KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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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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Join Mr. Luan as he takes you on an energetic and humorous storytime ride! Songs will be sung, character voices will be many! In this program, the stories really do come to life! Oh, yeah: we do a little dancing too!
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Join us for an hour of crocheting at the library! You can use our supplies, or bring your own projects. Ask questions, learn the basics, or talk to other crocheters while practicing the craft. city heights
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Our 31st annual Victorian Christmas Teas will be held six days a week (closed on Wednesdays) from Thursday December 4th thru Tuesday December 23rd. These teas will be served indoors and are also available To Go. These very special teas feature a set menu includes a variety of finger sandwiches, savories, tea breads, scone with curd, jam and whipped cream, and a selection of seasonal desserts, or we also have a special children’s menu for children under 12. We can also prepare Vegetarian and Gluten Free versions of this Tea with advance notice, so let us know your specific needs.
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This Fall, grab a friend or family member and explore perfume making in this 3-hour workshop, where you’ll dive into the art of perfume-making. Join us in crafting your very own signature scent under the guidance of our French Perfume Designer, Jil Croquet. From uncovering composition secrets to the sheer joy of smelling and blending scents, you’ll gain hands-on experience while learning the basics of fragrance design techniques. Perfect for ages 14+yrs. Military, first responder discount.
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Calling all parents! It's time to treat yourselves to a well-deserved night off. Whether you're in need of a date night, a chance to catch up on errands, or simply some downtime, relax knowing your child is in a safe and entertaining environment, packed with excitement!
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Enjoy an evening out and drop your kids off at our next Parents' Night Out event! The kids will enjoy 3 hours of fun, games, activities, and zipline rides!!! Pizza for dinner is included. Don't wait to sign-up! Space is limited.
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Celebrate Christmas at Casa Romantica’s annual nighttime event with thousands of twinkling holiday lights and festively decorated property and gardens.
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Join us for the 13th Annual San Diego Santa Run on Saturday, December 13th! Over 40,000 Santas have participated in the event that was voted Best Fun Run by USA TODAY! Tell your friends, family and neighbors we are filling the streets of Pacific Beach with a Sea of Santas this December!
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Our Holiday Cookie Decorating Workshop is back! Families will use colorful frostings, sprinkles, and fun piping techniques to transform sweater-shaped sugar cookies into edible fashion.
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Join us for a delightful Teddy Bear Tea where children and their adult companions can enjoy tea-time treats, Christmas sing-along, and storytime with Mrs. Claus.
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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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Where to Cut Your Own Christmas Trees in the San Deigo Area November & December are times of contrast: The gray days outside herald the coming of the holidays, so we make ourselves warm and cozy
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KidsOutAndAbout is San Diego'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, so
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the San Diego 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 San Diego as voted by parents. Who won the top spot? An indoor play center, museum, farm, nature center, sports team? Click through to find out, as well as favorite Arts Educator, Sports Educator, and STEM educator! Plus
there is LOTS more to do in San Diego!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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