Dallas weekly e-newsletter |
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Sun, Nov 16: Open House at Jesuit Dallas
Mon, Nov 17: Little
Gobblers PK & Kinder Open House Fri, Nov 21: Dallas Zoo Lights Presented by Reliant at Dallas Zoo
Sat, Nov 22: City of Coppell Gobble Wobble 5K & Fun Run
Wed, Nov 26: Mickey's Search Party- Allen Sat, Nov 29: Santa at the Station at Dallas Firefighter's Museum
Fri, Dec 5: Home Alone in Concert
Fri, Dec 5: A Christmas Story: The Musical
Sun, Dec 7: Wylie Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting
Sat, Dec 13: Live Nativity- Lamb of God Lutheran Church
Sat, Dec 13: McKinney Rotary Parade of Lights
Sun, Dec 14: The Allen Civic Ballet presents: “Tea with the Sugar Plum Fairy”
Fri, Dec 19: Chanukah Celebration
Sun, Dec 21: Winter SOLE-stice Hike
Fri, Dec 26: Mrs.
Doubtfire |
Dear KidsOutAndabout.com readers: When I was about four years old, I turned to my mother and asked, “Mommy, do you know what I’m thinking?” She said no, that no one can know what’s going on in someone else’s head unless they say it out loud. I was instantly relieved. “Good!” I said, emphatically. This family story points to something we all figure out eventually: No one—not even those we
love most—can truly know us completely. That’s because our minds are crowded with thoughts, memories, emotions, and those little sparks of insight that are hard to pin down for ourselves, much less explain to someone else. So no matter what, we can only really share just a slice of who we are. Some people might say that being selective about what parts of ourselves we show to different people means we're being fake, but I don't. Full transparency isn't even possible, so the
goal is sincerity. As long as what we share is true to who we are, we’re being honest. Selective, but sincere. This is especially helpful to remember during the holidays, when we’re surrounded by lots of people, sometimes all at once. Some of them we love dearly. Others... less so. So when Aunt Viv is going on (again) about the zoning board, you don’t have to confess how bored you are. Just focus on what’s real—the part you truly mean—and say that. “So sorry that's getting in
your way, Aunt Viv. But I just have to say: Your pecan pie is amazing.” So this holiday season, try to tune your radar to see the good stuff. Say out loud what you honestly appreciate. And take comfort, as four-year-old Deb once did, that no one can read the rest of what’s going on in your head.
—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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KidsOutAndAbout.com is conducting a short survey to better understand how families are navigating the fast-changing world of AI. We're asking all parents, grandparents, and caregivers—whether you're tech-savvy or not—to weigh in. Your input will directly shape upcoming national resources designed to help families guide kids wisely and safely. The survey closes soon, so please take 60–90 seconds to be part of this important effort.
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Give your child a holiday full of adventure at Wild Adventures Camp at the Dallas Zoo! Students in Kindergarten through Grade 8 can explore the Dallas Zoo through hands-on projects, interactive games, guided tours, and close-up animal encounters. Thanksgiving Break Camp provides a three-day camp experience, while Winter Break Camps offer single-day adventures. Organized by grade level and led by experienced Camp Guides, each camp day is packed with fun, learning, and unforgettable memories. Spots fill up fast – register your little explorer today! Thanksgiving Camp: Nov. 24–26 from 9 am - 3 pm. Winter Camps: Dec. 22, 23, 29, 30, and 31, and Jan. 1, 2, and 5 from 9 am - 3 pm.
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This Christmas you don't have to drive far and spend your entire budget for a little holiday magic—get into the spirit of the holiday season and make magical lasting memories at Yesterland Farm. November 28-December 23 come have fun in our Christmas Carnival, toss REAL snowballs, visit Santa Claus, take a hay wagon ride and train through a dazzling array of lights, meet our friendly animals, and more. It’s DFW’s best holiday value for the family! We're located at 15410 I-20, Canton, TX.
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Santa at the Station is back! Join us at the Dallas Firefighters Museum for a magical holiday experience on Saturday, November 29th from 10AM–5PM! Bring the whole family for FREE to meet Santa, explore historic fire trucks, enjoy festive activities, and tour the museum. Dallas Firefighters Museum 3801 Parry Ave, Dallas, TX 75226 Lines begin at 9:30 am and doors open at 10 am — come early and make unforgettable holiday memories inside Dallas’ iconic historic firehouse. Learn more at dallasfiremuseum.org.
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Private Schools in the Dallas, TX area: Try it before you buy it... and even before you visit! This is KidsOutAndAbout.com's video sneak peek into local private school experiences. If your school should have a video on this page, please send a link to the school's video on YouTube or Vimeo to ross@kidsoutandabout.com.
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The private schools in the Dallas area cater to every educational need and parent philosophy. This is KidsOutAndAbout's education highlight page, containing specially featured schools and also our master list of local schools.
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KidsOutAndAbout's 2025 holiday events list for Dallas -ways to make the holidays special in our area for 2025. Christmas concerts, lights, trees, nativities, and more. . . plus activities for Chanukah, Kwanzaa, and New Year's Eve.
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Plano Holiday Market is a fun and free event held each November that showcases unique handcrafted holiday gifts. Exhibitors have jewelry, handmade wood items, candles and soaps. There will also be a wonderful selection of tamales, brownies, cupcakes, jams, nuts and dips or gifts for holiday parties. In addition, Collin County seniors will stock the Hip Hip for Gray booth with a variety of crafts including quilts, baby items, ornaments, and more!
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From the songwriting team behind the smash hit Tony Award-winning musical Dear Evan Hansen and the Academy Award-winning film La La Land, A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL, brings the classic 1983 movie to hilarious life on stage! Set in 1940s Indiana, a young and bespectacled Ralphie Parker schemes his way toward the holiday gift of his dreams, an official Red Ryder® Carbine-Action 200-Shot Range Model Air Rifle. An infamous leg lamp, outrageous pink bunny pajamas, a maniacal department store Santa, and a triple-dog-dare to lick a freezing flagpole are just a few of the distractions that stand between Ralphie and his Christmas wish. Nominated for three 2013 Tony Awards including Best Musical, the Associated Press calls A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL “a joyous Christmas miracle,” while The New York Times writes “I was dazzled. You’d have to have a Grinch-sized heart not to feel a smile spreading across your face.”
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In its 15th year at Frisco Square, Skate the Square is the area’s only real ice outdoor ice rink! Located perfectly along Main and Coleman, Skate the Square provides the perfect ice skating experience to get you and your family in the holiday spirit. Join us beginning on November 21st for the perfect start to your holiday season!
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Take a magical journey through the land of dancing snowflakes to the Kingdom of the Sweets. Enjoy colorful and energetic dancing to Tchaikovsky’s famous score, including Spanish Dance, Arabian Dance, Waltz of the Flowers and of course, the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
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We've lost our turkey! Can you help us find him? On this Turkey Trek you will have to follow the clues to find our lost turkey! You will have to learn how to track a turkey by following it's tracks, but don't be fooled by other tracks that might lead you astray! You may have to listen for the turkey call to find your way, or maybe some missing feathers might give you a clue. When you do find him, you'll get to make your very own turkey to take home with you! Join us for this fun-filled trek!
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Let's talk about everyone's favorite Thanksgiving bird! Come to the Nature Center to learn about our favorite holiday bird! Learn about the history and myth of these famous birds, then create some fun turkey masks to go home and celebrate with.
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What better way to celebrate the season of gratitude than a community clean-up event? We will be cleaning up the creek located directly behind the Allen Heritage Village, roughly one quarter of a mile. Lunch provided, music and raffles will be held throughout the event. This is a project in partnership with Keep Allen Beautiful.
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Register for the 7th annual Gobble Wobble 5K & Fun Run and join the fun as we kick off the holiday season! If a 5K is a little out of your comfort zone, take part in the Fun Run! Bring your leashed dog to run this 1-mile route with you, take the kiddos in a stroller, or walk with a buddy.
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Ready to discover what sets St. Monica Catholic School apart? Join us for our Bearcat Chats, where you'll have the chance to discover our dynamic curriculum, tour our vibrant campus, and experience our welcoming community.
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AoPS will be hosting a Math Game event specifically geared to the homeschool community. We will have a variety of math games to engage elementary-aged students in problem-solving and critical thinking.
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Kids Night Out/ Parents Night Off is a scheduled opportunity for parents to plan a date night for three hours by dropping off their kids at Pipe and Palette for an evening of painting, pizza, popcorn, and a movie. Kids Night Out is every Friday & Saturday evening. Splatter Room Kids Night Out are every Saturday and every first Friday of the month.
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Holiday at the Arboretum transforms the Dallas Arboretum into a festive wonderland, blending cherished traditions with new experiences. Guests can stroll through the dazzling 12 Days of Christmas gazebos, shop and celebrate in our European-inspired Christmas Village, and admire the elegant Merry Monochromatic décor inside the historic DeGolyer House. New for 2025 we’re introducing Night Glow, powered by AURORA. This one-of-a-kind, after dark experience illuminates the gardens with radiant, artist-curated light installations blending botanical beauty with luminous creativity for a truly unforgettable holiday experience.
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- Christmas in the Square - 8874 Coleman Blvd, Frisco, TX 75034, United States, Google Maps, Friday, November 21, 2025 to Sunday, November 23, 2025, 6-10 pm
- Elementary Math Game event - AoPS Academy Frisco, Independence Parkway, Frisco, TX, USA, Google Maps, Friday, November 21, 2025, 2:00-3:00 pm
- Bearcat Chat - St. Monica Catholic School, Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas, TX, USA, Google Maps, Friday, November 21, 2025, 10:00AM
- Paid Research Intervention Study for Adolescents (Ages
13-16) UT Dallas - UT Dallas, Google Maps, Friday, November 21, 2025, Study appointments begin at 9:00AM and can be scheduled till 9:00PM each day
- Grand
Prairie Farmers Market - 120 W. Main St., Grand Prairie, TX 75050, United States, Google Maps, Saturday, November 22, 2025, 8 am- 1 pm
- SaturYAY - Kaleidoscope Park, 6635 Warren Parkway, Frisco, TX 75034, United States, Google Maps, Saturday, November 22, 2025, 10 am- 4 pm
- Plano Holiday Market - Carpenter Park Recreation Center, Coit Road, Plano, TX, USA, Google Maps, Saturday, November 22, 2025 to Sunday, November 23, 2025, 9 am -
5 pm on Saturday and 11 am to 4 pm on Sunday
- Our Village Glows - The Shops at Highland Village, 1701 Shoal Creek, Highland Village, TX 75077, United States, Google Maps, Saturday, November 22, 2025, 5:30 pm
- Light The Night - Watters Creek Village, 970 Garden Park Dr, Allen, TX 75013,
United States, Google Maps, Saturday, November 22, 2025, 4:30 pm
- Santa Is Here At Watters
Creek - Watters Creek Village, 970 Garden Park Dr, Allen, TX 75013, United States, Google Maps, Saturday, November 22, 2025 to Sunday, November 23, 2025, see website
- Clean out the Creek Community Project - Allen Heritage Village, Saint Mary Drive, Allen, TX, USA, Google Maps, Saturday, November 22, 2025, 10 am- 2
pm
- Showtime Saturdays at Galleria Dallas - Galleria Dallas, 13350 Dallas Parkway, Dallas, TX 75240, United States, Google Maps, Saturday, November 22, 2025, 11:30 am
- Turkey Trek - Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center, Farm to Market Road 1382, Cedar Hill, TX 75104, United States, Google Maps, Saturday, November 22, 2025, 11 am
- Village Lights - Hillside Village Shopping Center, Farm to Market Road 1382,
Cedar Hill, TX, USA, Google Maps, Saturday, November 22, 2025, 5:30PM
- Turkey Burn Ride -
Apex Home Realty, Fort Drive, Centreville, VA, USA, Google Maps, Sunday, November 23, 2025, 1-2 pm
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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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Every May and June, thousands of local parents, grandparents, and caregivers weigh in on their favorite local places to take kids. This is the page where we showcase the Dallas-area winners for 2025. (Click here to see the full list of nominees.)
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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