KidsOutAndAbout's weekly e-newsletter |
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Save the Date 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 Sun, Jun 14: World Ocean Day at Aquarium of Niagara
Thu, Jun 18: 40th Annual
HARBORFEST Thu, Jun 18: 2026 Juneteenth Block Party
Fri, Jun 19: Juneteenth Celebration and Commemoration at
I-Square Sat, Jun 20: Juneteenth Celebration at the Strong
Sun, Jun 21: Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief Tours
Sun, Jun 21:
Father's Day Fishing Derby at Backyard Barnyard Fri, Jun 26: Readathon at the Victor Farmington Library Sat, Jun
27: Africa Bridge: Protecting Wildlife by Empowering People - lecture at Burroughs Nature Sanctuary
Sat, Jul 25-Sun, Jul 26: Centennial
Expo at GCV&M |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
When I was homeschooling Madison and Ella, one of my favorite sanity-saving tools was the Theme of the Week. If the theme was "Birds," then yes, we'd go on a bird walk. But we'd also read my favorite-ever children's book, talk about the physics of flying and of colors, and probably also do some math and logic involving eggs and baskets. The theme made ordinary learning feel like an adventure, but more important, it gave us a focusing tool: It
helped the girls connect with what they were seeing and doing, and it helped me feel that we weren’t wandering randomly through our days. Summer planning can benefit from that same kind of gentle structure. Last week, I wrote about how summer is not supposed to be a guilt-inducing race to cram in every concert, splash pad, festival, hike, camp, road trip, library program, ice cream stand, and sunset before the school buses roll again. Trying to grab
everything is a good way to miss the point; instead, to plan the summer without overstuffing it, we need to consider the kinds of experiences that make our family feel more awake, connected, and alive. The five summer lenses I keep coming back to are: music, motion, making, nature, and food. Music helps kids hear the world differently and live what they love. Motion
lets bodies teach what words cannot. Making reminds us that we can bring something new into the universe. Nature offers perspective and wonder. And food connects us to place, culture, and each other. Over the next few weeks, I’ll address these one at a time—not as assignments, but as invitations. Even as the days fly by, a summer seen through some useful lenses can still be lazy, loose, spontaneous, and wonderfully imperfect.
—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. |
After 3 weeks of voting, here is where the Top 20 Places survey currently stands: 1. The Strong; 2. Seneca Park Zoo; 3. RMSC; 4. YMCA of Greater Rochester; 5. Memorial Art Gallery; 6. "My Local Library"; 7. Seabreeze; 8. TYKEs (Theatre Young Kids Enjoy); 9. Ladybugs Play; 10. Stokoe Farms. Voting closes June 20, and anything can happen... Please VOTE NOW! It matters! |
Tuesday night, I was swept away by the inspiring musical SUFFS, which is onstage at the RBTL's Auditorium Theatre through Sunday. Set between 1913 and 1920, it vividly brings to life the suffragists who dared to turn an impossible dream into a reality. The show beautifully illustrates how
perseverance and passion can change history, even when success feels out of reach. If you love learning about how women's right to vote became a reality—or if you just need a reminder that what seems impossible can become possible—this is a must-see for your family! Recommended for age 10 and up... just be prepared that one song joyfully uses the word "b*tch" 21 times.🙂 Tickets: https://rbtl.org/events/suffs/
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The Rochester Red Wings have a busy homestand coming up at ESL Ballpark, with back-to-back series full of family fun, giveaways, fireworks, and special promotions! The Wings take on the Worcester Red Sox today through this Sunday (which features an appearance by Bluey!), followed by a series against the Toledo Mud Hens Tuesday, June 16 through Sunday, June 21. Tuesday is Half-Price ticket Tuesday! Highlights include post-game fireworks, autograph opportunities, giveaways, theme nights, and more. Fans should get their tickets online in advance to save and make the most of this action-packed stretch of Red Wings baseball!
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Looking for an unforgettable way to keep your kids active and engaged during the summer? RocVentures Camps combine climbing, adventure, and nonstop fun in a welcoming environment where kids can challenge themselves, make new friends, and build confidence along the way. No climbing experience is required—our experienced staff will guide campers through indoor climbing, our high ropes course, team games, problem-solving activities, and more. Whether your child is brand new to climbing or already loves the sport, our camps are designed to create an exciting experience they’ll be talking about long after the week ends. Use special code below to save on day or week bookings. Sale | Save 15% | Book With Code: KOAB-2615
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Make it a great summer with Martial Arts America's 6-week starter karate program. Get 6 weeks of lessons (up to 2 times per week) starting in July! During the 6 weeks, your child will experience the excitement and fun of our karate classes, and you'll get to see how karate can teach the life skills you're seeking for your child. After you register, we'll contact you to set up your first lesson, and we'll go over the continuing lessons and membership programs with you. Price is $129, or $149 with a complete karate uniform! Choose from three locations: Brighton, Penfield, or Webster!
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Get ready to rock all summer with School of Rock Rochester! Get ready to rock all summer with School of Rock Rochester! On June 14th, come out to Iron Smoke Distillery for our Seasonal Show — an afternoon of live music performed entirely by our student musicians. Then the fun keeps rolling with our Schools Out Touring Shows on June 25th and July 7th. And the music doesn't stop there — we run camps and full programming all summer long, built around killer show themes like Yacht Rock and The Beatles. Whether your child is a beginner or a seasoned player, there's a place for them on our stage. Come join us and see why School of Rock Rochester rocks all summer long!
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Young artists entering grades 1 - 9 will unleash their creativity in TWO weeks of vibrant art camp. Campers can choose to attend one or both sessions. Each week, participants will experiment with a variety of different art forms, including painting, drawing, Afro-Caribbean drumming and dancing, outdoor sculptures, ceramics, and more. Guided by skilled instructors, students will explore self-expression while developing foundational artistic techniques in a fun and supportive environment. Each week will culminate in an art show and performance where campers can share what they have created and learned with friends and family. All materials and meals will be provided. Registration: $150/week full day or $75/week half day. Full Day hours are from 9 - 4pm and half day hours are from 9 - 12 or 1 - 4pm. Half day options only for week two.
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Saturday, June 20, 2026 10 am - 8 pm: FREE ADMISSION and parking at the Strong Museum: Celebrate Juneteenth with performances and activities promoting and cultivating the knowledge and appreciation of Black history and culture. In partnership with the Rochester Area Community Foundation and Greater Rochester Martin Luther King Jr. Commission, The Strong offers free admission and parking from 10 a.m.–8 p.m. in honor of Juneteenth.
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The New York Museum of Transportation announces its Father's Day Special! Fathers and Grandfathers receive free admission Sunday, June 21 when accompanied by a youth age 3 – 12. The model railroad is in operation, sure to give everyone fresh ideas for their own home layouts. Climb into the cab of a steam locomotive and ring the bell in a trolley car. Highway and horse-drawn vehicles, models, photos, and smaller artifacts bring transportation history to life. Open 11 to 4.
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Join the Victor Farmington Library on Friday, June 26th from 9 am to 6 pm for the Readathon. This celebration of reading kicks off summer vacation for families! The fun includes a read-aloud marathon with special guests like local authors reading their favorite children’s books aloud every 20-minutes. Watch for them to engage the audience with costumes, activities, and more. Victor Robotics will be on hand leading STEM activities and cool demonstrations. Plus, enjoy free kids crafts and complimentary refreshments donated by local businesses. Stay for a few readers or catch them all! While you’re here, pick up your Summer Reading Challenge. Visit https://www.victorfarmingtonlibrary.org/readathon for details.
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RMSC’s Strasenburgh Planetarium isn’t just for stargazing: It’s also home to dazzling laser shows that fill the dome with music, color, and motion! For more than 50 years, audiences have been wowed by dancing lasers set to favorite artists and themes, from Pink Floyd and Taylor Swift to Holiday Laser shows and family-friendly favorites. Many shows are created right in-house, blending high-tech laser artistry with immersive fulldome effects for a one-of-a-kind experience. Recommended for ages 5 and up, these shows are a bright, energetic way for families to enjoy music, science, and a little laser-powered magic together! They're a perfectly cool summer experience!
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Anastasia is at Geva Theatre through June 28, and my daughter Ella and I saw it during opening weekend. I came to this production as a newcomer to the story and found myself swept away by the music, the performances, and the gorgeous
emotional arc of it all. Ella, though, grew up with the 1997 animated movie—and for audience members like her, the stage version can feel surprisingly different unless you know what’s coming. So yes: Go. Absolutely go. But if your family loves the movie, take a few minutes first to prepare for the ways the musical trades cartoon
magic for deeper history, higher stakes, and a more grown-up kind of wonder. I’ve written a quick parent guide to help you set expectations so everyone can arrive ready to be dazzled. |
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Get ready for another unforgettable summer in downtown Rochester. The 5th Annual Downtown Definitely Events series returns June through September with 15 FREE events filled with live entertainment, outdoor movies, yoga with goats, food trucks, games, family activities, and more. From lunchtime gatherings and movie nights under the stars to riverside wellness events and family-friendly festivals, Downtown Definitely brings the community together all summer long in the heart of downtown Rochester. Mark your calendars, gather your friends and family, and experience everything downtown Rochester has to offer this summer.
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Tuesday, June 9 - Sunday, June 14: Behind every powerful woman... are more powerful women. Direct from Broadway comes the acclaimed Tony Award®-winning musical Suffs about the brilliant, passionate, and funny American women who fought tirelessly for the right to vote. Created by Shaina Taub, the first woman to ever independently win Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Score in the same season, this “thrilling, inspiring and dazzlingly entertaining” (Variety) new musical boldly explores the triumphs and failures of a struggle for equality that’s far from over. Winner of the Outer Critics’ Circle Award for Best New Musical
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Have your kids ever been wading in a creek? It can be hard to find safe and legal places to access water, but I found a few great ones! Join me, Alyssa Rose for a Creek Exploration at the Ontario Pathways or Ganargua Creek Meadow Preserve. You bring your closed toe water shoes, hat, and sunglasses. I will bring some nets, tubs, sifting pans, magnifying glasses, binoculars, and more!
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Bristol Hills Historical Society, Canandaigua History Alliance, and the towns of Canandaigua, Bristol, and South Bristol invite the public to this two-day "Freedom Festival," June 13-14, 2026, featuring Revolutionary War and pioneer reenactors, period crafts people, vintage games for children and adults, performances, lectures, and other activities commemorating life in the Finger Lakes during our nation’s earliest days.
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Looking for something for your child to do while you are out? Come join us for our Parent Night Out Event featuring Moana 2!
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Join three of your favorite princesses on an unforgettable journey as they embark on their magical train ride experience. The visit kicks off with royal introductions, and storytelling on the train ride to Currier’s station. Guests will have the opportunity to grab photos and meet with each of the princesses along with an enchanted live musical performance! Come dressed in your favorite princess attire! This whimsical experience is perfect for princess-fans of all ages! The train ride will include a visit from the The Tower Princess, Sleeping Princess and Beauty Princess
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Treat your family to an Erie Canal cruise on Sam Patch sure to delight kids and adults of all ages! Featuring a different theme each month, kids ages 4-12 will enjoy puzzles, games, riddles, hands-on crafts, and onboard activity. All materials and instructions are provided. See themes below or on our website.
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Have a wonderful weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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