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Frugal Family Fun
By Marie Sherlock
For many years my family has been rating all of our potential family outings on the “Four E” scale: Is it Educational? Is it Entertaining? Do we get some Exercise with it? And is it Economical? As the don’t-say-the-R-word-but-that’s-what-it-is recession has spiraled downward, the last of these queries has become increasingly important.
We’ve assembled numerous family outing ideas that pass the “Is it Economical?” test with flying colors. We think you’ll find several here that fulfill your other family fun criteria as well.
A walk in the park
A family visit to one of the region’s many beautiful parks is always a good idea. We provide links to most of the area’s parks & recreation departments at the end of this article.
But here are a few options (free or very inexpensive) that offer GUIDED walks out in nature:
Tryon Creek State Park offers free guided hikes on Fridays and Saturdays each week. Story and Stroll takes place at 1 pm every Friday; best for ages 3 to 6. Guided Nature Walks are held at 10 am every Friday; all ages, adults required with kids. Both are free; pre-register for Store and Stroll. Tryon Creek State Park, 11321 SW Terwilliger Blvd. 503-636-9886. www.tryonfriends.org.
Portland Parks & Rec offers two weekly hiking opportunities specifically geared to families with young kids. A new offering are Honeybee Hikes at Leach Botanical Garden, taking place every Wednesday beginning Feb. 25. Fun, family-friendly hike with a weekly theme, complimentary activity or story. Meet in front of the Manor House. Ages 2 to 4 with adult. 10 to 11 am. $2 per child, no charge for adults. 6704 SE 122nd Ave. 503-823-1671. www.portlandparks.org.
Ladybug Nature Walks begin Feb. 13 and take place every Friday (and some Saturdays). Get up close and personal with mommy nature with fun hikes guided by a naturalist. Bring a snack and water. Ages 2 to 5. 10 am; lasts 60 to 90 minutes. $3 per child. Sponsored by Portland Parks and Rec. Feb. 13: Hoyt Arboretum*. Feb. 20: Kelley Point Park*. Feb. 27: Mt. Tabor Park. (*indicates stroller-friendly.) 503-823-3601. www.portlandparks.org.
Wildlife Refuges
You may think of our rainy winter months as Foul Weather, but at local wildlife refuges foul weather = FOWL weather. Chris Lukaszewski, of the Friends of the Tualatin Refuge says, “the best time to view migrating waterfowl on the Pacific flyway is also the worst time to be outside.” So, adds Ludaszewski, “watch the weather and come out when it’s sloppy.”
Viewing migrating birds at area wildlife refuges makes for an ideal family outing, satisfying the Four E’s test with room to spare. After all, it’s hiking WITH A PURPOSE.
Consider taking part in the Backyard Bird Count (Feb. 13 through 16) and you’ll add another dimension to the experience. www.birdsource.org/gbbc
Check out these wildlife refuges within driving distance of the metropolitan area (some may require a parking permit):
Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge
You’ll find many more FREE outdoor adventure ideas in our 2009 Family Resource Guide – page 6 through 10. Click here.
Museum Fun
Museums are family lifesavers on rainy days – and even when the sun is shining. We’re blessed with an abundance of family-friendly museum destinations in the region.
Some are always free – like these:
The Museum of Contemporary Craft: www.museumofcontemporarycraft.org.
Historic Belmont Firehouse: www.jeffmorrisfoundation.org
Portland Police Historical Museum: www.portlandpolicemuseum.com
Vancouver Water Resources Education Center: www.cityofvancouver.us/watercenter.asp
Tillamook Forest Center: www.tillamookforestcenter.org
Others, thankfully, have free (or almost free) days/hours:
The Portland Children’s Museum is free first Fridays from 5 to 8 pm. 4015 SW Canyon Road. 503-223-6500. www.portlandcm.org.
The first Sunday of every month OMSI admission is just $2, with a visit to the submarine or an IMAX movie only $5. Every Thursday, after 2 pm, admission to OMSI and all of its attractions is on a two-for-one basis. 1945 SE Water Ave. 503-797-4000. www.omsi.edu.
Families can visit the Zoo for $2 per person the second Tuesday of each month. Children under 3 are always free. 4001 SE Canyon Road. 503-226-1561. www.oregonzoo.org.
Every third Saturday the Oregon Historical Society observes Family Day with special programming for families and discounted admission: one paid adult receives two free youth admissions. Regular admission: $10 adults, $ 5 ages 6 to 18, free 5 and under. 10 am to 5 pm. 1200 SW Park Ave. 503-306-5198. www.ohs.org.
All kids 17 and younger can now enjoy the Portland Art Museum free. Kids 14 and younger must have an adult companion ($9). 1219 SW Park Ave. 503-226-2811. www.pam.org.
For those museums that you’re inclined to frequent regularly, a membership can be your best bet economically. Most all area museums offer them and they can pay for themselves after just a few visits.
Libraries!!
Libraries are the frugal family’s first and last resort – for education AND entertainment. And, here’s something to keep in mind: While the events are free, you’ve actually already paid for them with your taxes. So – get your money’s worth and use your libraries!
You’ll find plenty of ideas at the following Web sites – be sure to check with your favorite local library for upcoming events:
Multnomah County Library – www.multcolib.org
Clackamas County Libraries – www.lincc.lib.or.us
Washington County Cooperative Library Service – www.wccls.org
Fort Vancouver Region Library (Clark County) – www.fvrl.org
Libraries can even help with museum admissions! Washington County Libraries have passes good at nine area museums. They can be checked out for one day. www.wilinet.wccls.lib.or.us. Clackamas County’s passes can be checked out for one day for 10 local museums and gardens. www.lincc.lib.or.us. Multnomah County has a three-day pass good for three people for the Children’s Museum. www.multcolib.org. Check your own library for their offers.
Other free – or very cheap – fun stuff
Remember to always check Metro Parent’s Family Calendar! Our print issue has tons of stuff – we’re able to add quite a few additional ideas to our online calendar. While it’s not a comprehensive listing of everything that’s available to families in the area – it’s darned close.
And our Family Resource Guide (click here for the online version) has a ton of additional attractions and destinations to consider, many of which are free or low cost.
Local Parks and Recreation Department Web sites:
Beaverton, 503-645-6433, www.thprd.org (served by Tualatin Hills Park & Rec. District; for summer concert and movie information: 503-526-2288, www.beavertonoregon.gov/departments/arts/)
Clackamas County (North Clackamas Parks & Recreation), 503-794-8002; www.co.clackamas.or.us/ncprd
Gresham, 503-618-2525, greshamoregon.gov/play
Hillsboro, 503-681-6120; www.ci.hillsboro.or.us/parksrec
Lake Oswego, 503-697-6500; www.ci.oswego.or.us/parksrec
Portland, 503-823-PLAY (7529); www.portlandparks.org
Tualatin, 503-691-3064; www.ci.tualatin.or.us/departments/communityservices/parks
Vancouver, 360-619-1111; www.ci.vancouver.wa.us/parks-recreation/index.asp; (serves all of Clark County)
West Linn, 503-557-4700; westlinnoregon.gov/parksrec/parks-recreation-home
