KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
For 25 years, one of my core missions with KidsOutAndAbout has been to make invisible things visible, to celebrate what local communities offer families. Everyone is busy, and local treasures are easy to miss. Our job is to point, spotlight, nudge, and say Look here. Try this. Bring the kids. But there’s another kind of invisibility worth fixing:
The people who create these experiences rarely get to see their full impact. They track tickets sold and kids enrolled, but may never hear that your child talked about their field trip for six months, found courage on their stage, or simply felt welcome exactly when they needed it. That’s why our annual Top 20 Places to Take Kids survey matters. Each summer, we ask readers to vote for their favorite local places to take kids.
The results help families see what other families love. The ranking and comments help local organizations see that their work matters. So your three minutes becomes both a recommendation and a thank-you. The survey is simple: Click on your three favorite local destinations. Then also, optionally, nominate favorites in special categories—like arts, sports, and STEM education—and leave comments that we’ll pass along to the people who make these experiences
happen. So please click here to vote in the 2026 edition of the survey. Help families find the places they’ll love, and help the people behind those places know they’re making a difference. The survey will be open until June 20.
—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities
P.S. If you're interested, check out the 2025 list here to see who
won last year. |
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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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The ultimate summer adventure is starting soon here at Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Summer Critter Camp! Kids will explore our brand-new Humane Education Campus, meet new animal ambassadors (including fan-favorites like Chewie and Wicket!), and dive into exciting weekly themes like Amazing Animal Athletes and Bioscience and Beyond. Each day is packed with hands-on animal encounters, creative crafts, games, and outdoor fun that spark curiosity and compassion. Families can choose single days or full weeks, and campers who book a full week receive a FREE camp shirt! Spots fill fast, don’t miss your child’s most unforgettable summer yet!
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We live a life that’s constantly connected to nature, so what’s our impact? That’s the question The Nature Record is tackling with the Assessment—a national, evidence-based examination of how nature is changing in the United States and what those changes mean for our health, homes, communities, and economy. On Thursday, May 14, The Nat will be co-hosting a free, public event where The Nature Record will share its data, hold a Q&A, and welcome public input. If you care about the places you live, work, and love, your voice matters. You can shape the record. We’re pleased to be one of only six stops on this nationwide listening tour. This is a free event; however, an RSVP is required. Theater doors open at 6 PM.
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All aboard! Come visit our miniature marvel in the Seeds of Wonder garden. Our model trains are volunteer operated Thursday through Saturday. Stop by the Welcome Center and check with our Guest Services team to see if the trains are running during your visit!
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Our family run Strawberry fields are located in beautiful and sunny Carlsbad California, right off the 5 freeway. Our 25 acres of farm land has been cultivated by our family now for 4 generations and our expertise shows. Our passion for strawberries mixed with our many years of experience really make us the widely known and respected strawberry field that we are.
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Watch a favorite film under the stars with the ocean as your backdrop. From a relaxed seat in the sand to an elevated private bonfire experience complete with s’mores, tailor your movie night exactly how you want it—simple, social, or indulgently unforgettable.
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Join us for Grandma Kathy’s Tales & Tunes puppet show and singalong every Friday from 10:30 – 11:00 a.m.!
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Join an MTRP Trail Guide on a guided nature walk and learn about the plants, animals, geology, history, and ecology of the park. Explore the park’s east side on the Grasslands Trail, which leads to a Kumeyaay grinding rocks site and the picturesque Old Mission Dam overlook. Walks may include a visit to the lush riparian habitat of the Kumeyaay Lake shoreline, or a portion of scenic Oak Canyon, or the historic Old Mission Dam.
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The Kite Festival is perfect for kids from 0-102, who like building, designing, flying, and/or watching kites. Started in 1948, the Kite Festival is the oldest children's Kite Festival in the United States. Generations have enjoyed this fabulous, free, family fun. Just come to the Kite Festival and see the community fair, food booths, professional kite fliers, and more.
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San Diego FC (SDFC) home games at the 35,000-seat Snapdragon Stadium offer an electric atmosphere, highlighted by a dedicated supporters' section in the north end featuring drums and chants. The inaugural season experience includes pre-match FanFests, high-energy, packed crowds, and a focus on community-driven soccer.
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Free Sustainable Craft Event — All Ages Welcome! Join us at San Diego Craft Collective for Fiber Fest, a vibrant celebration of natural textiles and sustainability. This annual event brings together fiber artists, artisans, sustainability advocates, and local farmers to highlight the journey of natural textiles—from sheep to finished fabric—within the Southern California Fibershed.
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For ticket availability, please visit https://volunteer-restoration-events-2026.raiselysite.com/
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- Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - San Diego - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, USA, Fri 05/15/2026 - Sun 05/17/2026, See link for times
- Guided Nature Walk from Kumeyaay Lake Campground - MTRP Trail Guide, 1 Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Diego, CA 92119, Fri 05/15/2026 - Sun 05/17/2026, 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
- Fiber Fest 2026 Kick-Off! - San Diego Craft Collective, Truxtun Road, San Diego, CA, Fri 05/15/2026, 5:30-7:30pm
- Free Family Workshops at ArtReach - ArtReach San Diego, 1065 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103, Sat 05/16/2026, 9:00 AM & 1:00 PM
- Volunteer Restoration Event | Nature Collective - Nature Collective, San Elijo Lagoon and Ecological Reserve, Manchester Avenue, Cardiff, CA, Sat 05/16/2026, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- San Diego STEAM Expo - 6525 Estrella Ave, San Diego, CA 92120, Sat 05/16/2026, 11:00am- 1:00pm
- Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social - Heritage House, Sun
05/17/2026, 12:00 p.m.-4 p.m.
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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the San Diego 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 Diego area? 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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