KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
|
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
In last week's column, I wrote about the Humble Abode, the kids-only hideout my sister and I created behind the giant azalea bush in our backyard. We dragged in chairs and treasures and made a little home in the hollowed-out
branches. At the time, I thought of it as something we had built. But of course, we didn’t create it from nothing. We were makers, yes, but we were making inside a world that was already alive. Summer is the perfect time for kids to experience that lesson up close and personal, with all their senses. The world is warm, green, buzzing, blooming, squelching, chirping, dripping, and growing almost too fast to track. Kids can smell lake water and tomato leaves, feel bark and moss
and mud, watch ants organize themselves with alarming competence, and notice that the same trail looks different after rain. Nature doesn’t need a lesson plan. It offers immediacy first: I am here. This is real. Pay attention. And then, quietly, it offers perspective. A child is legitimately the center of his or her own universe; we all are, from the inside. But Nature gently complicates that story. The robin is not singing for us. The creek does not hurry because we
are late. The sunflower turns toward the sun whether or not anyone remembers to admire it. Clouds, tides, weeds, and weather all proceed with their ancient business, reminding us that we belong to a world much larger than our schedules and preferences. That perspective should not make us feel small in a bad way, but instead help us feel rightly-sized. Humans have the wonderful ability to create, repair, improve, and beautify our little corners of the universe. But we do it
best when we understand the nature of the world we’re working within. So use this summer to include as much Outside Green Time as you can, looking up and around and in. Poke gently. Nature will do the rest.
—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build
Strong Communities
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
GFT's annual celebration of arts for young audiences returns for its fifth summer in the park! With a focus on international and multicultural stories, this year's Family Fest features performances in a variety of art forms along with hands-on activities in music, literacy, and more. Family Fest invites children from toddlers to teens to explore their creativity and offers families a fun-filled festival where kids can learn, play, and discover the joy of performing arts.
|
|
|
|
We are highlighting the needlecrafts and fibre arts that one might see through the various time periods. Quilting, rug hooking, embroidery, knitting and more will be part of the afternoon. Today’s Family Craft is to weave a paper mat.
|
|
|
|
Inspired by our newest exhibition, Unearthing Vindolanda: Footwear from the Edge of the Roman Empire, the BSM is excited to host a series of presentations, activities, and exhibition tours throughout the summer. Included with general admission, families and summer camp groups are invited to explore the entire museum, while taking part in self-guided crafts, including Roman puppet-making, 3D shoebox model-making of Vindolanda, iSpy games, try-on shoes, and take home a themed activity booklet.
|
|
|
|
The Dance Together Festival transforms public spaces and celebrates community through diverse and inclusive dance workshops, vibrant visual art and live music. The festival offers free workshops and events that centre on positive and accessible dance experiences. Open to all ages, levels and abilities.
|
|
|
|
Guild Festival Theatre presents THE THREE MUSKETEERS, created and performed by The Lakeside Players as part of Family Fest. Don’t miss Alexandre Dumas’ classic, ‘The Three Musketeers’, now performed by only TWO actors! Recommended for ages 4+.
|
|
|
|
Where Circus Tradition Meets Modern Spectacle. The Royal Canadian Circus arrives in Brampton with an electrifying all-new 2026 production — a thrilling blend of world-class acrobatics, stunning visuals, and the heart of circus tradition. Inspired by the excellence of classic European performances and elevated with cutting-edge lighting, sound, and staging, this immersive experience invites audiences of every generation to step into the spotlight and be swept away by nonstop excitement, wonder, and awe.
|
|
|
|
The Everlasting Friendship of Billy & Bink: a new TYA musical about what it means to be a friend in the digital age, appearing as a part of the 2026 Toronto Fringe Festival’s KidsFest at Young People’s Theatre from July 2 to July 12. From Toronto actor/singer/award-winning content creator Will Parry, comes PUPPETS AND HUMANS ALIKE, meet Billy & Bink! A puppet and human brother duo who are also BEST FRIENDS! It’s a perfect day until Bink finds out Billy is hiding a secret. Uh-oh! Things just got confusing! Friendship is HARD! With the help of songs, laughs, and YOU, they’ll sort their problem out! Enjoy this brand-new TYA musical for the whole family at KidsFest. Suitable for ages 5–10 (and everybody else!)
|
|
|
|
A live solo performance by Laurie Berkner and sponsored by tonies®! Join us one hour before showtime for Toniepalooza featuring activities, giveaways, Tonie trading, and more! Laurie’s first time playing in Canada in over 20 years! Laurie’s solo show features popular hits like “We Are The Dinosaurs,” “Bumblebee (Buzz Buzz),” “Victor Vito,” “Waiting For The Elevator”, and “Chipmunk At The Gas Pump”, plus – as a special treat for fans – a few well-loved Laurie Berkner songs that are not often heard at Laurie’s full-band concerts!
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
On Saturdays at the Second City, it’s the kids’ turn to run the world! In this high-energy and fast-paced sketch and improv show, kids give all the ideas and even get the chance to get onstage!
|
|
|
|
Enjoy free outdoor Yoga in Trillium Park from June 6 to September 27. Held every Saturday and Sunday from 10–11 a.m., these all-level classes blend hatha and vinyasa yoga with a focus on mindfulness, strength, and breath. Throughout the season, special sessions featuring Pilates, meditation, live music, and other unique movement experiences offer fresh ways to connect and recharge.
|
|
|
|
|
|
2026'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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
Wishing you and your family health and happiness,
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
|
|
