Save the Date
Fri, Aug 10: SOJO SUPER HERO 5K & KIDS 1 MILER at Heritage Park - The City of South Jordan
Fri, Aug 10: Summerfest International Art & Folk Festival - Bountiful Davis Art Center
Fri, Aug 10: 2018 Wasatch International Food Festival at Utah Cultural Celebration Center
Fri, Aug 10: Sandy Hot Air Balloon Festival at Sunrise Storm Mountain Park - Sandy, UT
Sat, Aug 11: Kids Obstacle Challenge at Soldier Hollow
Sat, Aug 11: Tacofest 2018 Supporting Meals On Wheels! - Salt Lake City
Sat, Aug 11: The Sandlot 25th Anniversary at Glendale Neighborhood - Salt Lake City
Sat, Aug 11: Bubble RUN at Utah State Fairpark
Wed, Aug 15: International Folk Festival - FREE at Sandy Amphitheater
Sat, Aug 25: Intermountain All-Women Hoop Dance Competition - This Is the Place Heritage Park
*Some events may have additional dates. Click through to see more information.
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
I remember 1984 really well. It was the year I finally got contact lenses.
You might think that's a tiny thing, but to me it meant the world. I was a socially awkward nerdy kid, and my awkwardness was made that much more palpable to me by those thick glasses perched on my nose. (The 1980s beat the 1960s when it came to frame styles, but not by much, as you can see from the school photos above.) By the time I turned 12, I was desperate for contacts and was perfectly capable of managing them, but my parents decided that I'd have to wait until I was 15. So I was stuck for another 3 years having no peripheral vision and looking (as far as I was concerned, anyway) like a dweeb.
There was no particular reason that my parents chose 15 as the magic age for contacts, it was just the time they chose; theirs was the generation of "because I said so," so it didn't even occur to me to argue. They also designated ages for when my sister and I could get our ears pierced (16), wear mini-skirts (17), and go on a date (16, but it didn't happen for me until 18 anyway).
It's interesting how the culture has shifted, isn't it? These days, parents seem to have more awareness that different kids have different needs, and also that we should have good reasons for the rules we devise for our families. So when we talk about the "right" age a kid should have a phone, or a social media account, we typically understand that it depends on what's best for the particular kid, that picking arbitrary ages for milestones is just that, arbitrary, and generates unnecessary resentment, and sometimes needless rebellion.
The new way seems right to me. So David and I have saved hard-and-fast family rules for things like speaking respectfully, treating each other kindly, and for hard work, common sense, and moderate bedroom cleanliness. My girls got the eyewear they liked best and dyed their hair and pierced their ears at ages that seemed reasonable to all of us, and it seems to have worked out fine.
"What makes sense here?" takes more creativity and energy than "because I said so." But you have it. I promise.
—Debra Ross, publisher
Splash and Bubbles with KUED Kids!
KUED Kids is hosting a Splash and Bubbles Reeftown Rangers event at the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium on Thursday, August 2nd from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Your admission to the Aquarium includes a sneak preview of the new hour long Splash and Bubbles: Pole-to-Pole special and fun activities. Kids will make their own recycled penguin craft, take a photo at the KUED Kids photo booth, engage in educational activities, and take part in a scavenger hunt, all of which will encourage learning about protecting our ocean and water resources. For more information, go to www.kued.org/events/kids-event/splash-and-bubbles.
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.
Shark Week
Visit the Aquarium between July 22 – 28 and come face-to-face with over 10 different shark species, watch a live shark feed or a diver talk, and learn how plastics in the ocean are affecting these powerful predators. We'll also have giveways at the Aquarium and on Facebook during SHARK WEEK! All Shark Week activities are included with general admission.
Click here for more information.
14 Tips to Get Your Child Ready for Nursery School
Is your child starting nursery school soon? We offer some tips to help both of you with the transition. Review them now and use the last weeks of summer to prepare your little one for their next big step.
Click here for more information.
Snow White at Eccles Theater, Salt Lake City
To escape the witch Fand, Snow White hides in the woods, where she meets new friends, finds the strength to confront evil, and learns the power of love and sacrifice. A play for the family (recommended for ages 5 and up). There is a scene of intense fighting, and some potentially frightening moments involving the witch and the mirror. Child, Student, Senior and Veteran discounts available by calling (801) 355-2787. Run time: 80 minutes. Recommended for ages 5 and up. No babes-in-arms. All patrons require a ticket regardless of age.
Click here for more information.
The African Festival
The African Festival aims to promote and showcase African tradition, culture, and heritage. We use it is an opportunity to share our food, art, and music. Through this event, we want to bring Africa to non-Africans in the state of Utah. We also feature Utah businesses in general and Africans small businesses in particular.
Click here for more information.
Music in Motion
Sing, dance, and explore with musical instruments! Children learn to express themselves creatively through sound and movement in this class. Recommended for children 18 months and older.
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!
