KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
|
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: There’s a sign on the New York State Thruway heading west that marks 70 miles to where I live. For Rochesterians driving back to Western New York from the east or southeast, that marker elicits both a sigh of relief and a groan: You’re close, especially relative to where you started. But in that final stretch, each mile is somehow psychologically
longer. Over the years, this became a useful metaphor in my family: You're pushing through to the end of a project, you'd love to see the finish line, but the murky distance between you and that goal is in your way. "Ugh, it's those last 70 miles," one of us will say to the person suffering, and we'll all nod sympathetically. At this time of year, families with kids in school are experiencing those last 70 miles: The end of the school year is in sight, yet
not quite here. The energy reserves are low, and the end point seems stuck in the distance. We feel like we’re sprinting but not getting closer fast enough. As in any journey, that’s precisely when it’s worth keeping in mind that these last miles may feel long, but they’re also the most meaningful: They become the lens through which we look back at the whole experience, so these final steps really count. Remembering this can provide the last surge of energy to press
forward. So whatever final 70 miles you and your kids are facing, remind yourself and the people traveling with you that if you put your best self into it now, the rewards will feel sweeter, and the memories of success will help fuel you next time. You’re on the last leg. You're almost there. And you have lots of company.
—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
Altitude Milpitas Summer Camp is an active, indoor camp built for kids ages 5–12, featuring high-energy activities like dodgeball, battle beam, basketball tournaments, arts & crafts, and more. With simple weekly pricing at $375, lunch included, and a convenient 9 AM–3 PM schedule, it gives parents an easy, weather-proof summer option that keeps kids moving, social, and entertained.
|
|
|
|
The seasonal Dublin Farmers' Market will run each Thursday, 4:00 - 8:00 p.m., from April through September 2025, rain or shine, at Emerald Glen Park. Come out to find your farmers' market favorites, such as locally grown fresh produce, baked goods, honey, nuts, pasta, and more. Pick up some delicious hot foods from vendors for dinner each week. In addition to the market, the City of Dublin is excited to bring back the Summer Concert Series, which will run for eight weeks in June, July, and early August at the Emerald Glen Park Amphitheater.
|
|
|
|
WCFMA hosts ten farmers' markets around Central California bringing fresh foods to local communities since 2011.
|
|
|
|
Drop by the Randall Museum’s Art Room and get creative with your kids. Art instructors guide a different hands-on art activity each week. All ages are welcome to participate. Afternoon Art is a great way to get a taste of the Randall Museum’s arts and crafts programs. All children under 8 must be with a paying participating adult.
|
|
|
|
San Jose Earthquakes home games are hosted at PayPal Park, an 18,000-seat, soccer-specific stadium in San Jose, California, featuring a modern open-air design and one of the steepest seating bowls in MLS. The 2026 season kicks off with premium amenities, including enhanced food options, the Epicenter Fan Zone, and tech-driven fan engagement tools.
|
|
|
|
U-PICK days are Wednesdays & Saturdays by appointment only. Groups over ten people may reach out for alternative days & times.
|
|
|
|
Looking for the perfect free Saturday plan? Join us at History Park San Jose (635 Phelan Ave) on Saturday, May 9th, from 10 am – 4 pm for the Family Adventure Festival: Scout-O-Rama! Northern California’s largest Scouting event open to the public features 100+ hands-on activities, including water rockets, obstacle courses, archery, knot tying, and the Pinewood Derby. Enjoy crafts, games, and interactive challenges for all ages. This year’s “World of Scouting” theme includes live entertainment like Taiko drumming, the Vietnamese Lion Dance, and School of Rock. Meet local mascots and enjoy food trucks or bring a picnic for a fun-filled family day!
|
|
|
|
Learn how to make your very own decorative flowers using specialized paper! Angela will guide you through the process of making a flower and teach you the skills to continue this practice at home. All materials are included, and pastries and coffee will be provided.
|
|
|
|
Potter the Otter invites kids on a healthy adventure with friends to catch the speedy Rainbow Racer and earn a place on the water polo team. Along the way, visitors explore fun, hands-on activities that highlight the power of drinking water, eating fruits and veggies, and staying active. From shopping for produce and building a balanced plate to splashing in Bubbling Brook and racing pedal boats, families can discover how healthy choices help everyone feel their best!
|
|
|
|
In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, pick up your Passport to the Islands, visit each week, and collect your stamps as you journey through Polynesia—where vibrant stories, traditions, and island flavors come to life at Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park. Each weekend brings educational storytelling, live performances, and specialty food offerings inspired by the islands.
|
|
|
|
The Cartoon Art Museum celebrates its 40th anniversary year with Sunday Funnies, a showcase of original artwork from the Cartoon Art Museum's permanent collection. This retrospective features classic comic strips from the dawn of the comics medium to the present day, from comic strip pioneers like San Francisco's Jimmy Swinnerton and Krazy Kat creator George Herriman to legendary cartoonists Walt Kelly (Pogo) and Charles M. Schulz (Peanuts) to contemporary classics like Stephan Pastis's Pearls Before Swine and Dana Simpson's Phoebe and Her Unicorn.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the San Jose 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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the San Jose 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the San Jose area? Escape rooms are interactive, puzzle-packed experiences where you and your team work together to solve clues, unlock secrets,
|
|
|
Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
|
|
