NW Kids Magazine June 2012

nwkidsmagazine.com | June 2012

Color Me Cover Contest Winners Pickathon | Road Trip: Sunriver Summer Childcare | local natural areas

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Publisher / Advertising Director Michelle Snell michelle@nwkidsmagazine.com Editorial Beth Friesenhahn beth@nwkidsmagazine.com Kelley Schaefer-Levi kelley@nwkidsmagazine.com Account Managers Laurel Ackerman laurel@nwkidsmagazine.com Nancy Coronado nancy@nwkidsmagazine.com Client Services Coordinator / Client Ad Design Karel Chan karel@nwkidsmagazine.com Advertising Inquiries: 503-282-2711, ext. 1 sales@nwkidsmagazine.com ON THE COVER: Grand prize contest winner, Mayu, is eight years old and is in the first grade at Springville K-8.

She speaks English and Japanese. She likes to write and draw stories, and loves animals. This summer, she wants to play in the fountain near the Beaverton Farmer’s Market. above: Grades 5-6 contest winner, Jada, is 11 years old and a 5th grader at Jacob Wismer Elementary School. She likes to draw, sing and dance.

She dances at All Star Dance Academy.

Her favorite thing to do in Portland during the summer is to go swimming.

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.

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Design Robyn Barbon robyn@nwkidsmagazine.com Accounting & Business Services Heather Rex heather@nwkidsmagazine.com Staff Photographer Emma Easley Darden emma@nwkidsmagazine.com Connect With Us: • Phone: 503.282.2711 • email: contact@nwkidsmagazine.com • Facebook: facebook.com/nwkids • Twitter: @nwkids

contents

INSIDE: 8 Exploring Portland’s Hidden Gems: A Guide To Local Natural Areas

outings

14 Bring The Kids. It’s Pickathon!

22 Road Trip: Sunriver 24 Calendar Of Events

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10 Resource Guide: Summer Childcare

summer

12 Summer Boredom Cures 20 Resource Guide: Have Water Will Travel

contest goods craft

18 Color Me Cover Contest Gallery 28 Found Around Town: Summer Necessities 30 Bubble And Pour Summer Fun Painting: Create a Masterpiece For Father’s Day nwkidsmagazine.com

online this month

Getting To Know The Good Bugs Sensational Summer Reads Editor’s Picks For Father’s Day Head West: Go Berry Picking Resource Guide: Parks With Water Features

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listings 5k Foam Fest...................................................7 Amanda Arp..................................................21 Applegate Organics......................................32 Barre3..............................................................3 Beanstalk.......................................................21 Belmont Firehouse........................................31 Bennett Suzuki Violin Studio........................11 Capturing Grace Photography......................21 Clever Cycle.....................................................3 Coffee Kids....................................................11 College Nannies & Tutors..............................11 Doll House Tea Room....................................25 Evergreen Wings and Waves.........................21 Hi 5 Dental....................................................29 Justus Orthodontics......................................29 Kids’ Backyard Store........................................2 Little Fruit Farm Montessori..........................11 Little Mandarin Sunshine.............................15 Living School................................................29 Meringue Boutique.......................................25 Mimosa Studios............................................25 My Masterpiece Art Studio...........................13 N Clackamas Aquatic Park............................21 Oregon Children’s Theatre.............................13 Park Family Dentistry....................................29 PDX Kids Calendar.........................................31 Pfeifer Musicwerks Studio............................17 Play Boutique................................................17 Portland Children’s Museum..........................7 Portland Language Arts...............................15 Portland Trampoline.......................................2 Quasitime Academy......................................15 River Ranch Summer Camp..........................17 Schoolita Alegria...........................................17 Smith Berry Barn..........................................25 Sound Roots School of Music.......................15 Spielwerk Toys...............................................31 Velocity Athletix............................................13 WeVillage......................................................11 World of Smiles.............................................29 Yu Miao Chinese Immersion Preschool........15

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editor’s

corner

When Zale Schoenborn and a handful of organizers started Pickathon fourteen years ago, they knew they wanted to throw a summer party where friends and family could gather, have a great time and enjoy the sounds of a colorful range of roots music. Music that could be enjoyed by the youngest and the oldest members of the family.

This world-class picnic and roots music festival embodies summer in Oregon. It celebrates all the things we love about living here including diversity in its many forms, life and the people we love, good food; all with a pioneering spirit and passion for music and the outdoors. As you will read in “Bring The Kids, It’s Pickathon” on page 14, heading to Pickathon is a great way to experience Oregon at the peak of summer.

This month we’re also thinking about how vital the summer months are for families. After all, some of our fondest memories are of summers spent with family discovering; discovering how nature works, going to festivals, parades, beaches and making new friends. In this issue we’re featuring just the kinds of things that create summer memories like road trips or where to get wet on a hot day.

Speaking of creating memories, did you check out this month’s cover? We are incredibly excited to finally announce and showcase the winners (and many honorable mentions) for the Color Me Cover Contest (page 18 and 19). Thank you, readers, for sending them in and to our sponsors for making it possible. It was such a treat to receive each and every minimasterpiece.

After judging the contest (which actually proved a little harder than we anticipated, but nothing to complain about because we really have the best jobs ever), and wrapping up the school year, we’re ready to sit down, bask in the sun and drink a couple of cold ones. And for those of you in need of a little grown-up time, be sure to check out the resource guide on drop-in child care and babysitting options on page 10.

Here’s to a great summer!

— Kelley and Beth

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oaks bottom wildlife refuge

Exploring Portland’s Hidden Gems: A Guide To Local Natural Areas

by Katie Boehnlein

Portland is a gem among cities, glowing emerald green with trees, and sapphire blue with two flowing rivers. Now that school is out, families have begun to plan their summer adventures to enjoy the city’s natural beauty. What follows is a guide to some of Portland’s hidden gems, parks that aren’t widely visited. Use this list to plan your own urban adventures.

Southwest Portland Council Crest Park, overlooks the city from 1,000 feet above downtown. This is a great park for kids to climb trees and for dogs to run off-leash in designated area. South of Council Crest is Marshall Park, a 28-acre wooded canyon adjacent to Tryon Creek Natural Area.

This is the ideal place to take quiet hikes and observe the diversity of wildlife that resides alongside Tryon Creek.

Northwest Portland Lower MacLeay Park, located at the end of NW Upshur Street, is one access point to Portland’s unique 5,000-acre wilderness known as Forest Park. Take the whole family for a hike all the way up Balch Creek to the Audubon Society of Portland, which has its own interpretive center. For a more urban experience, you can visit Tanner Springs Park, located in the Pearl District. You may be lucky enough to see an Osprey, or sea hawk, dive from a high-rise apartment building into the wetland below.

Lakes and Kelley Point Park. However, one of the most magnificent parks in North Portland is Cathedral Park, located directly under the St. John’s Bridge, where the whole family can enjoy a picnic and play next to the Willamette river.

Northeast Portland Northeast Portland residents are lucky to reside near one of Portland’s most undiscovered gems, Whitaker Ponds Nature Park. Located just off NE Columbia Boulevard, this area is teeming with wildlife, including a wide diversity of birds and larger mammals such as beavers. A circular trail rings a large pond and can be viewed from an observation dock or the ecoroof-covered gazebo. Canoeing is allowed in the slough adjacent to the pond.

North Portland North Portland hosts many magnificent natural areas, including the Smith and Bybee 8 | NW Kids Magazine

tanner springs park

secluded than other natural areas in Portland, perfect for a pleasant walk with the dog and the family alongside Johnson Creek.

As previously mentioned, this list is comprehensive but certainly not exhaustive.

For more information on getting your family out and about, visit the Portland Bureau of Transportation website to download free biking and walking maps of the city. You can also pinpoint the location of the parks mentioned here on Portland Parks and Recreation’s Park Finder, Happy adventuring!

Tideman johnson natural area

Southeast Portland Portland’s first wildlife refuge was Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge, and still remains a wildlife hotspot, home to species such as frogs, salamanders, deer, osprey, beavers, and Portland’s designated city bird, The Great Blue Heron. Just down the Springwater Corridor bike trail from Oaks Bottom is Tideman Johnson Natural Area. This area is more

Katie Boehnlein, or “Teacher Aster,” is an environmental educator with the City Nature division of Portland Parks and Recreation where she has the honor of exploring the natural areas of the Rose City with young students. She grew up exploring the parks and staircases of Southwest Portland, which fueled her passion for ecology and urban exploration early on. You can follow Katie’s adventures in her blog, “Following Bliss,” which can be found at kboehnlein.wordpress.com.

whitaker ponds Nature park NW Kids Magazine | 9

summer

resource guide:

Summer childcare Drop-in childcare Amazing Kidz World Drop-in childcare for ages 2 - 12 2735 20th Place, Suite B - Forest Grove 503.357.8331 amazingkidzworld.com Art Cubby Art-focused, drop-in childcare for ages 3 - 12 1500 NW 18th Avenue, #15 503.446.1237 kidsartcubby.com Kids Klubhouse Drop-off childcare for ages 30 months - 12 years 7515 SW Barnes Road, Suite #102 503.297.1400 kidsklubhousepdx.com Shala Kids Drop-in childcare for ages 3 -12 3808 N Williams 3249 SE Division 503.963.9642 yogashalapdx.com/childcare.html

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We Village Drop-in playcare for ages 2 - 12 424 NW 11th Avenue 503.935.5590 New Orenco Station location opening soon wevillage.com

BABY SITTER & NANNY SERVICES: College Nannys collegenannies.com NW Nannies Inc. nwnanny.com Sitter City sittercity.com Sitter SoireE sittersoiree.org

Art Cubby

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summer

Summer Boredom Cures

by Sara McWilliams

Photo courtesy of Emma Easley Darden of RLP Studios

It’s summertime. The kids are out of school, it’s hot or rainy, (or both), and they’re bored.

You could head out to the museum or the zoo, but wouldn’t it be great to have some easy activities right at hand, using household objects that are virtually free and have an educational bent to boot? Voila, dear reader.

1. Paint the town. Gather up all sizes and types of paintbrushes; the more variety, the better. Fill a bucket with water and go nuts “painting” the siding, the fence, leaves, tree trunks, the car, the neighbor’s dog...ok, maybe not that, but anything else! This activity asks children to consider cause and effect and prediction as they witness evaporation, while exercising their fine and gross motor muscle groups.

2. Children love treasure hunting. Here are two new twists on an old favorite. To enhance a young child’s sense of empathy, and their impact on the world while tickling their fancy for the mysterious, hide several objects that are loved or special to you, such as your favorite picture frame or a unique bracelet. Let them know that the objects have gone missing but there are clues left behind. The clues can be simple pieces of paper with a drawn picture of a room where one of the objects is hidden, or perhaps the dresser it’s in, etc. I strongly suggest you hide things in the most unlikely of places, for this will add to the zaniness upon finding them.

Children can then embark on a quest to find your most prized treasures and return them to you. For older children who can do more complex sequencing, give them a step-by-step map to find one special thing. If it’s one child, 12 | NW Kids Magazine

she can try out many different maps. If there are multiple children, they’ll have fun seeking their object and discovering at the end what another child found. You can push this yet a step further by having them make maps for each other.

3. For kids who are really into tactile activities, a great way to spend an afternoon is to set up a Fizzy Station. Put down a tarp, plastic sheeting or old-fashioned cafeteria trays for easy clean up. Collect a variety of clear vessels such as drinking glasses and tall vases. In each, put some ordinary baking soda, about a quarter of the way full. Have another glass with white vinegar ready and some food coloring. Children can experiment with combining the vinegar and baking soda to see it fizz up, bubble over, or stop short and food coloring adds a great visual dimension.

4. Maybe you all just need to boogie down? Freeze dance is so fun with any number of children and prompts children to gain spatial awareness, impulse control, and movement expression. Up the ante by giving cues in the freezes, such as “Let’s dance with our elbows!” or “Ok, now on one leg!”

The next time you find yourself needing an activity that’s fun, easy, and will engage your child; let this be your guide. Enjoy summer!

Sara McWilliams is co-lead teacher at Trillium Preschool in North Portland and an actor with Portland Playback Theater.

You can find her here, and please do: saram@trilliumcharterschool.org and at playbacktheaterpdx.com.

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Bring The Kids.

It’s Pickathon!

by Kelley Schaefer-Levi What started as a small backyard party of family and friends, with a big appreciation for roots music, has grown to become Oregon’s destination Indie Roots Music Festival. An annual weekend experience where both obscure and better known performers from around the world seek to perform, and the place for festivalgoers to discover bands from disparate genres of music like bluegrass, traditional, old-time, folk, and indie rock. Pickathon, now in its fourteenth year, has earned its chops and ranks as the outdoor music festival to emulate for other festivals. It has also gained status as a family friendly event, and the most sustainable festival anywhere.

The Personal Connection

Each year, the founding members and organizers spend countless hours curating acts for Pickathon, but have also made it their goal to create a festival experience like none other, crafting the human element into an unforgettable good time with friends who share a love for music. Imagine going to a potluck with loved ones in the woods where you can enjoy world class entertainment, eat top-notch locally grown cuisine prepared by celebrated Portland chefs, and you can camp and hike trails on over 89-acres of lush Oregon land.

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Photo courtesy of Keith Novosel

Pitch Your Tent

Did we say camping with the kids at a music festival? It’s kind of hard to imagine taking the kiddos to an overnight music festival if your only experiences of camping at festivals include a few hours of sleep in a dusty parking lot. But over the last decade more and more families have come to look forward to Pickathon as a family vacation because that’s exactly what it is. After speaking with founder Zale Schoenborn about what makes the festival a great place to stay for the weekend with the family, I’m sold. Not only does Pickathon offer showers, free water and 10 times the number of bathroom facilities to the number of attendees; there is a designated family camping area. Schoenborn says, however, all camping at the festival is mostly private with large groups camping in the group camping area. And if you have to return to your campsite for a little R & R, you can still listen to the music on Pickathon radio.

Food Worth Eatin’

We like our food in Portland, so it’s no wonder why the organizers of Pickathon continue to bring the best grub to their party. This year, with purveyors like Pine state Biscuits, Hopworks, Widmer Brothers Brewing and

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outing Oregon vintners, Evolution Wines, there will be no shortage of affordable, organic and healthy food for families to choose from.

And with this food, Pickathon will make reusable dishware available to festivalgoers to cut down on the amount of landfilldestined garbage that typically is created by festivals. As of 2011, Pickathon became the first outdoor festival to eliminate single use cups, bottles, dishes or utensils. Festivalgoers are encouraged to bring their own dishware or can receive their food on Pickathon dishware.

Gettin’ There

You can ride your bike to Pickathon. You can also ride the MAX to a nearby shuttle stop that will take you directly to the farm.

This delights me as much as some of the other aspects of Pickathon logistics because, again the parking lot holds no romance for anyone looking to relax and listen to music in the woods. However, there is still parking to be had, if you like the idea of having your car and need your car for obvious reasons like hauling loads of camping gear, or if you’re traveling from out of town.

ESPECIALLY For Kids

Really, the organizers of Pickathon have thought of everything. All kids under 12 are free when coming with the family. For each day of the festival there is a schedule chock-full of activities for the kiddos including morning yoga, guided wildlife trekking for kids and adults with Trackers Earth, and hours of craftivities like hula hoop and instrument making. You can also look forward to interactive performances by locals like Circus Cascadia and a major highlight every year is the always-anticipated Sunday morning performance by Captain Bogg and

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Salty. There is also a family square dance en masse that looks like a sweet memory maker; if the kids can make it that late after a full day of activities.

Pendarvis Farm

The setting can’t be beat. Pendarvis Farm, located near Happy Valley, Oregon has been hosting Pickathon since 2006. The farm provides the backdrop for a most memorable natural experience, and becomes a space of awe and wonder for children, especially at night when the stars are in the sky, and the festival is lit up with thousands of tiny LED lights. The stage areas are also shaded during the day by enormous “canopies”, beautiful in their own right.

All trails lead back to the music

With six stages including the solar powered Woods stage and the Pumphouse, and nearly 50 bands, there will be a packed threeday schedule of performances that shouldn’t be missed. The lineup looks pretty incredible including Neko Case, Dr Dog, Kitty, Daisy & Lewis, Blitzen Trapper, Thee Oh Sees, Los Cojolites, Langhorne Slim, The Cave Singers and far too many more to mention.

As of publication, Pickathon had not yet released its 2012 schedule. There are still some weekend passes available, but likely not for long. Single day passes will become available in July. For more information about what to bring, the history of Pickathon and who makes it happen, and to listen to a preview of the lineup visit, pickathon.com.

Photo courtesy of Tim LaBarge

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Stay tuned for our Special July Issue Neighborhood Guide www.nwkidsmagazine.com | JULY 2011

2011- 12

NEIG HBO RHO OD

G U ID E

WHER E TO EAT, SHOP & PLAY

IN PORTL AND

Pick up next month’s issue for your Go-to Guide for a day’s adventure in the city.

Discover our favorite places to eat, shop, and play in various Portland area neighborhoods.

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Color Me Cover Contest Winners’ Gallery The inaugural Color Me Cover Contest was a huge success. We heard from so many young artists from all over Portland who submitted some great illustrations of activities they love to do around Portland in the summer.

Thanks for participating, and a huge thank you to all of our sponsors who made the contest possible.

Tyzo, Age 4 winner, Grades Pre K - 1 Tyzo loves to draw, sing and swim, and enjoys building cars from Lego. This summer, he wants to ride his bicycle without training wheels with his sister.

Perhaps he wants to play basketball. Tyzo speaks English, Japanese and Dutch.

honorable mentions:

rose, Age 9 18 | NW Kids Magazine

maile, Age 8

snigdha, Age 12

molly, Age 9

griffin, Age 2 1/2

ella, Age 8

jared, Age 9

michael, Age 7

amelia, Age 5

amelie, Age 4

hannah, Age 8

cedehlia, Age 9 NW Kids Magazine | 19

outing

resource guide:

Have Water, Will Travel water parks: Evergreen Wings & Waves McMinneville, Oregon

Evergreen Wings & Waves Waterpark is an educational, climate controlled (84 degrees), indoor waterpark. Inside, you’ll find ten waterslides, four of which originate from within the rooftop of a Boeing 747, a wave pool, and a toddler area with fountains and bubblers, plus a children’s museum dedicated to teaching students about the power of water. evergreenmuseum.org

North Clackamas Aquatic Park Portland, Oregon

The North Clackamas Aquatic Park features six swimming pools, three water slides, a young children’s pool (for ages 6 and younger) and a 29-foot rock climbing wall. During fun Big Surf! swim times, you can access the entire park, which includes a state-of-the-art wave pool, water slides, a hot tub and an adult lap pool. ncprd.com

sharc aquatic center

SHARC Aquatic Center Sunriver, Oregon

This brand new, state-of-the-art facility features outdoor and indoor pools, a lazy river, two water slides, an outdoor adult hot tub, tot splash & play areas, event space that includes an amphitheater for live music, a cafe, park, picnic areas, playground, bocce ball court, basketball court, and a year-round tubing hill. sunriverowners.org/Welcome-toSHARC!~416166~13934.htm 20 | NW Kids Magazine

Splash! at Lively Park Springfield Oregon

Splash! at Lively Park activities include a wave pool, 144-foot water slide, water activity pool, hot tub and kiddie pool. Inner tubes for the wave pool are provided at no charge. The park also has concessions, convient family changing rooms and a sundeck. willamalane.org/pages/swimcenters/lpsc.shtml

Swimming Spots: Blue Lake Regional Park Gresham, OR

This 64-acre natural lake is fed by underground springs and is the perfect backdrop for a family picnic. Unfortunately, children 5 and under are not allowed in the lake to help keep the water clean, but there is a fun spray ground for all ages with colorful features that shower, gush, dump and pour water. Visitors can also rent a paddle boat, row boat or canoe to explore. $5 per car. oregonmetro.gov/index.cfm/go/by.web/id=149

Hagg Lake Park Gaston, OR

Maintained and operated by Washington County, the Park features numerous picnic areas, two boat launching facilities, a fully stocked lake for fishing and swimming, more than 15 miles of hiking trails, and observation decks for wildlife and bird watching. $5 for a daily pass. co.washington. or.us/Support_Services/Facilities/Parks/ Hagglake/

Trillium Lake Mt. Hood

40 miles southeast of Portland, in the Mt. Hood National Forest, Trillium lake provides 63 acres of recreational fun. Here, one will welcome the spectacular views of majestic Mt. Hood, nonmotorized boating, swimming and fishing. A 2-mile shoreline trail circles the lake, and parts of it are accessible. Visitors also enjoy hiking and biking on other trails in the vicinity. fs.usda.gov/recarea/ mthood/recarea/?recid=53634

Vancouver Lake Park Vancouver, Washington

Located only 3 miles from downtown Vancouver, this 234-acre park stretches for 2.5 miles along the west shore of Vancouver Lake.

With 35 developed acres of parkland, visitors can enjoy picnicking, windsurfing, and sand volleyball. Swimming is allowed inside a roped off area of the lake next to a sandy beach, but there are no lifeguards on duty. Small entrance fee. vancwa.com/lake.htm

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Sunriver

Road Trip:

by Kelley Schaefer-Levi

Sunriver, a private residential community on 3300 + acres made up of vacation rentals and the Sunriver Resort is located 15 miles south of Bend in central Oregon, and has long been known as a destination vacation for families. With miles of bike trails, hikes and countless activities offered for just about every member of the family, it’s not surprising. A few weeks ago we, the editors of NW Kids, decided it was high time we checked out what all the fuss was about. So we packed up the kids and headed out for a girls weekend in Sunriver.

Driving with three children under the age of 5-years old has its challenges, but with a little bit of preparation, our road trip was a success. Snacks, snacks, stickers and more snacks. We somehow managed to make it to Sunriver with only two stops along the way, but were quite happy to see the sign shortly after Bend noting we had less than half an hour to our final destination; Sunriver Resort.

After checking in at the resort, we were pleasantly surprised by our Lodge Village Suite accommodations. The suite was spacious with two bathrooms, an expanded kitchenette, and a loft with two queen sized beds. The view was gorgeous and the room had a private deck with two Adirondack rocking chairs facing Mt. Bachelor, which became our favorite place to hang out. The girls were thrilled when we arrived to find plenty of room to run around, beds to bounce on, and a fireplace.

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SHARC The next day was open for exploration and checking out what Sunriver has to offer.

After getting a feel for the place and making decisions about where to start, we decided on SHARC, the new aquatic center. SHARC opened their indoor facility at the end of April and their outdoor facility to the public on Memorial Day weekend. SHARC, a partnership between Sunriver resort and the Sunriver homeowners is a family’s summer paradise. The state-of-the-art facility features an indoor pool for kids, an indoor lap pool, a lazy river, two water slides, an outdoor adult hot tub, little tot splash and play areas, event space that includes an amphitheater for live music. There’s also a cafe, park, picnic areas, playground, bocce ball court, basketball court, and a year-round tubing hill. You could easily spend an entire day at SHARC, and we almost did.

outing BIKE BARN

NATURE CENTER & OBSERVATORY

Sunriver Resort is a paradise for families on bikes in that there are 35 miles of bike paths through pine trees and along the Deschutes River. You could practically ride your bike everywhere you need to go. If you can’t bring your own bikes, the Bike Barn provides rental and all the gear you might need for towing the kids including helmets, maps, locks, trailers and more. We missed out on biking this time, but will definitely bring our own next time we go to Sunriver.

A rare and really cool find in Sunriver, The Nature Center is the place to learn about the natural areas of Sunriver, and the Observatory is an amazing opportunity for those curious about the moon, stars, planets, nebulae, and galaxies. And Central Oregon’s skies provide the perfect platform for hours of viewing.

FORT FUNNIGAN Another great opportunity for learning and fun, and one sure to please the kids is Fort Funnigan. Children ages 3-10 can participate in a variety of youth programs including field trips to the Stables, fish hatchery and Nature Center or enjoy countless outdoor adventures and arts and crafts. Fort Funnigan provides evening programs too, so mom and dad can have a little bit of alone time.

SUNRIVER STABLES Living in the city limits the possibility for regular horseback riding or pony rides, but at Sunriver kids and adults can take guided trips by horse through the Deschutes National Forest. Kids can also take half hour pony rides or lessons and get familiar with how to approach, communicate and ride horses. This is a real treat for anyone who loves all things equestrian.

MARINA For swimmers ages 8-18, the Sunriver Resort Marina offers a Keepin’ It Real Kids Kayak Camp where a trained kayak instructor teaches skills and techniques while kids enjoy the natural serenity of kayaking. The marina also offers white water rafting rides on the Deschutes River.

PARKS Our short girls trip was an exploration and preview of what we can look forward to the next time we’re in Sunriver. We did, however, manage to get in a lot of outdoor playtime in beautiful weather. We checked out Fort Rock Park, tested the playground equipment, which the girls loved, and noted the tennis and volleyball courts.

Our weekend ended beautifully and our girls were pleased as punch to have had such a great time with each other enjoying what kids love. They giggled, played, swam and swam again, tried to catch a lizard and slept like babies. We were relaxed from the moment we stepped into our room and can’t wait to return for more adventures in Sunriver. Perhaps we’ll even get in a little spa time in on the next visit.

Note: You really need at least three days to take it all in.

For information on resort rates, rental and activity rates visit, sunriverresort.com.

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calendar

PERFORMANCES Jun 2 & 3

Oregon Children’s Theatre – If You Give a Mouse a Cookie A revival of OCT’s 2006 hit! When a young boy gives a wayward mouse a cookie, he doesn’t know what he’s in for. You know the story, don’t miss the play! Recommended for all ages. $15-30, Sat 2pm & 5pm, Sun 2pm. octc.org

floats, costumes, balloons, and bikes. Free, parade begins at 1pm.

Jun 9 & 10

Dragon Boat Race Come watch 80 teams from all over the world compete in these beautiful, elaborately decorated boats. Free, 8am-4pm.

Jun 10

Milk Carton Boat Race

ROSE FESTIVAL

A fun and friendly competition to kick off summer! Make your own boat out of milk cartons or jugs and enter it in the race, or just come cheer the other boats on. Register to enter by Jun 6. Free, 11am-3pm.

Jun 1-17

Jun 15-17

Rose Festival Events For more information on any of these events, visit rosefestival.org

Jun 1-3, 7-10

Rose Festival CityFair An annual Portland summer tradition!

Families flock to the waterfront for rides, shopping, exotic animals, food, and of course, fireworks. $5, kids 6 and under free, Thurs-Fri 3-11pm, Sat-Sun 11am-11pm.

Jun 2

Starlight Parade A lively downtown event with marching bands, brightly lit floats, and handmade floats celebrating funky, eclectic Portland.

Free, 8:30pm.

Jun 6

Junior Parade Our city’s youth march in their own spectacular parade, with marching bands,

Rose Cup Races Witness the excitement of amateur road-racing! $5-25, kids 12 and under free, 8am-6pm.

SUMMER FAIRS & FESTIVALS Jun 8-10

72nd Annual Sisters Rodeo Take a trip back to the Old West! $12-30, kids 12 and under free on Family Night. Family Night Fri 7pm, parade Sat 9am, performances at 1pm & 7pm, Sun 1pm. sistersrodeo.com

Jun 9 & 10, 16 & 17 French Prairie Gardens – Berries, Brews & BBQ’s

U-pick strawberries, hayrides, farm animals, and new this year, a BBQ food carts battle! $4 (plus cost of picked fruit), Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am5pm. fpgardens.com

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

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calendar

Jun 16

Portland Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Celebrate the summer, Scandinavian-style, with music, dancing, food, crafts, and the raising of the Maypole. There’s even Kids Zone, a dedicated space for families and little ones. $3-15, 11am-8pm. scanheritage.org

Jun 16

Cirque du Cycling A street festival, circus, bike race, and parade all in one! Soak in the sun and entertainment and participate in a free family ride. Free, 11am-7pm. cyclingcircus.com

Jun 22-24

Festival of Balloons

EVENTS ALL JUNE

Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum – Black Wings: American Dreams of Flight This special exhibit honors notable African Americans in the history of flight and space exploration. Free, 9am-5pm. evergreenmuseum.org

MONS IN JUNE

Playdough Craft Social Spielwerk Toys Make friends and play with homemade playdough every Monday from 11am-noon, free. spielwerktoys.com

Hot air balloons are just the beginning of the excitement! Radio Disney, crafts, Funtastic carnival, and a gorgeous night glow as the balloons light up the evening sky. $5-7, kids 6 and under free, 5:45am-11pm. tigardballoon.org

WEDS IN JUNE

Jun 22-24

Jun 2 & 3

Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts Featuring art and craft in all forms! Hands on arts activities, live music, food, and more.

Donations encouraged, Fri-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 10am-6pm. lakewood-center.org

Jun 23 & 24

Lincoln City Summer Kite Festival This year’s theme is “Stars and Stripes.” Make your own kite, marvel at the featured kite fliers, launch sky lanterns. 10am-4pm. oregoncoast.org/summer-kite-festival

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Historic Belmont Firehouse – Drop-in Wednesdays Visit the firehouse, see the exhibits, and learn about the history of fire safety – for free! 9am3pm. jeffmorrisfoundation.org

Bricks Cascade LEGO Show It’s LEGO-mania! Come view intricate and beautiful sculptures made of these mini-bricks by adults and youth alike. $8-28, kids 0-3 free, Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 9am-3pm. brickscascade.com

Jun 2

E.A.T. – The Alphabeticians Junior CD Release Party Come dressed as your favorite letter or Alphabeticians song for a chance to win a prize! Live music, balloons, and other free surprises. $5-15, 4-6pm. thealphabeticians.com

calendar

Jun 3

Science is fun! $2, 9:30am-5:30pm. omsi.edu

learn about these amazing creatures – and see some live, too! Free, Fri 5pm, Sat 11am & 4pm. skamania.com

Jun 8

Jun 15-17, 22-24, 29-Jul 1

For all the rock stars and performers in your family! Free, 6-8pm.portlandonline.com/parks

A fantastic, guided camping experience for the whole family. Learn basics, tricks, and tips for a fun-filled weekend in nature. Visit website for each weekend’s locations. $20/family, arrive between Fri 4pm and Sat 11am and stay til Sun 12pm. oregonstateparks.org

OMSI - $2 Days

Mt. Scott Community Center – Karaoke Kick-off to Summer

Jun 9

Fort Vancouver – National Get Outdoors Day As part of a nationwide fee-free parks day! 50-60 booths of fun with climbing, archery, Frisbee golf, and more. Free, 10am-4pm. nationalgetoutdoorsday.org

Jun 9

Washington County Museum – Family Day Free hands-on history and art projects for the whole family! This month’s theme is Kites and Outside Games. 10am-2pm. washingtoncountymuseum.org

Jun 12

Oregon Zoo – Second Tuesday Enjoy the zoo for just $4 the second Tuesday of every month. 9am-4pm. oregonzoo.org

Jun 13

Sunset Pediatrics 4th Annual Children’s Day Celebrate healthy children, wellness, and education with music, giveaways, drawings, resource tables, and more. Free! 9am-4pm. sunsetpediatrics.com

Jun 15-16, 22-23, 29-30 Skamania Lodge – Birds of Prey

You don’t have to stay at the lodge to come

Oregon State Parks – Let’s Go Camping!

Jun 17

Lents Park - $5 5K Run Portland Parks and Rec’s first annual 5K Run citywide series! Kids and family run, climbing wall, and other activities. Pre-registration required. Kids under 17 free, everyone else $5, 9am. facebook.com/5dollar5k

Jun 19

Central Library – Free Kids Yoga Class Kids learn basic yoga through storytelling and movement. 10:30-11:15am. multcolib.org

Jun 22 & 23

Hayden’s Helping Hands 2nd Annual Garage Sale for Charity Hayden’s Helping Hands provides financial assistance to parents after the birth of a stillborn baby. Come shop at this fundraiser and support others in need! Check website for location and times. haydenshelpinghands.com

Jun 24

Sunday Parkways – North Portland A beloved Portland fair-weather tradition that celebrates biking, walking, rolling, and all sorts of food, music, and fun. 11am-4pm. portlandsundayparkways.org NW Kids Magazine | 27

goods

Portable Ice Cream Maker

by Yaylabs. REI, $35

Eco Game Bamboo Puzzles

by Streamline. Child’s Play, $5

Happy Giddy Folding Camp Chair

by Melissa & Doug. Child’s Play, $20

Poster Paint

by P’Kolino. Black Wagon, $10

Old Time Slingshot

by Original Treeswing. Spielwerk Toys, $22

Yellowstone Jr. Sleeping Bag

by Lafuma. Next Adventure, $30

Flower Press

by Moulin Roty. Spielwerk Toys, $25

Found Around Town 28 | NW Kids Magazine

NW Kids Magazine | 29

craft

Bubble and Pour Summer Fun Painting

Create a masterpiece for father’s day

Inspired by Abstract Expressionist painter Helen Frankenthaler.

Helen loved to pour colors onto her canvas and watch them run together to create her masterpieces. Your little ones will have fun doing the same with our recipe for summer outdoor paint.

What you need: • Dish soap or bubble bath • Washable kid paint • Straws, bubble wands and a variety of sizes of containers What to do:

1

Find a place outside. Mix 2 Tablespoons washable kid paint, 2 Tablespoons dish soap or bubble bath with 1/2 cup of water in container. (Let your child experiment with mixing and making new bubble paint colors.)

2 3

Test your paint to make sure it is bubbly enough. Too much paint may make the solution heavy and not allow for bubbles to stay formed.

Begin to blow bubbles with the bubble paint solution. Catch the bubbles on paint paper or card stock, or blow a

Photos courtesy of My Masterpiece Art Studio

mountain of bubbles in the container and set the paint paper or card stock on top of the mountain of bubbles.

4

Try pour-painting with the left over bubble solution. Pour the remaining bubble paint solution onto the paper, one color at a time. It is helpful to pour slowly and guide the solution all around the paper.

With each new pour, guide the paint next to the other colors. Then leave the paint to dry (try not to move the paint before it’s completly done drying). It’s a good idea to do this on a grassy area that is in direct sunlight.

Turn your art into: *A framed masterpiece or card for Father’s Day *A set of summer picnic table place mats *A bike flag My Masterpiece Art Studio hopes you “do art” all summer long!

My Masterpiece Art Studio is located at 7905 SW Cirrus Drive, Beaverton. They offer classes and camps to a range of ages and host special events like Arty Parties for kids and adults. mymasterpieceartstudio.com 30 | NW Kids Magazine

NW Kids Magazine | 31