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KidsOutAndAbout's weekly e-newsletter for the Philadelphia area
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KidsOutAndAbout
Philadelphia Area Newsletter
May 5, 2022


Local in-person events this weekend
Local in-person events next weekend

Local After School and Weekend Classes
Virtual Classes

101 Local Family Day Trips and Staycations
Top 20 Places to Take Kids

How to post your organization and events (it's all free!)   

Dear KidsOutAndAbout.com readers:

Each year for the past several years, I've had the honor of serving as a judge in my area's regional library council awards. In a world where worry is thrust in our faces daily, there are few tasks more conducive to mental health than to read through glowing descriptions of individuals who are a net positive to the planet, people who ensure that their libraries are warm, comforting, safe places where learning flourishes and creativity is nurtured. The most influential nominations are always those with specific observations about why a library deserves the award, like these:

Our neighborhood book club was able to use the community room at the library for our monthly meeting when in-person activities started to feel safe again and home living rooms still felt too small for social distancing. The director hired staff for Friday after hours so we could meet there and even use the kitchen.

[They do] an amazing job with an online genealogy group. The top five picks every week show me materials I didn’t know the library had. They also host the Anomaly Film podcast.

Staff puts out a basket of mittens, scarves, and hats for patrons in the winter. They had a food truck (good old fashioned wooden one) for people to donate food for patrons... In the spring, patrons can receive packets of seeds for their garden. For Valentine’s Day, they had grab bags with candy and romance DVDs. Patrons could sign out the movies and write a review for prizes.


The end of the school year is coming up, which presents many opportunities to shine a spotlight on what makes you grateful. It costs nothing but a little time to add your comments to a card, to send an email to a supervisor, to dictate a few words into a text. The more vividly you paint the picture of what exactly makes someone special, the more likely it will capture the recipient's (or a judge's!) attention and heart, and also the more likely the good thing you love will continue in the future.* Be sure to color in the lines on your comments with specifics so the picture lives forever.

Debra Ross, publisher

*P.S. This strategy works great with kids, too: "I loved it when you..." is the sentence starter with the highest ROI in any parent's toolkit.


If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes from Deb" section of our site.

Summer Camp at Guidepost Montessori Laurel Oak
Voorhees Township, NJ

Guidepost Montessori is offering fun and educational summer camp experiences for elementary age students 6-12. With Guidepost Summer Camp, your child will have the chance to grow their skills in science, art, creative thinking, and outdoor games while having an amazing time. Weekly themes include Spectacular Structures, Fantastic Fibers, Taking Flight, and lots more. In-person camps start the week of June 20 at Guidepost Montessori Laurel Oak. Cost is $340/week, with flexible drop off from 7 - 8 am and pick up from 3 - 6 pm.

Summer camps are open to current Guidepost students and non-students alike! Registration is now open: sign up here to secure your spot. If you have questions, email inquiries@guidepostmontessori.com or call (636) 445-5360. We’re ready to have some fun in summer 2022!


Disney’s Moana Jr.

APRIL 30 – MAY 15
Walnut Street Theatere For Kids
Running time: 60 minutes

Moana’s adventures come to life onstage! Disney’s Moana JR. is a new 60-minute musical adaptation of the hit Disney animated film, with music and lyrics co-written by Hamilton’s Lin-Manuel Miranda. Featuring all the beloved songs from the film, Moana’s uplifting story will have you cheering as she embarks on an epic journey of self-discovery and learns to harness the power that lies within. With empowering messages of bravery and selflessness, Moana JR. is sure to bring out the hero within each of us.

MASKS REQUIRED
As per The City of Philadelphia Health Department as of April 19 everyone in the theatre must wear acceptable face coverings at all times, including during the show, except while eating or drinking when seated or in Barrymore’s Cafe. All face coverings must cover the nose and mouth and comply with the CDC guidelines for acceptable face coverings.

SPONSORED BY


Kids Need... Confidence

Sensei Matt Dorsey, owner and head instructor of Martial Arts America, has been training in martial arts for over 45 years and holds a 9th degree black belt in Isshin ryu karate, as well as a 2nd degree black belt in Iaido (Samurai sword), a 1st degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. and experience in jujitsu, kali, tai chi and other martial arts. 

Sensei Matt's passion for teaching children and adults led him to open his first dojo in 1980 and he’s been a professional martial arts teacher ever since. Over the years, he's learned what kids need to become the best version of themselves. One thing? Kids need confidence! Sensei Matt explains how learning martial arts skills helps kids take a step forward and try something new.


Click to hear more from Sensei Matt.

Celtic Illusion Reimagined

Immerse yourself in the Irish Dance and Grand Illusion sensation that has taken the world by storm. This exhilarating production has broken barriers by fusing unparalleled art forms, now more spectacular than ever before as it celebrates its 10yr anniversary. With new spellbinding illusions, entrancing music, and choreography, Celtic Illusion Reimagined is the must-see family event of 2022.

Click here for more information.

Opening Weekend on the Delaware River Waterfront

Some of Your favorite summertime destinations, Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest and Spruce Street Harbor Park make their return on May 6 through May 8 just in time for Mother’s Day and we can’t wait.

Click here for more information.

Mother's Day Market

Mother's Day Weekend: May 7th & May 8th, 11 am - 5 pm both days. Free to Attend. 30+ Curated Craft Vendors will be set up within the first floor of the Bourse Food Hall and outside on the Patio at 5th and Market Streets. Come do some Mother’s Day shopping or bring mom for a fun day in Old City. Visit our retail shop for more handmade goods!

Click here for more information.

Virtual Camps from Guidepost MontessoriVirtual Summer Camps from Guidepost Montessori: Half-day experiences throughout the summer in a fun variety of topics!

Guidepost Montessori is offering half-day virtual summer camp experiences for Elementary age students 6-12 all summer long, with different themes each week. With Guidepost Virtual Summer Camp, your child will have the chance to grow skills in science, art, and creative thinking, with daily live programming guided by our team. Families will need to source some general household products and supplies; we will share a materials list in advance. 

Available in two time zones: 9 am - 12 pm EST / 9:30 am - 12:30 pm PST. COST: $150/week

Summer camps are open to current Guidepost students and non-students alike! Registration is now open: sign up here to secure your spot. If you have questions, email inquiries@guidepostmontessori.com or call (636) 445-5360. We’re ready to have some fun in summer 2022!


In-person camps are also available at Guidepost Montessori's campus at Laurel Oak in Voorhees Township, NJ!

Easy Mother's Day Gifts That Kids Can Make or Do Themselves

Kids love to make homemade gifts, and mothers love a homemade gift for Mother's Day. In theory. But in practice, the littlest kids don't have too many skills for crafting yet, and older ones can get frustrated trying to make their artistic vision become reality. And while mothers are overjoyed with the thought and effort put into any gift, they also only have so much space in the house to display it all. Read on for ideas like a decoupage vase, homemade jewelry, flowers for the garden, a lip scrub. . . moms will love these easy, kid-made crafts, and kids will be proud!


Click here for more information.

Guide to Local Summer Camps 

What are your kids doing this summer? We've got your week-by-week guide to day camps, overnight camps, and specialty subjects like music, theater, technology, science, history, sports, and fitness! There are in-person camps and virtual options, too. Our summer camps page lets you search by week, by subject, or by audience, and camps are adding new listings all the time. You're sure to find something amazing for your kids, whether they're trying something new, honing their skills, or just having fun outside!

Click here for our Guide to Summer Camps.

 

Local Dy Trips and Staycations

Looking for a new place to explore that's still close to home?  Kids Out And About has tons of ideas for local family travel, with places to explore, learn, and have fun! Find free activities and splurges that are worth it. We've collected the coolest stuff for a staycation in town and road trips for less than a tank of gas from here.


Click here for more information.

How to Choose a Preschool That's Right for Your Family

Did you know that most preschools and nursery schools are registering students in January and February for the new academic year in the fall? Preschools vary widely in their educational philosophy and day-to-day routines, and the school that's a perfect fit for your neighbor or friend might not be just right for you. But how can you navigate through the preschool search process to find a place that will be best for you and your child? KidsOutAndAbout offers a list of specific factors to ponder and ask about as you attend open houses and school visits.

Click here for advice on How to Choose a Preschool That's Right for Your Family.


We have a list of local preschools to help you as you search for the perfect place for you and your child to start this new adventure. 

This Year's KidsOutAndAbout Top 20 Winners

Once again, our readers have spoken! Thousands of parents voted in the KidsOutAndAbout survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids. Our Top 20 results page includes a list of your top picks as well as winners in special categories like favorite sports education and favorite arts education! Check out your fellow readers' favorites, and enjoy exploring the best of the region!

Click here for the Top 20 list.

VIRTUAL / ONLINE-ONLY EXPERIENCES

VIRTUAL events this weekend

Click here for hundreds of 24/7 activities, tours, etc.

Click here to search for online classes by subject & age.


Are you a member of an organization that offers events, camps, or classes?

Organizations that offer family and kid-friendly activities in the Philadelphia area can receive a FREE listing on KidsOutAndAbout.com, manage it easily, and post events to our extensive online calendars at no cost.

For more information about listing your organizationclick here.
Boost your visibility to our readers with low-cost paragraphs in our newsletter or ads on our site see our local advertising page.

And REMEMBER... Don't keep us a secret!  We're sure you can think of other folks who would enjoy finding out what's up for kids and families every week, so please, think of a few friends and forward it along!
Here is the direct link they can use to sign up, themselves.

Wishing you and yours good health.


Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom to Madison and Ella

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