KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Sat, Dec 20: Dream Builders: Winter Wonder Lab at The Foundry
Sat, Dec 20: White Christmas, the Musial at MusicalFare
Wed, Dec 24: Tree of Life Menorah and Hanukkah Objects at Corning
Museum of Glass
Fri, Dec 26: A Christmas Carol 2025 at Alleyway Theatre!
Sat, Dec 27: FrostFEST
featuring Andy Parker's Weather Machine Show at Buffalo Museum of Science
Wed, Dec 31: Noon-Year's Eve at the Buffalo History Museum! Wed, Dec
31: Meet Me at Midnight New Year’s Eve Party at Splash Lagoon!
Wed, Dec 31: New Year's Eve Celebration at
Holiday Valley Sat, Jan 3: The Haha Show! — Improv Comedy for the Whole Family!
Wed, Jan 7: Wednesday Mornings with Ms.
Paige at Feelings Rock with Ms. Paige
Sat, Jan 10: HuddleUP Football Winter Lessons
Wed, Jan 14: Isaías Craft Café at Isaias Gonzalez-Soto Branch Library
Thu, Jan 15: Third Thursday FREE ADMISSION at the Buffalo Zoo presented by M&T Bank
Fri, Jan 16: Mozart’s Mass With the BPO
Sat, Jan 17: Feed the Fish at the Botanical Gardens
Sun, Jan 18: Glass Snow Family at Corning Museum of Glass |
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 celebrate the countdown to 2026 with The Buffalo History Museum. Can't or don't want to wait until midnight? We are celebrating with Noon-Year's Eve! This family friendly celebration will include historic timepieces and newspapers from our collection for the history buffs. And for the kids, a magician and a noon ball drop to ring in 2026. Admission is pay-what-you wish and includes all museum exhibits and the Noon Year's Eve celebration. We hope to see you and your family there.
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’Tis the SEA-son at the Aquarium of Niagara! Kick off post-holiday fun with Yule-tide Days, Friday, December 26th through Sunday, December 28th! Enjoy festive animal feedings, lively presentations, hands-on crafts, and a candy cane scavenger hunt the whole family will love! Then get ready to ring in the “Noon” Year! On December 31st, the Ice Queen from Arendelle brings her wintery magic to the Aquarium with live singing, sparkling meet-and-greets, photo ops, and an unforgettable Sea Lion Presentation as we count down to noon! All activities are included with general admission and free for Aquarium members. Book your tickets today!
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Do your kids know that utilities like water and electricity aren’t free? Show them the bills—it’s a great way to help them connect daily actions with real costs. Try simple swaps to save energy and money: Wear a sweater instead of turning up the heat, shovel snow for exercise, go sledding instead of to a movie, and turn off the tap while brushing. Only wash dirty clothes, run full laundry or dishwasher loads, and reuse craft supplies from home. Show your kids how much you’ve saved—and let them choose a fun way to spend the extra cash! Click the graphic for youth bank account info.
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Get ready for four days of icy adventures, chilly challenges, and hands-on weather magic at the Museum’s very first FrostFEST! From December 27-30, enjoy a flurry of indoor activities, stage shows, facepainting, human snow globe photo ops, and hands-on fun perfect for kids and families looking to embrace the snowy spirit that WNY is known for! Bundle up your curiosity and head to our auditorium for daily appearances of Andy Parker and the Weather Machine with four shows throughout the day!
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Climb to the top of the Basilica where you can have an angel's view of 15 acres of spectacular Christmas lights at Our Lady of Fatima's Festival of Lights in Lewiston. 15 acres of spectacular Festival lights, including a 9-foot tall illuminated outdoor Nativity. Get an angel's eye view from the top of the dome Basilica. New features annually. Free admission and ample parking.
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Deck the halls for Western New York's most cherished holiday tradition! Ron Spigelman conducts a celebration of the sounds of the season with help from the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus, the Buffalo United Community Choir, and a few surprises!
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Featuring a dazzling display of artificial evergreen trees, adorned with energy efficient lights. Trees are decorated for the season by area non-profit groups and will be on display all month. In addition to tree viewing, guests are invited to enjoy the state-of-the-art exhibits at the Niagara Power Vista. Free admission and parking. For more information, contact (716) 286-6661.
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t’s the holidays, and this year, things are different. For years, Isabella and her father have read “A Visit from Saint Nicholas” “Twas the Night Before Christmas” together. But this year Isabella feels like she’s outgrown the family tradition. But then the magic of the poem comes to life, and Isabella and her father are unexpectedly separated by a snowstorm that sends them on a fantastical journey. In a winter wonderland inspired by the poem, they discover whimsical characters, acrobats, children and reindeer who reunite father and daughter in the holiday spirit.
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Step into the magic of the holidays at Western New York’s oldest and most authentic European-style market! Enjoy a weekend filled with handcrafted gifts, delicious treats, live music, and the cozy glow of twinkling lights and hot Glühwein. Browse local artisan vendors, sip warm drinks, and take in the festive Bavarian atmosphere—right here at Hofbräuhaus Buffalo. With holiday performances, family fun, and new surprises each week, there’s something for everyone in the Haus!
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Happy Holidays Weekend! Come In Your Favorite Holiday Sweater To Get A Free Popcorn Or Candy! Family-friendly improve played as a sport! Our high-energy, short-form improv show has two teams of professional comedians improvising games, songs, jokes, and scenes while a referee calls fouls and fields suggestions from you, our Loyal Fans! Loyal Fans will vote for which team they like best and our Voice will declare an ultimate winner for the evening! Best of all, this show uses humor that is appropriate for people of any age. We're clean enough for your kids to enjoy and funny enough to have adults laughing out loud.
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Tis the season for one of Western New York’s favorite holiday traditions — Breakfast with Santa at the Buffalo Zoo! Join us bright and early for a delicious breakfast buffet, festive fun, and a special meet-and-greet with Santa Claus and some of our amazing animal ambassadors. After breakfast, continue the magic with a day at the Zoo — admission is included with your ticket! For the first time ever, we will also be offering a very limited number of behind-the-scenes animal encounters for families to add to their day. These exclusive add-ons are open to groups of six guests or less. Guests must be at least four years old to participate.
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Get here early for Coffee and Donuts and then head out on the trails on the roads for some Holiday Season birding! The Christmas Bird count is an important tradition for tracking populations of birds over time, as well as a fun day for the local birding community! Sign up for a section and join us on December 20th! General Admission: Free
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The holidays are here, and so is our annual Poinsettia Exhibit! Step into the warm embrace of our tropical conservatory, filled to the brim with brilliant poinsettias of all sizes and colors. Allow the vibrant reds, magentas, pinks, yellows, and oranges to fill your heart with joy. This Western New York holiday tradition is sure to brighten your mood, and keep you warm, as you explore our carefully curated collection of pretty poinsettias.
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Take a deeper look at the winter weather we are so familiar with in Buffalo with a special workshop. Watch the water cycle with liquid nitrogen, learn about static electricity, and more!
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Celebrate the shortest day of the year with hands-on crafts, scavenger hunt, and storytime. Make orange and clove pomandors, pinecone bird feeders, and a decorative votive holder to take home! All materials provided.
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Santa’s coming to Explore & More! Santa and Mrs. Claus will be making a special appearance at the museum from 10am-1pm on Sunday, December 21. We’ll be open 10am-2pm. Wear your pajamas to the museum that day – we’ll have fun activities based on train rides to the North Pole! All activities are free with the price of admission – including our Santa Experience!
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- M&T Third Friday - The Buffalo History Museum, Museum Court, Buffalo, NY 14216, Friday, December 19, 10:00am-5:00pm
- Free Outdoor Ice Skating at Rotary Rink at Fountain Plaza - Fountain Plaza, Buffalo, NY, Friday, December 19 to Sunday, December 21, varies, see below
- Buffalo Holiday Market At the
Richardson-Olmsted Campus - 444 Forest Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14213, Friday, December 19 to Sunday, December 21, varies, check schedule
- Christkindlmarkt at Hofbräuhaus Buffalo - Scott Street, Buffalo, NY, Friday, December 19 to Sunday, December 21, Fridays: 4 - 8 pm, Saturdays:
12 - 8 pm, and Sundays: 12 - 5 pm
- Our Lady of Fatima Festival of Lights - 1023 Swann
Rd, Youngstown, NY 14174, Friday, December 19 to Sunday, December 21, 5 - 9 pm
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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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Take out your calendar - you have a lot of scheduling to do to fit in all the incredible Holiday Break camps taking place in and around our area! If we're missing a camp that should be on this list, please email us to let us know.
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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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The Buffalo 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 holiday events list for Buffalo and Western New York: ways to make the holidays special in our area: Christmas concerts, lights, trees, nativities, and more. . . plus activities for Chanukah, Kwanzaa, and New Year's Eve.
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Buffalo and WNY 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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