KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
|
|
|
Sat, Apr 18: BABY DAY! at Mammen Family Public Library
Sat, Apr 18: FREE Entry Day – Celebrate Earth Day and Native Plant Month at Mitchell Lake Audubon Center
Sat, Apr 18: Fiesta de los Niños at Port San Antonio
Thu, Apr 23: PACfest 2026 at Palo Alto College SHARE Center
Sat, Apr 25: Julia Robinson Math Festival at San Marcos Public Library Sat, May 2: Dragons
Love Tacos at San Pedro Playhouse
Sat, May 2: Saengerfest at City of New Braunfels
Sat, May 2: EL DíA DE LOS NIñOS at Plaza Guadalupe
Sun, May 10: Mother's Day Wildflower Walk at Government Canyon State Natural Area
Sun, May 10: Mother's Day Brunch- Krause's Cafe
Thu, May 14: 44th Annual Tejano Conjunto Festival at Rosedale Park
Sat, May 16: Dirt Dauber Festival at Eye of the Dog Art Center |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: When my kids were little, one of our favorite nature activities was also one of the simplest: We’d head out onto a trail, stop among the trees, and play the Listening Game. The rules were easy: Close your eyes. The first time you hear a sound, any sound at all, put up one finger. Then add another for each new sound you notice. After a minute or two, someone says,
“Open your eyes,” and everyone compares fingers and talks about what they heard. It’s a small exercise in attention, but it changes how kids experience the world. The invisible becomes visible... not to the eyes, exactly, but to the mind. Things that were just out of range suddenly move onto our radar. Nature is full of motion and music, and this game helps us tune ourselves to it. The free Merlin Bird ID app from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology takes that magic one step further: Tap Sound ID, and suddenly the songs around you appear on your screen as a voiceprint and a bird name and an image that shows you what to look for. And what a moment ago was only background atmosphere becomes a Carolina Wren, or an Eastern Whip-poor-will, or the Common Yellowthroat pictured above,
singing his heart out for a girl with a camera. That’s one of the great tasks of childhood, and of the adults who love children: to help hidden things come into view. Before we know something, it is almost as if it isn’t there. But once it is named, we have a new way to see. There are suddenly new dimensions to our universe, helping us transform even more mysteries into things that are ours. And we never really experience the woods—or the field, or the river, or
the ocean, or the city, or our backyard—the same way again.
—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
You know what dragons really love? Tacos, of course! They love chicken tacos, beef tacos, great big tacos, and teeny tiny tacos. Bring the whole family to experience this fiery, funny adventure inspired by the beloved book. Catch them at a venue near you! Visit magiktheatre.org for tickets and locations.
|
|
|
|
Skip the screen time battles and give them something they’ll love. At Painting with a Twist Summer Art Camps, kids ages 6–13 paint, laugh and stay fully engaged with exciting themed weeks — from animals and beach vibes to glow art and more. Every day is hands-on, structured and designed to keep kids excited (and parents happy). All supplies included. Spots fill fast — secure your seat today.
|
|
|
|
Fiesta Arts Fair started as a small fair in 1973, it has grown into a highlight of the annual Fiesta San Antonio ® celebration, with an annual attendance of approximately 12,000 people. This family-friendly, two-day event is held on the UT San Antonio Southwest historic campus. Fiesta Arts Fair features contemporary art from more than 100 artists from across the U.S., Fiesta favorite foods, drinks, live music by local and regional performers, and a Young Artists Garden providing opportunities for budding artists to learn, explore, and express their creativity!
|
|
|
|
Pollinators are animals that transfer pollen between flowers, facilitating plant reproduction, seed/fruit production, and supporting ecosystems that contribute to our food supply. Declining populations of pollinator animals are facing threats such as habitat loss and the use of pesticides. These species require targeted conservation efforts. This spring at San Antonio Zoo, guests learn more about these essential animals. Guests can climb on giant pollinator sculptures throughout the park as they learn more about the importance of these pollinators in our world.
|
|
|
|
Sherwood Forest Faire is a locally owned medieval-style village nestled in the Lost Pines section of Central Texas. We have over 100 permanent buildings on 25 acres, including stages, pubs, merchant shoppes, wedding venues, a complete castle, and more. During Robin Hood’s Spring Faire, we have over 150 shows per day by more than 40 different stage acts. We have full contact jousting, falconry, fire juggling, knife throwing, 10+ live bands, comedy, sword fighting, and a castle siege. Shows for kids, adults, and both!
|
|
|
|
On this guided bird tour around the various habitats of Mitchell Lake Audubon Center, guests will see at least 30-50 different bird species with our expert guide. Travelling by both car and by foot to access as many areas as possible, this tour is best suited for the birder age 15+ as it can last up to four hours, though you may leave at any time. Tours are limited. Bring your binoculars, bottle for water, closed-toe shoes, long pants, and bug spray.
|
|
|
|
Let's Celebrate BABY DAY! Stop by the Children's Area between 10am and 12:30 for sensory bins, books, activities, and special guests just for babies! Anyone who signs up for a library card will receive a special gift!
|
|
|
|
Free admission swim all day, Free water safety swim lessons at 1:30 p.m.
|
|
|
|
Join us for the Annual New Braunfels Community Earth Day & Arbor Day Celebration held at the Headwaters at the Comal! The City of New Braunfels, in partnership with Headwaters at the Comal, will be giving away 1,000+ one-gallon native Texas trees and educating participants about the importance of trees and conservation efforts in our community. The City is also celebrating 38 years of membership in the Tree City USA program. Members of Tree City USA have all committed to protecting trees in their community, both economically and administratively, with community tree ordinances and a division within the Parks Department dedicated solely to the maintenance and preservation of the city's trees.
|
|
|
|
Celebrate Texas history at the 37th Annual Burton Cotton Gin Festival on April 18, 2026! This FREE, family-friendly event features a parade, live music, food, arts & crafts, contests, antique tractors, engines, and classic cars. Enjoy guided gin tours from 11 AM–2 PM and watch the 1914 Burton Farmers Gin process a bale of cotton at 3 PM at the Texas Cotton Gin Museum.
|
|
|
|
Fiesta® San Antonio started in 1891 as a one-parade event to honor the memory of the heroes of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto. That historic commemoration still takes place, but for more than a century, Fiesta® has grown into a celebration of San Antonio’s rich and diverse cultures and today is one of this nation’s premier festivals with an economic impact of more than $340 million. Funds raised by official Fiesta® events provide services to San Antonio citizens throughout the year.
|
|
|
|
Fun Friday Open Gym - Parents Night Out is select Fridays from 6:30-9:30pm for both boys & girls ages 4-13 years. Cost is only $35 per child & includes dinner (choice of pepperoni/cheese pizza, hotdog, lunchable and juice). There will be gymnastics fun, tumbling, group games and more!
|
|
|
|
Let’s get creative! Join us for our Little Artist workshop, designed for learners 5 years and younger. During these workshops, children will get explore textures, create with colors, and get messy! Your little artist will also learn great studio habits, such as caring for their artistic tools, embracing challenges, talking about their work, and exploring new materials. Will we discover the next Picasso?
|
|
|
|
Little Land’s Sensory Art Exploration program is intended to provide children with an experience that engages multiple senses at once, while also exposing them to the seven primary elements of art: color, shape, line, texture, space, form and value. Sensory experiences help kids learn about their environment, build neural connections that support learning and creativity, and support language development, cognitive growth, motor skills, and social interaction. We know that opportunities for this type of play are declining, which is why places like Little Land are so important for little ones. Each week is themed, and themes vary from course to course, giving families the chance to attend year round and experience new material.
|
|
|
- 37th Annual Burton Cotton Gin Festival - Texas Cotton Gin Museum, 307 North Main Street, Burton, TX, Saturday, April 18, 2026, 10 am - 6pm
- Fiesta de los Niños - Boeing Center at Tech Port, General Hudnell Dr, San Antonio, TX, Saturday, April 18, 2026, 10 am- 6 pm
- Earth Day 2026 - Headwaters at the
Comal, East Klingemann Street, New Braunfels, TX, Saturday, April 18, 2026, 9 am- 12 pm
- In Full Bloom - Helton Nature Park, FM 775, Floresville, TX, Saturday, April 18, 2026, 9 am – 2 pm
- FREE Entry Day – Celebrate Earth Day and Native Plant Month - Mitchell Lake Audubon Center, 10750 Pleasanton Rd, San Antonio, TX, Saturday, April 18, 2026, 8 am- 3 pm
- Free Entry: Celebrate Earth Day and Native Plant Month - Mitchell Lake Audubon Center, 10750 Pleasanton Rd, San Antonio, TX, Saturday, April 18, 2026, 8am - 3pm
- Helotes Area Community Band Spring Concert - Strike Up The Band! - Brandeis High School, Kyle Seale Parkway, San Antonio, TX, Sunday, April 19, 2026, 3:00-4:30PM
- Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - San Antonio
area - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, Saturday, April 18, 2026 - Sunday, April 19, 2026, See link for times
|
|
|
|
The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the San Antonio 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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the San Antonio? 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 heist, or breaking a magical curse, escape rooms offer exciting, screen-free fun for kids, teens, and adults.
|
|
|
Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
|
|
