Hi–

Hope you were able to get out and enjoy the beautiful weekend, and are energized for the week ahead!

In this week’s Loop:

—Megan

Here’s what’s happening this week!

🤸 Toddlers & Tots Play
🕘 9-11am 📍Cascade Indoor Sports ⭐️ Ages 1-5
Enjoy climbing and sliding in the Bigger Play Thing without the “big kid” energy during this toddler-friendly open play time. There will also be Strider bikes, balloons, soccer balls, and more available for play. → more info

🫟 Early Explorers
🕙 10am 📍Sisters Community Recreation Center ⭐️ 6 months–4 years
Join a fun morning of messy play, sensory stations, and crafts hosted by Little Bug Play Hub. → more info & register

🔎 Tinkergarten Intro Class
🕚 11am 📍Tumalo State Park ⭐️ Ages 18 months–8 years
Get a taste of the Lovin’ Life Outside Tinkergarten program! During this 1-hour program kiddos will learn persistence and creativity outdoors through guided play as they gather, paint, and decorate pinecones for a fun craft. → learn more & register

🎶 Music & Movement
🕤 9:30am 📍Play Society ⭐️ 0-5
Kiddos can move and groove with Miss Melinda from OTB Arts during this 45 minute music class followed by and hour of open play. Expect singing, dancing, and a chance to explore different instruments together. → more info & register

⛸️ Parent-Tot Open Skate
🕙 10-11:15am 📍The Pavilion ⭐️ 5 & under
Instructors are on hand to support new skaters and their parents during this session of family skate.❗️The Pavilion has had to cancel events recently due to warm temps–be sure to check their website before heading over!

🎄 Christmas Cookie Decorating Party
🕞 3:30pm 📍Play Theory ⭐️ Ages 1-10
Spend the afternoon decorating cookies and enjoying the playspace with other families as Play Theory pumps up the cozy vibes and holiday music. → more info & register

✨ Fireside Festivities
🕓 5-6pm 📍Discovery Corner ⭐️ All ages
Come listen to the Youth Choir of Central Oregon carolers while sipping on (free!) hot chocolate from Sparrow Mercado. We hear that Santa might be making an appearance, too. This event runs alongside a small pop-up makers market, open from 4-7pm. → more info

📚 Hello! Storytime
🕥 10:30am 📍Roundabout Books ⭐️ Ages 0-5
Join Ms. Kathy for a “Gingerbread Mania” themed storytime filled with movement, music, and stories.

🧶 Holiday Craft Day
🕑 2pm 📍Waldorf School of Bend ⭐️ Ages 5-12
Come make handcrafted gifts alongside your child with the Waldorf School. Learn to make a winter lantern, a window star, and a wool angel during this afternoon of holiday crafting. → RSVP required (event is free)

🤠 Kids Line Dance Lesson
🕔 5pm 📍Cross Eyed Cricket ⭐️ All ages
Grab apps or dinner while Alex from Mindful Motion leads the kids in a line dance lesson. → more info

🎨 Nature Art Creations
🕠 5:45pm 📍Samara Learning Center ⭐️ Ages 6+
An evening of parent-child crafting inspired by the natural world. Gather natural materials, borrow some inspiration from your surroundings, and work together to create a one-of-a-kind piece of art. → more info & register

🎒 Backpack Explorers
🕙 10am 📍High Desert Museum ⭐️ Ages 3-5
Learn how the animals of the high desert prepare for hibernation through stories and hands-on activities with an educator from the museum. Younger siblings are welcome, too. → more info & register

🎨 Art Play
🕙 10am 📍Two Suns Art Studio ⭐️ Ages 2-4
Get creative and dig into process-based art with sensory stations and open ended play. Expect messy hands and chances to experiment with new materials (without having to deal with the cleanup!) → Register here

❄️ Winter Nights
🕓 4-7pm 📍High Desert Museum ⭐️ All ages
Come hang at the museum after hours for the last of this year’s Winter Nights! The theme is “Snowology” so dress in you best snowflake attire and enjoy a night of music, crafts, and cookie decorating. The Rimrock Cafe will be open until 6:30pm if you want to make a full night of it. → more info & RSVP

BLP Schools & those that follow their calendar will be closed for the next two weeks. Here are a few camp options that still have availability:

Play Theory
⭐️ Ages 3-10 🗓️ 12/22-23 & 12/29-30 🕗 8am-1pm ⛺️ more info

JRs Camp @ Cascade Indoor Sports
⭐️ Ages 3-6 🗓️ 12/22-23 & 12/29-31 🕘 9am-1pm ⛺️ more info

The Little Gym
⭐️ Ages 3-12 🗓️ 12/22-23 & 12/29-31 🕧 12:30-3:30pm ⛺️ more info

Lava City Cirque
⭐️ Ages 5+ 🗓️ 12/22-23+26 & 12/29-30+1/2 🕘 varies ⛺️ more info

Bend Parks & Rec
⭐️ Ages 5-14 🗓️ times & dates vary by program ⛺️ more info

Last week our unsuspecting two year old did her usual bath, PJ’s, and teeth brushing routine… and was then ushered into the car for a surprise Christmas lights drive before bed! Here are a few spots close together which made for a good loop:

And here are some maps that folks around town have compiled!

Thanks for reading the Bend Family Loop today. If you found something useful, please share it with a friend 💛