KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
|
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
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bring your family and friends out to Santa’s Village where you can enjoy festive activities including Ice Fishing, Blizzard Ball and Rudolph Racers. You can decorate cookies and even create your own Christmas tree ornament at Craft Corner. Filled with thousand of sparkling Christmas lights, there are many photo opportunities throughout Santa’s Village. Food and snacks are available as well as hot chocolate and coffee. Although you must have reserved Christmas Train tickets to board the train to see Santa, you may still enjoy thousands of lights and festive decorations throughout Santa’s Village without any reservation.
|
|
|
|
Celebrate the holiday season with some of your favorite animals at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Aquarium Holidays runs until December 23 with some special activities on the weekends.
|
|
|
|
Bacy by popular demand, this holiday season…a waterfront ice rink in the heart of Newport Beach! Enjoy ice skating with views of the water and Lighting of the Bay
|
|
|
|
For children from infants to 5 year olds. Children must be accompanied by an adult. This not a drop-off program. Members free; included in paid admission. Registration is not required.
|
|
|
|
Native American traditions are alive and well at Mission San Juan Capistrano thanks to a small group of Native Americans who have maintained — and some might say “perfected” — the art of basket weaving. Teeter Marie Olivares Romero, Ellen Sue Olivares, Susie Fimbres, and Wanda Jo Gennaro demonstrate the art of basket weaving on the third Thursday of the month at the Mission. It has become an integral part of the Mission’s efforts to preserve the history and traditions of the area. Basket weaving demonstrations take place in the Front Courtyard.
|
|
|
|
Discover the sweet side of science at Science of Gingerbread, featuring dozens of creative gingerbread structures crafted by families, students, and makers. From whimsical houses to engineering -inspired designs, this annual holiday exhibit blends creativity, STEM, and festive fun. Guests can explore the displays all season and vote for their favorite creation.
|
|
|
|
Friday, Nov 28 - Tuesday, Dec 23: Join us for Christmas on the Farm at Underwood Family Farms in Moorpark! Included with admission: Animal Center, Holiday Photo Ops, Tractor-Drawn Wagon Rides, Holiday Store, Combine & Harvester Slides, Pick Your Own Fields (pickings an additional fee), Letters for Santa, Animal Shows, Reindeer, Visits with Santa (Santa visits are included with admission! Make sure to bring your camera!)
|
|
|
|
Little Folk Club returns to Dana Point Harbor. Join us on the Island for plenty of interactive music and Friday fun to kick off the weekend. Located across the bridge at Island Way right in front of the Richard Henry Dana Statue. Please feel free to bring along your favorite instruments, blankets, towels, and chairs.
|
|
|
|
“In Bloom: Flowers in Contemporary Art” premieres at Forest Lawn Museum on September 20, 2025. While artists have been depicting flowers for thousands of years, this exhibition explores a range of contemporary artistic approaches to the subject. Featuring paintings, sculptures, installations, and video, the artworks vary dramatically, from naturalistic to abstract, and from playful to contemplative.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 the Valley. Here are local organizations that offer
memberships.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The San Fernando Valley 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
KidsOutAndAbout is America'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 click
|
|
|
|
|
|
Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Dallas 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! Find venues in Burbank, Calabasas,
Glendale, Hidden Hills, and San Fernando.
|
|
|
|
|
|
2025's best places to take kids in the San Fernando Valley. Each May-June, 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 category winners: Who won for Top Arts Educator, Top Sports Educator, and Top STEM Educator?
|
|
|
Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
|
|
