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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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 AI. We're asking all parents, grandparents, and caregivers-whether you're
tech-savvy or not-to weigh in.
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Private and alternative schools in the Seattle 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. If your school is not on our list but should be, please email us at ross@kidsoutandabout.com.
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Private Schools in and around the Seattle - Tacoma 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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Gifts for Geeks! This holiday shopping season, what better place to rid yourself of your dirty, filthy money than our annual, curated market featuring handmade geek goods by local crafters & makers? $upporting Local Nerds since 2016!
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ILLUMINATE YOUR HOLIDAYS! WildLanterns presented by Western Washington Toyota Dealers returns to Woodland Park Zoo this November with all-new, larger-than-ever lantern displays. Experience an immersive adventure that promises a magical holiday moment for all!
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Join Santa and his elves on the Yuletide Express! Your 25-minute holiday excursion begins at the historic Snoqualmie Depot. Board seasonally decorated, antique coaches, and travel west to Snoqualmie Falls, pausing briefly at the crest for a view of the river valley before returning to Snoqualmie. Each child will receive a small gift from Santa, and each ticketholder will receive a peppermint stick. Tickets must be purchased online, in advance of your train ride.
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Bellevue Downtown Ice Rink presented by Symetra is back and better than ever! The region’s largest open-air ice rink returns November 21 through January 19. The rink features more than 9,000 square feet of real ice in a fully covered, open-air venue surrounded by the beautiful Downtown Bellevue skyline. With themed skate nights, skate lessons, on-site concessions and more, we’re excited for you to join us again this season.
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- Santa Claus visit at Mall of Monroe - Mall of Monroe - 2121 N Monroe St, Monroe, MI 48162, November 28, 2025, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Holiday Art and Gift Market | Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center - 4705 West Marginal Way Southwest, Seattle, WA 98106, November 28-30, 2025, 10 am - 5 pm
- Holiday Handbell
Concert - 411 156th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98007, November 29, 2025, 4:00 PM
- Used Puzzle Exchange! -
Blue Highway Games - Blue Highway Games - 2203 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109, November 30, 2025, 12 pm - 3 pm
- Historically Hip Author Fair - La-Z-Boy Issaquah, Front Street North, Issaquah, WA, November 30, 2025, 12 pm - 3 pm
- Free mini photo session with Shoott! Seattle-Tacoma area - Shoott - Broadway, New York, NY, November 28-30, 2025, See link for times
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Seattle 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! In addition to Seattle there are
locations in Mercer Island, Bellevue, Kirkland, Newcastle, Shoreline, Renton, Lake Forest Park, Redmond, Kingsgate, Kenmore, and SeaTac.
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2025's best places to take kids in the Seattle area. Each May-June, 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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