KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: When they were handing out high school yearbook awards, some of my classmates unofficially, though cheerfully, voted me Least Likely to Become a Professional Cheerleader. I couldn’t really disagree: After all, I was a nerd before being a nerd came into fashion, much more comfortable in a library than at a pep rally. So much for
teenage predictions! Yesterday, my daughter Ella turned 25, which means KidsOutAndAbout turns 25, too. When Ella was imminent, and her sister Madison was one-and-a-half, I was realizing just how many incredible experiences for kids and families were all around us in Rochester, NY. Back then, before web calendars were a thing, finding out about stuff happening meant you had to know where to look. So during maternity leave from my old technology consulting
firm, I decided to build a place to make invisible opportunities visible, to celebrate the people who create them, and to build audiences for these great things. We’ve grown to a dedicated team of 20 people doing work that matters, serving 52 regions with 15 million readers per year and 750,000 weekly newsletter subscribers. So yes, I’m a professional cheerleader, and I love it. I love this. I love that my job is to help build an audience for the remarkable
experiences people are bringing to life. I love that our mission is to shine a light on the concerts, camps, classes, festivals, trails, museums, libraries, theaters, and local treasures large and small that become family stories and memories. Far from slowing down, we’re heading into hyper-drive for our Silver Anniversary, so stay tuned! Thank you for being part of the journey, and for giving us so much to cheer about.
—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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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.
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Make Mother’s Day meaningful with a hands-on experience designed for kids and their moms. Painting with a Twist is hosting special Mommy & Me classes where families create side-by-side, laugh together and leave with artwork that actually means something. Seats are limited and these events fill fast — reserve now and give Mom something better than a typical gift.
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Saturday, May 9, 2026: The SAN ANTONIO, TX screening of the 15th annual 90-Second Newbery Film Festival! Hosted by James Kennedy (author of The Order of Odd-Fish and more) and Newbery Honor Winner Jennifer Holm (Turtle in Paradise, Penny From Heaven, Our Only May Amelia, the Babymouse books, and more). In the H-E-B Performance Hall at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. 11 am. Made possible by our partners at the Bexar County Digital Library Bibliotech and H-E-B Read 3. Get your FREE tickets at https://90secondnewbery.com/events.
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Creator Camp is returning to San Antonio for Summer 2026! Featured on Shark Tank, our unique program empowers kids to move beyond the screen and start creating. From June through August, we provide hands-on workshops in filmmaking, YouTube production, 3D animation, and game design. Our curriculum uses industry-standard software to teach the next generation of digital storytellers and engineers. Whether your child wants to be the next big YouTuber or a master coder, our collaborative environment is the perfect place to grow. Join us in San Antonio this summer and watch your child’s imagination come to life!
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Join us for a free family film at the McKenna Events Center, near the Museum! Bring blankets and pillows for a cozy experience! Doors open at 5:30pm and the movie starts at 6pm **Snacks and Drinks will be provided while supplies last** **Movie is rated PG** **Sponsored by New Braunfels Pediatric Dental Associates**
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Bexar County residents can get outside and enjoy nature at the zoo on select days for just $8 per person during Locals Day at San Antonio Zoo! Locals Days allow even more people to learn how the zoo combines conservation, animal care, and education in securing a future for wildlife. The Locals Day $8 admission is valid on select dates and can be purchased online with proof of Bexar County residency.
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Join us at The Cibolo Nature Center to hike the trails at sunset! Night Hikes for Families accommodate short legs and short attention spans while still learning about and enjoying The Cibolo. The cost for this hike is $30 per family. Parents, grandparents, the kids – bring them all and come enjoy this wonderful experience together.
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Hey, y'all! It's Helotes Cornyval time, which means we're cooking something up. We'll be serving BBQ Brisket, beans, potato salad, peach cobbler and tea while supplies last. Come on down to our Bandera & 1604 Financial Center and enjoy a delicious meal the only way Texans know how: full of friends, family and big appetites. This event is free and open to the public.
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Attention all parents, bring your kids to Ingram Park Mall for a FREE Kids Karate Class the first Saturday of every month from 11 am to 1 pm in Dillard's Court. Let your little ones learn self-defense while having fun. Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity at Ingram Park Mall. See you there!
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Every April 30 many children wake up knowing it’s their special day. Since 1925, children throughout Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, and other Latin American countries honor children on this day. In the U.S. we have celebrated since 1998 when San Antonio, Texas became the first city to pass a resolution naming the day El Día de los Niños Celebrating Young Americans. Under the leadership of Somos President, Rebeca Barrera, the National Latino Children’s Institute took the idea to the U.S. Senate where the first national resolution declaring April 30 a commemorative U.S. Holiday was passed in 1999. Since then, the U.S. Senate has continued to name this day each year. Across the country over 200 schools and communities create special events and experiences for children on April 30.
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Mark your calendars! Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) is almost here. On the first Saturday in May, May 2, comic shops across the country will be celebrating one of the best days of the year for fans. It’s your chance to grab free comics, discover new stories, and connect with your local community of fans and creators. This year’s lineup is packed with support from some of the biggest names in comics. Here’s the initial line up of comic publishers: Archie Comics, DC Comics, Dynamite Entertainment, Image Comics, Mad Cave Studios, Oni Press, Titan Comics, Udon Entertainment and Vault Comics! There will be a story for every kind of reader.
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Bring the whole family and get ready for a sweet tropical adventure! In this fun, beginner-friendly cookie decorating class, students will create a set of bright and adorable tropical animal cookies using royal icing. Designs include a lovable manatee, a colorful toucan, a vibrant parrot, and an irresistibly cute baby tapir—all styled with simplified shapes and cheerful details perfect for decorators of all ages. This family day experience is all about creativity, bonding, and bringing these playful jungle friends to life with bold colors and easy techniques!
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Get ready, Helotes! This year marks a truly special milestone—the 61st anniversary of the beloved Helotes Cornyval, a celebration of community, heritage, and good ol’ Texas fun. From April 30th-May 3rd, 2026, the Helotes Festival Grounds will come alive with music, food, carnival rides, and events for all ages.
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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?
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The Great Texas Air Show is coming up faster than the Thunderbirds. Please join us for this FREE event, May 2-3, 2026. The air show industry represents one of the largest outdoor entertainment events in North America, and within JBSA. Attendance at our air show ranges from 125,000 to 150,000 per day.
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- Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - San Antonio area - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, USA, 05/02/2026 to 05/03/2026, See link for times
- Family Movie Night - McKenna Children's Museum, 801 W San Antonio St, New Braunfels, TX 78130, 05/01/2026, 5:30-8 pm
- Great Texas Air Show - JBSA-Sam Houston,
Stanley Road, Fort Sam Houston, TX, 05/02/2026 to 05/03/2026, see website
- Saengerfest - New Braunfels, TX, 05/02/2026, 12-10 pm
- Rockin’ Race Day: From Doxies to Derby - The Rock at La Cantera, 1 Spurs way, San Antonio, TX 78256, 05/02/2026, 12-8 pm
- Free Comic Book Day 2026 - Multiple locations, TX, 05/02/2026, see store location for hours
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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!
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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.
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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