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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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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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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Join us on Fridays at 10am for a sensory-based playtime for children of all ages in your life. You can expect stories, crafts, messy play, and activities — and free coffee for parents.
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Night Trains® season is a special Holidays tradition at the Twin City Model Railroad Museum. Night Trains runs from October 2025 through February 2026 with additional bonus nights noted below. What is Night Trains? The museum’s collection of model trains of all scales and toy trains of yesteryear come alive throughout the Museum (Sorry, no real trains to board and ride on!). Night Trains Season magic begins as the lights are turned down and the buildings and street lights glow warmly, setting the scene for specially lighted models of operating vintage passenger trains. The make believe towns are buried in snow and holiday decorations are set up all over the towns. Uniquely decorated trains will run on the layouts and special holiday-only layouts will also be on display.
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Winter is coming…and The Fair on 4 in turning into a full-blown Winter Wonderland! Join us for a limited-time pop-up experience filled with festive décor, sparkling photo ops, and a specialty menu of winter cocktails and seasonal bites. Whether you’re here for a night out, a family adventure, or a cozy drink under the lights, this is your destination for all things merry and bright.
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Welcome to Craft O'Clock! Enjoy open studio time where artists of all levels can explore their creativity. Choose from a variety of exciting art projects to complete, from painting to crafting and more.
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Shop Hennepin History Museum merchandise at the Dayton’s Holiday Market… downtown Minneapolis or Southdale! The historic Dayton’s department store in downtown Minneapolis once again comes alive with the “Dayton’s Holiday Market” – a wonder-filled market of over 100 vendors offering unique, one-of-a-kind items. 2025 marks the fifth year of the Dayton’s Holiday Market and the 40th anniversary of the Dayton’s Santa Bear. This year, the market has expanded to a second location, Southdale – home of the nation’s first fully enclosed, climate-controlled shopping mall.
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Step into a winter wonderland on a horse drawn sleigh ride at the Forest History Center.
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This winter, TSO is hitting the road with the fan-favourite show The Ghosts of Christmas Eve: The Best of TSO and More!
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Join us for a wonderful outdoor stroll at Winter Lights! Winter Lights 2025 is an immersive indoor and outdoor nighttime experience that celebrates the beauty and wonder of plants in winter. Set across the Arboretum’s walkable pathways and indoor spaces, this year’s botanical-themed light displays highlight the University of Minnesota’s historic plant introductions and innovations. Guests will encounter dazzling tunnels, glowing gardens and nature-inspired installations that illuminate the science and magic of the natural world. New for 2025: Step into a breathtaking indoor forest of evergreen trees, each adorned with artful, nature-inspired decorations. Pre-register your admission on the website and choose from select nights in Nov and Dec!
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We’re celebrating our sixth year of the GLOW Holiday Festival in Minnesota! Featuring over a million lights, the Enchanted Forest, Vixen’s Zip Line, and Giant Slide, GLOW is a must-see experience. The elves have been busy gussying up the place with new exhibits to make sure your holidays are shiny & bright.
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The Cultural Wellness Center warmly invites our cherished elders and the entire community to the Pan-African Kwanzaa Celebration at Midtown Global Market! Join us daily from Friday, December 26, through Wednesday, December 31, as we gather in a sacred space to honor our enduring wisdom, unbreakable spirit, and the guiding principles of freedom, unity, and resilience. Celebrate the beauty and brilliance of Kwanzaa with us.
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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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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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Celebrate the new year with a fun-filled night for the entire family! Ticket price includes museum admission and an evening of New Year’s fun including music, dancing, party favors and activities and crafts throughout the museum.
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Join us for this annual night of fun for the entire family. Ring in 2026 with a sparkling celebration for all ages. Stroll the outdoor Winter Lights and warm up inside to live music with Traveled Ground from 6 - 9 pm, games, party favors and more. The Rootstock Cafe will also be open for dinner. A joyful way to welcome the new year — perfect for families, friends and anyone looking for a bright start to 2026!
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- Family Playtime at The Grove – 8600 90th St S, Cottage Grove, Friday, December 26, 2025, 10-11 am
- Bentleyville Tour of Lights 2025 – 4313 Haines
Road, Hermantown, Friday, December 26, 2025, 5:00pm – 10:00pm
- Kwanzaa Celebration at Midtown Global Market – 920 East Lake Street, Minneapolis, Friday, December 26 – Sunday, December 28, 2025, See website
- Free mini photo session with Shoott! - MSP – Broadway, New York, Saturday, December 27, 2025, See link for times
- Saturday Vibe: Puppet Storytime – 90 West 4th Street, Saint Paul, Saturday, December 27, 2025, 11:00am-12:00pm
- Bentleyville Tour of Lights
2025 – 4313 Haines Road, Hermantown, Saturday, December 27, 2025, 5:00pm – 10:00pm
- Bentleyville Tour of Lights 2025
– 4313 Haines Road, Hermantown, Sunday, December 28, 2025, 5:00pm – 9:00pm
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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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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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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. Here are local organizations that offer memberships.
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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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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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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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