KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: This Sunday marks the Winter Solstice—Robert Frost’s “darkest evening of the year.” It’s when we in the Northern Hemisphere most appreciate human inventiveness: We flip a switch, and light floods the room. It feels like magic, but it’s not. It’s the result of generations of curious, determined humans trying to make life better, brighter,
safer. That’s why my family celebrates Lightbulb Day every December 21. It’s our homegrown holiday honoring the inventors and problem-solvers whose insights fuel our lives. We toast our favorite technologies, learn some history, imagine the future. Past years’ MVPs include contact lenses,
antibiotics, the internet, veterinary science, and the Covid vaccine. This year’s front-runner: artificial intelligence. Last weekend, I had breakfast with a friend and her 13-year-old daughter, Lily. Lily said she loves math and science but struggles with how her teachers approach the humanities, especially writing. When I showed her how AI can help her learn in the way she learns best, her face lit up. So I went home and wrote a how-to article for Lily, her mom, and any of
you with kids in middle school or older: How Students Can Use AI to Learn to Write (Without Giving Away their Brains). AI isn’t here to think for us. It’s here to help us think more effectively with our own minds. That’s a message worth repeating, especially to our kids.
In this new AI age, the real danger isn’t the technology itself, it’s the temptation to hand our brains over to it and say, “Here, you do all the work.” So this Lightbulb Day, I’m raising an Erlenmeyer flask, not just to the great inventors of the past, but to Lily, and to every young person learning to think with tools rather than letting tools do the thinking. Because the real magic isn’t flipping the switch; it’s understanding where the current comes from, and
imagining what we’ll power with it in the 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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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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The upcoming event will take place on December 20–21, 2025, at the Memphis Hilton, located at 939 Ridge Lake Blvd., Memphis, TN 38120. Adult admission is $5, with hours running from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Kids 12 and under receive free admission with a paid adult. Guests can also purchase a VIP Early Access Pass for $10, which includes entry for both days. VIP Pass holders enjoy early showroom access beginning at 10 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, as well as exclusive entrance to the Saturday Trade Night from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., featuring free light appetizers. The first VIP attendees through the doors on Saturday will receive a premium gift while supplies last. Kids 12 and under who enter with a VIP adult are free but do not qualify for the free gift.
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The Mid-South Ice House offers public skating sessions for the general public to come try ice skating year-round. We offer a variety of convenient public skate times throughout the week, and we host fun activities on the weekend public sessions (see the “Schedule” tab for more information). Ice skating is a great recreational activity open to all ages and all skill levels. Bring your friends and family for a fun way to enjoy the ice all year long!
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Memphis Zoo is debuting it's first-ever Lantern Festival Presented by Truist. The holidays are about to shine brighter than ever at Memphis Zoo. In partnership with Tianyu Arts & Culture, and presented by Truist, Memphis Zoo is proud to announce the inaugural Memphis Zoo Lantern Festival, a one-of-a-kind holiday light experience featuring more than 60 larger-than-life illuminated fixtures. The Memphis Zoo Lantern Festival will transform the Zoo into a dazzling wonderland of color and light. Guests can stroll through glowing pathways, marvel at vibrant animal-shaped lanterns, and capture unforgettable memories beneath radiant displays designed by the world-renowned Tianyu team. Memphis Zoo Lantern Festival is a separate ticketed event.
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The Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees, benefiting Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, will run from Saturday, November 15 to December 28, 2025, at the Museum of Science & History - Pink Palace. Begin your visit with a stroll through the magical Festival of Trees that fills the Pink Palace Mezzanine with beautifully decorated trees. Once inside the exhibit, children of all ages will be charmed by the animated characters set in the magical snowy setting of The Enchanted Forest. Buy your tickets today. Please purchase tickets online in advance to ensure entry to the Enchanted Forest. You may also purchase tickets in person. Available dates & time slot options may be limited/sold out – especially during weekends. Santa will be joining us this year and he looks forward to receiving all of the children’s lists and wishes.
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Holidays begin with the Nutcracker! Most favorite Christmas classic is coming to the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts! World Ballet Company presents Nutcracker LIVE on stage, featuring a cast of 40 professional ballet dancers. Join us for the thrilling Christmas night adventure to the Land of Sweets. Enjoy a family-friendly experience accompanied by Tchaikovsky?s timeless score, over 150 radiant hand-crafted costumes and lavish hand-painted sets. See the iconic Waltz of Flowers, and the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, meet Mother Ginger and Drosselmeyer. Save the date and secure your tickets in advance to ensure you are part of the magic!
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- Children's Story Hour at Officer Geoffrey Redd Library - Memphis Public Libraries - 5094 Poplar Ave, Memphis, Friday, December 19, 2025, 11am - 12pm
- Story Time at Morton Museum
of Collierville History - 196 N Main St, Collierville, Friday, December 19, 2025, 10:30 am
- Sounds of the Season - 3030 Poplar Ave, Memphis, Friday, December 19, 2025, See website for details.
- Free Santa Photos - The Shops of Saddle Creek - West Farmington Boulevard, Germantown, Friday, December 19, 2025 to Sunday, December 21, 2025,
See website for details.
- Christmas in Collierville Saturdays - 120 W Mulberry St,
Collierville, Saturday, December 20, 2025, See website for details.
- Cooper-Young Community Farmers Market - Cooper-Young Community Farmers Market - 1000 S Cooper St, Memphis, Saturday, December 20, 2025, 9am to 1pm Fall/Winter (November thru March)
- Every Saturday, the Memphis
Brooks Museum of Art is FREE from 10am - 12pm! - Memphis Brooks Museum of Art - 1934 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Saturday, December 20, 2025, 10am - 12pm
- Reading with a pup! Children's reading therapy program - 3030 Poplar Ave,
Memphis, Saturday, December 20, 2025, See website for details.
- CHRISTMAS at OAK CITY - Tutwiler Avenue, Memphis,
Sunday, December 21, 2025, 10:15 AM
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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 Memphis. Here are local organizations that offer
memberships.
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Ring in the New Year with a little help from KidsOutAndAbout! Our Big List of family-Friendly celebrations is just what you need to find ball drops, fireworks displays, NOON Year's Eve fun, activities, parties and more! If your favorite isn't on the list be
sure to send us an email and we'll add it pronto.
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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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The Memphis 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 Memphis'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 Memphis 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 Memphis, based on KidsOutAndAbout's annual reader survey. Check out our most recent winners list, then check out our calendar and resource lists for lots more to do in Memphis!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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