KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter for the Ann Arbor / Detroit Metro Area |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
The Christmas I was 10, my sister and I woke up at our usual ridiculously-early hour and raced downstairs to the tree. Something was different: fewer gifts than usual, no giant boxes, no bike-shaped mystery lumps. But nestled among the smaller packages were envelopes that turned out to be plane tickets to Bermuda. We were leaving that very morning, which
explained why my parents had not objected to being awakened at 5:30. Decades later, I don’t remember what else I got that year—or most years—but I remember being bundled up and giddy, heading to the airport while it was still dark. I remember pink sand, caves, and the little cakes they served at teatime. It's all still as fresh to me as the air was at Grotto Bay Beach. That trip taught me something I wouldn’t have been able to say at the time:
Presence creates the memories, not the presents. Of course, we all want our kids to have a magical holiday. But when we think back to our own childhoods, what sticks isn’t the stuff, it’s the doing. The zoo trips, the plays, the sporting events, the concerts, the hands held during the adventures. That’s why my long-time holiday mantra is “Do it, don’t dust it.” Experiences are the gifts that last the longest, especially when we do them
together. They don’t pile up in a closet; they plant themselves in our memory. So if you’re still pondering what to give the people you love this year, consider a show, a class, a day trip, a membership, a season pass. Something that says “I see you, you matter, let's do it together." Need ideas? Head to our Local Memberships & Season Passes page! It's your ticket to the perfect gift... and it's guaranteed clutter-free.
—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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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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Hebrew Day School of Ann Arbor teaches more than reading, writing, and arithmetic. We teach menschen—knowledgeable, caring, and committed Jewish children in a dynamic learning environment. This year's theme is resilience, following the Jewish wisdom of being "soft like a reed, never hard like a cedar." Through our social-emotional learning program, students develop self-awareness, empathy, and the courage to take appropriate risks in a supportive environment. They discover that mistakes are part of learning and that asking for help shows maturity.Our just-right-sized classes create the trust needed for this growth. Jewish values like tikkun olam aren't abstract, they're lived daily as students learn that individual strength connects to the bigger picture of community resilience.Top middle schools love our well-prepared graduates not only for their strong academics, but also because they arrive as confident thinkers who collaborate well, bounce back from setbacks, and lead with…
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For 18 years Erin Zindle has been curating an epic annual musical celebration inspired by the themes of the holiday season. Each December, this event is a warm hearted lift-off to the holidays that has become an indispensable tradition for families in the greater Ann Arbor area and far beyond. Zindle, The Ragbirds’ songwriter, lead singer and multi-instrumentalist, produces this gala event with the intention of joyfully interconnecting the performers and audiences of the Michigan music community. A star-studded “house band” along with a horn section, string section and backup singers, lays the foundation for guest vocalists to shine.
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Experience Christmas during the Victorian Era! Costumed reenactors will perform activities of the season including playing games, decorating, exchanging gifts, and calling on friends. Enjoy music, crafts, a mini-exhibit, and complimentary hot cider and cocoa. Fun for all ages! Enjoy carols, historic crafts, hot cider and cocoa, and shopping for stocking stuffers in our general store.
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Celebrate the season with a magical Santa Visit before heading out to explore the enchanted trails of Aurora! Plus, enjoy delicious bites from D&W’s Street Eatery and The Little Donut Factory. Available dates include December 12th, 14th, and 21st!
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Santa's trading his sleigh for pancakes and laser tag; you're invited! Join us for a magical morning of holiday cheer, food, and fun! This is the only event where you can play Laser Tag with Santa and get a NEW 30-Minute Arcade Game Card included with your ticket!
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Get into the Holiday Spirit with at trip to our first GLADL Holiday Market. You'll find handcrafted items, food and preserves, baked goods, holiday decorations, and more to enjoy or to gift. You'll find some of your favorite vendors from Grand Ledge's Market on the Grand-- and maybe some one new, too!
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Santa will be coming to Venue! Enjoy a delicious brunch buffet while your kids get to meet & greet a real bearded Santa. A ticket is required for all guests in the reservation. There are two seatings available. The first will begin at 9:30am and will end at 11:15am. The second will begin at 12:00pm with Santa departing back to the North Pole at 1:30pm. Please note if you are hoping to be seated with another group at your table.
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Our 3rd annual family day, inside the decorated Northville Art House, is highlighted by a holiday craft workshop, a winter wonderland photo room, a hot cocoa bar, caroling, family games, a small artwork exhibition, and a young artist pop-up gallery. A great place for parents, grandparents, kids, families, and friends to have fun, create art, and shop for gifts! Reserve your tickets for 11 am – 1 pm or 1 – 3 pm. $10 per child (age 3+). Adults and children under 3 are free.
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Santa Clause is coming to town for a pancake breakfast at the historic Longacre House. Santa will join you to share stories of the North Pole, play reindeer games and sing songs. Make a wish list or tell Santa your one greatest wish. Bring your cameras to capture every special moment.
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The All Four One Holiday Harvest Toy Drive is an annual initiative dedicated to bringing joy to children facing serious illnesses during the holiday season. Community members are encouraged to donate new, unwrapped toys at participating drop-off locations, including LaCasa in Detroit, Mayflower Lanes in Redford, and the Livonia Senior Center. All donations will benefit children receiving care at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan and families supported by the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southeastern Michigan. Every contribution helps make the season brighter!
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We’re pleased to announce that we are expanding our accessibility series at Giant Screen Experience with dementia-friendly showings. Join us on Tuesday, December 9, for a special showing of the timeless holiday classic “It’s a Wonderful Life.” This special showing is designed for people with dementia and their care partners/family members/friends. During the movie, the lights in the theater are turned up, the sound is turned down a bit, and attendees are welcome to talk, tap their feet, clap their hands and sing along.
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I'm thrilled to announce that my new book The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities (co-authored with Jamie Carter) is now published and shipping across North America! It’s packed with inspiring, true stories of everyday leaders who stepped up during the 2024 eclipse to bring people together, spark change, and strengthen their communities. Told with warmth and insight, this book makes a perfect holiday gift for the visionary, organizer, or community-builder in your life. Click the graphic to order from Amazon on print or Kindle; for other ordering options (including educator and bulk orders), or to see an annotated table of contents and the introduction, head to https://theeclipseeffect.com.
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Curious how your AI know-how compares to other parents? We surveyed over 300 of you, and the results are in! The big takeaway? You aren't alone in feeling overwhelmed. While most parents have a basic grasp of the technology, over 52% feel unequipped to actually guide their kids through it. The number one thing you requested help with was "Digital Defense"—specifically, how to spot misinformation and fake news. You can read the full, fascinating report at kidsoutandabout.com/research. Ready for round two? Help us dive deeper by taking our new, quick 13-question survey here: https://forms.gle/1nTsaG384SW8cUpL7.
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The Ann Arbor-Detroit area offers a delightful selection of Christmas tree farms that bring the magic of the holiday season to life. Families can enjoy the cherished tradition of selecting the perfect tree while exploring picturesque landscapes and engaging
in festive activities.
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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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- Free mini photo session with Shoott! - Detroit - Ann Arbor - Shoott - Broadway, New York, NY, USA, December 13-14, 2025, see link for times
- Kid’s Outdoor Craft Hour - Stony Creek Metropark - Stony Creek Nature Center - 4300 Main Park Road, Shelby Township, MI 48316, December 13, 2025, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
- Tiny Expo
Indie Art & Craft Fair at Ann Arbor District Library Downtown - Ann Arbor District Library - 343 S 5th Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, December 13, 2025, 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Winter at the Station - Michigan Central - 2001 15th Street, Detroit, MI 48216, December 13, 2025, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Taste of Gan - Kindergarten open house - Hebrew Day School of Ann Arbor - 2937 Birch
Hollow Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, December 14, 2025, Kindergarten open house - Taste of Gan
- Kindergarten Open House - Hebrew Day School of Ann Arbor - Birch Hollow Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, December 14, 2025, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- Feeding Time in the Nature Center - Stony
Creek Metropark - Stony Creek Nature Center - 4300 Main Park Road, Shelby Township, MI 48316, December 14, 2025, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
- LEGO Connection at Ann Arbor District Library Westgate Branch - Ann Arbor District Library - 343 S 5th Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, December 14, 2025, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
- Visit Santa - Main Street Mercantile - 62 N Main St, Fairport, NY 14450, December 14, 2025, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
- Santa’s Coming to The Village! Enjoy Free Visits With Santa at The Village of Rochester Hills! - The Village Of Rochester
Hills - North Adams Road, Rochester Hills, MI, December 12-14, 2025, Times vary - please check website for times
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Take out your calendar - you have a lot of scheduling to do to fit in all the incredible Holiday Break camps and activities taking place in and around Ann Arbor and Detroit. If we're missing a camp that should be on this list, please email us to let us
know.
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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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2025's Top 20 Places to Take Kids in the Detroit Metro Area, as voted by thousands of parents! Our Top 20 results page includes a list of your top picks, including winners in special categories like Top Arts Educator, Top Sports Educator, and Top STEM
Educator!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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