Daily
Open Swim
SWIM — Enjoy a day at the pool with the whole family at the Indoor Aquatics Center.
SHARC | $15/full day, memberships available
Daily Sessions
Open & Family Skate
ICE SKATE — Open skate sessions are open to all ages and abilities, however, children 6 years and under must be supervised by a responsible person 14 years or older. Skate rentals available.
The Pavilion | $6/person
Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays
Playmania
PLAY — Parents are encouraged to participate in this open-play time for kids up to 5 years old.
Central Oregon Gymnastic Academy | $10/child
Tuesdays
Little Artist Playgroup
ART — Make a mess with pastels, paints, cardboard, wood and upcycled items. Perfect creation activity for ages 1.5 to 5 years old.
ARTdog Studio | $15/drop-in
Wednesdays, January 30-March 20
Sweet Science
LEARN— In this chemistry class, students will learn how to identify and separate solids, liquids and gases using chemical properties, chromatography and distillation. They will also gain an understanding of the chemistry of candy by releasing the energy stored in sweets and touring Goody’s candy factory. For students in grades 3, 4 & 5. Pre-registration required.
Bend Science Station | $190
Wednesdays
Creative Story Time
STORY TIME — Little kids will enjoy this story time, with a different book featured each week, followed by an art-making experience inspired by the story. Perfect creation activity for ages 1.5 to 5 years old.
ARTdog Studio | $15/drop-in
Wednesdays & Thursdays
Backpack Explorers
EXPLORE — Children ages 3-5 and their caregivers investigate science, art, music, stories and culture in a fun, hands-on manner. Foster artistic expression in your little one and take home activities to continue the learning. New themes weekly.
High Desert Museum | $15/child – RSVP Required
Thursdays
Moms Running Group
RUN — All moms welcome — with or without strollers! Join other mothers for a 2- to 4.5-mile run at 8- to 12-minute paces. This is a fun and encouraging group for moms of all running levels. Rain or shine.
FootZone | Free
Fridays & Saturdays
Open Skate
ROLLER SKATE — Enjoy three full hours of entertainment the whole family will enjoy!
Cascade Indoor Sports | $10/adults, $7/kids 5-8, Free 4 and under
First Fridays
Art Walk
ART — View local and regional art, on display at downtown businesses every first Friday of the month. Enjoy artist talks, live music, libations and food. Starts at 5:30pm.
Downtown Bend & Old Mill District | Free
First & Third Saturdays
Kids’ Night Out
NIGHT OUT — Kids get Juniper Swim & Fitness Center to themselves for a night of pool play, crafts, games and a movie screening, supervised by JSFC staff. Suitable for ages 3-5.
Juniper Swim & Fitness Center | Pre-register: $11-$13.20 or Day of: $14-$16.80.
Saturdays
Winter at Rainshadow Organics
FARM— Come for a visit at the farm! Rainshadow Organics is open all winter long (November-April) on Saturdays from 11am-3pm. At the store you’ll find: fresh vegetables, pasture-raised eggs, frozen meat goods from local artisans and don’t miss the wood-fired pizza from the farm’s flour, veggies, and meat for $12/person, weather permitting.
Second Saturdays
Free Family Night
SWIM — Enjoy the Juniper Swim & Fitness facilities, for a night of free family fun! All ages.
Juniper Swim & Fitness Center | Free
Weekends, Holidays & School Vacations
Snowshoe Tours
SNOWSHOE — Join a U.S. Forest Service naturalist for a free 90-minute interpretive tour. Learn about winter ecology at Mt. Bachelor and the geology of Central Oregon, the Deschutes National Forest watershed and the plants and animals found throughout the area. Snowshoes provided. Suitable for ages 10+.
Mt. Bachelor | Free
February 2
Nest Box Workshop
BUILD — Encourage birds to nest near your home! Learn about native backyard birds before making your own nest box to take home. Building materials provided. Cost includes materials for one box and two participants. Suitable for ages 8 and older.
High Desert Museum | $50
February 2 & 16
Blacklight Blast
GLOW — Experience SHARC’s Winter Tubing Hill — at night! Black lights, glow sticks and flood lights will light up the runs for an evening you won’t want to miss — snow or no snow!
SHARC | $12-$15/person – RSVP Required
February 4 – 28
Birthfit Postpartum Series
BREATHE—This series of classes over four weeks is for postpartum moms to come together to share, learn and help one another navigate the journey and practice the four pillars of BIRTHFIT: Fitness, Nutrition, Connection and Mindset. Meets Mondays and Thursdays 5:15-6:30pm. Non-mobile babies are welcome.
Tula Movement Arts | $125 for 8 classes
February 9
Kids Yoga Party
YOGA — Drop off the children for a night of yoga, dance, mindfulness and play, designed to cultivate presence of mind, heart and body. Ages 4-12.
Wild Thing Yoga | $20
February 9
Jazz at the Oxford Music Education Workshop
MUSIC — Local music students and professionals are invited to a music workshop hosted by Georges Bouhey with an opportunity to meet and learn from saxophonist, Paul Taylor.
The Oxford Hotel | Free, No Registration Required
February 9
Kids’ Adventure Days
ADVENTURE — Kids will enjoy sledding, skating, adapted biking, bowling, arts and crafts and games. Suitable for ages 6-13, all abilities.
Harmon Park Hobby Hut | $35-$42
February 15-17
Oregon WinterFest
FESTIVAL — Bring the whole family to enjoy the festivities at Oregon WinterFest! Aspiring princes and princesses will have a blast at the Kid’s Hot Cocoa Run on Sunday, Feb. 17 and enjoy participating in fun science experiments and presentations at the OMSI Science Tent. Other live entertainment includes JD Platt’s K-9 Kings, the 10 Barrel Rail Jam and the live music stage, featuring the BoDeans, Precious Byrd and more!
Old Mill District | $10/adv., $15/door
February 21
SMART Sip
FUNDRAISER – Help bring the lifelong love of reading to kids in Central Oregon! The SMART Sip brings together community members and SMART Supporters for an evening featuring tastes of beer, wine, and spirits and an opportunity to learn more about SMART. You also won’t want to miss the silent auction and gift certificate library featuring Central Oregon favorites! Tickets are limited.
Tetherow | $40
smart.ejoinme.org/ 2019SipCentralOregon
February 15-24
Honk! Jr.
THEATER — The students of Beat Children’s Theatre perform Honk! Jr., a heartwarming celebration of being different that is sure to delight audiences of all ages.
Summit High School | $15/adults, $10/students & seniors
February 16
19th Century Making and Mending
MAKE — Explore how people a century ago performed the making and mending of clothes, quilts and other textiles.
High Desert Museum | Free with museum admission
February 17 & March 24
Jr. Snow Ranger at Mt. Bachelor
SNOW — Join Deschutes National Forest for a family-friendly outdoor excursion! Kids will explore their winter wonderland and train to be a Junior Snow Ranger — from snowshoeing, winter safety, wildlife tracking, winter ecology to winter fun.
Mt. Bachelor | Free
February 20
Teens in Action Service Club
VOLUNTEER — Teens will work together to make their community a better place, learning leadership skills to help them achieve their goals. Open to 6th-12th graders.
Camp Fire Central Oregon | $50-$125
February 22 & 23
Mountainfilm on Tour
FILMS—Does your family love the outdoors? Be inspired by this two-day event benefitting the Environmental Center. Mountainfilm on Tour travels year-round with a selection of short independent documentary films from the most recent, annual festival in Telluride.
Tower Theatre | $22 (advance), $40 for both days.
February 23
Free Museum Day
LEARN — Enjoy a full, fun day at the High Desert Museum — free of charge!
High Desert Museum | Free
March 1
With Your Child: Danish Aebelskivers
BAKE — Learn to make Danish Aebelskivers — traditional pancakes shaped like spheres — with your child, ages 6 and up.
Bend Senior Center | $59-$70.80
March 7
Tiny Explorers: Frozen Gem Hunt
OUTSIDE — New parents, kick start a healthy life enjoying the outdoors and get your little ones outside in nature. The program is geared for new families with infants and toddlers, from birth to 3 years old.
Pine Nursery Park | Free
March 8
Mariachi Sol de Mexico
MUSIC— Founded in 1981, the platinum selling band, Sol de México, have broken countless barriers in mariachi music, including becoming the first mariachi ensemble to be nominated for a Grammy. Bring the family to enjoy this traveling cultural icon that symbolizes extraordinary musicianship enjoyed by all.
Tower Theatre | $32, $42, $52
March 9
Kids’ Adventure Days
ADVENTURE — Kids will enjoy sledding, skating, adapted biking, bowling, arts and crafts and games. Suitable for ages 6-13, all abilities.
Harmon Park Hobby Hut | $35-$42
March 14
Tiny Explorers:
Tricky Leprechaun
OUTSIDE — New parents, kick start a healthy life enjoying the outdoors and get your little ones outside in nature. The program is geared for new families with infants and toddlers, from birth to 3 years old.
Phil’s Trailhead | Free
March 16
Puddle Stompers:
Wildlife is Everywhere
PLAY — Uncover facts about animals through imaginative play, exploration, songs and stories with the Children’s Forest of Central Oregon and Wildheart Nature School. Ages 3-5 with adult.
Rockridge Park | Free
March 17
St. Patrick’s Day 5K Dash
FUN RUN — The 8th Annual Mt. Bachelor Rotary Club St. Patrick’s Day Dash is a family-friendly 5K run in Bend, benefitting the Family Access Network, a nonprofit that offers assistance, possibility and hope to Central Oregon families in need.
Deschutes Brewery Warehouse | Prices vary
March 21
Tiny Explorers: Giant Birds Nest
OUTSIDE — New parents, kick start a healthy life enjoying the outdoors and get your little ones outside in nature. The program is geared for new families with infants and toddlers, from birth to 3 years old.
Sawyer Park | Free
March 28
Tiny Explorers: Ribbon Play
OUTSIDE — New parents, kick start a healthy life enjoying the outdoors and get your little ones outside in nature. The program is geared for new families with infants and toddlers, from birth to 3 years old.
Hillside Park | Free
Spring Break Camps
Plan ahead! When school’s out, kid’s just wanna have fun! Check out these websites for spring break camps and make sure your child has a memorable week off.
High Desert Museum
Bend Park and Recreation
Wildheart Nature School
Central Oregon Gymnastics Academy
OOA Gymnastics
Athletic Club of Bend
Bend Science Station
M&B Family Farms
Horseback Riding
Diane’s Riding Place
Base Camp Studio
Cascade School of Music
Tula Movement Arts
ART dog Studio
Bring the whole family to the
Old Mill Feb.15-17 for Oregon Winterfest.
This article appears in Jan 29 – Mar 19, 2019.
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