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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Get ready for the ultimate adventure as you scale the 30-foot peak of the mighty Everest Slide! Once you reach the top, take your pick of paths and race down the winding slopes for an unforgettable rush of adrenaline. With room for tons of climbers every hour, this towering attraction is guaranteed to be the main event thrill everyone’s talking about!
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Would you like to learn how to play chess or practice your chess skills with others? David Lamas will be teaching kids how to play chess and sharing his knowledge about this challenging game.
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This winter, step into the enchanting Fort Worth Botanic Garden at Christmas in the Garden, brought to life with the dazzling artistry of Sony Music. Wander through breathtaking light displays, indulge in festive flavors, and create moments that shine brighter than any gift beneath the tree.
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Join a ranger on a hike celebrating the first day of Winter! Strap on your winter boots and join a ranger for a 2.2 mile hike on the Cross Timbers Trail celebrating the shortest day and longest night of the year.
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Anastasia: The Musical, brings the legendary story of the lost Russian princess to life in a breathtaking stage production filled with romance, adventure, and unforgettable music. Inspired by the beloved animated film, this epic tale follows Anya, a brave young woman seeking to uncover her past, as she travels from revolutionary Russia to the dazzling lights of 1920s Paris.
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The Peppermint Twist marionette show is a fast-paced holiday spectacular that features elves, penguins, snowmen, carolers and more. The show brings the magic of the season to life with dazzling puppets, familiar tunes and heartwarming audience interaction.
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The most wonderful time of year is upon us and we want to celebrate with you at Christmas at the Commons on Saturday, December 20, from 3-8 p.m.! Immerse yourself into the Christmas spirit with all of our festive activities! Grab your picture with Santa, take a lap around the ice skating rink, create your own holiday cookie, speed down the snow tube slide, enjoy show-stopping holiday performances, challenge friends in bumper cars, grab a bite to eat from the food trucks, shop from a variety of local vendors, and so much more!
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Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) is a progressive rock band founded as an outlet for the many rock operas late rock industry veteran, producer, composer, and musician Paul O’Neill was writing. TSO was created to push the boundaries of what was possible for a band to create – both musically and visually. Paul O’Neill dreamed of a different kind of “band” that is not limited by the confines of traditional rock acts and instead established one with multiple singers who could inhabit the various characters he was writing into his rock operas.
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Teens can get cozy at the library with a cup of cocoa and an afternoon of festive fun! Join us as we decorate gingerbread cookies and ornaments — perfect for gifting or keeping for yourself. Bring your holiday spirit and your creativity!
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Celebrate the first day of winter break with a festive, family-friendly event! Enjoy a petting zoo, toddler play space, bounce house, dance party, and magical photo ops - perfect for capturing holiday memories. Don't forget to stop by the Grand Prairie Library's Mobile LIbrary to check out some cozy winter reads to take home!
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Join us for a come-and-go movie matinee at Mansfield Public Library. Bring a blanket and a your favorite stuffed friend to enjoy the show. No registration is required. Popcorn will be provided!
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It is December 1936, and Broadway star William Gillette, admired the world over for his leading role in the play Sherlock Holmes, has invited his fellow cast members to his Connecticut castle for the holidays. But when one of the guests is stabbed to death, Gillette assumes the persona of his beloved Holmes, to track down the killer before the next victim appears. The danger and hilarity are non-stop in this glittering whodunit set during the Christmas holidays.
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- Holidays at Heritage: Dance Performances & Movie Night - Heritage Park - 217 S Main St, Irving, TX, Friday, December 19, 2025 — 6 pm
- Family Story Time at Farmers Branch Manske Library - Farmers Branch Manske
Library - 13613 Webb Chapel Rd, Farmers Branch, TX 75234, Friday, December 19, 2025 — 10:30-11:30 am
- Winter Wonderland - Epic Central - State Highway 161, Grand Prairie, TX, Friday, December 19, 2025 — 11 am-1 pm
- Oh Snap! Cookies & Cocoa - Burleson Public Library - 248 Southwest Johnson Avenue, Burleson, TX 76028, Friday, December 19, 2025 — 2:30-3:30 pm
- Holiday Movie - Colleyville Public Library - 110 Main St, Colleyville, TX 76034, Friday, December 19, 2025 — 2-4 pm
- Family Movie Matinee (All Ages) - Mansfield Public Library - 104 South Wisteria Street, Mansfield, TX
76063, Friday, December 19, 2025 — 2-4 pm
- Winterfest: Le Theatre de Marionette presents the Peppermint Twist - Valley Ranch Library - Cimarron Trail, Irving, TX, Saturday, December 20, 2025 — 10:30 am
- SaturYAY - Kaleidoscope Park - 6635 Warren Parkway, Frisco, TX 75034, Saturday, December 20, 2025 — 10 am-4 pm
- Open Studio: Found Objects Accessories - Dallas Museum of Art - Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas, TX, Saturday, December 20, 2025 — 12:00 pm
- Play & Learn (Ages 0-5) at the Central Library - Garland Central
Library - 713 Austin Street, Garland, TX, Saturday, December 20, 2025 — 10 am-12 pm
- Story Time for Tots (18mo-3Y) - Mansfield
Public Library - 104 South Wisteria Street, Mansfield, TX 76063, Saturday, December 20, 2025 — 10:30-11 am
- Christmas at the Commons - Commons at Agora - Agora Way, Corinth, TX, Saturday, December 20, 2025 — 3-8 pm
- Fingerprints & Classification (Grades 6-12) - Haggard Library - Coit Road, Plano, TX, Sunday, December 21, 2025 — 2-3 pm
- Chess Club - Grapevine Public Library - Municipal Way, Grapevine, TX, Sunday, December 21, 2025 — 12:30-2:30 pm
- Everest Climb N Slide - Grand Prairie City Hall - West Main Street, Grand Prairie, TX, Sunday, December 21, 2025 — 2-6 pm
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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 the Mid-Cities. 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 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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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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