KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Fri, Dec 26: Kwanzaa Lighting Celebration - Downtown New London Association
Fri, Dec 26: Drop-in Craft: Cat & Dog Plushies at Fairfield Museum and History Center
Fri, Dec 26: Vacation Santa Visits Mystic
Aquarium
Sat, Dec 27: Family Art à la Carte Tour: Winter in Bloom at Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art
Sun, Dec 28: Christmas Bird Count at Harry C. Barnes Memorial Nature Center
Sun, Dec 28: Connecticut Science Center Open Winter
Vacation
Tue, Dec 30: Kids Movie Matinee: Night at the Museum at Gunn Memorial Library & Museum
Wed, Jan 7: Mother Nature’s Storytime - Winter Sessions at Greenburgh Nature Center
Sat, Jan 10: Night in the Museum at Old Sturbridge
Village
Mon, Jan 19: School's Out, Nature's In Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Woodcock Nature Center
Thu, Feb 5: George Washington Carver and Friends at The Bushnell
Tue, Feb 17: February School's Out Workshop: Maple Sugaring at Rye Nature Center
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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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Now through Dec 24, every day except Sunday: Santa and his three LIVE reindeer have returned 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! Click here for details.
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The City of New London is proud to announce the commencement of its holiday season with a calendar of events celebrating the diverse array of faiths and holidays in New London’s culture. Celebrate the spirit of the season with the annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Parade Plaza in downtown New London on November 28! From 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM, enjoy a festive evening filled with Christmas carols from the Eastern CT Symphony Chorus the melodious sounds of the Shoreline Ringers Bell Choir and a special performance by The New London Arts Magnet Pathway Chorus.
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The Northern Lights Limited is our evening train, departing Thomaston Station for Santa's Workshop. Leaving under the cover of nightfall, experience the magic as the lights inside and out of each car are lit, illuminating the entire train in a soft, cheerful glow. Upon departure, you will be taken directly to the Santa's Workshop, picking up Santa and Mrs. Claus for all to see. Once on board the train, Santa and Mrs. Claus will take turns visiting with all those on board as the train slowly glides along through the night. While Santa is visiting each of all the good boys and girls on the train, his team will entertain you. Each child will get an extra special gift from Santa's toy bag.
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The 78th Annual Community Carol Sing will take place on Sunday, December 21, 2025. Admission to Mystic Seaport Museum is free from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Enjoy a festive holiday concert by the Mystic Seaport Carolers in the Meeting House at 2:00 p.m. At 3:00 p.m., gather on the Thompson Exhibition Building deck and the McGraw Gallery Quadrangle for the Carol Sing, led by Jamie Spillane, Associate Professor of Music and Director of Choral Studies at the University of Connecticut, accompanied by the Mystic Seaport Museum Carolers and a brass quartet. Santa and Mrs. Claus will join the celebration at 2:45 p.m. and will greet visitors around the Museum grounds beginning at noon.
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Come experience the history of Christmas festivities at Old Sturbridge Village. Relish old traditions and create new ones as you watch demonstrations of classic Christmas projects, stroll through the decorated Village and Christmas Tree Trail, listen to stories and live music, sample sweet treats, ride the horse-drawn carryall, and more. We hope your family will join us, as we celebrate a very special time of year.
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Join us at Westmoreland Sanctuary for an exciting hands-on program where kids become animal caretakers for a day. This fun and interactive experience gives children the opportunity to learn what it takes to care for the different animals housed at Westmoreland and ultimately gain a connection with and a deeper appreciation for animals and nature.
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Enjoy milk, cookies, and story time with Sturbridge resident and author Bill Barnsley, author of If Mice Pulled the Sleigh. Copies of the book can be purchased in advance or at the event, and Bill Barnsley will be signing books after the reading. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. After story time, embark on a journey through Christmas traditions past and present during Christmas by Candlelight (separate ticket required).
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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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- Little Red Bar[n] Live Music at Bishop's Orchards - Bishop's Orchards, 1355 Boston Post Road, Guilford, CT, Friday, December 19, 2025 to Sunday, December 21, 2025, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
- Access for All Community Day | Celebrating the Holidays at The New Britain Museum of American
Art - New Britain Museum of American Art, Lexington Street, New Britain, CT, Saturday, December 20, 2025, 11 am
- Fire Making Class at Ansonia Nature Center - Ansonia Nature & Recreation Center, 10 Deerfield Lane, Ansonia, CT, Saturday, December 20, 2025, 2 pm
- Taylor Swift VIP Grab & Go Bags at Danbury Library - Danbury Library, 170 Main Street, Danbury, CT, Saturday, December
20, 2025, 12 pm - 1 pm
- A Cozy Holiday Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Danbury Library - Danbury Library, 170 Main Street, Danbury, CT, Saturday, December 20, 2025, 11 am
- Community Carol Sing at Mystic Seaport Museum - Mystic Seaport Museum, 75 Greenmanville Ave, Mystic, CT, Sunday, December 21, 2025, 2 pm
- WINTER VENDOR EVENT -, 470 Bridgeport Ave, Milford, CT, Sunday, December 21, 2025, 11:00 AM- 1:00 PM
- Free mini photo session
with Shoott! - Connecticut - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, Saturday, December 20, 2025 to Sunday, December 21, 2025, See link for times
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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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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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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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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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