Bend Family Loop: Week of May 11-14

Hi there,

It’s an exciting week in Bend, with the new Central Library at Stevens Ranch opening its doors! I have a little preview for you below 😊

In this week's Loop:

Let’s jump right in!

–Megan

It’s rare to find a place where you can show up with your whole family, stay for two hours, and everyone (toddler, teenager, parent who just needs to sit down) actually has something to do. But the new Central Library is going to be one of them!

The Central Library opens tomorrow, May 11, and my family got a little sneak peak of it (see our video here!). What struck me most (across all three floors, not just the children's section) is what a thoughtful third space it is. There are so many intentional spaces tucked throughout the building that seem to say: stay a while, bring a friend, explore something new. And all of it without the expectation of pulling out your wallet (unless it’s to take out your library card, of course!).

The second floor is where families with kids will want to head first. The children's discovery area is huge, and what I loved most is that everything there invited my kids to interact, explore, and keep moving. Because all of it is woven into the book collections, we had lots of impromptu opportunities to just pick up a book and read together. Trailheads prompt kids to find books that answer questions like "what's the funniest book you know?" and share their answers with each other. Activity carts invite imaginative play, music making, and letter identification. Reading nooks are tucked around the space, some sized perfectly for one kid with a book, some just right for the two of you to read together. And for kids who need to get wiggles out in between stories, there are lots of opportunities for climbing, crawling, and sliding.

There's a dedicated storytime and programming space right in the children's section, a creative space for hands-on activities, and a teen area with plenty of room for school projects or independent study. The child-minder workstations (real desks with power, each attached to a cushioned enclosed play space with built-in learning panels) mean parents who need to get something done can do that too.

I can already picture what this place becomes for Bend families: a coffee and playdate spot where parents connect while kids explore together, a rainy afternoon destination, a place teenagers actually want to be.

Children’s programming launches in June, and Summer with the Library kicks off in just a few weeks. Hours are Monday–Thursday, 9am–8pm, and Friday–Sunday, 9am–6pm. Thump Coffee is in the lobby daily 9am to 5pm. Drive-thru holds pickup daily 10am to 6pm (returns 24/7), free parking with EV charging on-site.

📍Central Library at Stevens Ranch • 61956 SE Santorini St., Bend • Learn more

Have a little one who is a mover, climber, jumper, or is just busy all the time? Free Spirit’s Baby Ninja (10-24 mo) and Mini Ninja (2-3 yrs) classes are a great opportunity for your kiddo to practice all those things in a supportive environment. You’ll learn how to support your child’s motor development with the guidance of experienced coaches who plan the class (so you’re not just left chasing them around and winging it yourself).

BFL readers get $25 off the 4-week series starting the week of May 18th.
Use code LITTLEMOVERS2026 at checkout to save $25.

Register here!

Here’s what’s happening this week!

🏫 Central Library Opening Day!
9am–8pm • All ages • Free
📍Central Library (61956 SE Santorini St.)

Okay, it’s not an official event, but I’m including it anyway. The much-anticipated library opens it doors to all starting at 9am. Grab a coffee, marvel at the Juniper sculpture as you head upstairs, and let your kids get busy!

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

Stories, songs, and rhymes held inside the Deschutes Historical Museum, with letter sounds, vocabulary, and rhyming built in.

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

Toddlers get the run of the Big Play Thing climbing structure, a soccer field, strider bikes, and more!

🧵 OAC Teen Open Sew Hours
4–7pm • Ages 13–17 • More info
📍Open Arts Center (999 NE 2nd St)

Bring your sewing projects every Monday, get trained on the OAC's machines, and work alongside other teen designers with mentor support on hand.

📚 A Parenting Discussion Group: Good Inside
6–7:30pm • Parent event • More info
📍Paulina Springs Books (252 W Hood Ave, Sisters)

A discussion group built around Dr. Becky Kennedy's Good Inside, facilitated by Sisters-based therapist Dr. Kelly Davis Martin. First 15 minutes cover key concepts, then it's open discussion. You don't need to have read the book.

📚 Family Storytime
9:30-10am • Ages 0-5 • Free • More info
📍Redmond Library (827 SW Deschutes Ave, Redmond)

A weekly family storytime with books, songs, and rhymes for babies through kindergartners at the Redmond Library branch.

💪 Slow Season Mini & Me Strong
10–11am • Ages 0-4 • More info
📍Hanai (62430 Eagle Rd)

A full-body circuit class for parents, with a playspace set up so your little one can hang while you work. Expect body weight exercises, resistance bands, kettlebells, and a yoga-inspired cooldown.

📚 Baby Story Time
10:30–10:45am • Ages 0–18 months • Free • More info
📍Deschutes Children's Foundation (2125 NE Daggett Ln)

A sweet 15-minute storytime for babies and their caregivers, with simple stories, songs, and rhymes built for the youngest listeners.

🐴 Farm Play Day
11am–12:30pm • All ages • More info
📍Sisters Farm School

Spend a morning at the farm meeting animals, watching the horses, and playing outdoors. Kids ages 3–6 can try a pony ride lesson, and there is an indoor art barn to for some creative time, too.

💍 Learn to Make Resin Jewelry
5:30–7pm • Ages 8+ •Tickets
📍TEAL Tea & Art Lounge (1024 NW Bond St, Suite 101)

Create two finished pieces of resin jewelry, made in a class led by Jade, a 10-year-old artist. Choose from earrings, a necklace, or a keychain, then pick from pressed flowers, sparkles, stones, and more to design them.

🎤 Science Pub: Youth Sports and Mental Health
5:30–7pm • Parent event •Tickets
📍OSU-Cascades (1500 SW Chandler Ave)

A research-driven look at how increasingly competitive youth sports affect kids' mental health and what evidence-based approaches can help shift that. Ticket includes a pub-style pre-lecture dinner.

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

Stories, movement, and a touch of music with Kathy at Roundabout Books. This week's theme is Feelings!

💃 Zumbini
10–11am • Ages 0–4 • Free • Register
📍Redmond Library (827 SW Deschutes Ave, Redmond)

A free music and movement class for babies through age 4 at the Redmond Library. Come ready to dance and be silly with your little one.

🎵 Music & Movement with Ms. Melinda
10:30–11:30am • Ages 0–5 • More info
📍Mountain Air (20495 Murray Rd #150)

An interactive music and movement class from Ms. Melinda of OTB Arts Studio, happening during the Toddler Time open play hours (open 9am–12pm).

📚 Toddler Story Time
10:30–10:55am • Ages 1–3 • Free • More info
📍Deschutes Children's Foundation (2125 NE Daggett Ln)

An active storytime with songs and action rhymes for toddlers who like to move.

🎨 Kaleidoscope Art
1–4pm • Grades K-5 • Book now
📍Let's Paint @ Tower Theater Encore Room (835 NW Wall St)

In this week’s Art with a Splash of Science, kids will build their own kaleidoscope and explore patterns through art.

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

Roller skating at The Pavilion with skate rental included. The skatepark is also open, so rollerblades, skateboards, and scooters are welcome.

🌸 Nature Kids: Pollinator Power!
2:30–4pm • Ages 5–10 • Free • RSVP required
📍Miller's Landing Park (55 NW Riverside Blvd)

A guided family nature walk exploring how flowers attract their pollinators through size, shape, color, and smell. Up to a mile on easy terrain. Bring snacks, water, and closed-toe shoes.

✍️ OAC Storytellers Workshop
3–4:30pm • Ages 13–17 • Book now
📍Open Arts Center (999 NE 2nd St)

A writing workshop for teens who have characters and worlds living rent-free in their heads. Bring a project in progress or start from scratch and dig into what makes stories captivating.

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

Open-ended art and sensory exploration for babies through age 6, with rotating stations each session. Older siblings and high sensory seekers welcome, sibling discounts available. Dress for mess!

🤠 FREE Kids Line Dance Lessons
5–6pm • Ages 4–12 • Free
📍The Coyote (910 NW Harriman St Suite #100)

Your kids learn line dances on the floor while you enjoy dinner and a drink. No experience necessary! Lead by Ms. Alex of Mindful Motion

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

Climb, jump, and slide through obstacle courses and climbing walls at the Free Spirit ninja gym, with a bubble party thrown in to make it extra fun.

📖 Read, Move, & Groove!
9:30–10:30am • Ages 0–4 • Register
📍The Little Gym (61334 S Hwy 97 #190)

Stories come to life through movement, music, and hands-on gym activities at The Little Gym. Each session blends literacy and active learning. Free for members, or you can join the session for $10.

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

Toddlers and preschoolers work through sensory stations full of creative materials and art supplies, with rotating themes each week.

📖 Story Time & Art with Mrs. Meredith
10:30–11:30am • Ages 0–3 • More info
📍Mountain Air (20495 Murray Rd #150)

Story time plus an arts and crafts project with Mrs. Meredith, happening during the Toddler Time open play hours (9am–12pm).

🌱 Garden Party
2–5pm • All ages • Free • More info
📍Samara Learning Center (230 NE 9th St)

Come get your hands dirty at Samara's garden party, with a snack potluck, seed planting, and a community conversation about what other programs & support families would benefit from.

🎨 OAC Teen Open Art Hours
3–7pm • Ages 13–17 • Free • Register
📍Open Arts Center (999 NE 2nd St)

A free drop-in space where teens can bring any creative project and use art supplies, instruments, or sewing machines. Creative Mentors are around to help. Come for an hour or stay all four!

Bend's only public “sprayground” just opened for the season, and if you haven't been to Alpenglow Park yet, now's the time! There's a button your kid can press that activates fourteen ground and boulder water sprays (that button is honestly my toddler’s favorite part of the whole thing). They will be completely soaked inside of five minutes.

Of course, Alpenglow has a lot going for it beyond the splash pad: a playground with outdoor musical instruments and Bend's only wheelchair-accessible swing, a bouldering area with three structures (ranging from kid scrambles to hand-hold routes), a paved perimeter loop perfect for strollers or Strider bikes, dirt trails to get a taste of mountain biking, a dedicated off-leash dog area with agility obstacles, and tons of space for picnics, kicking a soccer ball, or just running wild!

Good to know: The park is open 5am–10pm, sprayground hours are 10am–8pm. Restrooms are open year round, but bring your own water in the off-season. Pack a towel and a change of clothes if the sprayground is the plan. On Thursdays from May 21-June 25, Alpenglow Nights will be happening (free concerts in the park’s theater!), which draws a huge crowd so parking is limited.

Where it is: 61049 SE 15th Street, near Caldera High School.

More info: bendparksandrec.org/park/alpenglow-park

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