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KidsOutAndAbout

Friday, July 5, 2019 - 8:30am

Save the Date

Fri, Jul 12: 2019 SoJo Glow 5k/10k - The City of South Jordan - Utah at Mulligans Golf & Games
Fri, Jul 19: Bountiful Handcart Days 2019 at City of Bountiful, UT
Sat, Jul 20: 2019 Pioneer Festival at American West Heritage Center
Sat, Jul 20: Jigglefest  at Electric Park at Thanksgiving Point
Wed, Jul 24: DAYS OF '47 PARADE
Wed, Jul 24: 25th ANNUAL NATIVE AMERICAN CELEBRATION IN PARK POWWOW & FESTIVAL at Liberty Park - Salt Lake City, Utah
Fri, Jul 26: 2019 MEGA PERUVIAN FESTIVAL at The Main Library, Salt Lake City Public Library
Sat, Jul 27: The African Festival at Liberty Park - Salt Lake City, Utah
Fri, Aug 2: 2019 Park City Kimball Art Center Festival
Sat, Aug 3: Antelope Island Spider Fest 2019
Sat, Aug 3: 3rd Annual SLC Tacofest 2019
Thu, Aug 8: 2019 Salt Lake County Fair Family FarmFest
Sat, Aug 10: Indian Food Fair 2019 at Liberty Park - Salt Lake City, Utah
Fri, Aug 23: Utah Renaissance Faire 2019 at Utah Renaissance Faire
Fri, Aug 23: Drive a Supercar  at Utah Motorsports Campus
Sat, Aug 24: International Folk Festival - FREE - City of Sandy, Utah at Sandy Amphitheater
Fri, Aug 30: KIDZ BOP Live 2019 - Sandy, UT at Sandy Amphitheater

Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:

Today is Independence Day, the day that Americans celebrate freedom. My Fourth of July column usually discusses how to help kids learn what freedom means, or how to help them learn to be independent. But this year, I'd like to address another concept from the Declaration of Independence: the pursuit of happiness.

We all talk about how we want our kids to grow up happy. But what does that actually mean? In the past year, I've made a project of trying to talk with the happiest people I know—mostly older people—to find out how they got there. The greatest common denominator among happy people was something you might find surprising: Truly happy people tend not to get STUCK. They have a conviction that even if they find themselves in a difficult situation, they can get out of it if they need to, with creativity and effort. Many of these folks gave me advice to help put kids on a path that will let them pursue happiness in life. Here is some of their practical wisdom:

  • Give your kids a thorough education to keep doors to all career paths open wide so they will never be trapped in one job or profession.
  • Teach your kids to live within their financial means. Help them experience the pride that comes from earning before buying something, so they will never be trapped in debt.
  • Encourage your kids to make connections with interesting and varied and ethical people, so they can avoid becoming trapped in a bad relationship with nowhere to turn.
  • Help your kids learn to take good care of their bodies so they can avoid being trapped by poor health in the future.
  • Make sure you let your kids know you are always on their team. Be the calm, rock-solid person behind them who lends a hand, so they can learn from, rather than be trapped by, their mistakes.

Isn't it interesting how these helpful hints for the successful pursuit of happiness all seem to have something to do with FREEDOM? I don't think that's a coincidence.

--Debra Ross, Publisher

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 our Top 20 list.

Sandy July 4th Celebration

Let Freedom Ring and join in the fun! Full day of activities; spikeball, all day music, 5K race, K9 demos, Police & Fire will be there with ice cream & burgers, vendors, food trucks, party band, and of course a fire work show!

Click here for more information.

2019 Ogden Pioneer Days

Some 85 years of rodeo in Ogden is being celebrated with events and activities throughout the summer. Festivities range from parades to five nights of rip-roaring PRCA rodeo action to the Miss Rodeo Utah pageant, seen exclusively at Ogden Pioneer Days. Take a look at our calendar and you are bound to find something of interest for you and your family. Please plan to join us at Utah's biggest and best statehood celebration, starting with the Friday, July 5 First Friday Art Stroll. We are proud to again bring the northern Utah community western-themed art at the "Traces of the West" art show at the Eccles Community Arts Center, 2580 Jefferson Ave.

Click here for more information.

Outdoor Adventures - Utah's Hogle Zoo

Want to get out into nature, but you’re not sure where to go or how to do it? Join Utah’s Hogle Zoo for a monthly outing to learn more about the world around us, get outside, and have some fun! We’ll bring the tools and information you need; you bring enough water to drink and the right clothes to enjoy a morning outdoors.

Click here for more information.

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET - Hale Center Theater Orem

On December 4, 1956, music legends Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis held an impromptu jam session when they all ended up at the recording studio at the same time. This toe-tapping true story takes you to Memphis, Tennessee for the once-in-a-lifetime shindig that defined rock and roll.

Click here for more information.

Fourth of July  Celebrations

Happy Independence Day!

There are so many opportunities to celebrate the 4th of July in our area. If you're looking for fireworks and other community celebrations, check out our list.
 

Pick Your Own Fruit!

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. We've got a list of local pick-your-own farms to help you find something sweet to pick.

Will this be your first time picking your own fruit with kids? Prepare yourself so that harvesting delicious fruit bounty  is fun instead of stressful. Our strategic content editor Katie Beltramo has tips to keep in mind.

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!

101 Family Day Trips

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 here.

Click here for more information.

A Week-by-Week Guide to Summer Camps Near You

Looking for a summer camp for your child? Look no further! Dozens of summer camps post: day camps, sports, drama, music, theatre, arts & crafts, technology, preschool, & more!

Summer 2019 camps are organized by week, by age, or by topic so you can find the perfect camps for your family!

 

 

Click here for more information.