KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
In last week's column, I wrote about the Humble Abode, the kids-only hideout my sister and I created behind the giant azalea bush in our backyard. We dragged in chairs and treasures and made a little home in the hollowed-out
branches. At the time, I thought of it as something we had built. But of course, we didn’t create it from nothing. We were makers, yes, but we were making inside a world that was already alive. Summer is the perfect time for kids to experience that lesson up close and personal, with all their senses. The world is warm, green, buzzing, blooming, squelching, chirping, dripping, and growing almost too fast to track. Kids can smell lake water and tomato leaves, feel bark and moss
and mud, watch ants organize themselves with alarming competence, and notice that the same trail looks different after rain. Nature doesn’t need a lesson plan. It offers immediacy first: I am here. This is real. Pay attention. And then, quietly, it offers perspective. A child is legitimately the center of his or her own universe; we all are, from the inside. But Nature gently complicates that story. The robin is not singing for us. The creek does not hurry because we
are late. The sunflower turns toward the sun whether or not anyone remembers to admire it. Clouds, tides, weeds, and weather all proceed with their ancient business, reminding us that we belong to a world much larger than our schedules and preferences. That perspective should not make us feel small in a bad way, but instead help us feel rightly-sized. Humans have the wonderful ability to create, repair, improve, and beautify our little corners of the universe. But we do it
best when we understand the nature of the world we’re working within. So use this summer to include as much Outside Green Time as you can, looking up and around and in. Poke gently. Nature will do the rest.
—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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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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Spend your summer with Magik Theatre and see their production of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show, running June 13 to August 2, 2026. The critically acclaimed production of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show created by Jonathan Rockefeller features a menagerie of 75 lovable puppets. The production faithfully adapts four stories by author/illustrator Eric Carle: The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse, Mister Seahorse, The Very Lonely Firefly and of course, the star of the show – The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The Very Hungry Caterpillar has delighted generations of readers since it was first published in 1969 selling more than 48 million copies worldwide. Grab your tickets at magiktheatre.org!
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The DoSeum's summer exhibit is roaring with FUN! 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. Plus, the You don’t want to miss out on this larger-than-life fun! Dinosaurs in Motion is open now through September 7th.
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More than just a music school, School of Rock San Antonio offers after-school music programs that foster profound child development. Beyond basic instrument skills, students build self-confidence, improve memory and focus, and learn resilience. By playing in a band, children naturally grow while having fun, finding a supportive community, and creating lifelong friendships. Don’t just sign them up for music lessons—invest in growth that lasts long after they leave the stage. Click on our link or call 210-314-7671 to schedule your free trial lesson today.
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The Cibolo Summer Nights event series is hosted by the City of Cibolo one Friday evening, May through August, to provide a fun, family-friendly event to our residents and community. Each event will begin at 6:30 PM and will be held at the Multi Event Center, 210 S. Main, Cibolo, TX 78108, unless otherwise noted. Join us at the Cibolo Family YMCA for a Family Sports & Fun Night at the third Cibolo Summer Night of the event series. Food trucks will be on-site for purchase. YMCA membership is not required for this event.
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Bring your favorite stuffed animal to spend the night at the library! What kind of mischief will they get into when the library closes?
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Witness the rise of a legend in Evita. This riveting musical tells the story of Eva Perón’s transformation from a poor, ambitious teenager to the powerful First Lady of Argentina. Set to Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s unforgettable score—including “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” and “Buenos Aires”— Evita is a sweeping tale of fame, power, and the complex woman behind the myth. Winner of multiple Tony Awards, it’s a theatrical experience that resonates with passion and political drama.
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Get ready for back to school with KLRN's annual Back to School Bash! This fun FREE family event is presented by KLRN in collaboration with the San Antonio Food Bank, San Antonio Medical Foundation, United Way of San Antonio and Bexar Countyand H-E-B. Families can enjoy games, activities, and a visit by costumed character Super Why from the PBS KIDS show "Super Why". Local community organizations will also be in attendance, providing FREE resources, activities, and more for families attending the event.
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We’re kicking off the new school year with free backpacks, fun, and community spirit! Join us for our Backpacks for Bright Futures event, where we’re helping students get ready to start the school year strong. 11:00 AM–1:00 PM, Open to the public! No RSVP needed. Backpacks will be available for the community on a first-come, first-served basis. Important: Scholars must be present to receive a backpack. Come meet our team, learn more about IDEA Public Schools, and get ready for a bright school year ahead
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Super Fun Saturday at Hemisfair, presented by H-E-B, is a free, family-friendly event series held monthly from March through October. Each themed event features fun and educational activities for kids, live entertainment, hands-on crafts, community partners, and interactive experiences designed for families of all ages and abilities!
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Step into a World of Wonder with LEGO, superheroes, princesses, comics, Funko Pops, gourmet-themed foods & MORE at The ImagineNation Kid Expo! It's Fun for All Ages: Whether your little one loves LEGO®, superheroes, laser tag, bounce houses, gems, or storybook princesses, there’s something magical for everyone. From interactive activities to memorable meet-and-greets, this expo brings imagination to life.
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Created by the Emmy®-winning writer from “Schitt’s Creek,” this hilarious new musical flips the script on the greatest love story ever told. & Juliet asks: what would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? Get whisked away on a fabulous journey as she ditches her famous ending for a fresh beginning and a second chance at life and love—her way. Juliet’s new story bursts to life through a playlist of pop anthems as iconic as her name, including “Since U Been Gone‚” “Roar,” “Baby One More Time,” “Larger Than Life‚” “That’s The Way It Is,“ and “Can’t Stop the Feeling!”—all from the genius songwriter/producer behind more #1 hits than any other artist this century. Break free of the balcony scene and get into this romantic comedy that proves there’s life after Romeo. The only thing tragic would be missing it.
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Do you have plans that don’t include your little ones? Do you want to see a movie that isn’t animated or enjoy a dinner that doesn’t include french fries? Sign your kids up for their own night out. Those Minions are mischievous, marvelous and darn right silly. In this class, the kids will create a throwing game inspired by the Minions from the movie Despicable Me.
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2026'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.
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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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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.
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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