KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
|
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: A tumble is not a verdict; it's information. And kids are natural data analysts. That's what a mom half a generation older than me told me when I was getting ready to have kids, and I took it to heart. So I was secretly a little thrilled the summer my daughter Madison was almost 4, when she took her first big splash off a slippery log into a
creek. Here's why: To succeed in life, everyone needs to learn to stretch to the edge of their abilities... to gather courage from their toes, to calculate, to balance, to wobble, to slide... and eventually to succeed. Kids can learn this early if the grownups in their orbit help them see the mud and bruises that come from a tumble as badges to be worn proudly: a fail-until-we-succeed philosophy in action. That's how personal fulfillment happens, and it's how human progress happens,
too. Summer is childhood's best laboratory, where sensory experiences stick as lifelong learning. School has grades and rubrics and consequences; summer has grass stains and do-overs. An amusement park ride can teach the difference between fear and danger. A hands-on museum can teach that when your tower collapses, you simply vow to rebuild it taller. A farm can teach that maybe you don’t like strawberries from the grocery store, but
you do like the ones you picked yourself, still warm from the sun. A climbing gym can teach your muscles that “I can’t” really means “I can’t yet.” And summer camps are entire worlds built around trying something new with no transcript following you home. Last week, the KidsOutAndAbout.com team launched our annual Top 20 Places to Take Kids survey. It's a way to thank the people who make your community a great place to raise kids. Equally important, it’s a giant menu of local opportunities for your kids to stretch their legs, their minds, and their bravery this summer. Use it to create your summer bucket list! Then step back and set your family’s summer dial to “safe to fail.” Watch your kids climb, build, stumble, and try again.
Let them splash.
—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
More than 130 million people around the world have experienced the phenomenon of Disney’s THE LION KING, and now you can, too, when Providence’s best-loved musical returns to the Providence Performing Arts Center from May 20 – June 7, 2026. Winner of six Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, this landmark musical event brings together one of the most imaginative creative teams on Broadway. Tony Award-winning director Julie Taymor brings to life a story filled with hope and adventure set against an amazing backdrop of stunning visuals. THE LION KING also features some of Broadway’s most recognizable music, crafted by Tony Award-winning artists Elton John and Tim Rice. There is simply nothing else like THE LION KING. Get your tickets today!
|
|
|
|
Join us for another great season on the great lawn of the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick. Make yourself at home on the great lawn. Bring chairs, blankets, and your favorite lawn games. Create your perfect relaxation spot and enjoy the evening with family and friends. Attendance is free, just pay for what you eat and drink from over a dozen food trucks accepting cash, credit, and debit cards. Tickets are not necessary. In addition to great food, there will be live music and local beer and wine.
|
|
|
|
Looking for an engaging and entertaining night out that the whole family can enjoy? Join Bring Your Own Improv’s interactive comedy show every Friday at 8 PM. Perfect for all ages, this unique event invites audience participation for an evening of laughter and creativity.
|
|
|
|
A new monthly program for young language learners! Join us for reading, singing and art in Spanish with Señora Ruth Gutierrez, a native speaker. The group meets at 12:30pm each 2nd and 4th Friday of the month. Activities are aimed toward toddlers, but learners of all ages are welcome ! A new monthly program for young language learners! Join us for reading, singing and art in Spanish with Señora Ruth Gutierrez, a native speaker. The group meets at 12:30pm each 2nd and 4th Friday of the month. Activities are aimed toward toddlers, but learners of all ages are welcome.
|
|
|
|
Want to know what you're playing for? Join us at Fenway Park for Survivor 50th Season Day on Saturday, May 23, as Fenway transforms into an island of competition — inspired by one of the most iconic and influential reality competition shows of all time. Fans who purchase tickets through this special offer will receive an exclusive Survivor x Red Sox neck gator, just don't drop it! In addition, a limited number of VIP Reward Challenge packages are available for fans looking to elevate their Survivor 50th Season Day experience. Those who secure this exclusive upgrade will unlock early entrance to the event, receive the Survivor x Red Sox neck gator, and the limited-edition Survivor x Red Sox hat.
|
|
|
|
Shell-e-brate World Turtle Day at Southwick’s Zoo! Join us at Southwick’s Zoo for a special day dedicated to celebrating some of the most fascinating reptiles in the animal kingdom. Spend the day learning about our various species of turtles and tortoises, discover what makes each unique, and gain a deeper appreciation for these incredible animals. From slow and steady land dwellers to aquatic species adapted for life in the water, Turtle Day is the perfect opportunity for reptile enthusiasts and curious visitors alike to explore and learn
|
|
|
|
Kick off your summer with high-octane excitement at Seekonk Speedway’s Memorial Day Thrill Show! Get ready for an action-packed day of Spectator Drags, Car and Truck Enduros, Crazy Figure 8 Races, the all NEWTeam Wheelbarrow Race and so much more!
|
|
|
- Food Truck Friday Roger Williams Park 2026 - Carousel Village, Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI, USA - Friday, May 22, 2026, 5:00 pm - 8:30 pm
- Free Open Houses at the Betsey Williams Cottage - Museum of Natural History and Planetarium, Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI, USA - Friday, May 22, 2026, 10:00 am - 3:00pm
- May StoryWalk® at WEAVER - Weaver Library - East Providence Public Library, Grove Avenue, East Providence, RI, USA - Friday, May 22, 2026, 8am
- Spanish for Toddlers - At Libraries of Foster - Tyler Free Library - Tyler Free Library, Moosup
Valley Road, Foster, RI, USA - Friday, May 22, 2026, 12:30 pm
- 2026 Farm Market - At Casey Farm - Casey Farm, Boston Neck Road, Saunderstown, RI, USA - Saturday, May 23, 2026, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
- National Memorial Day Concert Live Stream - ONLINE ONLY - Sunday, May 24, 2026, 8pm EDT / 7pm CDT / 6pm MDT / 5pm PDT / 4pm AKDT
|
|
|
|
Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Providence 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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the Providence 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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the Providence 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.
|
|
|
Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
|
|
