Save the Date
Tue, Jul 24: 24th ANNUAL NATIVE AMERICAN CELEBRATION IN PARK POWWOW & FESTIVAL at Liberty Park - Salt Lake City, Utah
Tue, Jul 24: Pioneer Day Fireworks Show - Salt Lake City at Herman Franks Park - Salt Lake City, UT
Sat, Jul 28: The African Festival 2018 - Salt Lake City
Tue, Jul 31: Sensory Inclusive Afternoon at Discovery Gateway Children's Museum
Fri, Aug 10: SOJO SUPER HERO 5K & KIDS 1 MILER 2018 - The City of South Jordan at Heritage Park - The City of South Jordan
Sat, Aug 11: Kids Obstacle Challenge - Salt Lake City at Soldier Hollow
Sat, Aug 11: Tacofest 2018 Supporting Meals On Wheels!
*Some events may have additional dates. Click through to see more information.
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
When my kids were very young, we used to take them regularly to the section of Rochester's fabulous Strong National Museum of Play that was designated for kids ages 2 and under. In addition to an array of baby-friendly toys and learning experiences, the area featured signs advising parents to talk to their kids about what they see as they start to navigate the world. In case we didn't get the point, it provided a perky example: "If your child sees a bubble, you should point to it and say:
"I SEE THE BUBBLE."
At the time, this sign struck me and my husband as hilarious. You should talk to your kids using words that help them learn the names of things in their world? Thanks, Strong Museum. We'll try to do that. Good thing you told us!
Over the years, I see the bubble became a bit of a catchphrase in the Ross family for whenever someone belabors a point that seems thoroughly obvious to everyone in the room. "I see the bubble," we say.
But there's actually a deeper point to "I see the bubble," which I realized this past weekend when working outside at the KidsOutAndAbout.com booth at a festival. It was hot, really hot, in-the-90s-humid-and-hot. But occasionally, Mother Nature would send a gift of a cool breeze. And for that moment or two, we would feel actually cheerful instead of that psych-yourself-into-cheeriness that you have to muster with kids and colleagues sometimes. "Oh!" we'd say. "Do you feel that? That's just lovely." One of these moments happened when a mom was chatting with us as her kids were picking prizes from our bins. She actually stopped the kids to made sure they noticed the breeze. "That's what summer is about," she said. "You notice the small things, and it keeps you grateful."
Upon reflection, I think that's what "I see the bubble" is about, too. It's not so much that you should TALK about the bubble as that you need to notice it in the first place, and all of the other small things, and help kids notice them, too. What the mom in front of me was saying was that you can choose to notice stuff, or not, and life is better if you choose to notice stuff. Summer provides ample opportunities for us to notice sun on water, insects hovering, the stickiness of a popsicle, and the iridescence of a soap bubble as it floats through the air.
Notice the bubble. Thanks, Strong Museum. I'll try to do that.
Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around Salt Lake City, UT
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, including winners in special categories like favorite spot for indoor play, favorite nature center, favorite museum, and much more! Check out your fellow readers' favorites, and enjoy exploring the best of the region!
Click here for more information.
Pioneer Day Celebrations in the Greater Salt Lake Area
Stomp your feet! Clap your hands! Get ready for some old-fashioned pioneer fun. Rodeos, parades, fireworks, western food, concerts--there are so many fun things for you and your family to enjoy.
Click here for more information.
It's a hard-knock life for clever red-headed orphan Annie who, more than anything, just wants a mom and dad. A close escape and stroke of luck pairs her with billionaire Daddy Warbucks who pulls out all the stops to help Annie find her family.
Click here for more information.
101 Family Day Trips from Salt Lake City
Looking for a new place to explore that's still close to home? Kids Out And About has tons of ideas for 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 Salt Lake City.
Click here for more information.
Join us at Canyon Meadows Park (631 Petersen Pkwy, South Weber, Utah) June 17 for train rides around the park! The park offers a large space with lots of grass and a playground, trees for shade, and there are also public restrooms available. Bring your friends, family and a lunch and be ready for fun!
Click here for more information.
Non-fiction writing for 5-7 graders. Study your favorite topics and write about them. We use templets, outlines, and other tools to help you develop concepts and skills for writing paragraphs, reports, and blogs.
Click here for more information.
A Week-by-Week Guide to Summer Camps around Salt Lake City
Looking for a summer camp for your child in the Salt Lake City area? Look no further! Dozens of summer camps post: day camps, sports, drama, music, theatre, arts & crafts, technology, preschool, & more! They are presented week by week through summer 2018.
Click here for more information.
Hooray for Summer
Long, hot days. Time outside. Exploring and playing. No school. You and your kids will love all that summer has to offer. And to make sure that you don't miss out on any fun, be sure to check out our Master Guide to Local Summer Fun.
Worried the kids will spend the day watching Netflix and playing video games? We have plenty of ideas for good, old-fashioned summer fun in our article 50 Ways to Love Your Summer.
If you're interested in your kids having a summer camp experience without sending them to day or overnight camp, check out our timeless article It's Their Vacation and You're the Tour Guide: How to Organize Camp Mom. That piece provides almost endless ideas for things to do and how to structure your day. But remember: a little boredom is good for kids, too!
