KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Tue, Mar 31: My First Egg Hunt at My Gym Kent
Tue, Mar 31: Intro
to Polymer Clay (ages 13+) at Blueberry Beads
Wed, Apr 1: Skagit Valley Tulip Festival 2026
Fri, Apr 3: Teen Flashlight Egg Hunt 2026 at City of Snoqualmie
Sat, Apr 4: Easter Craft Bazaar & Bunny Pics | PAC NW Artisans
Sat, Apr 4: Eggstravaganza at Aldersgate United Methodist Church Bellevue, Washington
Sat, Apr 4: Eggstravaganza Spring Festival at Heatherwoood Middle School
Sat, Apr 4: Easter Craft Festival at Skagit County Fairgrounds at PAC NW Artisans
Sun, Apr 5: Willows Lodge Easter Buffet Brunch
Tue, Apr 7: STG & Broadway at The Paramount present Les Miserables |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: The first time I can remember having to take a public stand on anything was in eighth grade English. We were assigned an essay on a controversial topic and told we’d present our arguments to the class. When he handed back our papers, Mr. Schmidt added a twist: no reading. We’d speak from notes. I was horrified. After school, I tried to negotiate my way out
of it. “This makes me really uncomfortable,” I told him, hoping for mercy. He looked at me over his glasses. “That’s the whole point,” he said. “To get stuff done, you have to get comfortable being uncomfortable. Don’t worry, you’ll live.” Mr. Schmidt was right. I didn’t die. And more important, I learned something that stuck: Discomfort isn’t a stop sign, it’s just part of the road, and all roads are bumpy. That lesson shaped how I've raised my kids, too.
Karate helped Madison and Ella distinguish between effort and injury. Long car rides taught them to rely on their own imaginations. Theater nudged them to stand however close to the spotlight they could manage, even when they’d rather disappear. And summer camps—those muddy, unpredictable, gloriously imperfect experiences—gave them countless chances to try something new and realize I can do this without the stigma that can accompany failing in other contexts. Growth
rarely happens inside the comfort zone, which is why I’m such a believer in giving kids opportunities to stretch beyond what feels easy. Summer programs are perfect for this, so that's why during "summer camp search season" we focus on showcasing the wide variety of camps and programs available in each area we serve. Here's the link to the portal page. These days, as we approach the 25th anniversary of KidsOutAndAbout.com in June, I see that same principle playing out: The technology has changed, the business climate has changed, but the equation hasn’t. Discomfort still shows up right before something meaningful. And I still hear Mr. Schmidt’s voice in my head: Don’t worry, you’ll live.
—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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Summer camps at The Center for Wooden Boats give young people the chance to learn, explore, and build confidence on Seattle’s waterfront. From beginner sailing for first-time sailors to hands-on woodworking and boatbuilding camps, our programs combine
skill-building, teamwork, and outdoor adventure. Campers learn to sail small boats, work safely with tools, solve problems, and develop independence in a supportive, welcoming environment. Camps run throughout the summer for ages 5–14, with experienced instructors and a strong focus on safety, curiosity, and fun. Scholarships are available to ensure cost is not a barrier. Explore sessions and enroll now to give your child a summer they will remember.
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With 26 years of bilingual excellence, we are thrilled to introduce our new Two-Year-Old Program, thoughtfully designed for children beginning at age two. This nurturing early learning environment emphasizes explorative play, dual-language immersion, and
foundational cognitive development. In a warm and engaging setting, two-year-olds build confidence, independence, and curiosity preparing them for a seamless transition into preschool and, ultimately, our elementary program. From their very first school experience, children are immersed in language, culture, and joyful discovery expanding their world one meaningful moment at a time.
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Spring Camps at iCode Redmond are the perfect way to keep kids engaged, learning, and having fun during the break! Our hands-on programs blend creativity, technology, and teamwork as campers explore coding, game design, robotics, and more. With exciting
projects and supportive instructors, students build new skills while making friends and unforgettable memories. Whether your child is a beginner or already loves tech, our Spring Camps offer an inspiring and enriching experience they’ll look forward to every day.
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"Join us on the farm to meet our newest additions! We’ll gather on our covered party pad to cozy up with our featured babies (usually a combination of bunnies, piglets and baby goats/lambs).
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Woven in Wool: Resilience in Coast Salish Weaving showcases both historical and contemporary woven items, including blankets, tunics, hoods, and skirts.
Journey through the seasonal cycle of weaving, from gathering materials and spinning wool to dyeing with natural ingredients and weaving intricate designs. Along the way, learn firsthand from weavers and gain insight into the deep cultural and scientific knowledge embedded in every strand.
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Vendor Market at Infinity Farm Issaquah on Saturday, 3/21/26 from 10AM-3PM. Free entry and parking. Shop and dine from over 75 local vendors.
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You’re invited to celebrate spring with us at the Spring Artisan Fair at the Francis Anderson Center in Edmonds, WA! Bring your friends, bring your family, and come shop, snack, and enjoy the community vibes. It’s the perfect way to welcome the season and
support local makers.
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The all-new 2026 Camp Invention® program, Spark, is coming to curious kids in your community this summer! Rising K-6 campers will collaborate with friends to tackle hands-on, open-ended challenges. They’ll team up with robotic capybaras, ride the waves of entrepreneurship, uncover the power of protecting their ideas and build a DIY space rocket! Each experience is designed to spark confidence, build persistence and create unforgettable summer memories. Visit invent.org/save/camp to secure your spot! Register using CIFUN25 by 3/31 to save $25 or CIFUN20 by 4/28 to save $20 when you register. Interest-free payment plans are available, making camp affordable for all families.
January 27, 2026
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- Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! Seattle-Tacoma area - Shoott - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, USA, Friday, March 20, 2026 to Sunday, March 22, 2026 - See link for times
- Family Story Time - Shoreline Library - Shoreline Library - Shoreline Library, 345 Northeast 175th Street, Shoreline, WA 98155, Friday, March 20, 2026 - 10 am - 10:30 am
- Spring for Local Market
- Infinity Farm Issaquah, 16523 Issaquah-Hobart Road Southeast, Issaquah, WA 98027, Saturday, March 21, 2026 - 10AM-3PM
- OUR VOICES: Exploring the Past, Present & Future of Washington’s Southeast Asian Community with Susan Lieu and Community Partners - Washington State History Museum, 1911 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402, Saturday, March 21, 2026 - 10 am - 4 pm
- Chess Club
for Kids and Teens - Shoreline Library - Shoreline Library - Shoreline Library, 345 Northeast 175th Street, Shoreline, WA 98155, Sunday, March 22, 2026 - 1 pm - 3 pm
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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the Seattle 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 Seattle 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 Seattle area? 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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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Seattle 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! In addition to Seattle there are
locations in Mercer Island, Bellevue, Kirkland, Newcastle, Shoreline, Renton, Lake Forest Park, Redmond, Kingsgate, Kenmore, and SeaTac.
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2025's best places to take kids in the Seattle area. Each May-June, 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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