KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
Peace can come in many textures during the holidays. For some, it’s the energizing bustle of concerts and community events, or the warmth of a crowded house full of voices and motion. For others, it’s the stillness of a walk through snow-covered woods, a soft blanket at home, or the quiet company of someone who understands them. It shifts from person to person, and
sometimes even from one day to the next. Peace can be internal, external, or, at its best, a bit of both: a sense that life makes sense, within and around us. It’s easier to feel when we’re free from hardship, but even in the midst of challenge, it’s sometimes possible to find a quiet kind of peace when we know we’ve done our best with the time and energy we’ve been given. Peace can be elusive for parents; after all, we're the ones in charge of figuring out
how to make the family rhythm and flow work for everyone, and what brings peace to our kids may look nothing like what brings it to us. Maybe your son needs to be out with friends while you crave stillness. Maybe your daughter is hoping to hide in a corner with a book while you're in full-on glitter-and-cookie mode with all the cousins. Parenting is the art of balance, of helping everyone in the family thrive by seeing who they really are and doing our best to honor it. It's not easy, and it's
never perfect, but we try. When kids feel known—when they hear “I see that you love this, that you need this, and I’ll help you find your way to it”—they flourish. That sense of being understood can be its own kind of peace. So as the season winds to a close, I wish you whatever kind of holiday rhythm helps you feel most like you. And I hope you’ll find moments to offer that same gift to those around you. When we make space for each other’s version of peace,
it’s more likely to find its way into the room.
—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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Santa Claus is on vacation and coming to Mystic Aquarium! That’s right—with Christmas wrapping up (get it?), the Big Guy will be here for photos decked out in his vaca-mode attire! Hawaiian shirt, shades, tropical drink…after all, we all need a break after the holidays! Photo ops with Santa on Vacation will available Dec. 26 through Dec. 31!
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Looking for something fun and educational to do with your family during the holiday break? Join us for one or two days of exciting indoor and outdoor activities inspired by the lifeways and lessons of local Native Americans! Each day, the IAIS Education Department will offer an action-packed day of games, activities and traditional Native American Storytelling. Participants will play games such as snow snake, snow boat, and hoop and pole and create keepsakes they can take home, such as corn husk dolls, buzzers, or beadwork. These activities are best suited for children ages 6 to 12, but an adult must remain on premises for the duration of the program, and are encouraged to participate.
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Join us at 1741 Pub & Grill for a delicious Sunday brunch experience featuring our newest brunch special: All-You-Can-Eat Cider Pancakes for just $14.99 per person! Fluffy, sweet, and made with apple cider, these pancakes are the perfect fall-inspired treat to start your day. Pair them with our refreshing Apple Cider Spritz cocktail or choose from our full regular brunch menu for the ultimate Sunday indulgence. All-You-Can-Eat Cider Pancake Brunch will be from 10 AM - 1 PM on Sunday, December 28th. Bring your appetite and your brunch crew - this is one stack you'll want seconds (and thirds) of!
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Explore your creative potential at Absolute Bead Shop at Nature’s Art Village with our practical and accessible classes in beadwork, jewelry design, and wire wrapping, designed for both children and adults. If you’re interested in creating custom necklaces, bracelets, or earrings, our beginner-friendly sessions provide step-by-step guidance. We’ll introduce you to essential tools, teach foundational techniques, and offer practical advice on selecting suitable materials for your jewelry projects.
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Winter vacation is made for discovery, and the Science Center is open daily! Explore 165+ hands-on exhibits, step into the mind-bending Forest of Illusions, and escape to the tropics in Connecticut’s only year-round Butterfly Encounter. Add a spin on our sock skating rink and a fresh experience in the newly improved Forces in Motion gallery, and you’ve got a full day of fun for all ages.
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The Holiday Lights Spectacular returns to Olde Mistick Village! The largest holiday light display in southern New England is FREE to the public and will run through the end of January, 2026 starting at 5pm every evening. Over a half-million lights will decorate the Olde Mystic Village square of shops and restaurants for families and holiday enthusiasts to enjoy. Parking is also free.
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This is the nation’s longest-running community science bird project! The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) brings together bird lovers of all skill levels to count and record birds in their local areas—helping track populations and guide conservation efforts. Each count contributes valuable data to over a century of bird population research—making every sighting count for science and conservation. We’ll be meeting at the Barnes Nature Center on Sunday, December 28th, 2025 at 8AM. Bring your own binoculars, or we’ll have some to share.
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The City of New London and the New London NAACP will have a ceremony tonight starting at 5:00 pm at the Parade Plaza to light the Kinara for the first night of Kwanzaa. We invite the community to come out and enjoy the celebration.
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- Little Red Barn Live Music - Bishop's Orchards - Bishop's Orchards, 1355 Boston Post Road, Guilford, CT, 12/26/2025 - 12/27/2025, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
- Free mini photo session with Shoott! - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, 12/27/2025 - 12/28/2025, See link for times
- Family Programs - Yale Peabody Museum - Yale Peabody Museum, 170 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT, 12/27/2025 - 12/28/2025, See website for specific program times
- Christmas Bird Count - Harry C. Barnes Memorial Nature Center - Harry C. Barnes Memorial Nature Center, Shrub Road, Bristol, CT, 12/28/2025, 8 am - 10 am
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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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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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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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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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