Summer fairs and festivals are still in full swing this weekend, and you’ll find lots more family fun below! As always, check our online calendar for complete daily listings.
ALL WEEKEND
Washington County Fair. All your favorite fair fun including a carnival midway and farm yard plus a reptile show, Wild West Stage, kids’ tractor pedal pulls and more! More…

Category: WOW! (What's On this Weekend) // Posted on July 30, 2010 // Leave a Comment

Our annual Back-to-School issue comes out this week with loads of information to help you make the most of this school year … and every school year to come! We explore how parents can help kids make a smooth transition to a new school – whether that’s preschool, high school, or any school in between! – and we offer advice about saving for college, no matter how old your kids are today.

Our Ages & Stages feature discusses our increasingly global community and how you can nurture true citizens of world at every age and stage. The Portland Eco-School Network is our Angel this month, More…

Category: New Issue // Posted on July 28, 2010 // Leave a Comment

My family and I just returned from a two-week road trip, including some truly glorious hikes. We spent time in the northern California redwoods, Bend and even stopped at Crater Lake, all fabulous places for families to hike.

Of course, we have plenty of remarkable places for family hiking right here in the Portland metro area! Forest Park, Tryon Creek State Park, Hoyt Arboretum, Powell Butte and many other wonderful urban oases are easily accessible, and tempting day trips include the Columbia Gorge, Mt. Hood, the Oregon coast and beyond. But this summer, my family is determined to explore even more of the local flora and fauna, so this week we’re asking our readers to recommend their favorite local family hikes, and we’re offering a chance to win a copy of Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon by Bonnie Henderson (Mountaineers Books, 2007) for doing so. More…

Category: Contests, Nature // Posted on July 26, 2010 // 6 Comments

This weekend you can walk, stroll, row, create art and learn some history – take your pick, or do it all! Here are our picks for weekend fun. Check our online calendar for more happenings in and around town:

ALL WEEKEND

Storybook Playhouse Project Grand Opening! From July 24 through Aug. 14, Bridgeport Village becomes a storybook fantasyland for this fundraiser for Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. Five life-size playhouses (10 to 12 feet in height) will be on display, and two will be raffled off to lucky local families! (Tickets are $5 each.) This weekend features a parade of storybook characters, storybook readings, make and take craft projects, entertainment and great from Bridgeport Village restaurants. More…

Category: WOW! (What's On this Weekend) // Posted on July 23, 2010 // Leave a Comment

Happy Birthday Sweetie!

My little boy turns 10 tomorrow, and while I’ve never been one to lament the passing of each developmental stage (I didn’t cry when he started kindergarten and not once have I looked back longingly to his colicky beginnings!), I have to admit this double-digit milestone is affecting me. Maybe it’s because he’s started doing that thing where he rolls his eyes in exasperation every time I speak. Or maybe it’s because “Mom” has become a three syllable word (as in “Oh Mo – o – om!” … cue eye roll).

And so I have to ask: What’s a mother to do? Is 10 officially pre-teen? And if so, what can I do to remain “in parental control” while at the same time keeping the lines of communication – and the lines of affection – in tact? More…

Category: Uncategorized // Posted on July 21, 2010 // Leave a Comment

Last week we wrote about “Summer Learning Loss” – where the average student loses about two months of academic growth during summer break – and all the educational opportunities parents have incorporated into their summer travel plans. But there’s an even easier way to stave off learning loss – encourage your kids to read! They can do it anywhere. It’s free. And it’s fun!

The key is to provide kids with plenty of engaging, quality books to choose from. That’s why we were so excited to include recommendations for great new books for kids from some of our favorite local children’s librarians in our July issue. You’ll find something for every interest and reading level, and because they’re all recently published, even the most voracious reader should be able to find something new! More…

Category: Education // Posted on July 19, 2010 // Leave a Comment

Another fun-filled, festival-filled weekend begins. Check our Fairs & Festivals page for details about local festivals.

We’re also thrilled to announce the Grand Opening of Café au Play, a nonprofit community- and family-oriented coffee house in southeast Portland. (For more about Café au Play, read “Angels Among Us” in our July issue.)

For more family fun, check out the events below, or peruse the complete listings on our online calendar.

ALL WEEKEND

Aladdin. Aladdin challenges the evil wizard with the help of a genie in a magic lamp – and falls in love with a young princess. All ages. More…

Category: WOW! (What's On this Weekend) // Posted on July 16, 2010 // Leave a Comment

A few years ago we ran a story on family travel to Washington, D.C. It was a comprehensive article by our editor, Marie Sherlock, including information about all the major family attractions. Still, after a recent visit to D.C. with my own family, I thought it might be time to offer some updated tips and information. After all, it is one of the most popular travel destinations for families in the country.

So after you read through Marie’s article (highly recommended if you’re planning a trip to D.C. with kids!), consider these additional D.C. family travel tidbits:

The Growing Smithsonian: Marie noted 14 Smithsonian museums, but today there are 19, including the National Zoo, More…

Category: Travel // Posted on July 14, 2010 // Leave a Comment

We’ve all heard about “Summer Learning Loss,” where kids educational development backslides during the long summer break. But according to a recent American Express Spending & Saving Tracker Survey, an overwhelming majority of parents with kids under 18 believe learning should continue throughout the summer, and most believe it’s a good idea to take an educational family vacation.

In fact, 45 percent of parents surveyed said their summer vacation plans for this year include an educational component, whether that’s exploring history and culture (30 percent), exploring wildlife while on vacation (27 percent), and/or traveling to a destination focused on culinary arts (8 percent). More…

Category: Education, Travel // Posted on July 12, 2010 // Leave a Comment

If you thought there was a lot going on last weekend, you won’t believe this weekend! We tried to trim this post down to a reasonable length, but it all sounds like so much fun! From the Portland Historic Races, which begin today, to the Tanabata Star Festival on Sunday, we want to do it all!

As always, you’ll find the complete daily listings on our online calendar, including a special Fairs & Festivals section.

ALL WEEKEND

Portland Historic Races. Watch classic cars race, check out the car display and enjoy the kid zone. 8:30 am to 6 pm July 9, 10 & 11. $10 to $25 per day, or $40 for a 3-day pass; 12 and under free with paid adult. Parking $15 for 3 days. Benefits Community Transition School. More…

Category: WOW! (What's On this Weekend) // Posted on July 9, 2010 // Leave a Comment

Let’s face it, summer fun can get costly. That’s why we’re so pleased to let you know about these great summer deals and special coupons our advertisers are offering in our July issue.

North Clackamas Aquatic Center: Buy 1 Big Surf Swim admission, get 1 free. (page 33)
Bob’s Red Mill: Buy any 2 Bob’s Red Mill products, get a third of equal or lesser value free. (page 32 … they’re also our Family Fare feature this month!)
Old Spaghetti Factory: Free kid’s meal with a paid adult meal. (page 31)
Play Boutique: Free drink, 30 percent off a class, and $25 off camps! (page 30) More…

Category: Uncategorized // Posted on July 7, 2010 // 1 Comment

With summer in full swing, you’re likely looking to add to your repertoire of family-friendly fun in and around the Portland area. Whether you’re hosting out-of-town visitors or just trying to keep your kids entertained with new and exciting diversions, we’ve got a book we think can help.

Out & About with Kids Portland (Sasquatch Books; Fourth Edition, 2009) was updated last year with new and improved content, offering tips for everything from where to eat to where to play to where to go for educational adventures. We love this book … but we also know our readers are the true experts when it comes to the best local attractions and activities for kids. So this week we’re offering you a chance to win a copy of Out & About with Kids Portland if you’re willing to share your own family favorites with the world. More…

Category: Contests // Posted on July 5, 2010 // 8 Comments