KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Thu, Jun 11: Fish Tales at the Point Defiance Marina
Fri, Jun 12: Community Access Skate Night at the Everett Community Ice Rink
Fri, Jun 12: The Taming of the Shrew | Studio East
Sat, Jun 13: Youth Student Art Show | Picket Fence Art Studio
Sat, Jun 13: Summer Street Festival - Crown Hill Village
Sat, Jun 13: Beach Naturalist Shore Stroll at Olympic Sculpture Park
Sat, Jun 13: Sensory-Friendly Hours at Pacific Science Center
Sun, Jun 14: Family Game Day! at Blue Highway Games
Mon, Jun 15: Beach Naturalist at Seahurst Beach | Seattle Aquarium
Wed, Jun 17: Summer Splash! Festival of Fun
Wed, Jun 17: Mini Golf at Olympic Sculpture Park
Wed, Jun 17: Explore the Shore at Owen Beach
Thu, Jun 18: June Art Walk Edmonds
Fri, Jun 19: Moomins' Sea Adventures & Tove and the Sea: Stories of joy, imagination, and belonging
Sat, Jun 20: Vegetarian, Vegan and Raw Food
Festival
Sat, Jun 20: Fremont Fair 2026
Sat, Jun 20: Pride Celebration at the Zoo |
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 Seattle 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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Weekends in June: Get Ready for Cuteness Overload! Baby Animals & Berries is back for 2026! The farm comes alive with baby animals, hands-on experiences, and the kind of energy that families come back for year after year! Your admission includes up-close time with baby goats, lambs, chicks, and bunnies. Plus, enjoy unlimited access to 30+ farm attractions throughout the day. Zip-lines, jumping pillows, wagon rides, the cow train, low ropes—there’s always something pulling you to the next adventure. And in between, take a break at our family-friendly Cidery, Tractor Cafe, or Country Store for a bite, a drink, and farm made treats you won’t find anywhere else!
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Join the grand opening of Legacy Square, Piazza Park, and the construction completion of Renton Market in downtown Renton, and be part of this historic moment that will leave a LEGACY in Renton.
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In celebration of the Seattle Mariners’ 50th season, MOPOP steps up to the plate with an artifact spotlight honoring half a century of baseball and the fans who made every inning count.
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Last year we celebrated the 65th Anniversary of Duvall Days with an ode to the beginnings of our historic Snoqualmie Valley event, a throwback to the original verbiage, Duvall "Daze!" This year we have another Anniversary! It's the 50th year of Duvall "Days!" Haha, we know it's a wee bit confusing, but nonetheless, we celebrate all facets along the journey that's brought us to the present rendition of the event.
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Join us for the 10th annual Burien Pride Collective Pride Festival, a three-day, family-friendly celebration of community, joy, and connection right here in Burien! This is one of the largest Pride celebrations in South King County—three days of love, inclusion, and community.
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The historic Tacoma Chess Club is partnering with Parks Tacoma to bring drop in chess to our community Centers 4 nights a week: Tuesdays and Fridays from 6-10 pm at the Eastside Community Center | Thursdays from 6-10 pm at STAR Center | Sundays are 50+ at Eastside Community Center from 4-8 pm.
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What’s better than baking challah alone or grabbing one from the store? Making it together with your J community! Braid, shape, and create delicious challahs while connecting with friends old and new. Afterward, take your dough or baked loaf home to share and enjoy with loved ones.
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Family Fun Nights at Highlands Neighborhood Center welcomes participants of all ages to enjoy a variety of activities: games, arts & crafts, snacks, and more! Register at rentonwa.gov/register
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Join Harbor WildWatch for a feeding experience! Watch hermit crabs scramble and Surf Perch race for food during our daily feed! Chat with one of our aquarists or naturalists who care for our resident Salish Sea critters. You may even get the chance to see our octopus grab a snack from their den!
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One and all are encouraged to get on the water on one of our peapod rowboats for free one-hour rentals! Available walk up only, on a first-come, first-serve basis down at the floating boatshop.
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Soccer is played in nearly every corner of the world. The Beautiful Game: How Soccer Connects Us All is an exhibition timed to welcome both local and international visitors during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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If you know a current college undergraduate who was born in the US and has at least one immigrant parent, please invite them to participate in the research study of Wiljar Ojuro, 2026 doctoral candidate at the University of Rochester. The purpose of this study is to examine mental health and academic outcomes among these students, with the goal of informing higher education practices related to student retention and counseling center support services. Students who choose to participate click the survey link, review the information sheet, and complete the survey. After finishing, they will have the option to enter a drawing for a $100 Amazon electronic gift card through a separate link.
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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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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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The Seattle Area's Pick-Your-Own Fruit Listed below are farms in and near Seattle that offer pick your own fruits, berries, and vegetables. And... to make the most of your experience, check out our
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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