KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers, It's often said that parenting is a "thankless" job. In one sense, that's undeniably true, because it will likely be many years before the young humans you're raising—the ones who actually have a stake in the outcome of the excellent job you're doing—are in a position to thank you. So you don't hear that phrase often during the first couple of decades of
parenthood. My fervent wish for the future is to live in a world filled with engaged, culturally literate, productive, happy people. This means that what I said above isn't precisely accurate: It's not only your kids who have a stake in your parenting success, we ALL do, because the path to that future starts NOW for the young people in your orbit. So I'm grateful that you care about getting them "out and about" to the wide variety of experiences available in your community:
It will make all the difference. Our job here at KidsOutAndAbout.com is to help you do that as easily as possible. In 2001, I created the original version of this web platform that now connects 15 million people each year with their area's activities and resources. My team gets to see it all up-close and personal as local businesses post to KidsOutAndAbout through their free listings, and then we get to turn around and shout about them to y'all, bringing your community closer
to you. So I want to step in for the rest of the world that's not (yet) thanking you, and say it to you today: Thank you so much for what you're doing. Raising kids is hard in any era, but no one could have anticipated all the roadblocks that a pandemic would toss onto our path. As anyone who knows me knows, I'm endlessly looking for reasons to celebrate. So today, I'm celebrating YOU with my digital megaphone and pom-poms. You're doing a great job. Future
Deb sends her thanks, too.
—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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One final ask: Just a minute of your time could make a big impact! KidsOutAndAbout.com is conducting a short survey to better understand how families are navigating the fast-changing world of artificial intelligence. We're asking all parents, grandparents,
and caregivers-whether you're tech-savvy or…
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Families, get ready to jingle all the way to Pinstripes for the most festive brunch of the season! Santa's making his list and checking it twice, and your family's invited to join him for our spectacular Santa Brunch. Every Saturday & Sunday from 11/29 - 12/21, the big man himself is trading his sleigh for a seat at our table. Join us for a holiday buffet packed with action stations, classic breakfast selections, and an amazing chocolate fountain that's sure to delight! Plus, kids 5 & under eat FREE! Gather your merry little band and make this season unforgettable. Spots fill faster than Santa's sleigh, so book today!
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Discover Winter Glow, now open at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton through January 2026—a festive drive-through experience that brings the holiday season to life! Families, friends, and couples can enjoy sparkling lights, colorful holiday displays, and cheerful music from the comfort of their car. Follow the illuminated route as classic holiday songs play through your car radio, perfectly synced to the twinkling lights and glowing scenes. Share hot cocoa, point out favorite displays, or cozy up under blankets as each turn reveals something new. It’s a joyful, family-friendly celebration full of festive magic. Tickets are available at winterglowexperience.com and on the Fever app.
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Every Thursday, storytime for kids will be held outside (weather permitting) at the big log in front of Copperfield’s Books.
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Earn your DAYS indulgence at Alameda County’s PREMIER Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning!
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Come to Garden Party and join Farmer Emily to help us maintain a thriving edible garden. Through hands-on science and art activities, you will learn more about sustainable gardening practices you can use beyond our walls in your own home garden. There might even be something to harvest for your next meal!
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Join cartoonist and storyteller Joe Wos for live performances and cartoon workshops for the whole family throughout the day as he celebrates the release of his new book, Exploding Kittens Puzzle and Activities, based on the Netflix animated series (for 12 and up) and hugely popular card game. Also, explore the galleries, watch animated specials on the big screen, and enjoy one of the many Peanuts-inspired photo ops!
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The holiday magic is back! From November 28 through December 31, immerse yourself in the enchanting world of North Pole Nights at Gilroy Gardens. This extraordinary experience includes jolly characters, fun live shows, ice skating under the stars, festive food and drinks, Santa's Workshop, magical light displays--and much, much more!
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Jurassic Quest is ROARING into a city near you!
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The Walnut Creek Model Railroad Society (WCMRS) operates the Diablo Valley Lines (DVL) model railroad, one of the most mountainous and one of the largest exclusively HO scale model railroads in the United States. This model railroad features standard gauge, narrow gauge, and interurban (overhead electric) freight and trolley lines.
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The private schools in the San Francisco, CA area cater to every educational need and parent philosophy. This is KidsOutAndAbout's education highlight page, containing specially featured schools and also our master list of local schools.
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Private Schools in the Bay Area: Try it before you buy it... and even before you visit! This is KidsOutAndAbout.com's video sneak peek into local private school experiences. If your school should have a video on this page, please send a link to the school's video on YouTube or Vimeo to ross@kidsoutandabout.com.
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- Free Family Fun Weekend - Charles M. Schulz Museum - Charles M. Schulz Museum - 2301 Hardies Ln, Santa Rosa, CA 95403, November 28-29, 2025, 10:00 am–5:00 pm
- Winter Lights Tree Lighting Celebat -
Santa Rosa Metro Chamber - Old Courthouse Square, Santa Rosa, CA, November 28, 2025, 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
- Free Mini Photo Session with Shoott - Shoott - Broadway, New York, NY, November 28-30, 2025, see link for times
- Family Storytime - Main Library - Main Library, November 30, 2025, 12:30pm
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There are lots of places to have a birthday party in the San Francisco area! Start thinking outside the box! KidsOutAndAbout has dozens (and dozens) of ideas! In addition to venues in San Francisco, there are places in Oakland, Alameda, Pacifica, San
Leandro, Walnut Creek, Hayward, Dublin, and San…
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2025's best places to take kids in the San Francisco Bay 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 category winners: Who won for Top Arts Educator, Top Sports Educator, and Top STEM Educator?
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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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