KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Wed, Dec 31: New Year’s Eve Family Bingo at Huntsville Public
Library
Wed, Dec 31: Rockin' New Year's Noon! at Children's Museum Houston
Wed, Dec 31: Kid's New Year's Eve Holiday Countdown at Hockley CC at Tracy Gee Community Center
Tue, Jan 6: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at Hobby Center for the Performing Arts
Fri, Jan 9: Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi In Concert at Jones Hall
Fri, Jan 16: Cirque Kalabanté at The Grand 1894 Opera House
Mon, Jan 19: MLK Day Day Camp- K2 Academy and K2 Campus
Mon, Jan 19: 2026 MLK Unity Parade at Kauses 4 Kids
Fri, Jan 30: Humble Rodeo
Sat, Jan 31: Bookworm Book Festival
Sat, Feb 21: Annual Go Texan Parade at Greater Conroe/Lake Conroe Area Chamber of Commerce
Sat, Feb 21: Mardi Gras! Galveston
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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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Make magical holiday memories at Dewberry Farm, Houston’s biggest, brightest, BEST VALUE Christmas! Cozy up on a hay wagon through a winter wonderland of lights, feed and pet our animals, toss REAL snowballs, and visit Santa Claus! PLUS, embark on the brightest journey of the season aboard the Jingle Bell Express! Ride the rails on our train through a magical mile of 5 MILLION dazzling Christmas lights moving to the beat of your favorite holiday tunes! Parking is FREE. Children 2 and under are FREE. KOAA Exclusive! USE CODE: JOY6 online to save $6 per ticket
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Join us for an uplifting and joyous celebration of Chanukah as we gather together for nightly menorah lightings at H-E-B! We’ll kindle the lights, sing festive songs, share warm latkes and sufganiyot, and embrace the spirit of hope, unity, and Jewish pride. Whether you’re coming with family, friends, or by yourself, you’re warmly invited to connect, celebrate, and bring light into the season. Bring your smiles, your voices, and your heart — we’ll bring the glow.
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Experience the magic of the holiday season reimagined through art and technology! This limited engagement brings together two audience favorites — Spectacular Factory and Tingle Bells — in one joyful, multisensory celebration for the entire family. From vivid visuals and dynamic soundscapes to touch-based experiences, the ARTECHOUSE Holiday Special transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary — a festive fusion of creativity, innovation, and cheer for visitors of all ages.
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Settle in for a fantastical holiday show! No need to battle the Mouse King. Dance through the land of the Sugarplum Fairy with Intempo Dance Ensemble as they bring a preview of The Nutcracker to the Museum. Step into the reverie of little Clara in an unforgettable holiday tale and enter a magical wonderland of toy soldiers, a blizzard of snowflakes, and a kaleidoscope of imaginative dancers.
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Buddy was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa’s elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn’t fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York, in full elf uniform, in search of his real father. This holiday season, relive this heartwarming holiday classic on a giant screen as every note of John Debney’s wonderful score is played live to picture in: Elf in Concert! Buddy was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa’s elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn’t fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York, in full elf uniform, in search of his real father. This holiday season, relive this heartwarming holiday classic on a giant screen as every note of John Debney’s wonderful score is played live to picture in: Elf in Concert!
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Calling all Who’s in Whoville! Join us for a fun-filled holiday party celebrating all things GRINCH! Saturday, December 20, we will start with a 10:45 am story time of the beloved book by Dr. Seuss, then play the classic 1966 animated movie at 11:00 am. Popcorn, cocoa, prizes, and activities will follow until 1:00 pm! Pajamas and Grinch gear are encouraged, and patrons of all ages are invited to our Grinch Fest!
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Join us and our friends at Celebree School of The Woodlands to learn about winter holidays celebrated around the world. Grab your passport and visit five different locales: Africa, India, Israel, Mexico, and the United States. During your stay, listen to a short story from that location and do a simple craft. This event is geared for children ages 2-6 and children must be accompanied by an adult.
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Experience the joy of a classic holiday movie filled with laughter, winter magic, and heartwarming lessons. Freed staff will facilitate this family-friendly program with hot cocoa, treats, and engaging activities to bring the season’s spirit to life.
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Join us on the first and third Saturday of each month when we open our hangar and museum to the public to share the history of WWII aviation with everyone. There is no admission fee, so it's a great way to entertain the family for the day and maybe learn something at the same time. Join us for a bit of history to come to life!
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Toyota Center is excited to welcome back Trans-Siberian Orchestra on December 19. This year's tour will feature an all-new production of their beloved "The Ghosts of Christmas Eve" alongside a special second set of hits and fan-favorites that includes a 25th-anniversary salute to Beethoven's Last Night. “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve: the Best of TSO and More" tour promises to continue TSO's tradition of captivating audiences nationwide with an unparalleled blend of rock, classical, and theatrical spectacle, complete with dazzling pyrotechnics, lasers, and incredible storytelling. Don't miss TSO in Houston for two showings this December!
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Join the magic every Friday from 10 am to 12 pm at Skate Dairies in Ashford for a special Disney Skate session designed just for little ones! Perfect for children aged 10 and under, this fun-filled event welcomes ride-on toys and scooters, creating a safe and exciting environment for toddlers and young skaters to enjoy. With a lively Disney theme, kids can roll, scoot, and skate to their favorite tunes while parents relax and watch the fun unfold. It’s the perfect way to add a little sparkle to your Friday mornings!
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This delightful, family-friendly show is packed with festive cheer, heartwarming performances, and holiday spirit that will enchant audiences of all ages. Created by Stageworks artists, the 2025 Holiday Follies marks this annual favorite’s 5th anniversary! Bring the whole family to enjoy a joyful array of songs, dances, and seasonal fun. Don't miss this perfect opportunity to make cherished holiday memories together with this Stageworks tradition!
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Come and celebrate the wonder of Christmas! Santa's Wonderland is a Texas Christmas Experience! Gather friends and family and enjoy an unforgettable evening celebrating the holidays with lights, music, food, and engaging activities and attractions.
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- Storytime on The Terrace - Montrose Collective - Houston, TX 77006, Friday,
December 19, 2025, 10:30-11 am
- HEB Menorah Lighting - Houston, TX, Fri-Sun, December 19-21, 2025, varies
- Memorial City Reindeer - Houston, TX 77024, Fri-Sun, December 19-21, 2025, varies
- Free mini photo session with Shoott! - Greater Houston - Shoott - Houston, Sat-Sun, December 20-21, 2025, See link for times
- Malcolm Purvis (Magnolia) Library: Saturday Family Movies & Fun - Montgomery County Memorial Library System - Malcolm Purvis Library - Magnolia, TX
77354, Saturday, December 20, 2025, Movies will play at 10 am and 2 pm
- Yoga on the Lawn - First Colony Mall - Sugar Land, TX 77479, Saturday,
December 20, 2025, 10-11 am
- Hangar Hang Out - CAF Houston Wing - Houston, TX 77084, Saturday, December 20, 2025, 10 am- 3 pm
- Cozy Holiday Movie & Cocoa Day at Freed CC - Houston, TX, Saturday, December 20, 2025, varies
- Board Games at the Library - Houston, TX 77003, Saturday, December 20, 2025, 12-2 pm
- Bring Your Family to Storytime! - Houston, TX 77006, Saturday, December 20, 2025, 10:30-11:30 am
- Grinch Fest - Huntsville, TX 77340, Saturday, December 20, 2025, 10:45 am- 1 pm
- Mitchell Library: Holidays Around the World with Celebree School of The Woodlands - The Woodlands, TX
77382, Saturday, December 20, 2025, 10 am- 12 pm
- Read to a Furry Friend at Pawsitive Pups Storytime! - Houston, TX 77042, Saturday, December 20, 2025, 10:30-11:30 am
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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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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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The Houston 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's 2025 holiday events list for Houston: 101 ideas for local holiday fun in our area. Christmas concerts, lights, trees, nativities, and more. Plus, activities for Chanukah, Kwanzaa, and New Year's Eve.
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Houston 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 winners in KidsOutAndAbout's survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids in the Houston area: Houston, The Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sugar Land, and beyond. Our Top 20 results page includes a list of your top picks, plus winners in special categories
like Top Arts Educator, Top Sports Educator, and Top STEM Educator!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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