KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Sometimes, paradise itches. While on vacation recently, I discovered an almost-perfect trail adjacent to our rental house: flat, sandy, well-maintained, and, that morning, completely empty except for my family, Penny, and Skye. The dogs raced ahead and back as we wandered at a gentler pace. But the farther we ventured from civilization, and the more times we lingered to check out a surprising little stream
or colorful mushroom, the more the mosquitoes flocked. And when we got back to the house, I found a tick on Penny. Software people have an old joke: “It’s not a bug; it’s a feature.” After 25 years of publishing on the internet, I can confirm that anything complicated you create with software requires plenty of debugging. Bugs are part of the creative process, whether the creator is a human being or Nature itself. They’re built-in features of a world busy being alive. An
entirely bug-free life would be a pretty sterile one. Kids take their cues from us about what counts as a good experience, which is why I advocate looking at life through rose-colored lenses. Was the picnic still fun if it rained? Was the trip worthwhile if someone got cranky? Did the missed turn spoil the adventure? If one inconvenience earns the whole day a rating of RUINED, we teach children that delight is fragile and reality perpetually defective. They may start waiting
for perfect conditions before letting themselves have fun... and that is a lot of power to hand a mosquito. Tweezer out the ticks. Then keep walking.
—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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San Diego's largest weekly Artisan Market featuring handmade works from local artisans. The market includes such items as jewelry, photography, pottery, clothing, paintings, hand-painted glass, and more. It is absolutely free. The market days and hours are Saturday and Sunday at 10 am - 4:30 pm.
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Walk in the footsteps of a true Midway Sailor during an unforgettable after-hours adventure aboard the USS Midway Museum! Once the museum closes to the public, you can explore the ship through engaging, hands-on activities inspired by life at sea. Tour the ship from top to bottom, even venturing deep into the engine room to discover how this massive aircraft carrier was powered. Going behind-the-scenes, you'll learn what daily life was like for Sailors and how the ship operated. Enjoy exclusive time on the flight deck under the stars, then settle in for the night and sleep in authentic Navy racks just like the crew once did. In the morning, wake up to a hot breakfast and continue the adventure with new activities that reinforce history, teamwork and the Midway legacy. We are excited to welcome youth groups and families on board to experience our new Overnight Adventure Program.
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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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The Pride 5K Run & Walk is always a highlight of Pride Week festivities. As many as 1,700 runners and walkers, from around the world, participate and raise approximately $40,000 for our charity partners. Every year, funds raised at the San Diego Pride 5K generate significant donations for our charity partners – San Diego Pride and The LGBT Center’s Youth Housing Project.
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Learn to Warp & Weave your own handwoven fabric on a rigid heddle loom! In his hands-on workshop, Weaver & Dyer Jeanine Ertl will teach you everything you need to know to warp and weave on your own. This class is perfect for anyone who’s been curious about weaving beyond a lap loom and wants to learn the warping and weaving processes. We’ll dive into fiber & fabric and demystify the process of setting up (known as warping a loom), weaving, and removing a woven textile from the loom. Age 14+yrs
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Toddlers and their families are welcome to join us for a storytime filled with books, music sing-a-longs, and interactive group fun! Come by and build your toddler's early literacy skills every Monday at 11 AM!
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Looking for something fun to do on a Monday afternoon? Stop by the Legler Benbough Teen IDEA Lab for Maker Mondays, happening every week from 5 to 7 PM.
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Recommended for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, this simple dance program will feature songs such as "The Wheels on the Bus," "Baby Shark," and more. Families, it's time to get your groove on!
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Summer Movie Camp Is Back! CHECK FOR PARTICIPATING LOCATIONS IN YOUR AREA! Get discounted tickets to family favorites every Monday and Wednesday from 6/22-8/12. A portion of the proceeds will support the Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation.
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Join us for Bumblebee Toddler and Preschool Storytime. Enjoy children's stories and songs geared toward toddlers and preschool age children. All ages are welcome. No registration required.
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My Chemical Romance is bringing their Black Parade Stadium Tour to Petco Park on August 30, 2026 with special guests Babymetal!
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My Chemical Romance is bringing their Black Parade Stadium Tour to Petco Park on August 30, 2026 with special guests Babymetal!
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Celebrate your family’s special moments with Shoott’s FREE 30-minute outdoor photo sessions! Whether it’s summer vacation 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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2026's best places to take kids in San Diego as voted by parents. All of San Diego's most popular places to take kids, as well as favorite Arts Educator, Sports Educator, and STEM educator! Plus there is LOTS more to do in San Diego! Get great ideas
here!
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Nothing says SUMMER quite like going to an amusement park with your family! We've put together a great list of ones you can visit within driving distance of San Antonio. So, pack the sunscreen, load up the car and head out on a grand adventure!
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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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