KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
When my husband and I started planning a family, we talked a lot about the kind of parents we hoped to be. Naturally, we looked back on our own childhoods. David had story after story about his parents—their quirks, what they cared about, who they were. But when I tried to do the same, I came up oddly blank. I could tell you what I loved as a kid, but not much about what made my own
parents’ hearts sing. I remembered that my dad had a garden when I was little, but I couldn’t say whether he enjoyed digging in the dirt, liked making things grow, or was just trying to save money on vegetables. That realization stuck with me. I didn’t want my kids to grow up seeing me as a blur in the background of their story; I wanted them to see me clearly: as someone who had favorite things, real interests, and a sense of enjoyment they could understand. I wanted them to
grow up expecting that adulthood could be full of that, too... all of the vivid experiences that make up the inner life of a regular person, especially the joys. I started using the phrase "live what you love" as a kind of parenting guidepost. Our kids are always watching, taking cues about what adulthood looks like. If all they ever see is grownups stressed, rushing, and tired, they’ll assume that’s the default. But if they also see us delighted by a song, energized by a
game, inspired by something we've learned, genuinely laughing with people we love... that’s powerful. It shows them that joy isn’t something you age out of, it’s something you grow into. The holidays are packed with tasks and to-do lists, but they’re also full of opportunities for joy. So tune your radar to what YOU love, and if you catch yourself smiling at paper snowflakes or belting out a corny carol, don’t downplay it. Let yourself have that moment. When your kids see the
joy you've just pushed into the room; it's a gift to their present and to their future.
—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 MUSYCA Children’s Choir! This holiday season, give your child the gift of music, confidence, and community with Los Angeles’ premier youth choral program. At MUSYCA, young singers grow their talents in a fun, supportive environment led by world-class music educators who help each student succeed and nurture a lifelong love of singing. Our students enjoy once-in-a-lifetime performance and recording opportunities that inspire and excite—singing at prestigious venues, recording for film and TV, and collaborating with leading artists. With ensembles for ages 4–18, there’s a perfect place for every young singer to shine and find their voice. Enrollment for the new season is now open—come sing with us!
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Holiday Festival is a one-of-a-kind holiday event that includes, beautifully decorated trees, entertainment, holiday gifts, children’s activities, food court and special ticketed events featuring a fashion show and dinner gala. Located in the white tent at Skypark Drive and Medical Center Drive.
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“In Bloom: Flowers in Contemporary Art” premieres at Forest Lawn Museum on September 20, 2025. While artists have been depicting flowers for thousands of years, this exhibition explores a range of contemporary artistic approaches to the subject. Featuring paintings, sculptures, installations, and video, the artworks vary dramatically, from naturalistic to abstract, and from playful to contemplative.
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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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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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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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Back by popular demand, it’s a holiday season filled with elegant wrapping paper, festive decorations, Christmas cookies with sprinkles – and of course, the tree! After all, there is no such thing as too much tinsel. Ooh, la la! This year, Nancy is especially excited. After selling some of her old gowns and accessories, she’s finally able to buy a brand-new sparkly tree topper. She simply cannot wait to decorate the Christmas tree. But when things don’t go as planned, can Nancy still make Chris
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Movies have captivated our attention and emotions for over 100 years. Come celebrate cinema on a 30-minute guided tour of select galleries which feature the exciting, diverse, and complex stories of filmmakers from around the world. Dive into the worlds of Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer, the creative production designing duo behind films such as Barbie (2023), Beauty and the Beast (2017), and Anna Karenina (2012), and their partnership in building immersive and breathtaking worlds. Tour guides use voice amplifiers to enhance sound accessibility.
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- Farmers Market - Runway Playa Vista - Runway Playa Vista - 12775 Millennium Drive, Playa Vista, CA 90094, Friday, December 5, 2025, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm PST
- French Holiday Bazaar - International School of Los Angeles / Lycée International (LILA) - West Riverside Drive, Burbank, CA, Friday, December 5, 2025, 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
- Free First
Fridays - Kidspace Children's Museum - 480 N Arroyo Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91103, Friday, December 5, 2025, 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm PST
- Free mini photo session with Shoott! - Los Angeles - Shoott - Broadway, New York, NY, Friday, December 5, 2025 (also Saturday and Sunday), see link for
times
- Holidayfest! Pasadena, CA - December 6th, 2025 - Logix Federal Credit Union - The Shops
On Lake Avenue, South Lake Avenue, Pasadena, CA, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
- Beach Cleanup at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium - Cabrillo Marine Aquarium - 3720 Stephen M. White Drive, San Pedro, CA 90731, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 9:00 am - 10:30 am
- Indio International Tamale
Festival - Chiriaco Summit, CA 92201, Saturday and Sunday, December 6-7, 2025, 10:00 am
- Los Cerritos Wetlands
Habitat Restoration in Long Beach - Pacific Coast Hwy and 1st Street, Seal Beach, CA 90740, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm PT
- Music Rhapsody Orff & Recorder Ensemble Performance at Sandpipers Holiday Boutique - Music Rhapsody - 1603 Aviation Blvd. Suite 1, Redondo Beach, CA 90278, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 11:00 am
- Getty Drawing Day - Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049, Sunday, December 7, 2025, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
- International Winter Holidays at Bowers Museum - Bowers Museum - 2002 North Main Street, Santa Ana, CA 92706, Sunday, December 7, 2025, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Free Family Sundays: Christmas Open
House - Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens - 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, CA 92672, Sunday, December 7, 2025, 10:00 am - 2:00 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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