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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Support local small businesses by browsing and buying handmade gifts, treats and crafts galore at this year's Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market Located on the west side of Philadelphia's City Hall, this year’s Holiday Market will feature a large variety of returning favorites and new additions of local artisans, designers, crafters and jewelers offering their unique, holiday-inspired handmade goods and gifts. The Market will be open from November 15, 2025 through January 1, 2026. Find the perfect gift for everyone on your list.
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‘Tis the season to make new family memories at Dutch Winter Wonderland. Enjoy 10+ activities and 20+ rides that make this award-winning holiday event more festive than ever. Marvel as the park is transformed into a festive winter spectacle! If you’re looking to make this holiday season extra special for your family, Dutch Winter Wonderland at Dutch Wonderland offers a perfect blend of festive magic and family-friendly fun. From cozy cookies with Santa to the sparkle of thousands of holiday lights, it’s a place where new traditions begin and cherished memories are made.
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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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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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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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This holiday season, Curio Theatre Company invites families to step into the story with HANSEL & GRETEL, a brand new Make & Partake Theatre Experience written by Paul Kuhn and directed by Mya Flood. Following the success of Jack and the Beanstalk and The Three Little Pigs, Curio continues its joyful, hands-on approach to storytelling that lets young audiences help create the magic live on stage.
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Celebrate the season with Delaware’s professional ballet company! Share in Marie’s holiday dream and experience a magical journey through a swirling snowstorm to the Land of Sweets in this lavish production.
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The Magicians are Coming! The "Misfits of Magic" are coming to the LuLu Shriners on December 20th. Audience participation makes you a part of the magical experience, especially for kids. Tickets are $22 at the door or $15 online. Get your tickets today!
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Take a picture with Santa right here at Winter in Franklin Square on Saturdays throughout December. He’ll be double-checking his list and posing for elfie-selfies, so make sure you’ve been nice this year! Bring your canine friends on December 20 for Santa Paws! Santa will take pictures with your pets on this special night of Jingle & Mingle with Santa!
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Join us for a Saturday with Santa! Children can meet Santa as he roams the Museum, and enjoy Duke Ellington’s rendition of the Nutcracker, as performed by the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra’s Jazz Ensemble.
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Celebrate the season with science! Step inside Creation Station, a pop-up build and play construction area where young explorers can let their creativity run wild. Sparkling lights, and festive trees surround large Imagination Playground blocks, KEVA planks and other fun building materials. Budding engineers can put their skills to the test in this limited-time space. Closes at 4pm daily.
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Create Victorian ornaments & holiday cards for FREE at HSG Museum! Seal your cards at our wax seal station. PLUS, meet Santa! This event is for ALL ages.
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Throughout Winter Break at the Museum from Dec. 21 through Jan. 5, join us for the final days of our Witness to Revolution: The Unlikely Travels of Washington's Tent special exhibition and to explore life during the winter months of the American Revolution with wintery scenes in Revolution Place, hands-on activities, engaging in-gallery talks, and more for the whole family.
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A beloved Philadelphia tradition returns as more than 100 local brass players fill the Kimmel Center Plaza with joyful holiday classics, glittering instruments, and festive cheer. Enjoy two free performances and experience the magic of the season surrounded by music and community spirit.
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Celebrate Hanukkah at Please Touch Museum! Take part in an interactive storytime with Bubbie Lisa as she shares “The Magic Latkes” and we honor the traditions of the Festival of Lights.
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Get ready for a gem of a holiday season. This Christmas, our Gardens are transformed into a living jewel box as radiant as the jewels and gems that inspired it. Nature and elegance intertwine as twinkling lights dance, hues of emerald green to ruby red to bold sapphire shimmer, and every path leads to a new treasure to behold. All that glitters is here, waiting to be discovered.
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- Free mini photo session with Shoott! - Philadelphia area - Shoott - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, USA, Friday, December 19, 2025 to Sunday, December 21, 2025, See link for times
- Winter Wonderland Family Swim - Goldfish Swim School - Middletown Boulevard, Langhorne, PA, Friday, December 19, 2025, 5pm to 7pm
- Gingerbread Competition & Display at
Peddler's Village - Peddler's Village - Peddlers Village, Lahaska, PA, Friday, December 19, 2025 to Sunday, December 21, 2025, Monday to Saturday 10 am - 9 pm/ Sunday 11 am - 7 pm/ Closes at 4 pm on Christmas Eve/ Closed on Christmas Day
- Bird Walks at Newlin Grist Mill - 219 South Cheyney Road, Glen Mills, PA, Saturday, December 20, 2025, 9-11am (Nov-Mar); 8-10am
(Apr-Oct)
- Schuylkill Saturdays:Guided Hike - Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education - Hagy's Mill Road, Philadelphia, PA 19128, Saturday, December 20, 2025, 11 am - 12 pm
- Free Victorian Ornament & Holiday Card Workshop (bonus: meet Santa!) - New Street, Philadelphia, PA, Saturday, December 20, 2025, 1PM
- Jingle & Mingle with Santa at Franklin Square
Park - North 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, Saturday, December 20, 2025, 5 - 7 pm
- Celebrating Ujaama: Kwanzaa Quizzo and Evening Bazaar at Franklin Square - North 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, Sunday, December 21, 2025, 5 - 8 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 in and around Philadelphia. 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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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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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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