KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Sat, Aug 1: Celebrate BC Day- Port Moody
Sat, Aug 1: Tsawwassen Sun
Festival
Thu, Aug 6: KitsFest
Fri, Aug 7: The Annual Chilliwack Fair
Sat, Aug 15: Back To School Blast- Vancouver
Sat, Aug 15: Arts Alive Festival
Sat, Aug 22: African Descent Festival
Sat, Aug 22: Richmond Maritime Festival
Sun, Aug 30: Car Free Day
Sat, Sep 5: TaiwanFest Vancouver
Sat, Sep 12: The McSpadden County Fair
Sun, Sep 13: North Shore Kids Fest
Sat, Sep 19: Namaste Canada
Sat, Sep 26: Culture Expo - Cultural Fair & Celebration
Sun, Sep 27: Ridge Meadows Rivers Day |
Sometimes, paradise itches. While on vacation recently, I discovered an almost-perfect trail adjacent to our rental house: flat, sandy, well-maintained, and, that morning, completely empty except for my family, Penny, and Skye. The dogs raced ahead and back as we wandered at a gentler pace. But the farther we ventured from civilization, and the more times we lingered to check out a surprising little stream
or colorful mushroom, the more the mosquitoes flocked. And when we got back to the house, I found a tick on Penny. Software people have an old joke: “It’s not a bug; it’s a feature.” After 25 years of publishing on the internet, I can confirm that anything complicated you create with software requires plenty of debugging. Bugs are part of the creative process, whether the creator is a human being or Nature itself. They’re built-in features of a world busy being alive. An
entirely bug-free life would be a pretty sterile one. Kids take their cues from us about what counts as a good experience, which is why I advocate looking at life through rose-colored lenses. Was the picnic still fun if it rained? Was the trip worthwhile if someone got cranky? Did the missed turn spoil the adventure? If one inconvenience earns the whole day a rating of RUINED, we teach children that delight is fragile and reality perpetually defective. They may start waiting
for perfect conditions before letting themselves have fun... and that is a lot of power to hand a mosquito. Tweezer out the ticks. Then keep walking.
—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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Youth Social Night is a fun, welcoming event where students can relax, connect, and enjoy time together in a safe and positive environment. The night includes games, music, snacks, and group activities designed to build friendships and create lasting memories. It’s a laid-back hangout where everyone is invited to come as they are and have fun with friends old and new—even when school is out.
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Watch Disney’s animated film, The Lion King, on the Orpheum’s big screen as the VSO performs Hans Zimmer’s musical score live to picture. The original 1994 animated film features unforgettable music by a notable team of Oscar® and GRAMMY® winners, including superstar Elton John, lyricist Tim Rice, and composer Hans Zimmer, plus African vocal and choir arrangements by GRAMMY®-winning South African producer and composer Lebo M (Rhythm of the Pride Lands).
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Now in its eighth year, Burnaby’s Pride event takes place at Civic Square and celebrates the diversity of the local 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual/Aromantic, Plus) community and all those who support them!
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The Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Country Fest is an annually hosted agriculturally focused and driven free festival that attracts 20,000+ every year at the last weekend in July for concerts, activities and fun for the whole family! Join us July 24th and 26th 2026!
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Get ready to soar, spin, and explore Vancouver’s favourite amusement park. Your summer adventure starts here. What’s New? Late‑Night Fun Returns: Make summer nights count this July and August with late-night openings on select Fridays and Saturdays! Playland stays open until 9:00 pm, giving you more time for thrills, rides, and fun—plus Fun and Thrill passes are just $30 after 5:00 pm. Looking for the best value? A Playland Season Pass gives you unlimited access plus exclusive perks just for passholders.
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Soccer season is here, and it’s the perfect moment to help your child take their passion to the next level. Future Stars Soccer Clinics 2026, in partnership with @supraacademy, is a high-energy training experience designed for players ages 8–12 who are ready to develop their skills, build confidence, and train like future pros. Led by experienced coaches, each session focuses on technical development, game awareness, and teamwork in a fun, supportive, and high-performance environment. Whether your child is just starting out or already playing competitively, this clinic is the perfect space to grow, learn, and shine on the field.
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Come spend a morning at the farm saying hello to our friendly animals: goats, pigs, alpacas, chickens, sheep, kittens, and mini horses! Looking for a fun (and FREE) adventure with the kids? This relaxed, family-friendly event includes a chance to meet and interact with our friendly farm animals. Come say hello to our goats, alpacas, pigs, chickens, sheep, kittens, and mini horses! It’s the perfect chance for little ones to explore the farm and enjoy some up-close animal fun.
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The 12th Street Festival is a free, family-friendly community celebration bringing together residents, visitors, and local businesses for a vibrant day of music, food, art, culture, and fun. This signature summer event takes place along historic 12th Street in the West End of New Westminster from 6th Ave to 8th Ave. This event is hosted by the West End Business Association in partnership with the City of New Westminster.
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Enjoy an exciting lineup of activities, including: BBQ, Bouncy Castle, Carnival Games, Pony Rides, Music , and Arts & Crafts Whether you're coming with family, friends, or neighbors, there's something for everyone to enjoy. We can't wait to celebrate together with the Richmond Jewish community! Registration is required. Register today at www.ChabadRichmond.com/funday
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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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Nothing says SUMMER quite like going to an amusement park with your family! We've put together a great list of ones you can visit within driving distance of Vancouver. So, pack the sunscreen, load up the car and head out on a grand adventure!
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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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