KidsOutAndAbout's weekly e-newsletter |
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Save the Date
Fri, Jul 10 & Sat, Jul 11: The Lightning Thief at Stages
Sat, Jul 11 - Sun, Jul 12: 58th Annual Corn Hill Arts Festival Sat, Jul 11: Batavia Ramble Explore Art & Music 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 BANC Mon, Aug 10-Sun, Aug 16: Wayne County Fair |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
In last week's column, I wrote about the Humble Abode, the kids-only hideout my sister and I created behind the giant azalea bush in our backyard. We dragged in chairs and treasures and made a little home in the hollowed-out
branches. At the time, I thought of it as something we had built. But of course, we didn’t create it from nothing. We were makers, yes, but we were making inside a world that was already alive. Summer is the perfect time for kids to experience that lesson up close and personal, with all their senses. The world is warm, green, buzzing, blooming, squelching, chirping, dripping, and growing almost too fast to track. Kids can smell lake water and tomato leaves, feel bark and moss
and mud, watch ants organize themselves with alarming competence, and notice that the same trail looks different after rain. Nature doesn’t need a lesson plan. It offers immediacy first: I am here. This is real. Pay attention. And then, quietly, it offers perspective. A child is legitimately the center of his or her own universe; we all are, from the inside. But Nature gently complicates that story. The robin is not singing for us. The creek does not hurry because we
are late. The sunflower turns toward the sun whether or not anyone remembers to admire it. Clouds, tides, weeds, and weather all proceed with their ancient business, reminding us that we belong to a world much larger than our schedules and preferences. That perspective should not make us feel small in a bad way, but instead help us feel rightly-sized. Humans have the wonderful ability to create, repair, improve, and beautify our little corners of the universe. But we do it
best when we understand the nature of the world we’re working within. So use this summer to include as much Outside Green Time as you can, looking up and around and in. Poke gently. Nature will do the rest.
—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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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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Summer is in full swing at Hidden Valley Animal Adventure with safari tours running daily. With more than 350 animals to see no two tours are alike. This one-of-a-kind day trip is a wonderful way to connect with wildlife hands-on. Take a guided safari bus or self-drive thru tour of the 63-acre park and come face-to-face with majestic animals from around the world like bison, elk, camels, zebras, and more with newborns arriving all the time. Select a COMBO package to include a discounted visit to the Small Animal Adventure and petting zoo. Perfect for all ages, the adventure is close by in Varysburg, New York. Reservations recommended. Order tickets online.
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Sunday, July 12 at ESL Ballpark, 5pm to fireworks! America 250 Rochester & Monroe County is a FREE community-wide celebration commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Through special events, cultural experiences, educational programs, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities, the initiative highlights Rochester and Monroe County’s unique contributions to American history while bringing residents and visitors together to reflect on the past and look toward the future. Event will be held rain or shine. See more at https://www.america250rochester.com
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Oatka Festival is back July 18th & 19th in LeRoy with tons of FREE fun for kids and families! Enjoy free kids activities like Nerf games, painting, bounce houses, kids free play areas, and exciting shows both days. Families can also check out live music, shop local craft vendors, and grab lots of yummy festival food all weekend long. Don’t miss the parade on Saturday at 11 AM on Main Street, one of the best parts of Oatka Fest! Bring the whole family and join us for a weekend full of fun, food, music, and community tradition.
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This summer, the Rochester Museum & Science Center is packed with hands-on discovery for curious families. Kids can explore space during International Moon Day Weekend, enjoy sensory-friendly museum time, and head to the Strasenburgh Planetarium for immersive journeys through the stars. Special events include Member Appreciation Week, Pride in STEM, International Infinity Weekend, National Aviation Weekend, and Magnet Mayhem, with activities ranging from paper-airplane races and rocket launches to magnetic mazes and infinity-mirror science. Many Summer @ the RMSC activities are included with museum admission, and an annual family membership is just $135! Start planning your visit at rmsc.org/summer-at-the-rmsc
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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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Help us celebrate our 20th anniversary. Join us for a day of fun at the Perry Chalk Art Festival! Watch trained artists create pastel masterpieces, cheer teens competing for chalking prizes, and let youngsters chalk to their heart's content while you enjoy the live music, ample shopping opportunities and food trucks! ~ Chalk Artist: Erika Lolita
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The Batavia Ramble Explore Art and Music Festival is a family-friendly music & arts festival located in downtown Batavia, NY. With multiple stages, 30+ bands, vendors, artists, performances, food and children’s activities, there is truly something for everyone at this unique hometown event. This year it will take place on Saturday July 11, 2026 and go from 10am until 9pm.
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July 11, 12pm-4pm: Children's Carnival with water slide, dunk tank, carnival games and more! Join us for a fun afternoon of outside water fun! There will also be a variety of carnival type games to enjoy. This is open to kids of all ages!
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FREE performances of “The Taming of the Shrew” are every evening except Mondays and Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m. beginning Thursday, July 9 through Saturday, July 25, 2026. The Taming of the Shrew is the 29th Shakespeare in the Park production presented by Rochester Community Players and the Monroe County Parks Department at Highland Park Bowl. It will also be a very different approach to one of William Shakespeare’s best-known works!
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Join us on The Autism Nature Trail at Letchworth State Park on July 10, 11, and 12, anytime between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., for a fun, hands-on Binocular birding adventure! Learn how to spot different species by their colors, shapes, and songs—you never know what feathered friends you'll find along the way!
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Welcome to our Farm! Come wander through our colorful fields with your kids and handpick your own fresh blooms straight from the farm! Little ones will love our dedicated Kids Garden, complete with a picnic table and kid-safe containers and scissors. The whole family can join in the fun. With gorgeous snapdragons, zinnias, sunflowers, yarrow, and more, there's always something in bloom. Our self-serve farm is open from sunrise to sunset — just stop by, grab a cup, and start picking! Whether you
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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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Ready to introduce your kids to the exciting world of climbing? Our guided climbing service is perfect for first-timers or those who just want a quick, staff-guided adventure. In this one-hour session, we'll make sure the focus is on getting the kids climbing and, most importantly, having a blast! Let's make their first climbing experience a memorable one!
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Bring the whole family out for a memorable event learning how to make your own glass art at the Rochester Arc + Flame Center! Using colorful sheet glass, noodles, pebbles, & frit, students will learn how to cut & arrange flat glass. Family members will work together to create their own design that will then be fired in a kiln. We promise to provide a rewarding and fun experience! NOTE: Class projects will be available for pickup 1-2 weeks after class completion.
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The Erie County Fair has something for everyone! Rides, games, shows, food and MORE!! Bring your kids and make a ton of new memories. The mile-long midway features rides, games, sideshows, concessions, and shopping. KIDS 12 AND UNDER FREE! Buy Now & Save! July 7- August 7 advance sale admission for $15 per ticket (fees included). Online-only; a $2 savings from 2025! FAIR DATES: August 12 - 23 (regular admission $19)
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Walk the Destination Dinosaur trail to experience massive, moving dinosaurs like the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex, the powerful Triceratops, the fierce Giganotosaurus and more than a dozen other life-size animatronic dinosaurs. Spot them flying overhead, hiding in the foliage and grazing along the dino path. Be sure to make memories with special photo opportunities, get hands-on with our fossil dig pit and enjoy our educational dino show happening daily at 12 and 2 p.m. at Center Stage!
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The Cazenovia Lavender Festival returns to Upstate New York during peak lavender bloom season with live music, artisan vendors, food trucks, wellness workshops, family activities, and u-pick lavender experiences at Farmstead 1868.
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A Saturday morning youth workshop series offered for ages 6–12. With a small group and supportive instruction, it's a great art experience!
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Have a wonderful weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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