Our July issue is out this week and we think it epitomizes the best of Portland-area summers! We guide you through some of the metro region’s most inviting family-friendly farms and take you to Newport to explore the Oregon Coast Aquarium’s newest exhibit, Swampland. Our Family Fare column features Bob’s Red Mill – the perfect partner to all your summer baking projects and a wonderful family day trip to tour the mill and enjoy a fabulous wholesome meal.

If you’re concerned about summer learning loss, we’ve got you covered with Cool Summer Science you can share with your kids in your home, your backyard, and even on the road, and we’ve invited some of the area’s finest children’s librarians to recommend this Summer’s Best Reads for kids of all ages and reading levels. More…

Category: New Issue // Posted on June 30, 2010 // Leave a Comment

Earlier this year we introduced Family Fare, a monthly column featuring our favorite family-friendly restaurants in the Portland metro area. For our August issue, we’re thinking outside the box to bring you a roundup of some of our favorite ice cream, frozen yogurt and gelato shops around town. But guess what? We need your help! (We’re offering a $20 gift certificate to Ben & Jerry’s to one lucky helper! Read on to find out how to enter.)

Sure we have our own favorites, but we want to know where your family goes for sweet frozen treats. The top three “Family Favorites” from our reader survey last year were Cold Stone Creamery, Ben & Jerry’s, and Staccato Gelato, but we know there are many, many more local places serving delicious ice cream, fro yo and gelato. So this week, we’re asking our readers to share their own favorites. More…

Category: Uncategorized // Posted on June 28, 2010 // 1 Comment

Feel like going camping? You don’t have to go far because this Saturday is the Great American Backyard Campout when families around the country will camp out in their backyards or their favorite campgrounds (backyardcampout.org). There’s lots more to do this weekend, too. Our picks are listed below, but you’ll find plenty more on our online calendar.

ALL WEEKEND

North American Organic Brewers Festival. Over 50 organic beers, a kids’ area, live music, local organic food & more. FREE; $6 reusable, compostable glass required for tasting; tasting tokens $1 each. ($1 off w/validated MAX ticket, onsite bike corral ticket or 3 cans of food for Oregon Food Bank.) Noon to 9 pm Friday & Saturday; Noon to 5 pm Sunday. Overlook Park, N Fremont St. & Interstate Ave. naobf.org. More…

Category: WOW! (What's On this Weekend) // Posted on June 25, 2010 // Leave a Comment

I love to travel, and this summer I’m finding myself extremely lucky in the travel department! In early June my son and I tagged along when my husband went to Washington, D.C., for a conference. This week said son and I are visiting my mom in southern California. And next month we’re heading off on a road trip around southern Oregon and northern California. Throw in a weekend camping trip or two and this summer is shaping up quite nicely indeed!

I’ve learned a lot about traveling with kids (OK, a kid) over the years, much of it through researching and reading articles about family travel right here in Metro Parent. Our June feature Hit the Road offers tips for Happy Family Car Trips, and a recent blog inspired dozens of reader comments offering more travel tips for parents. A few years ago, we ran an Ages & Stages article about traveling with kids and another More…

Category: Metro Parent, Travel // Posted on June 23, 2010 // Leave a Comment

I’ve never been one of those mothers who mourns the passing of every developmental phase. I seem to notice the passing irritations (colic! sleepless nights! tantrums and crying jags!) far more than the passing pleasures (yes, the little ones are awfully cute!).

But there is one thing I sorely miss about my son’s younger days, and that one thing is Oaks Park’s Preschool Rides. For $6.25 per child, kids 6 and under can enjoy all the kiddie rides they can handle for two straight hours, followed by milk, cookies and a story. (Parents get in free!) It’s paradise for little kids, More…

Category: Events/Performances // Posted on June 21, 2010 // Leave a Comment

The following first appeared as an Editor’s Note in the June 2005 issue of Metro Parent. My sweet father got a big kick out of it. Dad passed away on May 17, 2008, leaving a permanent hole in our family – and in our hearts. I’m posting this today to honor him, and all of the loving, funny fathers out there.

My dad’s a funny guy – and I mean funny as in “ha ha” not funny as in odd. All of his life he’s enjoyed laughter, his own and that of others, whether it was over one of life’s countless spontaneous moments of mirth or a good solid joke.

Here’s an example: Dad and three friends (all fathers) went fishing one weekend when he was in his 30s. The fish weren’t exactly biting so he and his buddies decided to stop at a roadside stand and buy several large salmon.

One of the group – my dad can’t remember whom – came up with the idea of telling the wives that they caught the fish. This group of jokers then went a step further and had a local photographer take several shots of them with their “catch.” One of the proud wives brought a photo over to the local newspaper (you can see where this is going …). They published it in the next edition with the headline “Local Men Get Lucky.” More…

Category: Uncategorized // Posted on June 20, 2010 // 1 Comment

Happy Father’s Day Dads! This weekend is packed with family fun in town, in the mountains and on the coast. Check out our picks below. And as always, check our online calendar for complete event listings every day.

ALL WEEKEND

Delta Park Powwow and Encampment. Native American dancing, arts and crafts vendors, food. Camp out. FREE Friday evening through Sunday afternoon. Delta Park, N Denver Ave. and MLK Blvd. 503-380-6595. bowandarrowcc.org.

Night Walks. Explore the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge at night with a naturalist. 8:30 pm Saturday and Sunday. FREE, registration required. 19255 SW Pacific Hwy., Sherwood. 503-625-5944. oregonmetro.gov. More…

Category: WOW! (What's On this Weekend) // Posted on June 18, 2010 // Leave a Comment

Nestled in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains with the wild Deschutes River rushing through, Sunriver Resort provides the perfect mix of natural northwest beauty and world-class resort luxury. Depending on the season, you can golf, swim, ski, kayak, fish, bike, rock climb … or just relax and read a good book! You’ll find plenty of options for family fun in addition to a wonderful spa, restaurants and more.

What more could you want from a family vacation?

Can you tell we love Sunriver? We do! And we want to share that love with one lucky family by giving away a fabulous Sunriver Getaway Package, including two nights in a Lodge Village Suite, bike rentals for four and golf for four at Caldera Links. ENTER HERE BY JUNE 30. More…

Category: Contests, Travel // Posted on June 16, 2010 // 1 Comment

My son’s summer break starts on Wednesday and I’ve got road trips on my brain! For one thing, our June issue features tips from road trip savvy parents and travel experts about how to make the most of family car trips – without relying on DVD players and electronic games. For another, my own family is planning a road trip around southern Oregon and northern California later this summer and I am chomping at the bit to hit the road!

That’s why this week we’re giving away a travel book to inspire you to hit the road … although this time it’s the road less traveled! More…

Category: Contests, Travel // Posted on June 14, 2010 // 6 Comments

Saturday is National Get Outdoors Day! Celebrate locally at the Vancouver Water Resources Education Center. (See below.) But don’t stop there, check out the dragon boats, go fishing for free, learn about the Ocean Watch around-the-world research trip and more.

Here are our picks for the weekend ahead. Check out our online calendar for more events every day.

FRIDAY

Ocean Watch. Meet the crew for this 28,000 mile research and awareness building trip and check out their boat, participate in marine science activities and more. FREE. Noon to 4 pm on the OMSI dock; 7 pm presentation in the OMSI auditorium. 1945 SE Water Ave. 503-797-4000. omsi.edu. More…

Category: WOW! (What's On this Weekend) // Posted on June 11, 2010 // Leave a Comment

Kids and parents aren’t the only ones gearing up for a summer of fun. Local libraries are getting ready for another summer of reading for fun and prizes. Here’s a roundup of some of the area’s library reading programs for kids (and one for adults!). They’re all free and offer great prizes and incentives to keep kids reading all summer.

And the fun doesn’t stop there … visit your local library or their Web site to find out about the exciting events they have planned for kids and families throughout the summer.

Multnomah County Library: Beginning June 18, kids and teens can visit any Multnomah County Library branch More…

Category: Events/Performances // Posted on June 9, 2010 // Leave a Comment

This Saturday, June 12, is National Get Outdoors Day (GO Day!), a new annual event designed to encourage healthy, active outdoor fun in communities across the U.S. Locally, the Vancouver Water Resources Education Center is celebrating with Second Saturday festivities for the whole family.

The theme for their free event is “Explore Your Backyard,” with activities to encourage families to experience active outdoor fun in our own backyards, neighborhoods and region.

Smokey Bear and Ranger Rick will be in attendance, and activities will include More…

Category: Events/Performances, Nature // Posted on June 7, 2010 // Leave a Comment