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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Urban Air Lake Grove has announced extended hours for the December holiday school break, inviting families to enjoy Long Island’s tallest indoor adventure park earlier and later each day. The park will operate 10am–4pm on December 24, close on December 25, open 10am–9pm from December 26–30, run 10am–4pm on December 31, and resume 10am–9pm January 1–3. On December 31, it will host its 3rd annual “NYE @ Noon,” featuring a balloon drop and prize giveaways. Weekly “Jumperoo” sessions for children five and under are cancelled on December 25–26 and January 1–2. Guests can check the website for updates.
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View beautifully decorated Christmas Trees by Businesses, Groups, and Non-Profits in the area! Join us December 1st through January 1st in the Village Center.
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He’s sneaky. He’s silly. And he’s ready to roll! Join us at United Skates for a night of holiday mischief and skating fun with the one and only GRINCH! Snap pics with the Grinch, skate to festive tunes, and make memories that even Cindy Lou Who would love! Tag your crew, grab your skates (or rent ’em), and let’s make this a night to remember!
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Let's investigate the night sky by learning about constellations, their myths, and the science behind them. While it might be too chilly for outdoor stargazing, we have our StarLab for indoor constellation viewing! Design your own constellation worthy of joining the night sky.
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Join Ballet for Young Audiences as they present another year of this Grunin Center holiday tradition. This child-friendly production of The Nutcracker tells the story of Clara, the favorite godchild of Herr Drosselmeyer, a mysterious clockmaker who helps to transport Clara and her Nutcracker Prince to a special realm. This condensed version of the ballet is narrated to help young ballet enthusiasts enjoy the performance.
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Experience the holiday magic with New York Theatre Ballet’s one-hour rendition of The Nutcracker, perfect for ages 3 and up. Featuring enchanting choreography by Keith Michael, this reimagined classic brings Tchaikovsky’s beloved score to life in Art Nouveau style of 1907. Don’t miss the captivating mice, dancing imps, and other delightful surprises that will mesmerize audiences of all ages.
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Get ready for a festive shopping experience at The Holiday Market - where you can find unique gifts and treats for everyone on your list!
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Meet at the Windmill as we welcome Santa & Mrs. Claus to Long Wharf. Mrs. Claus will be given a ride down Main Street courtesy of the Sag Harbor Fire Department, with visits and photo ops taking place in the Windmill from 1-3pm. WLNG will be joining the Sag Harbor Chamber broadcasting music live from the Rolling Roadcaster parked near the Windmill on Long Wharf.
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Enjoy the festival of lights through art and live music at the Jewish Museum! See the new dazzling display this season of more than 130 Hanukkah menorahs from around the world and draw what you discover. Construct a colorful sculpture with an exciting mix of found objects inspired by the artist Anish Kapoor and menorahs in the Museum’s collection, design collage cards, create light inspired mobiles, and dance to the catchy pop tunes of Grammy winner Joanie Leeds to bring in the holiday.
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Make Christmas magical for your whole family at Breakfast with Santa (& a special visit from the Grinch!) at The Roslyn, Tapestry Collection by Hilton.
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Bring the whole family to The Milleridge Inn for our beloved Breakfast with Santa 2025 in Jericho, NY. Enjoy a festive morning filled with all your favorite breakfast items, holiday décor, and special photo opportunities with Santa himself. With multiple seatings available every weekend from late November through December, this magical tradition is the perfect way to celebrate the season and create lasting memories for children and adults alike. Please call to make reservations.
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Drop in to a staff-led holiday card-making workshop!
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City of Glen Cove and Chabad of Sea Cliff–Glen Cove invite the community to celebrate the season at the Annual Chanukah Festival & Menorah Lighting in Village Square!
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- Snowflake Sock Skating - Long Island Children's Museum, Garden City, NY, Saturday, December 13, 2025, 10 a.m.
- Santa Visit | Long Wharf Sag Harbor - Sag Harbor Chamber of Commerce, Sag Harbor, NY, Saturday, December 13, 2025, 1PM - 3PM
- Annual Chanukah Festival & Menorah Lighting -
Chabad of Glen Cove, Glen Cove, NY, Sunday, December 14, 2025, 4:00 Pm
- Visit Santa - Main Street Mercantile, Fairport, NY, Sunday, December 14, 2025, 1PM - 3PM
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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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Long Island 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 Long Island's online guide to everything for kids, teens, and families! he 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 Long Island 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 Long Island 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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Here's to seizing opportunities to learn wherever they appear!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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