Bend Family Loop: Weekend of Feb. 20-22

Hi there,

Happy almost weekend! Did Bend finally remember it's February? My kiddo was so excited to wake up to snow this week that she actually volunteered to help shovel the driveway (she is three, it was honestly adorable to see her do this). We're not convinced it's here to stay, so we're going to enjoy it while we can!

In this weekend’s Loop:

Let’s jump right in!

–Megan

If your kids have seen Shrek approximately 47 times, here's a chance to bring the story to life in a whole new way. BEAT Children's Theater is bringing its production of Shrek: The Musical to Summit HS this weekend. A cast made up entirely of local kids and teens has been hard at work for the past nine weeks learning songs and choreography (and some seriously fun character development exercises!).

This is a particularly great first theater experience if you have young kids. Even if they have never seen the movie, the characters are fun, the story of friendship & self-acceptance is timeless, and watching performers their own age (or just a little older) on stage can be so inspiring for little ones.

This Weekend's Performances:

Friday 2/21 • 7pm
Saturday 2/22 • 2pm & 7pm
Sunday 2/23 • 2pm & 7pm

📍Summit High School (2855 NW Clearwater Dr)

Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for kids/students, and can be purchased at beatchildrenstheatre.org

Here’s what’s happening this weekend!

🤸 Toddler Open Play w/ Storytime
9am–12pm • Ages 10mo–5yr • More info
📍Free Spirit (320 SW Powerhouse Dr. #150)

Let your little ones burn off some energy on obstacle courses and climbing walls during open play, then settle in for a storytime to wind down.

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

Little artists can explore open-ended art and sensory stations, all inspired by this week’s “Under the Sea” theme.

👟 Pregnancy & Postpartum Walk
10am • Parent (+ babe!) event • Free
📍Riverbend Park (799 SW Columbia St.)

Get moving & connect with other new & to-be moms on this free walk organized by Central Oregon Birth & Nurtured Bend.

🎵 Music Together Workshop
10:30am • Ages 0-5 • Free • RSVP Required
📍Deschutes Children's Foundation (2125 NE Daggett Ln.)

An interactive music and movement class built around a simple idea: when grown-ups engage playfully with music, little ones naturally follow their lead!

🧮 Kids' Math Night with Mathnasium
3:00 PM • Ages 5-12 • Free • More info
📍Redmond Library (827 SW Deschutes Ave, Redmond)

Want to know if your child is on track in math? Mathnasium of Bend is offering free assessments to find out, with guidance on next steps included. Kids can also enjoy homework help, games, prizes, and snacks while they're there.

❄️ Saturdays at Skyliner with Nature Connect
9:00am–12:00pm • Family-friendly • Free • More info
📍Skyliners Lodge (16125 Skyliners Rd)

Stop by the historic Skyliner Lodge for hot cocoa, a fire, and a 12–1pm presentation from Laurie Danzuka of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, covering traditional foods and cultural stories. Kids activities and snowshoes for exploring nearby will be available.

🧘 Kids Yoga
9:30am • Ages 3+ • More info
📍Namaspa Yoga (1135 NW Galveston Ave)

An interactive yoga class for kids that runs at the same time as the adult Power Flow class, so the whole family can get some time on the mat.

❄️ Junior Snow Ranger
10:00am–12:00pm • All ages • Free • More info
📍Mt. Bachelor (Sunrise Base Area Yurt)

Earn a Jr. Snow Ranger badge while exploring the winter landscape. Expect hands-on outdoor learning, snowshoeing, winter safety skills, and other activities. Drop in for a bit, or stay for the whole program!

🛠️ Build a Birdhouse
10:00am • All ages • Free • RSVP required by 2/20
📍Lowe’s (20501 Cooley Rd)

A hands-on workshop where kids can build, paint, and decorate their own birdhouse.

🎨 The Saturday Series: Henri Matisse
10:00am-12:30pm • Ages 7-15 • Register
📍Steller Jay Creative (369 NE Revere Ave #107)

Inspired by the bold colors and playful shapes of Henri Matisse, kids will dive into their own creative process and create a masterpiece entirely their own.

📚 Storytime: Rumpelstiltskin
11am • All ages • Free
📍Barnes & Noble (2690 NE Highway 20)

Grab a warm drink at the cafe and then cozy up in the Children’s Department for a morning storytime featuring Mac Barnett and Carson Ellis’ retelling of “Rumpelstiltskin”.

🎭 Shrek the Musical Jr.
2:00pm • Family-friendly • Tickets
📍Summit High Auditorium (2855 NW Clearwater Dr)

BEAT Children's Theater bring this classic fairy tale to life, with Shrek venturing out of his swamp to rescue Princess Fiona in a story about belonging, friendship, and being unapologetically yourself.

🧘🏼‍♀️ Mini + Me Yoga
10:00am • Ages 0-3 • Register
📍Hanai (62430 Eagle Rd.)

A relaxed, all-levels yoga class where little ones are part of the fun, whether they're flowing alongside you or playing nearby while you stretch and unwind.

❄️ Snowshoe with a Ranger
10am & 1pm • Ages 8+ • More info
📍Mt Bachelor Ranger Station

Families with kids 8+ can join a 1½ mile ranger-led snowshoe hike that departs from the Mt. Bachelor Ranger Station. Learn about the geology and biology of the area as well as snowshoeing tips (no prior experience is necessary). It’s $10 and snowshoes are included.

🍔 BEAT Children's Theatre Giveback at Mountain Burger
11:30AM–8:00 PM • Family-friendly
📍Mountain Burger (2747 NW Crossing Dr)

Support local theater and kid’s programming while enjoying a meal out! 10% of sales will go back to BEAT Children’s Theatre all day at Mountain Burger.

🤰 Expecting Moms Meetup
12:30 PM–2:00 PM • Parent Event • Free • RSVP
📍Tula Movement Arts (2797 NW Clearwater Dr)

Meet other expecting moms and make new mom (to be) friends! Kids are welcome.

🧵 Kids Club: Spring Beaded Butterflies
1:00 PM–3:00 PM • All ages • Free • More info
📍Michael’s (63485 N Hwy 97)

Drop in for some afternoon crafting using beads and chenille stems to create colorful butterflies, with all supplies provided.

🎭 Peter Pan: The Musical
2:00 PM • Family Friendly • Tickets
📍Tower Theater (835 NW Wall St)

What kid (or adult!) hasn't dreamed of flying away to a place where you never have to grow up? This Tony Award-winning musical brings that fantasy to life with Peter Pan & Wendy’s adventure Never Never Land complete with sword fights, pixie dust, and the villainous Captain Hook.

🎭 Shrek the Musical Jr.
2:00pm • Family-friendly • Tickets
📍Summit High Auditorium (2855 NW Clearwater Dr)

BEAT Children's Theater bring this classic fairy tale to life, with Shrek venturing out of his swamp to rescue Princess Fiona in a story about belonging, friendship, and being unapologetically yourself.

Opportunities for you get a little time without the kids (hello, date night!)

🎨 Kids' Night Out: Fun With Clay
Friday • 6-8pm • Ages 7-12 • Register
📍Harmon Park Clay Studio (1100 NW Harmon Blvd)

Adults enjoy a night out while kids explore creativity with hand-building clay techniques and create projects during class.

🏎️ Kids Night Out: RC Cars!
Friday • 6-9pm • Ages 4-12 • More info
📍Mountain Air (20495 Murray Rd #150)

Drop the kids off for a night of RC car racing, jumping, games, and staff-led activities while you get to take a break! 🍕 Pizza included.

🤸 Open Gym
Saturday • 5-7:30pm • Ages 6-12 • More info
📍COGA (63060 Layton Ave)

Drop off open play time for kids, supervised by COGA staff.

🤸 Ninja Night Out
Saturday • 5:30-8:30pm • Ages 6-13 • More info
📍Free Spirit (320 SW Powerhouse Dr Ste 150)

Free Spirit coaches lead an evening of obstacle course races, team-building games, and ninja challenges.

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