KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: Before I had kids, one of my colleagues told me that fundamentally, a parent’s job is to point. At first, you point physically: You point at the waterfall and say “waterfall,” at the moon and say “moon,” at the flower and say “flower.” You’re helping a child connect sounds to objects, words to concepts, language to reality. But later, and really all the way through, the
pointing becomes more metaphorical. Parenting is the ongoing work of connecting your child’s growing capacity to understand with a world that is, to them, forever expanding. As I had Madison and Ella, I came to think of this as being a tour guide to the world. A good tour guide needs to know the landscape, of course. But even more important, a good tour guide needs to know the traveler. What can this particular child see right now? What are they ready for? What do they care
about? What frightens them? What delights them? It's useful to remember that kids haven’t actually been here before: The world is brand-new to them over and over again, so what feels ordinary to us is often astonishing to a child. Tour guides who are doing their job well pay close attention to who their audience is and what they know, and that makes the pointing easier and more fun. Spring is the perfect season to practice pointing. In spring, the world changes fast enough for
kids to notice. Buds swell and burst. Birds return. Tiny green things push up through the dirt as if by magic. Day to day, the world becomes visibly more alive. If we point it out, kids can catch it happening in real time. And spring does not arrive quietly. It comes as an avalanche of the senses: color, smell, birdsong, mud, wind, sunlight, thunder, petals, pollen, rushing water. So maybe that’s part of the job, too: not just to point, but to lean into it. To stand beside our
kids in the rush of it all and say, Look! Here it comes.
—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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Turn your child’s love of LEGO® into an exciting STEM adventure this summer! Our Bricks4Kidz Engineering Summer Camp features 10 weeks of hands-on building, robotics, and creative challenges. Each week introduces new engineering and architecture concepts while kids build amazing models and explore robotics in a fun, collaborative environment. Weekly themes include favorites like Minecraft®, Roblox®, Star Wars®, and more — keeping every camp fresh and exciting. Perfect for builders ages 5–12. Franklin, TN Limited spots available – register early. Special offer for KidsOutAndAbout readers: Mention code KOAA10 when you contact us to activate your camp discount.
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Spring Break plans? We’ve got you covered. We’re extending our hours through 4/10 so you can spend even more time climbing, zipping, and exploring high in the trees. Round up your crew and make this Spring Break one to remember! Visit our website for hours and details. Plan on spending Spring Break in the trees!
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Join us for a day of performances, art making, music, and more celebrating the Frist Art Museum’s twenty-fifth birthday as well as the current exhibitions In Her Place: Nashville Artists in the Twenty-First Century, Sistah Griot: The Iconoclastic Art of Barbara Bullock, and The Impressionist Revolution: Monet to Matisse from the Dallas Museum of Art.
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All are invited to join us for a fun-filled community event at Grace Place on Saturday, March 28th from Noon–2 PM! Bring the whole family and enjoy: an exciting Easter Egg Hunt, free food, and games and activities for all ages! Mark your calendars, invite your friends, and come ready for a great afternoon of food, fun, and connection. We can’t wait to see you there!
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Join Cheekwood as we celebrate Holi, the Indian “Festival of Spring” and “Festival of Colors.” This educational event will introduce visitors to the vibrant sights, sounds, and colors of Indian culture. Hands-on activities for all ages, tasty fare from local food vendors, shopping opportunities, and music and dance performances will shine against the thousands of blooming bulbs. Holi activities are included with membership or general admission.
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Join us for the first annual MNPS Book Fest, a celebration of reading, imagination, and student voice designed for middle grade and young adult audiences. Presented by Metro Nashville Public Schools, this free, one-day festival brings acclaimed authors, engaging conversations, book signings, and opportunities for students, families, and educators to connect through their love of stories. The event is free and open to the public with required pre-registration.
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The all-new 2026 Camp Invention® program, Spark, is coming to curious kids in your community this summer! Rising K-6 campers will collaborate with friends to tackle hands-on, open-ended challenges. They’ll team up with robotic capybaras, ride the waves of entrepreneurship, uncover the power of protecting their ideas and build a DIY space rocket! Each experience is designed to spark confidence, build persistence and create unforgettable summer memories. Visit invent.org/save/camp to secure your spot! Register using CIFUN25 by 3/31 to save $25 or CIFUN20 by 4/28 to save $20 when you register. Interest-free payment plans are available, making camp affordable for all families.
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- Kidsville Storybook Walk - 2500 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203, Friday, March 27, 2026 to Sunday, March 29, 2026, Park hours, 6 AM - 8 PM
- Vanderbilt University Preschool Language and Brain Study - Vanderbilt University, West End Avenue, Nashville, TN, Friday, March 27, 2026 to Sunday, March 29, 2026, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. We can schedule visits any time during the week, including evenings and weekends.
- Storytime in the Children’s Gallery - Tennessee State Museum - Tennessee State Museum, Rosa L Parks Boulevard, Nashville, TN, Saturday, March 28, 2026, 10:30 a.m.
- Nature Fair at Bledsoe Creek State Park - Bledsoe Creek State Park, 400 Zieglers Fort Rd, Gallatin, TN 37066, Saturday, March 28, 2026, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
- MNPS Book Festival - James Lawson High School, 8001 Highway 70 South, 37221, Saturday,
March 28, 2026, 10 AM - 5 PM (doors open at 9:30 AM)
- Spring Fest at Grace Place - Grace Place - Nashville Church, 4316 Central Pike, Hermitage, TN 37076, Saturday, March 28, 2026, NOON - 2 PM
- Saturday Storytime - Linebaugh Public Library, West Vine Street, Murfreesboro, TN, Saturday, March 28, 2026, 10-11 AM
- Celebrate Earth Day-Meridian Waste Children’s Coloring Contest (Contest entry ends April 13) - Meridian Waste, Submit your artwork online., Friday, March 27, 2026 to Sunday, March 29, 2026, Any time.
- Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! -
Nashville area - Shoott, See link for times
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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the Nashville 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 Nashville 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 Nashville 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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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Nashville 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 best things to do with kids in the Nashville area for 2025 as voted by KidsOutAndAbout.com's local readers. Our Top 20 results page includes a list of our readers' annual top picks, including winners in special categories like Top Arts Educator, Top
Sports Educator, and Top STEM Educator!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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