KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: One summer afternoon during a family camping trip in New Jersey when I was about 6 or 7 years old, a horse fly suddenly appeared next to my ear and started following me everywhere I went. I’m sure that, from its own perspective, it was just going about its business doing ordinary horse fly things, but to me it felt enormous, ominous, and purposeful. I can't remember if it
actually bit me, but I can still summon the hot panic of not being able to get away from its threatening buzz. To my small self, that fly wasn't a little distraction, it was a crisis with wings. The memory surfaced recently when my daughter Ella sent me the above photo, taken in Quintana Beach County Park, near Houston. The point was clear: Proceed, and you will be under attack, and not by any adorable Northeastern bugs you might be used to. No, these bugs were born in Texas. Beware. Sometimes that is exactly
how challenges feel, especially to kids: Problems loom much larger to them than they do to adults with decades of experience. A broken toy, a skinned knee, a mistake in front of the class, or a slight misunderstanding with a friend may be a fly in the ointment to us, but a Texas-sized monster to a child. The trick is to validate the feeling without validating helplessness. We stand beside them and say, Yes, I know, this feels huge. The bugs, even if they're not as large as they
think, are real. They watch us shoo them away and learn gradually to do it for themselves. If I had seen the sign above, my first instinct would have been to flee back to the safety of the car. And Ella said it was not exaggerating, at least not by much: The moment she stepped onto the property, giant mosquitoes descended, and they were hungry; even leggings soaked with OFF Deep Woods did not deter them. She assures me that the photo she got of the Bay-breasted Warbler was
worth all the bites on the backs of her knees. She knew better than to show me the damage. Clearly, the script has flipped.
—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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Summer Camps at the SPARC are designed for creatives of all levels and all styles! Begin your artistic journey and explore a mix of theatre, music, and visual art with Art Explorers (grades 1-3). Learn upbeat choreography, trending music, and culture at K-Pop Kamp (grades 6-12). Experience the world of African drumming and dance at Rhythm World Camp (grades 7-12). Collaborate, record, and produce original music with MusicMan’s AMP Camp (grades 6-12). Expand your skills, learn new ones, and discover new ways to connect with friends. The SPARC is your new home at Barclay Square. Join us for our inaugural summer to create, connect, and explore your creative SPARC!
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Enjoy locally sourced spirits and wines, a late stroll in our galleries, and music. We keep our galleries open late and reduce our prices every Friday night. Join us for half-off admission, music, locally sourced drinks and snacks, and tours to start your weekend. Every Friday at the Art Museum from 5–8:45 p.m.!
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Free lunchtime concerts every Friday at noon! Tunes at Noon (formerly Brown Bag-It with the Arts) is back! Head over to the Peddler’s Village main green every Friday from May 15 through August 28 to hear free performances by talented local musicians. Before the show, place a takeout order at one of the many Peddler’s Village restaurants, or dine afterwards in an air-conditioned restaurant or alfresco, surrounded by picturesque Village scenery.
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Comedy magic walking tour, with a little history sprinkled in.
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STEMFest at the American Helicopter Museum is a family event dedicated to inspiring the next generation of innovators through science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Hosted by the American Helicopter Museum and Education Center, STEMFest offers students and families hands-on learning experiences focused on aviation, engineering, and all things STEM. The event features two days of interactive exhibits, live demonstrations, science shows, food trucks, helicopter rides (additional fee), and tabletop activities led by community and industry professionals. Participants will be able to watch a drone fly, build a model rocket, talk to a pilot, and interact with companies that are creating the technology of tomorrow. STEMFest will offer an educational experience that inspires…
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Feel the groove and soak up the sound as the Philly Pops Little Big Band brings classic Motown and R&B favorites to Headhouse Square. This free outdoor performance fills the historic South Street Headhouse District with irresistible rhythms, soulful melodies, and the kind of energy that gets everyone moving.
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Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center is excited to announce our new event, WheatonARTS Day: a Celebration of Creativity, happening May 30, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine. The event offers visitors of all ages the chance to explore, experience, create, and celebrate across WheatonArts’ 45-acre campus.
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A new, free immersive experience at the Universal Sphere for 2026, inspired by DreamWorks Animation’s beloved How to Train Your Dragon franchise and brought to life by Comcast, Universal Destinations & Experiences, and DreamWorks Animation. Blending cinematic storytelling with interactive elements, this 15-minute experience transports guests from Philadelphia to the Isle of Berk, where they will have the opportunity to train as Dragon Riders alongside characters from the How to Train Your Dragon franchise, including Hiccup, Toothless, Astrid, and Stormfly.
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Hellerick’s Adventure Farm is open daily for the summer starting Memorial Day weekend- weather permitting. Enjoy signature attractions – Barnyard Mini Golf, the Aerial Adventure, the Silo Climbing Wall, the Goat Experience, and Goat Yoga – as well as 50+ unique adventure farm activities, including the tractor pull, corn shute slides, and Amish scooter racing. As always, kids under 36” and parking are FREE.
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Join the National Constitution Center for its Sensory-Friendly Days, an accessible learning experience for people of all abilities and their families. Visitors with sensory-processing challenges can experience the museum in a secure and comfortable environment that includes modified programming and emotionally safe spaces with sensory objects, comfortable seating, and cool blue lighting.
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- Bucks Fever Tunes at Noon - - Peddler's Pub, Peddlers Village, Lahaska, PA, USA - Friday, May 29, 2026, 12 - 1 pm
- DreamWorks How to Train Your Dragon: Flight Academy - - The Universal Sphere at the Comcast Center Campus, Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA, USA - Friday, May 29, 2026, 10:00AM to 5:00PM
- Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - Philadelphia area - Shoott - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, USA - Saturday, May 30, 2026, See link for times
- B.A.R.K. Ranger: Doughnuts + Dogs - Independence National Historic Park - - 143 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, United States - Saturday, May 30, 2026, 8 - 9 am
- Habitat Stewards at Newlin Grist Mill - - Newlin Grist
Mill Park, Cheyney Road, Glen Mills, PA, USA - Saturday, May 30, 2026, 1-3pm
- Pops on the Plaza - - Headhouse Plaza, S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19147, USA - Saturday, May 30, 2026, 11:30 am - 5 pm
- Twilight Tours - Independence National Historical Park - - Liberty Bell Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA - Saturday, May 30, 2026, 5:15 pm daily, additional 6:00pm tour Thursdays thru Sundays
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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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