With winter fast approaching, kids will be spending more time indoors. Instead of letting little ones stir up chaos in the kitchen or living room, consider creating a dedicated play space where they can channel their creative energy and imagination in a way that supports the overall family environment. One often-overlooked space for play is […]
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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Snow Much Fun
Skiing and snowboarding for kids in Central Oregon
For some people, winter in Central Oregon means time to relax by a cozy fire, sip hot cocoa and watch the beautiful snow fall—all from indoors. But for many families, winter is an active season and one of the best times to get outside and take advantage of the snowy playgrounds our region offers. For […]
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Winter Bookshelf: Weiwei’s Winter Solstice
Recommended by Paige Bentley-Flannery, Community Librarian, Deschutes Public Library
What would you do if all you saw was snow? It’s the longest night of the year. The Winter Solstice is here. But this Chinese holiday looks different in Weiwei’s new home. And it’s cold out! You discover flowers and the river is sparkling. But even though this year’s Winter Solstice is different, it could […]
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Winter Bookshelf: The Winding Willow
Recommended by Paige Bentley-Flannery, Community Librarian, Deschutes Public Library
What snowy good deed will you do when it snows? Hubert Cumberbun may be a tiny mouse, but he’s brave! Hubert is trying to get home. However, his path is not a clear journey. There is a mysterious tree holding treasures (his brother’s lost shoe!) and a beautiful yet hungry owl. Hubert tries to remember […]
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Holiday DIY Gifts
Festive handmade fun for every age
The best holiday gifts are the ones made by hand—the kind that capture tiny fingerprints, watercolor splashes or creative flair that only kids can bring. From keepsake plates and homemade greeting cards to jars of rich hot cocoa and colorful rock photo holders, these affordable projects make it easy to craft something meaningful, memorable and […]
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Freshen & Detoxify
Tips for maximizing your home’s indoor air quality this fall
As we move into the crisp fall weather, inevitably, we’ll be spending more time indoors with the windows closed. The tail end of fire season can also bring smoky days that force us to hunker down at home. With less fresh air circulating inside and with the smoke potentially lingering outside, it’s more important than […]
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Building Mental Resiliency to Beat the Back-to-School Blues
Behavioral health model is a win for everyone
Summer can be a tough time for parents—dealing with the lack of routine, sleep disruptions, family vacations and even just the increase in grocery bills with hungry kids hanging around the pantry all day. But for kids, summer is not only a welcome break from strict routines—it can also be much a needed respite from […]
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BendNest Fall Calendar
Events for this Fall
Mondays Preschool Story Time READ – Join in for stories, songs and rhymes designed to support early literacy skill development, social emotional awareness and family engagement. Hear great stories while also becoming more familiar with letter sounds, rhyming, vocabulary and print. Mondays, beginning September 8. 9:30-10am. Downtown Bend Library | Free dpl.libnet.info/events Tuesdays Bilingual Stories […]
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Let’s Get Rolling!
Tips for helping your child learn to ride a bicycle
Few skills stir up a sense of childhood adventure and accomplishment like learning to ride a bicycle. Practicing wheelies, feeling the wide-open road, cruising downhill at high speeds all scream the word “freedom!” Though the initial learning process is usually filled with anticipation and anxiety, after a few wobbles or mishaps, the personal triumph of […]
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BendNest Fall Bookshelf
Books recommended by Paige Bentley-Flannery, Community Librarian, Deschutes Public Library
The Tour at School By Katie Clapham, Illustrated by Nadia Shireen Are you ready to introduce a new student to elementary school? “Imagine that you are in the New Person’s shoes.” Where would you start the tour? Clapham shares everything about school from lunchtime to the playground. Make sure to stop at the library; it is […]
