Local parents and families voted, and these are our 2022 winners in the Best of the Nest! Best of Shops & Services Best Nonprofit Serving Children Family Access Network (FAN) KIDS Center Best Photographer for Children & Families Natalie Stephenson Danae Swan Photography \ Julia Duke (tie) Best Toy Store Leapin’ Lizards Toy Company Learning […]
Bend Nest
Bend Nest is a place to discuss, consider and laugh about all that parenting brings. A quarterly magazine produced by some of the finest writers, editors and photographers in Central Oregon, Bend Nest is smart and informed.
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Summer Safety
Parenting tips for summer fun, in and around the water
Summer in Central Oregon means soaring temperatures, water play and of course, loads of festivals and events. Parents are right to experience some level of worry as they head out into the High Desert heat with the kids in tow. With a little education and preparation, though, parents can keep the summer carefree and focus […]
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Health Expert Q&A with Katie Powell, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Picky eaters, child attention spans, newborn feeding and more
Q: My son is in the first grade and his teacher complains that he is not attentive during the day. How can I encourage him to pay attention? He loves school, so I don’t want to discourage him in any way, but I am feeling pressured by his teacher. A: This is a great question, and […]
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Best Family Brewpub
A chat with Larry Sidor, founder and brewmaster of Crux Fermentation Project
There’s a very good reason that Crux has become known as the best family-friendly pub – it was by design. Founder and Brewmaster, Larry Sidor, describes how a family-oriented philosophy steered the direction of the space. Crux has a family-friendly vibe, even as you’re walking up to the lot. Is it the open-space seating in […]
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Refreshing Summertime Dessert Made Easy
Turn juicy fruits into icy frozen granitas with little effort
Gather the family and a fork and get ready to make a summertime dessert that’ s sure to become a favorite! Ok, you’ll also need a blender, a cake pan and some fruit to make a delicious, icy granita, but that’s about all. A granita is a semi-frozen dessert typically made from fresh fruit, sugar […]
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Family Sojourning
Simple packing tips for stress-free travel
You’ve been looking forward to that summer family vacation for months now and, finally , the date is just around the corner. Ah…what to bring? If you notice a panicky feeling arising just at the mention of suitcases and carry-ons, then you are not alone. Packing light is the way to go, but how do […]
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Summer Camps Directory
Use this list of summer camps to book your kids’ summer adventures
Ah, summertime! Here in Central Oregon, there is never a shortage of places to go, rivers to paddle, trails to explore and concerts to attend. We’ve got it all and everyone loves to take part. When it comes to activities for the kids, we’ve got summer camps galore, but with one caveat: most camps fill […]
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Bookshelf
Recommended reads from Paige Bentley-Flannery, Deschutes County Community Librarian
Big and Small and In-Between Written by Carter Higgins Illustrated by Daniel Miyares What do you see up, down and around you? Enjoy an interactive picture book filled with imaginative surprises about the size of experiences. Turn the page and picture the sun, a mess, a blue sky, a donut and an elephant tea party. […]
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It’s All About the Kids
Learning the ropes at the Bend Boxing Club
South of Reed Market Road, on American Loop, sits a slice of Bend not many people visit. As I drove down the gravel street, I thought I had made a wrong turn and double-checked the address, but then suddenly noticed an area teeming with life. I knew I was in the right place. Welcome to […]
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Things I’ve Learned
Meet Ranae Staley, Executive Director, The Giving Plate Recently, The Giving Plate, a local non-profit that runs a food pantry in Bend for those in need, earned a $15,000 award reserved for the organization that raised the most funds as part of the 2021 Central Oregon Gives campaign. The organization raised more than $259,000! At […]
