KidsOutAndAbout's weekly e-newsletter |
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Special note from Deb: The official announcement of this year's winners in the Top 20 Places to Take Rochester Kids in 2026 annual KOAA survey will arrive in your in-box later today. Thank you to all who voted! Tune in to Arc Rochester (Fox Rochester Channel 31), this morning at 8:40 for the reveal of the Top 5 winners and what's happening at their venues this summer! |
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Save the Date
Fri, Jul 3: 4th of July Weekend at Olcott Beach Carousel Park
Sat, Jul 4: Independence Day Celebration at GCV&M
Next session starts Mon, Jul 6: Make a Splash at the JCC this summer with swim classes for all ages
Fri, Jul 10 & Sat,
Jul 11: The Lightning Thief at Stages Sat, Jul 11 - Sun, Jul 12: 58th Annual Corn Hill Arts Festival Sun, Jul 12: Special (Free) Film Screening of FASD and the Pursuit of the Respect Act Sat, Jul 18 - Sun, Jul 19: Oatka Festival
2026
Sat, Jul 25: Centennial Expo at GCV&M July 25 & 26 Wed, Jul 29: Creatures of the Night: A Porch Talk at
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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. 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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The Rochester Red Wings are home at ESL Ballpark all weekend as they take on the Lehigh Valley IronPigs! Today at 5:05pm the Wings will finish out last night's rain-interrupted game, then play a 7-inning game at 6:45pm. The excitement continues Friday with a 6:05pm game followed by a Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra post-game concert and fireworks. Saturday’s 4th of July Celebration features more post-game fireworks and Bruce Fetching Bats, and Sunday brings a Bruce & Josh bobblehead giveaway, Bruce Meet & Pet, and Kids Run the Bases! Purchase tickets online and save!
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Join us at Genesee Country Village & Museum for our annual Independence Day Celebration on Friday, July 4 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. – kids 12 and under are FREE! On our nation’s 250th birthday and in honor of our 50th anniversary season enjoy a day of fun and historic activities for the whole family. The day starts with a moving Naturalization Ceremony at 11 am and is followed by a 19th-century-style parade, historic toasts and a reading of the Declaration of Independence, patriotic music, a ladies’ vintage base ball game, Indigenous storytellers, civic engagement activities, a pie-eating contest, chicken BBQ, and more – there’s no better place to celebrate the birth of our nation! Learn more and buy discounted tickets at https://www.gcv.org/july-4/
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The New York Museum of Transportation invites all active-duty military and veterans to enjoy half-price admission on July 5, 2026, as we celebrate our nation's 250th birthday. This special offer to the country's service men and women is our way of thanking them for their service. The museum is open Sundays only from 11 am to 4 pm, and is conveniently located just 20 minutes from downtown Rochester at 6393 East River Road, in Rush. No reservations required, but for the discount, please show a military ID or driver's license indicating Veteran status at the ticket desk.
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Make a splash this summer at the JCC of Greater Rochester, where aquatics programs welcome swimmers of all ages and abilities, from infants to adults. Group swim lessons help children build confidence, water safety, and strong swimming skills, while adult lessons and Intro to Swim Team offer next-step opportunities. July lessons run July 6–30, with August registration opening mid-July. Teens can gain valuable skills through Lifeguard Certification, Junior Lifeguarding, and Babysitter Training programs. Members can also enjoy weekly aqua fitness classes, including Aqua Zumba, HydroRider, Aqua Aerobics, and more. Visit https://jccrochester.org/fitness-aquatics/aquatics for info.
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Make this summer a reading adventure at the Victor Farmington Library (VFL)! Pick up your child’s Summer Reading Challenge and explore everything VFL offers free of charge. Teens, tweens, and adults will enjoy Summer Reading too. With challenges geared at increasing time spent reading, prizes, and fun for all ages, VFL’s Summer Reading is the perfect way to keep the whole family engaged, learning, and entertained all summer long.
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Saturday, July 11 & Sunday, July 12, 2026: The Corn Hill Arts Festival is an annual celebration of creativity, culture, and community in Rochester, New York’s historic Corn Hill neighborhood. Since its inception in 1969, this cherished event has become a vibrant showcase of artistic talent, featuring over 300 artists, live performances across four stages, and activities for all ages. With its blend of fine art, music, and neighborhood charm, the festival brings together thousands of visitors each year, fostering community connections and enriching Rochester's cultural landscape!
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Calling All Alphabet Sleuths! The letters have escaped and are hidden all around the village of Spencerport, NY! Can you help us find all 26 by July 31, 2026? When you have finished the entire hunt, show the folks at Union Street Coffee House your completed hunt for a special prize made just for Alphabet Sleuths!
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Join us on the first Friday of the Month from 5:30 to 8:30! (Recommended for ages 7-12) Parents drop the kids off at 5:30 and pickup at 8:30! Format: 5:30 Open Play! 6:30 Pizza! 7 pm NERF battle! 8pm cleanup! Nerf equipment available, or bring your own! Individual night $45 per participant.
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Friday, July 3, 2:30pm at Penfield Library: Fun with Food, for kids entering grades 3-8. Celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with some taste-bud challenges.
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Celebrate America's 250th birthday here at Seneca Park Zoo! Reconnect with Nature this Fourth of July Weekend! Spend the weekend celebrating America’s 250th birthday alongside the Animals of the Americas at Seneca Park Zoo! With keeper chats, animal enrichment, interactive games, and more happening throughout the day, there’s always something new to discover as you explore.
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Come for the game, stay for the music! The Rochester Red Wings take on the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs at home for a 5-game series through July 4th weekend. After Friday’s game, RPO Music Director Maestro Andreas Delfs takes the podium to conduct your RPO for stirring Sousa spectaculars, favorite toe-tappers, and inspiring anthems. Stick around for the big end-of-concert fireworks display!
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Red, White & Play Fest at Dave & Buster’s: Start the weekend off right! With the purchase of a ticket, you will receive all day Unlimited Video Game Play, access to an All-American BBQ Banquet, and live music entertainment. There is something for everyone!
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Irondequoit’s annual Fourth of July Festival is back for America’s 250th Birthday Celebration with two days of family fun! On Friday, July 3, enjoy the Craft Fair & Market, family activities, a watermelon eating contest, cornhole tournament, and an evening street dance with Uptown Groove. The celebration continues Saturday, July 4, with the 2 Mile Fun Run/10K, an 11am parade, and a 1pm Declaration of Independence presentation between IHS and Town Hall. Families can also enjoy more crafts, activities, live music, and one of the region’s largest fireworks displays at 9:30pm.
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On July 3rd the Park is open late so your family can enjoy yourselves until it's time to get your spots for Fireworks over Lake Ontario in Olcott which begins at 10! In honor of the July 4th holiday, it will be open 12:00 - 6:00 pm the rest of the weekend. Magic Show at 2 pm both days. All rides are 25¢; kiddie rides are for children no taller than 52 inches. Smoke free park, shoes required.
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The 4th of July Celebration is an annual event put on by the Town of Greece for the Town. This free event includes activities for the kids, a special 250America exhibition, a variety of food and beverage trucks, live music (Marshall Tucker Band!) and fireworks.
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Are you interested in helping scientists learn more about our brains? The CNL is looking for kids with/without autism to help us finish our studies! Participants are paid $18/hr and parents get a lump sum of $25 per visit. Studies may involve thinking/behavioral testing and our games while we record brain waves with EEG or with non-invasive MRI (optional). If you participate in MRI, you will also get a free picture of your brain! Let us know if you have any questions or how you can get involved!
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Have a wonderful weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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