KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Sat, Dec 13: Milk, Cookies, and Storytime with Local Author Bill Barnsley at Old Sturbridge Village
Sun, Dec 14: National Monkey Day Celebration at Beardsley Zoo
Tue, Dec 16: Toddler Tuesday - Winter Wonderland at Connecticut Science
Center
Tue, Dec 16: Clue at Palace Theater - Waterbury
Sat, Dec 20: Winter Weekend at Mystic Aquarium
Wed, Dec 24: Drop-in Craft: Cat & Dog Plushies at Fairfield Museum and History Center
Fri, Dec 26: Kwanzaa Lighting Celebration - Downtown New London Association
Sat, Dec 27: Shen Yun 2025 at Palace Theater - Waterbury
Thu, Feb 5: George Washington Carver and Friends at The Bushnell |
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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Nov 28-Dec 24, every day except Sunday: Santa and his three LIVE reindeer are returning to Greenwich for the 17th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa's Workshop presented by Jenny Allen & Kristen Studwell at Compass Real Estate, "The North Pole on North Street", Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses, 437 North Street, Greenwich. The cherished town tradition continues for the seventeenth consecutive year at this expansive nursery where visitors can have their photo taken with Santa, meet the reindeer and also enjoy the beautiful Santa's Workshop, which provides more space for families while they wait in line for their photo with Santa. This all takes place just minutes from downtown Greenwich. Parking is free.
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Hamden Hall is a Pre-School through Grade 12 community with a dynamic learning environment that promotes academic excellence by fostering each student’s individual growth. Our students benefit from a balance of rigorous academics, athletics, and extracurricular and creative offerings amid a caring and supportive community. With a Hamden Hall education as their foundation, our students leave our halls as well-rounded individuals with broad outlooks on life and attend some of the world's finest colleges and universities. Learn more about The Hamden Hall Experience by scheduling a visit to our school community today.
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In the spirit of giving, gather with friends, family, and fellow community members at Grace Farms to assemble care packages in service of Filling in the Blanks, a . This joyous night offers festive music, warm tea, and engaging winter crafts for all ages to enjoy. Gifting for Good offers two hour-long seatings: 4 and 6 pm
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Experience the Magic of the Holiday Stroll-North Poll on Friday, Dec. 5, 6pm-9pm. Meet SANTA & Mrs. Claus, see two LIVE REINDEER, and send postcards to the troops with Ridgefield Lions Club. Special thanks to ‘Reindeer Magic’ presenting sponsor, Karla Murtaugh Homes/COMPASS, with support from Four Seasons Racquet Club and Ridgefield Theater Barn with Pamme Jones for bringing the North Pole to town! All are welcome! Free! Rain or Shine!
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Santa’s Elf Entourage will be back at the Indian Rock Nature Preserve for three weekends in December, 2025. Celebrate the holiday season with s’mores, caroling, cookies, hot coco, crafts, and of course, visiting with the farm animals. Be sure to bring your own camera to capture the magic, no photographer will be on-site. Proceeds from this event will benefit Environmental Learning Centers of CT’s education programs at Indian Rock Nature Preserve and Barnes Nature Center.
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A magical time of year for visiting Auerfarm with family and friends in tow. Santa always takes time out to spend it with his friends of all ages. A free event for all yet accepting donations. Complimentary hot cocoa will be served and arts and crafts activities for children. Christmas trees will also be on sale.
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Join us Saturday, December 6 for our Holiday Carnival, from 12pm to 4pm!! We will have carolers in the village, along with a brass band playing holiday favorites, Santa on the green to meet the pups, and Santa’s Workshop!! Mark your calendars and come join us for this special holiday celebration!! What would our carnival be without Santa’s Workshop Children’s Gift Store?! Santa will be setting up shop in the Meetinghouse as a gift store for children to buy gifts for their family and friends. Be sure to stop by to join us for this special holiday celebration!
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Step into the past and experience the magic of the holidays at Lantern Light Village. As twilight falls, Mystic Seaport Museum glows with the warm flicker of lanterns and the sparkle of music-filled light displays. Stroll through our waterfront village, transformed into a festive wonderland alive with the sights, sounds, and flavors of a bygone holiday. Climb aboard a horse-drawn carriage, warm yourself by crackling fires, and share your wishes with Saint Nick. Inspired by Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, this year’s Lantern Light Village invites you to join the residents of Greenmanville—and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future—as they work to soften Scrooge’s heart and bring the joy of the season to all of Mystic. Step onto the deck of the historic whaleship Charles W. Morgan for live holiday music, try your hand at seasonal crafts, and create cherished memories with family and friends. Lantern Light Village is a heartwarming tradition filled with wonder,…
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- Holiday Stroll: North Pole at Lounsbury House - 316 Main Street, Ridgefield, CT 06877, Friday, December 5, 2025, 6 pm - 9 pm
- Little Red Bar[n] Live Music at Bishop's Orchards - 1355 Boston Post Road, Guilford, CT, Friday, December 5, 2025 and Saturday, December 6, 2025, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
- Free mini photo session with Shoott! -
Connecticut - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, Saturday, December 6, 2025 and Sunday, December 7, 2025, See link for times
- Annual Santa on the Farm Event at Auerfarm - 158 Auer Farm Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 10 am - 1 pm
- Shelton Free Sunday at SHU Discovery Science Center and Planetarium - 4450 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT
06604, Sunday, December 7, 2025, 10 am - 5 pm
- Fall Open House Events at Greens Farms Academy - 35 Beachside Ave, Greens Farms, Westport, CT, Sunday, December 7, 2025, See website
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Fairfield County 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 Fairfield County'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,
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Fairfield County 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 Fairfield County Kids: Once again, our readers have spoken! Thousands of parents voted in the KidsOutAndAbout survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids. Our Top 20 results page includes a list of your top picks, including winners
in special categories like favorite spot for indoor play, favorite nature center, favorite museum, and much more!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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