KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
|
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
When I was a teenager, a math teacher I respected told me that there are two kinds of people: Those who make pizza, and those who grab as many slices as they can. "At the end of the day," he said, "you want to be someone who has made more pizza than she eats." He said this to me at the perfect time, when I was just forming my ideas about who I was and was going
to become. I decided I wanted always to be on the positive side of the pizza-making equation, so I started thinking about how to use the time I have here on Earth to make as much pizza as I possibly could. Over the years, I found that the key to success in this long-term goal is to tune my mental radar to the very near future, to stay in control of my time rather than giving it away to an algorithm that serves endless empty calories: How best do I use the next five
minutes, the next half hour, the next day? It all adds up. Even young kids can add value to the world, especially if they watch their parents doing it. New Year's resolutions are notoriously hard to keep, especially when they're overly specific. But resolving to be on the positive side of the pizza-making equation is straightforward. For some easy recipes for quick wins, check out my quick-read article 12 Starter Ideas for Pizza on Earth. Then look up from your phone, scan your world, and you'll find all the ingredients you need. Here's to a delicious 2026!
—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. |
|
|
|
Gather your family and friends for a beloved holiday tradition! The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Kaiser Permanente is back for its 17th magical season of outdoor skating and holiday festivities in the heart of downtown San Francisco. Ice skate outdoors daily November 6 through January 20, 2025. Hour-long sessions start every 90 minutes. General admission is $20 or $15 for kids 8 and under; prices include skate rental. Don’t miss our special events throughout the season, including Drag On Ice, Silent Skate, Polar Bear Skate and more! Be sure to follow us on social media at @UnionSquareRink.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
Circus Bella returns to the Big Top Circus Tent for a third year with STARLIGHT – An All-New Winter Circus Spectacular. With brand-new acts, sumptuous costumes, and artists from across the US, Circus Bell brings all the nostalgia and beauty of an old-timey circus combined with the eyebrow-raising savvy & modern look of 2025. A diverse cast of 13 perform thrilling feats of balance and strength, demonstrations of grace & poise, outrageous humor, and authentic moments that bring us all together.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Winter is here and fun options for families just keep getting better! Whether you stick with what you love or decide to try something new, KidsOutAndAbout has plenty of ideas. From Ice skating, kid-friendly museums, indoor play centers, and outdoor
activities to thinking ahead to next year's school options - we've got you covered.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
- Winter Wonderland — Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk - Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk - 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, January 2, 2026 — 12:00 - 5:00pm PST
- Free First Friday - San Mateo County History Museum - San Mateo County History Museum, January 2, 2026 — 10:00am - 4:00pm
- 4th Annual Great Downtown San Rafael Elf Hunt - Downtown San Rafael Business Improvement District - 1000 Fourth Street, San Rafael, CA 94901, January 2–3, 2026 — Check website for time
- Family Storytime - Main Library - Main Library, January 4, 2026 — 12:30pm
|
|
|
|
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…
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
|
Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
|
|
