KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: A tumble is not a verdict; it's information. And kids are natural data analysts. That's what a mom half a generation older than me told me when I was getting ready to have kids, and I took it to heart. So I was secretly a little thrilled the summer my daughter Madison was almost 4, when she took her first big splash off a slippery log into a
creek. Here's why: To succeed in life, everyone needs to learn to stretch to the edge of their abilities... to gather courage from their toes, to calculate, to balance, to wobble, to slide... and eventually to succeed. Kids can learn this early if the grownups in their orbit help them see the mud and bruises that come from a tumble as badges to be worn proudly: a fail-until-we-succeed philosophy in action. That's how personal fulfillment happens, and it's how human progress happens,
too. Summer is childhood's best laboratory, where sensory experiences stick as lifelong learning. School has grades and rubrics and consequences; summer has grass stains and do-overs. An amusement park ride can teach the difference between fear and danger. A hands-on museum can teach that when your tower collapses, you simply vow to rebuild it taller. A farm can teach that maybe you don’t like strawberries from the grocery store, but
you do like the ones you picked yourself, still warm from the sun. A climbing gym can teach your muscles that “I can’t” really means “I can’t yet.” And summer camps are entire worlds built around trying something new with no transcript following you home. Last week, the KidsOutAndAbout.com team launched our annual Top 20 Places to Take Kids survey. It's a way to thank the people who make your community a great place to raise kids. Equally important, it’s a giant menu of local opportunities for your kids to stretch their legs, their minds, and their bravery this summer. Use it to create your summer bucket list! Then step back and set your family’s summer dial to “safe to fail.” Watch your kids climb, build, stumble, and try again.
Let them splash.
—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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Janel Nansenn, MA, is an educational therapist and the founder of Read-A-Rific®, a reading comprehension program and Texas PDSES vendor. Nansenn's work has transformed the lives of struggling readers. Over the course of her career, she has helped thousands
of struggling learners achieve success both academically and personally.
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Make your child’s next birthday unforgettable with a Painting with a Twist birthday party. Our parties turn creativity into celebration with step-by-step art projects, upbeat music and a fun atmosphere where every guest leaves with a masterpiece. We handle all the supplies, setup and cleanup so you can relax and enjoy the celebration. Families are welcome to bring in any food, cake or drinks to make the party your own. Whether your child loves bold colors, silly themes or imaginative designs, our experienced team brings the energy. Click through to start planning a birthday that truly stands out.
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Soccer Pups Summer Camps are the perfect way for kids ages 3–9 to stay active, build confidence, and have fun this summer—while staying out of the Texas heat! We offer both half-day and full-day indoor camp options designed for every age and skill level. Younger campers will enjoy exciting games and activities that keep them moving, laughing, and engaged, while older campers participate in more skill-focused sessions that help develop soccer technique, decision-making, speed, agility, and overall fitness. Campers will enjoy soccer skills training, arts and crafts, scrimmages, and plenty of fun throughout the week in our safe, air-conditioned indoor facility. Whether your child is new to soccer or already loves the game, there’s something for everyone!
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Give your kids an unforgettable summer experience at Buck & Doe’s Mercantile Summer Base Camp! Designed for ages 8–15, this 3-day camp teaches firearm and archery safety and beginner shooting skills to grow your child's confidence in a fun, supervised environment. Through our partnership with Project ChildSafe and the NSSF, campers will learn essential safety rules, hands-on range skills, situational awareness, and do fun crafts. Each day includes classroom instruction, live range activities, friendly competitions, snacks, drinks, and a camp shirt for every participant. Whether your child is new to shooting sports or eager to learn more, Summer Base Camp is the perfect adventure!
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Get ready for our Rock ’n Roll extravaganza– FREE for all ages! It’s this Saturday, May 23rd from 10am - 2pm. Tour our school, meet local vendors, enjoy fun music activities, and learn about our programs and summer camps! Take a free trial lesson (for ages 6 and up) from one of our incredible instructors! We offer lessons in vocals, drums, guitar, keyboards, and bass guitar, welcoming all aspiring rock stars from beginners to advanced players. You can even enter for a chance to win a free rock summer camp with no purchase necessary. We have some awesome opportunities coming up, so come join the fun!
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This isn’t just camp. It’s the kind kids can’t stop talking about. At Painting with a Twist Summer Camps, kids ages 6–13 create colorful artwork, explore fun themed weeks and stay fully engaged from start to finish. No experience needed — our instructors make it easy and fun. Choose a full week or single days. If you want less screen time and more “look what I made,” this is it. Click to view themes and save your seat.
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The Best Start for Your Preschooler! Looking for a loving, inclusive space where your little one can thrive? The Rise School offers exceptional early childhood education paired with speech, occupational, physical & music therapy to ensure your little one meets all of their milestones and beyond—all through the power of play. Small classrooms and 1:4 teacher-to-student ratios mean your child will get all the individual attention they deserve. We are now enrolling for August and have limited spots in our 2, 3, and 4 year old classrooms! To schedule your free play date, please check out our website and sign up on our enrollment interest form. Let’s play, grow, and have an incredible school year together! riseschoolsa.org/admissions
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Experience the beauty of the San Antonio River Walk at the Artisan Show by shopping over 40 handmade artisan booths, including pottery, textiles, jewelry, woodwork, paintings, beadwork, and more. Located at the River Walk Extension (close to the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce Building and the Shops at Rivercenter) San Antonio River Walk Artisan Shows are always free to attend!
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The Annual Jaycees’ Fredericksburg Crawfish Festival returns to Downtown Marktplatz, Fredericksburg, Texas, Memorial Day Weekend, May 22-24, 2026. The Festival will feature activities for the whole family including lots of great Cajun food, live music, shopping, and fun for the young and young at heart!
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Did you know that the Bluebonnet is the Texas state flower? Did you know it's also known by other names?! Yes, it sure is, buffalo clover, wolf flower, and “el conejo” (“rabbit” in Spanish). Hope to see you here this week, as you come in to create your own bluebonnet art.
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NO SCHOOL DAY - Edina Painting in your pajamas? Why not?? In this camp, we’ll create a 3D bug, and just for fun, we’ll do it all while wearing our pajamas! You wear your favorite jammies, and we’ll take care of the rest- it’s a Pajama Jam! Please pack a nut-free snack and drink for your child.
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Bring your pillows, blankets, chairs, sleeping bags, and meet us in the basketball gym for hot dogs, popcorn, and a movie to get us in the Summer Spirit!
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Join us for a fun-filled 3-day Memorial Day weekend featuring live music, exciting entertainment, and a variety of artisan and food vendors. Enjoy family-friendly activities in the Kids Zone and make lasting memories as we celebrate the holiday together. Don’t miss out on this vibrant community event!
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Help us “shellebrate” World Turtle Day and stop by our education table to touch real turtle shells, learn some native turtle fun facts, and play a turtle shell matching game. Learn how different native species are adapted for living in their habitats.
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Parent’s Night Out is a themed, drop-off evening event that gives kids a fun, active night at the gym while parents enjoy time away. Each event is thoughtfully planned around a theme and includes structured activities, games, and group fun in a safe, supervised environment.
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Get ready to chase the storm—no rain boots required. Join us for Storms & STEAM: Extreme Weather, where science meets the wild side of nature. From towering thunderstorms to powerful tornadoes and hurricanes, discover what drives extreme weather through hands-on activities, live demos, and real-world science.
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River Rodeo is a community-wide fishing challenge hosted by the San Antonio River Authority and the San Antonio River Foundation in partnership with Angler’s Atlas, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the Fin Addict Angler Foundation, and the Brackenridge Park Conservancy. From April 4 through May 31, 2026, anglers of all experience levels are invited to fish the San Antonio River — from the Headwaters to the Mission Reach — and log their catches using the MyCatch app.
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Get outside in celebration of Black Birders Week and enjoy free entry all week at Mitchell Lake Audubon Center!
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- Memorial Day Artisan Show - San Antonio River Walk - San Antonio, TX, May 22-25, 2026, 1st-3rd Days: 11 am-11 pm; 4th Day: 11 am-8 pm
- Market Square Weekends: Memorial Day - Historic Market Square - San Antonio, TX, May 23-25, 2026, 10 am-6 pm
- River Rodeo 2026 - San Antonio River
Authority - San Antonio, TX 78204, May 23-31, 2026, all day
- 9th Annual River Clicks Photo Contest - San Antonio River Authority - San Antonio, TX 78204, May 23-31, 2026, all day
- Nature In Our Neighborhoods - San Antonio City Hall - San Antonio, TX, May 23 and May 30, 2026, 9 am- 12 pm
- “Shellebrate” World Turtle
Day! - Mitchell Lake Audubon Center - San Antonio, TX 78221, May 23, 2026, 10am-12pm
- Well-derness in Motion Family Fun Day - 201 San Marcos Springs Drive - San Marcos, TX 78666, May 23, 2026, 11:00AM-3:00PM
- FREE Entry for Black Birders Week - Mitchell Lake Audubon Center - San Antonio, TX 78221, May 24-30, 2026, 8am-4pm
- Movies in the Pool - JAWS - Woodlawn Lake
Park Public Pool - San Antonio, TX, May 24, 2026, 8-10 pm
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Planning a kids birthday party in the San Antonio area? Here are lots of ideas for where to have it! If there is a resource that we have missed, please email us to let us know, and we'll add it
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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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