Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in portland, OR

What's Happening in PDX 7/18-7/19

July 16, 2009

The heat might have some of us wishing for Fall, but Portland knows how to stay cool! Check out these very "Portland" family-friendly activities all around town this weekend:

 

Sand in the City   Friday 7/17 & Saturday 7/18: 10:00am-9:00pm, Sunday 7/19: 10:00am-4:00pm

Pioneer Courthouse Square is transformed into a sandy wonderland as Sand in the City takes over for three days. In just six hours, sand teams and architects transform over 450 tons of sand and 4,500 gallons of water into magnificent sand sculptures! Teams compete to create out of this world sculptures that are judged in three categories: Theme/Story/Message, Design/Use of Plot, and Carving/Structural Risk. Judging begins at 4pm. All ages welcome, $3 per person/$10 per family suggested donation. Kid's inspiration center has a variety of info/activities, face painting is additional fee. Event benefits Kids on the Block, an organization that uses puppetry to  educate and empower children.

Yoshida's Sand in the City    Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 SW 6th St.

Kiddical Mass  Friday 7/17  5:30pm

Family ride plus bike safety tips. Helmets required, wear bright clothes. All ages. 5:30 pm every third Friday. Two locations: Downtown: North Park Blocks by the playground at NW Park and Davis. SE Portland: At the Sunnyside School Park, SE 34th and Yamhill.

Woodstock Festival and Parade  Saturday 7/18 10:00am-5:00pm
Starting at 11 a.m. at the intersection of SE 52nd Avenue and Woodstock Boulevard, the parade will be followed by festivities throughout the day, including live music featured on three separate stages, a beer garden in the parking lot behind Mickey Finn’s, kids’ activities, t-shirts, and several chances to win prizes by visiting participating merchants. Burgerville train rides, climbing wall, vintage Oregon City trolley rides, pony rides, face painting, and free pedi cab rides.

Woodstock Boulevard, between 41st and 52nd Avenue


Portland By Cycle Ride: Family Puppet Show Ride  Saturday 7/18 10:30am-12:30pm
A family-paced ride with a puppet show as a reward.  Bring the kids by trailer or bakfiets, on tag-a-longs, or on their own bikes.  Special thanks to Mudeye Puppet Company. Meet at McKenna Park, N Princeton and Westanna. Helmets are required, water suggested.

Journey to the Center of the Earth in 3-D @ Dickinson Park Saturday 7/18 dusk
Pack a picnic summer and then enjoy a family-friendly movie. All ages. Entertainment (The Working Stiffs) at 6:30 pm, movie at dusk. Bring a blanket but no alcohol. Free. A Portland Parks and Recreation event.

Dickinson Park SW 55th Ave & Alfred Ct, Portland

 

 

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What's Happening in PDX 7/11-7/12

July 09, 2009

The sun might actually make a return this weekend, so celebrate the end of grey skies! See how long you can stay outside and enjoy the sights and sounds of the city this weekend! Go by bike, foot, scooter, or public transportation to cut down on cars on the road and really enjoy your surroundings. Smell that? It's summer in the Northwest!



Saturday, July 11th


Ladybug Nature Walk   10am
Toddlers will love this nature discovery walk! They get to borrow special plush ladybug packs full of all sorts of nature detective gear. Walk host engages child and parent on a fact-filled morning out. This week's walk meets at Mt. Tabor park (not stroller friendly)
$3/per child
Portland Parks & Recreation    503-823-3601


Pirate Maps  11:00am-1:00pm
Yaaaaarrrrrrrr! Artist Sarah Ferguson shows you how to create a pirate map.
North Portland library     512 N. Killingsworth St.  503-988-5394

Can't Sit Still Storytime 2:00-2:30pm
"Is your child always on the go? The pitter-patter of little feet just won't stop? Quiet listening not an option? Some children just can't stop moving and making noise. Our noisy and interactive program is designed just for them. For children ages 3 years and older with adult."
Central Library  801 SW 10th Ave   503-988-5123


Mississippi Street Fair  10:00am-9:00pm
Bring your tall bike, your dogs, and kids down for the Mississippi Street Fair! Arts & crafts, food, drink, people watching!

From the Street Fair website:

Fun Activities for all, all day:

10-7pm Local Market - featuring interesting arts & crafts vendors plus community service displays & food vendors
Tupello Alley Reusable Art Fair & Water Features
Kids Area - Boise Eliot Eliot Elementary features bouncy castles and kids games for all sizes at Beech
Bingo - lots of prizes
Sustainability Fair at the Mississippi Avenue Lofts (4138 N. Miss Ave)
Salted Ice Cream outside at The Meadow (3731 N. Mississippi Ave)
Rose wine tasting inside at The Meadow

12:00 Children's Parade - starts at Beech

Four stages - featuring a multi-cultural roster of entertainment

10am-9pm MAIN STAGE at Shaver (middle)
1pm Norman Sylvester
2pm Freak Mountain Ramblers
3pm The Dimes
4pm Linda Hornbuckle band
5pm
6pm The SEI Sounds of Soul Gospel Ensemble
6:40 Matt Sheehy Band
7:30 pm Weinland

11am-10pm SIDE LOT STAGE (Mississippi Station)
1pm Nathaniel Talbot
2pm Sneakin Out
3pm James Low
4pm
5pm Bridgetown Saints
6pm Swing Papillon

11am-7pm DANCE STAGE at Fremont (south end)
Celilo
Tezeta Band
Samba Sol
Taylor Newville
Sudden Anthem
The Beauty
Funk Plastic
Cloaked Characters and Mosely Wotta

11am-7pm ACOUSTIC STAGE at Skidmore (north end)

Businesses and eateries along Mississippi will be open on the street for patio dining & summertime refreshments:

Por Que No? Floating Margarita Garden
Mississippi Pizza & Pub Beer Tent
Amnesia Brewing Patio
Lorenzo's Patio
Mississippi Station Patio
Crow Bar Bar
Casa Naranja Patio
Pastaworks Wine Tasting Patio

11am–9pm CRAFT BEER TASTING - Local Organic Beer Tasting at Shaver (by the Main Stage)

Featuring:
Roots OG Brewing
Hopworks Urban Brewery
Lucky Labrador Brewing Company
Deschutes Brewery
McMenamins Breweries

All activities take place on Mississippi Avenue (between N Fremont and N Skidmore) 


Family Habitat Hikes   9:30-11:30am
"Join a naturalist from the Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District on a guided hike through one of the many different habitats of Cooper Mountain. Strollers discouraged. All ages welcome; children must be accompanied by an adult. $8 per person. Up to two children (ages 10 and younger) may accompany each registered adult for free. Advance registration required; call 503-629-6350."
Cooper Mountain Nature Park  18892 SW Kemmer Road, Beaverton

Bastille Day Celebration  noon-8:00pm
Kids will want to spend all day in Le Jardin Des Enfants with crafts, the tombola, face painting, hacky sack, horse shoes.  Ballet dancers, cooking demos, live music, and roaming mimes!
Jamison Square Park  NW Johnson St & NW 10th Ave



Sunday, July 12th
11321 SW Terwilliger Blvd
Portland

Sunday for Families  12:30pm-3:00pm
In July, visitors of all ages can learn about Indian art in the Brantley Gallery, including the statue of Ganesha, a Hindu god with the head of an elephant.

Family Tours: 12:30 p.m.
Outdoor Art Making: 1 - 3 p.m.
Story Time: 2:30 - 3 p.m.

Free for children age 17 and under. Free for Museum Members and with Museum admission.

Portland Art Museum 1219 SW Park Avenue  503-226-2811

 

 

Tryon Creek Junior Ranger Program 1:00-2:00pm

Fun for ages 6-12! Join a park ranger and learn how you can help protect our natural resources, plants and animals. Participating in nature games, nature crafts and park explorations will help junior rangers earn their badge.This week's topic is "Tracking"

Parents must sign a permission slip before children participate. We strongly encourage parent participation with children.Free, no registration needed.

Tryon Creek State Park 11321 SW Terwilliger Blvd, Portland  503-636-4398  Read more...

What's Happening in PDX 6/6-6/7

June 04, 2009

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Summer is berry-licious!

June 02, 2009

I am positively drooling at the thought of having flats of berries at my disposal in the next month or so. This summer, we are going to make freezer jam (we've make the old-fashioned stove-top version in the past with my aunt, but thought we'd try a quicker and cooler method!) berry scones, and of course, homemade berry ice cream. One of our favorite summer activities involves packing a picnic lunch and berry picking (and sampling our bounty!) Here are a few places to visit to get your berry-picking groove going:

1) Flower Farmer-Canby, Oregon. Not only does the Flower Farmer have a massive pumpkin patch, train ride, and opportunity to pet baby creatures, they also have U-Pick flowers and fruits/vegetables for sale during the summer months. You can even ride a ferry to reach the farm! Flower Farmer 2512 N Holly Canby, OR  (503) 266-3581

2) Kruger's Farm is just a quick twenty minute drive from Portland, and is an amazing place to spend a hot summer's day. Pack up the kids and stay after your berry picking for a concert on the island (please see website, the future of concerts is on hold right now). If you'd rather not pick your own, you can buy what you need at the farm's market, including canning supplies and gorgeous cut flowers. For fun, follow Farmer Don's blog and keep up with what's ripe, and what's not.
Kruger's Farm 17100 NW Sauvie Island Road, Portland, OR (503) 621-3489


3) If you're looking for more of a day trip, why not head to McMinnville and visit Farmer John's Produce? You can choose from a huge variety of berries, peaches, even rhubarb. Come for the fruit, and enjoy farm fresh eggs and homemade shakes. Call ahead for seasonal availability.
Farmer John's Produce 15000 SW Oldsville Road, McMinnville, OR 503-474-3514


A really great reference for locating new U-pick locations in Oregon is here . This is the definitive guide to regional fruit/veggie U-pick farms and is chock-full of good information (what to wear, what to bring, seasonal availability) Grab a sun hat, slather on the sunscreen and prepare to get dirty!


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What's Happening in PDX : May 2-3

April 30, 2009

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Monsters, Music and More: The one thing for preschooler parents not to miss this weekend

by Sarah Gilbert

November 21, 2008

Only in Portland would a storytelling concert be held on a Friday night by the library, and be the hottest ticket in town. And it's tonight! Part of the Tapestry of Tales storytelling festival , Grammy award-winning artist Bill Harley "is one of the finest family performers in the United States" and the "Garrison Keillor for kids." The event is held at Parkrose High School, 12003 NE Shaver, and  Read more...

Things You Must Do in Portland Before Your Child Grows Up

by Sarah Gilbert

November 04, 2008

I've lived in Portland most of my life, and though I've traveled and lived in many vibrant, wonderful cities I can't imagine raising my children anywhere else. I can't let my kids grow up until I:
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