KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter
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Sun, Nov 30: Santa's Holiday Breakfast in the Great Hall - At Indiana State Museum
Sun, Nov 30: Free Family Movie: The Polar Express at The Long Center for the Performing Arts
Mon, Dec 1: Kwanzaa at Winterlights at Newfields
Mon, Dec 1: Crouching Tigers HQ Community Night
Wed, Dec 3: Holiday Sounds - At Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites
Thu, Dec 4: Amazing Elf Adventure at Muncie Children's Museum
Thu, Dec 4: Merry Movie Nights at Heartland Film
Fri, Dec 5: AES INDIANA YULETIDE CELEBRATION - The Indianapolis Symphony Orchastra
Fri, Dec 5: Deck the Downtown Weekend at Noblesville Main Street
Fri, Dec 5: 2025 Christmas Parade - With City of Greenfield Sat, Dec 13: Edinburgh's Annual Holiday of Lights - At John R.
Drybread Community Center
Sat, Dec 13: Meet & Greets On The Glice: Buddy The Elf - At Grand Junction Plaza
Sun, Dec 14: Lilly Lake Lantern Walk
Sun, Dec 14: Celebrating Hanukkah at Athenaeum Indy
Thu, Dec 18: Handel's Messiah - The Indianapolis Symphony Orchastra
Fri, Dec 19: 2025 Hendricks County Holiday Market & Food Festival - At Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds
Sat, Dec 20: Santa's Workshop at Raymond Park/Indy Island Aquatic Center
Sun, Dec 21: Celebrating Kwanzaa at Athenaeum Indy
Sun, Dec 28: Kwanzaa Community Festival: Roots and Rhythm: Living Kwanzaa 365 - At Indiana
State Museum
Wed, Dec 31: Noon Year's Eve! at Hamilton East Public
Library-Noblesville Library
Wed, Dec 31: Noon Year's Eve - At Zionsville Nature Center |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
It's often said that parenting is a "thankless" job. In one sense, that's undeniably true, because it will likely be many years before the young humans you're raising—the ones who actually have a stake in the outcome of the excellent job you're doing—are in a position to thank you. So you don't hear that phrase often during the first couple of decades of parenthood.
My fervent wish
for the future is to live in a world filled with engaged, culturally literate, productive, happy people. This means that what I said above isn't precisely accurate: It's not only your kids who have a stake in your parenting success, we ALL do, because the path to that future starts NOW for the young people in your orbit. So I'm grateful that you care about getting them "out and about" to the wide variety of experiences available in your community: It will make all
the difference.
Our job here at KidsOutAndAbout.com is to help you do that as easily as possible. In 2001, I created the original version of this web platform that now connects 15 million people each year with their area's activities and resources. My team gets to see it all up-close and personal as local businesses post to KidsOutAndAbout through their free listings, and then we get to turn around and shout about them to y'all, bringing your community closer to you.
So I want to
step in for the rest of the world that's not (yet) thanking you, and say it to you today: Thank you so much for what you're doing. Raising kids is hard in any era, but no one could have anticipated all the roadblocks that a pandemic would toss onto our path.
As anyone who knows me knows, I'm endlessly looking for reasons to celebrate. So today, I'm celebrating YOU with my digital megaphone and pom-poms. You're doing a great job. Future Deb sends her thanks,
too.
—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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Just a minute of your time could make a big impact. KidsOutAndAbout.com is conducting a short survey to better understand how families are navigating the fast-changing world of AI. We're asking all parents, grandparents, and caregivers-whether you're
tech-savvy or not-to weigh in.
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The private schools in the Indianapolis area cater to every educational need and parent philosophy. This is KidsOutAndAbout's education highlight page, containing specially featured schools and also our master list of local schools. If your school is not on our list but should be, please email us at ross@kidsoutandabout.com.
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Private Schools in the Indianapolis area: Try it before you buy it... and even before you visit! This is KidsOutAndAbout.com's video sneak peek into local private school experiences. If your school should have a video on this page, please send a link to the school's video on YouTube or Vimeo to ross@kidsoutandabout.com.
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Make sure Santa brings exactly what you want this Christmas by sending a letter! Santa’s mailbox will be on Town Hall Green starting November 25. Be sure to include your name and address for a letter from Santa. Letters must be received by December 15 for a response.
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Welcome to Glimmer Lights at Piney Acres Farm, presented by Gateway Hancock Health & Hancock Health and supported by GBC Bank, Joyner Homes and IMI! Young and old alike will love the spectacular journey through twinkling holiday lights on our 73 acre Hancock County Christmas tree farm - with hints of a beloved classic, featuring a magical 20-minute train ride (or tractor ride) to the North Pole. Guests will board the Piney Acres Express or Holly Jolly Tractor and enjoy a cup of our signature hot cocoa and a freshly made holiday cookie. 2025 Glimmer Lights runs 11/16-12/21, Thursday - Sunday evenings. Also, Santa will be in his Piney Acres Cabin on select evenings: Nov 16th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 28th, 29th, & 30th + Dec 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 18th,19th, 20th & 21st. Choose between The Piney Acres Express, a trackless train seating both adults and children, and the Holly Jolly Tractor.
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Experience our beloved holiday tradition! A light sprinkling of snow and the glow of twinkling lights will fill the sky, creating a magical nighttime experience that has become one of Central Indiana’s most beloved holiday traditions. Dating back to 1967, the Indianapolis Zoo was the first zoo in the nation to hold a holiday lights event. Year after year, Christmas at the Zoo presented by Indiana Members Credit Union continues to grow. For our 57th year, we’re adding beautiful new decor and experiences, to enhance your next holiday trip to the Zoo. And the best part is it’s all included with regular admission!
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Make plans to join us Thanksgiving morning, November 27th at 9am,to wobble before you gobble! Start the Thanksgiving holiday by joining friends and family for a 5k, or 1 mile run/walk through downtown Greenfield, Depot Street Park, and Riley Park. Proceeds go to Greenfield Parks & Recreation, Hancock Hope House, and Greenfield Mainstreet
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Not a twinkle out of place at A Merry Prairie Holiday 2025. Join us for Central Indiana's most beloved holiday festival and make the season magical at A Merry Prairie Holiday. Surround yourself amongst thousands of lights and celebrate the holidays in Prairietown with Historic Holidays. Capture picture-perfect moments all around as you celebrate the season.
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While visiting Reindeer Ridge you will meet and learn all about reindeer, have many photo opportunities in a real sleigh and in front of the Christmas tree, shop for festive treasures and delicious treats in our Holiday Barn, visit with Santa and more! This is a self-guided walking experience. Please dress for the weather. We will remain open when raining or snowing. There are coverings in all of the reindeer areas and gravel pathways. Make cherished holiday memories here at Reindeer Ridge!
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Join us as Santa arrives in Zionsville in style! Shop and dine in the village until the streets close at 4pm and the parade starts at 5pm. Stay for the Town Tree Lighting on the corner of Pine and Main Streets immediately following the parade, shopping, dining and selfies with Santa until 8pm.
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- Letters to Santa Mailbox Open - Brownsburg Parks and Recreation - East Main Street, Brownsburg, IN, November 28, 2025 to November 30, 2025, 9:00AM
- Christmas in
the Village Parade & Tree Lighting - Zionsville Chamber of Commerce - 1100 West Oak St, Suite 214, Zionsville, IN 46077, November 29, 2025, 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
- Christmas in the Village - Santa House Selfies - Zionsville Chamber of Commerce - 1100 West Oak
St, Suite 214, Zionsville, IN 46077, November 29, 2025 to November 30, 2025, 11 am – 3 pm
- Christmas Caboose - at Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society - 15808 Edgerton Rd, New Haven, IN 46774, November 29, 2025 to November 30, 2025, Hours Vary
- Free mini
photo session with Shoott! - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, November 29, 2025 to November 30, 2025, See link for times
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The Indianapolis 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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(This list is always a work in progress: We update it continually through the season, so check back frequently!) KidsOutAndAbout is Indy's online guide to everything for kids, teens, and families!
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Indianapolis 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 Best Places for Kids in the Indianapolis area! Here are the Top 20 places to take kids in and around Indianapolis, based on KidsOutAndAbout's annual reader survey. Of course, there is LOTS more to do locally "out and about"! Get great ideas here at
KidsOutAndAbout.com!
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Here's to seizing opportunities to learn wherever they appear!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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