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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Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet offers exceptional classical ballet training in a nurturing, professional environment for dancers of all ages and levels. For students ages 8 and up, PAB builds strong foundations in technique, discipline, and confidence while refining precision, musicality, and performance quality. Our expert teachers provide personalized instruction to challenge each dancer and support steady progress. With small class sizes, advanced performance opportunities, and a community of motivated peers, PAB prepares students for success in auditions, competitions, and future training. Ballet at PAB is an investment in your child’s growth, resilience, and lifelong love of dance.
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MOMIX: Alice Fri, Dec 12 @ 10:30 AM | All ages Go down the rabbit hole with MOMIX! Alice uses vivid imagery, imaginative costumes and awe-inspiring movement to create a fantastical Wonderland complete with the Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts, White Rabbit and more favorites.
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No musical expertise is required! Lend your voice, stroll along 6300 Germantown Avenue. Sing carols with businesses and neighbors. Embrace the joy of the season and distribute food baskets to area families. Enjoy hot cider and cookies after the stroll!
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Glencairn Museum’s World Nativities exhibition showcases Nativity scenes from around the globe, reflecting diverse cultures and faith traditions. Many settings are crafted by Bryn Athyn artist Kathleen Glenn Pitcairn. Glencairn Museum’s annual World Nativities exhibition presents dozens of three-dimensional Nativity scenes collected from around the world. For many Christians, the Nativity scene is a meaningful expression of religious faith, providing a compelling visual focus during the Christmas season. World Nativities shows how artists adapt the Nativity scene to represent their own spiritual, intellectual, cultural, and regional environments. Settings for many of the Nativities have been created by Bryn Athyn artist Kathleen Glenn Pitcairn.
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The Wanamaker Light Show and Dickens Village will be returning for the 2025 holiday season! The Wanamaker Light Show presented by PECO is a Philadelphia holiday tradition dating back half a century, housed in the historic Wanamaker Building. The free show uses more than 100,000 LED lights to project snowflakes, ballerinas and reindeer upon a four-story-high velvet curtain in the Grand Court atrium, accompanied by festive music from the world-renowned Wanamaker Grand Organ.
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Beloved Holiday Tradition
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All aboard for a magical afternoon at Winterfest 2025 — a free, family-friendly celebration inspired by the spirit of the holidays. Bring your family and friends to experience the joy of the season with us at the King of Prussia Town Center. Whether you're taking a photo with Santa, hopping aboard the train, or simply soaking in the sights and sounds of the holidays — it’s an afternoon you won’t want to miss!
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This holiday season, join The Lady Hoofers Tap Ensemble, Philadelphia’s own all-women tap company, for The Tapcracker! Hailed as a “real delight” (ThINKing Dance), this all-tap version of the holiday favorite has “taken its rightful place among the Philadelphia holiday traditions on the Avenue of the Arts” (Broad Street Review).
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The Comcast Center Campus brings the magic of the holidays to life in the heart of Philadelphia. For the 2025 season, beloved traditions including “The Comcast Holiday Spectacular” will be offered alongside a free cinematic experience at The Universal Sphere starring characters from DreamWorks Animation’s Shrek.
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For more than 32 seasons, Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest has been Philadelphia's favorite wintertime tradition on the Delaware River Waterfront. It invites visitors to indulge in flights of fancy under thousands of sparkling lights in a wonderland with spectacular views of the Delaware River.
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See the Holiday Garden Railway at night for an even more spectacular experience! With laser lights in the trees and sparkling lights along the railway, HGR: Nighttime Express is a must-see. Available only with advance tickets.
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See the Zoo Come to Light! Philadelphia Zoo’s nature-inspired light show, LumiNature presented by PNC, returns for another holiday season of whimsical wildlife scenes come to light. Experience dazzling displays featuring your favorite creatures, play and dance with roaming animal characters, indulge in festive holiday fare, and more. All visits support animal conservation around the world!
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A Very Furry Christmas at Sesame Place is a festive, family-friendly celebration with everyone’s favorite Sesame Street friends. The park is transformed into a one-of-a-kind Christmas wonderland with millions of twinkling lights, whirling rides, and festive decorations all around. Sing and dance along at special Christmas shows and a spectacular music and light show at our 30-foot 1-2-3 Christmas Tree. Don’t miss the fantastic Sesame Street Christmas Parade with festive floats decorated for the celebration and a show-stopping performance that will have everyone getting merry and having lots of holiday fun. Enjoy savory Christmas menus, shop for holiday gifts, visit Santa in his Furry Workshop, and get one-of-a-kind photos with everyone’s furry friends dressed in their holiday best!
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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 Philadelphia 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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- Holiday Carol Sing & Food Basket Give-a-way - Johnson House Historic Site - 6306 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19144-1908, Friday, December 12, 2025, 4 - 5:30 pm
- Habitat Stewards at Newlin Grist Mill - Newlin Grist Mill -
219 South Cheyney Road, Glen Mills, PA 19342, Saturday, December 13, 2025, 1-3 pm
- Jingle & Mingle with Santa at
Franklin Square Park - Franklin Square, North 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, Saturday, December 13, 2025, 5 - 7 pm
- Winterfest 2025 at King of Prussia Town Center - King of Prussia Town Center, Village Drive, King of Prussia, PA, Saturday, December 13, 2025, 2 - 5 pm
- Free mini photo session with Shoott! - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, Friday, December 12, 2025 to Sunday, December 14, 2025, See link for times
- Visit Santa - Main Street Mercantile - 62 N Main St, Fairport, NY 14450, Sunday, December 14, 2025, 1PM -
3PM
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Philadelphia 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 and around Philadelphia, based on KidsOutAndAbout's annual reader survey. But there is LOTS more to do in Philly! Get great ideas here at KidsOutAndAbout.com! What is listed below are just the starting point: Browse
through our site and calendar to find lots more!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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