillsbury House + Theatre, Pillsbury Creative Commons, KRSM Radio, and community partners invite neighbors from across Minneapolis to gather for INSIDE OUT 5, a free community block party celebrating creativity, healing, wellness, and connection. This year’s theme is Vitality: what it means, how we nourish it, and how we build it together.
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Rev your engines and shine up your chrome—Wabasha’s favorite summer tradition is back thanks to presenting sponsor Auto Value - LaCrosse Downtown! The 5th Annual Wabasha Riverboat Days Car Show is rolling into town with vintage vibes, incredible cars, live music, and a whole lot of heart. Hosted by The Katfish Kittens—Minnesota’s iconic all-female car club—this classic car show will line West Main Street with the best 1989-and-older hot rods, lowriders, trucks, customs, and cruisers from across the region.
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Bring the whole family to the track for a day packed with fun. Canterbury Park offers a clean, safe, and family-friendly atmosphere—plus kids five and under get in free.
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Step into Wanderlight Trail—an all-new, immersive evening experience at the Minnesota Zoo. As the sun sets, a glowing twilight journey comes to life with larger-than-life lanterns inspired by animals from around the world. Wander at your own pace, take in each illuminated moment, and make your summer night shine a little brighter. From the moment you arrive, you'll be surrounded by larger-than-life illuminated lanterns inspired by animals from around the world. Stroll through immersive displays, enjoy food and beverages available for purchase, capture unforgettable photos, and experience the Zoo in a way you've never seen before.
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A quick-witted comedy. It’s been five years since divorcees Elyot and Amanda called it quits. It wasn’t that they didn’t adore each other — their union was just too tempestuous for their own good. Now they’re both on marriage number two and honeymooning at a popular resort town in France with their new spouses, Sibyl and Victor, who remain unconvinced that the flames between the former dynamic duo have fizzled. When the couples discover they are vacationing at the same hotel, insults and romantic sparks fly until everyone is caught in the emotional crossfire and forced to follow their hearts. This delicious will-they-won’t-they comedy will have you rooting for the lovers and leave you laughing the whole way home,
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Celebrate your family’s special moments with Shoott’s FREE 30-minute outdoor photo sessions! Whether it’s summer vacation photos, family portraits, birthday milestones, or simply capturing everyday joy, our talented local photographers make the experience easy and fun. You only pay for the photos you love, with no upfront cost or sitting fee. Receive a gallery of beautifully edited images within days and choose your favorites. Book your session at shoott.com and create lasting memories!
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2026's most popular places to take kids in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Our Top 20 results page includes a list of your top picks, including winners in special categories like Top Arts Educator, Top Sports Educator, and Top STEM Educator! Check out your
fellow readers' favorites, and enjoy exploring the best of the region!
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Nothing says SUMMER quite like going to an amusement park with your family! We've put together a great list of ones you can visit within driving distance of Minneapolis-St. Paul. So, pack the sunscreen, load up the car and head out on a grand
adventure!
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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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