KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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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:
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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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!
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Still have gifts to grab? Cross County Center makes last-minute shopping festive and fun with Winter Fest! With extended hours, free parking, and top stores all in one place, it’s your go-to destination for everything Christmas. Shop for everyone on your list, then enjoy bites from Westchester’s best food trucks or glide across the pop-up skating rink under twinkling holiday lights through January 4. Capture photos with Santa or snap a selfie by the giant walk-through tree while enjoying the cheerful Winter Fest atmosphere. From gifts to family fun, Cross County Center makes holiday shopping easy, exciting, and full of seasonal charm, all close to home. For our store directory and hours click here: https://www.crosscountycenter.com/directory
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The magic of the holidays returns as Lumina transforms Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard into a dazzling winter wonderland. This walk-through light experience features over half a million glowing lights and brand-new scenes that bring the spirit of the season to life.
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Join us for a special two-hour program that brings together an indoor wildlife encounter and an outdoor winter adventure. A fun and educational experience for families and nature lovers of all ages during the holiday break.
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Experience the Magic of the Holidays on the Hill! Discover an all-new Holidays on the Hill Train Show, stroll the 2,500-square-foot exhibit set within the stunning Lasdon Glass House Conservatory. Multi-level tables and tracks carry trains as they chug past whimsical settings, nostalgic scenes and well-known characters all with a fresh, innovative design that brings holiday cheer to life. Celebrate the season with a memorable, family-friendly experience filled with festive sights, joyful activities, and holiday cheer. Perfect for creating lasting memories—don’t miss this enchanting holiday tradition!
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The Beatles are perhaps the most famous band in history, transforming rock and roll and defining a generation. From their beginnings with irresistible dance tunes like “Twist and Shout,” through the kids’ favorite “Yellow Submarine,” and the psychedelic “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” sample the works of the Fab Four with the brilliant energy and beauty of laser light.
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Enjoy our annual holiday decorations in Glenview, our 1877 home on the National Register of Historic Places, designed by esteemed architect Charles W. Clinton. Explore the six fully restored period rooms on a 45-minute guided tour, showcasing beautiful Christmas trees, antique ornaments and toys, and a holiday-themed tablescape. Learn about the Gilded Age holiday traditions of the Trevor family, and see the fine woodwork, furnishings, artwork, and magnificent architectural features that rank Glenview as one of the most important early Gilded Age residences open to the public.
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Step into the season at NYC’s Favorite Holiday Tradition! After more than three decades, the Holiday Train Show continues to delight as New York City’s favorite winter tradition and a can’t-miss adventure. The timeless magic of rail travel fills NYBG with seasonal cheer as model trains travel over famous bridges and through familiar city settings, bringing nearly 200 twinkling landmark replicas—including new surprises for 2025/2026—to life under the glass of the warm and welcoming Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. Get up close to see these miniature masterpieces, each one meticulously crafted from plant parts like palm fronds, pinecones, and cinnamon sticks. Then head outside to explore a glowing mountain-scape brimming with even more trains and picture-perfect moments.
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Build the best memories at Westchester's top family holiday event, Holiday Bricktacular! Daily from November 28th - December 31st, families can enjoy a winter wonderland of activities, festive decorations and more at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester. Fill your holiday hearts with the Build To Give experience! Families can create joy in the biggest ever donation of LEGO® sets to children in need by building a LEGO heart at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester.
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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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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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- Children's Winter Vacation: Gingerbread House Workshop - Library Plaza, New Rochelle, NY, Friday, December 26, 2025, 11:00 AM & 2:00 PM
- Free mini photo session with Shoott! -
Westchester County - Broadway, New York, NY, Saturday, December 27, 2025 and Sunday, December 28, 2025, See link for times
- Family Programs at Yale Peabody Museum - 170 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT 06511, Saturday, December 27, 2025 and Sunday, December 28, 2025, See website for specific program times
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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 Westchester County, NY. Here are local organizations
that offer memberships.
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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!
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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!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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