KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
When my husband and I started planning a family, we talked a lot about the kind of parents we hoped to be. Naturally, we looked back on our own childhoods. David had story after story about his parents—their quirks, what they cared about, who they were. But when I tried to do the same, I came up oddly blank. I could tell you what I loved as a kid, but not much about what made my own
parents’ hearts sing. I remembered that my dad had a garden when I was little, but I couldn’t say whether he enjoyed digging in the dirt, liked making things grow, or was just trying to save money on vegetables. That realization stuck with me. I didn’t want my kids to grow up seeing me as a blur in the background of their story; I wanted them to see me clearly: as someone who had favorite things, real interests, and a sense of enjoyment they could understand. I wanted them to
grow up expecting that adulthood could be full of that, too... all of the vivid experiences that make up the inner life of a regular person, especially the joys. I started using the phrase "live what you love" as a kind of parenting guidepost. Our kids are always watching, taking cues about what adulthood looks like. If all they ever see is grownups stressed, rushing, and tired, they’ll assume that’s the default. But if they also see us delighted by a song, energized by a
game, inspired by something we've learned, genuinely laughing with people we love... that’s powerful. It shows them that joy isn’t something you age out of, it’s something you grow into. The holidays are packed with tasks and to-do lists, but they’re also full of opportunities for joy. So tune your radar to what YOU love, and if you catch yourself smiling at paper snowflakes or belting out a corny carol, don’t downplay it. Let yourself have that moment. When your kids see the
joy you've just pushed into the room; it's a gift to their present and to their 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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Ear infections are the most common reason kids visit the doctor—but did you know that only 1 in 3 suspected cases is actually an ear infection? WavelyDx helps you know before you go. This FDA-listed app turns your iPhone into an easy, at-home tool that checks for ear infections by playing soft sounds into the ear. Just tape an Ear Tip onto your iPhone, point it gently down your child’s ear canal, and in seconds you’ll see a result: “Likely” or “Unlikely.” Or, visit wavelydx.com/start-here to order Ear Tips. When you install the app, use code UTAHKIDS for your first month free.(Android coming soon)
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MagicSpace presents GENTRI Christmas. Celebrate 10 years of GENTRI Christmas with a spectacular anniversary show! Enjoy their soaring harmonies and masterful storytelling as they bring beloved classics like O Holy Night, Little Drummer Boy, and Silent Night to life, along with brand-new, never-before-heard music premiering exclusively on this tour. Experience the magic, music, and meaning of Christmas like never before! - Organization: Cache Valley Center for the Arts
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Quiet Santa is returning to University Place! Children with sensory sensitivity have the opportunity to spend one-on-one time with Quiet Santa. This is located in a special location for sensory sensitive children. One in five Utah children experience sensory sensitivity. This is an opportunity for them to take part in a holiday tradition without overwhelming them with the typical crowds and noise. Our Quiet Santa is ready to let the child lead in their interaction and is happy to take direction from caregivers on an individual basis. When you register for a 20 minute time slot you are signing up 1 (one) family. This means you are able to bring your family, not just you and your child. This 20 minutes is for your family. This is a complimentary visit with Santa and participants will take their own photos. Registration is based on a combination of need and first come first serve basis. The UVU Melisa Nellesen Center for Autism will be handling the registration. - Organization:…
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Come join us at The Shops at South Town for a jolly good time with Santa himself! Bring the whole family for a magical morning filled with delicious donuts, hot cocoa, and festive fun. Santa will be there to share a special Christmas storytime, and Mrs. Claus will join him for an extra dose of holiday cheer! Enjoy face painting, balloon artists, and hands-on crafts with Santa’s cheerful elves straight from the North Pole. Plus, get ready for special guests from Arendelle — Elsa and Anna — who will make this winter morning even more enchanting! There will be music, holiday magic, and plenty of photo opportunities to make this a morning you’ll never forget. So grab your mittens and your Christmas spirit, and join us for Donuts with Santa — the sweetest way to kick off the holiday season!- Organization: The Shops at South Town - Sandy, UT
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The Dickens' Festival is not just another craft show, but a unique and unusual entertainment and shopping experience. Olde English shops, hundreds of period costumes, fortune tellers, orphans, royalty, and Father Christmas all combine to offer our guests a Christmas experience like no other! We carefully select each of our vendors to ensure a completely unique market experience set in the Victorian Era. As you wander through the streets of Olde London, you will see each of our vendors with vintage booths and dressed in Victorian dresses, hats, and trousers. Each of our vendors dresses the part as you wander through the streets of Olde London. You may even encounter Queen Victoria herself!- Organization: Dickens Christmas Festival
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It's the one event, the one time a year... It's the Nutcracker! Be part of America's favorite holiday celebration and tradition...and journey with Clara as she travels to the Sugar Plum Fairy's Castle to the Land of the Sweets dancing to the beautiful and captivating music of Tchaikovsky. "The Nutcracker Ballet" is the height of the holiday tradition where families and friends of all ages will be delighted with Julie Moffitt Ballet School's performance where it is always new and always magical. The JMBS Nutcracker Ballet captures the best of the imagination and delight of the entire family, the most entertaining fun and affordable event this holiday season! - Organization: Peery's Egyptian Theater - Ogden, UT
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Join us for First Friday Fono. In these monthly meetings we will be discussing many of the legends of the Pacific Islands and other important subjects. Our discussions take place around a bowl of kava. Kava is a non alcoholic drink consumed throughout the Pacific in ceremonial and social settings. It is made from the roots of the piper methysticum plant. It can bring relief to anxiety, mood swings and more. It is also known as the “drink of peace” because of it’s ability to relieve stress and reduce anxiety, promotor relaxation, and being mental clarity all without creating dependency. Because of these properties many difficult discussions could take place around a bowl of kava while still maintaining peace. - Organization: Tracy Aviary's Nature Center at Pia Okwai
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Come and shop our Lindon holiday market! Our event is featuring local small businesses, artists, makers, and curators. Join us in celebrating the most wonderful time of the year! Santa Claus will be there! Find Christmas and Thanksgiving themed goodies, support your local community, enjoy a girl's day out, bring your family/friends, and shop small! Get gifts for Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, loved ones, or just treat yourself! There will be food trucks, yummy treats, permanent jewelry, a custom charm and hat bar, home goods, clothing/accessories, self care products, jewelry, art, children's items, pet goods, crochet, 3d prints, pottery, and more. Themed goodie bags will be given to the first 50 shoppers filled with free gifts and coupons to use at the vendor booths! Enter giveaways all day to win prizes from our vendors! FREE to attend. Event is indoors, service animals only inside the building. - Organization: Creator's Collective Market
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Salt Lake City 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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KidsOutAndAbout is Salt Lake City's online guide to everything for kids, teens, and families! The activities we've listed here are confirmed for this year, but many require reserving ahead of time,
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- Holiday Market - Draper, UT - Draper Park - 80 Washington
Av, Hastings on Hudson, NY 10706, Friday: 5 pm - 8 pm, Saturday: 12 pm - 8 pm
- Eclipse 6 Christmas Concert - Free Community Event! - Butler Middle School - South 2700 East, Cottonwood Heights, UT, Friday, December 5, 2025, 7:30PM-9:00PM
- Light The Night 2025 - The City of South Jordan - 1600 West Towne Center Drive, South Jordan, UT, Friday, December 5, 2025, 6 pm - 8 pm
- Santa on Towne Center
Drive -The City of South Jordan - 1600 West Towne Center Drive, South Jordan, UT, Friday, December 5, 2025 and Saturday, December 6, 2025, see website for details
- Letters to Santa - City of South Jordan, UT - South Jordan City Hall - West Towne Center Drive, South Jordan, UT, Friday, December 5, 2025
and Saturday, December 6, 2025, see website for details
- Annual Holiday Open House & Art Fair - Red Butte Garden and Arboretum - 300 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, Saturday, December 6, 2025 and Sunday, December 7, 2025, see website for details
- Silent Santa - Lehi City, UT - 100 E Main St, Lehi, UT, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 10 am - 4 pm
- Tuba Christmas - Brigham Young (BYU) Arts - Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 12 pm
- Creator's Collective Lindon Holiday Market - 25 N Main St, Lindon, UT, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 11 am - 4 pm
- Swaner's Sunday Craft - Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter - 1258 Center Drive, Park City, UT 84098, Sunday, December 7, 2025, 11am
- Free mini photo session with Shoott! - Salt Lake City area - Shoott - Broadway, New York, NY, Saturday, December 7, 2025, see link for times
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Salt Lake City 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 Top 20 Places to Take Kids in the Salt Lake City area. Our Top 20 results page includes a list of your top picks, including winners in special categories like Top Arts Educator, Top Sports Educator, and Top STEM Educator! Check out your fellow
readers' favorites, and enjoy exploring the best of the region!
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Here's to seizing opportunities to learn wherever they appear!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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