KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: A tumble is not a verdict; it's information. And kids are natural data analysts. That's what a mom half a generation older than me told me when I was getting ready to have kids, and I took it to heart. So I was secretly a little thrilled the summer my daughter Madison was almost 4, when she took her first big splash off a slippery log into a
creek. Here's why: To succeed in life, everyone needs to learn to stretch to the edge of their abilities... to gather courage from their toes, to calculate, to balance, to wobble, to slide... and eventually to succeed. Kids can learn this early if the grownups in their orbit help them see the mud and bruises that come from a tumble as badges to be worn proudly: a fail-until-we-succeed philosophy in action. That's how personal fulfillment happens, and it's how human progress happens,
too. Summer is childhood's best laboratory, where sensory experiences stick as lifelong learning. School has grades and rubrics and consequences; summer has grass stains and do-overs. An amusement park ride can teach the difference between fear and danger. A hands-on museum can teach that when your tower collapses, you simply vow to rebuild it taller. A farm can teach that maybe you don’t like strawberries from the grocery store, but
you do like the ones you picked yourself, still warm from the sun. A climbing gym can teach your muscles that “I can’t” really means “I can’t yet.” And summer camps are entire worlds built around trying something new with no transcript following you home. Last week, the KidsOutAndAbout.com team launched our annual Top 20 Places to Take Kids survey. It's a way to thank the people who make your community a great place to raise kids. Equally important, it’s a giant menu of local opportunities for your kids to stretch their legs, their minds, and their bravery this summer. Use it to create your summer bucket list! Then step back and set your family’s summer dial to “safe to fail.” Watch your kids climb, build, stumble, and try again.
Let them splash.
—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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Splash into the best summer break ever at Vancouver Aquarium! AquaCamps are the ultimate adventure for ocean explorers aged 5–12. From hands-on activities and up-close animal observations to science-based crafts and outdoor play, every day is overflowing with fun and discovery. Led by experienced aquarium staff, campers will meet amazing animals, make new friends (both human and animal), and dive into topics like food webs, life cycles, adaptations, ecosystems and ocean conservation. Learning happens naturally when the adventure is this fun! Spots fill up quickly—register today.
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Discover an unforgettable summer in sunny Tsawwassen at Southpointe Academy. Designed for students entering Grades 1–12, our Summer Programme offers enriching experiences in academics, STEM, and the arts within a caring, engaging community where every learner is encouraged to grow. Whether your child is building new skills, exploring a passion, or discovering something entirely new, Southpointe provides a summer filled with creativity, confidence, and connection. Led by experienced educators and instructors, each programme is thoughtfully designed to inspire curiosity and joyful learning through hands-on experiences and meaningful friendships. Spaces are extremely limited and expected to fill quickly. Explore our full range of summer offerings and register early to secure your child’s place in an unforgettable Southpointe summer!
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Beginner Summer Camps at The Happening Dance Company are the perfect introduction to dance in a fun, welcoming, and energetic environment. These week-long camps run throughout July and are designed for ages 4–7 and 8–14. Dancers will explore a wide range of styles—including Acro, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, Popping, Waacking, Contemporary, Breaking, and more—while building confidence and discovering what they love. With guidance from experienced instructors, dancers will develop foundational skills, make new friends, and experience all our studio has to offer. Dance with us this summer: www.thehappeningdance.com/camps
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Join us for a hands-on baking workshops on making challah and babka with local cook Victoria Paikin. Learn the basics of challah, from making the dough to braiding the bread. Victoria will also then do a demonstration on how challah dough can be used to make babka as well.
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Calling all community scientists! Celebrate the International Day for Biodiversity by observing and recording as many nature sightings as you can!
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Beneath our feet, a league of superheroes is hard at work making life on Earth possible. Discover the hidden world of soil science and conservation in Soil Superheroes, a fun and interactive exhibition on loan from the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, part of Ingenium Canada’s Museums of Science and Innovation. This exhibit raises awareness of soil health and sustainability, critical issues that directly impact food security, climate resilience, human health, and the overall quality of life for Canadians.
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Celebrate International Museum's Week by exploring New Westminster’s museums and galleries in a whole new way with the New West Museum Quest! For one week only, visitors are invited to take part in a city-wide BINGO-style challenge to discover local arts and heritage spaces, collect stamps, and earn chances to win a New West Prize Pack. How It Works Pick up a BINGO card Available at any participating museum or gallery starting May 18.
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Sensory-Friendly Mornings are inclusive events for individuals and families with neurodiverse or accessibility needs. Guests can explore our exhibits and galleries in a comfortable, welcoming and less crowded environment.
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Meet the teams and machines that keep our City running. Join us for our first annual Public Works Open House on Saturday, May 23 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the City Operations Centre (61 Bewicke Ave). This free, hands-on, all ages experience is in celebration of the annual National Public Works Week (May 17 to 23), raising awareness of the importance of public works and recognizing the professionals working behind the scenes. This year’s theme is “Rooted in Service, Powered by Community”.
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Join Surrey’s Salmon Habitat Restoration Program (SHaRP) and Stream of Dreams members & volunteers for an all-ages event at the City Centre Detention Pond on World Fish Migration Day! Come learn about Quibble Creek, a salmon-bearing stream in the heart of Surrey City Centre, and help us add more colourful wooden fish to the Stream of Dreams mural on the Detention Pond fence. Learn all about salmon in Surrey and help us expand a mural that is raising awareness about salmon and the ways we can care for their habitats!
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Kick off National Accessibility Week in red carpet style! The fourth annual Down Syndrome Film Festival will showcase four films created by and starring members of BC’s Down syndrome community, including short films Tim, Work in Progress: Employment for People with Down Syndrome, and Unified Voices, plus full-length feature King Arthur’s Night.
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Bring the whole family to Echoes of Peace, a joyful afternoon of music and culture in the beautiful Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. Kids and parents alike will discover the magical sounds of traditional Chinese instruments, gentle folk songs, and warm storytelling through music in a calm and welcoming setting. Featuring the Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble and special guest artist Ginalina, this family-friendly concert is a wonderful way to introduce children to music, culture.
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The BC Walk & Roll Accessibility Parade is a landmark community event celebrating accessibility, inclusion, and a barrier-free future. Organized by the Equal Access Collective, the parade will begin on the roadside outside Holland Park and travel to Surrey City Hall Plaza, bringing the community together in a visible celebration of accessibility.
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The Bandits aim to embody Vancouver's vibrant spirit and passion for basketball, bringing their love of the game to the fans. For the latest schedule and ticket information, visit the official Vancouver Bandits website.
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Start your Sunday with an awe-inspiring view as the backdrop to a Hatha yoga session. This gentle, slower-paced style of yoga focuses on physical postures and breathing—which will be all the more restorative with a stunning view of Vanier Park, English Bay and the North Shore Mountains. This will be the ultimate way to reset before the week begins. Please bring your yoga mat. Mats will not be provided. Admission to the MOV is included with your ticket!
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- Friday Night Youth Lounge Drop-In - False Creek Community Centre - 1318 Cartwright St, Vancouver, BC, Friday, May 22, 2026, 6-9 pm
- Shipyards Night Market - 138 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver, BC, Friday, May 22, 2026, 3-10 pm
- Soil Superheroes - Museum of Surrey - 17710 56A Avenue, Surrey, BC
V3S 5H8, Friday, May 22, 2026 to Sunday, May 24, 2026, Tuesday to Saturday 9:30 am–5:30 pm; Sunday 12–5 pm
- New West Museum Quest - New Westminster City Hall - 511 Royal Avenue, New Westminster, BC V3L 1H9, Friday, May 22, 2026 to Sunday, May 24, 2026, all day
- Biodiversity Day BioBlitz - Port Kells Park - 19340 88 Avenue, Surrey, BC, Saturday, May 23, 2026, see website
- Abbotsford Farm and Country
Market - George Ferguson Way, Abbotsford, BC, Saturday, May 23, 2026, 9 am–1 pm
- Ballet Storytime with Tutu School - North Vancouver District Public Library (Capilano Branch) - 3045 Highland Blvd, North Vancouver, BC V7R 2X4, Saturday, May 23, 2026, 11:00am-12:00pm
- Bradner May Day Parade and Country Fair - Bradner Elementary School - Bradner Road, Abbotsford, BC, Saturday, May 23, 2026, 9 am - 3 pm
- Family Fun - Surrey Libraries – City Centre Branch - 10350 University Dr, Surrey, BC V3T 4B8, Saturday, May 23, 2026, 2-4 pm
- Family Storytime - Richmond Public Library, Brighouse Branch - Minoru Gate, Richmond, BC, Saturday, May 23, 2026, 10:30-11 am
- Family Storytime with DUPLO® - Surrey Libraries – City Centre Branch - 10350 University Dr, Surrey, BC V3T 4B8, Saturday, May 23, 2026, 11 am - 12 pm
- FAMILY DAYS at The Gallery at Evergreen Arts - Evergreen Cultural Centre - Pinetree Way, Coquitlam, BC, Saturday, May 23, 2026, 12 pm and 2 pm
- Hyak Multicultural Parade and Festival in the Park - Hyack Festival
Association - 6th Street, New Westminster, BC, Saturday, May 23, 2026, 11 am
- Mount Pleasant Farmers Market - 2300 Guelph Street, Mount Pleasant, Vancouver, BC V5T 3P1, Sunday, May 24, 2026, 10 am- 2 pm
- BC Walk & Roll Accessibility Parade - Holland Park - 13428 Old Yale Rd, Surrey, BC, Sunday, May 24, 2026, 1 pm
- Dad & Me Babytime - Capilano Library
(North Vancouver District Public Library), Sunday, May 24, 2026, 10:30am-11:30am
- White Rock Farmers Market - White Rock Farmers' Market - 15154 Russell Ave, White Rock, BC V4B 2P6, Sunday, May 24, 2026, 10 am - 2 pm
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Vancouver 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 Vancouver 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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Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the Vancouver 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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Wishing you and your family health and happiness!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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