KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Fri, Dec 19: Duwamish December Art Market Day
Wed, Dec 24: Jingle Bell Run
at Wright Park
Sat, Dec 27: Kirkland Performance Center presents Amazing Bubble Man
Mon, Dec 29: Winter
Break: Board Games | Broadview Branch
Wed, Dec 31: New Year's Celebration (ages 6 mos-10 yrs 8 mos) - My Gym Kent
Wed, Dec 31: New Year's Eve Countdown - KidsQuest Children's Museum
Wed, Dec 31: Noon Year's Eve Party at Hands On Children's
Museum
Mon, Jan 5: First Day of Creative Art Classes for Kids on Mondays (Jan) at Picket Fence Art
Studio
Sat, Jan 10: Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead: Robotics at Puget Sound Navy Museum
Thu, Jan 15: January Art Walk Edmonds
Mon, Jan 19: MLK Day Camp 2026 at My Gym Kent
Fri, Jan 23: Family Movie Night at SHCH! |
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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KidsQuest is Turning 20! Celebrate 20 years of play, learning, and community with us on December 12, 2025! Join the fun with kid friendly mocktails, festive decor, birthday hats, singing, and special prizes as we mark this exciting milestone. The party will be rocking thanks to DJ Lightning, a 13-year-old local DJ who’s been spinning since 2020, including at Seattle Kraken games! Come dance, celebrate, and make birthday memories with KidsQuest!
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Through a series of micro-explorations and provocations, children will investigate light through multiple disciplines such as science, literacy, numeracy, and art. Beyond its educational value, the Light Lab will also act as a bridge to the community. Where it offers a unique opportunity to invite families and visitors to witness the richness of our philosophy in action. It will serve as a visible expression of our identity.
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Giraffes strut. Birds swoop. Gazelles leap. The entire Serengeti comes to life as never before. And as the music soars, Pride Rock slowly emerges from the mist. More than 100 million people around the world have experienced the awe-inspiring visual artistry, the unforgettable music, and the uniquely theatrical storytelling of this Broadway spectacular – one of the most breathtaking and beloved productions ever to grace the stage. Winner of six Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, The Lion King brings together one of the most imaginative creative teams on Broadway. Tony Award®-winning director Julie Taymor brings to life a story filled with hope and adventure set against an amazing backdrop of stunning visuals. The Lion King also features the extraordinary work of Tony Award®-winning choreographer Garth Fagan and some of Broadway’s most recognizable music, crafted by Tony Award®-winning artists Elton John and Tim Rice. There is simply nothing else like The Lion King.
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Enjoy the sights and sounds of the holidays with family and friends! Take part in the most unique annual holiday celebration in the Northwest, offering excitement and fun for everyone!
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Winter Bonsai Solstice | Saturday, December 13, 4-7 PM | Pacific Bonsai Museum, 2515 S 336th St, Federal Way | Experience the magic of the Pacific Bonsai Museum's 11th annual Winter Bonsai Solstice.
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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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- Holiday Candlelight Concerts at Pacific Place - Downtown Seattle Association - 1809 7th Ave Ste 900, December 12, 2025, 6pm-7pm
- Little Science Lab with Imagine Children's Museum | Mariner Library - Mariner Library - Sno-Isle Libraries, 520 128th St SW, December 12, 2025, 10 am
- Twinkle Twinkle❄️☕ - Freeway Park, 700 Seneca St, December 12, 2025, 4:30PM, 6:30PM
- Santa Claus is Coming To Town - Downtown Issaquah Association - 232 Front Street North, December 12-14, 2025, All different times - refer to webiste for specific details
- Holiday Blast at the Center at Eastside Community
Center - Eastside Community Center, East 56th Street, December 13, 2025, 11 am - 2 pm
- Family Story Time at Boulevard Park
Library - Boulevard Park Library, Roseberg Avenue South, December 13, 2025, 11 am - 11:45 am
- Weekend Story Time | Issaquah
Library - Issaquah Library, West Sunset Way, December 13, 2025, 11:30 am - 12 pm
- Winter Bonsai Solstice - Pacific Bonsai Museum, 2515 South 336th St, December 13, 2025, 4 pm - 7 pm
- Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead: Holiday Ornaments - Puget
Sound Navy Museum - Puget Sound Navy Museum, 251 1st Street, December 13, 2025, 10am - 2pm
- Snowfall Nights - Westfield Southcenter, Southcenter Mall, December 13-14, 2025, 6:00pm - 6:15pm
- Family Fun Studio - 4710 NE 70th St., December 13, 2025, 10am to 11:30am
- Family Game Day! at Blue Highway Games - 2203 Queen Anne Ave N, December 14, 2025, All day
- Visit Santa - Main Street Mercantile, 62 N Main St, Fairport, NY, December 14, 2025, 1PM - 3PM
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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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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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