KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: A tumble is not a verdict; it's information. And kids are natural data analysts. That's what a mom half a generation older than me told me when I was getting ready to have kids, and I took it to heart. So I was secretly a little thrilled the summer my daughter Madison was almost 4, when she took her first big splash off a slippery log into a
creek. Here's why: To succeed in life, everyone needs to learn to stretch to the edge of their abilities... to gather courage from their toes, to calculate, to balance, to wobble, to slide... and eventually to succeed. Kids can learn this early if the grownups in their orbit help them see the mud and bruises that come from a tumble as badges to be worn proudly: a fail-until-we-succeed philosophy in action. That's how personal fulfillment happens, and it's how human progress happens,
too. Summer is childhood's best laboratory, where sensory experiences stick as lifelong learning. School has grades and rubrics and consequences; summer has grass stains and do-overs. An amusement park ride can teach the difference between fear and danger. A hands-on museum can teach that when your tower collapses, you simply vow to rebuild it taller. A farm can teach that maybe you don’t like strawberries from the grocery store, but
you do like the ones you picked yourself, still warm from the sun. A climbing gym can teach your muscles that “I can’t” really means “I can’t yet.” And summer camps are entire worlds built around trying something new with no transcript following you home. Last week, the KidsOutAndAbout.com team launched our annual Top 20 Places to Take Kids survey. It's a way to thank the people who make your community a great place to raise kids. Equally important, it’s a giant menu of local opportunities for your kids to stretch their legs, their minds, and their bravery this summer. Use it to create your summer bucket list! Then step back and set your family’s summer dial to “safe to fail.” Watch your kids climb, build, stumble, and try again.
Let them splash.
—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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At Next Level Tennis, we believe every child deserves a summer that builds confidence, discipline, and a skill they’ll carry for life. Our junior summer camps, based at the Idle Hour Tennis Club in Drexel Hill, PA, offer a dynamic, coach-led experience for players of all skill levels — from complete beginners picking up a racquet for the first time to developing players looking to sharpen their game. Each week-long session starts the week of June 15th through the summer, and kids will learn proper technique, footwork, scoring, and strategy in a fun, encouraging environment that keeps them active and engaged all day. And for families who can’t get enough — we’ve got you covered: multi-week enrollments come with discounts, making it easier to sign your child up for the whole summer.…
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This Memorial Day Weekend, immerse yourself in Eastern State Penitentiary's rich history and ongoing legacy. Whether you're a history buff, preservation enthusiast, or looking for a meaningful way to honor those who served and sacrificed, Eastern State offers a unique blend of education and remembrance. Join us as we pay tribute to our past and look forward to the future of Eastern State Penitentiary. Program details to be announced.
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Clock out and roll through. Roll Call Fridays is your new go-to Friday night at Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest on the Philadelphia Waterfront. Curated by Shekhinah B. of The Women’s Coalition for Empowerment, this weekly roller skating and dance experience brings together live DJs, pop-up performances, and high-energy vibes all summer long. Whether you’re skating, dancing, or just soaking it all in, this is where music, movement, and community come together. Register for free to let us know you're coming!
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Twilight Tours are FREE walking tours around Philadelphia's National Park hosted by Independence Historical Trust. Tours are run by the Trust's wonderful volunteer Twilight Guides who are eager to share their love of history and Philadelphia with visitors. Whether you are visiting from out of town or exploring your own backyard, there is something new to discover! Each guide offers a unique theme and route around Independence NHP.
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Comedy magic walking tour, with a little history sprinkled in.
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Join the Museum for Memorial Day Weekend to honor the men and women who lost their lives in service to their country during the Revolutionary War and celebrate the freedoms they fought to secure for future generations. Veterans and active-duty military members enjoy free admission throughout Memorial Day Weekend, courtesy of Comcast NBCUniversal.
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As part of 52 Weeks of Firsts, step back in time to the first World’s Fair in the U.S. at Memorial Hall! Enjoy storytelling from Once Upon A Nation, family activities, and a special performance by the Pride Bands Alliance — all taking place outside the Museum, rain or shine, from 11 AM to 1 PM.
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The Devon Horse Show has been held in late May through early June in Devon, Pennsylvania since 1896. It is both the oldest and largest outdoor multi-breed horse competition in the United States.
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Take a 90 minute round trip to Glen Mills and return on a peaceful Sunday afternoon while remembering those who have served our great country. All veterans and active military passengers ride for a special reduced fare.
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PHLAFF nurtures Latine/x/a/o creatives and filmmakers by celebrating their richness and diversity.
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Join us for a fun-filled Water Safety Day packed with activities the whole family will enjoy!
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Hellerick’s Adventure Farm is open for the season! Come down to the farm with your family to enjoy Barnyard Mini Golf, the Aerial Adventure and the Silo Climbing Wall, as well as all 50 unique attractions such as the tractor pull, corn shute slides, and Amish scooter racing.
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Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend at Sesame Place! Take in our spectacular “C is for Celebrate” fireworks display! Rock out with Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster, and Count von Count, as their music fills the air and the sky is covered with colorful bursts of brilliance. Be sure to watch us paint the sky red (and green and blue) from inside the park. This impressive display will certainly give you something to celebrate this Memorial Day!
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- Memorial Day Weekend Preservation Fest - Eastern State Penitentiary - 2027 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130, 05/22/2026 to 05/25/2026, 10 am - 5 pm
- Storytime in the Square at Franklin Square - Franklin Square - North 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, 05/22/2026, 10 - 11 am
- Twilight Tours
- Independence National Historical Park - Liberty Bell Center - Philadelphia, PA, USA, 05/22/2026 to 05/24/2026, 5:15 pm daily, additional 6:00pm tour Thursdays thru Sundays
- Bucks Fever Tunes at Noon - Peddler's Pub - Peddlers Village, Lahaska, PA, USA, 05/22/2026, 12 - 1 pm
- Camp Kenan Open House Paint-a-Palooza - YMCA Camp Kenan - 8571 Lower Lake Road, Barker, NY 14012, United States, 05/23/2026, 10:00am to 2:00pm
- Franklin Square Play Days with YoYo at Franklin Square - Franklin Square - North 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, United States, 05/23/2026, 1 - 3 pm
- Craig Bickhardt Live in Concert – Full Band
Performance - Trinity Presbyterian Church - Berwyn Avenue, Berwyn, PA, USA, 05/23/2026, 7:00 PM
- National Memorial Day Concert Live Stream - - ONLINE ONLY, 05/24/2026, 8pm EDT / 7pm CDT / 6pm MDT / 5pm PDT / 4pm AKDT
- Chess A2Z March Webinar: NM Austin Tang - Practical Prophylaxis: Anticipating Your Opponent’s Ideas - Chess A2Z - 10940 SW Barnes Rd 247, Portland, OR 97225, United States, 05/24/2026, 2PM to 3PM PDT
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Philadelphia 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 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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