KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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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
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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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Don't miss out! The Physics Show only has a few weekends remaining for this school year. Tickets are only $6. The show is wildly popular and typically sells out. The Show explains everyday phenomenon through a series of fun, memorable demonstrations. The show is recommended for ages 5 and up. Although we target elementary and middle school age kids and their families, there is something for everyone. Typically, the adults look like they are having as much fun as the kids! The Physics Show at Foothill College is in its 19th year! Over 25,000 people will come to Foothill College to see the show this year. Don't miss out! www.ThePhysicsShow.com
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December 13-23 at Marin Theatre in Mill Valley: This family-fun musical follows best friends Mooch the cat and Earl the dog as Mooch searches for the perfect gift for his friend-only to discover that the most meaningful gift of all isn't something you can wrap, but is simply friendship itself. This production lasts one hour with no intermission. Join us for live storytime in our lobby 30 minutes before every performance!
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Experience the enchanting Garden of D'Lights, a self-guided holiday light display that transforms the renowned nonprofit Ruth Bancroft Garden into a magical nighttime wonderland. Perfect for families and pets, create lasting memories while supporting a cherished local community resource!
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Get in the holiday spirit – Celebrate the season at the beach! Now BIGGER and BRIGHTER than ever. Enjoy rides, games, arcades, festive decorations, free nightly light shows, photos with Santa, holiday treats, fire pits and more!
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Visit the North Pole with Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble! It's back, the most wonderful time of the year! This holiday season, Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble is bringing the North Pole to the Lesher Center for the Arts for a one-of-a-kind interactive experience your family will never forget. Step into a world of holiday magic as you and your family are escorted through the North Pole by your very own special elf! Help Mrs. Claus decorate her tree and prep her famous cookies, then make your way to Santa's office for an unforgettable personal visit and photo opportunity. This intimate, hands-on experience is filled with laughter, wonder, and holiday spirit, perfect for children and the young at heart. A magical experience unlike any other. Make your family's holiday memories sparkle at the North Pole!
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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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Experience the magic of the holiday season with the Winter Glow Experience, a dazzling drive-through spectacular featuring hundreds of larger-than-life festive displays. Bundle up in your car, bring your favorite snack or beverage, and enjoy a synchronized light show along a 1-mile holiday route!
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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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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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Celebrate the season at the Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink, now 8% larger and more magical than ever. Glide into the spirit of the holidays at this beloved community tradition—perfect for skaters of all ages and skill levels. Warm up by our cozy fire pits and make lasting memories with friends and family as you take in the festive atmosphere. For those who can’t get enough time on the ice, our Season Pass is back, offering unlimited skating all season long.
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Join the Randall Museum’s resident birding guide for a bird walk on Corona Hill. This is a moderate/strenuous hike that includes a large staircase and some rocky terrain. Bring your own Binoculars. (BYOB!) Meet at 8 am at 199 Museum Way in the Randall Museum parking lot just before the curved entrance gate. Muni 37 Corbett line stops 2 blocks away for those using public transportation.
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Geared for a mix of ages, we invite families to participate as we read stories, sing songs, do fingerplays and more during this 20-30 minute program.
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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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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 Bay Area. Here are local organizations that offer
memberships.
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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.
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- Free Mini Photo Session with Shoott! - Shoott - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, USA, Friday, December 19, 2025 to Sunday, December 21, 2025, See link for times
- Toddler Plus Storytime - Main Library - Children's Department, Friday, December 19, 2025, 10:30am
- Winter Wonderland - Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk - 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA, Friday, December 19, 2025 to Sunday, December 21, 2025, 12:00 - 5:00pm PST
- Annual Hanukkah Community Celebration - Main Street, Martinez, CA, Friday, December 19, 2025 to Sunday, December 21, 2025, Check Website for Time
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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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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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