KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: There’s a sign on the New York State Thruway heading west that marks 70 miles to where I live. For Rochesterians driving back to Western New York from the east or southeast, that marker elicits both a sigh of relief and a groan: You’re close, especially relative to where you started. But in that final stretch, each mile is somehow psychologically
longer. Over the years, this became a useful metaphor in my family: You're pushing through to the end of a project, you'd love to see the finish line, but the murky distance between you and that goal is in your way. "Ugh, it's those last 70 miles," one of us will say to the person suffering, and we'll all nod sympathetically. At this time of year, families with kids in school are experiencing those last 70 miles: The end of the school year is in sight, yet
not quite here. The energy reserves are low, and the end point seems stuck in the distance. We feel like we’re sprinting but not getting closer fast enough. As in any journey, that’s precisely when it’s worth keeping in mind that these last miles may feel long, but they’re also the most meaningful: They become the lens through which we look back at the whole experience, so these final steps really count. Remembering this can provide the last surge of energy to press
forward. So whatever final 70 miles you and your kids are facing, remind yourself and the people traveling with you that if you put your best self into it now, the rewards will feel sweeter, and the memories of success will help fuel you next time. You’re on the last leg. You're almost there. And you have lots of company.
—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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Come explore the vast world of biodiversity in Mission Safari, a bilingual, multi-layered adventure maze that demonstrates how even the smallest creatures play an important role in human survival. The journey starts with question-and-answer challenges that set each adventurer on their own path through the winding maze. Along the way, explorers will learn about life on the wild side through different challenges: take a broad jump and compare it to that of a kangaroo; swing like an orangutan; hang like a sloth; escape a giant spider web; and more. The journey through Earth’s biodiversity continues with the Secret Safari. Enter the hidden maze-within-a-maze to learn about unique wildlife adaptations and survival stories. Interwoven in the stories shared within the maze is a message about protecting biodiversity and understanding that every creature has a unique role in nature. Before ending the journey, everyone can take a pledge to support the wildlife and protect biodiversity…
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Spanning nearly three acres, the indoor-outdoor storybook world is filled with illuminated pathways, larger-than-life art installations and over five million lights designed to ignite the senses.
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Join us on Tuesdays and Fridays, for an hour of guided exploration and fun experiential activities, designed for toddlers and their accompanying adults.
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Don’t wait—tickets are limited and this event will sell out fast! Join the takeover and be part of the action! Show stopping performance. skits. characters. Unexpected surprises! the show isn’t over and we are not done yet. ???? Come ready to scream, dance, and SLAY the night for a 6th time.
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Join us for Mountain Story Time at the Big Bear Discovery Center. A family-friendly program with stories and hot chocolate, perfect for all ages.
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Honor the incredible women in our lives with gourmet treats, refreshing drinks and a warm atmosphere, as we celebrate motherly figures.
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You can take a ride on the Museum Railway on a real operating Trolley or behind a Locomotive every Saturday and Sunday – ride as many times as you like during our operating hours.
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- Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - Los Angeles - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, USA, Friday, May 8, 2026 to Sunday, May 10, 2026, See link for times
- Mountain Story Time - City of Big Bear Lake California, 39707 Big Bear Boulevard, Big Bear Lake, CA, USA, Friday, May 8, 2026 and Sunday, May 10, 2026, 1:30 - 2:30pm PST
- Little Artists - Newton T. Bass Apple Valley Branch Library - 14901 Dale Evans Pkwy, Apple Valley, CA 92307, Friday, May 8, 2026, 11:00am - 12:00pm PST
- Little Seedlings Story Time - Sherman Library and Gardens - Sherman Library & Gardens, East Coast Highway, Corona Del Mar, CA, USA, Friday, May 8, 2026, 10 am - 10:30 am
- Mother's Day Soiree at Veterans Memorial
Park - Veterans Memorial Park Community Center, 5981 Limonite Avenue, Riverside, CA, USA, Friday, May 8, 2026, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- Tours - Heritage House of Riverside - Riverside Heritage House, Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, CA, USA, Friday, May 8, 2026 to Sunday, May 10, 2026, Check
Website for Time
- I Love You A Brunch, Mom at Anthony Munoz Community Center - Veterans Memorial Park Community Center, 5981 Limonite Avenue, Riverside, CA, USA, Saturday, May 9, 2026, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
- Milkweed Festival - Grow Native Nursery, North College Avenue, Claremont, CA, USA, Saturday, May 9, 2026, 10:00AM
- Community Closet - Cathedral City
Library - 33520 Date Palm Drive, Cathedral City, CA, USA, Sunday, May 10, 2026, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
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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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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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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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