KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
When I was a teenager, a math teacher I respected told me that there are two kinds of people: Those who make pizza, and those who grab as many slices as they can. "At the end of the day," he said, "you want to be someone who has made more pizza than she eats." He said this to me at the perfect time, when I was just forming my ideas about who I was and was going to become. I
decided I wanted always to be on the positive side of the pizza-making equation, so I started thinking about how to use the time I have here on Earth to make as much pizza as I possibly could. Over the years, I found that the key to success in this long-term goal is to tune my mental radar to the very near future, to stay in control of my time rather than giving it away to an algorithm that serves endless empty calories: How best do I use the next five minutes, the
next half hour, the next day? It all adds up. Even young kids can add value to the world, especially if they watch their parents doing it. New Year's resolutions are notoriously hard to keep, especially when they're overly specific. But resolving to be on the positive side of the pizza-making equation is straightforward. For some easy recipes for quick wins, check out my quick-read article 12 Starter Ideas for Pizza on Earth. Then look up from your phone, scan your world, and you'll find all the ingredients you need. Here's to a delicious 2026!
—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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This week we are creating our own Wise Men, in recognition of "Three Kings Day", which is on the 6th of January. Can't wait to see you here in the Wondershop creating.
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Austin Public Library's FREE Anime & Manga Convention! Teens age 13-18 are invited to join us for cosplay, crafting, gaming, karaoke, treats, and panels by special guests! See the featured speakers on eventbrite, and stay tuned for the full lineup, including contests, crafts, and more!
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Enjoy FREE exhibition admission all day during H-E-B Free First Sundays, held the first Sunday of every month. Take this chance to explore Texas under one roof through three floors of exhibitions with ever-changing artifacts and incredible stories.
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Fortlandia aims to connect people of all ages to the environment by evoking a sense of childhood play and wonder. Get ready to explore a brand new lineup of custom designed forts in our Family Garden this fall. Your secret hideout awaits!
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Join us at the Carver on Saturday, January 3, from 1 - 4 pm, for a celebration of Black family, community and culture at the Carver 2026 Kwanzaa Celebration. This year we are celebrating the seventh principle - Imani, which means faith! Imani essentially means a profound and enduring belief in and commitment to all that is of value to us as a family, community, people and culture. Faith is put forth as the last principle as unity is put forth as the first principle for a definite reason. It is to indicate that without unity, we cannot begin our most important work, but without faith we cannot sustain it. Unity brings us together and harnesses our strength, but faith inspires and sustains the coming together and the commitment to take the work to its end.
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Dare to Plunge! Kick off your New Year by shattering the ice (figuratively, mostly) at the Annual Polar Bear Plunge! Elgin Parks & Recreation is turning Morris Memorial Pool into a winter wonderland of chills and thrills on Saturday, January 3rd. Forget boring resolutions - start the year with an icy adrenaline rush! We're hosting two spectacular, unforgettable jumps at 10:30AM and 11:15AM. Arrive around 10:00AM to sign in and capture the memory at our photo booth. All are welcomed whether you are a seasoned ice-warrior or a first-time freezer, all you need is your bravest swimsuit! After your legendary leap, thaw out with some delicious complimentary hot cocoa and coffee. Come join the fun - it's the most electrifying way to say, "Happy New Year!"
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Bring the whole crew to EPL and get your game face on! From classic board games to exciting new favorites, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re rolling the dice, building your strategy, or just laughing together, Family Game Day is the perfect way to play, connect, and have fun!
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Explore the amazing story of the most iconic dinosaur in the world through life-size models, fossil casts, and interactives that bring T. rex to life.
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Special Admission Day - Friday, January 2nd Wear your favorite BEANIE to receive a $7 admission to the Museum!!!
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“Welcome to Freddy Fazbear's Pizza. A magical place for kids and grown-ups alike, where fantasy and fun come to life.” Come celebrate your love for FNAF with a fun night of flashlight tag, crafts, a selfie station, and more! This is an after hours event - please plan to arrive no more than 15 minutes early at 6:30 PM. Parent or guardian must accompany their child to the event.
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NBA G League team owned and operated by the San Antonio Spurs. Affordable, fun family entertainment at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park.
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The winter ice skating rink in Marble Falls offers a delightful experience for all ages, with smooth ice perfect for gliding and festive music adding to the seasonal charm. In addition to skating, visitors can enjoy the thrill of ice bumper cars, providing a unique and exciting twist to traditional winter fun.
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- Community Robotics Event Presented by Westlake High School Robotics Club - Austin Central Library, 710 W Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX, Friday, January 2, 2026, 1-3 pm
- Five Nights at Freddy's Tween and Teen Fan Club and Flashlight Tag - 700 East Common Street, New Braunfels, TX, Friday, January 2, 2026, 6:45 - 7:45 pm
- Family Game Day - Elgin Public Library, 404 North Main Street, Elgin, TX, Sunday, January 4, 2026, Every Saturday from 1-5pm
- Kwanzaa at the Carver: Celebrating Imani - George Washington Carver Museum, 1165 Angelina St, Austin, TX, Sunday, January 4,
2026, 1-4 pm
- H-E-B Free First Sunday - Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800
Congress Ave., Austin, TX, Sunday, January 4, 2026, 10 am-5 pm
- Tosho-Con: A Teens-Only Anime & Manga Con! - University Hills Branch, Austin Public Library, 4721 Loyola Ln, Austin, TX, Sunday, January 4, 2026, 12-4 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.
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Planning a kids birthday party in the Austin area? Here are lots of ideas for where to have it! If there is a resource that we have missed, please email us to let us know, and we'll add it promptly.
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Enjoy the weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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