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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Hear a seasonal story and make a fun craft project with your little one, and let their creative side shine!
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Experience the most magical time of year with celebrations throughout both parks! Pay tribute to multicultural and diverse music, cuisine and traditions! Get ready for a jolly ole time when you see Santa Claus and a band of his merry elves. See beloved moments from Disney and Pixar films illuminate a towering wall of mist. Watch hundreds of sky-high fountains dance in time to festive music as shimmering snowflakes fill the scene. Experience a mesmerizing spectacle as enchanting and magical as the holidays themselves! Whirl through Mater’s collection of car parts in a cute lil’ tractor as he croons classic holiday tunes with some tow-riffic original lyrics. Feel your spirit soar as the sky overhead lights up with dazzling color, more than 80,000 twinkling lights illuminate Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle with sparkling “icicles” and shimmering snow-capped turrets. Watch as beloved Disney Characters join Santa Claus for a merry musical celebration, heading your way down Main…
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Join us on the first Friday of every month for an exciting adventure in the world of Dungeons & Dragons! Led by Dungeon Master Peter, these campaigns are designed especially for young heroes ages 7-12.
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Hundreds of years ago, Santa Claus crash-landed in the NorthWoods when his magic key was stolen by the trickster Jack Frost. Fortunately, Santa was found by Arrow, the guardian of the NorthWoods, and together they recovered the lost key. Santa was so enchanted by the NorthWoods and its inhabitants that he decided to establish a permanent residence there called Santa’s Village. Now, visitors come from all over the world to visit Santa, Arrow, and all the creatures who call the NorthWoods home. Santa’s Village is a magical place year-round, but something extra special happens when we get close to the holiday season: the entire village transforms into a dazzling Christmas Wonderland!
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Imaginarium at Fairplex returns after dazzling guests last holiday season with its all-new luminescent extravaganza. This year’s “Holiday Magic” features exclusive new attractions, such as Santa and motorcycle riders, alongside fan-favorites like the Rose Garden, Enchanted Forest and Infinity Mirror Rooms. Guests can marvel at illuminated forest mazes, take photos amidst tens of thousands of LED flowers, meet fantastical creatures and enjoy three circus performances each day with three different entertainment options.
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The Dana Point Certified Farmers Market is open every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. California farmers bring fresh produce to sell and craft vendors provide a large selection of art, jewelry, clothing, handbags, candles, handmade soaps, and unique one-of-a-kind gifts. The Farmers Market is located in La Plaza Park on Pacific Coast Highway and Golden Lantern. It is strongly recommended that customers bring their own reusable bags.
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Ready to ring in the new year with a great book? Join us in the Children's Section for an exciting New Year's-Themed Storytime! We'll read tales about celebrations, resolutions, and making fresh starts! After the reading, grab a seat and enjoy some festive coloring sheets! All happy newcomers are welcome! Let's celebrate the year ahead!
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When SCHOOL'S OUT...IEGA IS OPEN FOR PLAY! We will have a designated area with activities and stations set up for our 5 and under kiddos, which parents and children to explore together. For kids ages 6 year and older, IEGA staff are present on the gym floor to ensure student safety. Staff can make suggestions as to skills stations, but they are not there to teach. THIS IS NOT A CLASS AND NOT CAMP. THERE IS NO INSTRUCTION. Students can, however, set up their own stations to practice or play in areas of the gym that are not normally accessible to then during class time like the pit, climbing net and rings.
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Bored No More! Play Day at Canyon Lake Library! Join Canyon Lake Library and Mentoring Tiny Humans for a fun-filled Bored Play Day! We'll have a variety of activities to keep you entertained, including board games, puzzles, coloring, and fun activities.
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The holiday spirit shines bright at Knott's Merry Farm. Experience a Christmas celebration with winter wonderland-inspired décor transforming the entire park into a classic holiday festival, featuring a landscape of thousands of twinkling lights, miles of themed garland, jumbo snowflakes, and a variety of picturesque seasonal settings. Knott's Merry Farm offers Christmas activities for families and joyful experiences inspired by the spirit of the holidays. This holiday season, enjoy Christmas shows like Home for the Holidays, a musical revue featuring classic Christmas tunes, holiday lights, magical dancing toys, and dazzling snow, all set on an elaborate, transforming wintertime stage. The holiday season at Knott's Merry Farm also means a return of the beloved ice show starring the famous beagle, the Peanuts Gang, and a cast of world-class ice skaters. 'Tis the season for delectable holiday dining food that can't be found anywhere else and only offered this time of year. The…
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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 Inland Empire. Here are local organizations that
offer memberships.
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2025 holiday events in the Inland Empire, CA: Christmas concerts, lights, trees, nativities, and more. . . plus activities for Chanukah, and New Year's Eve. The activities we've listed here are
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Inland Empire 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 the Inland Empire? Each May-June, thousands of parents vote in KidsOutAndAbout's survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids. Was the winner an indoor play center, museum, farm, nature center, sports team? Click through to
find out!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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