KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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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
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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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From May 16 through September 7, our limited-time exhibit, Giants at Work: Big Jobs, Bigger Machines, brings childhood dreams to life. Experience the incredible scale of modern mining by exploring the colossal, 21-foot-tall Cat® 793C Mining Truck. Families can climb to the upper platform for an operator's view, dive into hands-on science and engineering activities, and learn about the skilled workers keeping things running. For an extra thrill, jump into the driver's seat of our authentic Mining Truck Simulator! Discover the power of big jobs and bigger machines, just 45 minutes from Vancouver.
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Mission Arts & Culture in partnership with Fresh Air Cinema and BC Hydro presents a Free Movie Night at Fraser River Heritage Park powered by Clean Energy. The event kicks off at 7pm and Disney Pixar's Hoppers hits the screen around 9:25pm when the sun is setting. Pack a blanket and all the snacks and make this a family movie night to remember.
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Under the Stars and Under the Sea. Part of Your World This Summer! A curious, young mermaid, Ariel dreams of a world above the sea. After saving the life of Prince Eric following a disastrous shipwreck, Ariel strikes a dangerous bargain with the conniving sea witch, Ursula, exchanging her voice for a chance to be human. With the support of her loyal sea friends–Flounder, Sebastian, and Scuttle–can Ariel break the curse with a true love’s kiss before it’s too late? Based on the classic animated film, Disney’s The Little Mermaid brings Ariel’s vibrant underwater world to life on stage. Featuring all of the film’s most beloved songs – ”Part of Your World,” “Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl,” and more – the enchanting musical adventure promises to delight audiences of all ages.
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Kidtropolis is turning 10! Join us July 10–12th for a weekend of music, magic, characters, and Nerf battles as we celebrate a decade of fun with the whole family.
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Wander into Wonder! Step through the looking glass and wander into the wonder! Vancouver’s favourite free music and arts festival is back, bigger, brighter, and more whimsical than ever. Khatsahlano Street Party returns on Saturday, July 11, 2026, transforming West 4th Avenue into a fantastical playground of music, art, food, shopping, and community magic. Step into the unexpected as local favourites and up-and-coming artists take over multiple stages, while curious corners and enchanting surprises await around every twist and turn. Come lose yourself in the fun—because in Wonderland, anything can happen!
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Guided by the theme of “Ragas for a Ruptured World”, we are honoured to invite you to attend the Indian Summer Festival 2026, taking place from July 9 to 19 all across Metro Vancouver.
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Berry Fest is the annual street festival in Downtown Abbotsford, celebrating Abbotsford as the Berry Capital of Canada! The community is invited every July to partake in the fun! The streets are filled with vendors, food trucks, and activities for all ages to enjoy. Carnival rides, live entertainment, and a market are just some of the attractions. Be sure to stop by the Berry Vendor booths to grab some local berries picked that day!
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The biggest Latin American Festival in the Pacific Northwest, plus exclusive content, workshops and concerts to celebrate the richness of Latin American culture, and its presence in British Columbia.
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Join us July 11–12, 2026 for the first-ever Festina Lente Renaissance & Fantasy Faire -a weekend of enchantment, artisan markets, live music, and medieval delights. This summer, the gates of Festina Lente open to a realm of imagination. Wander through our artisan market, meet mystical performers, enjoy live music and games, and sip handcrafted meads inspired by myth and legend. Whether you come as a noble, a knight, or a mischievous fae- the magic awaits you.
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This show is a comedic exploration of our all-time favourite films and film genres and ENTIRELY made up on the spot! We need you to help us create the latest Blockbuster! Is it a Horror? Western? Sci-Fi with a Romantic twist? Come and find out!
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2026's best places to take kids in and around Vancouver, based on KidsOutAndAbout's annual reader survey. There is LOTS more to do in and around Vancouver even beyond the Top 20...Get great ideas here at KidsOutAndAbout.com! What is listed below are just
the starting point: Browse through our site and calendar to find lots more, and be sure to click on Everything That's Free.
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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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It's almost time for fruit picking! Fruit picking is a great activity to do together as a family. It helps little ones understand where their food actually comes from, and it's a fun tradition to share every year right through the teens.
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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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