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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Experience the Magic of Christmas! Step into a world of lights, laughter, and a full evening of adventure at the Shimmering Lights Winter Walk-Thru! Step into a holiday wonderland where twinkling lights, joyful music, cozy treats — and a full evening of adventure awaits! Bring your family, friends & holiday spirit to Shimmering Lights Winter Walk-Thru. Every path glows with lights, every corner shimmers with joy — it’s the perfect place to celebrate the season with family and friends. Because the best memories… shine the brightest.
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Join us every Friday for Family Night! Bounce house & Outdoor movie! Nana's Snow Cones vending gourmet snow cones, and Eatery & Bar open! Kid friendly menu.
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Ready, aim, shoot! Get ready to toss those teddy bears after the Icemen’s first goal, presented by Community First Credit Union. We encourage all fans to bring multiple teddies to throw onto the ice!
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3rd Annual Jacksonville Holiday Market on Dec 13th from 11am-3pm at the UNF Adam Herbert University Center. Reserve Your Free Ticket Reminder for a chance to win $25 market bucks. Enjoy shopping local, meeting Santa, Giveaways, and more!
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Get into the holiday spirit with a fun and festive cake decorating experience perfect for all ages! In this hands-on Christmas workshop, you'll learn how to create a beautiful Christmas Tree cake using simple, step-by-step piping and decorating techniques. Our decorator will guide you through every swirl, star, and ornament so you can leave with a show-stopping holiday cake that’s ready to impress at any gathering!
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The Town of Orange Park and The Historical Society of Orange Park team up to bring you an old fashioned holiday celebration! This event features a shopping village, hay rides through our decorated trail of lights, live entertainment, Clarke House tours, photos with Santa and more! It may even snow! Admission and many activities are free! This event will be held on December 13th and 14th from 5-9pm at Clarke House Park.
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A Christmas market, also known as Weihnachtsmarkt, is a traditional German Christmas street market — and we’re bringing a little taste of it right here to Jacksonville! This year marks our 5th annual Christmas Market, and we’re so excited to share the festivities with you once again.
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Gingerbread houses are a Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island tradition featured throughout the resort during the festive season. Families look forward to experiencing the joy and magic of creating their own Gingerbread house with guidance from a pastry chef eager to share their secrets and expertise. The fun and interactive activity bolsters family bonds and is a delicious respite from the hectic pace of holiday activities.
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- Family Night at The Underground Eatery & Bar - 1352 North Main Street, Jacksonville, FL 32206, Friday, December 12, 2025, 7PM - Close
- 3rd Annual Jacksonville Holiday Market on Dec 13th from 11am-3pm at the UNF Adam Herbert University
Center - Jacksonville Business Journal, West Adams Street, Jacksonville, FL, See map, Saturday, December 13, 2025, 11AM - 3PM
- Hometown Holiday in the Park - Town of Orange Park, FL - 2042 Park Avenue, Orange Park, FL 32073, Saturday, December 13,
2025 and Sunday, December 14, 2025, 5PM - 9PM
- LIVING NATIVITY at One Church Jacksonville Beach - One Church
Jacksonville Beach, Saturday, December 13, 2025, 6:30PM, 6:50PM & 7:10PM
- Story Time with Ms. Dearsha - Story & Song Arts - 1430 Park Avenue, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034, Saturday, December 13, 2025, 10:30AM - 11:30AM
- VyStar Free Saturdays @
MOCA - 333 North Laura Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202, Saturday, December 13, 2025, 11:00AM
- Visit Santa - Main Street Mercantile, 62 N Main St, Fairport, NY 14450, Sunday, December 14, 2025, 1PM - 3PM
- Free mini photo session with Shoott! - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, Saturday, December 13, 2025 and Sunday, December 14, 2025, See link for
times
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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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Jacksonvile 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. From charming local farms to larger operations, each location provides a unique experience, complete with hayrides, hot cocoa, and seasonal treats.
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KidsOutAndAbout is Jacksonville'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 time, and
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Jacksonville 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 Top 20 Places to Take Kids in the Jacksonville Area, as voted by thousands of parents! Our Top 20 results page includes a list of your top picks, including winners in special categories like Top Arts Educator, Top Sports Educator, and Top STEM
Educator!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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