Spring Break Fun and Games
We’ve gathered up a beach bag full of fun activities for spring break. Some are just for a few hours and others are all day (a great option for working parents). Many camps and activities fill up quickly, so register early. (If money is tight, some organizations offer financial aid; many offer member discounts.) Many pools, skating rinks and other venues add extra public sessions and special activities for the school break. In Oregon spring break is March 21-25 and in Southwest Washington it is April 4-8. Party on!
Camps & Classes
The Little Gym of Lake Oswego.
Creative, non-competitive games, adventures and gymnastics. Different theme daily (Tarzan and Tarz-anna and Hip Hip Horray! are two). Camps run 9 am to noon or 1-4 pm March 21-25, 9 am-noon March 26. Fun for ages 3-8.
Call for details 503-595-9702. 17890 SW McEwan Rd., Lake Oswego. tlglakeoswegoor.com.
Tryon Creek.
Different camps daily for different age groups. Kids in grades 1-3 can spend March 21 (9 am-3pm) at Oh to Be a Tree! learning about trees. On March 24 from 9 am-3 pm, 2nd to 5th graders dig in to Insects and Their Amazing Adaptations. Camps are $30-$65 per day; pre-registration required.
Tryon Creek State Natural Area, 11321 SW Terwilliger Blvd. 503-636-4398. tryonfriends.org/spring-nature-day-camps/cat.listevents/2011/02/02/-.html.
Portland Children’s Museum.
Spend spring break exploring the language of art, trying different mediums. Snack provided. Ages 4-5 and ages 6-8. 9 am-noon March 21-25. $120.
Portland Children’s Museum. 4015 SW Canyon Road. 503-223-6500. portlandcm.org.
Zooventure Day Camp.
Zoo tours, games, crafts, stories and animal fun. Different theme daily such as Trek Across Asia or Cruise South America. Attend 1 day or all. Ages 4 to 4th grade. 9 am-4 pm, before and after care available. $38 per day.
Oregon Zoo, 4001 SE Canyon Road. 503-220-2781. oregonzoo.org.
SCRAP.
Games, science experiments and lots of art from cast-off materials. Ages 6-12. 9 am-4 pm March 21-25. $275, discount for siblings.
2915 NE MLK Blvd. 503-294-0769. scrapaction.org/programs/camp-scrap-2009.
Audubon Society.
Audubon offers a variety of camps for different age groups daily March 21-25. Most run 9 am-4 pm and cost around $70. Friday kids in 2nd and 3rd grade focus on amphibians, for example. In addition to local fun, 6th-9th graders can camp in Death Valley for a week for $465.
971-222-6120. audubonportland.org/trips-classes-camps/camps/spring-201.
Oregon College of Art and Craft.
Art workshops, snack, games, singing and more. 9 am-5 pm March 21-25. $325. Extended care available.
971-255-4159. 8245 SW Barnes Rd. ocac.edu/downloads/catalogs_schedules/AA_Spring11_schedule.pdf.
Christian Youth Theater.
Release your inner Bernadette Peters in this musical theater camp. Student showcase Friday night. Ages 6-15. $150 (code SBC11 for $20 discount) 9 am-3 pm. March 21-25: Mt. Scott Church of God, 10603 SE Henderson St. or Cedar Mill Bible Church, 14273 NW Science Park Dr. Beaverton. April 4-8: Cascade Baptist Church, 1201 SE 136th Ave., Vancouver. 360-750-8550.
YES! Teen Camp.
A traditional overnight camp experience (plus invaluable life lessons) sponosred by Cedar Ridge and Youth Empowerment Seminar (YES). Ages 13-18. March 20-25. $295-$495.
Vernonia. 503-429-2801. Visitcedarridge.com.
Do Jump!
Exploration of creative movement and physical theater. Ages 4-7 attend 9:30 am-noon at a cost of $170. Kids ages 6-12 attend 1-4 pm at a cost of $195.
Camp located at Echo Theatre, 1515 SE 37th. 503-231-1232. dojump.org/11_springbreak_schoolcal.shtml.
Vibe of Portland.
A week of art fun for kids ages 6-12 years from this arts nonprofit. Different focus daily from drawing to collage to 3-D. Snack and play break. Camps run noon-3 pm. $30 a day, discount for sibs, multiple days.
At Tabor Space, 5441 SE Belmont. 503-560-3592. vibeofportland.com.
Portland Parks and Rec.
Many different opportunities for spring break fun at multiple locations around the city. Some offer full-day options running 7:30 am to 6 pm for about $35 per day (higher for non-residents); some are shorter days of fun. Day trips, active games, swimming, crafts and more are on tap. PP&R also offers different daily trips for teens called Teen Ultimate Adventures. March 21: beach trip. March 22: rock climbing. March 23: snow tubing. March 24: Silver Falls hike. March 25: aerial obstacle course. $60 per day, pre-registration required.
Teen trips meet at Matt Dishman Center, 77 NE Knott. 503-823-2525. portlandparks.org.
Tualatin Hills Park and Rec.
Different options at different THPRD rec centers. Examples: Garden Home Rec Center hosts a fun-filled week 7:30 am-6 pm for kids 5-12 for $170 (out of district more). Cooper Mountain Nature Park offers Camp Wild Things: Fairies and Gnomes. Games, songs, crafts and fairy adventures. Ages 4-6. 9 am-noon or 1-4 pm March 21-25. $86, advanced registration necessary.
503-645-6433. thprd.org.
Vancouver-Clark Parks and Rec.
Fun for different ages groups at both east and west side locations during Washington’s Spring Break (April 4-8). On the east side the Firstenburg Community Center offers Lego camps and other camps with games, field trips and more. On the west side at the Marshall Community Center, kids can attend a babysitter boot camp, teen road trips or a week of sports, crafts and field trip fun. Prices vary by age, activities and camp hours.
Firstenburg, 700 NE 136th Ave. Marshall, 1009 E McLoughlin Blvd. 360-487-7001. cityofvancouver.us/parks-recreation/index.asp.
Multnomah Arts Center.
For kids looking for some art on the break, da Vinci camp for kids 8-12 runs 9:30 am-3 pm for $220. And kids 11-15 can design costumes and stage a fashion show in Costume Creations camp 9:30 am-4:30 pm. $225.
7688 SW Capital Hwy. 503-823-2787. multnomahartscenter.org/classes/childrens_classes.pdf.
My Masterpiece Art Studio.
Animailia rules during spring break at this art spot. Workshops run 10 am-1 pm or 2-5 pm March 21-25 for kids 4-12. Different animal project every day. $48 per day, pre-registration required.
7905 SW Cirrus Dr., Beaverton. 503-453-3700. mymasterpieceartstudio.com.
Music Studio on Harrison Hill.
Instrument building, improv, composition, African drumming and more. Ages 7-13. 9 am-3:15 pm. $75 day, $300 week.
2800 SE Harrison St. 503-545-6497. musicstudioharrisonhill.com.
Trackers PDX.
This group offers as many as six different options per day for campers ages 4-15 interested in nature. Try “The School of Magic” or “Forest Survival, Tracking & Stealth.” Times, locations, costs vary. Extended care available.
5040 SE Milwaukie Ave. 503-559-2825. trackerspdx.com/youth/spring-break-camps.php?gclid=CPbl1YGF96YCFSJ0gwodNlJ_Fw.
Oregon Gymnastics Academy.
March Into Spring 8:30 am- 5 pm, or just half day. Kids 3-12 have a blast with gymnastics, themed games and activities. $35 half-day, $55 full day, $250 week.
16305 NW Bethany Ct. #109, Beaverton. 503-531-3409. ogagym.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=149&Itemid=72.
The Children’s Gym.
Kids 3-10 years old can go to Pirate Camp here 9 am-3:30 pm with half days available. Pirates get gymnastics, games, crafts and more. $45 for full day.
1625 NE Sandy Blvd. 503-249-5867. childrensgym.com/extra/camps.
Camp Collins.
This fun YMCA camp is open for spring break day adventures. Grades 1-8 enjoy archery, crafts, games, climbing wall and more. Bus service from NE Portland, Gresham, and Clackamas. 7:30 am-6 pm. $231.
Camp is located at 3001 SW Oxbow Pkwy, Gresham. 503-663-5813. campcollins.org/springbreak.html.
Mom, I’m Boooored…
Oregon Zoo.
Zoo’s Gone Wild features special keeper talks and activities during spring break breaks – 9 am-3 pm March 21-25 and April 4-8. Free w/admission: $10.50 adults, $7.50 kids 3-11, free 0-2.4001
SW Canyon Road. 503-226-1561. oregonzoo.org.
World Forestry Center.
Celebrate Spring Break Around the World with special activities from different countries, and get your “passport” stamped without leaving home. Monday is Russia. Tues. is Mexico. Wed. is South Africa. Thurs. is Japan, Fri. is Hawaii. 11 am-3 pm March 21-25. Free w/ admission: $8 adults, $5 ages 3-18.
4033 SW Canyon Road. 503-228-1367. worldforestry.org/news/42/272/Spring-Break-Around-the-World-Mar-21-25.html.
Oaks Park.
Celebrate spring break with skate specials (2 for $8 with downloadable coupon) noon-5 pm March 21-25. Ride bracelet specials for midway rides, see website for details, noon-5 pm March 19-27.
Oaks Park, 7805 SE Oaks Park Way. 503-233-5777.
Lan Su Chinese Garden.
This Portland treasure is celebrating Bats, Bugs, Frogs and Fish all month with special activities over spring break. Daily scavenger hunt, info kiosks. 2-4 pm March 21, 25 make a bookmark. March 23 fish and frog activities. Free w/admission $8.50 adults, $6.50 students, free ages 0-5.
NW 3d and Everett. 503-228-8131. portlandchinesegarden.org.
Spring Break Crafts.
Hit the library every spring break afternoon from 2-4 pm for a different cool craft. FREE.
Fairview-Columbia Library, 1520 NE Village St. 503-988-5655. multcolib.org.
Crafternoons.
Teens can craft every afternoon of spring break from 2-6 pm. FREE.
Tualatin Library, 18878 SW Martinazzi. 503-691-3074. ci.tualatin.or.us/news/EventsCalendar.
Are We There Yet?
SOLV Spring Beach Cleanup.
Join your neighbors and clean up our beautiful beaches. 10 am- 1 pm March 26.
See website for check in locations and info. 503-844-9571. solv.org/programs/spring_beach_cleanup.asp.
Indoor Kite Festival.
Watch the experts fly kites with no wind, learn their tricks and make a kite. 10 am-7:30 pm March 26, 10 am-2:30 pm March 27. $5 adult, $3 teens, ages 0-12 free with paid adult.
Taft High School, 3780 SE Spyglass Ridge Rd., Lincoln City. 541-996-1274. oregoncoast.org/kite-festival/indoor-kite-2007.php.
AC Gilbert Discovery Village.
This super-fun children’s museum hosts a bunch of “mini camps” from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm, some for a single morning, others for 2 or 3.
How about “Harry Potter Science” or “Art In Action.” Age groups vary. Prices run about $30 per day, discount for members.
116 Marion St. NE, Salem. 503-371-3631. acgilbert.org.
Spring Whale Watch Week.
Trained (and enthusiastic) volunteers staff 26 watch spots along the Oregon coast 10 am-1 pm March 19-26. They’ll help you spot the migrating whales and answer questions.
541-765-3407. whalespoken.org.
High Desert Museum.
Cool camps at this wonderful museum. Slippery Scales has campers ages 5-6 focus on reptiles. Ages 7-8 will be Flying High with everything from raptors to butterflies. Documentary Film Making is the ticket for campers ages 9-10. They will make a film about High Desert culture. 9 am-3 pm March 21-25. $125, extended care available for extra charge.
59800 S Hwy 97, Bend. 541-382-4754. highdesertmuseum.org/Whats_Happening/Kids_Camps.
