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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Join MPM Educators during Winter Break as we highlight some of our favorite frozen topics! Feel the furs that cover Arctic animals, discover how to tell apart horns, tusks, and antlers, and explore the differences between the mammoths and mastodons that both called ancient Wisconsin home. FREE with admission! Dates and times on our website.
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- One Bird. One Big Holiday. Zero Chill. Be one of the first to experience the next holiday classic at First Stage, November 22 – December 28! When Mo Willems’ characters get together for the holidays, it’s bound to be the biggest extravaganza ever! The Unlimited Squirrels deck the halls and Elephant and Piggie come ready to celebrate! But will The Pigeon join in the festivities, or will he run all the way to the North Pole in the search of the greatest gift ever? Catchy tunes, silly stories, goofy gifts, audience antics: it’s all in this brand-new musical party that sleighs!
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- For 35 years, families across greater Milwaukee have trusted USM Summer Camps for exceptional enrichment, academic, and athletic programs. Campers discover new talents, build friendships, and explore diverse interests within a flexible schedule. With healthy meals, extended care, transportation options, and multi-week discounts, families enjoy a convenient and valuable experience. Now accredited by the American Camp Association, USM meets the highest national standards for safety and quality. This milestone year introduces two exciting additions: a new Sports Camp for athletes of all levels and a Counselors in Training program for teens. Learn more at www.usm.org/summer and use code EBKOAA26 for early bird savings.
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It’s a glowrious time to be Downtown! Our parks and streets are aglow with holiday spirit and more than a half million brilliant bulbs. Meanwhile, a flurry of shows, Santa photo ops and exceptional dining opportunities are beckoning friends and family to gather here all season long!
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Come with us on the Little Matchstick Girl's Christmas Eve journey and find a lost necklace, see flames dance, and shooting stars fly! Excellent dancing highlights original choreography by Central Midwest Ballet faculty members in this family friendly adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen classic.
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Your last chance to shop local before the holidays! Join us for a cozy day of shopping, treats, and holiday cheer! This indoor mini market will feature handmade goods, local vendors, and festive finds — perfect for gifting (or keeping for yourself). Bring your friends, your holiday spirit, and maybe even your wish list.
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Milwaukee’s favorite hometown holiday tradition returns! Join your Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra as we deck Allen-Bradley Hall with holiday cheer. Ring in the holidays with Milwaukee Handbell Ensemble, keep your eye out for the Jolly Old Elf himself, and raise your voice during the audience sing-along backed by the full power of the orchestra and Milwaukee Symphony Chorus. Sheer musical magic and cozy holiday memories with family and friends await as we usher in a joyful season of celebration.
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DJ Dorian Westwood will keep the energy high with non-stop K-pop hits from every era. Along with the music, the night will feature a special performance by a local K-pop dance crew, interactive crowd games, and festive goodie bags to spread holiday cheer. The first 50 guests through the door will also receive an exclusive T-shirt designed by kylasroom. This all-ages event is the perfect way to kick off the holidays with friends, fan chants, and plenty of hype. All ages are welcome, 21+ to drink, and attendees under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
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Santa Claus is returning to the Betty Brinn Children's Museum! Families can enjoy Santa Story Times, build cocoa-catapults and tinker trees in our Be A Maker space and snap a festive family photo! Hot chocolate provided by Stone Creek Coffee. Museum staff will take family portraits on-site. Photos will be emailed to participating families on December 22. Special event tickets are required for Museum entry from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. General admission check-in will begin at 12 p.m.
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Annually, on December 21st, we experience the darkest day of the year. It's also the perfect day to appreciate and celebrate human reason and ingenuity. Why celebrate reason or ingenuity? Without them there would be no lightbulbs, indoor toilets,
antibiotics, baby monitors, or eye glasses. Grim!
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- Tannenbaum Trail - Firemen's Park, Park Avenue,
Germantown, WI, Friday, December 19, 2025 to Sunday, December 21, 2025, See website for details.
- Free Trolley Rides in Downtown Historic Cedarburg - Downtown Historic Cedarburg, Washington Ave, Cedarburg, WI, Friday, December 19, 2025 and Saturday, December 20, 2025, 5 pm - 8 pm
- Milwaukee Makers Market 2025 -
Discovery World, 500 North Harbor Drive, Milwaukee, WI, Sunday, December 21, 2025, 10:00am - 4:00pm
- Milwaukee Makers Market 2025 Season - ., Milwaukee, WI, Sunday, December 21, 2025, See Website
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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 in and around the Milwaukee area. Here are local organizations that
offer memberships.
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Milwaukee 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 Dallas 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 Milwaukee 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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Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around Milwaukee Every year. thousands of local parents, grandparents, and caregivers weigh in on their favorite local places to take kids. This is our page for showcasing our 2025
winners from the Milwaukee area. Click here for the full list of nominees. The Milwaukee area is rich in fun events and exciting places. Of course, there are literally hundreds of wonderful places to take your kids in our area, not just this year's winners! Browse through
KidsOutAndAbout.com, check out our calendar, and discover lots more to do, especially Everything That's Free. |
Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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