KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
When I was a teenager, a math teacher I respected told me that there are two kinds of people: Those who make pizza, and those who grab as many slices as they can. "At the end of the day," he said, "you want to be someone who has made more pizza than she eats." He said this to me at the perfect time, when I was just forming my ideas about who I was and was going
to become. I decided I wanted always to be on the positive side of the pizza-making equation, so I started thinking about how to use the time I have here on Earth to make as much pizza as I possibly could. Over the years, I found that the key to success in this long-term goal is to tune my mental radar to the very near future, to stay in control of my time rather than giving it away to an algorithm that serves endless empty calories: How best do I use the next five
minutes, the next half hour, the next day? It all adds up. Even young kids can add value to the world, especially if they watch their parents doing it. New Year's resolutions are notoriously hard to keep, especially when they're overly specific. But resolving to be on the positive side of the pizza-making equation is straightforward. For some easy recipes for quick wins, check out my quick-read article 12 Starter Ideas for Pizza on Earth. Then look up from your phone, scan your world, and you'll find all the ingredients you need. Here's to a delicious 2026!
—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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Join us for a drop off KIDS NIGHT OUT painting event for kids 6-12 years old. We will paint this Penguin snowflake plate, create a snowflake with glitter mosaics and have Chick-fil-a and treats! It's Friday Night Arts...kids need a night out too!
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Colors of the Wild is back with an all-NEW collection of stunning lanterns you’ve never seen before! This year’s journey takes you from the depths of the ocean to the vast African savanna, then into the realm of mystical creatures from Asia, all illuminated in breathtaking detail. As twilight falls, wander through a shimmering Winter Wonderland filled with sparkling lights and seasonal magic that adds a cozy, festive glow to the evening. Each lantern invites you to explore stories of wildlife, myth and the natural world, celebrating the beauty and wonder that connect us all.
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From the moment you approach our custom-made, classic, red-and-white striped tent, you will be transported back in time to the golden days of the traveling circus where an amazing assortment of aerialists, acrobats, jugglers, hand-balancers, comedic jokesters, daredevils, magicians and more are waiting with bated breath to dazzle you in what we're sure you'll say is the most intimate and delightful entertainment experience ever! But don't let us speak for you; COME and see, hear, taste, and feel it for yourself! Created by former Ringling Bros. Ringmaster Kevin Venardos (veh-NARR-dos), the Venardos Circus wraps world-class, animal-free circus acts into a Broadway Musical-style format dubbed “The American Circus with the heart of a Broadway Show.”
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Nights of Lights has been listed among the top ten holiday light displays in the world by National Geographic. During this festival of lights, downtown St. Augustine glows with holiday magic – from the ground to the rooftops. St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights features millions of tiny white lights that create a magical atmosphere in the Nation’s Oldest City, and it's free of charge.
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Who says you need to wait for someone else to celebrate you? This year, we’re throwing the ultimate birthday bash — for YOU! Join our Happy Birthday to Me 2026 Virtual Race, featuring the world’s most charming birthday host… a party-ready capybara in a festive hat!
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Join us at Vystar Veterans Arena as we cheer on the Jacksonville Icemen this season! Each home game features promotional events to double the fun, be sure to check out the schedule when buying tickets to see what each night entails!
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Join us at the store to listen to a story with Ms. Dearsha, our Director of Children’s Merchandise and Programming.
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- Five Points Funky Fridays - 1021 Park Street, Jacksonville, Friday, January 2, 2026, 4PM - 8PM
- St. Augustine Night of Lights 2025 - 2026 - St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors & Convention Bureau, St. Augustine, Friday, January 2, 2026 to Sunday, January 4, 2026, See Website
- Story Time with Ms. Dearsha - Story & Song Center for Arts, Fernandina Beach, Sunday, January 4, 2026, 10:30am - 11:30am
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Winter is here and fun options for families just keep getting better! Whether you stick with what you love or decide to try something new, KidsOutAndAbout has plenty of ideas. From Ice skating, kid-friendly museums, indoor play centers, and outdoor
activities to thinking ahead to next year's school options - we've got you covered.
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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 Jacksonville. Here are local organizations that offer
memberships.
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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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