KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
When my husband and I started planning a family, we talked a lot about the kind of parents we hoped to be. Naturally, we looked back on our own childhoods. David had story after story about his parents—their quirks, what they cared about, who they were. But when I tried to do the same, I came up oddly blank. I could tell you what I loved as a kid, but not much about what made my
own parents’ hearts sing. I remembered that my dad had a garden when I was little, but I couldn’t say whether he enjoyed digging in the dirt, liked making things grow, or was just trying to save money on vegetables. That realization stuck with me. I didn’t want my kids to grow up seeing me as a blur in the background of their story; I wanted them to see me clearly: as someone who had favorite things, real interests, and a sense of enjoyment they could understand. I wanted them
to grow up expecting that adulthood could be full of that, too... all of the vivid experiences that make up the inner life of a regular person, especially the joys. I started using the phrase "live what you love" as a kind of parenting guidepost. Our kids are always watching, taking cues about what adulthood looks like. If all they ever see is grownups stressed, rushing, and tired, they’ll assume that’s the default. But if they also see us delighted by a song, energized by a
game, inspired by something we've learned, genuinely laughing with people we love... that’s powerful. It shows them that joy isn’t something you age out of, it’s something you grow into. The holidays are packed with tasks and to-do lists, but they’re also full of opportunities for joy. So tune your radar to what YOU love, and if you catch yourself smiling at paper snowflakes or belting out a corny carol, don’t downplay it. Let yourself have that moment. When your kids see the
joy you've just pushed into the room; it's a gift to their present and to their 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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The DPS SchoolChoice Application is now open! It is time to select the right school for your family for the 2026-27 school year! Denver Public Schools (DPS) believes all families
should have equitable access to the schools they feel are the best fit for their students, and we offer a variety of different options. The DPS SchoolChoice Round 1 window is now open through Jan. 20, 2026, at 4 p.m. SchoolChoice
is for any student who wants or needs to attend a new school for the following school year. For the best chance of getting matched to your preferred school, we highly encourage families to apply during Round 1. We are excited to welcome families to DPS next school year! |
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Electric Safari at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is the only place in Colorado where you can see a holiday-safari themed drone show, and explore 50 acres of one-of-a-kind light sculptures, twinkling light displays, and larger-than-life illuminated inflatable animals while hand-feeding a giraffe herd on the side of a mountain! Advance tickets required. Get tickets and details: cmzoo.org/electric.
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Nov 24 – Jan 2: Experience the Magic of ICE! at Gaylord Rockies! Step into a frozen wonderland this holiday season! ICE! returns to Gaylord Rockies with an all-new theme featuring Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Marvel at larger-than-life ice sculptures hand-carved from over 2 million pounds of ice, zip down slippery slides, and wander through chilly tunnels straight out of Whoville. Whether you visit for the day or book an overnight stay, this dazzling holiday attraction is a must-se
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Get ready to sparkle! The City of Lakewood invites residents and neighbors to come together and celebrate the most wonderful time of the year at the free annual Lakewood Lights event. Join Lakewood's Mayor and City Council for a magical evening dedicated to community and holiday spirit at Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park from 5 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5.
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Join us for Northglenn's kick-off to the holiday season. The event will be full of all of the "fan favorites". Plus, author activity with Nyasha Williams to celebrate her new book, Once Upon a Kwanzaa!
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Butterfly Pavilion camps are designed to provide memorable experiences that connect kids to nature while encouraging and fostering an appreciation for science. Spots are limited so sign your child up today for the adventure of a lifetime. Out-of-School Day Fall and Winter Camps are sold as one-day camps for children ages 5-9.
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- First Fridays - Karaoke/Open Stage at Pickering! - Pickering Academy - 6920 S. Jordan Rd., Suite G, Centennial, CO 80012, Friday, December 5, 2025, 7pm
- Deck the Stalls - Goldfish Swim School - Centennial East - 6340 S. Parker Rd. Suite 105, Aurora, CO 80016, Friday, December 5, 2025, 2:00 pm-7:00 pm
- Denver
Christkindlmarket 2025 - Auraria Campus, Tivoli Quad 1000 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80204, Friday, December 5, 2025 to Sunday, December 7, 2025, See website
- St. Nick on the Bricks - Downtown Boulder - 1942 Broadway Suite 301, Boulder, CO 80302, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
- 65th Annual Georgetown Christmas Market 2025 - Georgetown, CO 80444, Saturday, December 6, 2025 to Sunday, December 7, 2025, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Cole Winter Wonderland Craft and Community Fair - DSST Public Schools Home Office,
Colorado Boulevard, Denver, CO, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 11:00am-2:00pm
- Folklore Holiday Bazaar | Quince Coffee House - QUINCE COFFEE HOUSE, 1447 Quince St, Denver, CO 80220, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 10 am - 3 pm
- Centennial Jingle Jam at Centennial Center Park - Centennial Center Park, East Peakview Avenue, Centennial, CO, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 1 pm - 4 pm
- Holiday Celebration at the
Mansion - Highlands Ranch Mansion - 9950 East Gateway Drive, Highlands Ranch, CO, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 10 am - 3 pm
- City Floral's Holiday Celebration - City Floral Garden Center, 1440 Kearney St, Denver, CO 80220, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 2 pm- 6 pm
- Kids Read with a Therapy Dog | Hampden Branch Library - Denver Public Library-HAMPDEN BRANCH LIBRARY - 9755 E. Girard Ave., Denver, CO
80231, Sunday, December 7, 2025, See website
- Free mini photo session with Shoott! - Denver - Shoott, Broadway, New
York, NY, Saturday, December 6, 2025 to Sunday, December 7, 2025, See link for times
- Free mini photo session with Shoott! - Boulder - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, Saturday, December 6, 2025 to Sunday, December 7, 2025, See link for times
- Wildlife Rescue - An Augmented Reality Experience at Gaylord Rockies Resort - Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center, North Gaylord Rockies Boulevard, Aurora, CO, Friday, December 5, 2025 to Sunday, December 7, 2025, Self-Guided Tour: Anytime
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The Denver 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 Denver is somewhat shorter this year than our traditional 101 ideas for local holiday fun, but there are still ways to make the holidays special in our area for 2024. Christmas concerts, lights, trees,
nativities, and more. . . plus activities for…
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Denver 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 winners in KidsOutAndAbout's survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids in the Denver area. Our Top 20 results page includes a list of your top picks, including winners in the special categories: 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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