KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter for the Ann Arbor / Detroit Metro Area
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Sat, Nov 15: Princess Tea Party at Longacre House
Sat, Nov 15: Disney on Ice: Jump In! at UBS Arena
Mon, Nov 17: Kids Self Defense at JCC of Greater Ann Arbor
Fri, Nov 21: Holiday Lighted Parade at Downtown Northville
Fri, Nov 21: Downtown Marshall Holiday Cookie Walk
Fri, Nov 21: 32nd Annual Wayne County Lightfest at Merriman Hollow Park
Sun, Nov 23: Chanu-Con! - 10th Annual Community-Wide Chanukah Festival at Congregation Beth Shalom
Mon, Dec 1: Marshall’s 61st Annual Christmas Parade
Fri, Dec 5: Birmingham Winter Markt at Birmingham Shopping District
Sun, Dec 7: 26th Annual All Four One Holiday Harvest Toy Drive at Livonia Parks and Recreation Department
Sun, Dec 14: Breakfast with Santa at Longacre House
Fri, Jan 2: No-School-Day Camps at The Future Inventors Academy |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers,
A few days ago, my daughter Ella took her first-ever photo of a Trumpeter swan—actually, three of them, as you can see above: two adults and their lone cygnet. She’d been trying to capture one for months, and now that they're migrating, it was finally possible. She was delighted to spot the small swan family moving gently through the mid-November grays and browns of a flooded
field.
By this point in the season, most first-year birds already have matured, flown off, and found their way. But the cygnet in Ella’s photo is clearly a late bloomer: still gray, not quite ready to be on his own. Every parent who looks at that image feels something hard to name: the hope that the young one will be ready soon enough to fly, the worry that he won’t be, and the quiet reassurance that, for now, he’s not alone.
Trumpeter swans are special to our family because of The Trumpet of the Swan, E.B. White’s tender, funny, deeply wise book about Louis, a swan born without a voice. Eventually, Louis becomes a great musician, a trumpeter whose stature befits his name. What’s always struck me about his journey is how he’s allowed to become himself. His parents don’t “fix” him. Aside from providing the materials to set him on a course—his
father famously steals a trumpet—Louis works it out in his own way, on his own time.
Some young people fly early. Others stay close longer. Some wade through swamps for a long while on quests we don’t quite understand. Our job, I think, is to be like those Trumpeter parents: protective, patient, steadfast... and maybe just a little reckless, diving through metaphorical music store windows to get them what they need to begin. Then we stand back bravely and trust that the lens they’re
looking through will reveal the horizon they're meant to find.
—Debra Ross, publisher |
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KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more. If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes from Deb" section of our site. |
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KidsOutAndAbout.com is conducting a short survey to better understand how families are navigating the fast-changing world of AI. We're asking all parents, grandparents, and caregivers—whether you're tech-savvy or not—to weigh in. Your input will directly shape upcoming national resources…
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The Cosmic Girls Forum is more than a place to chat — it’s a launchpad for learning. Designed for curious young minds, the forum offers educational discussions, creative challenges, and positive peer connections that help girls build confidence in science, storytelling, and self-expression.…
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Professional Youth Theatre of Michigan (PYTMI) empowers young performers through exceptional training, inclusive productions, and a commitment to artistic excellence. Based in Ypsilanti, PYTMI offers high-quality theatrical experiences for students of all backgrounds, with opportunities in acting, singing, dancing, and technical theatre. From beloved musicals to innovative new works, each production emphasizes creativity, collaboration, and confidence. PYTMI welcomes families into a supportive, community-driven environment where youth can grow on and off the stage. With camps, classes, and shows year-round, PYTMI is where young artists shine. Learn more and get involved at www.pytmi.com or by clicking on the image.
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The 5th annual Canterbury Cookie Crawl is November 15th & 16th, 2025! Enjoy the festive holiday ambiance throughout the quaint Canterbury Village as you visit each shop for a new homemade cookie! Try them all and vote for your favorite at the end! (Or if you don’t think you can stomach that many cookies at once, feel free to bring a container and collect them to enjoy later!)
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There's nothing more special than sharing Disney magic with loved ones. Whether it's the first time you watched Toy Story, sang along to Let It Go, or cheered for your favorite Disney Princess, Disney On Ice is the perfect place to revisit cherished memories and create new ones together. Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy will take you on a journey through these unforgettable moments, powered by a Magical MousePad. Discover thrilling adventures from Zootopia, Inside Out 2, and the all-new Moana 2. Relive the timeless tales of Toy Story, Frozen, and Encanto, and the dazzling Disney Princesses. And hold on tight as Stitch grabs the Magical MousePad and shakes things up! Feel the excitement in an enchanted celebration close to home, only at Disney On Ice! *Note: Costumes not permitted for guests 14 years & older.
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This season, a Detroit icon transforms for the second annual Winter at The Station. This year’s celebration builds on a rich legacy while beginning a new chapter as a place for community and the home of possibility. Enjoy the warm glow of festive decor and the inspiring sounds of local artists, explore hands-on activities, and discover curated local food, drinks, and gifts.
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An annual tradition at Metro Detroit’s ‘home for the holidays’! Canterbury Village kicks off the holiday season with the lighting of our 45-foot, music synchronized, dancing lights Christmas tree! This festive event is fun for the entire family, complete with entertainment and carolers. Stores throughout the quaint village are open for holiday shopping, old fashioned carolers provide a musical atmosphere, and beloved holiday characters (including SANTA and the GRINCH!) will visit with the children! Outdoor fire pits will be stationed throughout the village for warmth, and we’ll have hot cocoa and warm cider available for purchase.
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A Christmas Story, The Musical chronicles young and bespectacled Ralphie Parker as he schemes his way toward the holiday gift of his dreams, an official Red Ryder® Carbine-Action 200-Shot Range Model Air Rifle (“You’ll shoot your eye out kid!”). An infamous leg lamp, outrageous pink bunny pajamas, a maniacal department store Santa, and a triple-dog-dare to lick a freezing flagpole are just a few of the distractions that stand between Ralphie and his Christmas wish. Chock-full of delightful songs and splashy production numbers, A Christmas Story, The Musical, has proudly taken its place as a perennial holiday classic for the whole family.
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You and your child can dress up like your favorite princess and join us for a fancy tea party at the Longacre House! Activities will include a princess craft to take home, as well as a dance party and photo opportunities with a REAL PRINCESSES! The event will conclude with tea and cookies. All family members welcome!
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Look up and join Cranbrook Institute of Science for our Leonid Meteor Shower Overnight—a special family-friendly experience where you can take in this dazzling celestial show like never before!
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40+ tables of gently used or outgrown baby + kids clothes, toys, books, & maternity clothes that are perfect for your growing family. Plus large items such as toys, strollers, high chairs, cribs, bikes & much more.
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Dance Theatre of Harlem, a leading dance institution of unparalleled global acclaim, will return to the Detroit Opera House on November 15 and 16, 2025 as the third stop of the company’s 2025–26 season performances. Led by Artistic Director Robert Garland, the company will present a dynamic program showcasing beloved classics and bold contemporary works. Detroiters will be treated to an exclusive “first look” at the iconic ballet Firebird, a signature work the company has not performed in more than 20 years.
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Join us for a FREE in-person EVENT! Registration is required to save your spot. Bring your Artist Trading Cards and fancy cookies to swap and share. Don't have any cards? Sign up for the card-making workshop one hour prior.
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Join us for Eastend’s second annual Holiday Market taking place on Saturday, November 16th from 11am - 4pm. Come enjoy our historic building and do some downtown holiday shopping! All floors of Eastend are accessible via elevator.
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Bring the whole family to MI Bright Lights – the area’s ONLY fully synchronized drive-through holiday wonderland! Imagine thousands of dazzling lights twinkling, shimmering, and dancing in perfect sync with holiday music – every beat, every note – broadcast right to your car stereo. From the moment you drive in, you’re part of a magical show where the lights don’t just glow… they perform! With dozens of songs in rotations, no two visits are the same – so kids, parents, and grandparents will all want to come back again and again. MI Bright Lights isn’t just a drive-through… it’s a place where holiday memories come alive, one synchronized song at a time.
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KidsOutAndAbout's 2025 list of holiday events list for Ann Arbor, Detroit, and SE Michigan. Christmas concerts, lights, trees, nativities, and more. . . plus activities for Chanukah, Kwanzaa, and New Year's Eve.
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Ann Arbor, Detroit, and the Northwest Suburbs have many private schools and alternative education options from which parents can choose. Each has its unique benefits and advantages, so it's important to investigate carefully. This is KidsOutAndAbout's education highlight page, containing specially featured schools and also our master list of local schools. If your school is not on our list but should be, please email us at ross@kidsoutandabout.com.
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KidsOutAndAbout.com is conducting a short survey to better understand how families are navigating the fast-changing world of AI. We're asking all parents, grandparents, and caregivers—whether you're tech-savvy or not—to weigh in. Your input will directly shape upcoming national resources designed to help families guide kids wisely and safely. The survey closes soon, so please take 60–90 seconds to be part of this important effort.
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- Canterbury Tree Lighting - Canterbury Village, Lake Orion, MI, Friday, November 14, 2025, 5PM - 8PM
- Winter at the Station - Michigan Central, Detroit, MI 48216, Friday, November 14, 2025 to Sunday, November 16, 2025, 8AM - 5PM
- Free mini photo session with Shoott! - Detroit - Ann Arbor - Detroit, MI, Saturday, November 15, 2025 to Sunday, November 16, 2025, See link for times
- Taste of Gan - Kindergarten open house - Hebrew Day School of Ann
Arbor, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, Saturday, November 16, 2025, Kindergarten open house - Taste of Gan
- Feeding Time in the Nature Center - Stony Creek Metropark - Stony Creek Nature Center, Shelby Township, MI 48316, Saturday, November 16, 2025, 1pm - 2pm
- Artist Trading Cards (ATC) Tea and Trade - Art Works! Studio LLC, Walled Lake, MI 48390, Saturday, November 16,
2025, 1 - 2 PM
- First Look at Greenhills Lower School – First Session - Greenhills School, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, Saturday, November 16, 2025, 11:30 am—1:00 pm
- First Look at Greenhills Lower School – Second Session - Ann Arbor, MI, Saturday, November 16, 2025, 2:00 pm—3:30 pm
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Dallas area. From Arcades to Ziplines our Big List will help you think outside the box and plan the party of your kids' dreams! KidsOutAndAbout has dozens of ideas!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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