KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
It's often said that parenting is a "thankless" job. In one sense, that's undeniably true, because it will likely be many years before the young humans you're raising—the ones who actually have a stake in the outcome of the excellent job you're doing—are in a position to thank you. So you don't hear that phrase often during the first couple of decades of parenthood.
My fervent wish
for the future is to live in a world filled with engaged, culturally literate, productive, happy people. This means that what I said above isn't precisely accurate: It's not only your kids who have a stake in your parenting success, we ALL do, because the path to that future starts NOW for the young people in your orbit. So I'm grateful that you care about getting them "out and about" to the wide variety of experiences available in your community: It will make all
the difference.
Our job here at KidsOutAndAbout.com is to help you do that as easily as possible. In 2001, I created the original version of this web platform that now connects 15 million people each year with their area's activities and resources. My team gets to see it all up-close and personal as local businesses post to KidsOutAndAbout through their free listings, and then we get to turn around and shout about them to y'all, bringing your community closer to you.
So I want to
step in for the rest of the world that's not (yet) thanking you, and say it to you today: Thank you so much for what you're doing. Raising kids is hard in any era, but no one could have anticipated all the roadblocks that a pandemic would toss onto our path.
As anyone who knows me knows, I'm endlessly looking for reasons to celebrate. So today, I'm celebrating YOU with my digital megaphone and pom-poms. You're doing a great job. Future Deb sends her thanks,
too.
—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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Just a minute of your time could make a big impact. KidsOutAndAbout.com is conducting a short survey to better understand how families are navigating the fast-changing world of AI. We're asking all parents, grandparents, and caregivers-whether you're
tech-savvy or not-to weigh in.
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‘Tis the season for Irvine Park Railroad’s annual Christmas Train. Come with family and friends and take this enchanting ride through historic Irvine Regional Park to meet Santa Claus. The train will depart from the train station and drop passengers off at the North Pole. Children can share their wish list with Santa; yu may take pictures with your personal camera or you may purchase a photo taken by Irvine Park Railroad. The Christmas Train requires reservations that are available for purchase online only.
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L.A. Zoo Lights is L.A.’s wildest holiday tradition. Guests immerse themselves in a dazzling world of lantern sculptures and lights, with exciting new elements that will delight and entertain the entire family. In 2025 the event brings guests through a holiday themed wonderland; the weird and wonderful world of plants and pollinators featuring larger than life birds, butterflies, insects and flowers; glowing lanterns depicting wildlife of Southeast Asia; and an African landscape that includes representation of the continent’s iconic regions and wildlife, all illuminated by spectacular sculptural lights.
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A Pre-Meal Celebration of Turkeys! We are ecstatic to announce that this year, on November 24th, 2022 from 10a-1p, we will continue our gentle thanksgiving at all three Gentle Barn locations-- with a twist!* We are inviting you on Thanksgiving Day to cuddle our turkeys, feed them treats, join us for pie, and games, and celebrate life, love, and liberty with our majestic turkeys who should have been cherished throughout history for their intelligence, affection, and dynamic personalities.
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Terranea’s annual Thanksgiving Celebration offers a luxurious dining experience with live music in the stylish Palos Verdes Grand Ballroom.
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Santa may still be soaking up the summer sun (yes, even the North Pole has a beach day), but it's never too early to plan your perfect holiday photo op! Montclair Place is bringing the magic back this season, and now’s your chance to be ahead of the holiday hustle. Whether you’re dreaming of matching PJs, a classic candy cane pose, or just need proof that you're on the Nice List—lock in your moment with the man in red before his sleigh even gets fueled.
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Movies have captivated our attention and emotions for over 100 years. Come celebrate cinema on a 30-minute guided tour of select galleries which feature the exciting, diverse, and complex stories of filmmakers from around the world. Dive into the worlds of Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer, the creative production designing duo behind films such as Barbie (2023), Beauty and the Beast (2017), and Anna Karenina (2012), and their partnership in building immersive and breathtaking worlds. Tour guides use voice amplifiers to enhance sound accessibility.
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Jurassic Quest is ROARING into a city near you!
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Family Crafting at Rediscover Center Mid City is open to the public, providing access to crafting tools and materials with a new facilitated activity each week. Come tour the makerspace, meet the Mid City staff, make a project, and add to the Suggestions Board with your ideas on how the community can use this new resource in Central LA. We stock your table with curated recycled materials and "rediscovered" offcuts and scraps from local manufacturers, along with freshly sanitized crafting tools and kid-friendly fasteners. Learn new techniques from reDiscover's amazing Facilitators, take inspiration from one of our creative prompts, or come in with a project in mind and let us help you make something amazing. Our Facilitators are experienced artists and educators, ready to teach crafting and assemblage techniques, supervise safe tool use, and get you making projects as wild as your imagination!
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Mellano Farm Stand is open Thursday through Sunday, from 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM, unless otherwise noted for special closures.
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Illusionist David Garrity presents “Magic & Beyond.” This performance is appropriate for all ages. “Magic & Beyond” is a one-person illusion show that features unique, theatrical and visual magic, audience participation, and comedy to a custom-edited musical soundtrack.
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“In Bloom: Flowers in Contemporary Art” premieres at Forest Lawn Museum on September 20, 2025. While artists have been depicting flowers for thousands of years, this exhibition explores a range of contemporary artistic approaches to the subject. Featuring paintings, sculptures, installations, and video, the artworks vary dramatically, from naturalistic to abstract, and from playful to contemplative.
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Private and alternative schools in and around Orange County, CA cater to every educational need and parent philosophy. This is KidsOutAndAbout's education highlight page, containing specially featured schools and also our master list of local schools. If your school is not on our list but should be, please email us at ross@kidsoutandabout.com.
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Private Schools in and around Orange County, California: Try it before you buy it... and even before you visit! This is KidsOutAndAbout.com's video sneak peek into local private school experiences. If your school should have a video on this page, please send a link to the school's video on YouTube or Vimeo to ross@kidsoutandabout.com.
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The Orange County 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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- Farmers Market - Runway Playa Vista - Runway Playa Vista - 12775 Millennium Drive, Playa Vista, CA 90094, Friday, November 28, 2025, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm PST
- Free mini photo
session with Shoott! - Irvine & Orange County - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, USA, Friday, November 28, 2025 to Sunday, November 30, 2025, see link for times
- Family Paint Event - Newton T. Bass Apple Valley Branch Library - Apple Valley Newton T. Bass Branch Library - 14901 Dale Evans Pkwy, Apple Valley, CA 92307, Saturday, November 29, 2025, 3:00 pm
- Terranea Resort’s Annual Tree Lighting - Terranea Resort - 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, Saturday, November 29, 2025, 4:30 pm - 7:00 pm
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Orange County 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 best places to take kids in the Orange County, CA area. Each May-June, thousands of parents vote in the KidsOutAndAbout survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids. Who won the top spot? An indoor play center, museum, farm, nature center, sports team?
Click through to find out!
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Here's to seizing opportunities to learn wherever they appear!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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