KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Tue, Dec 16: The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight at Boch
Center - Wang Theatre
Tue, Dec 16: Holiday Open House! at Boston Public Library - Faneuil
Wed, Dec 17: Seán Heely's Celtic Christmas at The Historic Park Theatre and Event Center
Fri, Dec 19: Twas the Night Before Christmas! at Providence Ballet Theatre
Fri, Dec 19: The Nutcracker at the VETS
Fri, Dec 19: Family Movie Night: The Polar Express at Clark Memorial Library
Sat, Dec 20: Cultural Survival Bazaar – A Festival of Indigenous Arts and Culture at WaterFire Arts Center
Sat, Dec 20: Winter Weekend at Mystic Aquarium
Sun, Dec 21: Community Carol Sing at Mystic Seaport Museum
Mon, Dec 22: Monday Matinee: Muppets Treasure Island - All Ages at Framingham Public Library - Main Branch
Mon, Dec 22: The Great Gingerbread House Build-Off! at Knight Memorial Library
Sat, Dec 27: Wild About Winter Vacation Week at EcoTarium
Tue, Dec 30: Frozen Sing-along at WEAVER
Wed, Dec 31: Providence New Year’s Eve Celebration and Illuminate PVD Fireworks Display
Wed, Dec 31: Noon Years Eve Celebration: Sensory Friendly! at Framingham Public Library - McAuliffe Branch
Sat, Feb 21: Lunar New Year Concert with the Boston Pops
Sun, Feb 22: The Winter Farmers Marketplace at Warwick Mall
Fri,
Feb 27: Overnight Snore & Roar at Roger Williams Park Zoo |
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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A Christmas tradition for the entire family. This one-night only event ushers in the true spirit of the Christmas season. Before the busyness begins, come and enjoy the best gifts of the holiday: music, dancing, laughter and love. This 90-minute variety-style production showcases new and classic selections, colorful costumes, and unforgettable characters. The Christmas Show lights up the stage featuring Trinity’s collection of artists, spanning all ages, inspiring joy and wonder to be cherished all season long.
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Join us in the teen are to make friendship bracelets! Beads and string will be provided, just bring your creativity! Everyone is welcome to keep the bracelets they make, or they can exchange bracelets right here in the library! Registration is encouraged, but not required. This program is suitable for children over eight!
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Santa is coming to Phillips House! Take a photo with Santa and see the elegant Chestnut Street mansion aglow with holiday cheer. Join us for a drop-in holiday craft workshop, where you can make festive creations to take home and even write your letter to Santa! Craft activities are recommended for families with children ages 4 to 10, but everyone is welcome to participate.
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Enjoy milk, cookies, and story time with Sturbridge resident and author Bill Barnsley, author of If Mice Pulled the Sleigh. Copies of the book can be purchased in advance or at the event, and Bill Barnsley will be signing books after the reading. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. After story time, embark on a journey through Christmas traditions past and present during Christmas by Candlelight (separate ticket required).
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Providence Artisans Holiday Sow at the WaterFire Arts Center, Saturday AND Sunday December 13 and 14, 10-4pm! 95 local artists with everything you need for all your last minute Holiday gifts!! Jewelry, paintings, ceramics, glass, clothing and accessories, mixed media and more! New Harvest Coffee and food trucks too! Free admission, free parking! The most Wonderful Time of the Year!!
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Join us on Sunday, December 14, 2025, for our Very Merry Marketplace in the Grand Ballroom of the Crowne Plaza in Warwick! This is a fantastic event to shop local and grab some last-minute unique and one of a kind gifts as well as stocking stuffers. There will be plenty of sweet treats, and don't forget to enjoy a horse and carriage ride while you're there!
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Interactive STEM Stations Families move freely between a variety of themed STEM stations—each offering a unique challenge or project. Activities may include: Building and testing simple machines Exploring magnetic and electrical circuits Engineering structures with KEVA planks, LEGO®, and other building tools Coding challenges on beginner-friendly robots Hands-on science investigations like chromatography, buoyancy tests, or chemical reactions
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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 Providence 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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Providence's big list of holiday events for 2025: Christmas concerts, lights, trees, nativities, and more. . . plus activities for Chanukah, Kwanzaa, and New Year's Eve. The activities we've listed
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- Drop-In Gaming Time (All Ages) - At Boston Public Library - Chinatown Branch - Chinatown Branch of the Boston Public Library - 2 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116, Friday, December 12, 2025, 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm
- Friendship Bracelet Fridays! (Ages 8 +)- At Knight Memorial Library - Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI, Friday, December 12, 2025, 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
- Providence Artisans Holiday Premiere - At WaterFire Arts Center - Valley Street, Providence, RI, Saturday, December
13, 2025, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Little Innovators Big Dreams: Snow Fluff ( Ages 8+) - At Framingham Public Library - Main Branch - Lexington Street, Framingham, MA, Saturday, December 13, 2025, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
- Holiday Markets - The Providence Flea - 10 Sims Avenue, Providence, RI, Sunday, December 14, 2025, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
- A Very Merry Marketplace -
Crowne Plaza Hotel - With We Be Jammin' Events - Greenwich Avenue, Warwick, RI, Sunday, December 14, 2025, 10:00 am - 3:30 pm
- Menorah Lighting - Warwick Mall - 400 Bald Hill Rd, Warwick, RI 02886, Sunday, December 14, 2025, 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Providence 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 Providence, based on KidsOutAndAbout's annual reader survey. This list provides some great ideas, but there is LOTS more to do in Providence, all year round: Our Top 20 results page only scratches the
surface!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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