KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter
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Mon, Apr 13: PET Film Series: The Emperor's New Groove
Wed, Apr 15: Waterford Wednesday—Informal Admissions Event
Thu, Apr 16: Hora de Cuentos - Orem Public Library
Sat, Apr 18: NHMU Family Seasonal Science: Eco Arbor Day
Sat, Apr 18: SoJo Earth Day 5K/10K
Thu, Apr 23: Party for the Planet - Loveland Living Planet Aquarium
Sat, Apr 25: Tumbleweeds Film Festival for Kids
Thu, Apr 30: Salt Lake Bees: Bark in the Park
Sat, May 2: STEM Action Day 2026 - George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park
Fri, May 8: May Film Screenings: Can You Dig It? at Orem Public Library
Thu, May 14: Salt Lake Art Show 2026
Thu, May 14: 28th Annual Great Salt Lake Bird Festival
Tue, May 19: Woodland Fairy Festival
Thu, May 21: Free Play - Springville Library
Sat, May 30: Ogden Music Festival 2026 |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
As I write this column, three Americans and one Canadian are hurtling home from a trip around the Moon, inside a machine that had better do exactly what it’s supposed to do. For years, every person involved in the mission obsessed over every detail at every stage until as little as possible was left to chance. “Failure is not an option,” an ethos long associated with
our quest to explore outer space, makes perfect sense when we're talking about Artemis II. But decades ago, the attitude leaked out of the space program and into everyday life, and that was a mixed blessing. When I was a teenager, “failure is not an option” might as well have been tattooed on my brain: For me, not only was failure not an option, but anything below an A grade wasn’t an option, either. I was so afraid of not being perfect that if I felt unprepared for a test,
I’d stay home “sick.” I looked successful from the outside, but because I was working so hard to avoid mistakes, I played it safe. So I didn't actually accomplish much aside from some sharp-looking letters on a report card. It took me years out in the real world to realize that real accomplishment usually looks less like gliding and more like bumping into things until you find the way through. So these days, failure and I are best buddies: I've replaced "failure is not an
option" with "nothing ventured, nothing gained" as I inch toward and away from success each day. Even writing my column each week is an act of resilience: I add and then murder my words until they say what I mean, and I'm always aware in the end that it could be better. One of my goals when I was homeschooling Madison and Ella was to make failure safe and ordinary... cheerful, even... a sign of progress. Kids need chances to try things that might flop: recipes that taste
weird, projects that collapse, math problems they have to redo, conversations they wish they’d handled better. I wanted them to understand that when the stakes are low, failure is not a tragedy, it’s just how learning works. It doesn't usually feel fun, or comfortable. But it's the only way to fly.
—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. 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. |
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Celebrate creativity and performance at Parker Theatre’s Summer Camps as the theatre marks 40 years of inspiring young performers! One-week camps throughout the summer are packed with engaging activities, games, and creative exercises that keep kids active while building teamwork and confidence. Camp themes include exciting options like Jedi Camp, Witches and Wizards, Adventures in Acting, Musical Theatre, Improv Camp, Sketch Comedy, Art Camp, Special Effects Makeup, and even a fun Baking Camp. Throughout the week, campers collaborate, practice performance skills, and express their creativity before sharing what they’ve learned in a special recital or presentation for family and friends. It’s a memorable way for kids to add creativity and fun to their summer!
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Spots are going fast! Clark Planetarium's Summer Space Academy is your child's launchpad to an unforgettable summer. These full- and half-day camps run from June through August and are packed with hands-on experiments, interactive lessons, and out-of-this-world fun. Whether your child dreams of being an astronaut, a scientist, or just loves to explore, our camps keep kids curious, active, and learning all summer long. From space missions to science challenges, every day is a new adventure. Our programs are designed to be both educational and affordable, making it easier than ever to spark a lifelong love of STEM in a fun, supportive environment. Sign up today and blast off into a summer they'll never forget!
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Skip the screens. Ride a horse. Young Wrangler Horse Summer Camp at Castle Gate Outfitters gives kids ages 8 to 12 a full week of real horsemanship in the Utah mountains. Trail riding, grooming, obstacle courses, outdoor survival skills, and a badge program where every badge is earned. No participation trophies. No sitting around. Just horses, trails, and a kid who comes home different. High Star Ranch in Kamas, Utah. Five sessions running June through August, Monday through Friday, 9am to 3pm. $600 per week, lunch included, 10 spots per session. Book your wrangler at https://www.castlegateoutfitters.com/youngwranglersummercamp or call 714-305-1007.
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Rock got no reason, rock got no rhyme… You better get me to school on time! Andrew Lloyd Webber’s School of Rock – The Musical is is based on the hit movie, and follows Dewey Finn, a failed, wannabe rock star who decides to earn an extra bit of cash by posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. There he turns a class of Straight A pupils into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band. But can he get them to the Battle of the Bands without their parents and the school’s headmistress finding out?
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We’re excited to announce the return of the Craft Lake City Makers Mart! The third Annual Craft Lake City Makers Mart will run from April 6 – May 10 at the vibrant Public Market at Millcreek Common. This curated cash-and-carry market will feature handmade and hand-selected work from local artisans, vintage vendors, craft food creators, and youth entrepreneurs.
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There’s no better place to celebrate Earth Day than surrounded by millions of years of its history! Roar and Restore is stomping into the park April 11 from 10 am – 4 pm; bringing together community partners, conservation voices, hands-on learning, food, music, and more for a full day dedicated to our home
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- Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - Salt Lake City area - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, USA, 04/11/2026 - 04/12/2026, See link for times
- Tinker Time - Utah STEM Action Center, 3848 SW Temple Suite 105, South Salt Lake City, Utah 84115, United States, 04/10/2026, 12 - 8 PM
- Playtime at Glendale
Branch - Glendale Branch, Concord Street, Salt Lake City, UT, USA, 04/10/2026, 11 am - 11:30 am
- Community Art Hour at the Day-Riverside Branch Library - Day-Riverside Branch, West 1000 North, Salt Lake City, UT, USA, 04/10/2026, 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
- Kids Café | Café para niños 2026 at Ruth Vine Tyler Library - Ruth Vine Tyler Library, Wood Street, Midvale, UT, USA, 04/10/2026 - 04/11/2026, See website for details
- Bouncing Babies - Orem Public Library - Orem Public Library, 58 North State Street, Orem, UT 84057, United States, 04/10/2026, 10 am
- April Film Screenings: Literary Movies - Orem Public Library - Orem Public Library, 58 North State Street, Orem, UT 84057, United States, 04/10/2026, 6 pm
- Leap Into Reading - Springville Library - 45 South Main Street, Springville, UT, USA, 04/10/2026,
10:30 am
- Tiny Tot Tales - Springville Library - 45 South Main Street, Springville, UT, USA, 04/10/2026, 11:30 am
- 3rd Annual Transgender Celebration Show - The Main Library - Salt Lake City Public Library, 210 East 400 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, United States, 04/10/2026 - 04/11/2026, See website for details
- Last Chance Beach Bash
- Solitude Mountain Resort - Solitude Mountain Resort, 12000 Big Cottonwood Canyon Road, Solitude, UT 84121, United States, 04/11/2026, 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
- Playtime at the Main Library - Salt Lake City Public Library, East 400 South, Salt Lake City, UT, USA, 04/12/2026, 2 pm - 3
pm
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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the Salt Lake City 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!
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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the Salt Lake City area! Use our Big List to help find the best one for your kiddos and check our events calendar to find Open Houses where you can meet teachers and tour the
schools.
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Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the Salt Lake City 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…
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Salt Lake City 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!
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2025's Top 20 Places to Take Kids in the Salt Lake City area. Our Top 20 results page includes a list of your top picks, including winners in special categories like Top Arts Educator, Top Sports Educator, and Top STEM Educator! Check out your fellow
readers' favorites, and enjoy exploring the best of the region!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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