KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
I'm in Phoenix this week for a meeting of the American Astronomical Society, where I'm giving a talk about my new book, The Eclipse Effect. One of the best parts of being here is getting to attend the other presentations, too, which is how I found myself Monday night inside under the Dorrance Planetarium Dome at the Arizona Science Center, gazing up at a sky unlike any I’ve ever seen. Thanks to cutting-edge LED projection technology and the first imagery from the nearly-complete Rubin Observatory in Chile, the dome became a portal into the depths of our galaxy and beyond,
rendered in light so vivid and detailed it felt like we could fall in. The room was full of astronomers, researchers, educators—professionals who have dedicated their careers to explaining the universe. These were the very people who helped build the tools, who'd worked the math, who’d waited decades to see the science take shape... and even they were astonished: Their faces were lit up with the kind of awe you usually only see in children. It was a reminder that at its
heart, science is about connection. Connecting those points of light above my head, yes; connecting the dots, sure... but also connecting people—to each other, to wonder, and to what’s possible. If you want your kids to connect deeply with science—or history, or nature, or culture, or space—you don’t need a telescope on a mountain, you just need a person. So go to the museum, walk the trail, step into the planetarium. But don’t stop at the
exhibit signs: Find the people! Ask them questions. They want to talk to you! These docents, tour guides, librarians, explainers, and educators are the ones who turn information into illumination. They are the lens your kids can look through to see what their future might be. So seek the sky painters. Then stand next to your kids, look up, and be amazed together.
—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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DreamWeek San Antonio (DWSA) is an annual, multi-day summit dedicated to celebrating humanity by creating environments for civil and civic engagement. Its core purpose is to foster the exchange of ideas and dreams for the common good, ultimately revealing the inherent “community genius” within San Antonio.
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Express yourself! Come to the library for creative, self-directed art activities.
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Enjoy the Premier Combo Package for $21.50 every Friday from 10 AM to 12 PM. Climb, zip, and explore Sky Trail®, Sky Rail®, and Clip ‘n Climb® at the Shops at Rivercenter.
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NO SCHOOL DAY - BOERNE ISD This is your child’s chance to paint on a real canvas board. During this guided painting lesson, your child will create a scene featuring one of his or her favorite days of the year…a snow day! Please pack a nut-free snack and drink for your child.
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Usually, books and water are a bad combination. But our Story & Swim program has proven that storytime and swimming is a unique and enjoyable pairing. Participants enjoy storytime, a craft or activity, and swim time with a certified swim instructor. Join us on the 1st Friday of the month (September - May) at the Schertz Aquatic Center. Parents are required to participate with children and accompany them in the pool. Registration required, sign up at the YMCA Welcome Center.
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Join us for a masterclass in learning how to craft a Snow Flake Lantern!! *Included with Museum admission while supplies last*
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Celebrate the creativity of our community’s youngest artists at the Children’s Art Gala on Saturday, January 10th from 1pm - 4pm at Landa Recreation Center. This special evening will showcase original artwork by participants ages 5–12, featuring a variety of mediums including painting, drawing, photography, and sculpture. Light refreshments will be provided, and families are encouraged to explore the gallery, enjoy the interactive art corner, and capture memories at the photo booth.
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Join us to enjoy 200+ local small business food, craft, farm & boutique vendors Saturday, January 10, 2026 from 9:30am - 2:30pm at Garden Ridge Market Days, located at Northeast Bible Church (19185 FM 2252, Garden Ridge, TX 78266) just NE of San Antonio. FREE admission, parking & activities for kids! Garden Ridge Market Days is open every 2nd Saturday, monthly (year-round).
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Get ready to write it, rehearse it, and bring it to the stage! In just four hours, you’ll brainstorm ideas, build a script, practice your roles, and put on a live mini-show for friends and family. Performance runs 4:00–4:45 PM. This is an event for teens aged 13-18. Space is limited and registration is required. We will take breaks throughout the day, so please bring your own water and snacks!
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Come Sing, Move, and Read at the library during Family Storytime! Storytime will last about 25 minutes and is intended for children 0 - 6 years old. (Almost) every Saturday at 10:30am in the Youth Services Program Room. Please register once per family!
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- Story & Swim - Schertz Aquatics Center, Westchester Drive, Schertz, TX, Friday, January 9, 10-11:30 am
- Holiday Lights on the River Walk - San
Antonio River Walk, San Antonio, TX, Friday, January 9 to Sunday, January 11, dusk to dawn
- Let's Create: Come & Go Art - Schaefer Branch Library, US Highway 87 East, San Antonio, TX, Saturday, January 10 to Sunday, January 11, 10 am- 5 pm
- Family Storytime - Mammen Family Public Library, 131 Bulverde Crossing, Bulverde, TX, Saturday, January 10, 10:30 - 11 am
- Garden Ridge
Market Days - Northeast Bible Church, Farm to Market Road 2252, Garden Ridge, TX, Saturday, January 10, 9:30 am - 2:30 pm
- Garden Ridge Market Days - January 10, 2026 - Garden Ridge Market Days, 19185 FM 2252, Garden Ridge, TX, Saturday, January 10, 9:30am - 2:30pm
- Laugh Lab- Teen Comedy Workshop - 798 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, TX, Saturday, January 10, 12-4 pm
- The Quilt: Live in Concert – Russell Hill Rogers Musical Evenings - San Fernando Cathedral, Main Plaza, San Antonio,
TX, Sunday, January 11, 7:00 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. Here are local organizations that offer memberships.
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Winter is here and fun options for families just keep getting better! Whether you stick with what you love or decide to try something new, KidsOutAndAbout has plenty of ideas. From Ice skating, kid-friendly museums, indoor play centers, and outdoor
activities to thinking ahead to next year's school options - we've got you covered.
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Planning a kids birthday party in the San Antonio area? Here are lots of ideas for where to have it! If there is a resource that we have missed, please email us to let us know, and we'll add it
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2025's best places to take kids in San Antonio and the surrounding area: Early each summer, thousands of parents vote in the KidsOutAndAbout 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 catgory winners.
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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