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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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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For over 20 years, San Diego area families have been partnering with The Learning Choice Academy (TLC) to design the perfect homeschool education for their TK-12 students. Whether you seek a Homeschool Program or a Hybrid Homeschool Program that combines in-person and at-home learning, we offer personalized and flexible programs that nurture every student’s strength and need. With caring teachers, family-centered field trips and activities, enrichment, art, clubs and comprehensive college and career prep, our tuition-free charter school empowers confident and self-directed learners to go boldly toward their goals. Learn your way with TLC! We're enrolling for the 2026-27 school year!
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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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Young Scientists is the perfect way to help your little ones discover a passion for science and ignite a desire to explore the world around them. Each four-week session provides developmentally appropriate, informal learning experiences that support and enhance exploration, create excitement and facilitate scientific discoveries. We understand that learning is best achieved through exploration and discovery, which is why our sessions encourage hands-on learning and active participation.
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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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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 storytime in our seadragon nook, perfect for young ocean enthusiasts! Enjoy an enchanting storybook tale about ocean creatures from around the world.
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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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We are excited to offer FREE Family Art Workshops at ArtReach, made possible by the generous support of the TahDah Foundation and The City of San Diego CPPS Grant, City Council District 3, Councilmember Stephen Whitburn.
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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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Our farm has been growing strawberries for over 10 years. The berries love the weather at our farm in Rainbow, which tends to be more temperate and cool than the high desert climate in the nearby Temecula Valley. We grow a variety of strawberry that is known for its vibrant red color and sweet flavor. What sets our strawberries apart is their sweetness and freshness. The berries that you get at our stands are picked at the peak of ripeness, making them more delicious than berries you get in stores. And the best way to get the freshest berries is to visit the farm and pick them!
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Our annual Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social returns to the Heritage House, this year with a special celebration of the 250th anniversary of the nation! Enjoy a free scoop or two on Sunday, May 17, from noon to 4:00 p.m. at Heritage House (8193 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside). This event is free and family friendly. Street parking is available.
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the San Diego area. From Arcades to Ziplines our Big List will help you think outside the box and plan the party of your kids' dreams! KidsOutAndAbout has dozens of ideas!
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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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