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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Realms of Inquiry is a cooperative learning community for grades 6–12 in Taylorsville dedicated to nurturing bright, creative, independent thinkers. With small class sizes, mentor‐guided learning, and opportunities for project-based, outdoor, and international programs, students help design a learning path that fits their interests and learning style. Realms offers accredited academics as well as real-world experiences—whether that’s exploring nature, leading in community projects, or discovering new cultures abroad. If you want an education where your student is seen, supported, and challenged, we invite you to visit us and learn more. Contact us at frontdesk@realmsofinquiry.org or 801-467-5911. Click on the image for more information.
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Step into the quiet of the Village and feel what Christmas was like in an era long forgotten. Candlelight Christmas celebrates the holiday season in a setting where the clock stopped over a century ago. Streets are filled with the sounds of the Heritage Carolers and familiar scents of Christmas fill the air. Unforgettable holiday activities take place in historic homes throughout the Village. Children enjoy a visit with Father Christmas, and parents can see if their little ones are on the naughty or nice list! In the peace of the Village the live nativity will touch the hearts of young and old alike. Explore the Gift Shop and the ZCMI Candy and Toy Shop for unique finds and sweet treats. Be sure to stop by Brigham's Donuts—you’ll smell them before you see them. Candlelight Christmas is an event you’ll look forward to for years to come.
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Ho-ho-hold onto your sleighs—because here comes Santa Claus! Join us for a holly jolly concert packed with festive tunes, merry mischief, and a magical story starring one of Santa’s best helpers, Noël the Elf. Rumor has it, the big guy himself might drop by, straight from the North Pole! It’s “snow” much fun for the whole family, you’ll be fa-la-la-ing all the way home. Get your tickets early—this program sells out every year! Family Series concerts are roughly 60 minutes—perfect for wiggly bodies under 10—and include hands-on pre-concert activities in the lobby!
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Celebrate the Winter Solstice with us, marking the shortest day and longest night of the year! Join in the festivities by creating sun catchers and intricate paper snowflakes. We'll also explore the magic of polymers by making Insta-Snow, adding a fun, scientific twist to our celebration. These engaging activities offer a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the changing seasons and appreciate the natural beauty of winter.
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Join us for the holiday tradition of Clara dancing through her meeting of the Rat King, the Snow Queen, and finally into land of the Sugarplum Fairy. Raymond Van Mason choreographed Imagine Ballet Theatre's Production of The Nutcracker in 2007, which has been in Ogden for 18 years now. The show features local community dancers, guest artists spanning the Wasatch Front, and live music from the New American Philharmonic Orchestra.
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Annually, on December 21st, we experience the darkest day of the year. It's also the perfect day to appreciate and celebrate human reason and ingenuity. Why celebrate reason or ingenuity? Without them there would be no lightbulbs, indoor toilets,
antibiotics, baby monitors, or eye glasses. Grim!
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- Santa on Towne Center Drive -The City of South Jordan - The City of South Jordan - 1600 West Towne Center Drive, South Jordan, UT, December 19-20, 2025, See website for details
- Third Saturday for Families - Utah Museum of Fine
Arts - Utah Museum of Fine Arts - 410 Campus Center Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, December 20, 2025, 1 pm – 4 pm
- Free mini photo session with Shoott! - Salt Lake City area - Shoott - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, December 20-21, 2025, See link for times
- Swaner's Sunday Craft - Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter - 1258 Center Drive, Park City, UT, December 21, 2025, 11am
- Candy Windows - City of South Jordan, UT - City of South Jordan, UT - South Jordan, UT, December 19-21, 2025, See website for details
- Christmas Light Display in The Orchard - University Place - Orem, UT - University
Place, East University Parkway, Orem, UT, December 19-21, 2025, See website for details.
- Grand Gingerbread Village at the Outlets at Traverse Mountain - Outlets at Traverse Mountain, Cabela's Boulevard, Lehi, UT, December 19-21, 2025, See website for details
- Write Letters to
Santa Claus - The Shops at South Town - The Shops at South Town - The Shops at South Town, State Street, Sandy, UT, December 19-21, 2025, See website for details
- Christmas Village 2025 - Ogden City, Utah - 2549 Washington Blvd, Ogden, UT, December 19-21, 2025, See website for details.
- Free Hot Cocoa at Chocolate Covered Wagon - Gardner Village, 1100 W 7800 S, West Jordan, Utah, December 19-21,
2025, See website for details
- Elf Displays and Scavenger Hunt 2025 at Gardner Village - Gardner Village - Gardner Village, 1100 W 7800 S, West Jordan, Utah, December 19-21, 2025, See website for details
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As you're considering gifts for family and friends, consider giving the gift of a family membership to one of our local attractions. 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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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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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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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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