Bend Family Loop: Week of Feb 16-19

Hi there,

Three-day weekends are great… until Monday hits and you realize you need a plan! 😅 This week brings marble track building, sensory art play, crafting workshops, and lots of drop-in play option to help get everyone out of the house.

Let's jump right in!

–Megan

I’d love your input to help make this newsletter even more helpful.

This two-question survey will help me better understand what outdoor activities you’re interested in so I can highlight the most relevant events and create useful content for local families. Thank you!

Here are some upcoming dates to stick onto your calendar!

Here’s what’s happening this week!

‼️ All libraries are closed
‼️ No COGA Playmania today

⚙️ Rube Goldberg-Inspired Marble Track Creation
9am–12pm • Ages 6-12 • Register
📍Samara Learning Center (230 NE 9th St)

Get creative upcycling materials to create and construct gravity and chain-reaction powered Rube-Goldberg style marble tracks.

🤖 Intro to STEAM Using LEGO
9am–12pm • Ages 5-6 • Register
📍Bear Creek Elementary (51 SE 13th St)

Use motorized LEGO to build cars, planes, trains, and creative vehicles of all kinds!

⚽️ All Sports Camp
8:30am–12:30pm or 5pm • Ages 7-12 • Register
📍Cascade Indoor Sports (20775 NE High Desert Ln)

When they say “all sports'“ they mean all sports! Spend the day playing soccer, dodgeball, kickball, racing, climbing around the Bigger Play Thing, and more!

🧘 Kid’s Yoga
4pm • Ages 3+ • More info
📍Namaspa Yoga (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.

Drop In & Open Play Hours

Play Society • 8am–2pm • 5 & under • Book here
Play Theory Cafe • 8am–3pm • 10 & under • Book here
Free Spirit • 12–3pm • 13 & under • Book here
Mountain Air • 10am–5pm • All ages • Book here
The Big Play Thing • 9am–1pm & 3:45pm–6:30pm • Ages 3+ • More info

*these places are likely to be busy because of the holiday – pre-registering is usually a good idea to guarantee a spot!

Rec Swim Sessions

💦 Juniper Fitness & Swim
Parent Child Swim • 6 & under • 7-8am // 10:45am–1pm // 6:45pm–9pm
Open Rec • all ages • 1pm–4pm
💦 Larkspur Community Center
Parent Child Swim • 6 & under • 7–8am // 9–10am // 11am–2pm // 3–4pm

🎨 Sensory Art Play
9:15am • Ages 9 months–2 years • Register
📍Two Suns Art Studio (70 SW Century Dr.)

Get creative with your little one in this messy, hands-on, sensory-rich art class using taste-safe, non-toxic materials.

⛸️ Parent-Tot Open Skate
10am • Ages 5 & under
📍The Pavilion (1001 SW Bradbury Way)

Instructors are on hand to support new skaters and their parents during this session of family skate. Admission is $8 per person (kids under 3 are free!) and includes rentals.

📚 Baby Storytime
10:30am • Ages 0-18 months • Free
📍Deschutes Children's Foundation (2125 NE Daggett Ln.)

Snuggle in for storytime with simple stories, songs, and rhymes for babies 0–18 months. Just fifteen minutes (perfect for short attention spans).

📚 Bilingual Stories & Songs
11:30am • Ages 0-5 • Free
📍Deschutes Children's Foundation (2125 NE Daggett Ln.)

A family-friendly storytime with stories, rhymes, and songs in both Spanish and English!

🎨 Sticker Studio
5:45-7:15pm • Ages 6-15 • Register
📍Samara Learning Center (230 NE 9th St)

Learn digital and hands-on techniques to create your own one-of-a-kind stickers together! Sticker paper, art supplies, cutting tools, and technology are all provided.

🎶 Music & Making!
9am–12pm • Ages 0-5 • More info
📍Mountain Air (20495 Murray Rd. #150)

This movement & music focused class lead by Ms. Melinda of OTB Arts will be happening during toddler jump (9am-12pm) and is free to join with regular entry. An hour of songs, creative movement, and music! 

🧘🏼‍♀️ Mom & Baby Yoga
10:45am • Age 0-up to crawling • Register
📍Tula Movement Arts (2797 NW Clearwater Dr.)

Meet other new moms, bond with your babe, and bring some gentle movement back to your body.

📚 Family Storytime
11:30am • Ages 0-5 • Free
📍Deschutes Children's Foundation (2125 NE Daggett Ln.)

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.

⚡️ Art with a Splash of Science
1-4pm • Grades K-5 • Register
📍Tower Theater (835 NW Wall St.)

This week’s theme is “Electric Energy”! Learn about how electricity works by experimenting with salt art circuits with Sarah of Let’s Paint.

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

This special family edition of Art Play features open ended paint and sensory stations for ages 9 months to 6 years, with plenty of time to explore and create side by side.

🤸 Toddlers & Tots Play 
9-11am • Ages 1-5 • More info
📍Cascade Indoor Sports (20775 High Desert Ln.)

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.

💫 B.U.R.S.T Sensory Development
10:30am • Free • More info
📍Redmond Library (827 SW Deschutes Ave)

Little ones can 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.

🤸 Toddler Time Storytime & Crafts
11am–12pm • Ages 0-5 • More info
📍Mountain Air (20495 Murray Rd. #150)

An hour long storytime and craft during toddler jump time. Get some energy out starting at 9am, then put on those listening ears for interactive stories and creativity with Ms. Meredith.

🎨 Storytime Art
1pm • Ages 3-6 • Register
📍Two Suns Art Studio (70 SW Century Dr)

Learn about different artists and artistic styles in this play-based art class. Using stories and a little bit of teacher guidance, kids will create both individual and communal creative projects as well as have time to engage in open-ended exploration stations. Register for a single class as a drop in, or get a discount for the whole session!

⊚ Pokémon Club
3-4pm • All ages • Free • More info
📍Rosie Bareis Community Campus (1010 NW 14th St.)

A get-together for Pokémon fans to trade cards, play games, and meet other kids.

🪡 Upcycled Sweater Pet Bed & Sweater Workshop
6-7:30pm • Ages 7-12 • Register
📍Samara Learning Center (230 NE 9th St)

Transform an old sweater into a bed and a sweater for your favorite pet. Learn basic sewing and design techniques alongside your child. Materials & instruction included!

Here’s the link to the survey again 😉 I really would love to hear from you about the types of outdoor activities you & your kids are interested in!

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