KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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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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Step into a world of wonder this holiday season with Metropolitan Youth Ballet’s enchanting production of The Nutcracker! Join Clara and her Nutcracker Prince on a magical Christmas Eve adventure — from a festive party to a thrilling midnight battle, through the sparkling Kingdom of Snow and into the deliciously whimsical Land of Sweets where the Sugar Plum Fairy and her sweets from around the world dance for you!With dazzling costumes, Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score, and inspiring performances by MYB’s talented pre-professional dancers and special guest artists, this is more than a performance — it’s an experience you will treasure for years to come. Every ticket includes access to the Land of Sweets Shoppe, Sugar Plum Boutique, and Cast Meet & Greet to capture magical photos with your favorite dancers! December 19-21 at STAR Bank Performing Arts Center, Zionsville. my-ballet.org/nutcracker
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Get into the holiday spirit with six festive films! From photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus, cookie decorating, a wine & chocolate tasting, hot cocoa bar, a toy drive for Riley Children’s Hospital and gift wrapping… it’s beginning to look a lot like Merry Movie Nights!
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The Holiday Stroll is back in 2025 and is bigger and better than ever! New attractions, magical displays, more Christmas trees, double the lights, and new concession items! Bring your family out to celebrate the magic of the Holiday Season and make new traditions! We invite you to stroll through our farm for a magical Holiday experience. Bring your cameras for larger than life decorations to capture larger than life memories! Enjoy the Whoville Hunt, throw some snowballs and visit with Santa. Relax amongst the lights and the trees while sipping your hot cocoa by a warm campfire.
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Bring your family to Gibson Farmhouse for a warm and festive breakfast with the one and only Santa Claus! This is the perfect way to kick off your holiday season with a delicious meal and some quality time with the jolly man himself. Enjoy a cozy, holiday-themed breakfast and share your wish list with Santa as you make memories to last a lifetime.
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We are excited to welcome 10-time Yuletide Celebration host Sandi Patty to the stage for her final year as the host of the AES Indiana Yuletide Celebration! Known for her vocal excellence and expressive flexibility, Sandi will make sure that the holiday spirit fills Hilbert Circle Theatre show after show. Joining Sandi and the orchestra on stage will be featured artist Curtis Bannister. Curtis is a multi-talented performer who has excelled on the stage, on television, and in film. We are thrilled to welcome this award-winning singer and actor to the cast of Yuletide Celebration. In addition to Sandi, Curtis, and the orchestra, we are pleased to welcome back nationally acclaimed dance troupe Expressenz and the ISO’s own Sherry Hong performing another show-stopping violin solo! Star of stage, film, and television Susie Mosher will also light up the stage with holiday joy.
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Throughout the colder months, we’ll be hosting our Whitestown Winter Market on select Saturdays! Join us for our 2025 – 2026 season at the Whitestown Municipal Complex from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. to find all your favorite local vendors! Our indoor market will be held once a month on select Saturdays. The Whitestown Winter Market is delighted to serve Whitestown residents, guests, and the surrounding counties. Each vendor is carefully screened to ensure the highest quality of locally produced products is supplied.
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Please join us as we celebrate Christmas with the Ponies on our very special night! Open to the community as our annual fundraising event, with a $25 donation fee for the family. Santa will be present to hear all the children's wishes and for pictures (bring your phone or camera), cookies and cider with family conversations, face painting, arena activities, and as always our festive horses will be all cleaned up and excited to meet you!
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Celebrating the ideals of Judaism and commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem, our special Hanukkah programming is steeped in traditional music, including a special performance by at the renowned Klezmer band, Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation’s 65th Street Klezmorim. Guests will also enjoy holiday activities designed especially for families with kids of all ages.
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- Merry Prairie - Johnson County Public Library - Trafalgar Branch - South Tower Drive, Trafalgar, IN, December 12, 2025, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
- Letters to
Santa Mailbox Open - Brownsburg Parks and Recreation - East Main Street, Brownsburg, IN, December 12-14, 2025, 9:00 AM
- Christmas in the Village - Santa House Selfies - Zionsville Chamber of Commerce - 1100 West Oak St, Suite 214, Zionsville,
IN 46077, December 13-14, 2025, 11 am – 3 pm
- Doughnuts with Santa - Johnson County Shrine Club - 751 W King St, Franklin, IN 46131, December 13, 2025, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
- Holly Jolly Jamboree - Cool Creek Park - 2000 East 151st Street, Carmel, IN 46033, December 13, 2025, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
- Indy Winter Farmers Market - The AMP at
16 Tech - 1220 Waterway Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46202, December 13, 2025, 9:00 am - 12:30 pm
- Indy Gay Market: Big Gay Holiday - The AMP at 16 Tech - 1220 Waterway Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46202, December 13-14, 2025, 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
- Santa at the Conservatory - Garfield Park Conservatory and Sunken Gardens - Conservatory Drive, Indianapolis,
IN, December 13, 2025, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
- Winter Board Game Blitz - Hendricks County Parks and Recreation - McCloud Nature Park, Hughes Road, North Salem, IN, December 13, 2025, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
- Holiday Open House - Pendleton
Community Public Library - 595 E Water St, Pendleton, IN 46064, December 13, 2025, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
- The Gurl Code Holiday Card & Cookie Competition - Indianapolis Public Library - Central Library - 40 E St Clair St, Indianapolis, IN 46204, December 13, 2025, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Lilly Lake Lantern Walk - Indy Parks and Recreation - Burdsal Parkway, Indianapolis, IN, December 14, 2025, 5:00 pm - 7:00 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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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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