KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
As I write this column, three Americans and one Canadian are hurtling home from a trip around the Moon, inside a machine that had better do exactly what it’s supposed to do. For years, every person involved in the mission obsessed over every detail at every stage until as little as possible was left to chance. “Failure is not an option,” an ethos long associated with
our quest to explore outer space, makes perfect sense when we're talking about Artemis II. But decades ago, the attitude leaked out of the space program and into everyday life, and that was a mixed blessing. When I was a teenager, “failure is not an option” might as well have been tattooed on my brain: For me, not only was failure not an option, but anything below an A grade wasn’t an option, either. I was so afraid of not being perfect that if I felt unprepared for a test,
I’d stay home “sick.” I looked successful from the outside, but because I was working so hard to avoid mistakes, I played it safe. So I didn't actually accomplish much aside from some sharp-looking letters on a report card. It took me years out in the real world to realize that real accomplishment usually looks less like gliding and more like bumping into things until you find the way through. So these days, failure and I are best buddies: I've replaced "failure is not an
option" with "nothing ventured, nothing gained" as I inch toward and away from success each day. Even writing my column each week is an act of resilience: I add and then murder my words until they say what I mean, and I'm always aware in the end that it could be better. One of my goals when I was homeschooling Madison and Ella was to make failure safe and ordinary... cheerful, even... a sign of progress. Kids need chances to try things that might flop: recipes that taste
weird, projects that collapse, math problems they have to redo, conversations they wish they’d handled better. I wanted them to understand that when the stakes are low, failure is not a tragedy, it’s just how learning works. It doesn't usually feel fun, or comfortable. But it's the only way to fly.
—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 local Theatre Camps! GBTC offers weekly programs during July and August, featuring plays, mime, improvisation, theatre games, musical theatre, and work with simple sets and costumes! Each weekly program culminates in a public performance at week's end. Outdoor activities, games, and sports are also part of the fun. Campers hone their skills and build confidence through engaging, creative games that tap into their vocal, physical, and emotional potential. GBTC's dedicated and compassionate staff foster a nurturing environment where campers feel at ease. They are encouraged to forge new friendships and enhance skills and confidence that will benefit them in all aspects of life. With our low Camper to Staff ratios, every child gets the chance to shine with their age group and the broader camp community.
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The One Of A Kind Spring Market returns April 9-12, 2026, bringing together an exciting lineup of talented artisans from coast to coast with fresh designs and thoughtful pieces you won't find anywhere else. It's the perfect place to welcome the season. As the season of renewal begins, there's no better time to refresh your space, your style, and your intentions for the year ahead. Discover new makers, support small businesses, and shop pieces made with love.
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After touring over 100 cities in 24 countries and entering CNN's list of “Must-See” exhibitions, Art of the Brick is coming to Toronto. The exhibit immerses the visitor in a cheerful and colorful world. The artist used more than a million bricks, creating over 130+ works of art that can make adults and children smile and reflect.
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Join us for Slow Art Day, an annual global event that invites people to visit their local galleries and museums, and experience the pleasure of looking at art slowly. Instead of rushing from one artwork to the next, Slow Art Day encourages visitors to pause and spend time with a single work of art. When you slow down and pay attention, you may notice details that would otherwise go unseen. This reflective experience often sparks curiosity and connections in unexpected ways. Best of all, no art expertise is required.
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Building on a multi-year research project, our newest exhibition will celebrate the lives of 52 women who have shaped Toronto as we know it. Spanning from the 1800s until today, this exhibition shines a spotlight on the change-makers, agitators, and revolutionaries within Toronto’s 52%. While some of these women’s stories are well known, others have gone relatively untold until today. See how many names you are familiar to you — step into their shoes, learn their stories and discover the ways they have transformed Toronto.
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The ultimate farmers market, with the widest offering of local and seasonal food you’ll find in the city. Evergreen started its Saturday Farmers Market in 2007 with 25 local farmers and producers, a great location, and a great community response. At the time, many predicted that it wouldn’t last. But, last, it did. Since then, it has grown into the largest farmers market in Toronto. Find the Saturday Farmers Market outdoors from May to October and indoors from November to April. Every Saturday, 9am – 1pm. The Saturday Farmers Market at Evergreen Brick Works operates during COVID-19 as an essential service. Evergreen has adopted a range of measures to ensure that we can make access to local food a safe and enjoyable experience. In doing so, we hope to demonstrate how resilient local food systems can continue to play an integral role in the food models of cities.
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Gather your loved ones and join us at the gallery for a free afternoon of creative fun on the first Sunday of every month!
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This pop-up installation explores the compelling stories and experiences of Toronto’s diverse communities who have fought for their sense of home, belonging and identity during periods of conflict and peace. This installation is created in partnership with the Toronto Metropolitan University's Masters of Digital Media program.
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Have you made your weekend plans yet? We're FREE every Sunday thanks to our sponsor KPMG! Reserve your tickets now!
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Celebrate the arrival of spring as the Floral Showhouse bursts into bloom with its beloved Orchid Show. Wander through an uplifting palette of blues, yellows and violets, where over 17,000 Phalaenopsis orchids take centre stage among fresh spring companions including daffodils, hyacinths, tulips, primula, cineraria, pansies and ferns. Let the colours and fragrances of spring wash over you, lifting your spirits and refreshing your energy after winter’s long pause.
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Enter Night Mode. Select Friday night home games. When Rogers Centre comes alive. Every Friday, with the exception of Opening Night presented by TD, the Blue Jays will wear the City Connect uniforms on field. On select Fridays, fans can look forward to City Connect Fridays with themed ballpark activities, live music and giveaways. Icons, Energy, Strength and Culture are at the forefront. As we celebrate the things that make OUR city one of a kind. Your weekend starts here!
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When the curtain of dreams rises, you never know what memory will leap into your heart. Where were you when the Bee Gees sang their top hits? (They even came to see us on Broadway with their children!)
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A new galactic recruit, a missing star, and a bit of unexpected mayhem create the world of the Star Keepers. Every night, the Star Keepers must make sure each star is awake and ready to shine, but what happens when one goes missing? This interactive play takes kids ages 1-5 years on a journey that reminds all of us that mistakes happen, but no problem is too big if you ask for help.
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- The 52: An Exhibition - Museum of Toronto, 401 Richmond Street West, Toronto, ON M5V 3A8, Friday, April 10, 2026 to Sunday, April 12, 2026, 12 - 6 pm
- Free Sunday at Bata Shoe Museum - Bata Shoe Museum, 327 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON M5S 1W7, Sunday, April 12, 2026, 12 - 5 pm
- Family Sunday: Seed
Starting & Spring Sprouts - Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery, 101 Queen Street North, Kitchener, ON, Sunday, April 12, 2026, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the Toronto 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 Toronto 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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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Toronto 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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2025's best places to take kids in Toronto, based on KidsOutAndAbout's annual reader survey. Our Top 20 results page is an annotated list of the winners, both of the top 20 slots and of the category winners. But there is LOTS more to do in and around
Toronto!
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Wishing you and your family health and happiness,
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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