KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
If it weren’t for a Polish pastry, I might not exist. When my great-grandmother Karolina Stelmach was a teenager in a small village in Poland, she was told she’d be entering an arranged marriage. But her heart belonged to Sylvester Nowakowski. So she left... on her own, by boat... and made her way to America. She found work in a restaurant, where she made her
family’s signature dessert: chrusciki. One day, a “distinguished gentleman” insisted on meeting the pastry chef, and he offered her a better-paying job in his own kitchen. She took it, saved enough to bring Sylvester over, and they married. Which means if chrusciki didn’t exist, neither would I. Stories like this do more than entertain. According to psychologist Robyn Fivush, interviewed on a recent episode of the Hidden Brain podcast, they help kids develop identity,
resilience, and self-worth. The more children know about their family’s past—not just the “big” stories like crossing oceans, but even the day-to-day moments and struggles—the more connected and grounded they become. Fivush and her colleagues at Emory University found that kids who know more family stories have higher self-esteem, greater emotional understanding, and a stronger sense of meaning and purpose. But it’s not just the information that matters...it’s the telling. When we sit down and
share what came before, we help kids feel like they’re part of something bigger, and that they belong. No AI can replicate that. A chatbot can write a story, sure. But it can’t tell your kids how Grandma’s meatloaf could’ve doubled as a construction material, or how two little girls in the 1950s turned a couple of ice cream cones into a front-porch endurance contest. So this year, make a point of telling your kids about your family's shared history: about
mistakes, about perseverance, about love, about dessert. Connection doesn’t have to be complicated: Just pull up a chair, pass the cookies, and pass down the stories.
—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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Trees Atlanta’s annual Georgia Arbor Day Art Contest is here! This year, we are partnering with Scraplanta Creative Reuse to give artists the space and materials they need to create their masterpieces! Join us for the Trees Atlanta Open Studio Session at the Scraplet, where artists can drop in and work with Scraplanta’s crafting experts while using some of Scraplanta’s huge art supplies collection. Each artist will receive 1 free Fill-a-Bag for crafting materials from their Adair Park location, the Scraplet. If artists finish their submissions by the end of the studio time, they can submit their artwork right then to the Georgia Arbor Day Art Contest.
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Fresh off the release of Magic Lover--Netflix's first-ever magic comedy special--Justin Willman is hitting the road with an all-new tour: One for the Ages. One for the Ages is Justin's biggest tour to date, featuring brand-new material and more. It's an interactive, laugh-filled, sleight-of-mind experience that's smart, silly, and astonishing. Willman is best known as the star and creator of Netflix's Magic for Humans and Magic Prank Show, where his signature mix of mind-blowing magic and relatable humor has made him a streaming favorite, a viral hit (1 billion views and counting), and a fan favorite for families, comedy lovers, and skeptics alike. And yes--it's the kind of show you can bring your kids, your date, or your dad to. All ages. All generations. All-new.
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Join us on the third Saturday of each month for a dedicated afternoon of crafting and community! All mediums are welcome to partake in this FREE open studio environment. Whether you enjoy painting, drawing, sculpting, knitting, or any other artistic pursuit, come join other creatives for an afternoon of community and conversation. Feel free to bring work in progress or start a new piece and be inspired by other artists.
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Shake up your routine with this free monthly sensory story experience designed for infants and toddlers at Brave + Kind Bookshop. Families will bring their favorite stories to life! Through rhyme, song, and tactile props, Alliance Theatre teaching artists will guide you through a multi-sensory adventure engaging the voice, body, and imagination.
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Enjoy a chill Sunday afternoon with fun activities for the whole family to relax and bond together! Get ready for some fun family time this Sunday afternoon! Join us for an in-person session filled with laughter, games, and memorable moments. Whether you're catching up or making new friends, it's the perfect way to spend your weekend. Bring your loved ones and enjoy a relaxed, friendly atmosphere designed just for families. Don’t miss out on the joy and connection—see you there!
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Glide high above the city on Atlanta’s most scenic ice rink. Whether you’re twirling with friends, making family memories, or holding hands under the skyline lights, Skate the Sky turns every lap into a moment worth remembering. Warm up afterward with a festive cocktail, or keep the fun rolling with rooftop games, bites, and breathtaking views.
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On select nights from November 14, 2025, through February, 28, 2026, Fernbank comes alive with nighttime museum hours indoors and WildWoods: AGLOW outdoors. WildWoods: AGLOW is a multi-sensory afterhours experience for all generations that immerses visitors into a dramatic exploration of nature through glowing and dynamic adventures, uniquely curated to highlight the living flora and fauna within WildWoods.
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DinoVerse is a family exhibition where kids and adults can explore giant skeletons, interactive dino zones, and creative activities. Step through a time portal with a thrilling Virtual Reality experience and snap epic dino photos!
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License to Chill Snow Island brings all the winter excitement and joy to paradise! Glide down snowy hills, ice skate, and immerse yourself in holiday-themed activities that make Margaritaville at Lanier Islands the ultimate winter escape.
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Join us as we take you on a journey into the colorful and fantastical world of LUZIA, set in a make-believe Mexico, where you will be treated to stunning visual surprises and breathtaking acrobatic performances. LUZIA deftly guides you through the locations, people, and sounds of both classical and contemporary Mexico, taking you from urban locations like an old movie set and a smoke-filled dance hall to the beach and barren desert.
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HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL centers on the unlikely friendship that evolves between the jock Troy and brainiac Gabriella at a karaoke contest. Little did the two know that she would be transferring to his school. The duo decide — against their friends’ wishes and to the dismay of school stars (a drama queen and her twin brother) — to audition for the high school musical.
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Sensory Friendly Mornings is an exclusive event for individuals with different sensory processing skills and their families to have a fun, enjoyable, and interactive learning experience in a comfortable and accepting environment. This sensory-friendly event offers a conscious effort to eliminate extra stimuli.
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- Skate the Sky at The Roof at Ponce City Market - Ponce City Market, 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308, Friday, January 16 to Sunday, January 18, Monday–Wednesday: 3pm–10pm. Thursday–Saturday: 3pm–11pm (note: 21+ only access after 5pm on Fridays & Saturdays). Sunday: 12pm–9pm.
- Cirque Du Soleil: Luzia at Atlantic Station - 1380 Atlantic Dr, Atlantic Station, Atlanta, GA 30363, Friday, January 16 to Sunday,
January 18, Times vary.
- Family Fun: Georgia Arbor Day Art Contest Creation Day - Adair Park, Atlanta, GA,
Saturday, January 17, 1 - 3 pm
- Babies: Off Book at Brave + Kind at Alliance Theatre - Alliance Theatre, Atlanta, GA 30309, Saturday, January 17, 12 pm
- Grant Park Sunday Farmers Market - The Beacon Atlanta, 1039 Grant St SE, Atlanta, GA 30315, Sunday, January 18, 9 am to 1 pm
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Winter is here and fun options for families just keep getting better! Whether you stick with what you love or decide to try something new, KidsOutAndAbout has plenty of ideas. From Ice skating, kid-friendly museums, indoor play centers, and outdoor
activities to thinking ahead to next year's school options - we've got you covered.
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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 changes or if there are venues that should be added, please email us, and we'll get those posted!
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There are lots of places to have a birthday party in the Atlanta area! If there is an attraction that we have missed for our birthday party page, please email us to let us know, and we contact them
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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