KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
The Christmas I was 10, my sister and I woke up at our usual ridiculously-early hour and raced downstairs to the tree. Something was different: fewer gifts than usual, no giant boxes, no bike-shaped mystery lumps. But nestled among the smaller packages were envelopes that turned out to be plane tickets to Bermuda. We were leaving that very morning, which explained
why my parents had not objected to being awakened at 5:30. Decades later, I don’t remember what else I got that year—or most years—but I remember being bundled up and giddy, heading to the airport while it was still dark. I remember pink sand, caves, and the little cakes they served at teatime. It's all still as fresh to me as the air was at Grotto Bay Beach. That trip taught me something I wouldn’t have been able to say at the time: Presence creates
the memories, not the presents. Of course, we all want our kids to have a magical holiday. But when we think back to our own childhoods, what sticks isn’t the stuff, it’s the doing. The zoo trips, the plays, the sporting events, the concerts, the hands held during the adventures. That’s why my long-time holiday mantra is “Do it, don’t dust it.” Experiences are the gifts that last the longest, especially when we do them together. They don’t pile
up in a closet; they plant themselves in our memory. So if you’re still pondering what to give the people you love this year, consider a show, a class, a day trip, a membership, a season pass. Something that says “I see you, you matter, let's do it together." Need ideas? Head to our Local Memberships & Season Passes page! It's your ticket to the perfect gift... and it's guaranteed clutter-free.
—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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Give the gift of joyful learning this year with a membership to the Purple Museum, where kids lead the way! More than 150 hands-on exhibits and programs in the sciences, humanities, arts, nature, and health spark curiosity and ignite family fun where children build life skills in creative and critical thinking, problem solving, and confidence. A membership to the Purple Museum gets you free admission for one year and pays for itself in just a few visits. If you're feeling generous this giving season, there are also so many ways to support the Museum! Learn more at cdm.org.
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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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On Saturday, December 13 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., the History Museum will celebrate Tree Treasures. Your family can prepare for an old-fashioned holiday season by creating their own Victorian ornaments.
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Raffles samples and discounts! Visiting artist and vendors with complimentary gift wrapping available.
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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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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.
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Polar Play Days return Nov. 22 with hands-on science for the season: interactive exhibits, seasonal STEAM labs, and holiday DIY crafts. Only at The Tech Interactive in Downtown San Jose. Plan your day at thetech.org.
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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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Congregation B' nai Shalom and Downtown Martinez & Co. present the Annual Hanukkah Community Celebration! Traditional lighting of the menorah will be done every evening at dusk at the Main Street Plaza. Traditional lighting of the menorah will be done every evening at dusk at the Main Street Plaza. Join us on date TBD at 5:15pm to light the menorah and celebrate with music, sufganiyot, and family fun!
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This is an exciting opportunity to witness our animals engaging in all kinds of activities! Join us to catch our animal keepers doing animal enrichment activities, taking animals for walks, or even doing training sessions!
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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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- Free mini photo session with Shoott! - Bay Area - Shoott - Broadway, New York, NY, USA, December 12, 2025, See link for times
- Tree Treasures at the San Mateo County History Museum - San Mateo County History Museum, December 13, 2025, 10:00A-4:00PM
- FREE Kids Holiday Craft Day at Pennyland Toys - Pennyland Toys - Pruneyard, Campbell, CA, USA, December 13, 2025, 11am-2pm
- Annual Hanukkah Community Celebration - Downtown Martinez & Co. - Historic Downtown Martinez, Main Street, Martinez, CA 94553, United States, December 14, 2025, Check Website for Time
- Holiday Hike & Hands-on Fun - Environmental Volunteers - 2560 Embarcadero Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94303, United States, December 14, 2025, 2:00PM-4:00PM
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the San Jose 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!
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2025's Best Places to Take Kids in San Jose survey winners: What are the best places to take kids in the Bay Area? Each summer, thousands of parents vote in the KidsOutAndAbout survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids. Who won the top spot? Click through to
find out!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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