KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
|
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: "The best thing about your newsletter," said a reader who met me in person at an event last June, "is the sheer number of things to do, and the fact that they're just packed in there, all in one handy place." "Thanks!" I said. I may have glowed a little. "And the worst thing about your newsletter," she continued, "is the guilt trip. I know
you don't mean to lay that on us. We can't do it all, so it means we read about so much we can't do. Especially in summer." She was right, in one sense, of course. June and July are the most packed months of the calendar: Kids are out of school, families are ready for fun, and our communities respond. Each local organization gets to post its own events on our calendar for free, and many are featured in this newsletter, so what's happening is right there in front of
you. But I get it! And I hereby remove the guilt. Ego te absolvo. Of course, good families try to expose their kids to great things, but no one has the time, money, or energy to do it all. This stuff needs to be spread out over a childhood, not packed into a single summer, much less a single weekend. So make a family bucket list for Summer 2026. An easy way to do that is to take our annual survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids, which is open through June 20; it has dozens of places to have fun this summer, even though you only vote for your top 3! And you should also use our 50 Ways to Love Your Summer article for ideas that require zero technology, zero travel, and zero dollars. Above all, go easy! Remember, summer is no time for grades! The only prize is the summer that's right for your family.
—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. |
Please click through to our 2026 survey to vote for your top 3 places to take kids... it will be used to compile our 2026 Top 20 Places to Take Kids in the San Antonioarea. Voting is live through June 20; believe me, winning a place on the Top 20 list matters to the people who
create amazing family-friendly experiences. Take 3 minutes to choose your favorites as your way of saying thank you... and use the list to build your summer bucket list at the same time! You have my personal and fervent thanks for your participation! —Deb |
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
June 8-11, 2026, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at St. Mary’s University: Whether your child is new to the sport or looking to add to your skill set, he or she will learn plenty of tips from current and former collegiate basketball players. Registration (only $100!) includes a T-shirt. Open to children ages 5 through 13, both girls and boys. Groups will be divided based on age. Walk ups are always welcome!
|
|
|
|
The DoSeum's summer exhibit is now OPEN! Dinosaurs in Motion is an amazing blend of science, art, and innovation using fully interactive, recycled life-size metal dinosaur sculptures to engage and educate. Families can get hands‑on with levers, pulleys, and remote controls to bring large kinetic dinos to life. You don’t want to miss out on this larger-than-life fun! Check it out now through September 7th only at The DoSeum.
|
|
|
|
Unleash your child’s inner rockstar this summer with School of Rock San Antonio summer camps, perfectly designed for beginners to more advanced players! From Rock 101 for ages 8-12 to our teen camps for ages 12-17, your young musician will dive into the exciting world of singing, keyboards, guitars, bass, and/or drums through the unforgettable experience of playing real songs in a band. It’s the ultimate way to build confidence and make new friends. Our first action-packed session kicks off on Monday, June 8th. Space is limited for all camps, so don't wait—secure your child's spot and enroll today!
|
|
|
|
Join the San Antonio River Authority for FREE Cinema Night at Helton Nature Park! Set up your blankets & chairs and settle in for a night of fun with family & friends. Show up early to make sure you snag some free popcorn provided by the San Antonio River Authority!
|
|
|
|
Get ready to stomp, search, and explore! Dinosaurs have escaped onto the Old No. 9 Trail behind the library, and we need brave explorers to help track them down! Families will follow the trail, searching for hidden dinos along the way in this prehistoric scavenger hunt adventure filled with fun and discovery. This program is recommended for children ages 3+. No registration required.
|
|
|
|
Join us for Party for the Planet, a free, family-friendly event celebrating World Environment Day with a DJ, foam party, splash pad fun, and environmental education and crafts. Join us for Party for the Planet at the Hilltop Pavilion at Fischer Park in honor of World Environment Day! Sponsored by WM, this free community event will run from 4 to 7:00 p.m. and will feature environmental education and crafts, games, a DJ, splash pad fun, and a foam party! It’s a family-friendly event designed to bring the community together around the shared goal of protecting our planet.
|
|
|
|
Come together as we celebrate Pride month with a special Story Time filled with sparkly songs, spectacular stories, and colorful crafts. Recommended for children and their grownups.
|
|
|
|
Get ready for a one-of-a-kind experience at Wild Bites on Saturday, June 6! This rare event offers a behind the scenes look at how our animals interact with whole prey during special feedings, an opportunity you won’t want to miss.
|
|
|
|
Alongside Texas Parks and Wildlife, this event is for children looking to learn the basics of fishing from tying a hook to a line, casting, bait, fish identifying and rules of fishing. Ages 6-12. Event is FREE, but space is limited. Pre-registration is required at KyleRec.RecDesk.com. Registration includes rod and reel combos, tackle boxes and items for their tackle box. Check in starts at 7:30am, event begins at 8 a.m. at Lake Kyle Park, 700 Lehman Rd, Kyle TX 78640.
|
|
|
|
Inspired by International Mud Day, explore the Garden while learning what is so special about soil and mud through hands-on activities, including a giant mud slide and clay demos. Families are invited to get dirty in the Garden while enjoying concessions and live music. Celebrate Soil and Mud is one of the Garden’s family–friendly events that offers guests a chance to explore a botanical theme at activity stations with Garden Educators.
|
|
|
|
Celebrate the Annual Blanco Lavender Festival, in the heart of Texas Hill Country! This fragrant, family-friendly event invites you to explore the blooming beauty of Hill Country Lavender Farm (8241 FM 165, Blanco, TX) and the bustling Lavender Market on Blanco’s historic town square. Enjoy live music under the oaks, savor lavender lemonade and cookies, and shop handmade products and plants to take home.
|
|
|
|
Join us as Tracie Shelton, owner of Alamo Kitchens, shares the culinary traditions and history of Juneteenth. Ms. Shelton will prepare okra and sugarcane for patrons to sample. Following the program, attendees are welcome to stay and sample other Juneteenth foods.
|
|
|
|
ACTIVATE and Free Community Yoga offers Sunday morning yoga classes at Civic Park! Join us at 10:00 am for a fun, beginner-friendly flow. All are welcome to move and breathe together. Please bring your own yoga mat and water.
|
|
|
|
The Briscoe Western Art Museum is happy to welcome all residents of San Antonio and Bexar County to come and experience the culture and art of the West for FREE! Our neighbors can enjoy a FREE day of art and culture on the first Sunday of each month.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fruit picking is a great activity to do together as a family. It helps little ones understand where their food actually comes from, and it's a fun tradition to share every year right through the teens. Here's where you can pick fruit with your family:
Strawberry picking, cherry picking, blueberry picking, raspberry picking, peach picking, and other pick-your-own opportunities in the San Antonio area.
|
|
|
Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
|
|
