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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Give your kids a winter break packed with creativity and screen-free fun at Bricks 4 Kidz Winter LEGO® Camps in Franklin! Campers ages 4–12 explore STEM concepts through hands-on LEGO® building and games that spark imagination and teamwork. Each day brings a fresh theme—Superheroes, Galaxy Adventures, or Mining & Crafting! With our “Drop & Shop” idea, parents can enjoy coffee, errands, or holiday shopping while their kids learn through play in a safe, engaging environment. Camps run Dec 22–26 (no camp Dec 25) and Dec 29–31 & Jan 2. Space is limited—Register Today!
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This year’s Polaris PJ Party returns to Adventure Science Center, even cozier than ever. After stargazing with Polaris, families are invited to step into a winter wonderland filled with hands-on snowy science activities. Enjoy hot cocoa topped with liquid nitrogen marshmallows and a joyful photo moment with James the penguin and Vladimir the polar bear. Every family receives a printed and digital keepsake photo to remember the magic.
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Dickens of a Christmas presented by Wilson Bank & Trust recreates the time of Charles Dickens using historic downtown Franklin’s charming architecture as the backdrop. A variety of musicians, dancers and Dickens characters will fill the streets. Expect to see and interact with the nefarious Fagin from Oliver Twist; Jacob Marley, Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim and the rest of the Cratchit family from A Christmas Carol; and of course, a Victorian Father and Mother Christmas with treats for children. The festival is produced by the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County.
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A fun, hands-on holiday craft! Kids will design their own handprint Christmas tree filled with sparkle, color, and Christmas joy. FREE! Feel free to drop in or visit our website today to sign up! Nashville’s creative community and finest thrifters shop our shelves for new and gently used art and craft supplies. Smart Art + Craft is proud to provide the community such supplies for a fraction of their retail price.
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Mark your calendar and bring the whole family to Fifth + Broadway’s second annual Howdy Holidays on Saturday, December 13, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy a festive day featuring live music, line dancing with Urban Cowboy near Ariat, and photos with Santa. The first 250 guests will receive a Fifth + Broadway ornament with free on-site engraving. Enjoy gift wrapping by Friends of Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, face painting, balloon animals, letters to Santa, and a postcard mailing station. Savor hot chocolate courtesy of Elixr Coffee Roasters, No Baked Cookie Dough samples, and Western-themed fun at Ariat’s Wonderland, plus specials from Nashville Collar Co., Elle Park, Brunetta Jewelry, MCA Vinyl Truck, and more.
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Step into the magic of a one-of-a-kind Circus Show inspired by The Nutcracker! Get ready for a breathtaking night filled with dazzling acrobatics, incredible performances, and the timeless story of The Nutcracker brought to life in a whole new way! The show begins at 7PM, and you won’t want to miss a single moment of this unforgettable experience. Bring your family and friends for a magical evening where circus wonder meets holiday tradition — only at Plaza Mariachi!
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Journey to Bethlehem and see what it's like to walk in the footsteps of those who first visited the manger 2,000 years ago! In the same way that Mary and Joseph made the arduous journey to Bethlehem, we invite you to return home each year and spend time with the Christmas story as we bring it to life right here in Nashville. In a world that often feels complicated and divided, we find ourselves together in a small town at a simple stable, where something very small became something very big that changed the world. Walk Thru Bethlehem 2025 is Sunday, Dec. 14, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
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We’ve made our list, checked it twice, and you’re invited to celebrate the holiday season with us at the Aquarium! Join Santa for a festive breakfast buffet on December 6, 14, or 20. Seating begins at 9:00 AM. Bring the family for a festive morning! Enjoy a delicious breakfast, snap a photo with Santa, watch our elves dive, meet our Mystic Mermaids, take advantage of retail discounts, and bring home a fun Christmas craft* (valid with a Breakfast with Santa ticket purchase). Tickets are required. Get yours today!
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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 Nashville 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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Our ;2025 holiday events list for the Nashville area contains Christmas concerts, lights, trees, markets, and more. . . plus activities for Chanukah, Kwanzaa, and New Year's Eve. The activities we've
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- Annual Dickens of a Christmas - Downtown Franklin - TN - Google
Maps, December 13-14, 2025, See website for details.
- Drive-Thru Live Nativity - Concord Community Church - Google Maps, December 13-14, 2025, 5:00 PM
- Fireside Stories - 12965 Old Hickory Blvd, Antioch, 37013, December 13,
2025, 11 AM - 1 PM
- FREE! Oh Christmas Tree Made By Me - Smart
Art + Craft Supplies, 2416 Music Valley Drive Suite 106, Nashville, TN 37214, December 13, 2025, 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
- FREE Pictures with Santa & The Grinch - Plaza Mariachi, 3955 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211, December 13, 2025, See website for details.
- Pioneer Christmas Parade -
Historic Collinsville - 4711 Weakley Rd, Southside, TN 37171, December 13, 2025, 12 PM
- Architecture Tour at Frist Art Museum - Frist Art Museum - 919 Broadway – Downtown, Nashville, TN 37203, December 13-14, 2025, 3:30 PM
- Melodies & Memories at Grace Church of the Nazarene - Grace Church of the Nazarene - Pennington Bend Road, Nashville, TN,
December 14, 2025, 5:30–7 PM
- Storytime in the Children’s Gallery - Tennessee State Museum - Tennessee State Museum - 1000 Rosa Parks Blvd. (at Jefferson St.), Nashville, TN 37208, December 13, 2025, 10:30 AM
- Walk Thru
Bethlehem - Woodmont Christian Church - Woodmont Christian Church - 3601 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37215, December 14, 2025, 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Nashville 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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The best things to do with kids in the Nashville area for 2025 as voted by KidsOutAndAbout.com's local readers. Our Top 20 results page includes a list of our readers' annual 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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