KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers,
This is a time of seasonal shift: We're emerging from Halloween, when we revel in a bit of fear, and heading into the holidays, when we lean into gratitude, connection, and new beginnings. And if there’s one topic right now that straddles both fear and promise, it’s artificial intelligence. With all its potential comes real risk, especially for kids.
The most successful
users of AI are those who treat it as a partner, not as a pilot. At KidsOutAndAbout.com, it has been unlocking astonishing possibilities... transforming how we gather information, boosting efficiency, and opening doors that didn't exist five years ago. AI can help us brainstorm, analyze, and generate ideas. But it’s still up to us—actual humans—to decide the direction and values. That’s a difficult line for even adults to draw. So what happens when kids—who are still learning
to think critically—start relying on AI to do the thinking for them?
People young and old are starting to give away their brains, ceding their thinking to ChatGPT and accepting what it says uncritically. And that's scary! AI is evolving so fast that schools can’t keep pace; we’re seeing young people use it to shortcut assignments, teach them things that turn out to be false, and even simulate artificial relationships in place of real human connections. And
most parents and caregivers don’t feel equipped to guide kids through this.
That’s why KidsOutAndAbout.com is partnering with experts to help families build practical AI literacy. But first, we need to understand what you need most. We’ve created a very short survey, just 60 to 90 seconds, to help us understand what you know, what you’re unsure of, and what you want to learn. PLEASE DO ME A FAVOR and complete this survey no matter your level of knowledge or interest in AI. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or caregiver, your input will help us build the resources you need. I appreciate your help!
We're now together on a life journey that almost none of us saw on the horizon. AI is here. It’s powerful. And with the right knowledge in our human
hands, we can help it stay where it belongs: riding shotgun, not seizing the wheel.
—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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Private and alternative schools in the Los Angeles, CA 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 and around L.A.: 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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KidsOutAndAbout.com's big list of 2025 holiday events for the Los Angeles area: Christmas concerts, lights, trees, nativities, and more. . . plus activities for Chanukah, Kwanzaa, and New Year's Eve.
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By day, Descanso blossoms and chitters with cheerful and welcoming, sunlit landscapes. By night, Enchanted Forest of Light transforms the gardens into an entirely different realm of magic, mystery, and incandescence. Enchanted’s inventive installations cultivate a parallel world with light, color, and ambient music that transform familiar garden spaces into whimsical, dramatic, and sublime botanical artscapes.
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Proceeds benefit Bowers Museum Education Programs. Tickets are non-refundable.
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Join Santa, Santa’s Head Elf and Mrs. Claus to sing festive holiday songs to get into the Christmas spirit! Happening at the Santa Set on Level 1, near Nordstrom.
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Catch Scooby Doo and the meddling kids of Mystery Inc at our seasonal exhibit SCOOBY DOO! Mansion Mayhem. Get ready for an adventure filled with supernatural sleuthing, mysteries, and thrills for the whole family. It’s your turn to uncover clues, solve puzzles, and work together to crack the case! Don’t forget to take a picture with the Mystery Machine! Included with general admission or membership. This exhibit is open from September 20, 2025 until January 19, 2026.
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Join us this fall for a fun and festive scavenger hunt at the library! Explore the cozy corners, discover hidden treasures, and enjoy the beauty of autumn. Whether you’re a bookworm or just looking for an adventure, this hunt is perfect for all ages. Find the fall-themed surprises and win an exciting prize along the way. Bring your friends, family, and a sense of curiosity—let’s make this fall one to remember at the library!
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Let’s do some cleaning so it doesn’t wash out to sea! Thank you for bringing along either work or gardening gloves, a refill water dispenser, and dress for weather. We will provide reuse trash bags, drinking water, and light snacks. Complimentary parking passes are given at check-in and are valid until 12:30 pm upon completion of cleanup.
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Santa Anita Park | Nov 21 – Dec 28: Step into a holiday adventure filled with dazzling light displays, festive treats, and joyful moments for all ages. Step into 10 acres of holiday wonder—featuring the World’s Largest Light Maze, a sparkling ice skating trail, live entertainment, and more. Enchant is an immersive experience weaving magic into its every corner, perfect for joyful seasonal celebrations. Wander our Village of tiny storefronts featuring artisan vendors, specialty crafters, and boutiques - perfect for holiday gift gathering.
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Get trained on our safety-oriented Tinkering Mindset. Learn how to properly use safety equipment like eye, dust, and hearing protection. Learn the safe operation of clamps, hand drills, hand saws, jig saw, and chop saw.
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Enjoy up to three hours of shop time with full access to Rediscover’s tools and creative reuse materials! Work on a crafting or woodworking project of your choice with guidance from our knowledgeable Facilitators. Use hand tools independently and operate stationary power tools with direct supervision. Open Tinkering is a lightly supervised session designed for independent tinkerers and makers.
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- Farmers Market - Runway Playa Vista - Runway Playa Vista - 12775 Millennium Drive, Playa Vista, CA 90094, Friday, November 21, 2025, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm PST
- Free mini photo session with Shoott! - Los Angeles - Shoott - Broadway, New York, NY, Friday, November 21, 2025 to Sunday, November 23, 2025, see link for times
- Doheny State Beach Community Beach Cleanups - 33282 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, CA, Saturday, November 22, 2025, 9 am - 12 pm
- Netflix x
CicLAvia—Melrose Ave: Stranger Things 5 One Last Ride - Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, Sunday, November 23, 2025, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
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The Los Angeles 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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KidsOutAndAbout is America'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, so click
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the LA 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 to take kids in the Los Angeles area! In early summer each year, thousands of parents vote in the KidsOutAndAbout survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids. Who won first place? An indoor play center, museum, farm, nature center, sports
team? Click through to find out!
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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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