KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
If it weren’t for a Polish pastry, I might not exist. When my great-grandmother Karolina Stelmach was a teenager in a small village in Poland, she was told she’d be entering an arranged marriage. But her heart belonged to Sylvester Nowakowski. So she left... on her own, by boat... and made her way to America. She found work in a restaurant, where
she made her family’s signature dessert: chrusciki. One day, a “distinguished gentleman” insisted on meeting the pastry chef, and he offered her a better-paying job in his own kitchen. She took it, saved enough to bring Sylvester over, and they married. Which means if chrusciki didn’t exist, neither would I. Stories like this do more than entertain. According to psychologist Robyn Fivush, interviewed on a recent episode of the Hidden Brain podcast, they help kids develop
identity, resilience, and self-worth. The more children know about their family’s past—not just the “big” stories like crossing oceans, but even the day-to-day moments and struggles—the more connected and grounded they become. Fivush and her colleagues at Emory University found that kids who know more family stories have higher self-esteem, greater emotional understanding, and a stronger sense of meaning and purpose. But it’s not just the information that matters...it’s the telling. When we sit
down and share what came before, we help kids feel like they’re part of something bigger, and that they belong. No AI can replicate that. A chatbot can write a story, sure. But it can’t tell your kids how Grandma’s meatloaf could’ve doubled as a construction material, or how two little girls in the 1950s turned a couple of ice cream cones into a front-porch endurance contest. So this year, make a point of telling your kids about your family's shared history:
about mistakes, about perseverance, about love, about dessert. Connection doesn’t have to be complicated: Just pull up a chair, pass the cookies, and pass down the stories.
—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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Celebrate your child's special day in style at Giggles & Glam Salon in Hendersonville, TN! Our all-inclusive birthday party packages turn dreams into reality with themed celebrations like Glitz & Glam and Camp Glam. Each two-hour party includes exclusive use of our decorated party room, dedicated party coordinators, cupcakes, drinks, and personalized party favors. The birthday child receives a special tiara and sash, making them feel like royalty. Guests enjoy makeovers, games, karaoke, and more, ensuring a memorable experience for all. With options to customize and add extra guests, we make party planning stress-free and fun. Book your unforgettable celebration today at gigglesandglamsalon.com!
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Experience full-throttle family fun at Monster Jam®, where these 12,000-pound monster trucks tear up the dirt in intense competitions of speed and skill. Witness world-class drivers demonstrate technical skills in fierce head-to-head battles for the Event Championship. You will be close to the action with many of your favorites like the legendary Grave Digger®, innovative Max-D, mighty Megalodon® and more, as they push the limits in Freestyle, Skills, Donut and Racing competitions. Monster Jam also features breathtaking Freestyle Motocross exhibitions. Unexpected. Unscripted. Unforgettable. This is Monster Jam.
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Join us for Preds Day at the Nashville Zoo on Saturday, January 17! Fans can enjoy Gnash appearances, Preds giveaways, Smashville Street Team and hockey shot on net. Photos with Gnash are available next to the SMASHVILLE Ice Rink inside the Zoo at the following times: SMASHVILLE Loyal: 11 a.m. to noon. General Public 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Preds fans enjoy an exclusive discount! Use code PREDS5 at checkout for $5 off each adult & child Zoo admission. Available online or at the Zoo Box Office for fans wearing Preds gear. Available online or at the Zoo Box Office for fans wearing Preds gear.
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Join us for a magical journey into the deep, dark wood with The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child! Based on Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s beloved story, this enchanting performance brings the tale of the clever little mouse and the fearsome Gruffalo to life with a live orchestra and stunning on-screen illustrations. The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child composed by Philip Mackenzie. Perfect for families, this heartwarming adventure is full of humor, bravery, and unforgettable music. Don’t miss this chance to experience a classic story like never before—through the power of music!
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Celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at our MLK Day Cultural Heritage Day on Monday, January 19th. Admission is just $5.00, with free entry for members. Enjoy meaningful activities such as an MLK scavenger hunt, a service project for veterans, Civil Rights storytimes, and Peace Dove crafts. Explore the “Walk in His Shoes” stair exhibit, contribute to the “Grow Together” mural, and share your dreams on the Dream Wall alongside Collegiate 100. With generous support from the Nissan Foundation, Cultural Heritage Days provide a wonderful opportunity to learn about the diverse cultures in our community and celebrate unity, service, and understanding together.
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- Kidsville Storybook Walk - 2500 West End Avenue, Nashville, Sat, 01/16/2026 to Sun, 01/18/2026, Park hours, 6 AM - 8 PM
- Teen Board Game Club - Linebaugh Public Library, Murfreesboro, Fri, 01/16/2026, 3:30-4:30 PM
- Richland Park Farmers Market - Richland Park Farmers' Market, 4711 Charlotte Avenue, Nashville, Sun, 01/17/2026, April - December, 9am to 12pm | January - March 10am-12pm
- Architecture Tour at Frist Art
Museum - Frist Art Museum, 919 Broadway – Downtown, Nashville, Sun, 01/17/2026 to Mon, 01/18/2026, 3:30 pm
- Storytime in the Children’s Gallery - Tennessee State Museum - Tennessee State Museum, Nashville, Sun, 01/17/2026, 10:30
a.m.
- Lego Jr. Club - Linebaugh Public Library, Murfreesboro, Sun, 01/17/2026, 10-11 AM
- Teen Gaming Club - 105 W Vine St, Murfreesboro, Sun, 01/17/2026, 2-3:30 PM
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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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Winter is here and fun options for families just keep getting better! Whether you stick with what you love or decide to try something new, KidsOutAndAbout has plenty of ideas. From Ice skating, kid-friendly museums, indoor play centers, and outdoor
activities to thinking ahead to next year's school options - we've got you covered.
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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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