Bend Family Loop: Week of Apr. 27-30

Hi there,

Michael and I were trying to think of the best Bend park + coffee combo this weekend, because our list is far too short. The goal: a coffee shop close enough to a park that you can actually drink it hot while the kids burn off some energy. Hit reply with your go-to park + coffee pairing and I'll share everyone’s suggestions in this weekend's edition!

In this week’s Loop:

Let’s jump right in!

–Megan

Here’s what’s happening this week!

🫟 Messy Monday Toddler Time at Mountain Air
9am–12pm • Ages 0–5 • Book now
📍Mountain Air (20495 Murray Rd.)

Toddlers-only open jump, with extra sensory and art activities available in the activity room. Trampolines, foam pit, and the toddler zone will be open.

🎒 Backpack Explorers: Mega Art!
10am–11am • Ages 3–5 • Register
📍High Desert Museum (59800 US-97)

Preschoolers explore mural art with museum staff during this week’s Backpack Explorers. Learn about paintings in and around the HDM and get the chance to paint one of their own.

📚 Preschool Story Time
10:30am–11am • Ages 3–5 • Free • More info
📍Deschutes Historical Museum (129 NW Idaho Ave.)

A lively storytime packed with stories, songs, and rhymes to get little ones excited about reading and build early literacy skills.

🧘 Kid's Yoga
4pm–5pm • Ages 3+ • More info
📍Namaspa Yoga Studio (1135 NW Galveston Ave.)

This interactive kids yoga class helps kids connect to their body and mind, and runs at the same time as the adult’s Vin/Yin class, so you can get some time on the mat, too.

🎨 The Poetry Art Swap
4pm–5:30pm • Ages 13–18+ • More info
📍OAC Teen Center (999 NE 2nd St.)

Teens write a poem inspired by a piece of art, create art inspired by a poem, then swap with a partner to respond to each other's work. This workshop is about process, play, and gaining a fresh perspective on “seeing” words.

✂️ Teen Open Sew Hours
4pm–7pm • Ages 13–18+ • More info
📍OAC Teen Center (999 NE 2nd St.)

Open sewing studio time for teens at the Open Arts Center. Bring a project or start something new with the machines and supplies on hand. No experience required, staff will be available for guidance.

🎨 Sensory Art Play
9:15am–10:15am • Ages 9mo–2yrs • Check availability
📍Two Suns Art Studio (70 SW Century Dr.)

Hands-on sensory exploration for little ones and caregivers at Two Suns. This session is currently waitlisted, but spots do open up. New textures and materials each week.

💪 Mini + Me Strong
10am–11am • Ages 0–4 • Book
📍Slow Season Collective @ Hanai (62430 Eagle Rd.)

Full body workout for parents with little ones welcome! Body weight exercises, resistance bands, kettlebells, and a yoga-inspired cooldown. A playspace is set up so kids can stay occupied while you work out.

📚 Baby Story Time
10:30am • Ages 0–18mo • Free • More info
📍Deschutes Children's Foundation East Bend (2125 NE Daggett Ln.)

A short and sweet storytime for caregivers and babies. Read, sing, and enjoy the community that comes from a room full of little ones finding their voices together.

🐴 Sisters Farm School Farm Tour + Art
11am–12:30pm • Ages 3–8 • More info
📍Sisters Farm School (Between Bend and Sisters)

Get to know the farm animals, experience a short pony ride lesson, and have fun with outdoor play and arts & crafts on the farm!

🦋 With A Child: Butterfly Garland
5:30pm–7pm • Ages 6–15 • Register
📍Samara Learning Center (230 NE 9th St.)

Design and decorate a colorful string of butterflies together in this crafting class. The finished garland works as wall art, window decor, or a whimsical door curtain. All materials provided!

📚 Hello! Storytime
10:30am • Ages 0–5 • Free • More info
📍Roundabout Books (900 NW Mt. Washington Dr.)

Weekly storytime at Roundabout Books is back this Wednesday after last week's reschedule. This week's theme is "Rock Me!".

🧘 Mom & Baby Yoga
10:45am–11:45am • Babies up to crawling • Register
📍Tula Movement Arts (2797 NW Clearwater Dr.)

Move, breathe, and stretch with your baby at Tula Movement Arts. This is the last session of the April Wednesday series. Drop-ins welcome. A nice way to bond with your babe and connect with other new parents.

📚 Family Story Time
11:30am–11:55am • Ages 0–5 • Free • More info
📍Deschutes Children's Foundation (2125 NE Daggett Ln.)

Interactive storytime with books, songs, and rhymes for families.

🎨 Layers Of The Earth
1pm–4pm • Ages 6–11 • Book
📍Lets Paint @ Tower Theater (835 NW Wall St.)

This week’s Art with a Splash of Science explores the layers of the Earth using chocolate pudding, crushed Oreos, and more. Delicious, educational, and fun!

🛼 $8 Cheap Skate & Skatepark
2:30pm–5pm • All ages • More info
📍The Pavilion (1001 SW Bradbury Dr.)

Roller skating at The Pavilion with skate rentals included! The skatepark is open too, so rollerblades, skateboards, and scooters are all welcome. (Bring your own helmets.)

🎨 Family Art Play
4pm–5pm • Ages 0–6 • Register
📍Two Suns Art Studio (70 SW Century Dr.)

Open-ended art exploration class for families to get creative (and messy!) together.

💃 Kids Line Dance Lessons
5pm–6pm • Ages 4–12 • Free • More info
📍The Coyote (910 NW Harriman St)

Free weekly line dance lessons for kids at The Coyote. Parents can grab food and drinks while the kids learn various line dances from Alex of Mindful Motion.

🤸 Toddler Open Play w/ Bubble Party
9am & 10:30am • Ages 10mo–5 years • More info
📍Free Spirit (320 SW Powerhouse Dr.)

Climb, jump, and slide during this open play time with obstacle courses, climbing walls, and chasing bubbles!

⚽ Toddlers & Tots Play
9am–11am • Ages 1–5 • Register
📍Cascade Indoor Sports (20775 High Desert Ln.)

The whole facility is open for kids under 5. Enjoy the Big Play Thing climbing structure, soccer field, strider bikes, and a grab-bag of other gear.

🦘 Story Time & Art with Mrs. Meredith
10:30am–11:30am • Ages 0–5 • Book now
📍Mountain Air (20495 Murray Rd.)

Story time and an arts & crafts project with Mrs. Meredith. Toddler jump is open from 9am-12pm.

🎨 Art Play
10am–11am • Ages 2–4 • Register
📍Two Suns Art Studio (70 SW Century Dr.)

Explore sensory activities and art materials with your preschooler in this fun and messy hour of creative play.

🎨 Teen Open Art Hours
3pm–7pm • Ages 13–18+ • Free • RSVP
📍OAC Teen Center (999 NE 2nd St.)

Drop-in creative space for teens. Art materials, musical instruments, sewing machines, and more provided. Work on whatever inspires you! Come for an hour or stay all four.

🎓 Bend-La Pine Schools Life & Career Readiness Night
5pm–7pm • All ages • Free • More info
📍Caldera High School (60925 SE 15th St.)

Students and families can explore college, trade school, and career paths at this annual event. Higher ed reps, regional employers, and info on internships, travel, and volunteer opportunities all in one spot!

📚 Aron Steinke At Roundabout Books
6:30pm–7:30pm • All ages • Free • More info
📍Roundabout Books (900 NW Mt. Washington Dr.)

Free author event at Roundabout with Aron Nels Steinke, the Eisner Award-winning cartoonist behind the beloved Mr. Wolf's Class graphic novel series. He'll be signing copies of his newest book Speechless, a middle-grade graphic novel about friendship and anxiety. Pre-order ahead to guarantee a signed copy.

This week is a great time to take a kid fishing for the first time! ODFW just stocked Shevlin Pond with nearly 1,000 rainbow trout, so the odds are really in your kiddo’s favor for landing a fish. It's youth-only (17 and under, plus those with disabilities), so you don’t have to stress about getting looks from anglers who feel like kids are the reason the fish aren’t biting.

Quick note on licenses: kids 11 and under fish free. Ages 12-17 need a juvenile angling license from ODFW. Daily limit is two fish, minimum eight inches.

Good to know: Free to enter & park. Restrooms are available. Bring your own water. Keep an eye on toddlers near the water's edge (there’s no fence enclosing the pond).

Where it is: East side of Shevlin Park Road, beside Aspen Hall. Park in the north lot.

Make a day of it: After fishing, cross Shevlin Park Road and walk the Tumalo Creek trail. It's flat, shaded by old-growth ponderosa pines, and a completely different vibe from the open pond. There are some good creek splashing spots for warmer days, too!

More info: Fishing details at bendparksandrec.org. Stocking schedule at myodfw.com.

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