KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
Peace can come in many textures during the holidays. For some, it’s the energizing bustle of concerts and community events, or the warmth of a crowded house full of voices and motion. For others, it’s the stillness of a walk through snow-covered woods, a soft blanket at home, or the quiet company of someone who understands them. It shifts from person to person, and
sometimes even from one day to the next. Peace can be internal, external, or, at its best, a bit of both: a sense that life makes sense, within and around us. It’s easier to feel when we’re free from hardship, but even in the midst of challenge, it’s sometimes possible to find a quiet kind of peace when we know we’ve done our best with the time and energy we’ve been given. Peace can be elusive for parents; after all, we're the ones in charge of figuring out
how to make the family rhythm and flow work for everyone, and what brings peace to our kids may look nothing like what brings it to us. Maybe your son needs to be out with friends while you crave stillness. Maybe your daughter is hoping to hide in a corner with a book while you're in full-on glitter-and-cookie mode with all the cousins. Parenting is the art of balance, of helping everyone in the family thrive by seeing who they really are and doing our best to honor it. It's not easy, and it's
never perfect, but we try. When kids feel known—when they hear “I see that you love this, that you need this, and I’ll help you find your way to it”—they flourish. That sense of being understood can be its own kind of peace. So as the season winds to a close, I wish you whatever kind of holiday rhythm helps you feel most like you. And I hope you’ll find moments to offer that same gift to those around you. When we make space for each other’s version of peace,
it’s more likely to find its way into the room.
—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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Experience the beauty of Mountsberg’s forest with a wagon ride through the woods! Rides are available daily during the holiday season from December 26 to January 4 and then on weekends until February 16. This year the rides will include complimentary hot chocolate and marshmallows to roast over the fire after the ride.
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Toronto’s Favourite Holiday Panto Returns! Get ready to root for the underdog and boo the baddies! This year, the legendary outlaw tale takes on a bold twist—our Robin is a spirited, savvy heroine leading her merry band of misfits in a fight for justice and kindness. Join Robin and her friends on a medieval romp through merry old Torontoshire! Journey through the lush forests of High Park, go head-to-head with the greedy Prince John, and rescue those in need - all with a hearty dose of laughter, pop hits, and plenty of surprises. Robin Hood delivers all the Panto fun you love: a sparkling spoof on a classic tale, hilarious comedy, dazzling musical numbers, and an intergenerational celebration that's perfect for the whole family. Grab your loved ones, don your green tights, and join us for a Panto experience full of mischief, melody, and meaning.
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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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It’s time to get into festive spirit and usher in the holiday season! The ever-popular Holiday Lights by the Lake is coming back to Coronation Park. Starting on December 1, Coronation Park will be transformed into a spectacular winter destination with the Holiday Lights by the Lake light display. The lights will be on display throughout the winter season through to February.
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Saturdays are made for free family fun at Bradley Museum! Drop in for a relaxed afternoon of crafts and games that are perfect for kids and parents alike. It’s all about fun, creativity, and connection—no lessons, no stress, just a great way to spend the day together. Enjoy outdoor games beside the barn and table games and a craft in the barn. Adult supervision is required, but no pre-registration is needed—just drop in and let the fun begin!
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Enjoy cozy crafts and stories that will transport you to imaginative worlds, a cheerful way to spend a snowy day! PAMA’s Art Educators look forward to sharing their favourite childhood tales. Gather in the cozy story corner for a reading and then get creative with a craft inspired by each day’s fairy tale fun. Drop-in Program Included with General Admission.
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This December, join us to celebrate and take part in the holiday magic at Casa Loma during Christmas at the Castle. Casa Loma will host a wide range of activities and thrilling performances that are sure to be fun for the whole family. Guests will be surrounded by holiday magic throughout the castle which will be resplendent with holiday décor, including a feature 20-foot-tall tree in the Great Hall designed by Living Luxe: luxury lifestyle, design, and decor magazine, and Amber Walker, premier event planner. The halls of Casa Loma will be decked with eight signature trees by talented Canadian designers including Amanda Aerin, Christine Spencer, and Flora Peng.
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Step into the season with us at Winter Wanderings: Guided Snowshoeing Tours and embark along the snowy trails of Crawford Lake’s Longhouse Village.
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Holiday lights, festive flavours, live performances, artisanal shopping, and Canada’s most iconic Christmas tree. The Distillery Winter Village is Toronto’s original and world-famous Christmas market, where historic cobblestone streets transform into a holiday wonderland with Santa and his elves, carollers, endless festive photo ops, seasonal food and drinks, and one-of-a-kind shopping from local artisans.
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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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Celebrate the holiday season at WinterFest, an immersive holiday experience for the whole family! With festive light displays complete with millions of shimmering lights, family activities, new live entertainment, holiday-inspired comfort food and beverages, and select attractions, cozy moments are sure to be had with friends and family all winter long!
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Experience the magic of the season at Royal Botanical Gardens’ Winter Wonders! Hendrie Park transforms into a winter wonderland, featuring dazzling lights, festive installations, and enchanting displays. Stroll the scenic pathways to the soundtrack of festive music while savouring warm holiday treats.
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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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Ring in the New Year with a little help from KidsOutAndAbout! Our Big List of family-Friendly celebrations is just what you need to find ball drops, fireworks displays, NOON Year's Eve fun, activities, parties and more! If your favorite isn't on the list be
sure to send us an email and we'll add it pronto.
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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 GTA. Here are local organizations that offer
memberships.
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- Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights - City Hall of Niagara Falls, Main Street, Niagara Falls, NY, Sat, Dec 27 - Sun, Dec 28, 6 - 8 pm
- Saturday Family Fun at Bradley Museum - 1620 Orr Rd, Mississauga, ON, Sat, Dec 27, 12 - 4 pm
- Family Time at Toronto Public Library - Albert Campbell -
Toronto Public Library, 496 Birchmount Road, Scarborough, Toronto, ON, Sat, Dec 27, 10:30 - 11:30 am
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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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Wishing you and your family health and happiness,
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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