KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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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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Get ready for hands-on engineering fun over winter break at The Works Museum! Winter break camps for kids ages 5–12 run from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. and include museum exploration and a pizza lunch. Each day features a unique theme—from building a light-up cardboard village and engineering in a LEGO toy factory to designing marble roller coasters, creating glowing LED art, and inventing LEGO rescue tools. Camps are $120 per day ($108 for members), and space is limited—register now before spots fill up!
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Friends School of Minnesota (FSMN) is a small, private, progressive, K-8, Quaker school. In the tradition of more than 80 Friends Schools across the United States, FSMN meets children’s intellectual, emotional and spiritual needs in an environment that nurtures their social consciousness. FSMN is a healthy, vibrant, stable institution known for its rich, progressive curriculum; commitment to community; acclaimed conflict resolution program; and holistic, joyful approach to educating children. Seeing our school in person is the best way to learn if FSMN would be a good fit for your family. Visit fsmn.org to schedule a tour (on the Visit page) or join us for one of our open houses: Saturday, November 22nd 10-11:30am. Saturday, January 24th 10-11:30am
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Deck the halls with tons of COLOR! From Nov. 1 – Dec. 31, come enjoy holiday fun the Crayola way! Complete a seasonal scavenger hunt, pose in holiday photo-ops, and make handmade gifts from the heart as you create a Pop-Up Greeting Card for someone special, paint one-of-a-kind Holiday Ornaments to add some festive flair to your home, mold a Penguin Friend with Model Magic to bring holiday cheer, and write a Letter to Santa with all the nice things you’ve done this year. All included with general admission.
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Tap into the season at the Nicollet Island Winter Market—two festive days of holiday shopping, handmade goods, and winter magic, all indoors at Nicollet Island Pavilion! Experience: Unique, handcrafted gifts from local artisans, one-of-a-kind art, crafts, and packaged treats, cozy shopping in a heated, historic venue. A perfect stop for holiday gifts and seasonal inspiration Admission is free and family-friendly.
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The annual Union Depot Holiday Bake Sale will once again host the top Twin Cities bakeries for a day of cookies, candy and holiday shopping on Saturday, December 13!
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December Discovery Day Come to The Bakken Museum for special activities, hosted all day by our exhibit specialists.
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Community-built holiday exhibit inspired by a beloved modern-day Norwegian tradition Norway House invites the Greater-Twin Cities community—and beyond—to celebrate the holiday season at Gingerbread Wonderland, the annual gingerbread city exhibition in the Joan and Walter Mondale Galleri, that fills Norway House with hundreds of sweet, sugary creations. Inspired by the world-famous gingerbread city (Pepperkakebyen) of Bergen, Norway, a tradition begun in 1991, Gingerbread Wonderland at Norway House brings together bakers, artists, and families of all ages to build a magical winter village—right here in Minneapolis.
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Come to the beautiful, historic Landmark Center for a festive afternoon the whole family will enjoy! Families are invited to take a free photo with Santa, then stay to explore a variety of fun holiday activities. Kids can make special gifts for loved ones, play games, and even visit with friendly animals for an extra dose of holiday cheer. Sundays at Landmark series is supported by Ecolab, Hubbard Broadcasting, Travelers, Xcel Energy Foundation, and Ramsey County.
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Join us for this new holiday exhibit!
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Immerse yourself in the holiday magic as we bring the charm of a traditional European Christmas Market to St. Paul!
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Don’t miss the Twin Cities’ most beloved holiday musical—back and bursting with festive cheer, hilarious antics, and Seussian style!
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LUMINISCENCE makes its North American debut, turning stone walls into living canvases of light with 360° video mapping, live music and vibrant story. Feel The Basilica of Saint Mary awaken around you—as a symphony of voices and instruments carry you through decades of art, culture and timeless beauty. LUMINISCENCE is an opportunity for everyone to be transported to the heavens by an immersive experience, as mysteries are unlocked during this celestial odyssey in Minneapolis’ arts district.
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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 Minneapolis-St. Paul 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 big list of 2025 holiday events list for the Minneapolis - St. Paul area. Christmas concerts, lights, trees, nativities, and more. . . plus activities for Chanukah, Kwanzaa, and New Year's Eve.
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- Family Playtime at The Grove - The Grove United Methodist Church - 8600 90th
St S, Cottage Grove, MN 55016, December 12, 2025, 10 - 11 am
- European Christmas Market at Union Depot - - Union Depot, 214 4th St E, Saint Paul, MN 55101, December 12-14, 2025, 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm
- Nicollet Island Winter Market - - 2117 West River Road North, Minneapolis, MN, December 13-14, 2025, 11 am - 5 pm
- Holiday Photo Ops at 50th & France: Llamas, Santa, and Unicorns! - - 3925 W 50th St, 50th & France, Minneapolis, MN 55424, December 13, 2025, 12 - 2 pm
- Free Holiday Family Movies at 50th & France - - 3925 W 50th St, 50th & France, Minneapolis, MN 55424, December 13, 2025, 10 am - 12 pm and 12 - 2 pm
- Holiday Open House at Goldfish Swim School Minnetonka - - 4729 County Road 101, Minnetonka, MN 55345, December 13, 2025, 4 - 6 pm
- Breakfast With Santa - St. John Vianney Church - - 789 17th Ave N, South St Paul, MN 55075, December 13, 2025, 8:30 - 11 am
- Skate With Santa - St. John Vianney Church - - 141 6th Street South, South St Paul, MN 55075, December 14, 2025, 1 - 2:30
pm
- Hanukkah Lighting on 50th - - 3925 W 50th St, 50th & France, Minneapolis, MN 55424, December 14, 2025, 4:30 -
5:30 pm
- Visit Santa - - Main Street Mercantile, 62 N Main St, Fairport, NY 14450, December 14, 2025, 1 pm - 3
pm
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Minneapolis/St. Paul 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 winners in KidsOutAndAbout's survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. 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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