KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Fri, Dec 26: Holly-Days Kwanza at The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
Wed, Dec 31: Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs VS Fayetteville Marksmen - New Year's Eve! at Berglund Center
Wed, Dec 31: Noon Year’s Eve at B&O Railroad
Museum
Sun, Jan 11: Early Dance Open House at Maryland Youth Ballet
Wed, Jan 14: Pokémon in Real Life at Potomac Overlook Regional Park
Sun, Jan 18: STEAM Hour at College Park Aviation Museum
Sun, Jan 25: Families Together: East Court Center Open House at Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
Tue, Jan 27: NSO at Mount Vernon George Washington's Mount Vernon
Fri, Feb 6: Storytime: Love You, Baby/Te amo, bebé at National Gallery of Art
Sat, Feb 7: Big Lick Comic Con 2026 at Berglund
Center
Sat, Feb 7: Black History Month at the Meeting House - Frying Pan Farm Park
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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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From the Early Childhood Music Program to private Music Lesson Program, the International School of Music offers an award-winning instruction in all instruments and voice whether they play classical, rock, pop, jazz, or folk!
ISM’s fun, engaging and personalized lessons help students bring structure into their lives, confidence, concentration, and self-expression that last beyond the music lessons! Call/Text: 301-396-7497 or contact them here to schedule YOUR music lessons today. LEARN MORE. |
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As The Dance Institute of Washington proudly celebrates the 30th anniversary of The Spirit of Kwanzaa, we honor a legacy rooted in cultural excellence, artistic development, and powerful storytelling. Created by our late founder, Fabian Barnes, this production was born from a vision—to uplift artists by connecting them to a sense of belonging, identity, and purpose through the arts. This year, we celebrate not only the milestones but the mission: to carry forth a legacy where young artists are nurtured, stories are shared with intention, and the power of Black artistry is celebrated in all its forms. We are here—rooted in culture, thriving in legacy, and committed to shaping the future through the enduring spirit of Kwanzaa.
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Does your young artist love to get messy with paint? Do you hate to clean up after them? Then this is the perfect class for both of you! Your child will use their fingers to paint a Christmas tree complete with a colorful string of lights. This is going to be a messy one so please dress your child appropriately. Come and create right along with your child.
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Join us during our Winter Wonder Lab, featuring wintry decorations and special activities all season long! Embark on an arctic animal expedition, create an animated story with stop motion in the Tinker Shop, and put your slime to the test at the Experiment Bar Slime Factory. If you catch the pop-up Home, Sweet Home event in the Bio Zone, you'll learn how animals stay cozy in their habitats all winter...and then design your own!
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It’s raining teddy bears! Celebrate Teddy Bear Toss Night presented by Gillespie Allstate Agencies with K92.3 FM as the Dawgs take on the Birmingham Bulls. Bring a stuffed animal to toss on the ice after the first Roanoke goal—every bear collected will be donated to local organizations and charities. The team will wear Peanuts-themed holiday jerseys, which will be auctioned off to fans. Puck drops at 7:05 P.M. We'll see ya there!
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Busch Gardens Williamsburg is proud to introduce ASL Saturdays, occurring on the 3rd Saturday of each month, providing exceptional American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation services for guests who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Partnering with American Sign Language Services (ASLS)—a leader in interpretation for over a decade—we are committed to delivering an inclusive and unforgettable experience for all.
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Kick off the holiday season with an evening of festive lights and spectacular fireworks over the Potomac River. Talk to soldiers at an 18th-century winter encampment, and meet our holiday guest, Aladdin the Camel. The first and second floors of George Washington's Mansion will be open during this event.
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Experience the magic of Christmas at Black Barn Alpacas! 'Fleece' Navidad: A Camelid Christmas on the farm is the ultimate family-friendly holiday event featuring alpacas, festive fun, and memorable seasonal activities in Finksburg, Maryland. Make 'Fleece' Navidad part of your holiday tradition this year! Walk down Candy Cane Lane, snap a memorable selfie in front of our towering Christmas tree, and step into the alpaca pens for up-close feeding and interactions. Santa will visit daily, bringing a small surprise for each child! Kids can play in the Mrs. Clause's Bakery, send their Christmas wish lists at the North Pole Express Post Office, and explore Santa’s Workshop. Plus, a Complimentary Fleece Crafting Christmas Ornaments and warm up in The Shoppe, where you’ll find Christmas gifts and cozy alpaca-themed items.
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- Free mini photo session with Shoott! - DC Metro area - Shoott - Broadway, New York, NY, Friday, December 19, 2025; Saturday, December 20, 2025; Sunday, December 21, 2025 — See link for times
- Gerdan’s The Wheel of Holidays: From Christmas to Christmas - The John F. Kennedy Center for the
Performing Arts - 2700 F Street Northwest, Washington D.C., DC 20566, Friday, December 19, 2025 — 6 pm
- DECEMBER 20 - 21 National Harbor Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show - National Harbor - Oxon Hill, MD - 150 National Plz, Oxon Hill, MD 20745, Saturday, December 20, 2025 to Sunday, December 21, 2025 — 12:00 PM – 6:00 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 in and around the D.C. Metro Area. 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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The Washington, D.C. metro 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 is the DMV's online guide to everything for kids, teens, and families! The activities we've listed here are confirmed for this year, but many require reserving ahead of time, and
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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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