KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Sat, Jun 6: Jurassic June Kickoff Party
Sat, Jun 13: City of
Edwardsville Route 66 Festival
Sun, Jun 14: The 5th Annual St. Louis Ice Cream Social Cones (and Cups) for Kids
Fri, Jun 19: Juneteenth Celebration
Sat, Jun 20: Pride St. Charles
Sat, Jun 20: Father's Day Fishing Derby
Sat, Jun 20: St. Louis SERA Rodeo
Sun, Jun 21: Kimmswick Father’s Day Car Show
Sun, Jun 21: Father's Day Skate
Sun, Jun 21: Juneteenth & Father’s Day Kickball Tournament
Fri, Jun 26: Fireflies and Friends Festival
Sat, Jun 27: PrideFest
Sat, Jul 11: Green Living Festival
Fri, Jul 24: Nerf War: On Ice! |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: "The best thing about your newsletter," said a reader who met me in person at an event last June, "is the sheer number of things to do, and the fact that they're just packed in there, all in one handy place." "Thanks!" I said. I may have glowed a little. "And the worst thing about your newsletter," she continued, "is the guilt trip. I know
you don't mean to lay that on us. We can't do it all, so it means we read about so much we can't do. Especially in summer." She was right, in one sense, of course. June and July are the most packed months of the calendar: Kids are out of school, families are ready for fun, and our communities respond. Each local organization gets to post its own events on our calendar for free, and many are featured in this newsletter, so what's happening is right there in front of
you. But I get it! And I hereby remove the guilt. Ego te absolvo. Of course, good families try to expose their kids to great things, but no one has the time, money, or energy to do it all. This stuff needs to be spread out over a childhood, not packed into a single summer, much less a single weekend. So make a family bucket list for Summer 2026. An easy way to do that is to take our annual survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids, which is open through June 20; it has dozens of places to have fun this summer, even though you only vote for your top 3! And you should also use our 50 Ways to Love Your Summer article for ideas that require zero technology, zero travel, and zero dollars. Above all, go easy! Remember, summer is no time for grades! The only prize is the summer that's right for your family.
—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. |
Please click through to our 2026 survey to vote for your top 3 places to take kids... it will be used to compile our 2026 Top 20 Places to Take Kids in the St. Louis area. Voting is live through June 20; believe me, winning a place on the Top 20 list matters to the people
who create amazing family-friendly experiences. Take 3 minutes to choose your favorites as your way of saying thank you... and use the list to build your summer bucket list at the same time! You have my personal and fervent thanks for your participation! —Deb |
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Explore how wildlife survives and thrives in their native environment! With a special focus on wolves and foxes, campers will learn how physical traits, behaviors, and family life help animals adapt to the forest, desert, and Arctic tundra. Investigate how animals camouflage, communicate, hunt, and learn to survive as their environment changes. Each day is full of fun activities that build curiosity, teamwork, and a love for wildlife, while helping campers understand why protecting animals and nature is so important. Wolf Camp is for ages 6-13 and Pup Camp is for ages 4-5.
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The Webster Arts Fair is held the first full weekend each June. This fine arts fair is loved by artists and patrons alike for its commitment to high-quality art in a warm and friendly environment. The Fair is set on the grounds of Eden Theological Seminary in the heart of historic Webster Groves, Missouri (63119), just 10 minutes west of downtown St. Louis. Webster Groves is a charming, upscale community nestled among beautiful parks, public art installations, bistros, and boutiques. Supported by Webster Arts, a nonprofit organization, the Webster Arts Fair features top-quality original art from national and regional artists, on-site food from favorite local restaurants, non-stop live music performances, and creative activities that draw up to 15,000 visitors and buyers from around the region each year. The Webster Arts Fair prides itself on the hospitality shown to its artists and treating crowds to delicious food, top-notch music performances, and unique, creative activities…
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Come to Collinsville, Illinois to be a part of the fest devoted to all things horseradish celebrated the first weekend in June in Uptown Collinsville on Main Street. Where else can you learn how to prepare your own horseradish, join in any of the classic Horseradish Festival Contests, visit the Craft Village, or just sample the food and listen to the Live music. A large Family Fun Area is also located on Center St. and the City Hall parking lot. Admission, musical entertainment, and parking are free.
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The best pros in America’s fastest growing sport are in the Lou. Major League Pickleball is exploding into St. Louis with four days of heart-pounding, championship-level action that will leave you on the edge of your seat! YOUR HOMETOWN TEAM, the St. Louis Shock are bringing the heat to their home court at Chaifetz Arena, and they're not coming alone. The world's most elite pickleball pros in the world’s fastest growing sport will battle it out in MLP's signature co-ed team format that's taken the sports world by storm! This will be the biggest and best professional pickleball event, ever.
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Join us on the First Saturday of the month for Story Time! Reading and activites are geared towards ages 2-5, but all are welcome to join. No registration required!
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Our mission is to provide access to fresh, healthy food to the black community, end food apartheid and create community commerce by building relationships with black farmers and vendors — a blueprint for African self-reliance and self-determination.
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The Spirit of St. Louis Air Show and STEM Expo®, is a globally recognized, two-day, inspirational family-focused event at the Spirit of St. Louis Airport, designed to support current regional efforts that promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) as well as aviation education and career opportunities. With an average confirmed attendance of 50,000 and thousands more across the metro area, this all-volunteer event has become an aerospace staple. The weekend also honors the contributions made by our veterans and first responders. From world-class performers and static displays, 25+ hands-on youth STEM activities, a "meet the professional" area where students can speak with real pilots, engineers, and trade specialists, to "Patriots Landing" paying homage to our nation's heroes, there is something for every generation.
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Meet local LGBTQ+ organizations and participate in crafts and games while learning about LGBTQ+ History. In celebration of Pride Month. All Ages. Registration recommended. Meeting Room 1.
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During the 1st weekend in June, Kimmswick is overflowing with strawberries. If it is made with strawberries you will find it at this festival. Everything from Fresh Strawberries, Strawberry Shortcake, Chocolate Covered Strawberries, and Strawberry Cheesecake, to Strawberry Iced Tea and Strawberry Wine.
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We want to show our appreciation by offering FREE entry to the pool to the wonderful workers and volunteers in our community. Thanks for all you do! Just bring proof and you will receive free admission for yourself.
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The 23rd Annual Kids Fishing Day is here! Join us on Saturday, June 6th at 9:00 AM for a fun-filled morning by the water. Fishing will take place from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, with hot dogs, chips, and drinks available starting at 11:15 AM. After 12:00 PM, enjoy music by Cherry Ice at the Independence Amphitheater near the lake. The St. Charles City-County Library will also be on site with their bookmobile, adding even more excitement for kids of all ages.
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Make this summer movie season magical by joining us between June 7 and Aug. 13, 2026, for a series of family favorites! We'll play a different movie each week for only $3 (+tax), so grab the family and we'll see you at the theatre.
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the St. Louis 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 St. Louis 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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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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