KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Wed, Dec 31: Noon Year's Eve Skate at Skate City Fun Spot
Wed, Dec 31: New Year’s Eve in the City at City Museum
Wed, Dec 31: Family Fun: Noon Year's Eve Party at St. Charles City-County Library - Kisker Road Branch
Fri, Jan 2: Alton Eagle Ice Festival 2026
Sat, Jan 24: National Skating Month Celebration at Brentwood Ice Arena
Sat, Jan 24: Loop Ice Carnival at Delmar Loop
Sun, Jan 25: St. Mary Magdalen Catholic School Open House
Sat, Feb 7: Open House at The Soulard School
Sun, Feb 8: Purina Pet Parade
Sat, Feb 14: Bud Light Grand Parade of Mardi Gras
Fri, Feb 20: Stories in the 100 Aker Wood at DaySpring Arts and Education
Sat, Feb 21: SCC Summer Camp Celebration at Community Education |
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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Preschool is more fun — and educational — by learning outdoors at the Saint Louis Zoo! Join us for our Second Nature Zoo Preschool Open Houses and learn about our Reggio-inspiredprogram, where children’s interests guide their learning. Students spend 50% of their day outdoors and draw inspiration from animals and nature. NEW: Starting with the 2026-27 academic year, preschool will be a full-day program, and the new classrooms will be located in the Zoo’s new Destination Discovery area! Open house is Sunday, Jan. 4 from 9 am to noon. Learn more at stlzoo.org/preschool.
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This beloved holiday tradition is our gift to the community! Invite your family and friends and enjoy this fantastic light show set to Christmas tunes from the comfort of your car. You’ll want to add Light Up St. Peters to your list of ’must-do’ holiday activities this year.
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A true holiday favorite, this beloved comedy classic features renowned composer John Williams’ charming and delightful score performed live by the SLSO. Macaulay Culkin stars as Kevin McCallister, an 8-year-old boy who’s accidentally left behind when his family leaves for Christmas vacation and who must defend his home against two bungling thieves. Hilarious and heart-warming, Home Alone is holiday fun for the entire family.
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Immerse yourself among festive installations of poinsettias and other seasonal favorites presented alongside the newly planted permanent displays of Mediterranean species throughout the Emerson Conservatory. This year’s Holiday Flower and Train Show explores the Victorian era through nature and architecture, highlighted by unique miniature versions of the Garden's Victorian buildings and structures made of natural elements. Included with daytime Garden admission and evening Garden Glow admission. The Garden is closed on December 25. Garden Glow is closed November 17 and 27 and December 24–25.
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Drive through SNOWMAN SCENE park. Unique scenes for your viewing pleasure. Opens Thanksgiving then open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays thru December 28th. $15 per vehicle (CASH ONLY) Large Vans and buses extra
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K-POP HUNTERS EVENT! Calling all K-POP fans- this is your moment to be golden! Join us Saturday, December 27 2:30 -4 pm for the ultimate K-POP makeover experience!
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Come and join in the fun and festivities as we celebrate the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa with crafts, culture, and refreshments! Registration recommended.
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Two teams battle it out for your laughs and applause in this improv comedy event where everything is made up on the spot based upon your suggestions!!
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Enjoy a day of culture, performance, and tradition during one of the region’s biggest Kwanzaa celebrations. Celebrated at the Museum for 25 years, the free, annual Kwanzaa Celebration is presented in partnership with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Saint Louis Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter. The celebration includes a full-day activation for all ages with live performances, workshops, art making, lounge spaces, take-home materials, and a scavenger hunt through the galleries.
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Start your weekend at SLAM! Join the Saint Louis Art Museum for Access for All Free Fridays and experience a variety of new and exciting opportunities for all ages every Friday. With live music, gallery activations, open studios, films, performances, and more, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
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The public is invited to view the exhibit “Winter Traditions: An Exploration of Celebrations” at Felix Vallé House State Historic Site during the month of December. The exhibit will be on display in the site’s Shaw House from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. “Winter Traditions” explores Missouri’s unique cultural journey and the traditions that have influenced it. The exhibit touches on winter traditions from Haiti, Italy, Indigenous cultures and more. Admission is free, and there is no need to register. For more information, call the historic site office at 573-883-7102.
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St. Louis Public Library (SLPL) is launching its annual MLK Food Drive in partnership with St. Louis Area Foodbank, honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by supporting individuals and families across the St. Louis community.
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Happy Howlidays! The Endangered Wolf Center is ringing in this holiday season with a festive adventure. Invite your friends and family to enjoy s’mores around the campfire, hot cocoa, cookies, and holiday refreshments. The evening will feature our spin on caroling, as we sing with the wolves under the night sky. The howls from our American Red Wolves and Mexican wolves are some of the rarest sounds in the animal kingdom, so you won’t want to miss this spectacular symphony. Be sure to mark your calendars to join us for this unforgettable holiday celebration.
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- Free Fridays- The Saint Louis Art Museum - The Saint Louis Art Museum - 1 Fine Arts Drive Forest Park, St. Louis, Friday, December 26, 2025, 10 am to 9 pm
- Winter Traditions: An
Exploration of Celebrations at Felix Vallé House State Historic Site - 198 Merchant St, Ste. Genevieve, Friday, December 26, 2025 to Sunday, December 28, 2025, 10 am- 4 pm
- Kwanzaa Celebration 2025 - 1 Fine Arts Drive, St. Louis, Friday, December 26, 2025, 10 am- 8 pm
- Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows Annual Way of Lights - National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows - 442 South De Mazenod Drive, Belleville, Friday,
December 26, 2025 to Sunday, December 28, 2025, Outdoor Light Display 5-9 pm nightly
- Daily Holiday Light Show - That Christmas Lights House - Bellerosa Drive, Des Peres, Friday, December 26, 2025 to Sunday, December 28, 2025, 05:00PM to 10:00pm
- Light Up St. Peters - 7661 Mexico Rd, St. Peters, Friday, December 26, 2025 to Sunday, December 28, 2025, 5-11 pm
- Free mini photo session with Shoott! - St. Louis - Shoott - Broadway, New York, Saturday, December 27, 2025 to Sunday, December 28, 2025, See link for times
- Kwanzaa Celebration - Natural Bridge Branch - 7606 Natural Bridge Road, St. Louis, Saturday, December 27, 2025, 2 pm
- We Can All Serve - MLK Food Drive - 1301 Olive Street, St. Louis, Friday, December
26, 2025 to Sunday, December 28, 2025, all day
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Take out your calendar - you have a lot of scheduling to do to fit in all the incredible Winter 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. Here are local organizations that offer memberships.
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St. Louis 2025 holiday events and activities...Christmas concerts, lights, trees, nativities, and more. . . plus activities for Chanukah, Kwanzaa, and New Year's Eve. The activities we've listed here
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the St. Louis 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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Best places to take kids in St Louis in 2024! Once again, our readers have spoken! Thousands of parents voted in the KidsOutAndAbout survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids. Our Top 20 results page includes a list of your top picks, including winners in
special categories like favorite spot for indoor play, favorite nature center, favorite museum, and much more!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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