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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Please take a minute to tell us about how you feel about AI 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. Your input will directly shape upcoming national resources designed to help families guide kids wisely and safely. The survey closes soon, so please take 60–90 seconds to be part of this important effort. Click here for the survey. |
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Bubble Planet is an immersive experience full of bubbles! Step into a planet beyond your imagination with VR technology, themed rooms, fantastical landscapes, and even a hot air balloon simulator. Jump from one immersive space to the next and explore them all with your five senses!
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Escape into the Magical Christmas Forest at the Kortright Centre and experience a winter wonderland filled with lights, crafts, activities, horse drawn wagon rides and treats for the whole family - and enjoy a visit with Santa in his cabin! Please note this is event has outdoor components, come dressed for the weather. Advance tickets required.
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Holiday Lights Heritage Nights Events will be held at the Event Centre at LaSalle Landing. For four magical weekends from November through December, the Event Centre will come alive with festive cheer featuring live entertainment, delicious food and drinks and a bustling indoor market. Each Saturday and Sunday browse unique handmade, homemade, locally sourced holiday gifts, all while soaking in the sounds of talented local musicians and savouring seasonal treats as you shop!
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While you shop, enjoy a magical family experience wandering through the barn and visiting with our friendly alpacas — it’s a warm, inviting experience that has become a holiday tradition for many families. Many one of a kind unique items created from our alpacas, plus other amazingly warm socks, hats, mitts, scarves, insoles created by other alpaca people.
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Toronto’s Favourite Holiday Panto Returns!
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Santa is in King and ready to share his favourite festive treat of all: cookies! Decorate cookies, craft something festive, enjoy a cozy storytime with hot chocolate, and wander through our nostalgic “Retro Forest” exhibit. Don’t forget to snap a photo with Santa himself – arriving at 4:00PM sharp! Kick off the festivities at 5:30PM with a magical lighting of the KHCC Christmas Tree – the perfect start to a season full of cheer!
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15 minute visit with Santa. Keepsake photo to take home. Plenty of photo opportunities with your own device.
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Santa Claus is coming to town! Experience a festive array of community floats, entertainers and bands!
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FAMILY HOLIDAY PHOTOS WITH SANTA will return to Bradley Museum in November 2025!
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Toronto Pops Orchestra returns to ROM for a fun, family-friendly performance of shark and wildlife-themed musical selections, including the theme from Jaws and more! Plus, create your own custom shark habitat and get a rare chance to get up close to real shark specimens at our touch table.
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Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat and all of your favorite Dr. Seuss characters spring to life onstage in Seussical, a fantastical musical extravaganza from Tony-winners, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty.
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Every Evening - Dusk until 10 pm. November 21, 2025 – January 5, 2026. The Lights will continue throughout the season with over 200,000 magical lights and ground displays in Civic Park, Celebration Square and Grass Park. Snowflakes also line Downtown Whitby and seasonal décor in Downtown Brooklin welcomes both residents and visitors throughout the community.
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Experience the magic and wonder of the Region’s most spectacular and dazzling light displays this holiday season. Bask in the beauty and wonderment of Gift of Lights; a drive through experience, featuring a breathtaking 40 foot twinkly LED tree, over 300 animated and static light displays and light tunnels.
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- Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights - City Hall of Niagara Falls, Main Street, Niagara Falls, NY, Friday, November 28 - Sunday, November 30, 6 - 8 pm
- LaSalle Holiday Lights Heritage Nights - Town of LaSalle Civic Centre, Malden Road, LaSalle, ON, Friday, November 28 - Sunday, November 30, See website
- Queer Youth Art Club -
Kitchener Waterloo Art Gallery - Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery, 101 Queen Street North, Kitchener, ON N2H 6P7, Friday, November 28, 3 - 5 pm
- At Home in Toronto - Market Gallery - 95 Front Street East, Toronto, ON M5E 1C2, Friday, November 28 - Sunday, November 30, 11:00AM to 5:00PM
- Santa Cookie Bites and Holiday Lights at King Heritage & Cultural Centre - King Heritage & Cultural
Centre, King Road, King City, ON, Saturday, November 29, 3:30 - 5:30 pm
- Santa's Merry Musical Sing-Along & Cookie Decorating - Bridlewood Mall, Saturday, November 29, 12:30pm - 5pm
- Smile for Santa! - Yorkgate
Mall, 1 York Gate Boulevard, North York, Toronto, ON M3N 3A1, Saturday, November 29, 1 - 4pm
- Saturday Family Fun at Bradley Museum - 1620 Orr Rd, Mississauga, ON L5J 4T2, Saturday, November 29, 12 - 4 pm
- Free Main Floor Sharks & Wildlife at ROM - Royal Ontario Museum, Queens Park, Toronto, ON M5S 2C6, Sunday, November 30, 10 am - 4 pm
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Toronto 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 Toronto, based on KidsOutAndAbout's annual reader survey. Our Top 20 results page is an annotated list of the winners, both of the top 20 slots and of the category winners. But there is LOTS more to do in and around
Toronto!
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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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