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 Bay 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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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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Brought to you by Foodie Crew, every Thursday from February to October, enjoy great food, music and family fun at the Antioch Community Center. For weekly food truck lineups, follow @FoodieCrewSF on Instagram and Facebook.
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When you visit The Cherry Pit, you're not just picking cherries; you're hand-selecting the freshest, juiciest fruit straight from the tree. You cannot experience this kind of freshness from store-bought cherries. Biting into one of our large, sweet cherries will keep you coming back each year for more.
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Join us as we explore books that highlight the unique traits of different types of life. Though we are all unique, we all belong in the community of living things!
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Antioch, get ready to shop, eat, and vibe with us at Market Saturdaze! Join us every first Saturday of the month for a community shopping experience where you can support local businesses, discover unique finds, and enjoy a fun-filled morning with the whole family to kick off your weekend. Entrepreneurs and small business owners- this is your chance to showcase your brand and connect with the community. Sign up as a vendor today. For questions about becoming a vendor for Market Saturdaze, email The Backyard Movement.
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We are open every day for u-pick cherries. We can't wait to see you on the farm for another delicious season!
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Every Thursday evening for thirteen weeks, starting June 4, Courthouse Square in Redwood City transforms into a vibrant open-air cinema with free double features for all ages. Start your evening with family-friendly films at 6pm or independent shorts at 8pm, then stay for a lineup of iconic classics and newly released full-length films at 8:30pm. Expect an energetic, captivating ambiance, and arrive early to claim your space or spread a blanket, then enjoy tasty take-out from nearby restaurants.
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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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Get your summer kickstarted at the San Mateo County Fair, June 5 - June 14, 2026! Thrilling carnival rides, delicious fair food, musical vibes and more - we have it all lined up to create an epic experience for you and your family.
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The San Jose Giants will once again light up the skies during the 2026 season. All Friday Night Fireworks are sponsored by Excite Credit Union, and will each have their own special musical theme!
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Join the City of Palo Alto's Recreation Department for the 4th annual Summer Family Movie Night Series! The Community Services Department is excited to bring families together for an unforgettable evening under the stars.
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June 6-7, 2026: The two-day long Union Street Festival brings neighbors, locals and visitors alike to celebrate in the streets of San Francisco’s Marina District. Come celebrate local business, culture and community with live music, dance, food, local craft beers, cocktails and mocktails, plus family-friendly games and activities including the annual Waiter Relay Race, handcrafted goods, art, food and fun for ALL ages!
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Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose hosts its tenth annual Proud of My Family event. Visitors will enjoy activities designed to celebrate all types of families, especially LGBTQ+ parents, relatives, and friends. The museum’s Proud of My Family event is one of the few Pride events that is held every year for young children and their families. The event fosters understanding and builds awareness of family diversity while recognizing that families come in all configurations and what binds
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Circus Bella returns for the 19th year of FREE Circus in the Parks! Step into the splendid silliness of AH HA! - A high-spirited romp bursting with hijinks, hilarity, and heart. This fast-paced, 60-minute performance puts a fresh spin on the classic one-ring circus, blending daring feats with playful mischief and Circus Bella’s signature sparkle. Bluebird Park (Laguna Beach) Sat. June 6, 2 SHOWS – 1:00 and 3:00 pm Bluebird Park, 772 Cress St. (Bluebird Canyon Drive.), Laguna Beach
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Mark your calendars for a delightful day of exploration and creativity at the San Mateo County History Museum’s
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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 Ramon.
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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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The San Francisco Area's Pick-Your-Own Fruit Listed below are farms in and near San Francisco that offer pick your own fruits, berries, and vegetables. And... to make the most of your experience,
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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