KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Thu, Apr 2: Eggstravaganza at Donnie Hale Park
Fri, Apr 3: Easter Spring Fling at
Arizona Dynamics Gymnastics
Sat, Apr 4: Free Movies at the Boardwalk: Finding Nemo - Arizona Boardwalk
Sat, Apr 4: FBC Spring Festival 2026 at Foundation for Blind Children
Sat, Apr 4: Hide & Peep Egg Hunt at Scottsdale Quarter
Sat, Apr 4: Bunnanza at City of Scottsdale - Parks and Recreation Special Events
Fri, Apr 10: Whoopee Daze Festival at Tolleson Veterans Park
Sat, Apr 11: KidFest 2026 at Friendship Park
Sat, Apr 11: Gilbert Global Village Festival 2026 at Gilbert Civic Center Lawn
Sat, Apr 11: Earth Day Event and Ladybug Release at Flatiron Community Park Apache Junction
Thu, Apr 16: Homeschool Explorations: Concrete Creations for Kids (for students age 6-11) at The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation - Taliesin West |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: The first time I can remember having to take a public stand on anything was in eighth grade English. We were assigned an essay on a controversial topic and told we’d present our arguments to the class. When he handed back our papers, Mr. Schmidt added a twist: no reading. We’d speak from notes. I was horrified. After school, I tried to negotiate my way out
of it. “This makes me really uncomfortable,” I told him, hoping for mercy. He looked at me over his glasses. “That’s the whole point,” he said. “To get stuff done, you have to get comfortable being uncomfortable. Don’t worry, you’ll live.” Mr. Schmidt was right. I didn’t die. And more important, I learned something that stuck: Discomfort isn’t a stop sign, it’s just part of the road, and all roads are bumpy. That lesson shaped how I've raised my kids, too.
Karate helped Madison and Ella distinguish between effort and injury. Long car rides taught them to rely on their own imaginations. Theater nudged them to stand however close to the spotlight they could manage, even when they’d rather disappear. And summer camps—those muddy, unpredictable, gloriously imperfect experiences—gave them countless chances to try something new and realize I can do this without the stigma that can accompany failing in other contexts. Growth
rarely happens inside the comfort zone, which is why I’m such a believer in giving kids opportunities to stretch beyond what feels easy. Summer programs are perfect for this, so that's why during "summer camp search season" we focus on showcasing the wide variety of camps and programs available in each area we serve. Here's the link to the portal page. These days, as we approach the 25th anniversary of KidsOutAndAbout.com in June, I see that same principle playing out: The technology has changed, the business climate has changed, but the equation hasn’t. Discomfort still shows up right before something meaningful. And I still hear Mr. Schmidt’s voice in my head: Don’t worry, you’ll live.
—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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The BEST of the local organic harvest every week is brought straight from our family farm to you Ahwatukee! Amazing award winning pies, tons of variety of local honeys, seasonal veggies and fruit, amazing all natural preserves and pickles. We are in front
of Century 21 on the north west corner of 40th St and Chandler Blvd.
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Round up your friends and come out for a boot-stompin' good time! This country-themed night market will bring rustic charm to the amphitheater. At this event you can find handcrafted goods, good ol' barbecue, and country music to dance the night away!
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This Spring, Mermaid Magic makes a highly anticipated return to OdySea Aquarium. From March 14th to March 22nd, guests will experience the wonder of live mermaids as they make exclusive appearances, bringing their underwater charm to life. The event
promises a variety of magical opportunities, perfect for all ages, as visitors immerse themselves in the whimsical world of these captivating sea-dwellers. Don’t miss the chance to dive into the magic and make unforgettable memories.
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Runners go “owl out” at this 5K fun run through Old Town Avondale and Agua Fria High School’s campus! Runners will enjoy warm-ups with Hootie the Owl, encouragement from AFHS Clubs and Sports Teams, and a Finish-Line Block Party that is sure to cause a
hoot!
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The all-new 2026 Camp Invention® program, Spark, is coming to curious kids in your community this summer! Rising K-6 campers will collaborate with friends to tackle hands-on, open-ended challenges. They’ll team up with robotic capybaras, ride the waves of entrepreneurship, uncover the power of protecting their ideas and build a DIY space rocket! Each experience is designed to spark confidence, build persistence and create unforgettable summer memories. Visit invent.org/save/camp to secure your spot! Register using CIFUN25 by 3/31 to save $25 or CIFUN20 by 4/28 to save $20 when you register. Interest-free payment plans are available, making camp affordable for all families.
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- FREE spring mini photo session - Phoenix Area - Shoott - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, USA, Friday, March 20, 2026 - Sunday, March 22, 2026, See link for times
- Yoga Storytime | Century Library - Century Library, 1750 E Highland Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85016, Friday, March 20, 2026, 10:15 am
- Brick Builders | Juniper Library - Juniper Library, 1825 W Union Hills Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85027, Friday, March 20, 2026, 3:30 pm
- Mercados
& Melodies: Country Night - Avondale Civic Center, Avondale, AZ, Friday, March 20, 2026, 6 pm - 9 pm
- MakersBase |
Ironwood Library - Ironwood Library, 4333 E Chandler Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85048, Saturday, March 21, 2026, 3 pm - 4 pm
- Free Community Golf Fun Day - GPS Learning Center 9433 N 107th Ave. Sun City, AZ 85351, Saturday, March 21, 2026, 9:00 AM - 11:00AM
- Tools for School | Cholla Library - Cholla Library, 10050 North Metro Parkway East, Phoenix, AZ 85051, Saturday, March 21, 2026, 10
am
- 2026 Arizona Aloha Festival - Tempe Beach Park, West Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ, Saturday, March
21, 2026 - Sunday, March 22, 2026, 10 am - 5 pm
- FREE Movie in the Park, Food Trucks & MORE! Sat March 21st - AZ Times Two Entertainment | Movies & Events - 20165 N. 67th Ave. #122A, Glendale, AZ 85308, Saturday, March 21, 2026, 5pm
- Bunny Bash at Tempe Marketplace - Tempe Marketplace, East Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ, Saturday, March 21, 2026, 11 am - 2 pm
- Saturday Storytime Barnes and Noble - 9144 West Port Royale Lane, Peoria, AZ 85381, Saturday, March 21, 2026, 10:30am
- Open House Sunday Series - At The Outlet, Inc., 3004 North 16th Street, Phoenix, AZ, Sunday, March 22, 2026, 3 - 5 pm
- POWER
IN MOTION: SUNDAY OPEN HOUSES POP UP SESSIONS - At The Outlet, Inc., 3004 North 16th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85016, Sunday, March 22, 2026, 3-5 pm
- AZ Rattlers Halftime Show Performance Opportunity - At The Outlet, Inc., 3004 North 16th Street, Phoenix, AZ
85016, Sunday, March 22, 2026, 3 - 5 pm
- Mask Alive! Festival of Masks - Pioneer Park, 526 E Main St, Mesa, AZ
85203, Sunday, March 22, 2026, 2-5pm
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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the Phoenix 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 fingertips!
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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the Phoenix area! Use our Big List to help find the best one for your kiddos and check our events calendar to find Open Houses where you can meet teachers and tour the
schools.
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Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the Phoenix area? 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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There are lots of places to have a birthday party in the Phoenix area! If there is an attraction that we have missed, please email us to let us know, and we'll add it promptly. Thank you! And you can
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2025's winners in KidsOutAndAbout's survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids in the Phoenix area. Our Top 20 results page includes a list of your top picks, including winners in special categories like Top Arts Educator, Top Sports Educator, and Top STEM
Educator!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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