Hi friends,
You are getting the very first edition of Bend Family Loop, a little project I have been working on for Bend families!
The idea is simple: Instead of spending your limited free time digging through calendars and scrolling Instagram accounts, you get a short email twice a week (Sunday and Thursday) with the best picks for Bend families. For now, that looks like:
Weekday events, organized by day
Important dates to know
A seasonal section when it makes sense
An outdoor feature like a park or easy trail
My hope is that this makes it a little easier to get out of the house, enjoy time with the kids, and reduce the FOMO of hearing about something fun only after it happened.
Alright, now on to this week in Bend with kids!
In this week’s Loop:
🗓️ Events & activities highlights
📋 Registration dates
🚜 A spot to play in the park and watch construction vehicles
—Megan
Events
Here’s what’s happening this week!
Monday 12/8
📚 Preschool Storytime | 9:30am | Downtown Library
Storytime for ages 3–5 with stories, songs, and rhymes that build early literacy and social skills. A cozy, low key way to meet other families and enjoy a morning together at the library.
🩰 The Nutcracker | 7pm | Tower Theater
A classic full length Nutcracker presented by the Grand Kiev Ballet with Tchaikovsky’s music, full costumes, and a fairytale story that’s been enjoyed for generations. A magical way to dress up, try “big kid” theater, and make a special holiday memory together. This is a second, added show with only a handful of tickets left! → Get tickets here
Tuesday 12/9
🎶 Baby & Me Music | 11:30am | Play Society
Sweet music time just for wigglers and crawlers. Babies 4–18 months explore sound, rhythm, and simple visual patterns while you soak up movement and connection in a calm, welcoming space. → Register here
💫 B.U.R.S.T. Sensory Development | 10:30am | Sunriver Library
Little ones three to five dive into sensory play with toys, instruments, and crafts while parents & caregivers learn simple ways to support their sensory skills, big feelings, and early literacy. A free drop in session, welcoming to all abilities. → Learn more
⛸️ With a Child Skate / Parent-Tot Open Skate | 10am | The Pavilion
Lace up those tiny skates for Parent Tot Open Skate with free instructor support, perfect for brand new skaters. You stay on the ice while little ones practice, get tips, and build confidence. → $8 per person & includes rentals
Wednesday 12/10
📚 Family Storytime | 9:30am | Downtown Library
Bring the whole crew to family storytime with books, songs, and rhymes for ages 0–5. Practice listening, moving, and early literacy skills together while you sing and play along.
📚 Baby Storytime | 10:30am | Downtown Library
Snuggle in for a tiny storytime with simple stories, songs, and rhymes for babes 0–18 months. Just fifteen minutes (perfect for short attention spans!) and followed by the famous toy-dump extravaganza.
🎨 Family Art Play | 4pm | Two Suns Art Studio
Get creative together at this special family edition of Art Play. Open ended art and sensory stations for ages 9 months to 6 years, with plenty of time to explore and create side by side. → Register here
🤓 The Write Path | 5:30-7:30pm | Downtown Library
Looking for a calmer, more connected rhythm at home? Join this parent focused workshop with Dr. Kelly Davis Martin to for learn how storytelling, read alouds, and simple writing activities can support behavior, focus, emotional regulation and more screen free connection at home. → Learn more
🎵 Carolers in the Old Mill | 6:30pm | Old Mill District
Catch the ReSisters carolers as they roam the Old Mill’s gathering spaces singing holiday favorites. Grab a cocoa, get some shopping done, and enjoy the festive music together.
Thursday 12/11
🎨 Art Play | 10am | Two Suns Art Studio
Let your tiny artists dig into process art with sensory stations and open ended play. Great for toddlers and preschoolers ages 2-4. Expect messy hands and lots of creative experimenting (without having to deal with the cleanup!) → Register here (psst–your first class here is free!)
🎄 Clay Ornament Painting Class | 10am | Play Theory
Get creative during this cozy holiday art time as ceramicist Alexandra guides kids step by step to paint their own clay ornaments. Choose from stars, snowflakes, or favorite holiday characters and bring them to life with color before taking them home to hang on the tree (or give to a grandparent as a gift! 😉) → Register here
🚸 Children’s Museum Pop Up | 3:30-5pm | Sisters Library
Imaginations can run wild at this the Children's Museum popup, featuring puppets and shelter-building along with other favorite exhibits.
❄️ Winter Nights | 4-7pm | High Desert Museum
Enjoy the museum after-hours with music, drinks, cookie decorating, and more. It’s a lively event perfect for young kids. Tip: The Rimrock Cafe is open late, so you can grab dinner there and be able to head straight to bed when you get home right as the cookie sugar crash hits. → RSVP here
🎅 BINGO with Santa | 4pm | Bend Craft Kitchen & Brewery
Family bingo night with prizes, Santa photos from 4-6pm, food and drinks, plus cookie decorating kits ($5) that are gluten free, dye free, and benefit Ronald McDonald House. → More details here
🍿 Elf | 7-9pm | Tower Theater
Stay up past bedtime for a night with Buddy the Elf as he single handedly cranks holiday cheer up to eleven. This family-friendly screening is a great way to enjoy a night at the Tower Theater with the kids without the hassle of the movie theater. → Get tickets
Upcoming Registration Dates & Events
Bend Parks & Rec: Set your 6am reminder and grab a coffee for the waiting room… registration opens on Tuesday 12/9 for the Winter 2026 swim & sports session! Let’s get these kiddos swimming! → Here’s the link
Bend-La Pine Schools: Enrollment for the 2026-27 school year opens on 12/10! If you’re interested in entering the lottery for Choice Options, Dual Immersion, or Priority Area Change Requests, you will want your child to be enrolled prior to the lottery window opening on 1/5/2026. → Enrollment information can be found here
N Zone Sports: Spring early bird registration ends on 12/13, so if you’re interested in joining the youth soccer or flag football programs, register this week to save some cash. → Register here
Play Theory Holiday Party: There are still a few spots open for Play Theory’s Holiday party on 12/19 @ 9am & 3pm. There will be live music, a hot cocoa bar, crafts, face painting, balloons, and a chance to meet Olaf & Elsa ❄️ → Register here
Park Spotlight: Canal Row
If you want to get outside this week, here’s a spot to try:
Canal Row Park
Kids who love watching construction equipment as much as they enjoy swings are going to get a kick out of going to Canal Row Park right now! Multiple heavy-duty vehicles are at work on Butler Market and can be watched from the top of the climbing towers or between slides and swing sessions.
Good to know:
Because of the road construction, this area gets pretty backed up during rush hour, so go during the late morning or very early afternoon.
Bathrooms and water fountains are seasonal and likely out of commission.
There is a small parking lot on Butler Market just south of Brinson Blvd./Tiffany Ln.
Where it is: Butler Market Rd north of Wells Acres Rd. 1630 NE Butler Market Rd, Bend, OR 97701
Thank You!
Thanks for reading, friends. 💛 I’d love to hear any feedback you have! What feels helpful, what kinds of events or information do you wish was in here?
–Megan
