KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Sometimes, paradise itches. While on vacation recently, I discovered an almost-perfect trail adjacent to our rental house: flat, sandy, well-maintained, and, that morning, completely empty except for my family, Penny, and Skye. The dogs raced ahead and back as we wandered at a gentler pace. But the farther we ventured from civilization, and the more times we lingered to check out a surprising little stream
or colorful mushroom, the more the mosquitoes flocked. And when we got back to the house, I found a tick on Penny. Software people have an old joke: “It’s not a bug; it’s a feature.” After 25 years of publishing on the internet, I can confirm that anything complicated you create with software requires plenty of debugging. Bugs are part of the creative process, whether the creator is a human being or Nature itself. They’re built-in features of a world busy being alive. An
entirely bug-free life would be a pretty sterile one. Kids take their cues from us about what counts as a good experience, which is why I advocate looking at life through rose-colored lenses. Was the picnic still fun if it rained? Was the trip worthwhile if someone got cranky? Did the missed turn spoil the adventure? If one inconvenience earns the whole day a rating of RUINED, we teach children that delight is fragile and reality perpetually defective. They may start waiting
for perfect conditions before letting themselves have fun... and that is a lot of power to hand a mosquito. Tweezer out the ticks. Then keep walking.
—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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Ninja, we need you! Join The True Ninja Trials – only at LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Philadelphia, now through August 16th. Join Ninja Lloyd as you build, battle and train your way through NINJAGO®. Take on epic build challenges, meet your ninja heroes and train to become the ultimate elemental master! Save like a Ninja this summer and unlock up to 25% off when you book online through August 16th.
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Highmark Mann is thrilled to present Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back live in concert on Friday, July 24. The Philadelphia Orchestra will play award-winning composer John Williams's musical score live as the film is projected on three giant screens. Pack a picnic and join us for a perfect summer night under the stars!
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An event perfect for littles featuring music and swimming!
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See the newest, funniest, zany spectacular from world-famous, Guinness Book of World Records-holding, master bubble wrangler Jeff Boyer, as he takes bubbles to the max with big bubble flair. Mixing comedy, music, and interactive bubble-magic, Jeff engages and delights audiences of all ages. It’s a sensory-friendly bubble extravaganza for the whole family!
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There have been spies in Chester County since the 1600s, but did you know that George Washington’s own spy ring was once headquartered here? Spy Day at the Chester County History Center will give children the chance to learn to read and write in cipher and code, find hidden messages in everyday objects, explore the science of invisible ink, and develop their own secret identity. They’ll also learn about real spies who operated in the area during the 18th century and beyond.
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Set in turn-of-the century New York City, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged “newsies.” When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what’s right! Based on the 1992 motion picture and inspired by a true story, Newsies features a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman and a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein. Featuring the now classic songs “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” and “Santa Fe,” Newsies is packed with non-stop thrills and a timeless message, perfect for the whole family and every audience.
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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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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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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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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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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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Celebrate your family’s special moments with Shoott’s FREE 30-minute outdoor photo sessions! Whether it’s summer vacation photos, family portraits, birthday milestones, or simply capturing everyday joy, our talented local photographers make the experience easy and fun. You only pay for the photos you love, with no upfront cost or sitting fee. Receive a gallery of beautifully edited images within days and choose your favorites. Book your session at shoott.com and create lasting memories!
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2026's best places to take kids in and around Philadelphia, based on KidsOutAndAbout's annual reader survey. But there is LOTS more to do in Philly! Get great ideas here at KidsOutAndAbout.com! What is listed below are just the starting point: Browse
through our site and calendar to find lots more!
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Nothing says SUMMER quite like going to an amusement park with your family! We've put together a great list of ones you can visit within driving distance of Fairfield County. So, pack the sunscreen, load up the car and head out on a grand adventure!
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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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