KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
Peace can come in many textures during the holidays. For some, it’s the energizing bustle of concerts and community events, or the warmth of a crowded house full of voices and motion. For others, it’s the stillness of a walk through snow-covered woods, a soft blanket at home, or the quiet company of someone who understands them. It shifts from person to person, and
sometimes even from one day to the next. Peace can be internal, external, or, at its best, a bit of both: a sense that life makes sense, within and around us. It’s easier to feel when we’re free from hardship, but even in the midst of challenge, it’s sometimes possible to find a quiet kind of peace when we know we’ve done our best with the time and energy we’ve been given. Peace can be elusive for parents; after all, we're the ones in charge of figuring out
how to make the family rhythm and flow work for everyone, and what brings peace to our kids may look nothing like what brings it to us. Maybe your son needs to be out with friends while you crave stillness. Maybe your daughter is hoping to hide in a corner with a book while you're in full-on glitter-and-cookie mode with all the cousins. Parenting is the art of balance, of helping everyone in the family thrive by seeing who they really are and doing our best to honor it. It's not easy, and it's
never perfect, but we try. When kids feel known—when they hear “I see that you love this, that you need this, and I’ll help you find your way to it”—they flourish. That sense of being understood can be its own kind of peace. So as the season winds to a close, I wish you whatever kind of holiday rhythm helps you feel most like you. And I hope you’ll find moments to offer that same gift to those around you. When we make space for each other’s version of peace,
it’s more likely to find its way into the room.
—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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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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We’ve been ringing in the New Year with children for over 30 years at this family-favorite countdown to fun. Dress as your favorite superhero and decorate a cape to show off your superpower. Be thinking about what your superpower can be – maybe kindness or generosity. We can’t wait to see your costume and recognize your power.
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Start the countdown to 2026 with creativity at your art museum! This Super Saturday celebrates New Year’s traditions across cultures with a hands-on art activity perfect for all ages. Inspired by the energy and brilliance of fireworks, visitors will create their own fireworks collage using watercolor, black paper, scissors, and glue. This project highlights both the joy of celebration and the excitement of new beginnings. Whether you're reflecting on the past year or dreaming up your goals for the next, your artwork will shine with color and meaning. Drop by the Education Studio and get inspired by the season—and each other—as we welcome the New Year together. Free with registration.
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Join a T.O. Fuller State Park Ranger for a 4-mile hike around the park. This will be a moderate to difficult hike. Learn about park history, indigenous plants and animals, and the unique geography of area. Dress for the weather. Coffee and hot chocolate will be available. Free with registration.
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- Story Time at Morton Museum of Collierville History - Morton Museum of Collierville History - 196 N Main St, Collierville, Friday, December 26, 2025, 10:30am
- Bluff City Kwanzaa Festival 2025 - Bluff City, TN, Friday, December 26, 2025, 3 PM
- Cars and Coffee - City of Germantown - City of Germantown - GPAC Parking Lot 1801 Exeter Road, Germantown, Saturday, December 27, 2025, 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
- Cooper-Young Community Farmers
Market - Cooper-Young Community Farmers Market - 1000 S Cooper St, Memphis, Saturday, December 27, 2025, 9am to 1pm
- Every Saturday, the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art is FREE from 10am - 12pm! - Memphis Brooks Museum of Art - 1934 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Saturday, December 27, 2025, 10am - 12pm
- Super Saturday - New Years Eve - 1934 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Saturday, December 27, 2025, 10am - 12pm
- Embracing Autism - Memphis Public Library - Raleigh Branch - 3452 Austin Peay Hwy., Memphis, Saturday, December 27, 2025, See website for details.
- CHRISTMAS at OAK CITY - Oak City Church, Tutwiler Avenue, Memphis, Sunday, December 28, 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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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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