KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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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
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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. |
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 area. 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 |
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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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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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A San Diego Padres home game at Petco Park offers a premier MLB experience, blending high-energy baseball with a scenic, downtown atmosphere in one of baseball's top-rated stadiums. Fans enjoy competitive action featuring stars like Fernando Tatis Jr. in a park known for its, unique, open-air design, local cuisine, and the historic Western Metal Supply Co. building.
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Summer Camps at The New Children’s Museum in San Diego offer award-winning, project-based children’s art camps for ages 5–13. Designed for curious, creative kids, our summer camps blend hands-on artmaking, exploration, and imaginative play in a museum setting. Led by professional artist-educators, campers work on individual and collaborative projects that encourage them to think, play, and create in meaningful ways. This summer, our expanded camp offerings include new experiences created with older kids in mind, giving returning campers fresh opportunities to grow their skills and ideas. All summer camps run Monday through Friday, 8:45am–3:45pm, and include time in our art studio space, Artopia: NCM Creative Studios, and throughout the Museum. Whether your child is new to art or already loves creating, our summer camps provide a creative, supportive environment for learning and discovery.
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Story Concerts are the signature event of Write Out Loud. They were born from the desire to share literature as a communal, participatory experience. Each Story Concert presents a curated selection of short stories, poetry, and sometimes music, revolving around a central theme, all read by professional actors. We produce a six-show season of Story Concerts every year, in addition to special concerts with a variety of cultural organizations.
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Enjoy a fun, engaging storytime led by the Escondido Public Library and connect with local community resource partners, including WestPac Wealth Partners and Gently Hugged, plus a rotating guest partner each month.
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The Wednesday Mercato is a growing market, now on 3 blocks from Kettner Blvd to State Street with many of the same farmers and vendors found on Saturday, and others unique to the weekday market. Find local farmers offering produce, eggs, honey and flowers. Discover artisan foods and crafts and art by local makers on the beautiful Piazza della Famiglia and surrounding blocks. Farmers markets keep farmers farming.
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The San Diego County Fair is the greatest story our community has ever told. It's a tale of food, fun, friends, family, laughter, tradition, music, amazement, and pure, unbridled joy. The Fair — the largest and longest-running community event in San Diego County — makes its triumphant return from Wednesday, June 10, through Sunday, July 5, 2026 (closed Mondays and Tuesdays.) You won't want to miss your chance to live out your "happily ever after" at the 2026 SAN DIEGO COUNTY FAIR.
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Prepare for another electrifying year of throwback hits from some of the top artists of the ‘90s and 2000s! Summer Spectacular Concerts return to Bayside Amphitheater in 2026 with an expanded lineup and an even bigger vibe. This fan-favorite concert series unites legendary and influential artists across pop, rap, hip-hop, and R&B, delivering the iconic anthems that defined a generation—all in one unforgettable summer! Grab your friends, your family, or come solo—just show up ready to move! Join us Saturday nights at 6:00 p.m. when beloved musical artists turn SeaWorld San Diego into the ultimate open-air throwback party. With the bay lighting up at night, you can dance, belt out every lyric, and relive the soundtrack of your favorite summers with wall-to-wall nostalgia and unstoppable energy. The music doesn’t stop with the Summer Concert Series—for the first time ever, we’re hosting genre-spanning concerts in March & April for Seven Seas and August for Bayside Bands, Brew & BBQ!
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3000 lavender plants await your company at Camel Valley Lavender near Ramona CA Admission is FREE. Camels visit the pasture edge at 11:00 and 2:30
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Celebrate your family’s special moments with Shoott’s FREE 30-minute outdoor photo sessions! Whether it’s spring photos, family portraits, birthday milestones, or simply capturing everyday joy, our talented local photographers make the experience easy and fun. You only pay for the photos you love, with no upfront cost or sitting fee. Receive a gallery of beautifully edited images within days and choose your favorites. Book your session at shoott.com and create lasting memories!
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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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The San Diego Area's Pick-Your-Own Fruit Listed below are farms in and near San Diego that offer pick your own fruits, berries, and vegetables. And... to make the most of your experience, check out
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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