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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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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Bundle up in your comfiest pjs and head over to Adventure Science Center's "Polaris PJ Party" for a winter wonderland of fun. Hands-on snowy activities, a family photo keepsake and a festive planetarium show await! Of course… no PJ party is complete without hot cocoa and marshmallows swirling in a cloud of liquid nitrogen smoke!
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Experience Nashville’s grandest Messiah, brought to life by the powerful Nashville Symphony and Chorus, joined by four extraordinary soloists. Celebrate the season with the resounding "Hallelujah" Chorus and the passion, drama, and breathtaking beauty of this timeless masterpiece.
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Join us on December 20, 2025, for our annual performance of the Nutcracker! The show length is 90 minutes plus a 15-minutes intermission and will be performed at FSSD Performing Arts Center, 1030 Excellence Way, Franklin.
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Stroll through the gardens aglow on a one-mile twinkling trail featuring more than a million lights. A 28-foot Pixel Pine Tree welcomes you on a journey through Cheekwood transformed into a winter wonderland. Warm up with hot cocoa and seasonal libations, roast s’mores by a fire, and explore the Holiday Marketplace. Tour the Historic Mansion, festively decorated by former Chief White House Florist Laura Dowling. Whether you’re returning for Nashville’s classic holiday tradition or experiencing it for the first time, Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood welcomes you to the season with wonder, warmth, and timeless joy.
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Wrap up the year with style at our December Market, themed "End of Year Winnings!" Celebrate the close of 2025 with last-minute holiday shopping, festive finds, and unbeatable deals from our incredible vendors. December 19th, 20th, and 21st. Explore a variety of local and regional vendors offering antiques, vintage goods, handcrafted gifts, home décor, seasonal items, and more!
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Experience a spectacular Christmas light show at Lucky Ladd Farms—just minutes from Nashville, Franklin, and Murfreesboro. Stroll along a mile-long trail of twinkling lights, themed displays, and a live nativity scene that brings the holiday spirit to life. Enjoy fun photo ops, meet festive characters, and explore activities. Join us for a magical family-friendly celebration where every step reveals a new wonder!
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- Kidsville Storybook Walk - 2500 West End Avenue, Nashville, Friday, December 19, 2025 to Sunday, December 21, 2025, Park hours, 6 AM - 8 PM
- Vanderbilt University Preschool Language and Brain Study - Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Friday, December 19, 2025 to Sunday, December 21, 2025, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. We can schedule visits any time during the week, including evenings and weekends.
- Architecture Tour at Frist Art Museum - Frist Art Museum, Nashville, Friday, December 20, 2025 to Sunday, December 21, 2025, 3:30 pm
- Free mini photo session with Shoott! - Nashville area - Shoott, Broadway, Friday, December 20, 2025 to Sunday, December 21, 2025, See link for
times
- Richland Park Farmers Market - Richland Park Farmers' Market, 4711 Charlotte
Avenue, Nashville, Friday, December 20, 2025, April - December, 9am to 12pm | January - March 10am-12pm
- Storytime in the Children’s Gallery - Tennessee State Museum - Tennessee State Museum, Nashville, Saturday, December 20, 2025, 10:30 a.m.
- FREE Pictures with Santa & The
Grinch - Plaza Mariachi, Nashville, Friday, December 20, 2025 to Sunday, December 21, 2025, See website for details.
- Holiday Pop-Up: Free Photos with Santa - Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville, Friday, December 20, 2025, 10 a.m. - 12 noon
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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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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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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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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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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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