KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter
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Sun, Dec 21: Winter SOLE-stice Hike at Ray
Roberts Lake State Park Johnson Branch - Texas Parks and Wildlife
Sat, Dec 27: Kwanzaa Celebration at Martin Luther King Jr
Recreation Center - Denton, TX
Wed, Dec 31: Noon Year's Eve Party - Bedford Public Library at Bedford Public Library
Wed, Dec
31: Noon Year's Eve - Cozby Library and Community Commons at Cozby Library and Community Commons
Sun, Jan 11: STOMP Presented by the Coppell Arts Center at Coppell Arts Center
Sun, Jan 11: Family Festival / Fiesta de la Familia at Kimbell Art Museum
Sat, Jan 17: Dallas Area Train Show at North Texas Council of Railroad Clubs
Sat, Jan 24: Gazillion Bubble Show! Presented by the Coppell Arts Center at Coppell Arts Center
Sat, Jan 31: Little Sweetheart Dance at Plano Event Cente |
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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This holiday season, your family is invited to journey across the pond for a visit to the old Irish village of Killarney! This special concert overflows with holiday traditions and features your favorite Christmas songs. But that’s not all! You’ll also witness Irish dancers leaping through the air and tapping along to the music and harmonies of the season. This trip to the Emerald Isle will show what it means to celebrate Christmas the “Irish” way - where some of the most iconic Christmas traditions originated.
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A true holiday favorite, this beloved comedy classic features renowned composer John Williams’ charming and delightful score performed live to picture by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Macaulay Culkin stars as Kevin McCallister, an 8-year-old boy who’s accidentally left behind when his family leaves for Christmas vacation, and who must defend his home against two bungling thieves. Hilarious and heart-warming, Home Alone is holiday fun for the entire family!
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The Gift of Christmas is a Prestonwood tradition and has become one of the highlights of the Christmas season, with thousands of guests attending every year. This visually stunning multimedia event is complete with special effects, a nearly 1,000-member cast and choir, live orchestra, flying angels and much more!
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Miracle On134th Street was derived from the desire to take our children to a place where they could share the wonder and awe that we experienced as children during the Christmas season . A magical and larger than life feeling that they will cherish and hold dear all the days of their lives. A beautiful place to spend an evening with those you love.
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Teens, enjoy a brunch bar brimming with an array of tasty foods like French toast sticks, bacon, a waffle bar, and more! While you eat, we will play a festive movie to get you into the holiday spirit. For ages 13 to 18 only. While supplies last. Foods containing dairy and gluten will be present.
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The Burleson Rotary Club hosts the annual lighted Christmas parade followed by the City's tree lighting and drone show. The parade begins at 6 p.m. Get ready to feel the holiday magic at BTX-MAS, where the heart of Burleson will be bursting with festive cheer! The evening will come alive with enchanting performances by talented singers and dancers, filling the air with the sounds of the season.
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“Breakfast with The Grinch” is a fun-filled event for the entire family. Children and parents can have their picture made with the Grinch and with Santa Clause. Numerous stations with photo opportunities, crafts, and games. The entry fee includes: Pancake and sausage breakfast and photo with the Grinch that will be emailed to you. Crafts, games, and more! Breakfast will be served from 9-10:30 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. to Noon. All ages, fee $10.
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It’s that time of year again. Holiday music, lights and garland, peppermint-flavored everything, and with this holiday season approaching, that means one thing for small town in Texas: Christmas Parades. This is our Favorite time of the year!! Come celebrate the Holidays, grab your blankets, hot chocolate, and enjoy our most anticipated night of the year! Our Lighted Christmas Parade keeps growing and we are so excited for this event! Please stay after the parade to shop our Wonderful Downtown Merchants during Moonlight Madness!
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Tasting wassail is a fun and festive way to celebrate the winter holidays and bring our community together. You will have the opportunity to taste many varieties of wassail this evening and we invite you to recognize your favorite by casting a vote in our annual wassail competition.
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Come have some Family Fun during Fun Friday!! Free admission for one 1 hr of play time from 3-5 P.M. Reservations not required. If you would like to stay more than an hour, please come to the front desk and pay regular admission.
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for KING + COUNTRY has always operated under three guiding principles: to love on the brokenhearted, spread the hope in Jesus, and take the Gospel wider. When the Smallbone family migrated from Australia to the United States, they would not have survived without the kindness of their newfound community and the love they received from their local church. The Unsung Heroes Fund: A for KING & COUNTRY Foundation is a vehicle to help bless like minded organizations that are carrying out the work of God and loving on families in need.
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Each month, this program presents a different theme that highlights the heritage skills that you could use to enrich your life today. Registration is required and space is limited.
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The Mid-Cities 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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- Fun Friday Free Admission - North Interstate 35, Denton, TX, Friday, December 5, 2025, 3-5 pm
- Christmas
Tree Lighting in Bedford - School Ln, Bedford, TX, Friday, December 5, 2025, 5-8 pm
- Wassail Fest - West Oak Street, Denton, TX, Friday, December 5, 2025, 6-9 pm
- Christmas in the Square - 8874 Coleman Blvd, Frisco, TX 75034, Friday, December 5, 2025, 6-10 pm
- Saturday Make & Take Crafts - 505 Travis St, Coppell, TX 75019, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 9 am
- Santa's Breakfast - W County Rd 714, Burleson, TX, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 7-11 am
- Dallas Holiday Parade - 2956 Congressman Lane, Dallas, TX 75220, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 9 am
- Family Movie Night - Pioneer Trail, Cedar Hill, TX, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 2 pm
- Holiday Horror Matinee - 901 Precinct Line Road, Hurst, TX 76053, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 2-4 pm
- Saturday Family Days at the The Samurai
Collection - 2501 N Harwood St, Dallas, TX 75201, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 1-3 pm
- Teen Holiday
Brunch Bar - 2424 Forest Ridge Dr, Bedford, TX 76021, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 3-4 pm
- Prosper Christmas Festival - 250 W First St., Prosper, TX 75078, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 3-7 pm
- Merry Main Street presented by Texas Health Hospital Frisco - Frisco Square Boulevard, Frisco, TX, Saturday, December 6, 2025,
3 - 7:30 pm
- Grand Prairie Farmers Market - 120 W. Main St., Grand Prairie, TX
75050, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 8 am- 1 pm
- Dickens in Historic Downtown Plano - East 15th Street,
Plano, TX, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 5-9 pm
- Holiday in the Park- The Colony - Blair Oaks Drive, The Colony,
TX, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 5- 8 pm
- Santa On The Square-Carrollton - Elm Street, Carrollton,
TX, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 4 - 8 pm
- BTX-MAS: Christmas in Burleson - West Renfro Street,
Burleson, TX, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 6 pm
- Tree Lighting and Lighted Holiday Parade - West Main Street, Grand Prairie, TX, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 6-9 pm
- Decatur Chamber Parade Of Lights - South Trinity Street, Decatur, TX, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 6 pm
- Open Studio: Found Objects Accessories - Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas, TX, Saturday, December 6, 2025 and Sunday, December 7, 2025, 12:00 PM
- Christmas Spectacular Light Show - 4900 Blair Oaks Drive, The Colony, TX, Saturday, December 6, 2025 through Sunday, December 7, 2025, 5:30 - 10:30 pm Sunday - Thursday, 5:30 - 10:50 pm Friday - Saturday
- SaturYAY - 6635 Warren Parkway, Frisco, TX 75034, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 10 am- 4 pm
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Mid-Cities 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 Mid-Cities 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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