KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Sat, Dec 6: Cookies and Cocoa with Santa and the pony reindeer at PonyUp4Kids Foundation
Sun, Dec 14: Finding Neverland at White Plains Performing Arts Center
Mon, Dec 15: Menorah Lighting at Cross County Center
Thu, Dec 18: STEAM Lab at Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum
Sat, Dec 20: Winter Solstice Celebration at HHNM
Sat, Dec 20: Kwanzaa 2025 - Operation Unite NY at Hudson Hall at the Historic Hudson Opera House
Sun, Dec 21: Family Free Night at Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum
Sun, Dec 21: Nutcracker, Short & Sweet- Sensory Friendly Performance at Paramount Hudson Valley
Mon, Dec 22: Planetarium Show at Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum
Wed, Dec 31: New Year's at Noon Celebration at Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum
Sat, Jan 10: Winter Open Art Studio at Lasdon Park
& Arboretum
Wed, Jan 21: Civil War Experience at Lasdon Park & Arboretum (Ages 6 and up)
Sat, Jan 31: 2026 Winter Hoot Family Music Festival at The Ashokan Center
Sat, Feb 7: Teatown Hudson River
EagleFest |
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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Experience the Magic of the Holidays on the Hill! Discover an all-new Holidays on the Hill Train Show, stroll the 2,500-square-foot exhibit set within the stunning Lasdon Glass House Conservatory. Multi-level tables and tracks carry trains as they chug past whimsical settings, nostalgic scenes and well-known characters all with a fresh, innovative design that brings holiday cheer to life. Celebrate the season with a memorable, family-friendly experience filled with festive sights, joyful activities, and holiday cheer. Perfect for creating lasting memories—don’t miss this enchanting holiday tradition!
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The magic of the holidays returns as Lumina transforms Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard into a dazzling winter wonderland. This walk-through light experience features over half a million glowing lights and brand-new scenes that bring the spirit of the season to life.
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Now through Jan 4: Come skate at the Cross County Center Pop-up Ice Rink all holiday season! The pop-up ice rink is not real ice but is a smooth "glice" material, great for young and first-time skaters. We wear real ice skates, but glide a little slower than on real ice (plus it's not as cold!) Admission is $12 per person and includes skates and a one-hour session. Character skate nights will take place throughout the season.
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Fridays in December: Come join the band and sing along with the whole family at this festive Holiday Hootenanny! Bring your instruments or borrow one to play as we ring in the season of light with some of your favorite holiday songs. All levels are welcome and encouraged! This experience is free to participate in.
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Experience the magic of the newly expanded Christmas in America event in Mount Vernon! Explore a 12,000 square foot walk-through filled with enchanting holiday décor and delight. Don’t miss Santa Claus's visits, open now and continuing throughout the holiday season. Best of all, this is a free holiday experience! Located at 30 Warren Place in Mount Vernon, NY, the Christmas in America store is the largest Christmas shop in Westchester, offering a one-of-a-kind holiday shopping experience and holiday destination for families, collectors, and holiday enthusiasts.
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This unique holiday show is a musical celebration inspired by the Christmas sing-alongs that Grammy Award winner Dan Zanes and jazz vocalist/music therapist Claudia Zanes experienced every year while growing up in New Hampshire. That was then, and the theme was Christmas. This is now, and the 21st-century version of these legendary parties includes Christmas classics, of course, but there’s so much more. For this show, Smithsonian Folkways recording artists Dan + Claudia have taken their electric folk sound to a fresh place with children’s music star Elena Moon Park. The result is an inviting blend of four voices with guitar, violin, trumpet, harmonica, flute, spoons, percussion, and mandolin that artfully brings the intimate feeling of the living room to the big stage.
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- The Revamped Holiday Experience is Now Open at Christmas in America in Mt. Vernon - Christmas In America - 30 Warren Place, Mount Vernon, NY, Friday 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Saturday 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM, Sunday 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM
- The 914PopUps Holiday Vendor
Market - Cross County Center, 8000 Mall Walk, Yonkers, NY 10704, Saturday and Sunday 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
- The Nostalgia of Christmas Is on Full Display at Down to Earth Living - Down To Earth Living - 1040 New York 45, Pomona, NY 10970, Saturday and Sunday 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
- Cookies and Cocoa with Santa and the pony reindeer - PonyUp4Kids Foundation - 2536 Wingdale Mnt Rd, Poughquag, NY, Saturday 1:00 PM - 3:00
PM
- Holiday Cottages Every Child Can Make - Athens Cultural Center - 24
2nd Street, Athens, NY 12015, Saturday 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
- Winter Walk 29th Anniversary - Hudson Hall - Warren
Street, Hudson, NY, Saturday (see website for details)
- Toddler Time! - Athens Cultural Center - 24 2nd Street, Athens, NY 12015, Sunday 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
- Toddler Time! Songs of the Season - Athens Cultural Center - 24 2nd Street, Athens, NY 12015, Sunday 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
- Free mini photo session with Shoott! - Hudson
Valley - Shoott - Broadway, New York, NY, Sunday (see link for times)
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The Hudson Valley 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 the Hudson Valley'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
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Hudson Valley 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 annual survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids in the Hudson Valley. Our Top 20 results page includes a list of your top picks, including winners in special categories like Favorite Art Educator, Favorite Sport Educator,
and Favorite STEM Educator!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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