Save the Date
Fri, Jul 12: 2019 SoJo Glow 5k/10k at Mulligans Golf & Games
Sat, Jul 13: Strider Bike Race at Draper Cycle Park
Fri, Jul 19: Bountiful Handcart Days 2019
Sat, Jul 20: Jigglefest at Electric Park at Thanksgiving Point
Sat, Jul 20: SUPer DUPer Day at This Is the Place Heritage Park
Wed, Jul 24: 25th Annual Native American Celebration in Park Powwow & Festival at Liberty Park
Sat, Jul 27: The African Festival at Liberty Park
Fri, Aug 2: 2019 Park City Kimball Art Center Festival
Sat, Aug 3: 3rd Annual SLC Tacofest 2019
*Some events may have additional dates. Click through to see more information.
https://saltlakecity.kidsoutandabout.com/voteSLC
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
"You just have to believe in yourself," endless Disney movie songs tell us, "and your dreams will come true."
Even as a kid, I was skeptical of this attitude. In my experience, dreams don't really come true, they are pushed there—by hard work fueled by passion and combined with a little luck and others' grace. Sure, believing you can do something is an important first step, but it really only is the first step.
As publisher of KidsOutAndAbout, I have the deep privilege of watching success in action, success that maintains and improves the communities in which families live and kids thrive. I am endlessly inspired by the people behind the scenes who provide activities for kids, teens, and families: I watch how carefully they plan, how generously they give of themselves, how ceaselessly they improve. They are fired by the desire to get kids engaged in their communities and inspired to learn. Their success gives us all a better chance of living in a vibrant, productive, peaceful, healthy future.
They're not, fundamentally, doing it all for a paycheck.
Having said that about the importance of hard work, it's also true that these people do believe in themselves, and their organizations, deeply. Many of them are in the running in our annual survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids. Winning a spot on that survey actually means something: in this case, a couple hundred thousand extra eyes on their achievements. One of last year's winners who finally cracked the Top 5 told me that it was like a dream come true.
Sometimes we are in situations where we feel our vote doesn't count. Here, though, it does. And you have ONE LAST CHANCE to help celebrate local businesses and build your summer bucket list at the same time: Thank the folks who run these organizations by voting for them. It will take you about 5 minutes. The survey also includes a comment box, and we will be passing those comments along to the organizations. Free to add your thoughts if you're so inclined. Believe me, your words mean everything.
Voting is open only until midnight THIS SUNDAY, June 16. PLEASE VOTE!
—Debra Ross, publisher
KidsOutAndAbout's 2019 survey of the Top 20 places to take kids in our area is hopping!
Support your favorite local places in our annual survey of the Top 20 places to take kids. We do this each year from mid-May to mid-June as a way BOTH of kicking off the summer AND to celebrate the best our region has to offer. It takes just 3 minutes to vote, and by doing so you'll be able to see dozens and dozens of great places to take kids nearby, all in one place. It's the perfect way to create your summer bucket list!
The Top 5 slots are currently occupied by:
Rankings change by the hour. Anything can happen between now and June 16!
You're never too young to be an entrepreneur!
The ABCs of Business is an ABC book unlike all others. Starting with “I is for Idea,” you’ll take an alphabetical adventure through each letter of the alphabet to explore 26 business concepts promoting that there are zero limits to what we (and our ideas) can become. Readers will finish the book feeling empowered and ready to impact the world in their own unique ways! Whether your child is working on letter recognition or launching a first business, this book will make a great addition to the family bookshelf, and it makes great summer reading!
Click here to order yours from Amazon today!
Utah Foster Care Chalk Art Festival
Utah Foster Care’s annual Chalk Art Festival is a free, three-day street painting extravaganza that focuses attention on Utah children in foster care. More than 130 talented artists, most of them local, spend hours turning the streets of The Gateway into a gallery of splendid murals.
Click here for more information.
Every Summerfest is special, but this one is historic. In 2019, Orem will celebrate its Centennial and since you only turn 100 once, you've got to throw a party worthy of this remarkable milestone. All of your favorite Summerfest attractions will be back, plus there will be some new things to enjoy as well. Hope to see you there!
Click here for more information.
Spend an evening with the apple of your eye at our Daddy Daughter Dance featuring dancing, photos, treats, and a night out with your little princess! All daddies and daughters are invited - all ages welcome. All father figures welcome.
Click here for more information.
It's the wackiest, craziest and bounciest obstacle fun run to hit the nation! The main focus of this unique fun run are the giant inflatable obstacles spread throughout the course that bounce, bump and slide you all over the place. There is no better fun run to attend with your friends, families, and thousands of strangers than The Great Inflatable Race!
Click here for more information.
Father's Day is this Sunday, June 16.
How are you celebrating Dad this year? Whether you're looking for crafty gift ideas or just something fun for the whole family to do, we've got you covered with our list of Local Father's Day Events.
Give that special guy plenty of love, but just because it's his day doesn't mean you can't all enjoy it together!
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 on Saturday, June 22.
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!
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.
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!
Simple Gardening with Children
Gardening is a wonderful activity with little kids. It is a fun, messy process with wonderful rewards at harvest time. Along the way it offers all sorts of lessons, whether it's labeling your plants, plotting out the garden, or just learning to be patient and wait for seeds to become plants.
Our strategic content editor Katie Beltramo shares inspiration and tips on how to get started for the brand-new gardener in her article Simple Gardening with Children.
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.
