KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
For 25 years, one of my core missions with KidsOutAndAbout has been to make invisible things visible, to celebrate what local communities offer families. Everyone is busy, and local treasures are easy to miss. Our job is to point, spotlight, nudge, and say Look here. Try this. Bring the kids. But there’s another kind of invisibility worth fixing:
The people who create these experiences rarely get to see their full impact. They track tickets sold and kids enrolled, but may never hear that your child talked about their field trip for six months, found courage on their stage, or simply felt welcome exactly when they needed it. That’s why our annual Top 20 Places to Take Kids survey matters. Each summer, we ask readers to vote for their favorite local places to take kids.
The results help families see what other families love. The ranking and comments help local organizations see that their work matters. So your three minutes becomes both a recommendation and a thank-you. The survey is simple: Click on your three favorite local destinations. Then also, optionally, nominate favorites in special categories—like arts, sports, and STEM education—and leave comments that we’ll pass along to the people who make these experiences
happen. So please click here to vote in the 2026 edition of the survey. Help families find the places they’ll love, and help the people behind those places know they’re making a difference. The survey will be open until June 20.
—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities
P.S. If you're interested, check out the 2025 list here to see
who won last year. |
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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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Pacific Marine Mammal Center rescues and rehabilitates sick, injured, or malnourished marine mammals along Orange County’s coastline. As an educational hub for marine science, part of our mission is sharing what our scientists are discovering about ocean health through the patients we treat. Our hands-on, STEAM focused education programs engage all ages and audiences, including schools, groups, scouts, children, teens, and college students. Programs include time observing rehabilitating patients and hearing their stories, which exemplify real-world conservation issues our scientists are investigating. Our visitor yard is open daily, free of charge. You can view our patients and talk with knowledgeable docents.
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The World of Birds Show has been delighting audiences for nearly 40 years! Launched by a major gift from the Angela Collier Foundation, the new World of Birds Theater reopened to the public in 2014. The refreshed and reimagined free-flight presentation features impressive displays of natural behavior and close up views of some of the L.A. Zoo’s most colorful residents. Note: This event is weather permitting, and the lineup is subject to change.
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Starting in the spring, we open our berry fields to the public for a unique strawberry & olallieberry picking experience.
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Create fun, sometimes messy, art with your little one and guide their imagination by making a project together, or let them steal the show with their own personal artistic style!
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Indulge in a wide variety of authentic Greek foods prepared by our talented parishioners. From savory souvlaki to delectable baklava, experience the rich flavors of Greece right in your neighborhood.
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The Crawfish Festival will be held May 15-17, 2026 at the spacious green park - Fountain Valley Sports Park in Fountain Valley, California (right off the 405 Frwy. @Brookhurst). New Orleans’ most exquisite flavors are heading out West to fill up the world’s largest crawfish pots. These crimson-colored, freshwater crustaceans are undoubtedly the stars of this festival. They're more tender than lobsters and have a unique flavor. Master Chefs will prepare true, Louisiana-style crawfish along with Cajun potatoes, corn on the cob, and tangy remoulade dipping sauce. Dance to rousing music and join the Second Line Dancing Parade a historical New Orleans tradition where people dance with a celebratory spirit. Live entertainment mixes the best Cajun, Zydeco, and New Orleans-style music and includes Zydeco dance lessons regularly throughout the day.
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Come explore the vast world of biodiversity in Mission Safari, a bilingual, multi-layered adventure maze that demonstrates how even the smallest creatures play an important role in human survival. The journey starts with question-and-answer challenges that set each adventurer on their own path through the winding maze. Along the way, explorers will learn about life on the wild side through different challenges: take a broad jump and compare it to that of a kangaroo; swing like an orangutan; hang like a sloth; escape a giant spider web; and more. The journey through Earth’s biodiversity continues with the Secret Safari. Enter the hidden maze-within-a-maze to learn about unique wildlife adaptations and survival stories. Interwoven in the stories shared within the maze is a message about protecting biodiversity and understanding that every creature has a unique role in nature. Before ending the journey, everyone can take a pledge to support the wildlife and protect biodiversity…
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Spend an hour relaxing your mind, body, and spirit! This light-hearted yoga class is designed for all levels and will be led by Sarah Brown and her four-legged baby goat assistants! The baby goats are provided and cared for by our Barnyard and volunteers from the Togg N Tails herd. This class is a fundraiser for our Helping Farms Feed Families (501c3) and 100% of the proceeds go directly to HFFF. This class is limited to those participants 9 years and older. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. You must bring your own yoga mat that you won't mind getting dirty. It is a farm, after all!
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This is where the magic started 63 years ago, right here at the original Renaissance Pleasure Faire and the site of LA's largest costume party! For seven glorious weekends, visitors embark on a rollicking romp through Elizabethan England, complete with a spectacular cast of engaging, memorable characters who lead you on an adventure through a beautiful 20-acre site with open-air stages just 15 minutes east of Pasadena at the Santa Fe Dam Recreational Area, Irwindale. Hundreds of costumed performers await you as you enter the gates into the Faire’s magical village replete with pubs, shops, demonstrations, games, and fantastic food for vegans, vegetarians, and foodies alike. Play along and join us as your alter ego be it King, Queen, pirate, sorcerer, or anything you want to be for the day. Or don’t come in costume at all. It’s your day. Enjoy it your way.
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Cabrillo Marine Aquarium has partnered with KultureCity to make all of our programs and events sensory inclusive. As the first Aquarium in California to be certified, the Aquarium is now better prepared to assist guests with sensory sensitivities and to ensure the most comfortable, accommodating experience possible when visiting the facility. Sensory sensitivities or challenges with sensory regulation are often experienced by individuals with autism, dementia, PTSD and other similar conditions (1 in 6 individuals). One of the major barriers for these individuals is sensitivity to over stimulation and noise, which is part of the environment in a venue like the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium. Prior to attending the Aquarium, families can download the free KultureCity App to view the available sensory features and where they can be accessed. Also on the App is the Social Story which will provide a preview of what to expect while enjoying the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium.
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Fly over to NHM on May 16 & 17 for our 40th annual Bug Fair, NHM's two-day fan-favorite festival celebrating our bug-eyed and multi-legged friends! Experience up-close encounters with crawly creatures; gain a deeper appreciation for insects, their ecosystems and their impact on our planet; get hands-on and crafty with interactive activities; and so much more! Also, while you’re there, bee sure to visit a variety of exhibitors who will be displaying and selling everything from exotic insect collections to amazing bug-related products.
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Join us every THIRD THURSDAY of the month from September to May as the Pier will be rolling out the red carpet for Santa Monicans for a curated series for locals, by locals. Gather your friends and family and head down to the Pier for amazing entertainment including youth activities, a car show, local DJs and live music from local bands, art exhibits, and so much more! You really won’t want to miss this incredible and unique outdoor setting to unwind, all while celebrating Santa Monica.
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LA Fleet Week® is an annual, multi-day celebration of our nation’s Sea Services held on the LA Waterfront at the Port of Los Angeles over the extended Memorial Day Weekend.
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“Convergence: Contemporary Artists of Armenian Descent” will premiere at the Forest Lawn Museum on March 21, 2026. From bold experiments in abstraction to thought-provoking conceptual installations, “Convergence” features the work of more than twenty artists who push the boundaries of traditional mediums and challenge conventions with their daring visions. The exhibition does not attempt to cover the entire spectrum of Armenian narratives. Rather, its cohesive element is the heritage of the featured artists. With diverse backgrounds—ranging from those born in the United States to immigrants from various regions—these artists contribute individual perspectives to their work. Defining Armenian identity is inherently complex. It encompasses a sense of belonging that surpasses simplistic definitions, rooted in historical connections that often evoke profound and abstract emotions.
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All-you-can-enjoy, delicious tastes from local and regional restaurants, breweries and wineries. Live band music. Family friendly! Taste of Brea is the largest, regional food fair in Orange County. Featuring over 100 food and beverage vendors. Taste of Brea is held in Downtown Brea, amid a backdrop of cute boutiques, shops and eateries. Your ticket includes all-you-can-enjoy, delicious tastes from local and regional restaurants, breweries and wineries. Live music on two stages! A truly family-friendly event! Free parking. Kick off your Memorial Day Weekend with this event, to be held on Thursday, May 21st, 2026, from 5pm to 9pm.
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This annual event, which has been a favorite of residents and visitors for over 60 years, celebrates the city’s rich agricultural history and heritage, and it is dedicated to the strawberry.
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Mission San Juan Capistrano is thrilled to announce our continued partnership with Homefront America in hosting their 2025 Field of Honor during Memorial Day weekend, Tuesday May 20 through Monday, May 26. The Mission’s Courtyard will transform into an awe-inspiring Field of Honor of more than 400 (3′ x 5′) American flags, each standing seven-feet tall in solemn formation, waving proudly and magnificently in honor of military, veterans, first responders, including K-9 and equestrian Heroes. Active duty, veterans first responders and Mission Preservation Society members will receive free admission to the Mission throughout the exhibit. We invite the community to sponsor individual flags to honor a specific military member, veteran and/or first responder for their selfless sacrifices they have made to safeguard our way of life and communities. Sponsorships begin at $50/flag with all proceeds benefiting Homefront America’s charitable programs for military families. A $50 sponsor…
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Ohana means family, and family means that we want to serve up some showstopping dishes while watching one of your favorite movies. Right?
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All aboard Choo Choo Revue! In the first new show from BBMT in 40 years, your theater seat becomes a train bound for fantasy! A monumental milestone for BBMT and celebration of community and joy, Choo Choo Revue inspires IMAGINATION for all. Through the train window of BBMT’s stage, travel across rolling hills, mountainous peaks, and dazzling deserts. Meet dancing luggage, singing mushrooms, and a cicada jugband. This hour-long show, packed with over 100 handcrafted, BRAND NEW puppets, is presented with theatric grandeur and spectacular artistic skill. Bob Baker Marionette Theater is thrilled to present this milestone achievement in puppetry and theater, showcasing innovative art and performance for new generations to enjoy. This is your ticket to the future of puppetry!
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SkyPark is pleased to announce the return of our popular Tunes in the Trees concert series. Friday nights, from 7pm to 9pm, join us for live music, dancing, food and fun! Doors open at 5pm so that you can grab dinner at St. Nick’s Patio & Grille or Billy’s BBQ House before the show. The Pedal Pub will remain open for your enjoyment as well.
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- FREE spring mini photo session at Shoott! - Irvine & Orange County - Shoott - Irvine & Orange County, Friday, May 15, 2026 to Sunday, May 17, 2026, See link for times
- Little Artists - Newton T. Bass Apple Valley Branch Library - Apple Valley Newton T. Bass Branch Library, 14901 Dale Evans Pkwy, Apple Valley, CA 92307, Friday, May 15, 2026, 11:00am - 12:00pm PST
- Little Seedlings Story Time - Sherman Library and Gardens - Sherman Library & Gardens, East Coast Highway, Corona Del Mar, CA, Friday, May 15, 2026, 10 am - 10:30 am
- Beckman Arts & Science Family Festival - Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, Saturday, May 16, 2026, 11:30 AM
- Storytime in the Nature Garden - Natural History Museum of
Los Angeles County - Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, Saturday, May 16, 2026 to Sunday, May 17, 2026, 10:30 am
- Public Star Party - Griffith Observatory - Griffith Park, 2800 East Observatory Road, Los Angeles, CA 90027, Sunday,
May 17, 2026, 2:00 pm - 9:45 pm PST
- Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social - Heritage House, Sunday, May 17, 2026, 12:00 p.m.-4 p.m.
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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in The OC 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 the Orange County? 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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