KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
Peace can come in many textures during the holidays. For some, it’s the energizing bustle of concerts and community events, or the warmth of a crowded house full of voices and motion. For others, it’s the stillness of a walk through snow-covered woods, a soft blanket at home, or the quiet company of someone who understands them. It shifts from person to person, and sometimes
even from one day to the next. Peace can be internal, external, or, at its best, a bit of both: a sense that life makes sense, within and around us. It’s easier to feel when we’re free from hardship, but even in the midst of challenge, it’s sometimes possible to find a quiet kind of peace when we know we’ve done our best with the time and energy we’ve been given. Peace can be elusive for parents; after all, we're the ones in charge of figuring out how to
make the family rhythm and flow work for everyone, and what brings peace to our kids may look nothing like what brings it to us. Maybe your son needs to be out with friends while you crave stillness. Maybe your daughter is hoping to hide in a corner with a book while you're in full-on glitter-and-cookie mode with all the cousins. Parenting is the art of balance, of helping everyone in the family thrive by seeing who they really are and doing our best to honor it. It's not easy, and it's never
perfect, but we try. When kids feel known—when they hear “I see that you love this, that you need this, and I’ll help you find your way to it”—they flourish. That sense of being understood can be its own kind of peace. So as the season winds to a close, I wish you whatever kind of holiday rhythm helps you feel most like you. And I hope you’ll find moments to offer that same gift to those around you. When we make space for each other’s version of peace, it’s
more likely to find its way into the room.
—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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Walk through a winter wonderland where over 3.5 million twinkling lights light up the Zoo. Discover dazzling displays featuring festive decorations and enchanting illuminations. Bundle up, grab an adult beverage or hot chocolate, roast some s’mores, and stroll through 40 acres of illuminated pathways.
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Celebrate the Holidays at The EcoTarium December 24, 2025 10:00 am – 3:00 pm December brings an abundance of colorful lights, chilly weather, and over 21 globally recognized holidays. But what makes this part of the year so special? We’ll dive deep into the science of winter together on December 24, when the EcoTarium is open for FREE between 10:00 and 3:00.
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Experience one of New England's oldest Christmas traditions! Friday - Sunday November 28 - December 28, 2025. Steam trains, Christmas lights, food, local businesses and crafters, Santa, and vintage amusement rides.
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Perfect for all ages…a cherished holiday tradition returns with sparkle, magic, and Rhode Island flair. Join Clara on her enchanting journey from a festive Christmas Eve party to the dazzling Land of Sweets, where toy soldiers battle, snowflakes swirl, and dreams dance to life. With stunning choreography by Yury Yanowsky, beloved Tchaikovsky music, and a cast of Ballet RI company dancers and local youth, The Nutcracker is a timeless celebration of wonder, imagination, and the joy of the season.
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The Holiday Lights Spectacular returns to Olde Mistick Village! The largest holiday light display in southern New England is FREE to the public and will run through the end of January, 2026 starting at 5pm every evening. Over a half-million lights will decorate the Olde Mystic Village square of shops and restaurants for families and holiday enthusiasts to enjoy. Parking is also free.
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Santa Claus is on vacation and coming to Mystic Aquarium! That’s right—with Christmas wrapping up (get it?), the Big Guy will be here for photos decked out in his vaca-mode attire! Hawaiian shirt, shades, tropical drink…after all, we all need a break after the holidays! Photo ops with Santa on Vacation will available Dec. 26 through Dec. 31!
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Wild About Winter Vacation Week December 26 – December 30, 2025 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Do your snowflakes have six points or eight? And where did they come from in the first place? This winter vacation, celebrate the wonders of winter with us at the EcoTarium! Dive into the science of snow, curl up like a hibernating animal, or conduct a frigid experiment of your own. Don’t forget your mittens!
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We are celebrating National Visit the Zoo Day, with free daytime admission to all on Saturday, December 27th. Share the holiday spirit with the community by bringing non-perishable food items to benefit the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and receive free day-of entry to the Zoo! Cardi’s Furniture & Mattresses is generously donating a truck and staff to help collect and distribute all food items.
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- Friendship Bracelet Fridays! (Ages 8 +)- At Knight Memorial Library - Community Libraries of Providence: Knight Memorial Library - Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI, Friday, December 26, 2025, 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
- A Brush with Trees at
Blithewold Paintings by Paul Olson - Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum - 101 Ferry Rd, Bristol, RI, Fri 12/26 - Sun 12/28, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- December StoryWalk® at WEAVER - 41 Grove Avenue, East Providence, RI, Fri 12/26 - Sun 12/28,
8:00am
- Visit the Zoo Day Food Drive (free Zoo admission) - Roger Williams Park Zoo & Carousel Village - Providence, RI - Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI, Saturday, December 27, 2025, 10:00 am - 3:00 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 Providence. 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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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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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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