KidsOutAndAbout's weekly e-newsletter |
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Save the Date Sun, May 24: Tales of Conservation sculpture exhibit opens at Seneca Park Zoo Wed, May 27: Geva Theatre Presents Anastasia: The Musical
Fri, Jun 5: Fairport Canal Days 2026
Fri, Jun 5: Draper Center Presents: The Ugly Duckling
Sat, Jun 6: GemFest 2026
Sat, Jun 6: Flower City Frenzy FIRST Robotics Competition and Festival
Sat, Jun 13: ADK Outdoor Expo 2026
Sat, Jun 13: Freedom Festival: America 250 in the Bristol Hills
Sat, Jun 13: Second Saturday Dansville featuring Fairy Fest
Sun, Jun 14: East Avenue Music Festival
Thu, Jun 18: 40th Annual HARBORFEST |
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
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KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Connect more. Do 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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Weekends May 16-31, 2026, 9:30 am to 4 pm: Dino ROAR is BACK by popular demand! Dinosaurs have escaped their handler and have been spotted in the woods at Stokoe Farms. We need you! Help us capture the escaped beasts and get them home. Start your day with our Drive-Thru experience where you will use your Nerf Darts to stun the prehistoric beasts from your own vehicles. Tune-in and listen to the noise of the forest, do you hear the prehistoric footsteps echoing? Back by popular demand, this is the first event of a 2026 full of excitement and wonder. (Tickets are $26.99 - $38.99... Children 2 and under are free.) 20% discount off the price of your tickets with code KOAA20.
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Hidden Valley Animal Adventure in Varysburg is open Memorial Day weekend, including Monday, May 25. Take a safari adventure and come face-to-face with majestic wildlife from around the world. From towering bison and graceful elk to camels, zebras and other exotic species, this one-of-a-kind day trip blends excitement, discovery, and the joy of connecting with wildlife hands-on. Take a guided safari bus or self-drive thru tour of the 63-acre park. Select a COMBO package to include a discounted visit to the Small Animal Adventure petting zoo. Perfect for all ages, the adventure is closer than you think! Reservations recommended. Order tickets online at www. hiddenvalleyadventure.com.
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Treat your family to a night at Geva Theatre this spring. Tickets to Anastasia are on sale now! This Tony Award-nominated musical inspired by the beloved films takes us on a journey to the past. Iconic songs like “Once Upon a December,” “Learn to Do It,” and “Journey to the Past” transport us from the darkness of Soviet Russia to the opulence of Paris in the ’20s. Could it be that Anya really is the long-lost Romanov? Anastasia runs from May 27th through June 28th. The show’s run time is approximately 2 hours, including a 15- minute intermission and is recommended for audiences ages 10 and older. Get tickets now by calling (585) 232-4382 or by purchasing online at GevaTheatre.org.
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Join the Cobblestone Community Players for a magical musical adventure celebrating the unforgettable world of Disney! Experience the wonder as these talented local performers bring to life the songs and characters that have enchanted audiences of all ages. From nostalgic classics, this family-friendly showcase captures the heart, humor, and imagination that make Disney timeless. Featuring everything from iconic character solos to lively ensemble numbers, this show is chock full of beloved melodies and joyful performances straight out of everyone's favorite Disney tales. Don't miss this chance to experience the music and magic of Disney along with the artistry and spirit of your local community players.
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FOAM HIPPO is a fantastic foam party company delivering high energy events with vibrant color foam options. FOAM HIPPO provides complete party packages as well as DIY Rental packages for stress-free entertainment. We bring abundant foam, music sound systems, inflatable party animals and lighting effects. We bring the fun, the vibe and the party atmosphere! Visit www.foamhippo.com for videos and details!
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The Wings are home for Memorial Day! The Rochester Red Wings kick off a fun-filled homestand against the Syracuse Mets on Monday, May 25 with $5 tickets, a camouflage jersey giveaway, Bruce Fetching Bats, and a pre-game autograph booth. The excitement continues Wednesday with an Education Day matinee, then Thursday brings Salute to Pro Wrestling Night with Kevin Nash, Thursday Night Plates, College Day deals, and happy hour. Friday features Women in Sports Night, a Mittsy jersey giveaway, Mo’ne Davis, and fireworks; Saturday is Star Wars Night with more fireworks; and Sunday wraps up with Kids Run the Bases, giveaways, Knot Hole Kids Club Day, and Spikes & Mittsy’s Birthday Party.
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Are your kids way into video games? GLG's Gaming and Esports Summer camps provide kids and teens ages 8-12 & 13-16 with the opportunity to build friendships, sharpen skills, and dive into organized competitive gaming. In just one week, campers will learn lifelong skills through team challenges, structured gameplay, and beginner-friendly STEAM activities such as designing their own board and video games!
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Register your child for the University of Rochester Warner School of Education and Human Development’s Annual Young Writers Summer Camp, tailored to students in grades 6–12, who love to write and want to spend time with like-minded peers practicing different kinds of writing. New York State-certified teachers provide instruction on multiple writing strategies during the weeklong camp, held August 3–7, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in LeChase Hall on the University of Rochester’s River Campus. A 10% discount applies to families with more than one child attending the camp. Register for camp before the July 20 deadline.
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Join us for the Fairy House Tour, presented by Jess Decotis Homes of Howard Hanna, at the 58th Annual Corn Hill Arts Festival! This enchanting event invites families to unleash their creativity by building whimsical fairy houses using natural materials, recycled items, or even Legos. Showcasing these magical creations on July 11 and 12, the tour is open to participants of all ages, and entry is free! With categories like “Most Unique,” “Most Whimsical,” and “Best Use of Natural Materials,” there are plenty of opportunities to win exciting prizes. Bring your family and let your imaginations soar in this delightful celebration of creativity and community! To learn more and register, visit https://cornhillartsfestival.com/apply/fairy-house-showcase/.
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Looking for an adventure that gets everyone thinking, laughing, and working together? Dark Matter Escape Rooms is Rochester’s newest escape games experience, offering both VR escape rooms and a high-tech physical escape room for groups of friends, families, and puzzle-solvers. Located at 4430 Dewey Avenue in Rochester, NY, inside the Dark Matter Scream Works space. Get 25% off your total booking by using the discount code: GRAND25. For all information on booking please go to darkmatterescaperooms.com.
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Friday, May 22: Genesee Country Village will be open until 8 p.m. and tickets are $5 for all visitors (free for members!). In celebration of our anniversary, the first 250 evening visitors will receive a piece of cake from the D.B. Munger Confectionery (must obtain cake voucher from Admissions). A dozen buildings in the Historic Village will be open, along with the Flint Hill Store, John L. Wehle Gallery, and the Genesee Country Nature Center and trails. Learn from costumed interpreters and tour spaces and buildings representing home, civic, social, economic, farm, and religious life throughout the 1800s.
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Pack up the kids and head to Olcott. Olcott Beach Carousel Park is open! Open Sat., Sun. & Mon., from 12 - 6 pm Memorial Day Weekend. All rides are still 25 cents!
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This summer, Seneca Park Zoo will transform into an immersive outdoor storytelling experience with a new traveling sculpture exhibit. Opening Memorial Day weekend and running through August 18, the Tales of Conservation sculpture exhibit includes 12 larger-than-life sculptures of animals that were brought back from the brink of extinction, all with the assistance of zoos. Running Memorial Day Weekend through August 18.
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Welcome aboard the train to yesterday…Step back in time aboard one of the last operating steam train excursion in New York State. We are an authentic operating short line railroad. We hold the distinction of being one of the last “common carriers” — running freight and passenger trains weekly. Enjoy listening to the click of the rails and the steam whistle echoing off the rural hillsides on this little journey into the past. May it revive pleasant memories of by-gone days for you and give to today’s generation, many of whom have never seen a steam locomotive, a window into transportation history.
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Saturday and Sunday, May 23-24 (weather permitting), it's SLIDES opening weekend at Seabreeze Amusement Park! Families can celebrate the return of classic summer fun with rides and (limited) slides from 11am–6pm both days, including kid-friendly favorites, thrill rides, and plenty of chances to make those first warm-weather memories of the year. PLEASE check the website at https://seabreeze.com to see which parts of the park are open before heading to the park.
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Saturday, May 23 at Casa Larga: Experience the comedy of Joe Avati – an Australian-born comedian with Italian heritage! Join us before the show with a Chef prepared Italian Buffet. Show is appropriate for ages 12+. Can purchase show tickets alone ($64) or with buffet dinner ($109).
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As part of Blue Star Museums, the RMSC is extending its gratitude to those currently serving in the United States Military and up to five of their family members, by offering free admission to all three of its locations from Armed Forces Day, May 16, 2026, through Labor Day, September 7, 2026. Qualified members must show a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), DD Form 1173-1 ID card or the Next Generation Uniformed Services (Real) ID card for entrance into a participating Blue Star Museum.
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Monthly model rocket launch Saturday and Sunday at the National Warplane Museum grounds in Geneseo, NY. We launch everything from small Estes rockets to high power rockets that could fly up to 8,000 feet. The club does maintain a collection of small rockets and motors so youngsters can learn how to prepare a rocket and launch it. Guests and visitors discover our fantastic flying field, our highly organized operations and most importantly our extremely SAFE launches.
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Friday, May 22 from 9 - 11 am : Give your child a magical start to their educational journey in a nurturing and joyful space. For ages 2-5. Play-based learning | Engaging Activities | Thoughtfully Designed Classrooms Our teachers would love to meet you and your children. At Wunderville we thrive on living joyfully, with reverence, gratitude, and a deep respect for community, collaboration & problem solving. Wunderville Preschool is located at 3021 Brighton Henrietta TL Rd
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An enchanted brunch is served for families of young princes and princesses! Fairy Godmother, Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty have arrived to dine with young royalty at The Old Farm Cafe. The celebration will begin with guests taking their seats throughout the enchanted farmyard until the brunch buffet is served.
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Ellwanger Garden, a historic perennial garden brimming with peonies, is open to the public for self-guided tours from noon to 3:00 pm on Sundays, May 10, 17, 24 and 31. $5 suggested donation. Service animals only. Off-site parking.
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Have a wonderful weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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