KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: There’s a sign on the New York State Thruway heading west that marks 70 miles to where I live. For Rochesterians driving back to Western New York from the east or southeast, that marker elicits both a sigh of relief and a groan: You’re close, especially relative to where you started. But in that final stretch, each mile is somehow psychologically
longer. Over the years, this became a useful metaphor in my family: You're pushing through to the end of a project, you'd love to see the finish line, but the murky distance between you and that goal is in your way. "Ugh, it's those last 70 miles," one of us will say to the person suffering, and we'll all nod sympathetically. At this time of year, families with kids in school are experiencing those last 70 miles: The end of the school year is in sight, yet
not quite here. The energy reserves are low, and the end point seems stuck in the distance. We feel like we’re sprinting but not getting closer fast enough. As in any journey, that’s precisely when it’s worth keeping in mind that these last miles may feel long, but they’re also the most meaningful: They become the lens through which we look back at the whole experience, so these final steps really count. Remembering this can provide the last surge of energy to press
forward. So whatever final 70 miles you and your kids are facing, remind yourself and the people traveling with you that if you put your best self into it now, the rewards will feel sweeter, and the memories of success will help fuel you next time. You’re on the last leg. You're almost there. And you have lots of company.
—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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Get ready to roll like a warrior and join Po for an action-packed day of skating and fun! Bring the whole crew and roll into a kung fu–filled adventure on wheels!
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For 250 years, Philadelphia has been a home for sparking the nation’s ongoing experiment in liberty, equality, and self-government. How did the American Revolution inspire Philadelphia’s art scene in 1776 and set the stage for a world’s fair to remember 100 years later? Kick off the anniversary of the U.S. Centennial Exposition, which opened on May 10, 1876 to commemorate the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park.
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Philly Story Studio promotes early literacy with interactive classes centered around great kids' books! Our classes go beyond storytime, making the experience interactive with music, movement, and art. Each class will feature a book (or two!) that we read as a group.
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Step into the world of Mossy Bottom Farm and join Shaun the Sheep™️ and his flock of friends for a baa-rilliant adventure! Shaun the Sheep™️: Flock This Way! is a hands-on exhibit that encourages playful problem-solving and resilience through fun, quirky activities inspired by Aardman’s award-winning animations. This exhibit runs from Feb. 7 to May 10.
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Connect your family with the outdoors on this fun, interactive nature exploration designed to spark curiosity and wonder. Using simple tools like magnifying glasses, you will uncover the Arboretum’s plants, animals, and other seasonal highlights that bring the woodland trails to life.
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The Philadelphia Fleadh is an annual Irish-American Festival with multiple stages featuring live Celtic rock, traditional Irish music and dance, shopping, vendors, food, spirits, kids' activities and more. All-day entertainment includes 15 of the best Irish bands from Philly, accompanied by Irish dancers who will kick off each set with the band. Grab your family and friends, bring your lawn or beach chair, and join us for an amazing day of non-stop music and fun!
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Step into the magic of a European-inspired market at the Belleville Street Faire. Kids ages 5–17 can enjoy a fun, hands-on experience creating their own products, running a booth, and learning what it’s like to run a small business! Enjoy great music and a lively community atmosphere while your kids gain real-world experience through hundreds of interactions with fairgoers! Booths are only $25! Register or learn more here: kidsmarkets.com/markets/bethlehem-2
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From 1 – 3pm, enjoy free fun and games, giant bubbles, live music, fitness fun, and Go with YOYO.
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Cherry Street Pier is covered so we are protected from any bad weather, so the show is rain or shine! There is an outdoor seating area and large windows that can be open on a nice day, but our vendors will all be indoors. 75 Free Event Totes given out at 11am and then again at 3pm, each day!
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Celebrate inspiring, trailblazing women this Mother's Day weekend at the Museum and learn about the diverse women who played vital roles during the Revolutionary War and throughout American history. Join the Museum to explore the stories of the women from all walks of life, including those who traveled with the British and Continental armies and those who fought for equality for all.
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Make Mom's day unforgettable with a relaxing 90-minute round-trip train ride from West Chester to Glen Mills and back aboard the West Chester Railroad! Sit back, unwind, and enjoy the charm of a classic rail journey together.
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When Eric Carle was a boy, his father took him on walks in nature, peeled back the bark of a tree to show him the tiny creatures who lived underneath. “I think in my books, I honor my father by writing about small living things,” Eric Carle said. Animals and insects were a central theme in Eric Carle’s long career as a Picture Writer, a title given to him by a young reader. “To me pictures need writing and writing needs pictures. A child once called me a picture writer, and that’s a good way to describe me,” Carle wrote.
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Adventure Aquarium is committed to creating an inclusive, entertaining, and educational experience for all guests, including those with autism and other sensory sensitivities, for whom a typical trip to the Aquarium can be much more challenging.
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- Storytime in the Square at Franklin Square - Franklin Square, North 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, Friday, May 8, 2026, 10 - 11 am
- Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - Philadelphia area - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, USA, Friday, May 9, 2026 to Saturday, May 10, 2026, See link for times
- Mother's Day Nature Craft - John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, 8601 Lindbergh Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19153, Friday, May 9, 2026, 10 am - 12 pm
- Franklin Square Play Days with YoYo at Franklin Square - Franklin Square, North 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, Friday, May 9, 2026, 1 - 3 pm
- Spring Art Star Craft Bazaar at Cherry Street Pier - Cherry Street
Pier, 121 N Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19106, Friday, May 9, 2026 to Saturday, May 10, 2026, 11 am - 5 pm
- FREE Youth Choir - Singing City: Next Generation - Temple University - Presser Hall, 2001 N. 13th St., Philadelphia, PA 19121, Friday, May 9, 2026, 12:30 PM -
1:30 PM
- Mom and Me Brunch with Kristen Mei Chase - Midsummer Books, Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, Friday, May 9, 2026, 11:00 AM
- Firstival: First Mother's Day - Historic St George's United Methodist Church, North 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA, Friday, May 9, 2026, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
- City Cruises Philadelphia Mother's Day Signature Brunch Cruise - City
Cruises Philadelphia, Saturday, May 10, 2026, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the Philadelphia 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…
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Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the Philadelphia? 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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