Holidays on the move, the MomBrains holiday grab bag
This week’s roundup has everything you need for a festive holiday getaway — San Francisco fun, kid-friendly travel, and gifts that wow. And don't miss free + holiday events near you!
Events in Your Area 👨👩👧👦
San Francisco
Free Days at the Botanic Gardens! If you missed this week, don’t worry, they’re recurring every 2nd Tuesday of the month!
Thanksgiving Break Camp (Bay Area Discovery Museum)
Boston
Memories Flow Beneath It: From Valley to Quabbin Documentary Showing (Free! Metropolitan Waterworks Museum)
Fall Storytelling (Boston Children’s Museum)
Magical, Holiday Tea Party (plus Holiday Handprint Keepsakes!)
Thankful StoryWalk® (Acton Discovery Museum)
NYC
Virtual Astro Live Monthly Meeting (Free! Intrepid Museum)
What’s New This Week 🧳
12 Fun Activities to Do with Kids in the San Francisco Bay Area: Explore kid-friendly activities in the San Francisco Bay Area—from museums and ferry rides to hikes and creative play spaces. A quick, parent-approved MomBrains guide for weekends, school breaks, and everyday adventures!
A Mom’s Guide to Cruising with Kids: Planning a cruise with kids? Discover how to choose the best family-friendly cruise lines, pack smart, manage routines, and keep everyone happy at sea.
Good Gift Ideas for Girls Ages 5–10: Looking for thoughtful, age-appropriate gift ideas? From creative kits and cozy comforts to family games and even a pet, this guide shares meaningful, fun ideas that grow with her curiosity and confidence.
What We’re Consuming This Week 🔉📚
Given the popularity of our movie and TV show remix last week, we’re adding some more variety in what we’re recommending here — books, shows, movies, podcasts, and more!
Cas Holman on Armchair Expert (being playful): A great podcast listen this week! Cas, a design and play expert, explains the value of play for both children and adults and dives into the 12 different “play types.” A valueable listen on why, in a world where we’re pushed to maximum efficiency, play is a valuable and innovative tool.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Tools: If you caught our article last week on teaching kids what self-care really means, this is another tool in your family toolbox. As the holidays approach and tensions ramp higher than other times of the year, adults also feel the pressure. These therapist recommended tools help give you a starting place when the chaos in your head becomes too much.
Kindness Makes Us Strong: Another gift recommendation for the little ones in your life this holiday season! One of my favorite books to get for all my family and friends kids, this preschool friendly read-along emphasizes the worth of kindness when interacting with others. So important and valuable, it’s akin to a superpower!
How We’re Feeling This Week: 🤔🕰️🙂
Feeling good (and forever introspective) — finally back in the swing of things after what felt like a long reset. I can’t believe it’s already mid-November (how?!). I’m in the middle of a big housesitting stretch right now — just wrapped two weeks with an energetic puppy and am staring down five more stays that run through mid-December.
It’s a little chaotic, a little cozy, and somehow already flying by faster than I expected. I’m glad for a chance to get back into animal care after my time away (my coffers needed a little boost), but all of this time commitment does have me questioning my gig. Maybe 2026 should be used to reevaluate where I’m putting my work and effort into. Is this the best way to spend my time given the new place I’m in (newly married and relocated a bit from my original patch of service)? What else would I prioritize if things were to shift? Taking a note from Cas Homan, can I incorporate more play into this possible change, as well?
On the bright side, these are all good problems to have and I’m continually grateful to have such a great support with MomBrains and Kim & Jenn! Hoping you have an equally fantastic support system behind you.
Cheers,
Your Team at MomBrains