KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Sat, Jun 13: Father's Day on the Farm's - Pingle’s Farm Market Sat, Jun 13: Rosedale Art Fair
Thu, Jun 18: LUZIA Cirque Du Soleil Toronto
Fri, Jun 19: TD Toronto Jazz Fest 2026
Fri, Jun 19: Fairbank Summerfest 2026 Sat, Jun 20: Celebrate Father’s Day the Soccer Way!
Fri, Jun 26: ICFF and Lavazza IncluCity Festival 2026
Sun, Jun 28: Power Kids: Picture Gardens
Mon, Jun 29: Monday Movie Night at Horseshoe Valley
Wed, Jul 1: Power Kids: July 1st Drop-in
Wed, Jul 1: Downey's Canada Day Strawberry Festival
Thu, Jul 2: Arts in the Parks: The Spiral of Our Relations Fri, Jul 3: Taste of Lawrence 2026
Sat, Jul 4: Saturday S'mores: Super Science
Mon, Jul 6: Summer at the BSM: Little Boots at Bata Shoe Museum
Fri, Jul 10: LiUNA Family Day - Downsview Park
Sun, Jul 12: Power Kids: Shapes and Shadows
Sun, Jul 19: Sundays: Colour Your World at Westfield Heritage Village
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: When I was homeschooling Madison and Ella, one of my favorite sanity-saving tools was the Theme of the Week. If the theme was "Birds," then yes, we'd go on a bird walk. But we'd also read my favorite-ever children's book, talk about the physics of flying and of colors, and probably also do some math and logic involving eggs and
baskets. The theme made ordinary learning feel like an adventure, but more important, it gave us a focusing tool: It helped the girls connect with what they were seeing and doing, and it helped me feel that we weren’t wandering randomly through our days. Summer planning can benefit from that same kind of gentle structure. Last week, I wrote about how summer is not supposed to be a guilt-inducing race to cram in every concert, splash pad, festival, hike,
camp, road trip, library program, ice cream stand, and sunset before the school buses roll again. Trying to grab everything is a good way to miss the point; instead, to plan the summer without overstuffing it, we need to consider the kinds of experiences that make our family feel more awake, connected, and alive. The five summer lenses I keep coming back to are: music, motion, making,
nature, and food. Music helps kids hear the world differently and live what they love. Motion lets bodies teach what words cannot. Making reminds us that we can bring something new into the universe. Nature offers perspective and wonder. And food connects us to place, culture, and each other. Over the next
few weeks, I’ll address these one at a time—not as assignments, but as invitations. Even as the days fly by, a summer seen through some useful lenses can still be lazy, loose, spontaneous, and wonderfully imperfect.
—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 GTA. 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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Active Kids Zone is your go-to party headquarters, making celebrations easy, stress-free, and unforgettable. We offer a wide variety of PRIVATE birthday parties to choose from including sports and games, crafts, baking, karaoke, bear stuffing, our exciting Fun Zone, Pixel Games and more. No matter your child’s interests, we have the perfect party experience. Our energetic coaches and friendly hosts handle every detail, ensuring your event runs smoothly from start to finish while keeping guests entertained every step of the way. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the celebration while we create a fun-filled party your child and their friends will remember for years to come. https://activekidszone.com/birthday-parties
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Looking for Summer fun? It's not too late! Active Kids Zone's Summer Camp keep kids active and entertained with exciting daily activities including sports and games, crafts and baking, Pixel Games, VR, Fun Zone and so much more! The Summer is packed with even more adventure, featuring weekly field trips every Wednesday, plus swimming and outdoor play every Tuesday and Thursday for the ultimate camp experience! Weekly registration is available as well as 3 and 4 day options.
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Create your own TV shows and Podcasts in professional multi set studios! Learn the basics of anchoring, hosting and reporting. Plus experience the key behind the scenes roles of producer, director and camera operator along the way. Gain confidence in a fun, hands on way and build new skills with a super supportive team. Friday’s Showcase allows families to watch it all happen in person. The program runs Mon-Fri., 9am–3pm, throughout July and August. For ages 12 plus. Send a message to reserve a spot or visit our website to register: https://yourtickettotheshow.com/ Space is limited to 20 spots per week
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An immersive dance theatre experience. Step beyond the threshold of the living. This June, the historic rooms of Campbell House Museum transform into a world where echoes of the past and whispers from the underworld begin to surface.
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Celebrate Dad on the Farm! This Father’s Day weekend, treat Dad to some fresh air and farm fun! Dads receive free admission all weekend long (Saturday June 14th & Sunday June 15th), plus a special $10 combo featuring our house-made bratwurst sausage and a pop. It’s our way of saying thanks to all the amazing dads out there!
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Join us for CHAS Fair Country Night on Saturday, June 13, 2026 in The Carriage House!
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Markham Museum is thrilled to partner with Markham Dog Alliance to host Barkham 2026, York Region’s largest dog-focused festival! Barkham 2026 will transform 25 acres of scenic, dog-friendly space at Markham Museum into the ultimate pet-lover’s paradise. Visitors can browse an incredible selection of vendors offering unique products and services for both dogs and humans, indulge in delicious eats from food trucks, and take part in exciting games and activities throughout the weekend.
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Created in partnership with BMO, this one‑hour workshop is where guests build and customize their own miniature soccer scene, complete with a soccer net and country flag inspired by the team they cheer for. Each participant leaves with a finished mini soccer scene to take home as a meaningful keepsake.This workshop is suitable for children 6+
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What has started to sprout in the gardens at Westfield? Come find out about some of the native plants that we have re-introduced to the property. Kids can pick-up their Westfield Nature Journal and complete activities in the Anniversary Garden. Today’s Family Craft is a scarecrow puppet.
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The Rosedale Art Fair is a wonderful opportunity for almost 100 established and emerging artists to show and sell their work in a must-visit event for art lovers. RAF has become a destination for art connoisseurs and art lovers, gallerists and designers alike, as well as novice buyers who are seeking to find the perfect piece for their home.
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Soccer Fans Unite! Get ready to dribble, dash, and discover! This family-friendly soccer-themed hunt takes you on an exciting journey through ROM, where the sport and your favourite teams are brought to life through art, culture, and nature. Follow clues, score trivia goals, and explore the Museum in a whole new way. Grab your team and start your quest today!
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Join us June 11 to 14, 2026 for the next LaSalle Strawberry Festival! This beloved event celebrates the local strawberry and the rich agricultural heritage of our region, bringing together families, friends and visitors for four days of unforgettable fun. From live entertainment and dazzling fireworks, to a vibrant parade and thrilling carnival rides, the festival offers something for everyone. Stroll through rows of food and merchandise vendors, indulge n sweet treats, especially strawberries served with ice cream and soak in the festive atmosphere. Whether you're a longtime LaSalle resident or a first time guest, the LaSalle Strawberry Festival is the perfect way to kick off summer.
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Join us every Saturday in June during Indigenous History Month for a special 30-minute presentation created by Indigenous Collections Advisor, Justine Woods. Led by BSM Education Guides, discover unique design elements and materials used in the process of moccasin making, and learn more about the Bata Shoe Museum’s repatriation initiatives and commitment to UNDRIP.
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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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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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The Toronto Area's Pick-Your-Own Fruit Listed below are farms in and near Toronto that offer pick your own fruits, berries, and vegetables. And... to make the most of your experience, check out our
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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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