KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: A tumble is not a verdict; it's information. And kids are natural data analysts. That's what a mom half a generation older than me told me when I was getting ready to have kids, and I took it to heart. So I was secretly a little thrilled the summer my daughter Madison was almost 4, when she took her first big splash off a slippery log into a
creek. Here's why: To succeed in life, everyone needs to learn to stretch to the edge of their abilities... to gather courage from their toes, to calculate, to balance, to wobble, to slide... and eventually to succeed. Kids can learn this early if the grownups in their orbit help them see the mud and bruises that come from a tumble as badges to be worn proudly: a fail-until-we-succeed philosophy in action. That's how personal fulfillment happens, and it's how human progress happens,
too. Summer is childhood's best laboratory, where sensory experiences stick as lifelong learning. School has grades and rubrics and consequences; summer has grass stains and do-overs. An amusement park ride can teach the difference between fear and danger. A hands-on museum can teach that when your tower collapses, you simply vow to rebuild it taller. A farm can teach that maybe you don’t like strawberries from the grocery store, but
you do like the ones you picked yourself, still warm from the sun. A climbing gym can teach your muscles that “I can’t” really means “I can’t yet.” And summer camps are entire worlds built around trying something new with no transcript following you home. Last week, the KidsOutAndAbout.com team launched our annual Top 20 Places to Take Kids survey. It's a way to thank the people who make your community a great place to raise kids. Equally important, it’s a giant menu of local opportunities for your kids to stretch their legs, their minds, and their bravery this summer. Use it to create your summer bucket list! Then step back and set your family’s summer dial to “safe to fail.” Watch your kids climb, build, stumble, and try again.
Let them splash.
—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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Discover a summer filled with creativity, imagination, and hands-on fun at Children’s Art Classes in San Jose! Our exciting art classes are perfect for kids who love to draw, paint, sculpt, and create in a fun, supportive, and inspiring environment. Young artists will explore a wide variety of art mediums including painting, clay, mixed media, and more... all while building creativity, confidence, and artistic skills. Unlike traditional full-day camps, our flexible classes make it easy for families to choose the schedule that works best for them. Students are welcome to enroll in multiple classes each week and explore different themes and mediums throughout the summer. We offer classes for a variety of ages and skill levels, from beginners to more experienced young artists. Give your child a summer full of color, creativity, and artistic discovery! With small class sizes, engaging projects, and passionate instructors, Children’s Art Classes is the perfect place for kids to…
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Bring the Family to RAIL FAIR at Ardenwood Historic Farm on Memorial Day Weekend, MAY 23, 24, 25 to experience trains of all sizes for all ages! Attractions include operating model trains, a full size train where you can go for a ride, family and toddler activities, historic railroad cars, displays by train museums from across California, live music, tours of the historic Patterson House, and more. Rail Fair is loads of fun for train fans of all ages!
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This is an exciting opportunity to witness our animals engaging in all kinds of activities! Join us to catch our animal keepers doing animal enrichment activities, taking animals for walks, or even doing training sessions!
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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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Come and join US for the San Jose memorial day shootout on Saturday May 23rd and Sunday May 24th, 2026
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K-pop “stans” around the Bay Area and beyond are invited to come to San Francisco Zoo & Gardens on Saturday, May 23, when the Zoo transforms its spacious Elinor Friend Playground area into a K-POP paradise with high-energy performances by favorite local groups, and fun, themed activities from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The first ever K-pop event features DJ music by Peter Lo, and is in partnership with KPOP Nara. Among the local groups performing are K-Pop-Up SF, Ruby Slippers Dancers, Off the Grid, One Motion, Eclipse, Enjoy Dance Studios, Rae Studios and Montage Dance Productions. Throughout the day, guests can enjoy Random Dance Play (RDP) set to popular K-pop songs, customize and decorate photo and trading card holders at the top loader decoration station, get their own custom caricatures and faces painted, and indulge in special food items.
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Let's go fly a kite! at The San Ramon Art & Wind Festival, the BEST festival in the East Bay. The Art & Wind Festival is scheduled for Sunday and Monday, May 25-26, 2025 in San Ramon's Central Park, 12501 Alcosta Boulevard from 11am to 6pm both days. This annual event features fine arts, crafts and specialty food vendors, 3 entertainment stages headlining international music, party bands and variety entertainers, children's shows, gourmet food courts, family amusement zones, professional choreographed kite flying demonstrations, and free kite making workshop. The Art and Wind Festival is a pet friendly, bike friendly and family friendly event! To be a part of the festival as a sponsor, non-profit business vendor, food and beverage vendor, entertainment or activity vendor at the best festival in the East Bay please submit an application.
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Join us for two wonderful weekends of community, culture, beauty, tradition, and joy. Experience lively performances, storytelling, music, games, food, and art as we uplift the vibrant beauty and rich diversity within the Asian and Pacific Islander diaspora.
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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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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.
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Our low admission price to Bay Area KidFest includes unlimited access to non-stop live family entertainment, fascinating traveling attractions, arts and sports activities for children to stimulate learning and exploration, and much more. KidFest also features two food courts, Over 20 kid-friendly rides plus arts & crafts and other vendors for an additional charge. There are dozens of free kid’s activities including balloon hats and animals, spin art, keepsake handprints, slides, crawls, kiddie golf and much more included in the low admission price. There are 2 eclectic Food Courts, arts and crafts and exhibitor booths in the KidFest Marketplace.
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Your visit would be incomplete without witnessing one of our otter enrichment sessions! Watch aquarium biologists work with some of our most charismatic animals.
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the San Jose 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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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!
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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,
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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