KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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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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Build the best memories at Westchester's top family holiday event, Holiday Bricktacular! Daily from November 28th - December 31st, families can enjoy a winter wonderland of activities, festive decorations and more at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester. Fill your holiday hearts with the Build To Give experience! Families can create joy in the biggest ever donation of LEGO® sets to children in need by building a LEGO heart at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester.
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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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Brighten the darkest days of the year by creating miniature, illuminated models of stellar nebulae—the cosmic nurseries where stars are born. Design your own holiday ornament inspired by a real stellar nebula, or let your imagination take you to new galaxies! Recommended for ages 4+.
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The story of how Peter became Pan comes to life in this hit Broadway Musical! Based on the movie, Finding Neverland tells the story of J.M. Barrie, the playwright who created ‘Peter Pan’. As Barrie struggles to find inspiration for his next play, his life takes a turn when he encounters a family, including the widow Sylvia and her four sons. Barrie’s relationship with the family deepens and he begins crafting the timeless tale of ‘Peter Pan’. The show explores themes of imagination, friendship, and the spirit of childhood, perfect for the whole family!
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The creative team at Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Attractions; the #1 Haunted attraction in America now presents a new family fun holiday light spectacular that will prove to be unlike any other event in the country. A Frosty Fest features a drive-thru display of holiday lights and animations with music, actors and animatronics, as well as Santa, your favorite characters, a magical comedy show, and much more!
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All are invited to come and celebrate the longest night of the year! The Winter Solstice has long been observed in many cultures around the world. The longest night of the year not only marks the arrival of Winter, but also the returning of the light as the days begin to lengthen. We’ll go on a scavenger hunt for the hidden Yule Log and then cheer on the lengthening days with a warm fire, and hot beverage. Come celebrate the season in a down-to-earth fashion before the whirlwind of the holidays embraces you!
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- The Revamped Holiday Experience is Now Open at Christmas in America in Mt. Vernon - Christmas In America, Warren Place, Mount Vernon, NY, Friday, 12/19/2025 to Sunday, 12/21/2025, Fridays: 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM Saturdays: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM Sundays: 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM
- The 914PopUps Holiday Vendor Market - 914PopUps, 8000 Mall Walk, Yonkers, NY, Saturday, 12/20/2025 to Sunday, 12/21/2025, 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Free mini photo session with Shoott! - Hudson Valley - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, Saturday, 12/20/2025 to Sunday, 12/21/2025, See link for
times
- The Nostalgia of Christmas Is on Full Display at Down to Earth Living - Down To Earth Living, 1040 New York 45, Pomona, NY, Saturday, 12/20/2025 to Sunday, 12/21/2025, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
- Kwanzaa 2025 - Operation Unite NY - Operation Unite NY, Warren Street, Hudson, NY, Saturday, 12/20/2025, 5 pm
- OLANA Winter Solstice Celebration - Olana State Historic
Site, New York 9G, Hudson, NY, Saturday, 12/20/2025, 1 pm - 5 pm
- FREE photos with Santa at Bass Pro
Shops - Bass Pro Shops, Clifton Park Center Road, Clifton Park, NY, Friday, 12/19/2025 to Sunday, 12/21/2025, 10:00AM - 8:00PM
- Family Free Night at Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum - Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum, 75 North Water Street, Poughkeepsie, NY, Sunday, 12/21/2025, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
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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…
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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 in and around the Hudson Valley, NY. Here are local organizations that
offer memberships.
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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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