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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Join art educators in the museum’s Art Studio every Friday for free art-making and sensory activities inspired by the exhibitions in our galleries. All ages are invited to participate, and activities are free with museum admission.
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From Tuesday, May 26 through Sunday, May 31, join us for Hearth Week—an immersive celebration of cooking and historic flavors. Each day offers a unique experience centered around the hearth, featuring a blend of colonial-era recipes and traditional German fare. Guests will enjoy a new twist on historic recipes like Philadelphia Pepper Pot and a true Wissahickon classic, Catfish and Waffle. Guests will also enjoy meals inspired by foraged native ingredients, with offerings ranging from a cozy pizza-night dinner to a hearty brunch.
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Visit The Factory, our all-ages hands-on art studio. Experiment with a changing array of activities inspired by our collection and special exhibitions, from painting to collage to sculpture. Visitors can work with experienced artist educators to create handmade silkscreen printed artworks and souvenirs. Printing on paper is free, and other materials like tote bags, t-shirts, bandanas and notebooks are available for purchase with cash or credit card. The Factory is located on the underground level of the museum and included with museum admission.
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Fans can stay after the game for an exciting Zambelli drone show, presented by Allegheny Health Network.
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Grab your paddle and join the laughter! In this feel-good new comedy, a group of small-town friends discovers that the game of pickleball isn’t just about points—it’s about passion, purpose, and a few unexpected love matches. Fast-paced, funny, and full of heart, Pickleball is a delightful celebration of friendship, rivalry, and second chances.
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Looking for something different to do this summer? Spend the day making memories on the farm! Our all-inclusive ticket gets you a day full of smiles, memories, and fresh-air fun! From enjoying our family-friendly attractions to relaxing in a rocking chair on the Sundown Deck, there’s something for everyone! Take your time strolling down to the fence line of the alpaca viewing field, snap some selfies, and enjoy your new furry friends at your own pace. Spend as much or as little time as you like!
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Experience the bold vision of artist Gavin Benjamin in this special pop-up exhibition featuring works from his acclaimed series Heads of State, Night Fever, and Miss a Thing. A multidisciplinary artist, Benjamin merges photography, painting, and design to explore questions of identity, race, luxury, and belonging. Drawing inspiration from art history, fashion, and pop culture, his richly layered portraits challenge how beauty and power are portrayed in contemporary society.
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Movies Under the Stars is a free outdoor cinema experience where teens and adults can enjoy watching crowd-favorite films on the big screen beneath the night sky. Most movies in this series are rated PG-13. Activities start at 7:00 pm, and movies are scheduled to begin at dusk, generally around 8:30 pm. Closed captioning is available upon request.
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For a limited time at Pittsburgh Botanic Garden, prehistoric creatures are taking over the landscape! Take a walk through time and discover 14 sculptures made entirely from recycled metal and found objects, transforming old scraps of steel into engaging works of art.
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Join us for our 3rd annual RiverTrail RecDay! Allegheny RiverTrail Park is partnering up with State Rep Mandy Steele to bring you a family-friendly day of fitness, fun, and adventure along the Allegheny. On May 31st, ARP will be bustling with organizations from all over Pittsburgh that focus on fun, education, safety, and the outdoor environment. Come to play, learn, eat, and shop from the very best of the ‘burgh!
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Every Friday from 5pm to 9pm. Food trucks, beer, and other fun programming.
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Join us for Little Minnows Story Time! Every other Sunday at 10:30am. This Sunday will feature local author, Joy Givens!
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Enjoy a number of Dance Schools as they perform on the DelGrosso's Park Stage Saturday, May 30th
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- Carnegie Lab at Carnegie Museum of Art - Carnegie Museum of Art - 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, 05/29/2026, 10 am - 1 pm
- Teen Summer Prop Team at Pleasant Hills Public Library - Pleasant Hills Public Library - 302 Old Clairton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15236, 05/29/2026, 2:45 - 3:45 pm
- Movies Under the Stars - Jurassic World: Rebirth Movie Summary - Settlers Cabin Park - Moccasin Shelter, Carnegie, PA, USA, 05/29/2026, 7:00 PM
- Gavin Benjamin: Gilded Glamour (Pop-Up Exhibition) -
The Westmoreland Museum of American Art - The Westmoreland Museum of American Art - 221 North Main Street, Greensburg, PA 15601, 05/30/2026, 10 am - 5 pm
- Story Saturdays at Carnegie Museum of Art - Carnegie Museum of Art - 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, 05/30/2026,
10 am - 5 pm
- Unearth a Story: Summer Reading Kick-Off Extravaganza - Pleasant Hills Public Library - Old Clairton Road, Pittsburgh, PA, 05/30/2026, 1:00 - 3:00 pm
- Movies Under the Stars - Superman - Boyce Park Four Seasons Lodge - Centerview Dr, Plum, PA, USA, 05/30/2026, 7:00 PM
- Little Bookworms at Baldwin
Library - Baldwin Borough Public Library - Wolfe Drive, Pleasant Hills, PA, USA, 05/29/2026, 10:30 - 11:30 am
- Gavin Benjamin: Gilded Glamour (Pop-Up Exhibition) - The Westmoreland Museum of American Art - The Westmoreland Museum of
American Art - 221 North Main Street, Greensburg, PA 15601, 05/31/2026, 10 am - 5 pm
- Vintage Market - The Westmoreland Museum of American Art - The Westmoreland Museum of American Art - 221 North Main Street, Greensburg, PA 15601, 05/31/2026, 10 am - 2 pm
- Little Minnows Story Time with Jen and Joy Givens at White Whale Bookstore - White Whale Bookstore - 4754 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, 05/31/2026, 10:30 - 11:30 am
- Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - Pittsburgh area - Shoott - Broadway, New York, NY, USA, See link for times
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh 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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Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the Pittsburgh? 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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