KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers, When my husband and I started planning a family, we talked a lot about the kind of parents we hoped to be. Naturally, we looked back on our own childhoods. David had story after story about his parents—their quirks, what they cared about, who they were. But when I tried to do the same, I came up oddly blank. I could tell you what I loved as a kid, but not much about what made
my own parents’ hearts sing. I remembered that my dad had a garden when I was little, but I couldn’t say whether he enjoyed digging in the dirt, liked making things grow, or was just trying to save money on vegetables. That realization stuck with me. I didn’t want my kids to grow up seeing me as a blur in the background of their story; I wanted them to see me clearly: as someone who had favorite things, real interests, and a sense of enjoyment they could understand. I wanted
them to grow up expecting that adulthood could be full of that, too... all of the vivid experiences that make up the inner life of a regular person, especially the joys. I started using the phrase "live what you love" as a kind of parenting guidepost. Our kids are always watching, taking cues about what adulthood looks like. If all they ever see is grownups stressed, rushing, and tired, they’ll assume that’s the default. But if they also see us delighted by a song, energized
by a game, inspired by something we've learned, genuinely laughing with people we love... that’s powerful. It shows them that joy isn’t something you age out of, it’s something you grow into. The holidays are packed with tasks and to-do lists, but they’re also full of opportunities for joy. So tune your radar to what YOU love, and if you catch yourself smiling at paper snowflakes or belting out a corny carol, don’t downplay it. Let yourself have that moment. When your kids see
the joy you've just pushed into the room; it's a gift to their present and to their 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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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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Dec 17 - Dec 28 at Children's Creativity Museum: Peek inside the secret lives of Reindeer with this heartwarming tale of inclusion, collaboration, and managing anxiety. “Reindeer Games” is a must-see holiday tradition for all ages filled with world-class circus, live music, and delightful storytelling.
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Dec 6 & 7: The San Francisco Youth Ballet celebrates its 24th annual production of “The Nutcracker.” This magical, full-length version of The Nutcracker features professional guest artists and the youth talent from the San Francisco Youth Ballet Academy. The 2-hour production (including a 15-minute intermission) is geared toward families and is a perfect opportunity to introduce young children to this holiday ballet tradition.
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Recharge your winter wonder with luminous artworks that will surprise and delight the whole family—paint with light and shadow, soak in colors, and play with exhibit prototypes in the Light Lab. Don’t miss Glow, our seasonal exhibition that celebrates the art and science of light! To make the weekend extra special, join us for even more dazzling programs including Storytime Science and other light-related activities.
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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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This fast paced lap-sit program for little ones and their caregivers includes songs, nursery rhymes, knee-bounces, and movement to help develop important pre-literacy skills. This class is appropriate for infants through 2 years old.
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This fun, interactive program encourages the development of language in young children. Each session provides 20 minutes of early literacy activities—reading aloud, singing, and movement—in a joyful environment, Fairyland itself! Come and play, Fridays at 10:30 a.m. and again at 3 p.m. and is included in park admission.
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Welcome to The Great Dickens Christmas Fair, where over 4 acres of the historic Cow Palace exhibition halls are magically transformed into the winding lanes and bustling play houses of Victorian London! Immerse yourself in a world of theatres, pubs, dance parties, and charming shops. Discover holiday revelry in this lamp-lit city brimming with hundreds of lively and colorful characters from the imagination of Charles Dickens and the often saucy world of the Victorian stage.
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Join us on Saturday, December 6, 2025, for Antioch’s annual Holiday Delites Celebration in historic Rivertown. This festive event offers a variety of family-friendly activities, including a holiday parade featuring live performers and decorative floats, photo opportunities with Santa, and more. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate with the Antioch community! Please note that the evening parade and tree lighting are weather dependent. In case of heavy rain, the event may be cancelled.
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On Bike to Wherever Day, over 20,000 East Bay residents will pedal to visit over 100 Energizer Stations to grab a free bag filled with goodies and celebrate the joy of biking everywhere Join us from 7:00am-9:00am at our table by the Water Shuttle stop near Scott's Sea Food.
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Come kick off the year with FREE Soccer Fun at the Peninsula Jewish Community Center (PJCC)! We're bringing our high-energy program to a new community, and you're invited to experience it firsthand before the Winter Season begins. Join us for a FREE DEMO CLASS on Sunday, January 11th, 2026! This is the perfect chance for your child to get a taste of the excitement, develop their skills, and meet our amazing coaches. Spots are limited, so sign up now!
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- Toddler Plus Storytime - Main Library - Children's Department - Main
Library - Children's Department, December 5, 2025, 10:30am
- Free Mini Photo Session with Shoott - Shoott - Broadway, New York, NY, December 5, 2025, see link for times
- Family Storytime - Main Library - Children's Department - Main
Library - Children's Department, December 6, 2025, 10:30am
- Family Storytime - Alameda Free Library - 788 Santa Clara Avenue, Alameda, CA 94501, December 6, 2025, 10:30am
- King Tides - Environmental Volunteers EcoCenter - Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto, CA, December 6, 2025, 11:30AM-1:30PM
- Family Storytime - Main Library - Main Library, December 7, 2025, 12:30pm
- Free Mini Photo Session with Shoott - Shoott - Broadway, New York, NY, December 7, 2025, see link for times
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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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