KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
When I was a teenager, a math teacher I respected told me that there are two kinds of people: Those who make pizza, and those who grab as many slices as they can. "At the end of the day," he said, "you want to be someone who has made more pizza than she eats." He said this to me at the perfect time, when I was just forming my ideas about who I was and was going to become. I
decided I wanted always to be on the positive side of the pizza-making equation, so I started thinking about how to use the time I have here on Earth to make as much pizza as I possibly could. Over the years, I found that the key to success in this long-term goal is to tune my mental radar to the very near future, to stay in control of my time rather than giving it away to an algorithm that serves endless empty calories: How best do I use the next five minutes, the
next half hour, the next day? It all adds up. Even young kids can add value to the world, especially if they watch their parents doing it. New Year's resolutions are notoriously hard to keep, especially when they're overly specific. But resolving to be on the positive side of the pizza-making equation is straightforward. For some easy recipes for quick wins, check out my quick-read article 12 Starter Ideas for Pizza on Earth. Then look up from your phone, scan your world, and you'll find all the ingredients you need. Here's to a delicious 2026!
—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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Bring your a favorite book (or two) and we will provide the BLING to bedazzle the cover. Don’t have a book, we’ve got you covered with a limited selection here at the library.
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Make the most of winter break with open skating at Skate City, running December 20th through January 5th. Skaters can enjoy daily sessions from 12–6pm, with a special early close on December 24th from 12–4pm, and we’ll be closed on Christmas Day. Admission is just $6 with $5 skate rental, and every paid skater receives a free hot dog and drink. It’s an easy, affordable way for families to stay active and have fun all winter long.
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Hey Jedi friends! We’re excited to invite you to our very first Star Wars themed skate night on Sunday, January 4th, from 6:15pm to 7:45pm. Come join us for some fun ice skating to legendary Star Wars tunes and get your photos taken with awesome Star Wars characters! It’s going to be a blast, and you definitely won’t want to miss it.
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Experience the magic of the holiday season at City Museum during Weirdly Wonderful Holidays! Step into a winter wonderland of joy and delight as City Museum transforms into a festive paradise from Thanksgiving through the entire month of December. From twinkling lights that illuminate the night to heartwarming encounters with Santa and his merry helpers, there’s something for everyone!
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Join us for a Saturday morning storybook reading! For this program, we will be reading The Song of the Deer from 5-Minute Nature Stories written by Gabby Dawnay. After reading our short story, we will learn a little bit more about white-tailed deer through hands-on exploration of deer antlers and pelts. Finish up this fun morning with a unique craft celebrating deer! This program is most appropriate for ages 4-7, but all are welcome. Please meet in classrooms C & D at the start of this program. ***When registering, please ensure that you register all individuals attending, including children and adults.
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Our monthly diaper distribution event will be accompanied by a drop-in sensory play time! Stop by the Children’s Library between 10:30 am and 12:30 pm to pick up a pack of free diapers. While you’re here, your child(ren) can explore their five senses with toys and activities. This program is intended for those at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.
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Enjoy a variety of activities in celebration of wintering American Bald Eagles returning to southwest Illinois during Alton Eagle Ice Fest! The celebration will take place at FLOCK Food Truck Park, National Great Rivers Museum, and the Audubon Center at Riverlands. Get a bite to eat, see a live eagle from the World Bird Sanctuary, take an eagle-watching tour, and enjoy fun winter activities for all ages!
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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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Taste Buds Kitchen School Break Camps are not to be missed! Our carefully crafted program ensures days off from school are filled with learning, laughing, and cooking as we embark on memorable experiences. Children ages 4 to 13 can pursue their passions and interests while having fun and meeting new friends. With school break camps scheduled throughout the year, your child can join us for a day or on every holiday!
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Our non competitive, theme based camps provide children ages 3-10 an opportunity for fitness, fun and total development...not to mention, a fantastic way to beat the chilly weather!
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Now through January 3: This year's Garden Glow is the biggest and brightest ever! Featuring more than two million dazzling lights, Garden Glow transforms the iconic setting of the Missouri Botanical Garden into an enchanted wonderland rich with mesmerizing displays and unforgettable moments.
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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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- Collage of Many Colors - Jefferson County Library, Arnold, MO, Friday, January 2, 2026, 9:00 am
- Board Game Day - Jefferson County Library, Arnold, MO, Friday, January 2, 2026, 10 am
- We Can All Serve - MLK Food
Drive - St. Louis, MO, Friday, January 2, 2026 to Sunday, January 4, 2026, all day
- Alton Eagle Ice Festival 2026 - Alton, IL, Friday, January 2, 2026 to Saturday, January 3, 2026, All Friday events take place from 4-10 pm Saturday events take place between 10 am- 2 pm
- Baby & Me: Lapsit - Jefferson County Library, Arnold, MO, Saturday, January 3, 2026, 10 am
- Diaper Distribution and Sensory Play Time - St. Louis, MO, Saturday,
January 3, 2026, 10:30 am- 12 pm
- Book Bedazzling - Kirkwood Public Library, Kirkwood,
MO, Sunday, January 4, 2026, 2-3 pm
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Winter is here and fun options for families just keep getting better! Whether you stick with what you love or decide to try something new, KidsOutAndAbout has plenty of ideas. From Ice skating, kid-friendly museums, indoor play centers, and outdoor
activities to thinking ahead to next year's school options - we've got you covered.
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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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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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