KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
|
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: When I was a teenager, I had a teacher who became a mentor without ever knowing he was one. He was aware I’d been going through some difficult times, and was glad to hear I was almost on the other side. “Some people aren't lucky enough to have dealt with hard things when they're young,” he told me. Then he added the phrase that has echoed in my head for decades:
“Remember the rocks.” Life, he explained, was always going to toss boulders into my path. The trick was to recognize, early, that even if it was painful or scary, I was capable of getting around, or over, or through them. Remembering how I’d managed would help me trust myself more when the next, bigger ones appeared. As a parent, I think about that often, about how the only way to become someone who does hard things is… to do hard
things. It’s tempting to rush in and smooth every unpleasant obstacle our kids encounter. When we email the teacher, mend the friendship, rescue the forgotten homework, eliminate every discomfort, we may feel helpful in the moment, but in fact we’re quietly removing the practice stones they need. Resilience doesn’t come from being told “You’re strong”; it comes from evidence that only they can gather, from working through manageable challenges and thinking, That was hard.
And I handled it. We don’t need to manufacture their challenges—being a kid is difficult enough. And we don’t abandon them to do it all on their own, either. We just learn to pause, to weigh advice against intervention, and to let them see what they can manage. The goal is that later in life, when something truly difficult lands in our children's path, they won’t just hope they can manage it, they’ll know. Now, many years later, when I encounter something
daunting, I think back to my mentor and remember the rocks. "I do hard things," I tell myself. And it works.
—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. |
Discover the Best of Texas & Beyond Want to stay in the know on the best places to go, things to do, and experiences worth exploring? The Lone Star Low Down from Texas Lifestyle Magazine highlights top travel destinations,
family-friendly outings, local events, dining, and exclusive giveaways. Whether you’re planning weekend adventures, road trips, or looking for inspiration close to home, this is your go-to source for discovering the best of Texas and beyond. Sign up here to receive the Lone Star Low
Down. |
|
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
Kidcreate Studio’s summer camps spark imagination and inspire creativity in young artists ages 3-12! In an environment where giggles are welcome, smiles are guaranteed and art time is pure magic, your artist will mix hands-on learning with laughter, mess
making, and non-stop fun. This year’s camps include Sniff-tastic Deserts, Plushy Pals, Star Wars Galaxy, More Slime Please, Smart Art, Drawing Club, Teeny, Tiny Treats and so much more! Sign your child up for an artsy adventure, they’ll never forget. Making a mess is best at Kidcreate Studio!
|
|
|
|
Welcome to OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark, where 404 suites, 14 food and beverage outlets, arcade, spa, and more await you. Located in Downtown OKC, OKANA curates experiences just for you, we’re far enough away from home to feel like a real escape but
close enough to home to be accessible, affordable, and almost certainly your new favorite weekend getaway ;-). Switch it Up and spend Spring Break at OKANA: Use promo code SPRING when you book and save an extra 20% on your stay. And since we recently eliminated resort fees from our bookings, too, there’s never been a more affordable time to visit. Make your Spring Break iconic - make it OKANA.
|
|
|
|
Join us for Stardust Anime Convention, a FREE community anime event celebrating anime, cosplay, art, and fandom at Rolling Oaks Mall! Designed for fans of all ages, this exciting two-day convention brings together artists, vendors, cosplayers, and anime
lovers for a weekend of creativity and fun—at no cost.
Whether you’re a longtime anime fan or just discovering the culture, Stardust Anime offers something for everyone.
|
|
|
|
The exhibition highlights the lives and contributions of women whose schools in the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) were named in the early 20th century. Through careful research, historian Erika Arredondo-Haskins, PhD, of the Bexar County
Historical Commission, brings attention to educators, principals, and civic leaders who shaped public education in San Antonio. Some of the schools named in their honor remain open today, while others have closed. As time has passed, the stories of these women have often been overlooked. This exhibit seeks to preserve their memory and restore their place in the city’s shared history.
|
|
|
|
Join us for Second Sundays at SAMA! Take a moment to slow down together on a family-friendly tour featuring two works of art, or swing by the Art Cart for this month’s hands-on activity. It’s the perfect way to explore, play, and connect with art as a
family. Come curious—leave inspired!
|
|
|
|
Don’t spend a fortune this Spring Break!
Bring the whole family to Traders Village every weekend for rides, shopping, live music, family fun games, and more!
ALL-DAY ride wristbands start at ONLY $11.99!
Traders Village features an impressive mix of amusement park rides — from kiddie rides, to thrill rides, to rides the whole family can enjoy together.
PLUS: Join us for family fun games happening under the Brown Area, perfect for kids and parents to play, laugh, and make memories together.
|
|
|
|
Experience Mitchell Lake Audubon Center after dark! Learn the importance of dark skies for migratory birds and nocturnal animals. Explore our trails with an experienced guide and discover the fascinating creatures that come alive after sunset. Listen for
coyotes at dusk and for bats via our special echolocation meter as the night unfolds around you!
|
|
|
|
The Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award celebrates its 30th anniversary!
The day starts off with a children’s parade from City Park, starting at 9:00 am. The fair at the Library will begin at 10:00 am and will include presentations by 13 award-winning authors and illustrators, performances by local school children, hands-on literacy and art activities for children and youth, and book giveaways. Fun for the whole family! All events are free and open to the public; some workshops will have limited capacity.
|
|
|
|
Join us for hands-on activities inspired by our new exhibition! Otherwild will feature 10 Enchanted Trees throughout the San Antonio Botanical Garden’s 39 acres and a soaring SkyNet installation, Flora Borealis, above the Lucile Halsell Conservatory. This
immersive exhibition celebrates color, connection, and the joy of shared experiences. Families are invited to enjoy concessions, live music, and educational activities.
|
|
|
|
Celebrate all things pop culture at Pop Madness! Enjoy anime, gaming, crafts, escape rooms, a cosplay contest, and more. Meet acclaimed authors and artists, including John Scalzi, Martha Wells, and Robert Jackson Bennett. Costumes encouraged—fun
guaranteed!
|
|
|
|
This week we are celebrating the joy of Reading! We are recognizing Dr.Seuss's "Read Across America" Day, which is May 2nd. Come in and put together your own Cat In The Hat Craft. Which book will you be reading?
|
|
|
|
Party in Your Park takes place four times each year from 5-8 PM. We bring the party to you by visiting various neighborhood parks. Each free event features family-friendly fun, including yard games, music, refreshments and more!
|
|
|
|
Swim over the rainbow at this colorful family swim! Splash, play, and enjoy a vibrant poolside experience for all ages!
|
|
|
|
Move and flow along through a read-aloud story time that pairs movement with a children’s storybook, followed by an art activity. Picnic blankets encouraged. Registration is required.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The all-new 2026 Camp Invention® program, Spark, is coming to curious kids in your community this summer! Rising K-6 campers will collaborate with friends to tackle hands-on, open-ended challenges. They’ll team up with robotic capybaras, ride the waves of
entrepreneurship, uncover the power of protecting their ideas and build a DIY space rocket! Each experience is designed to spark confidence, build persistence and create unforgettable summer memories. Visit invent.org/save/camp to secure your spot! Register using CIFUN25 by 3/31 to save $25 or CIFUN20 by 4/28 to save $20 when you register. Interest-free payment plans are available, making camp affordable for all families.
|
|
|
|
iD Tech: The World's #1 STEM Summer Camp! BattleBots® Camp? You can only get it here. Roblox Camp? We've got that and more in our Summer '26 lineup. Register today at the top-rated tech camp for 25 years and counting! iD Tech is the very best
experience built around your child—their interests, their skill level, their goals for the future. Trusted by 75+ of the world’s top universities and over 1,000,000 parents, iD Tech is where kids and teens learn from the best—coding, game dev, robotics, and more. The future starts at iD Tech!
Click here for more information about your local iD Tech opportunities! Virtual camps are also available!
|
|
|
- Free Play Friday at Seguin Public Library - 313 West Nolte Street, Seguin, TX 78155, Friday, March 6, 2026, 10-11 am
- Party in Your Park - City of San Marcos - 630 E. Hopkins, San Marcos, TX 78666, Friday, March 6, 2026, 5-8 pm
- Texas America250 Reading Challenge - 1201 Brazos Street, Austin, TX 78701, Friday, March 6, 2026, all day
- Legacy of Influence: Honoring
the Women of San Antonio ISD - Mission Branch Library, Roosevelt Avenue, San Antonio, TX, Friday, March 6, 2026 to Sunday, March 8, 2026, during regular library hours
- Family Storytime - 131 Bulverde Crossing, Bulverde, TX 78163, Saturday, March 7, 2026, 10:30 - 11 am
- Basura Bash - 531 Brackenridge Way, San Antonio, TX 78212, Saturday, March 7, 2026, 9 am - 12 pm
- Legacy Keepers: Texas Heritage Project - 3106 Roosevelt Avenue, San Antonio, TX, Saturday, March 7, 2026, 10:30 a.m. to
12 p.m.
- Pop Madness - 600 Soledad Street, San Antonio, TX 78205, Saturday, March 7, 2026, 10 am - 5
pm
- Tomás Rivera Award 30th Anniversary Literature Fair - 625 E Hopkins Street, San Marcos, TX 78666, Saturday, March 7, 2026, 10 am
- Lights Out Family Night Hike - 10750 Pleasanton Road, San Antonio, TX 78221, Saturday, March 7, 2026, 6:30 – 8 pm
- Migration Movie Night - 10750 Pleasanton Road, San Antonio, TX 78221, Saturday, March 7, 2026, 8:30 – 10 pm
- Stardust Anime Convention - 6909 North Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, TX 78247, Saturday, March 7, 2026 to Sunday, March 8, 2026, 12-6 pm
- Cantus – Russell Hill Rogers Musical Evenings - Main Plaza, San Antonio, TX, Sunday, March 8, 2026, 7:00 PM
|
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
|
Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the San Antonio 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Winter is here and fun options for families just keep getting better! Whether you stick with what you love or decide to try something new, KidsOutAndAbout has plenty of ideas. From Ice skating, kid-friendly museums, indoor play centers, and outdoor
activities to thinking ahead to next year's school options - we've got you covered.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
2025's best places to take kids in San Antonio and the surrounding area: Early each summer, thousands of parents vote in the KidsOutAndAbout survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids. Our Top 20 results page is an annotated list of the winners, both of the
top 20 slots and of the three catgory winners.
|
|
|
Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
|
|
