KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Sat, Jun 6: Strawberry Festival at Linvilla Orchards Fri, Jun 12: Family Fan Zone at Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest
Sat, Jun 13: West Park Arts Fest 2026
Sat, Jun 13: The Ninth Annual Phoenixville Art Street Festival
Fri, Jun 19: Juneteenth at Please Touch Museum Fri, Jun 19: Kids Market at Lot 323 Summer Concert
Sat, Jun 20: Juneteenth Wellness & Arts Festival 2026
Sun, Jun 21: Philadelphia Father's Day Signature Brunch Cruise - City Cruises Philadelphia Sun, Jun 21: Father's Day BBQ at Philadelphia Zoo
Fri, Jun
26: Kidchella Music Festival 2026 Sat, Jun 27: Riverside 175th And America’s 250th Celebration Parade
Thu, Jul
2: Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest
Sat, Jul 4: A250 Time Capsule |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: "The best thing about your newsletter," said a reader who met me in person at an event last June, "is the sheer number of things to do, and the fact that they're just packed in there, all in one handy place." "Thanks!" I said. I may have glowed a little. "And the worst thing about your newsletter," she continued, "is the guilt trip. I know
you don't mean to lay that on us. We can't do it all, so it means we read about so much we can't do. Especially in summer." She was right, in one sense, of course. June and July are the most packed months of the calendar: Kids are out of school, families are ready for fun, and our communities respond. Each local organization gets to post its own events on our calendar for free, and many are featured in this newsletter, so what's happening is right there in front of
you. But I get it! And I hereby remove the guilt. Ego te absolvo. Of course, good families try to expose their kids to great things, but no one has the time, money, or energy to do it all. This stuff needs to be spread out over a childhood, not packed into a single summer, much less a single weekend. So make a family bucket list for Summer 2026. An easy way to do that is to take our annual survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids, which is open through June 20; it has dozens of places to have fun this summer, even though you only vote for your top 3! And you should also use our 50 Ways to Love Your Summer article for ideas that require zero technology, zero travel, and zero dollars. Above all, go easy! Remember, summer is no time for grades! The only prize is the summer that's right for your family.
—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. |
Please click through to our 2026 survey to vote for your top 3 places to take kids... it will be used to compile our 2026 Top 20 Places to Take Kids in the Philadelphia area. Voting is live through June 20; believe me, winning a place on the Top 20 list matters to the
people who create amazing family-friendly experiences. Take 3 minutes to choose your favorites as your way of saying thank you... and use the list to build your summer bucket list at the same time! You have my personal and fervent thanks for your participation! —Deb |
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At Wolf PAC, we know there are many dance programs in the area to choose from, and are thrilled to be able to offer a unique, supportive experience for dancers of all levels. Unlock your full potential as a triple threat with musical theatre style dance including Broadway jazz, tap, and ballet for grades Pre-K to 12th grade. Save your spot and register today for the next season beginning in September 2026!
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Attention 4th, 5th & 6th graders! Do you love to dance, sing, and act? Step into the spotlight this summer with Summer Stage Jr! This 2-week summer camp experience has classes in acting, writing, dance, and music. Young performers can discover their talents, express their creativity, and learn new skills. Find your voice with Theatre Bugs (4th grade), become part of an ensemble with Magic Makers (5th grade), or put on a show with Rising Stars (6th grade)! Camp concludes with a live performance for families, friends, staff and peers. Sessions run from July 6 – 17 and July 20 - 30. Register for a session today and visit udsummerstage.org to learn more!
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The Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival illuminates Franklin Square with awe-inspiring, interactive, larger-than-life lanterns! The iconic 200-foot-dragon will soar back to Franklin Square for the summer along with never-before-seen giant lantern displays, more lights, more lanterns, and more wattage than ever before! Enjoy live performances, delicious food and drink, the Franklin Square Fountain Show, and Franklin Square attractions.
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Philly is a sports city, so let's look at the science behind your favorite games!
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Celebrate Pride at Please Touch Museum with a day designed to uplift creativity, joy, and self-expression.
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Linvilla Orchards is welcoming the start of summer with its annual Strawberry Festival on June 6th, 2026 a beloved tradition celebrating the season’s harvest with fresh flavors, family fun, and live entertainment.
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In the spirit of the "World's Greatest Word Game," our gang fills in the blanks with words from the audience! This truly interactive musical changes at every performance– thanks to you! Our story begins at the finals of Teen Superstars, the live TV show that will determine the most popular singing group at Blankville Central High. Virtuosa, Gogo, Geyser, and Merrily seem to have nothing in common – until just before airtime, when they realize that their songs are missing words. In the spirit of the "World's Greatest Word Game," our gang fills in the blanks with words from the audience! This truly interactive musical changes at every performance– thanks to you! Will GoGo get the girl? Will Geyser make new friends? Will Merrily come out of her shell? Will Virtuosa get out of the spotlight? And who will be the next Teen Superstars??
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That’s so MAGICAL! Abby Cadabby is hosting a magical weekend full of spellbinding tricks and spectacular illusions. Poof into Sesame Studio for some special magic shows by magician Sam Sandler! Keep an eye out for KooKoo the Cartoon Magician, performing strolling magic throughout the park. Join Abby and her friends for the Fairy Friends Magical Dance Party and don’t miss the chance the get your photo with your furry friends dressed in some magically-themed outfits. This weekend is sure to amaze and astound you and keep you wondering how the magic is done.
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Art is a springboard for connection. Sharing original fine art with the community, and helping artists build meaningful relationships with art lovers is our goal, year after year. We are grateful to you for being a part of it all. for our 97th annual FINE ART SHOW You'll get to see a wide variety of art in an array of media, and meet artists from across the country live and in person! It's an amazing experience you won't want to miss. And of course, be ready to buy some original art!
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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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Load up the station wagon and unfold your map because larger-than-life sand sculptures are back! For the fifth consecutive summer, Peddler’s Village will present a Village-wide sand sculpture display created by world-renowned sand artists. “Sights in Sand: An American Road Trip” will celebrate the iconic landmarks and history of our nation, now in its 250th year. This free display is open to the public and will be on view through August 31.
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West Park community, join us for the 18th Annual West Park Arts Fest! So come join us for day filled with live music, dance, spoken word & family fun in West Fairmount Park.
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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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The Philadelphia Area's Pick-Your-Own Fruit Listed below are farms in and near Philadelphia that offer pick your own fruits, berries, and vegetables. And... to make the most of your experience, check
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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