NW Kids Magazine April 2016

L I V E • PLAY • DO

magazine

ARTISAN CAMPS MAKING STEM FUN SPRING & SUMMER IN HILLSBORO

nwkidsmagazine.com

APRIL 2016

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Editor’s Note Well, spring is officially here and the city is in bloom.

We are so incredibly ready for sunny days, shorts and tanks and Portland’s annual transformation into a treasure trove of warm-weather adventure! This month we nurture creative souls with artisan, builder and maker summer camps. Learning about all of the different forms of art, innovation and creation that kids can get into this summer inspired me to play with colors, shapes and forms in putting together the April issue, including a beautifully collaborative photo shoot with the talented and sweet Shelby Brakken. We hope you love and are inspired by it, too.

If you need more fire to get you pumped for spring and summer (doubtful, but here’s some anyway), our feature on Hillsboro gives you all the goods on where to eat, play, learn and explore, including upcoming events like the Hillsboro Hops season opener on June 20 and outdoor markets in Downtown Hillsboro all summer long. Mark your calendars and let’s all have fun together!

In fact, one of my favorite things about being a part of NW Kids is getting to know you, the families and community that make and keep Portland so dynamic and energetic. Just around the corner is the NW Kids Camp Expo on April 2 at OMSI, and later in the month is the second concert in the Fambly Ramble series at Mission Theater on April 23. Come say hello, will you?

Karel

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Contents APRIL 2016 8 Spotlight On: iSpark Toys 14 Build, Make and Create with Artisan Camps 22 Portland’s Best Summer Camps Need Your Vote!

26 DIY Recycled Plastic Bottle Planter 32 Hey There Hillsboro!

37 Get Out and Play!

This month’s local adventures 40 Found Around Town: STEM Toys, Games & More

Cover and contents photography by SHELBY BRAKKEN shelbybrakken.com

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magazine Publisher Michelle Snell michelle@nwkidsmagazine.com Connect With Us: • Phone: 503.282.2711 • email: contact@nwkidsmagazine.com • Facebook: facebook.com/nwkids • Instagram : @nwkidsmagazine • Twitter: @nwkids • Pinterest: pinterest.com/nwkids NW Kids is published monthly

by Miche Media, LLC. Every effort is made to ensure accuracy; sometimes we make errors. Please let us know when we do and accept our apologies.

Printed locally; Please recycle.

Editor / Client Services Karel Chan karel@nwkidsmagazine.com Advertising Director Laurel Carrasco laurel@nwkidsmagazine.com Graphic Designer Robyn Barbon robyn@folkloremedia.com Advertising Inquiries: 503-282-2711, ext. 1 sales@nwkidsmagazine.com Accounting & Business Services Heather Rex heather@nwkidsmagazine.com

Listings Aim High Martial Arts........................................29 All Families Surrogacy........................................36 Art of STEM.........................................................12 Audubon Society................................................31 Barre3..................................................................10 Bennett Suzuki....................................................39 Big Lake Youth Camp..........................................12 Bike First!.............................................................31 Camp Wahoo.......................................................30 Adventure WILD..................................................12 Cascade Mountain School..................................13 Chinook Book......................................................39 City of Hillsboro ..................................................34 City of HIllsboro - Outdoors In............................34 Creative Roots.....................................................19 Echo Theater Company.......................................28 EG Robotics.........................................................30 Element Dance Studio........................................12 Engineering for Kids...........................................13 Experience Theater Project..................................31 Fidgets2Widgets.................................................30 Fit4Mom.............................................................39 German International School.............................29 Girls Build............................................................18 Glendoveer Tennis...............................................23 Goodtime Chinese School..................................25 Herrold Stables....................................................30 Hidden Valley Camp............................................23 Hillsboro Pediatric Clinic.....................................34 International School...........................................13 6 | NW Kids Magazine

Joy Now Project..................................................30 Just Between Friends............................................ 7 K12......................................................................43 Kids Community Learning Center.......................29 Krugers Farm.......................................................28 Leisure Sports Inc Club Sport..............................43 Little Fruit Farm...................................................43 Lumberyard.........................................................24 Mad Science........................................................13 Marie Pham........................................................36 Marylhurst University.........................................18 Meadowood Springs..........................................30 Mercy Corps........................................................30 Metro Arts Inc.....................................................19 Modern Domestic ..............................................19 Mt Hood Meadows.............................................28 Nelson Pediatric Dentistry.................................... 7 Northeast Community Center............................28 NW Anxiety Institute..........................................30 NW Dance Project...............................................29 NW Film Center...................................................20 NWK Camp Contest............................................21 NWK Camp Expo................................................... 3 Oak Hill School....................................................24 Old McDonald’s Farm..........................................24 Omega Gymnastics.............................................20 OMSI....................................................................31 Oregon Children’s Theatre Acting Academy.......27 Oregon College of Art and Craft.........................18 Oregon Zoo..........................................................23

Out of this World Pizza........................................36 Park Academy.....................................................25 Philip Foster Farm...............................................30 Placenta Power...................................................42 Portland Early Learning Project..........................30 Portland Jewish Academy..................................19 Portland School of Music and Dance.................25 Portland Parks and Rec Aquatics........................39 Portland Trampoline............................................. 2 Royal Ridges........................................................20 Saturday Academy..............................................21 School of Rock.....................................................25 Schoolita Alegria.................................................21 Sit Still.................................................................36 Smockville Montessori........................................10 Spielwerk Toys.....................................................10 Steve and Kate’s Camp........................................19 Sunshine Montessori..........................................42 SW Community Center.......................................24 The Kids’ Backyard Store....................................... 2 Trinity Lutheran...................................................42 Tualatin Valley Junior Academy............................ 7 Tucker Maxon......................................................28 USTA Pacific Northwest......................................24 VillaSport............................................................44 Westside Academy.............................................31 Westside Montessori..........................................42 Willowbrook Arts Camp.....................................18 World of Smiles...................................................43 Young People’s Theater Project...........................24

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Spotlight On:

by KAREL CHAN

iSpark Toys

The first thing you see when you walk into iSpark Toys is the brightly colored mural in the back that boldly states, “Brains at Play.” It’s immediately clear that this isn’t just a regular toy store. Every toy, game, puzzle and kit is hand-selected by owner Hande Buyuksahin and appeals to STEM (Science-Technology-EngineeringMathematics) concepts – some in really creative and surprising ways!

The store is still brand-spankin’ new – it opened its doors in September 2015 – but it was two long years in the making for Hande, who painstakingly researched toys and products from all over the world to fulfill her mission to make STEM fun and 8 | NW Kids Magazine

accessible for kids, starting from the tender age of zero. “Anyone can be a scientist,” she says matter-of-factly. “You don’t have to be Einstein.”

Hande’s passion for exploration, creativity and kids is readily apparent as she talks about her inspiration to open iSpark: her own kiddos. From the start, she took care to instill an curiosity and investigative spirit in her now four-year-old son and six-year-old daughter; especially important was that she show her daughter that girls can love science, too – and it doesn’t have to be pink or purple. This is evident throughout the store; nothing is delineated by gender and products feature every color on the spectrum.

In fact, plainly displayed out of the box is a purple and turquoise microscope by Nancy B’s Science Club. Hande tells a story about a boy who came into the store and “was very nervous to touch the microscope” – he thought it was for girls because of its colors! (Eventually, he came around.)

“Anyone can be a scientist,” she says matter-offactly. “You don’t have to be Einstein.”

So, what are you waiting for? Head over to iSpark to jumpstart your imagination and see science and technology in a whole new way – through play!

ISPARK TOYS 925 NE Orenco Station Loop, Hillsboro, OR 97124 isparktoys.com

iSpark encourages collaborative play as well; many of the board games on the game wall are for all ages – including adults – and perfect for family game night.

Sit at the round table in back with the little ones and demo toys or read one of the many educational books in stock. “Be a role model,” Hande advises. “Take [kids] outside and encourage them to ask why; look at ordinary objects and investigate together.” If they see grownups interested and curious about science and the world around us, they will be, too!

With so many items to choose from, where does one start? Some of Hande’s favorites are the 4D Vision Frog Anatomy Model by Tedco Toys (cool! But gross! But cool!), Nancy B’s Science Club’s Compost Kit, which allows kids to watch what happens in that icky compost pile and The Extraordinaires Design Studio series, which introduces kids to product design by challenging them to design and create tools, gadgets and even buildings for various characters.

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HAVE A COLORFUL SUMMER

14 CREATIVITY RUNS WILD AT ARTISAN CAMPS

22 VOTE FOR PORTLAND'S BEST SUMMER CAMP

26 GET CRAFTY WITH SCRAP NW Kids Magazine | 11

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Photographs by Willowbrook Arts Camp

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Build, Make and Create with

Artisan Camps

Is your young artist looking to get her hands dirty this summer? Summer camps are a great time to experiment with new materials, forms and media, and make new friends at the same time. These camps let the artist in each young person shine through with real, hands-on experience and the opportunity to make something new.

Willowbrook

Arts Camp by KELLEY GARDINER

They might be known for their theater productions (and for good reason!), but scenery isn’t the only thing being crafted by campers: basketry, mosaic, clay, Japanese arts, pottery, puppetry and weaving are all on the docket, just to start. Kids ages 3-4 can busy themselves in the “Squirrels’ Nest,” where they’re offered arts, drama, nature study, music and a lot more, just like the older kids.

Where: Browns Ferry Park, Tualatin Dates: Weekly, Jun 27-Aug 5 Time: Depends on age Ages: 3-18 Cost: $125-230 willowbrookartscamp.org

Oregon College of Art and Craft

Art Adventures Camps

OCAC’s beautiful campus has been inspiring artists of all ages for years. With their Art Adventures summer camps, each week has a different focus, so little artists continued on p. 16 NW Kids Magazine | 15

Photograph by Beth Conyers, OCAC Photograph by Willowbrook Arts Camp

can switch it up with felting wool, drawing, painting and creating sculpture. Kids enjoy a mix of focused instruction and free time for experimenting. Kids in the YA! Young Adult program choose a focus: perhaps ceramics and comics or altered fashion/ costume design and drawing.

Where: OCAC Campus, SW Portland Dates: Depends on age Time: 9am-5pm Ages: 4-6 (Beginners), grades 1-5 (Youth), grades 6-8 (YA!) Cost: $325-350 ocac.edu

SCRAP

Arts Camp You already know SCRAP as a great place to look for used and inexpensive materials for homemade art; it also offers a summer camp that’s tailor-made for kids who see the all the possibilities that lie within a simple paper towel roll or a magazine, scissors and glue. Programs combine staff-led projects and “free building” time with collage, sculpture, drawing/painting and sewing.

Where: Downtown Portland Dates: 5 sessions, June 20-July 29 Time: 9am-3:30pm Ages: Grades 1-6 Cost: $285 per week, $215 for each additional sibling scrappdx.org

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Marylhurst University

Creative Arts Day Camp In this half-day program, kids with special needs work with creative arts therapists and engage in music therapy, art therapy, dance and creative role play.

Camps have a 3:1 ratio of campers to staff (professionals, therapy students and community volunteers). Projects are geared toward helping each camper realize their potential in a friendly and supportive environment.

Where: Marylhurst Campus (south of Lake Oswego) Dates: July 11-14, ages 5-10; July 18-21, ages 11-17 Time: 9am-12:30pm Ages: 5-17 Cost: $170, includes t-shirt, scholarships available marylhurst.edu

Creative Roots

Arts Camp

Creative Roots offers programming all summer long for curious campers, with themes and activities cool enough to make Mom and Dad a little jealous.

Beatrix Potter and Nature-Based Art Camp (ages 6-9), photography, fiber arts and Fairy and Gnome House Makers (8-12), among many others, make for a summer of doing, making and creating in a way that speaks to your child. All camps

Photograph by Leah Nash, Catlin Gabel

Photograph by Beth Conyers, OCAC

Photograph by Willowbrook Arts Camp

Photograph by Willowbrook Arts Camp

also include outdoor time, yoga and neighborhood exploration.

Where: NW Portland Dates: Weekly, June 22-August 28 Time: 9am-3:30pm Ages: 6-13 Cost: $225 creativerootspdx.com

Catlin Gabel

Summer Beehive Even preschoolers can get into the action when it comes to woodworking. Kids ages 4-5 will use hand tools in the woodshop (with close supervision, of course) and make 3D creations with mixed media.

The Beehive isn’t the only place buzzing in the summertime, though. Older kids 9-11 can take to the “Woodworkers’ Roadshow” for four nights and five days in Port Townsend, spending their days in the woodshop, playing games or honing their Ultimate Frisbee skills.

Where: SW Portland Dates, time, ages and cost vary by program catlin.edu

Modern Domestic

Kids’ Sewing Camp

Budding seamsters and fashionistas will love the array of 4-day camps offered by

Photograph by SCRAP

this sweet boutique on Alberta Street.

“One Week Boutique” campers get to make pieces to sell at Last Thursday on Alberta, while other camp sessions focus on wardrobe items for kids themselves or their 18” dolls, quilts and other fun accessories.

Where: NE Portland Dates: Weekly, June 13-July 28 Time: 10am-1pm; 2-5pm Ages: 8-14 Cost: $250 shop.moderndomesticpdx.com

Girls Build

Summer Camp The name explains it all… a summer camp just for girls who build things! During the week-long camp, they’ll build a playhouse from raw materials to donate to a local non-profit, learning skills like hammering, soldering, roofing, electrical and more along the way from women who do it professionally every day. They’ll also get to make a personal project to take home.

Where: N Portland Dates: July 18-22, ages 11-16; July 25-29, ages 8-12 Time: 8:30am-4pm Ages: 8-16 Cost: $350, scholarships available girlsbuildpdx.org

Kelley Gardiner is a Portland native, a freelance writer and blogger and the mother of one sweet toddler. To see what she’s up to, visit kelleygardiner.com NW Kids Magazine | 17

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Portland's Best Summer Camps Need Your Vote!

The nominations are in! NW Kids 4th Annual Portland’s Best Summer Camps Contest, sponsored by Trackers Earth, is LIVE. With 14 categories, including the addition of a Performing Arts category this year, and hundreds of camps out there, it’s anyone’s to win!

Head to nwkidsmagazine.com and vote for your favorite of the 3 finalist camps in each category for consideration. Voting ends on April 15, so hop to it! Each time you vote, you’ll be entered to win a free week of camp from Trackers Earth – you literally have nothing to lose!

The 2016 winners will be announced at the end of April, when our 2015 winners will pass the torch… or will they reign as champion again? Check ‘em out and decide for yourself: Best Academic Camp SATURDAY ACADEMY saturdayacademy.org

Best Nature & Farm Camp TRACKERS EARTH trackerspdx.com

Best Arts & Crafts Camp WILLOWBROOK ARTS CAMP willowbrookartscamp.org

Best Overall Camp WILLOWBROOK ARTS CAMP willowbrookartscamp.org

Best Cooking Camp ZENGER FARM zengerfarm.org

Best Overnight Camp TROUT CREEK BIBLE CAMP tcbc.com

Best Dance & Gymnastics Camp GIRL CIRCUS girlcircus.com

Best Science & Technology Camp OMSI omsi.edu

Best General Camp WILLOWBROOK ARTS CAMP willowbrookartscamps.org Best Language Summer Camp THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL intlschool.org Best Music Camp SCHOOL OF ROCK portland.schoolofrock.com 22 | NW Kids Magazine

Best Special Needs Camp UPWARD BOUND CAMP upwardboundcamp.org Best Sports Camp BAXTER SPORTS CAMP baxtersports.com

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DIY Recycled Plastic Bottle Planter

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

by LISA LEDOUX

Feeling inspired by the artisan camps from p. 14? You don’t have to wait until summer; crafty materials and ideas are everywhere, starting in your own home. Here’s a project to get those creative juices flowing and give spring a hearty welcome!

Supplies: plastic soda or water bottle single hole punch thin rope or yarn acrylic paint

permanent markers soil plant or seeds

Optional: sand paper white spray paint clear spray paint washi tape

Instructions:

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Remove the label from the bottle.

Soaking the bottle in soapy water can help remove any extra adhesive.

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Adult: using scissors, cut the bottle in half horizontally. If the cut is rough, lightly sand with sandpaper for a smooth edge.

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Using the top half: Punch 4 holes spaced out evenly around the cut edge a half inch below the edge.

Decorate the plastic with acrylic paint, permanent markers or washi tape.

Leave the cap on the bottle; that will be the bottom of the planter.

Using the bottom half: This half is used to make an animal planter (bears, cats and owls work great). Cut the shape of small ears into the top edge of the plastic. The uneven plastic at the bottom of a bottle can look like paws, so position the ears accordingly.

Then punch 4 holes spaced out evenly

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around the cut edge a half inch below the edge. Paint the outside of the bottle white with acrylic paint, or for a smooth finish an adult can use spray paint. When dry, add a face with permanent markers.

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Adult: If your planter will be used outdoors you’ll want to water proof your design. Spray the outside of the plastic planter with a clear spray paint and let dry.

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Cut two pieces of yarn or rope approximately three feet long.

Loop each piece through two of the holes on opposite sides of the bottle to create a balanced planter. Tie all four ends of the yarn together at the top (about one foot above the planter).

Optional: braid the yarn or rope.

Photographs by SCRAP

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Add soil and a plant or seeds. Hang in a window or in your garden and enjoy!

SCRAP is a nonprofit organization located at 1736 SW Alder St, Portland. Our mission is to inspire creative reuse and environmentally sustainable behavior by providing educational programs and affordable materials to the community. SCRAP hosts educational field trips, SCRAP at School presentations throughout the school year and Camp SCRAP sessions when school is out. Visit scrappdx.org for more information.

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Have you checked out Hillsboro lately? It’s way more than a Silicon Forest dotted with high-tech companies. They’ve got a baseball team. (Where’s your baseball team, Portland?)

But there’s more - especially if you’re looking to have fun with kids in tow. It’s rich with opportunities to be entertained, to create, to play and best of all, to eat. We’ve curated a list of some of the best kid-friendly, adult-pleasing activities to help you discover Hillsboro.

Photograph courtesy of WASHINGTON COUNTY FAIR

by AFTON NELSON

hillsboro!

Arts and Entertainment The Glenn and Viola Walters Cultural Arts Center is a creative resource for Hillsboro residents of all ages. From their drop in Family Art Night to the concerts, lectures and art classes, the center lives up to their mission to provide exceptional recreational and cultural activities for all of Hillsboro.

The Washington County Museum offers free family days on the second Saturday each month.

Learn the history of the Tualatin Valley, see artifacts and learn about all the cultures that 32 | NW Kids Magazine

HEY THERE contributed to growth of the valley. Rock hounds will not want to miss the Rice Museum of Rocks and Minerals. Check out Meteorite and Family Fun Day on June 4, or go any time to see their vast collection of unusual and beautiful rocks.

If you’re looking for a unique venue to take in a movie or would like to see a play, visit the Venetian Theatre and Bistro, a beautifully restored theater that was first built in 1888.

Maybe you want a movie, but you don’t want to pay for it? Check one out at the Hillsboro Main Library, a lovely facility that backs up to Dawson Creek Park. Beyond movies, their calendar is full of story times, LEGO® builds, library tours and much more.

Sports and Outdoors Would the kid in your life prefer to be outdoors? Horse lovers will find no better place than Herrold Stables. Their schedule of classes and camps have something for children as young as four, all the way up to seventeen. Kids can learn how to care for, ride and be around horses and other farm animals.

If you like to hike or bird watch, Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve is for you. Stop by the education center to get an up close look at a real eagle’s nest and other interactive displays. Take a short walk along one of the trails and see if you can spot one of the many bird species that inhabit the preserve.

When the weather heats up, cool down at the water play fountain at 53rd Avenue Community Park or Shute Park Aquatic Center, or enjoy the air conditioning indoors at one of the area bowling alleys. Park Lanes goes beyond ten pins, with batting cages or the Jungle Maze to keep you busy in between frames.

Photograph courtesy of WALTERS CULTURAL ARTS CENTER

Photograph courtesy of HILLSBORO HOPS

Come cheer on the Hillsboro Hops baseball team at their home opener on Monday, June 20. Ticket prices are family friendly, and they even have birthday party packages that include food, favors and more.

Good Eats Kids will love playing, climbing and riding scooters in between bites of pizza at Out of this World Pizza. It’s a great place for birthday parties or just a rainy afternoon. Vivi’s Vietnamese Noodle House is tiny, off the beaten path and often has a line, so you know it’s good. Delicious phở, bún as well as many other dishes make Vivi’s worth the wait. ABV Public House has hundreds of beers to choose from in their refrigerated coolers and 32 on tap, but the food is also top notch. Pizzas and burgers anchor the menu of delicious pub food, and the kids’ menu offers plenty of healthy sides.

If you’re looking for a little caffeine fortification, head over to Insomnia Coffee for a frothy espresso drink or an evening show from a local band.

Summertime Pick up some fresh produce, stop and listen to street musician or check out a local artisan’s wares at one of the several outdoor farmer’s markets. Tuesday Marketplace is a weekly community party every continued on p. 35 NW Kids Magazine | 33

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Photographs courtesy of HILLSBORO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Tuesday evening all summer long. Catch musical acts, local art, classic cars, fresh produce, flowers, plants and more.

53rd Avenue Community Park 300 NE 53rd Ave ci.hillsboro.or.us

If you’re looking for deep-fried delicacies with a side of carnival rides, the Washington County Fair the last week in July is the place for you. And if that doesn’t provide enough thrills, the Hillsboro Air Show is the very next weekend, August 5-7, featuring the Breitling Jet Team from France as well as many more performers.

ABV Public House 23588 NW Clara Ln abvpub.com

Check out the line-up of great artists who will perform free concerts at the Showtime at Shute series at Shute Park July through August. Past performers have included Curtis Selgado and Pepe and the Bottle Blondes.

Hillsboro has a lot to offer kids and their adults, and way more to discover than we could contain here in these pages. Head out on the 26 and get to know Hillsboro better for yourself!

Afton Nelson is a Portland writer who loves exploring the Pacific Northwest with her family and is a huge fan of Hillsboro. Get to know her better at aftonnelson.com.

Herrold Stables 32900 SW Wohler St herroldstables.com Hillsboro Air Show 3355 NE Cornell Rd oregonairshow.com Hillsboro Hops at Ron Tonkin Field 4450 NW 229th Ave hillsborohops.com Hillsboro Main Library & Dawson Creek Park 2850 NE Brookwood Pkwy wccls.org/libraries/hillsboro Insomnia Coffee 5389 W Baseline Rd insomniacoffee.co Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve 2600 SW Hillsboro Hwy jacksonbottom.org Out of this World Pizza 6255 NW Century Blvd outofthisworld.net

Rice Museum of Rocks and Minerals 26385 NW Groveland Dr ricenorthwestmuseum.org Shute Park 750 SE 8th Ave ci.hillsboro.or.us Shute Park Aquatic Center 953 SE Maple St ci.hillsboro.or.us Tuesday Marketplace E Main St & 2nd Ave tuesdaymarketplace.org Venetian Theatre & Bistro 253 E Main St venetiantheatre.com Walters Cultural Arts Center 527 E Main St hillsboro-oregon.gov/walters Washington County Museum 120 E Main St washingtoncountymuseum. org Vivi’s Vietnamese Noodle House 1035 NE 25th Ave vivistheone.com Washington County Fair 873 NE 34th Ave bigfairfun.com

Park Lanes 6360 SE Alexander St parklanes.net NW Kids Magazine | 35

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Trackers Earth

Get Out and Play!

This month’s local adventures

Apr 2

Apr 9

Woohoo! It’s back! Hop over to OMSI and get in the camp spirit. Meet over 40 camps, win raffles and participate in demos. Free, nwkidsmagazine.com/ summer-camp-expo

Make an adorable ice cream-themed craft with all sorts of fun materials and supplies at The Craft Factory and then get a free cone of the real thing at Hattie’s Sweet Shop downstairs! $10, craftfactorypdx.com

NW Kids Camp Expo 2016

Apr 2-24

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

This heart-warming play spans 20 years of rabbit doll Edward’s life as he learns important lessons about humility, love and friendship. $14-28, octc.org

Ice Cream Social

Apr 16

Hood River Hard-Pressed Cider Fest

It’s a cider-lover’s paradise! With over 20 cideries and 40+ ciders on tap, you can taste to your heart’s delight while the little ones play in the kids’ area, complete with bouncy house. $5-10, hoodriver.org/cider-fest

Apr 19-20 TIMBER!

Oregon Children’s Theater

Canadian troupe Cirque Alfonse teams up with the Portland Timbers and Thorns to bring you this unique lumberjack and farm-themed acrobatic dance performance. (They juggle axes…) And yes, all the men have beards. $26-72, whitebird.org/event/timber

Please confirm calendar events and performances as scheduling changes may occur.

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so kids can get a taste of how awesome their summer could be. Meet staff and directors and learn about their year-round programs, too! Free, portlandcampfair.com

Earth Day is Apr 22 … here’s how and where you can celebrate Mother Earth and give back to our lovely planet.

Cirque Alfonse

Apr 22-24

Rock & Gem Show

See the gorgeous and sparkly natural wonders of rocks and minerals and shop for jewelry, beads, fossils and more. Each kiddo gets a free rock at admission! Cool! Free, mthoodrockclub.wordpress.com

Apr 23

The Fambly Ramble

The first show in March sold out, so get your tickets posthaste! This time, Red Yarn is joined by Gustafer Yellowgold and the Red Yarn Band in this rollicking, interactive show. (Psst, we’ll be there, too! Come get crafty with us at the pre-show activities!) $1012, facebook.com/famblyramble

Apr 30

Portland Camp Fair

Whether you’re a long-time Trackers family or it’s new to you, you won’t want to miss this! Each of Trackers Earth’s many outdoors, nature and adventure-based camps host activities 38 | NW Kids Magazine

Apr 16 EcoFair

Gather round at Salmon Creek Gateway for environmental festivities, including native tree planting and learning about bugs, lizards and birds of prey. Free, clarkpublicutilities.com/index.cfm/ our-environment/stream-team

Apr 23

Earth Day at The Oregon Garden

Environmental exhibitors, live music, mushroom gardening and composting demos, face painting, and Sally Chinook, an 18-foot salmon (spoiler alert: not a real fish)!

Free, oregongarden.org

Apr 23

Operation Clean Sweep

Alberta Street makes cleanup fun with coffee and snacks to kick things off, then the Golden Garbage Awards, raffles and lunch afterward.

Volunteers may even be eligible for a $5 coupon at participating Alberta shops! Free, albertamainst.org

Remember to check the NW Kids online calendar for dozens more outings and activities each day.

Share with friends, subscribe to the RSS, add directly to your calendar, and more features.

There’s something going on you don’t want to miss! nwkidsmagazine.com/kidsactivities-and-things-to-do

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Found Around Town STEM Toys, Games & More 2

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1. Tegu Blocks Tegu blocks are a beautiful and brilliant building system toy. Kids learn about attracting and opposing forces while building awesome fun structures with these colorful, magnetic wooden blocks. $38, blackwagon.com • 2. What Do You Know Bingo Learn facts about the natural wonders of the world while playing bingo! Fossils, bugs and shooting stars are explored as you fill your board. By eeBoo, $16, bellastellaresale.com • 3. Skyrail Ottovolante Maxi This 430-piece set comes with 60 feet of track. Your child can build parallel double tracks which allow 2 marbles to race at the same time. Build an endless number of configurations! By Quercetti, $79.99, isparktoys.com • 4. Intro to Engineering Science Kit Hands-on activities demonstrating how engineers design machines and devices. Learn engineering basics and build simple devices.

Build vehicles with wheels, investigate engineering with air and experience engineering in water. 25 experiments, 48 page guidebook. By Thames and Kosmos, $49.95, spielwerktoys.com 40 | NW Kids Magazine

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5. Geek Bot Kit Children work together with the given materials to build a “wiggle bot” or a “scribble bot.” They can get creative with this; no “bot” ever looks the same! A collaboration between Art of STEM and TeacherGeek. Only available from Art of STEM! $17, artofstem.com • 6. Create-Your-Own Kits Science meets art in these fun STEM activities! Create your own skin Clay Masks, Groovy Lamp Lip Gloss or Lip Balm. By Handmade HoneyBee, $29.99, childsplayportland.com • 7. DIY Electro Dough Kit Create shapes and sculptures using conductive dough, then bring them to life with LED lights, bussing bodies and silly switches.

Children will learn new skills and take a hands-on approach to learning circuitry while building structures and scenery. Inspired by Squishy Circuits, created by students at St. Thomas University, $34.99 ($31.49 for OMSI members), sciencestore.com • 8. Suspend Jr. Suspend Jr. helps with the development of fine motor control and problem solving skills while learning about balance and cooperation. By Melissa & Doug, $18, seahorsespdx.com NW Kids Magazine | 41

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