KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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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
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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 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.
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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!
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What does it really take to work with animals? At Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Career Critter Camps, kids don’t just wonder, they experience it firsthand. Designed for ages 9–16, these immersive camps give young animal lovers a behind-the-scenes look at exciting animal careers. At Zookeeper Camp, participants step into the role of animal care staff by preparing diets, creating enrichment, and learning how to support daily animal needs. In You Can Be a Veterinarian Camp, campers explore real tools, discover basic medical techniques, and see how our veterinary team cares for animals. We also offer engaging Spring Break and Summer Critter Camps for younger animal enthusiasts.
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Experience the ultimate combination of music and ambiance at Cannonball, thanks to San Diego’s finest local artists. As you enjoy delicious sushi and breathtaking ocean views, let the soothing sounds of live acoustic music transport you to a state of pure relaxation. Book your table now!
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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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Come support the San Diego Gulls this season. Watch our home hockey team at the Pechanga Arena.
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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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Foodies and craft beer aficionados will love SeaWorld's Seven Seas Craft Beer & Food Festival, featuring craft beer from favorite local breweries, plus fresh international cuisine infused with local, sustainable ingredients and unique signature flavors from around the world. In addition to hundreds of tasty bites and delicious drinks, guests can enjoy live music and their favorite animal exhibits, including dolphins, sea lions, bat rays, flamingos, sea otters, and more.
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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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Snow's Pony Rides and Farm Animal's will be here at Bates Nut Farm the first Saturday of every month! Children will enjoy 2 laps around our Farm Zoo and picnic area on one of Snow's adorable ponies. $14 per ride - cash or Venmo. Payment is given to Snow's Pony Rides and Farm Animal's prior to the ride. Come bring the kiddos over and enjoy Pony Rides on Saturday, March 7, 2026 from 10:00am - 2:00pm! Parking and admission are free.
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We're thrilled to host a stop on this year’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons Aquarium Tour, in partnership with Nintendo of America. Inspired by the in-game aquarium experience, guests will dive into a real-world aquarium with an Animal Crossing: New Horizons twist from February 16 through March 26, 2026. During the tour, guests can expect Animal Crossing: New Horizons themed activities throughout the aquarium including a photo opportunity featuring characters from the Animal Crossing: New Horizons game. Other opportunities include standees of familiar characters, exhibit signage featuring Blathers giving creature descriptions with information from the game and themed merchandise in the Gift Shop.
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Rain or Shine, the Chula Vista Farmers' Market invites everyone to come out and enjoy bites, sips, and trinkets from local vendors every Sunday from 10am to 2pm. The crisp morning, the warm sun rays, and the friendly vendors allow for a welcoming environment for the community and visitors to join together and have a wonderful time walking along the Chula Vista Farmers' Market. Bring home some local produce, baked goods, fresh flowers, salsa, and much more. There are over 60 tents to explore next to the beautiful Memorial Park, so stop by next Sunday!
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Calling all fans of Crazy Aaron’s putty! Globs of fun are on the way with two different feel-good events that add a dash of science to sensory play. At our first event, kids create custom concoctions and learn how color, light and sparkle interact. At our second event, they’ll make gooey-but-cute creatures from another realm! Swing by our Play & Discover area to get hands-on with featured products. And parents and guardians, be sure to check in when you arrive for a chance to win a $100 Lakeshore e-gift card!
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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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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the San Diego 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.
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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.
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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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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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2025's best places to take kids in San Diego as voted by parents. Who won the top spot? An indoor play center, museum, farm, nature center, sports team? Click through to find out, as well as favorite Arts Educator, Sports Educator, and STEM educator! Plus
there is LOTS more to do in San Diego!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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