KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Thu, Dec 25: Portland Spirit Christmas Day Cruise
Fri, Dec 26: A Popcorn Solstice at Portland Youth Philharmonic
Mon, Dec 29: Off the Wall //
Procreate Drawing, Animation, & AR Storytelling at PAM CUT - Center for an Untold Tomorrow
Wed, Dec 31: Kids' New Year's Eve at Patricia Reser Center for the Arts
Sat, Jan 3: Amahl & the Night Visitors at Ping & Woof Opera
Sat, Jan 3: Pegasus and the Stories of the Stars (A puppet show for everyone!) at Pegasus Puppet Theatre
Sun, Jan 4: Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Missing Maestro at Oregon Symphony
Mon, Jan 5: Japanese Storytime at Bethany Library
Sat, Jan 10: Portland Metro Reptile Expo at the DoubleTree Hotel Portland
Fri, Jan 16: FAN EXPO Portland 2026 at the Oregon Convention Center
Fri, Jan 16: Book Swap! - Kindred Vancouver
Sat, Jan 17: PAW Patrol Live! “A Mighty Adventure” at Veterans Memorial Coliseum |
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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Step into the magic wonderland of Whoville with festive lights, family-friendly fun, and guided tours through Scappoose’s holiday-themed historical Watts House Museum. The experience is free and is the perfect family tradition to boost your holiday cheer, now through Jan. 4! Inspired by the beloved Dr. Seuss book “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” every room of the Watts House Museum has been meticulously decorated and transformed into colorful and sparkling Whoville scenes. Whoville guided tours will be given to guests of all ages and reservations are not needed. Tours are available Wednesdays, 3-7 p.m., and Fridays-Sundays, 5-8 p.m. For more information about Whoville and times for photos with The Grinch, click on the image!
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This year’s theme, Christmas Through the Ages, invites you to celebrate holiday traditions across the centuries. Stroll among beautifully decorated trees, marvel at the gingerbread houses, and take in the charm of our winter village. The Museum Store is full of festive treats, and of course, Santa visits on Saturdays!
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Drive through a glimmering landscape with colorful characters and holiday icons in bold, beautiful lights. Plan your own seasonal playlist for more fun. Check back for updates on special events at Lightopia.
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Come and enjoy some holiday cheer! Visit the camels, llamas, goats, and donkeys. Pick up a pre-cut Christmas tree, garland, or wreath, and shop our holiday market. Enjoy bonfires, bar, and coffee shop. Santa Claus will also be making special appearances on select days so bring your kids and a camera!
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NEW FOR 2025! This year Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum will be hosting the McMinnville Chamber of Commerce’s Glide & Gather Skating Experience. This means we will begin our Goose Lights Holiday Celebration the Friday after Thanksgiving (November 28th) and run through December 31st this year.
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Vancouver Mall is proud to join the Centennial Real Estate National Campaign in partnership with One Warm Coat to spread warmth and kindness throughout our community this season. All coats collected at Vancouver Mall will benefit Love Our City, helping local individuals and families stay warm and safe this winter.
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December 13, 11 am - 3 pm: An open house is a great, low-pressure way to see the school for the first time! Drop in anytime during the open house- there’s no set schedule. Tour our beautiful classrooms and outdoor learning spaces, experience hands-on activities inspired by Waldorf education, learn about our curriculum that integrates academics, arts, and nature, and meet our teachers, staff, and current families.
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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 Portland 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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Portland's big list of 2025 holiday events: Christmas concerts, lights, trees, nativities, and more. . . plus activities for Chanukah, Kwanzaa, and New Year's Eve. The activities we've listed here
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- Mike Bennett's Snow Day Village - Director Park - Google Maps, December 12-14, 2025, 11 am - 7 pm
- Christmas Trees at Frog Pond Farm - Frog Pond Farm - Google Maps, December 12-14, 2025, 9 am - 5 pm
- Whoville Comes to Life for the Holidays - Scappoose Historical Society - Google Maps, December 12-14, 2025, Fridays-Sundays, 5-8 pm
- Free mini photo session with Shoott! - Portland area - Shoott - Google Maps, December 13-14, 2025, see link for times
- Board Game Club at Camas Public Library - Camas Public Library
- Google Maps, December 13, 2025, 2 pm - 4 pm
- Lloyd Center Mall Crawl - Lloyd Center Mall - Google Maps, December 13, 2025, 11 am - 7 pm
- Open Saturday - Education Center on Pearson Field (Airway Science for Kids) - Google Maps, December 13, 2025, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Bard Storytime with the Bard! | Wonderwood
Springs - Wonderwood Springs - Google Maps, December 13, 2025, 11 am - 12 pm
- Dungeons and Dragons - Cedar Mill Library - Cedar Mill Library - Google Maps, December 13, 2025, 1 pm - 3 pm
- Christmas on the Campground - 5414 Southeast Duke Street - Google Maps, December 13-14, 2025, gates open 5:00-8:00 pm, activities end 8:30
pm
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There are lots of places to have a birthday party in the Portland area! Start thinking outside the box! KidsOutAndAbout has dozens (and dozens) of ideas! Also includes the areas of Lake Oswego, West Linn, Beaverton, Clackamas, Tigard, Tualatin, Milwaukie,
Oregon City, and Hillsboro.
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2025's best places to take kids in the Portland area: In early summer each year, thousands of parents vote in KidsOutAndAbout's survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids. Our Top 20 results page is an annotated list of the winners, both of the top 20 slots
and of the three category winners.
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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