KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter for the Ann Arbor / Detroit Metro Area |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: This Sunday marks the Winter Solstice—Robert Frost’s “darkest evening of the year.” It’s when we in the Northern Hemisphere most appreciate human inventiveness: We flip a switch, and light floods the room. It feels like magic, but it’s not. It’s the result of generations of curious, determined humans trying to make life better, brighter, safer. That’s why my
family celebrates Lightbulb Day every December 21. It’s our homegrown holiday honoring the inventors and problem-solvers whose insights fuel our lives. We toast our favorite technologies, learn some history, imagine the future. Past years’ MVPs include contact lenses, antibiotics, the internet, veterinary science,
and the Covid vaccine. This year’s front-runner: artificial intelligence. Last weekend, I had breakfast with a friend and her 13-year-old daughter, Lily. Lily said she loves math and science but struggles with how her teachers approach the humanities, especially writing. When I showed her how AI can help her learn in the way she learns best, her face lit up. So I went home and wrote a how-to article for Lily, her mom, and any of you with kids in middle school or older: How Students Can Use AI to Learn to Write (Without Giving Away their Brains). AI isn’t here to think for us. It’s here to help us think more effectively with our own minds. That’s a message worth repeating, especially to our kids. In this new AI age, the real danger isn’t
the technology itself, it’s the temptation to hand our brains over to it and say, “Here, you do all the work.” So this Lightbulb Day, I’m raising an Erlenmeyer flask, not just to the great inventors of the past, but to Lily, and to every young person learning to think with tools rather than letting tools do the thinking. Because the real magic isn’t flipping the switch; it’s understanding where the current comes from, and imagining what we’ll power with it in the
future.
—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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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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Come visit the Village at night! Enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of a long winter night on the frontier. Admission includes a special Sources of Light scavenger hunt featuring historic lighting (great for kids and adults!) and a cup of warm cider or hot cocoa.
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Join us for our Holly Jolly Christmas Party on December 19th from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm! Santa and some of his special guests will be joining us for an evening of fun at Castaway! Enjoy a fun-filled evening creating crafts, listening to Christmas music, and, most importantly, spending quality time with your family!
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This is a time for babies up to 24 months and their grown-ups to gather and play. The Library will provide the space and a variety of toys. Each playgroup includes 15 minutes of stories, rhymes and songs followed by open playtime. Parents/guardians must remain with their children. No older siblings, please.
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This December, step into a world where dinosaurs come alive — with a festive twist! Jurassic Quest transforms into a prehistoric winter celebration filled with twinkling lights, seasonal décor, and magical holiday surprises around every corner. From towering giants to adorable baby dinos, your family will walk beside incredible creatures, hear them roar, and see them move just as they did millions of years ago - all wrapped in Christmas cheer.
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Celebrate the longest night of the year with Cranbrook Institute of Science and Cranbrook Art Museum!
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All ages, fun obstacle courses, games, open gym, and a holiday craft. Saturday, December 20th 1:30-3:30pm, $25 per kiddo. Register on the Customer Portal!
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Starting Nov. 21 through Jan. 20, step into the magical world of Candyland! From 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, experience larger-than-life light installations, a giant gingerbread house and whimsical holiday figures—it’s a glowing wonderland right in the heart of the city.
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Create lasting holiday memories at Supper with Santa — a family tradition filled with wonder, warmth and cheer. Inside a festive Greenfield Village setting, families are welcomed with holiday décor, hearty seasonal fare and the joyful anticipation of a visit from Santa himself. Designed for all ages, the evening begins with a nostalgic horse-drawn wagon ride from the Village gates to A Taste of History Restaurant, where lantern-lit streets and the sounds of the season create a picture-perfect welcome.
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Experience the magic of the season at Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village, where more than 80 acres of wonder come to life with bustling yuletide cheer. Lantern-lit streets, the scent of roasting chestnuts, and the joyful sounds of carolers, fiddlers and merrymakers capture the timeless spirit of the holidays in this beloved after-hours celebration. Throughout the evening, enjoy live music from choirs and musicians across the village, lace up your skates for a turn on the ice rink, or take a nostalgic ride in a historic Model T or horse-drawn wagon. Skilled artisans demonstrate time-honored crafts like glassblowing and printmaking, while historic presenters share vignettes of holidays past. Raise a cup of hot cocoa, savor traditional holiday fare, and shop for unique gifts that capture the spirit of the season.
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EXPERIENCES create memories much more than stuff does. As you're considering gifts for family and friends, consider giving the gift of a family membership to one of our local attractions. Here are local organizations that offer memberships. If the
information above changes or if there are venues that should be added, please email us, and we'll help get those posted!
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Ring in the New Year with a little help from KidsOutAndAbout! Our Big List of family-Friendly celebrations is just what you need to find ball drops, fireworks displays, NOON Year's Eve fun, activities, parties and more! If your favorite isn't on the list be
sure to send us an email and we'll add it pronto.
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- Free mini photo session with Shoott! - Detroit - Ann Arbor - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, USA, 12/20/2025 - 12/21/2025, See link for times
- Winter at the Station - Michigan Central, 2001 15th Street, Detroit, MI 48216, 12/19/2025 - 12/21/2025, 8AM - 5PM
- Baby Playgroups at Ann Arbor District Library Downtown - Ann Arbor District Library, 343 S 5th Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, 12/19/2025, 10:30 - 11:30AM
- Santa Claus visit at Mall of Monroe - Mall
of Monroe, 2121 N Monroe St, Monroe, MI 48162, 12/19/2025 - 12/21/2025, 11:00 AM – 7:00 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, 12/19/2025 - 12/21/2025, Times Vary- please check website for times.
- Dearborn Wonderlights - Dearborn Peace Park West, West Village Drive, Dearborn, MI, 12/19/2025 -
12/21/2025, 5:30P:M
- Candyland at Beacon Park 2025 - Beacon Park, Grand River Avenue, Detroit, MI,
12/19/2025 - 12/21/2025, 6AM - 10PM
- Feeding Time in the Nature Center - Stony Creek Metropark - Stony Creek Nature Center, 4300 Main Park Road, Shelby Township, MI 48316, 12/21/2025, 1pm - 2pm
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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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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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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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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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