Save the Date
Tue, Jun 26: Autism Afternoon at Discovery Gateway Children's Museum
Sat, Jun 30: World Connections Children's Festival at Discovery Gateway Children's Museum
Wed, Jul 4: 4th of July Fireworks in Jordan Park - Salt Lake City
Wed, Jul 4: INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION AT CHERRY DAYS FESTIVAL - North Ogden City
Mon, Jul 9: Disney's My Son Pinocchio at Hale Centre Theatre, Sandy
Tue, Jul 24: Pioneer Day Fireworks Show - Salt Lake City
*Some events may have additional dates. Click through to see more information.
Dear KidsOutAndAbout.com readers:
For Father's Day last weekend, my family piled into our Subaru wagon with the dogs and headed to our local drive-in theater to take in Incredibles 2. Ella had packed an elegant picnic dinner and we arrived at the venue an hour before sunset to enjoy it. It was 75 degrees, low humidity, and the wide graveled parking area kept the bugs mostly at bay. We all thoroughly enjoyed Incredibles 2 (if you're wondering whether to see it on a big screen, do!) which ended at 11:20 pm. The 3/4 of our family who didn't have to work the next morning then voted to stay for the second half of the double feature, which was Avengers: Infinity War. I yawned and crawled in the back of the wagon with a dog and said I'd see them on the other side of the film. (Agreed, it's a sin to miss a chance to see Chris Hemsworth the movie, but we saw Infinity War for Mother's Day, so I know the Marvel Cinematic Universe forgives me.) I opened the back hatch to let the cooling air waft over me, looked up sleepily at the stars as Penny rested her snout across my belly, smiled, and thought...
This is camping.
Okay, it wasn't, but it was as close to camping as I'll get at this point in my life. I am camping-challenged. My girls and I participated in what became the Great Adirondack Camping Debacle of 2008, followed closely in depth of anxiety and despair by the Seneca Lake Camper Disaster of 2009 when I thought we should give it a second chance. We then gave it all up as a lost cause, and no one in the Ross family mourned.
But that doesn't mean all is lost for you! This weekend is the National Wildlife Federation's Great American Campout (formerly known as the Great American Backyard Campout), and we here at KidsOutAndAbout.com minus your publisher, especially our Strategic Content Editor, Katie Beltramo, are big advocates for it. Under the premise that "nature makes you nicer" (not kidding, that's the official promotion), the NWF has designated this Saturday, June 23, as the big day for 2018. Camp in your backyard, camp at a state park, camp in a treehouse, they don't care where you camp, just take the opportunity for some togetherness outside with your family. Even better, Katie has a terrific article with tips for a successful experience called Camping with Kids: Celebrate Summer by Participating in the Great American Campout. She published that way too late to help my family, but I hereby pass it to you.
My kids tell me that nature did not make me nicer when we attempted to camp in it. But if it works for you this year, let me know, and maybe we'll give it another whirl.
—Debra Ross, Publisher
Fourth of July Parades, Celebrations, Fireworks in the Salt Lake City, Utah Area
There are so many opportunities to celebrate the 4th of July in our area! Looking for fireworks and other community celebrations? Check out our updated list of local happenings in and around Salt Lake.
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.
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.
Places to Pick Strawberries, Cherries, Berries, and Other Summer Fruit in the Salt Lake City area
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. Here's where you can go for strawberry picking, cherry picking, blueberry picking, raspberry picking, peach picking, and other pick-your-own opportunities all around Salt Lake City.
Click here for more information.
There’s no better way to celebrate summer in Herriman than at the Fort Herriman Towne Days! This year’s event is bigger than ever with a full week of entertainment, activities, food, and more.
Click here for more information.
Try Camping This Year!
A wonderful way to connect with your kids AND with the great outdoors is camping. June is a great time to get started with the Great American Campout. Our Albany editor, Katie Beltramo, is a camping enthusiast, and her article about how to have a great experience camping in your backyard with your kids is extremely useful. I wish you a dry backyard, perfectly toasted marshmallows, and few mosquitoes. Have at it!
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.
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!
