KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
The Christmas I was 10, my sister and I woke up at our usual ridiculously-early hour and raced downstairs to the tree. Something was different: fewer gifts than usual, no giant boxes, no bike-shaped mystery lumps. But nestled among the smaller packages were envelopes that turned out to be plane tickets to Bermuda. We were leaving that very morning, which
explained why my parents had not objected to being awakened at 5:30.
Decades later, I don’t remember what else I got that year—or most years—but I remember being bundled up and giddy, heading to the airport while it was still dark. I remember pink sand, caves, and the little cakes they served at teatime. It's all still as fresh to me as the air was at Grotto Bay Beach. That trip taught me something I wouldn’t have been able to say at the time:
Presence creates the memories, not the presents. Of course, we all want our kids to have a magical holiday. But when we think back to our own childhoods, what sticks isn’t the stuff, it’s the doing. The zoo trips, the plays, the sporting events, the concerts, the hands held during the adventures. That’s why my long-time holiday mantra is “Do it, don’t dust it.” Experiences are the gifts that last the longest, especially when we do them
together. They don’t pile up in a closet; they plant themselves in our memory. So if you’re still pondering what to give the people you love this year, consider a show, a class, a day trip, a membership, a season pass. Something that says “I see you, you matter, let's do it together." Need ideas? Head to our Local Memberships & Season Passes page! It's your ticket to the perfect gift... and it's guaranteed clutter-free.
—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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Want to have some jumping fun? Book your party with Fun City Trampoline Park! At Fun City we do all the set-up and clean-up so you can relax and have fun. All Fun City parties include two large one-topping pizzas, ice cream, bottled water, socks, a private room, an enthusiastic party host, a full hour of unlimited attractions, a t-shirt for the birthday child and even a $5 arcade card for each jumper. Kids love our trampolines, games, rock climbing and foam pit. It’s a party the kids will never forget! Click here to book your party today!
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Celebrate the holiday season under the twinkle of a million lights at Glow Hartford! Glow Hartford returns to the Connecticut Convention Center, November 21st through December 23rd. Enjoy interactive light gardens, illuminated structures, seasonal food and drinks, family-friendly activities, a festive holiday market and daily live entertainment. Don’t miss a FREE photo with Santa and ride on our trackless “Glow-comotive” train.
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Visit all five museums and participate in hands-on, drop-in activities that spark curiosity and promote critical thinking. Each museum will offer a different array of activities, exhibits, planetarium shows and performances.
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Bring your family for one last memory-making visit to Holiday Lights at Lake Compounce. The event will be retired after 2025, so don’t miss your last chance to mingle among a half million twinkling lights throughout the park. Hop on some of your favorite family rides while you enjoy holiday treats and admire Connecticut’s tallest Christmas tree. Be sure to stop in and say “hello” to Santa himself. Put some sparkle in your season one final time at Holiday Lights ‘25, select nights November 28 thru December 28.
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The Danbury Railway Museum's Christmas Fundraiser begins Saturday, November 29th and runs every Saturday and Sunday through December 22nd. Your ticket grants you full admission to the museum and railyard, where you'll find artifact displays and antique railroad cars.
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An elephant named Gerald and a pig named Piggie are best, best, "bestus" friends. Piggie is happier and more excited than usual because she and Gerald are invited to a party hosted by the Squirrelles: three singing squirrels who love to have a good time. And so begins a day when anything is possible! Filled with beloved characters and lively songs, in Elephant & Piggie's "We Are in a Play!" Gerald and Piggie take to the stage in a rollicking adventure that is perfect for audiences of all ages.
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Santa Claus is coming to town...and coming to Mystic Aquarium for photographs! Visit your favorite animals, explore our exhibits, and meet Jolly Old Saint Nick with a special photo opportunity for all ages. What a great way to celebrate the ho-ho-holidays!
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This National Day celebrates around the world recognize the unique characteristics of simians. While the holiday is mainly about monkeys, it also celebrates other non-human primates such as apes, tarsiers, and lemurs. Monkeys live all over the world and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Their personalities and habits capture the attention of humans on many levels. These intelligent animals with opposable thumbs live in family groups, too.
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- Little Red Barn Live Music - Bishops Orchards - 1355 Boston Post Road, Guilford, CT, USA, Friday, December 12, 2025, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
- Town of Cromwell Farmers Market Craft Fair - Cromwell Recreation Department - 41 West Street, Cromwell, CT 06416, United States, Saturday, December 13, 2025, 9:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.
- FREE
Admission – Access for All at Mattatuck Museum - Mattatuck Museum - 144 West Main Street, Waterbury, CT 06702, United States, Saturday, December 13, 2025, 11 am - 5 pm
- Second Saturdays Families Winter Solstice - Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art - 600 Main
Street, Hartford, CT 06103, United States, Saturday, December 13, 2025, 11 am–2 pm activities
- Free Mini Photo Session with Shoott - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, USA, Sunday, December 14, 2025, See link for times
- Brunch with Santa at Michael's Tap Room - Michael's Tap Room - 37 Stony Hill Road, Bethel, CT 06801, United States, Sunday, December 14, 2025, 1:00-2:00PM
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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 Hartford 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 Hartford'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 Hartford 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 Hartford Kids, as voted by KidsOutAndAbout.com readers! Our Top 20 results page includes a list of your top picks, including winners in special categories like Favorite Arts Educator, Favorite Sports Educator, and Favorite STEM
Educator!
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Wishing you and your family health and happiness!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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