KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
As I write this column, three Americans and one Canadian are hurtling home from a trip around the Moon, inside a machine that had better do exactly what it’s supposed to do. For years, every person involved in the mission obsessed over every detail at every stage until as little as possible was left to chance. “Failure is not an option,” an ethos long associated with
our quest to explore outer space, makes perfect sense when we're talking about Artemis II. But decades ago, the attitude leaked out of the space program and into everyday life, and that was a mixed blessing. When I was a teenager, “failure is not an option” might as well have been tattooed on my brain: For me, not only was failure not an option, but anything below an A grade wasn’t an option, either. I was so afraid of not being perfect that if I felt unprepared for a test,
I’d stay home “sick.” I looked successful from the outside, but because I was working so hard to avoid mistakes, I played it safe. So I didn't actually accomplish much aside from some sharp-looking letters on a report card. It took me years out in the real world to realize that real accomplishment usually looks less like gliding and more like bumping into things until you find the way through. So these days, failure and I are best buddies: I've replaced "failure is not an
option" with "nothing ventured, nothing gained" as I inch toward and away from success each day. Even writing my column each week is an act of resilience: I add and then murder my words until they say what I mean, and I'm always aware in the end that it could be better. One of my goals when I was homeschooling Madison and Ella was to make failure safe and ordinary... cheerful, even... a sign of progress. Kids need chances to try things that might flop: recipes that taste
weird, projects that collapse, math problems they have to redo, conversations they wish they’d handled better. I wanted them to understand that when the stakes are low, failure is not a tragedy, it’s just how learning works. It doesn't usually feel fun, or comfortable. But it's the only way to fly.
—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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See replicas of the batsuit worn by Michael Keaton in 1989’s Batman; the Val Kilmer Panther Batman and Sonar Batman suits; the George Clooney Batman; Christian Bale's Batman from The Dark Knight; and the Ben Affleck Bat Armor from Batman vs. Superman. Numerous replica hand props and weapons from all the films and some from the 1960s TV show starring Adam West will also be on hand.
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This fast paced lap-sit program for little ones and their caregivers includes songs, nursery rhymes, knee-bounces, and movement to help develop important pre-literacy skills. This class is appropriate for infants through 2 years old.
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Join us for this limited-time tinkering experience for all ages! Experiment together as a family, and prepare to be surprised by your own ingenuity. Leave your mark with highlighters and UV light. Turn familiar shadows into strange creatures and landscapes, and create colorful portraits with long exposure photography. Plus, immerse yourself in surprising artworks that play with color and perception, and explore 700+ hands-on exhibits that will delight the whole family.
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Geared for a mix of ages, we invite families to participate as we read stories, sing songs, do fingerplays and more during this 20-30 minute program.
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A San Jose Giants home game at Excite Ballpark is a classic Minor League experience defined by its intimate, 1940s-era setting, family-oriented entertainment, and proximity to future MLB stars
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On Sundays, a 3.8-mile segment of Cañada Road along Crystal Springs Regional Trail is closed between the Filoli entrance and Highway 92 allowing for non-motorized activities including jogging, bicycling, hiking, roller-skating, and walking (Strollers are welcome, but no ball/frisbee activity allowed). Cañada Road between Edgewood Road to the Filoli entrance will remain open to vehicles. Restrooms are available at nearby Edgewood Park & Preserve, approximately 1.2 miles away, as well at the Pulgas Water Temple. Bring your own water to the event. Parking for Bicycle Sunday is located on Edgewood & Canada roads and north at Highway 92. (See map below.) Do not use the parking lot and restroom services at Filoli Historic House and Gardens. An event permit is needed for large, organized groups of bicyclists, skateboarders, roller bladers or walkers. For more information please call the parks reservation desk at (650) 363-4021 or the Supervising Ranger at (650) 851-1210.
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A 20-30 minute storytime for children in Kindergarten through third grade featuring picture books new to our collection.
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Bring your wild things to the Academy between March 9-April 28 for Riveropolis, Bugtopia, and a bouquet of other programs that will connect your family to the beauty, wonder, and whimsy of the natural world.
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This behind-the-scenes tour will take you through a facility designed to accommodate all current and future animals at Oakland Zoo, from small birds to large tigers and grizzly bears. It features radiology and surgical suites, a small laboratory, a pharmacy, wide transportation docks, and LEED Gold certification.
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Join the Carquinez Model Railroad Society (CMRS) on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM for a special free mini open house as we welcome Rapido Trains to the club. Come see the layout running, meet members, and enjoy a fun evening.
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- Free Spring Mini Photo Session - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, USA, 04/10/2026 - 04/11/2026, See link for times
- Toddler Plus Storytime - Main Library - Children's Department, 04/10/2026, 10:30am
- Family Storytime - West End Library, Alameda Free Library, 788 Santa Clara Avenue,
Alameda, CA 94501, United States, 04/11/2026, 10:30am
- Family Storytime - Main Library - Children's Department, 04/11/2026, 10:30am
- Family Storytime - Main Library, 04/12/2026, 12:30pm
- Earth Month Celebration-Refuge - Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Environmental Education Center, 04/12/2026, 10:00am-2:00pm
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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the San Francisco 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 Francisco 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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Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the San Francisco? 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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There are lots of places to have a birthday party in the San Francisco area! Start thinking outside the box! KidsOutAndAbout has dozens (and dozens) of ideas! In addition to venues in San Francisco, there are places in Oakland, Alameda, Pacifica, San
Leandro, Walnut Creek, Hayward, Dublin, and San…
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2025's best places to take kids in the San Francisco Bay area. Early each summer, thousands of parents vote in the KidsOutAndAbout survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids. Our Top 20 results page is an annotated list of the winners, both of the top 20
slots and of the three category winners: Who won for Top Arts Educator, Top Sports Educator, and Top STEM Educator?
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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