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: The Christmas I was 10, my sister and I woke up at our usual ridiculously-early hour and raced downstairs to the tree. Something was different: fewer gifts than usual, no giant boxes, no bike-shaped mystery lumps. But nestled among the smaller packages were envelopes that turned out to be plane tickets to Bermuda. We were leaving that very morning,
which explained why my parents had not objected to being awakened at 5:30. Decades later, I don’t remember what else I got that year—or most years—but I remember being bundled up and giddy, heading to the airport while it was still dark. I remember pink sand, caves, and the little cakes they served at teatime. It's all still as fresh to me as the air was at Grotto Bay Beach. That trip taught me something I wouldn’t have been able to say at the time:
Presence creates the memories, not the presents. Of course, we all want our kids to have a magical holiday. But when we think back to our own childhoods, what sticks isn’t the stuff, it’s the doing. The zoo trips, the plays, the sporting events, the concerts, the hands held during the adventures. That’s why my long-time holiday mantra is “Do it, don’t dust it.” Experiences are the gifts that last the longest, especially when we do them
together. They don’t pile up in a closet; they plant themselves in our memory. So if you’re still pondering what to give the people you love this year, consider a show, a class, a day trip, a membership, a season pass. Something that says “I see you, you matter, let's do it together." Need ideas? Head to our Local Memberships & Season Passes page! It's your ticket to the perfect gift... and it's guaranteed clutter-free.
—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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Come in Chanukah PJs for Kiddie Hot Cocoa and Marshmallows and Crafts and Activities
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This event is free and open to the public December 13 & 14, 6-8pm. Participants will see the Christmas story come to life with real actors and live animals.
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Step into a magical winter wonderland at Main Event’s Pancakes at the North Pole! Enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast, meet Santa for unforgettable photo ops, and enjoy festive winter wonderland activities.
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Discover handmade gifts and seasonal creations at SiNaCa Studios Winter Market and Snowflake Station. Shop local artisans, enjoy a festive atmosphere, and see glass artists craft beautiful snowflakes. A free, family friendly winter shopping experience.
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Bring your favorite train lover to see the Narrow Gauge model train exhibit provided by Spring Creek Model Railroad Club. Read more The club models many eras from the 1880s to the present and operates steam, diesel, freight and passenger equipment. Come & Go
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Celebrate Winter with tours, games, hot chocolate, s'mores, and more! Join us as we take a ranger led tour of Penn Farm and learn about Christmas traditions throughout history. After the farm tour, we will continue the holiday cheer at the fire ring with songs, hot drinks, holiday treats, and historical games!
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Enjoy story time by the pool during this family-friendly reading program. Children ages 8 and under must have a parent in the water.Free | All Ages
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Join us on Saturday, December 13, at 10 a.m. for Family Movie Day! We will be watching Elf (rated PG). We hope you can join us!
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Enjoy dinner in the Heritage District or from one of the on-site food vendors, while you enjoy a live musical holiday performance and movie. Make sure to bring blankets or lawn chairs.
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Come enjoy dinner and a movie with the family. Free refreshments while supply lasts. Bring blankets and chairs for lawn seating. Free and open to the public, thanks to our sponsor, Methodist Midlothian Medical Center.
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It’s that wonderful time of the year! Families gather and celebrate the holidays with music when guest conductor Lawrence Loh, along with two popular vocalists, soprano Jasmine Habersham and baritone Reginald Smith, Jr., return to sing seasonal favorites for the holidays. Making things even more festive are the Dallas Symphony Chorus and Children’s Chorus. And, of course, what would Christmas Pops be without an audience sing-along and an appearance by that Jolly Old Elf, aka Santa Claus! It’s fun for the entire family and sure to create memories to cherish for a lifetime.
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Step into a sparkling winter wonderland filled with twinkling lights, snowy delights, and the magic of the season. This cozy celebration offers a night of dancing and holiday cheer that will warm hearts and create lasting memories. This free event invites individuals with special needs (ages 14+) and their families to enjoy a festive evening filled with lively music, colorful decorations, and seasonal fun. Parents and guardians must stay with participants under 18 and are welcome to stay with others as needed for comfort. Dress in your favorite winter gear or festive attire and enjoy a joyful night of music and merriment.
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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 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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- Sensory Friendly Morning- Explorium - Denton Children's Museum - Explorium Denton Children's Museum - North Interstate 35, Denton, TX, USA, December 13, 2025, 9-10 am
- STEAM-tastic Bilingual Story Time with Smart Quest Academy of Southlake - Southlake Public Library, Main Street, Southlake, TX, USA, December 12, 2025, 10-11 am
- Family Story Time at Farmers Branch Manske Library - 13613 Webb Chapel Rd, Farmers Branch, TX 75234,
December 12, 2025, 10:30-11:30 am
- Chance to Dance: Winter Wonderland - 1950 South Valley Parkway,
Lewisville, TX 75067, December 12, 2025, 5-8 pm
- Free Demonstrations: Open Studios Night December 2025 - SiNaCa Studios School of Glass and Gallery - SiNaCa Studios School of Glass and Gallery, December 12, 2025, 6-9 pm
- Holiday Lights in the Park- Andrew Brown Park East - Andrew Brown Park East, Parkway Boulevard, Coppell, TX, December 12-14, 2025, 6-10 pm
- Holidays at Heritage: Live Music
& Movie Night - Heritage Park, 217 S Main St, Irving, TX, December 12, 2025, 7 pm
- Teen
Holiday Craft Night & Wrapping Party (After-Hours) - Lewisville Public Library, 1197 West Main Street, Lewisville, TX 75067, December 12, 2025, 6:30-9 pm
- Merry Movie Night-Midlothian - Midlothian Community Park, South 14th Street, Midlothian, TX, December 12, 2025, 6:30 pm
- Family Movie Day - Burleson Public Library, 248 Southwest Johnson Avenue, Burleson, TX 76028,
December 13, 2025, 10 am
- Grand Prairie Farmers Market - 120 W. Main St., Grand
Prairie, TX 75050, December 13, 2025, 8 am-1 pm
- SaturYAY - Kaleidoscope Park - 6635 Warren Parkway, Frisco, TX
75034, December 13, 2025, 10 am-4 pm
- Paws To Read - Colleyville Public Library, 110 Main St,
Colleyville, TX 76034, December 13, 2025, 10:30 am-12 pm
- Story Time for Tots (18mo-3Y) - Mansfield Public Library, 104 South Wisteria Street, Mansfield, TX 76063, December 13, 2025, 10:30-11 am
- Trains! Trains! Trains! (All Ages) - Parr Library, Windhaven Parkway, Plano, TX, December 13, 2025, 10 am-5 pm
- Tales & Tides - North Lake Natatorium, North MacArthur Boulevard, Irving, TX, December 13, 2025, 12-12:45 pm
- Animal Encounter - Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center, Farm to Market Road 1382, Cedar Hill, TX 75104, December 13, 2025, 11-11:30 am
- Drive Thru Nativity at St John Lutheran Church - St. John Lutheran Church, East Debbie Lane, Mansfield, TX, December 13-14, 2025, 6-8 pm
- Christmas at the Ranch - Doubletree Ranch Park, Highland Village Road, Highland Village, TX, December 13, 2025, 10 am-2 pm
- Arlington Holiday Lights Parade - Arlington, TX, December 13, 2025, 6 pm
- Winter Wonder Lights - Independence Park East, Parkview Drive, Trophy Club, TX, December 13, 2025, 6:30-8:30 pm
- Christmas in the Square - 8874 Coleman Blvd, Frisco Square, Frisco, TX 75034, December 12-14, 2025, 6-10 pm
- Christmas Concert Series 2025 Pathway Church Burleson - Pathway Church, Northwest Renfro Street, Burleson,
TX, December 14, 2025, 7:30 pm
- Chanukah at Southlake Town Square - Southlake Town Square, Grand
Avenue, Southlake, TX, December 14, 2025, 5:30 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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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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