KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
|
|
|
Thu, Dec 25: Nefesh Mountain at The Jewish Museum - New York
Sat, Dec 27: Hudson River Museum Planetarium Laser Show: Taylor Swift
Sun, Dec 28: Concert of the Future: "A Christmas
Dream" at Carnegie Hall - NYC
Sun, Dec 28: Meet the Animals & Explore the Winter Woods at Westmoreland
Sanctuary
Mon, Dec 29: School’s Out, Stars Are In (SOSI)- Hudson River Museum
Wed, Dec 31: New Year's Eve Kids Countdown at Westchester Children's Museum
Sat, Jan 3: Full Moon Howl at Wolf Conservation Center
Sun, Jan 4: Family Art Workshop: Cinematic Wearables at Hudson River Museum
Wed, Jan 7: Mother Nature’s Storytime - Winter
Sessions at Greenburgh Nature Center
Fri, Jan 9: Stop In and Sketch at Hudson River Museum
Sat, Jan 10: Night in
the Museum at Old Sturbridge Village
Thu, Jan 15: Preview a Day at Ridgefield Academy
Sun, Jan 25: Click, Clack, Moo at Emelin Theatre
Sun, Feb 1: GABBY’S DOLLHOUSE LIVE! at Kings Theatre
Tue, Feb 17: February School's Out Workshop: Maple Sugaring at Rye Nature Center
|
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
This Sunday marks the Winter Solstice—Robert Frost’s “darkest evening of the year.” It’s when we in the Northern Hemisphere most appreciate human inventiveness: We flip a switch, and light floods the room. It feels like magic, but it’s not. It’s the result of generations of curious, determined humans trying to make life better, brighter, safer. That’s
why my family celebrates Lightbulb Day every December 21. It’s our homegrown holiday honoring the inventors and problem-solvers whose insights fuel our lives. We toast our favorite technologies, learn some history, imagine the future. Past years’ MVPs include contact lenses, antibiotics, the internet, veterinary
science, and the Covid vaccine. This year’s front-runner: artificial intelligence. Last weekend, I had breakfast with a friend and her 13-year-old daughter, Lily. Lily said she loves math and science but struggles with how her teachers approach the humanities, especially writing. When I showed her how AI can help her learn in the way she learns best, her face lit up. So I went home and wrote a how-to article for Lily, her mom, and any of you with kids in middle school or
older: How Students Can Use AI to Learn to Write (Without Giving Away their Brains). AI isn’t here to think for us. It’s here to help us think more effectively with our own minds. That’s a message worth repeating, especially to our kids. In this new AI age, the real
danger isn’t the technology itself, it’s the temptation to hand our brains over to it and say, “Here, you do all the work.” So this Lightbulb Day, I’m raising an Erlenmeyer flask, not just to the great inventors of the past, but to Lily, and to every young person learning to think with tools rather than letting tools do the thinking. Because the real magic isn’t flipping the switch; it’s understanding where the current comes from, and imagining what we’ll power with it
in the future.
—Debra Ross, publisher
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Now through Dec 24, every day except Sunday: Santa and his three LIVE reindeer have returned to Greenwich for the 17th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa's Workshop presented by Jenny Allen & Kristen Studwell at Compass Real Estate, "The North Pole on North Street", Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses, 437 North Street, Greenwich. The cherished town tradition continues for the seventeenth consecutive year at this expansive nursery where visitors can have their photo taken with Santa, meet the reindeer and also enjoy the beautiful Santa's Workshop, which provides more space for families while they wait in line for their photo with Santa. This all takes place just minutes from downtown Greenwich. Parking is free! Click here for details.
|
|
|
|
Ring in the new year in unforgettable style at Harrison Meadows Country Club! Join us for an elegant evening inspired by the glamour and excitement of the Moulin Rouge. Enjoy a cocktail reception and open bar, followed by a multi-course dinner crafted by Chef Smith. Dance the night away with our DJ, try your luck at the casino games, and countdown to midnight with a live broadcast of the Ball Drop. Date: Wednesday, December 31st Time: 8:00 PM Location: Harrison Meadows Country Club, 123 North Street, Harrison, NY 10528 Tickets: $225 per person | 21+ | Dress to impress Spots are limited — reserve your tickets today for a dazzling night at The Meadows Moulin Rouge!
|
|
|
|
The story of how Peter became Pan comes to life in this hit Broadway Musical! Based on the movie, Finding Neverland tells the story of J.M. Barrie, the playwright who created ‘Peter Pan’. As Barrie struggles to find inspiration for his next play, his life takes a turn when he encounters a family, including the widow Sylvia and her four sons. Barrie’s relationship with the family deepens and he begins crafting the timeless tale of ‘Peter Pan’. The show explores themes of imagination, friendship, and the spirit of childhood, perfect for the whole family!
|
|
|
|
Join us for a magical night of music, latkes, and light! We will begin the evening with singing, candle lighting, and blessings - followed by a delicious and festive catered dinner, wine (for the adults!), dancing, crafts, and of course, glow sticks galore! Led by Rebecca Schoffer, Director of Jewish Family Life and Shababa. We are thrilled to welcome our friends from the Shabbat B’Ivrit community and all gather together to celebrate the festival of light!
|
|
|
|
Brighten the darkest days of the year by creating miniature, illuminated models of stellar nebulae—the cosmic nurseries where stars are born. Design your own holiday ornament inspired by a real stellar nebula, or let your imagination take you to new galaxies! Recommended for ages 4+.
|
|
|
|
Get outside during the holidays at the Wolf Conservation Center! Learn about the mythology, biology and ecology of wolf families and discover why this season is such a magical time for packs in North America. Guests will enjoy watching gray wolves Nikai, Silas, and Kinari tear open “wolfy” presents! Guests will also potentially behold some of the WCC’s critically endangered red wolves and Mexican gray wolves. Pre-registration is required.
|
|
|
|
All are invited to come and celebrate the longest night of the year! The Winter Solstice has long been observed in many cultures around the world. The longest night of the year not only marks the arrival of Winter, but also the returning of the light as the days begin to lengthen. We’ll go on a scavenger hunt for the hidden Yule Log and then cheer on the lengthening days with a warm fire, and hot beverage. Come celebrate the season in a down-to-earth fashion before the whirlwind of the holidays embraces you!
|
|
|
|
Celebrate the solstice with a wintry tale while the fire burns with Environmental Art Educator Caroline Erb. Conclude with a craft for our furry and feathered friends, who are busy preparing for the coldest part of the year. Materials for this program may include nuts or birdseed that was prepared in a facility that may not have been nut-free. This event takes place in the Carriage House.
|
|
|
|
The 914PopUps Holiday Vendor Market will feature new small businesses each week vending unique handcrafts and gift items from local vendors including jewelry, home design, handbags, and clothing. The market will be open the first three weekends in December on Saturday/Sundays from 11-7pm and located on the west side of the center by Macy’s.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 Westchester County, NY. Here are local organizations
that offer memberships.
|
|
|
- The Revamped Holiday Experience is Now Open at Christmas in America in Mt. Vernon - 30 Warren Place - Christmas In America, Warren Place, Mount Vernon, NY, Friday, December 19, 2025; Saturday, December 20, 2025; Sunday, December 21, 2025 — Fridays: 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM; Saturdays: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM; Sundays: 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM
- Free mini photo session with Shoott! - Westchester County - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, Saturday, December 20, 2025; Sunday, December 21, 2025 — See
link for times
- The 914PopUps Holiday Vendor Market - Cross County Center, 8000 Mall
Walk, Yonkers, NY 10704, Saturday, December 20, 2025; Sunday, December 21, 2025 — 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
- The Nostalgia of Christmas Is on Full Display at Down to Earth Living - Down To Earth Living, 1040 New York 45, Pomona, NY 10970, Saturday, December 20, 2025; Sunday, December 21, 2025 — 2:00 - 4:00 PM
- FREE Holiday Flying Trapeze and Circus Show in Westbury - Samanea New York Mall, Old Country Road, Westbury, NY, Saturday, December 20, 2025 — 7:00 PM
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Westchester County 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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
2025's winners in KidsOutAndAbout's annual reader survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around Westchester. Our Top 20 results page includes a list of your top picks, including winners in special categories! Check out your fellow readers'
favorites, and enjoy exploring the best of the region!
|
|
|
Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
|
|
