KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Sun, Jul 12: The Circus Farm - Mesa Arts Center
Tue, Jul 14: Family Game
Night at the O'Neil Rec Center
Tue, Jul 14: Summer Break Art Camp: Shark Bite (ages 6-12) | Pinot's Palette Gilbert
Thu, Jul 16: Rumpelstiltskin (ages 5+) - Great Arizona Puppet Theater
Fri, Jul 17: Maricopa County Home & Landscape Show 2026
Fri, Jul 17: Teen Night at the MGC
Fri, Jul 17: Family Fun Night | Fountain Hills Community Center
Wed, Jul 22: District Splash Days: Royal Splash Bash
Fri, Jul 24: Family Play Date with Glendale Parks and Recreation
Fri, Jul 24: Holiday Heat Wave - Pool Party | AJPR
Sat, Jul 25: 2026 AZ Sunrise Series - Arizona Boardwalk |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
When I was a kid, a giant azalea bush stretched across our backyard, exploding into glorious pink blossoms in early May. In summer, it became something even better: a secret hideout that my sister and I named the Humble Abode. We hollowed out the dead branches behind the bush and dragged in little chairs and treasures and our dollhouse family. The Humble Abode barely qualified as
a fort, and it wasn't even secret; I'm sure my parents knew when we were back there. But it was a great kids-only space. A few weeks ago, I wrote about five summer lenses through which to plan summer: music, motion, making, nature, and food. Making—the lens for this week—reminds kids that they are not merely consumers of the world, but contributors to it. They can push value into existence. They can turn sticks, cardboard, fabric, tape, mud, blocks, gears,
sand, and flour into something that wasn’t there before. Especially for younger kids, making with the hands gives the brain evidence. I did that. I made that. I can make things happen. Summer is perfect for this because summer has time and room for mess. Pull out the science kits, the rocket kits, the LEGO bins, the soap-making sets that arrived at Christmas and then sat politely in the closet. "Upcycle" old boxes, fabric, toys, crayons, paint, buttons.
Let your kids build backyard forts, fairy houses, marble runs, cardboard cities, obstacle courses, blanket tents, museum towers, and whatever else the day and their imagination suggest. Of course, glue will drip. Sand will migrate. The kitchen table may briefly disappear under invention. (If the clutter gets overwhelming, consider a trip or two to your local science museum or maker space to save your sanity.) After all, you can’t make omelets without breaking eggs. And
you can’t make a maker without giving a child some space, some tools, some trust, and permission to begin.
—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 Museum is open from 5pm-9pm free of charge, on the first Friday of each month. Space is very limited, and guests will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. Museum admission is not guaranteed due to extremely limited capacity.
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All aboard for a mix of old-school attractions and modern family fun to celebrate Independence Day! Bring your family, your appetite and your holiday spirit for a memorable Independence Day celebration filled with music, food and fun.
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Ignite your independence and come out to Light Up the Sky Celebration. The FREE general admission area allows tailgating with friends and family, enjoying a variety of food trucks, playing games in the Kid Zone, and enjoying live music before being dazzled by a 25-minute spectacular fireworks display.
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Celebrate Independence Day with an unforgettable night at the Goodyear Ballpark! Enjoy food trucks, live music, and family fun, then experience the city's massive drone show, a stunning patriotic display in the sky. Entry, activities and parking are free.
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Tempe 4th is Arizona’s biggest Fourth of July celebration bringing the community together for an unforgettable night of energy, music, and patriotic pride. Enjoy a spectacular fireworks show lighting up the sky, alongside an exciting lineup of food trucks, refreshing water slides, a lively beer garden, and countless attractions for all ages. Join us as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary in true Tempe style bigger, brighter, and better than ever.
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Celebrate America 250 in Peoria! In 2026, the nation commemorates America 250, marking 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence and Peoria is proud to host one of the region’s most exciting celebrations. This year’s All-American Festival will blend beloved traditions with special moments honoring this historic milestone.
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Join us for the 2026 Gilbert 4th of July Celebration sponsored by Earnhardt Hyundai San Tan and Haydon Companies, LLC! This free, family-friendly event takes place on Saturday, July 4th at Gilbert Regional Park, located at 3005 E Queen Creek Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85298.
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Join us for a sweet and simple celebration just for Kids Crew! The Ice Cream Social is a fun, family-friendly gathering where kids can enjoy ice cream, hang out with friends, and take part in light games and activities. It’s a great way to cool off, connect, and make fun summer memories together. We can’t wait to see you there for all the sweet fun!
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Join us in the idea Studio every day to explore different paint techniques and materials! The idea Studio is a children’s paint studio filled with colorful paints, brushes and other materials that inspire children’s creativity and playful experimentation. The studio encourages self-expression, allowing children to create freely – inspired by projects or prompts to help build skills and confidence. Whether your child is exploring color for the first time or you’re creating art together, we provide all the tools and inspiration needed for unforgettable family moments. With educator guidance and plenty of hands-on opportunities, every visit is a chance for families to connect, create and learn together.
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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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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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Fruit picking is a great activity to do together as a family. It helps little ones understand where their food actually comes from, and it's a fun tradition to share every year right through the teens. Here's where you can pick fruit with your family:
Strawberry picking, cherry picking, blueberry picking, raspberry picking, peach picking, and other pick-your-own opportunities in the Phoenix area.
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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