KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: Before I had kids, one of my colleagues told me that fundamentally, a parent’s job is to point. At first, you point physically: You point at the waterfall and say “waterfall,” at the moon and say “moon,” at the flower and say “flower.” You’re helping a child connect sounds to objects, words to concepts, language to reality. But later, and really all the way through, the
pointing becomes more metaphorical. Parenting is the ongoing work of connecting your child’s growing capacity to understand with a world that is, to them, forever expanding. As I had Madison and Ella, I came to think of this as being a tour guide to the world. A good tour guide needs to know the landscape, of course. But even more important, a good tour guide needs to know the traveler. What can this particular child see right now? What are they ready for? What do they care
about? What frightens them? What delights them? It's useful to remember that kids haven’t actually been here before: The world is brand-new to them over and over again, so what feels ordinary to us is often astonishing to a child. Tour guides who are doing their job well pay close attention to who their audience is and what they know, and that makes the pointing easier and more fun. Spring is the perfect season to practice pointing. In spring, the world changes fast enough for
kids to notice. Buds swell and burst. Birds return. Tiny green things push up through the dirt as if by magic. Day to day, the world becomes visibly more alive. If we point it out, kids can catch it happening in real time. And spring does not arrive quietly. It comes as an avalanche of the senses: color, smell, birdsong, mud, wind, sunlight, thunder, petals, pollen, rushing water. So maybe that’s part of the job, too: not just to point, but to lean into it. To stand beside our
kids in the rush of it all and say, Look! Here it comes.
—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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Camp Integem is Magical, Fun, and Future-Focused for Ages 6-18: dive into AI, Robotics, Drones, Holographic AR, coding, 3D, Game Design, STEM, Art, Animation, Space/Nature Exploration, STEM, STEAM and more. Teleport into their creation to experience the magic of their design with Holographic AR and prepare students for future success, all the while having a blast! No prior knowledge is needed and suitable for all levels: beginner to advanced levels. ACS WASC accredited, NVIDIA-partnered camp. Visit https://camp.integem.com or call 408-459-0657. Space is limited. Save $50/week with KOAB today!
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When school is out, the YMCA is here for families! YMCA Day Camps provide safe, engaging places for kids while parents work during school holidays like spring break and summer vacation. Children enjoy fun-filled days of games, creative activities and outdoor play, while making new friends, all guided by caring YMCA staff in a supportive, values-driven environment. Day Camp helps kids stay active and continue learning even when school is not in session. Parents can have peace of mind knowing their children are safe, having fun, and growing at the Y. Financial assistance is available, ensuring every child has the opportunity to experience the fun and adventure of Day Camp.
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Give your child a summer they’ll talk about for years at YMCA Camp Edwards Overnight Camp! Nestled in the mountains and full of adventure, kids unplug and explore in a safe, supportive environment led by caring YMCA staff. Campers make new friends while enjoying activities like swimming, hiking, archery, campfires, and classic camp games that build confidence and independence. Each day brings laughter, discovery, and lifelong memories. Spots always fill quickly, so secure your child’s place today! Accredited by the American Camp Association, Camp Edwards helps kids gain independence, develop leadership skills, and experience the magic of the outdoors in a positive, values-driven community. Financial assistance is always available.
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The Easter Bunny is back at Inland Center starting on Fri., March 13! Visit the Bunny in Center Court, and for the easiest experience, book your photo session reservation by visiting the link above or below.
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Create fun, sometimes messy, art with your little one and guide their imagination by making a project together, or let them steal the show with their own personal artistic style!
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Join us for a family-friendly afternoon of building with colorful bricks. No experience needed, just a love of building! (All Ages)
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Families of all ages are welcome to come enjoy an afternoon playing board games and STEM toys.
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Discover the world of Wild Orchard Tea. Explore the diverse health benefits through informative lectures and stations, all while savoring an array of culinary creations infused with teas.
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Sprout and Bloom Playschool (formerly known as Wee People Playschool) provides a safe, nurturing environment for children ages 2½ to 5 years who are fully potty-trained and current on immunizations.
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Small changes can create big impacts. Our next program exmaines, how a single word helped shape decades of belief.
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Explore nature through the wonderful world of books. Join us every Friday as we share our favorite stories, picture books and poems. Perfect for preschool children and their caregivers.
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The Knott's Boysenberry Festival is our annual food and wine festival that celebrates the park's historic roots by highlighting the little berry that started it all, the boysenberry. Indulge in a tantalizing lineup of dishes ranging from savory foods with a boysenberry twist to one-of-a-kind specialty desserts and drinks including a variety of wines and craft beers that you can only find at Knott's Berry Farm during this limited-time food-inspired event. In addition to the numerous food and drink offerings, the Knott's Boysenberry Festival offers a wide selection of local crafters, live music, musical stage shows, and fun activities for guests of all ages to enjoy. This year's event will introduce entirely new food offerings featuring a selection of more than two dozen food and drink items.
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Hop on over to the farm for a fun-filled Easter celebration the whole family will enjoy! Sponsored by Bates Nut Farm and Powerland Equipment, Inc.!
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The all-new 2026 Camp Invention® program, Spark, is coming to curious kids in your community this summer! Rising K-6 campers will collaborate with friends to tackle hands-on, open-ended challenges. They’ll team up with robotic capybaras, ride the waves of entrepreneurship, uncover the power of protecting their ideas and build a DIY space rocket! Each experience is designed to spark confidence, build persistence and create unforgettable summer memories. Visit invent.org/save/camp to secure your spot! Register using CIFUN25 by 3/31 to save $25 or CIFUN20 by 4/28 to save $20 when you register. Interest-free payment plans are available, making camp affordable for all families.
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- Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - Los Angeles - Shoott - Broadway, New York, NY, USA, Fri 3/27 - Sun 3/29, See link for times
- Family Game Night @ Eastvale Library - Eastvale Library, 7447 Scholar Way, Eastvale, CA 92880, Fri 3/27, 4:00 - 7:00pm PST
- Tea Festival at the 123
Farm - 123 Farm, 10600 Highland Springs Ave, Cherry Valley, CA 92223, Fri 3/27 - Sun 3/29, 11 am - 6 pm
- Story Time at Louis Robidoux Library - Louis Robidoux Library, 5840 Mission Blvd, Jurupa Valley, CA 92509, Fri 3/27, 11:00am - 12:30pm
- 1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture - Civil Rights Institute Inland Southern California, Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, CA, Fri 3/27 - Sat 3/28, 1:30 pm- 3:30
- Mountain Story Time - City of Big Bear Lake California - City of Big Bear Lake, 39707 Big Bear Boulevard, Big Bear Lake, CA, Fri 3/27 & Sun 3/29, 1:30 - 2:30pm PST
- Little Artists - Newton T. Bass Apple Valley Branch Library - Newton T. Bass Apple Valley Branch Library, 14901 Dale Evans Pkwy, Apple Valley, CA 92307, Fri 3/27, 11:00am - 12:00pm PST
- Tours - Heritage House of Riverside - Heritage House of Riverside, Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, CA, Fri 3/27 - Sun 3/29, Check Website for Time
- Family
Storytime @ Eastvale Library - Eastvale Library, 7447 Scholar Way, Eastvale, CA 92880, Sat 3/28, 11:00am - 12:00pm
- History of Section 14: Memory, Justice, and Community - Civil Rights Institute Inland Southern California, Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, CA, Sat
3/28, 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
- Native Plant Festival at California Botanic Garden - Free Admission Day - California Botanic Garden, 1500 N College Ave, Claremont, CA 91711, Sat 3/28, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- Art Book Fair - City of Ontario California - City of Ontario, 303 East B Street, Ontario, CA, Sat 3/28, 10 AM - 5 PM
- Community Closet -
Cathedral City Library - Cathedral City Library, 33520 Date Palm Drive, Cathedral City, CA, Sun 3/29, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
- Celebrate Earth Day-Meridian Waste Children’s Coloring Contest (Contest entry ends April 13) -
Meridian Waste, Submit your artwork online., Fri 3/27 - Sun 3/29, Any time.
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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the Inland Empire 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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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the Inland Empire! Use our Big List to help find the best one for your kiddos and check our events calendar to find Open Houses where you can meet teachers and tour the
schools.
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Winter is here and fun options for families just keep getting better! Whether you stick with what you love or decide to try something new, KidsOutAndAbout has plenty of ideas. From Ice skating, kid-friendly museums, indoor play centers, and outdoor
activities to thinking ahead to next year's school options - we've got you covered.
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Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the Inland Empire? 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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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Inland Empire 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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2025's best places to take kids in the Inland Empire? Each May-June, thousands of parents vote in KidsOutAndAbout's survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids. Was the winner an indoor play center, museum, farm, nature center, sports team? Click through to
find out!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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