KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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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:
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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Peace, Love & Lights powered by Healey Brothers is back, better and brighter than last year! Starting on Black Friday, experience the sparkling brilliance of our light show, winding through 1.7 miles of the beautiful Bethel Woods grounds from the comfort of your car. Just turn off your headlights and follow the magical glow. Please Note: Dates, times and location are subject to change at any time.
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Experience holiday magic with Glimmer Nights at Fenimore Farm! This year, find a larger selection of light displays, free carousel rides, themed weekends, and more. Family-friendly ticket prices make this third season of Glimmer Nights even more appealing. Kids six and under are FREE! See the enormous Mega-Chicken light display, traverse the multi-colored lights of Rainbow Road, and walk among the larger-than-life flora of the Flower and Mushroom Garden. Stop at Todd’s General Store, Bump Tavern, and then the Crossroads Café for our famous hot chocolate! So much to see and do!
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This December, the Catskill Ballet Theatre (CBT) proudly presents its 40th annual production of The Nutcracker, bringing the beloved holiday tradition to life on the stage of the Ulster Performing Arts Center (UPAC). The Nutcracker has been a cherished part of the Hudson Valley’s holiday season, enchanting audiences of all ages. This anniversary year promises to be a milestone celebration of artistry, tradition, and community.
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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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Come craft with us at our Think Differently Winter Workshop on Saturday, December 13th, from 10-12 pm at the Extension Education Center, 479 Route 66 in Hudson. We’ll be crafting and creating different types of ornaments, garland, Christmas lights, and paper or fabric wreaths! All materials will be provided, and all ages and abilities are welcome! Registration Required. An adult must accompany all participants.
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Using liquid crystals and swirling waters, visualize the intensity and flow of heat energy in the world around us. Inspired by the exhibitions DRAW: Heat and Throwing Shade on Extreme Heat. Recommended for ages 8+.
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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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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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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 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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