NW Kids Magazine February 2017

L I V E • PLAY • DO

magazine

Trackers does full-time outdoor school 2017 Schools & Open House Guide Local theater & performances Spring Break Camps nwkidsmagazine.com

FEBRUARY 2017

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Editor’s Note It’s been a rough winter in Portland, with the monstrous snow and ice that turned our lovely city into an igloo and kept our kids out of school for far, far too long… but before long, the buds of spring will emerge, giving way to brighter, sunnier and (please, oh please) warmer days. Promise!

In the meantime, learn about one of the coolest schools in town – full-time outdoor school run by resident outdoor education experts Trackers Earth!; browse through the second edition of our Annual Schools & Open House Guide to find the perfect fit for the 2017-2018 school year; tap into your dramatic side and check out local kid-friendly theater companies, whether the littles are content to sit in the audience or want to get some onstage action.

February is also National Children’s Dental Health Month, and our friends at World of Smiles Pediatric Dentistry gave us some key tips to best care for those precious pearly whites. Visit nwkidsmagazine.com/2017/02/kids-dental-health for deets!

Until next month,

Karel

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Contents

FEBRUARY 2017 10 Trackers Forest School: Beyond the human world and into the wild 16 2017 Schools & Open House Guide 28 Let’s Go to the Theater!

31 Get Out and Play!

This month’s local adventures 34 Spring Break Camps

Cover and contents photography courtesy of TRACKERS EARTH trackerspdx.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.

Corrections: In the Jan 2017 issue, we incorrectly published St. Thomas More Catholic School’s tuition as $6,250-8,470 monthly; the amount is annually. Park Academy’s age/grade range was incorrectly published as 3-12 years old; the correct range is 3rd-12th grade. Apologies!

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 All Families Surrogacy...................................12 Aprende con Amigos.....................................14 Art of STEM....................................................12 Barre3............................................................... 7 Bennett Suzuki................................................. 7 Blue Frogs Jump.............................................. 7 Brain Balance.................................................14 Bridges Middle School..................................... 8 Canoe Island French Camp............................12 Catlin Gabel....................................................36 Childswork.....................................................14 Cornerstone Montessori................................... 7 Dizzy Castle...................................................... 3 Engineering for Kids......................................15 Farber Swim School.......................................33 French American International School..........21 German International School........................27 Girls Build.......................................................15 International School......................................15 6 | NW Kids Magazine

KLA Schools...................................................20 Little Fruit Farm..............................................20 My Masterpiece Art Studio............................33 Nectar Frozen Yogurt........................................ 2 Northwest Chinese Academy........................21 Odyssey Program...........................................21 Oregon Children’s Theatre................................ 2 Oregon College of Art and Craft....................33 Oregon Episcopal School...............................27 Play Fit Fun....................................................... 3 Portland Children’s Museum.........................33 Portland Parks and Rec..................................35 Portland Trampoline........................................ 9 Raindrop Playmates.......................................26 Saturday Academy.........................................20 Serpa Audiology............................................12 Scuola Italiana...............................................12 Sit Still.............................................................. 8 Skinner Montessori........................................13

Small Friends School.....................................26 Smart Baby Preschool...................................... 7 Sound Roots School of Music........................33 Spielwerk Toys.................................................. 8 St Therese School............................................. 7 Sunshine Montessori.....................................26 Sunstone Montessori.....................................30 Swallowtail School........................................13 Southwest Charter School.............................30 The Kids’ Backyard Store.................................. 9 ThriftMouse....................................................15 Trillium Preschool..........................................14 Trinity Lutheran..............................................35 Tucker Maxon.................................................30 Uniquely Wise.................................................. 7 West Hills Montessori....................................30 Westside Academy........................................33 Yeates Academy.............................................12 Youngset Preschool........................................33

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Photography courtesy of TRACKERS EARTH trackerspdx.com

Trackers Forest School: Beyond the human world and into the wild by MASON MERRILL

Outdoor school? Sure, that’s been a thing for awhile. But full-time outdoor school – is this real? Yes. Portland favorite Trackers Earth, which offers outdoor and survival-themed seasonal camps, one-day events and weekly classes, has made young adventurers’ dreams come true with their new Forest School. NW Kids held an exclusive interview with founder Tony Deis to find out more about this exciting new education program.

Let’s say I was somebody who didn’t know anything about Forest Schools. How would you sum it all up?

Kids get outdoors every day. They not only learn traditional academic subjects but they also learn ancient skills and develop their own capacity to learn through interdisciplinary exploration.

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How do more traditional areas of study fit into your educational model?

All the classical academic subjects apply.

All of our studies are based on the natural world and sciences, and we develop academics through outdoor skills. So geometry, for example, comes into play when learning how to use a map and

compass; geology when exploring and mapping the land; reading and writing when doing natural history research and journaling. That’s why we always stress this as being an inter-disciplinary approach.

That all sounds like a way more engaging way to learn than what most of us grew up with.

A lot of nature schools focus primarily on play. That freedom of exploration is definitely a component of our school, but we also feature intensive skills that are academic, but also very traditional and ancient. Things like survival skills, bow-craft, lighting fires without matches, and self-reliance in both the natural and modern world.

So the academic portion is almost like a by-product of the environment you’ve created?

I think a better way to say it would be that they are a natural component of our interdisciplinary approach, which encourages auto-didactic learning. Learning where kids can just absorb knowledge and experiences and then turn around and benefit the community in whatever vocation they choose.

So you’ve launched a full-time school program. What does that look like?

We’ve been running a kindergarten class since Fall 2016. That was our inaugural class. Next year that class will graduate to first grade and we’ll add another kindergarten class. We’re also adding a middle school class, grades 6-7, at the same time. So, with all that, in the coming years we’ll add an additional grade each year as the current year graduates into the next.

Do you have any favorite feedback or inspiration you’ve heard from parents or students over the years?

We consistently hear that children have trouble engaging in traditional school settings, but when they get to our school, they’re not only more excited in general but also more willing to engage with the academic subjects. I think this is due to two things. One, they’re out of doors, in an environment that engages their senses and awareness on a far more complex level.

Secondly, they’re learning these subjects under pertinent real-world circumstances.

So in summary we’re looking at forest schools, and Trackers Forest School in particular, as vital components of children’s development.

Yeah, the reason forest schools are so essential is their ability to get kids out of four walls, out of learning from only the human world and into an environment that is far more diverse and complex. One that fosters intelligent discourse on their part, which is far more meaningful than any rote learning experiences we can give them.

For more information on Trackers and Forest School, visit trackerspdx.com.

Mason Merrill is a long-time barista, with roots in Austin, TX, but now residing in Portland, OR, where he works for Coava Coffee. An organizer of monthly latte art competitions for the PDX coffee community, you can find him on his off days coffee shop hopping and dreaming about the next breakfast taco he’ll eat.

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SCHOOLS SCHOOLS

DESCRIPTION

AGES/GRADES

NORTH/NORTHEAST Bridges Middle School

Non-profit private school providing individualized instruction and socialemotional support for students with learning differences.

5th-8th grade

Academic excellence, faith formation, before & after school care, accredited.

PreK-8th grade

We believe children are strong, competent, inventive and full of ideas | to explore.

3-5 years old

5420 N Interstate Avenue 503-285-3833

Trinity Lutheran Christian School

Academic excellence. Inspired by Christ Since 1891.

PreK-8th grade

At Childswork, we nurture wonder, we embrace joy and we foster discovery.

3-6 years old

Full-time and outdoors, the Trackers Forest School blends academics and nature education.

Grade K,1, 6-7

Tucker Maxon teaches every child to reach their full potential in school and in life.

Early Intervention, PreK, Elementary

Full day for preschool, after school classes and weekend camps.

2-12 years old

716 NE Marine Drive 503-688-2922

St. Therese Catholic School 1260 NE 132nd Avenue 503-253-9400

Trillium Charter School

5520 NE Killingsworth Street 503-288-6403

SOUTHEAST PORTLAND Childswork Learning Center 4235 SE Salmon Street 503-234-3611

Trackers Forest School 4617 SE Milwaukie Avenue 503-345-3312

Tucker Maxon School 2860 SE Holgate Boulevard 503-235-6551

NORTHWEST PORTLAND Bamboo International School 14695 NW West Union Road 503-330-8781

Blue Frogs Jump LLC Preschool Eclectic philosophy focusing on 10207 NW Alpenglow Way 503-925-3919

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confidence, skill-building and fostering capable, considerate, responsible learners and community members.

2-5 years old

OPEN HOUSE GUIDE TUITION

SPECIALIZATION

OPEN HOUSE INFO

WEBSITE

$23,000 annually

Special Education

February 8, 9-10am March 11, 10-11am

bridgesms.org

$5,000-$16,000 annually

Faith-based

March 7, 6-7pm

stthereseschool.org

No tuition or admission fee

Play-based, Whole child

February 16, 5:30-7pm

trilliumcharterschool.org

$2,400-$7,000 annually

Blend of student centered and direct instruction

February 23 and by appointment

trinityportland.org

Variable

Play-based, Reggio Emilia, Whole child, Constructivist/ emergent curriculum

Tours held several times a month; call for reservation

childswork.org

$13,250 annually

Experiential, Whole child, Forest School

February 8, March 8, 6-7:30pm

trackerspdx.com/forest/ school

$7,150-7,900 annually

Experiential, Play-based, Whole child, Communication

February 15, March 15, April 19, 4-5:30pm

tuckermaxon.org

$400-999 monthly

Language immersion

Fridays 11:30am-12:30pm

bamboochineseschool.com

$550-1,195 monthly

Experiential, Contact for information Play-based, Eclectic

bluefrogsjump.com

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SCHOOLS SCHOOLS

DESCRIPTION

AGES/GRADES

SOUTHWEST PORTLAND Catlin Gabel 8825 SW Barnes Road 503-297-1894

French American International School 8500 NW Johnson Street 503-292-7776

Odyssey Program 1849 SW 58th Avenue 503-916-6310

Oregon Episcopal School 6300 SW Nicol Road 503-768-3115

Portland Jewish Academy 6651 SW Capitol Highway 503-244-0126

Raindrop Playmates 9100 SW Wilshire Street 503-297-7246

Small Friends School 7475 SW Oleson Road 503-388-2266

Southwest Charter School 0640 SW Bancroft Street 503-244-1697 x300

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Inspired learning leading to responsible action through dedicated teaching, caring relationships, a challenging curriculum and community service.

PreK-12th grade

World renowned curriculum offered in an immersion setting with an International Baccalaureate framework.

2.5 years old 8th grade

A Living History Education for Young Explorers! Focus Option program of Portland Public Schools.

K-8th grade

OES offers an inquiry-based education, where open minds may inquire, explore and grow.

PreK -12th grade

A community of respect; a challenging, engaging academic program. Students think for themselves and work for the world.

6 weeks-8th grade

Bilingual English and Korean preschool offering classes for toddler through pre-K!

20 monthsKindergarten

At Small Friends children explore, create and collaborate to deepen their understanding of their world.

3-5 years old

Dedicated to connecting children to their community and the natural world through science, art and civics.

K-8th grade

OPEN HOUSE GUIDE TUITION

SPECIALIZATION

OPEN HOUSE INFO

WEBSITE

$24,900-31,100 annually

Experiential

Campus tours available September through early February

catlin.edu

$13,900-18,217 annually

Language immersion, IB

Please check website for updated information

faispdx.org

none

History focus, Project-based learning, Writing & public speaking emphasis

February 15, February 22, March 8, 6-7:30pm

pps.net/Domain/3755

See website

Experiential, Reggio Emilia

Call for information

oes.edu

$8,250-17,760 annually

Project-based learning

Personal tours available

pjaproud.org

$1,100-1,200 monthly for full time; part time available

Experiential, Language immersion, Play-based, Reggio Emilia

February 11, 10am-1pm

raindroplaymates.org

$168-215 monthly Play-based

February 2, 7-8:30 pm

smallfriendsschool.com

Tuition free public charter school option

Information sessions 1st Tuesday/month through June, 9am

swcharter.org

Place-based

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SCHOOLS SCHOOLS

DESCRIPTION

AGES/GRADES

SOUTHWEST PORTLAND (CONTINUED) St. Thomas More Catholic School 3521 SW Patton Road 503-222-6105

Sunstone Montessori School 6318 SW Corbett Avenue 503-768-3847

The International School 025 SW Sherman Street 503-226-2496

Youngset Preschool 1838 SW Jefferson Street 503-221-0224

A Gospel values-centered Catholic school, dedicated to maximizing the spiritual and educational development of the whole child.

K-8th grade

Sunstone is a community that cultivates the curious, compassionate and independent being of every child.

16 months12 years old

Full Spanish, Japanese or Chinese language immersion and inquirybased, International Baccalaureate approach. Since 1990.

3 years old-5th grade

Teachers, children and parents work together to create a play-based learning environment that respects each child.

3-5 years old

German language immersion school that provides innovative learning experiences, creative programming and a diverse, globally-minded community.

PreK-5th grade

Innovative, Reggio Emilia based center providing children with quality early learning experience.

6 weeks-PreK

Supporting children’s natural development, curiosity and exploration. Low student teacher ratios, beautiful home and garden environments.

Toddlers and preschoolers

NWCA is the highest percentage Mandarin immersion school in Oregon, serving a diverse student population.

PreK-6th grade

BEAVERTON/HILLSBORO German International School 3900 SW Murray Boulevard, Beaverton 503-626-9089

KLA School of Hillsboro 1855 NE 48th Avenue, Hillsboro 503-333-2002

Little Fruit Farm Montessori 16445 SW Melinda Street, Beaverton 503-521-8603

Northwest Chinese Academy 8565 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Highway, Beaverton 503-546-3455 22 | NW Kids Magazine

OPEN HOUSE GUIDE TUITION

SPECIALIZATION

OPEN HOUSE INFO

WEBSITE

$6,250-8,470 annually

Whole child, Art, Spanish, Music, Computer Skills, Library

Contact for information

stmpdxschool.org

$950-1,750 monthly

Experiential, Montessori, Whole child

Contact for information

sunstonemontessori.org

$10,000-17,000 annually

Language Personal tours available immersion, Playbased, International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme

intlschool.org

See website

Play-based, Co-op

See website

youngsetpreschool.com

$11,200-14,500 annually

Language immersion

Individual tours available

gspdx.org

$500-1,500 monthly depending on number of days and selected schedule

Experiential, Play-based, Reggio Emilia, Whole child

February 8, February 22, 8pm

klaschoolshillsboro.com

$450-1,000 monthly

Montessori

Please call

littlefruitfarmmontessori. com

$3,200-14,933 annually

Language Immersion

February 11, 10am-12pm March 7, 9:30am-11am April 1, 10am-12pm May 11, 9:30am-11am

nwchineseacademy.org

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SCHOOLS SCHOOLS

DESCRIPTION

AGES/GRADES

BEAVERTON/HILLSBORO (CONTINUED) Smart Baby Preschool 21029 SW Brackenwood Lane, Beaverton 971-227-6124

Committed to providing bilingual English/Russian learning for each child, preparing for early success and school readiness.

2-6 years old

To empower students with diverse learning differences, particularly dyslexia.

3rd-12th grade

Committed to teaching to where each child is at.

2.5 years old 6th grade

Educating the whole child; head, heart and hands.

Parent-Child 8th grade

“Learn with friends� through a research-based Spanish immersion program for children 3-5 years old.

3-5 years old

Follow your curiosity! Classes and camps in science, technology, engineering, math and the arts.

2nd-12th grade

SIdP promotes the Italian language and culture to children and adults in a student-centered environment.

18 months-adult

Meeting the social, emotional and intellectual needs of children through joyful exploration and hands-on learning.

Toddler, PreK, Elementary

OUTER METRO AREA Park Academy 1915 South Shore Boulevard, Lake Oswego 503-594-8800

Skinner Elementary Montessori School 5001 NE 66th Ave, Vancouver 360-696-4862

Swallowtail Waldorf School and Farm 460 S. Heather Street, Cornelius 503-846-0336

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS Aprende con Amigos Multiple locations 503-206-8765

Saturday Academy Multiple locations 503-200-5858

Scuola Italiana di Portland Multiple locations 971-270-0470

West Hills Montessori Multiple locations 503-246-5495

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OPEN HOUSE GUIDE TUITION

SPECIALIZATION

OPEN HOUSE INFO

WEBSITE

Please contact school

Language immersion

March 19, 11am-3pm

smartbabypreschool.com

Contact for tuition

Dyslexia, Language-based learning differences

Tours available on Tuesdays at 9am or by appointment. Please contact us.

parkacademy.org

$5,800-8,200 annually

Montessori, Daily French & calligraphy

February 15, 6:30-8pm

skinnermontessori.com

$7,000-10,100 annually

Experiential, Whole child, Waldorf

February 11, 10am-1pm

swallowtailschool.org

$395-1,035 monthly

Language immersion

Overlook: February 18, 6-7pm Irvington: February 20, 3-4pm

aprendeconamigos.com

$79-600 monthly

Experiential, Hands-on, indepth classes taught by industry professionals

Call for information

saturdayacademy.org

$10-13 hourly

Language immersion, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Whole child

Call to arrange a classroom visit

scuola.us

$785-1,060 monthly

Montessori

SW Campus: March 5, 11am-1pm; Lake Oswego Campus: March 12, 11am-1pm

westhills-montessori.com

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Let’s Go to the Theater! by GESSE STARK-SMITH

Photograph by OWEN CAREY for OREGON CHILDREN’S THEATRE

When was the last time you and your family saw a play? Theater introduces us to new stories, perspectives and inspirations. We are lucky to live in an area with a dynamic performing arts scene where there are many opportunities to introduce young people to theater. Below, we’ve included some of our favorite local options. Many of these theaters provide great subscription or season ticket deals as well, which can encourage your family to make regular theater outings. Make 2017 the year your family embraces live theater!

OREGON CHILDREN’S THEATRE Next year OCT will be celebrating its 30th anniversary! Their focus on balancing education with fun endears them to theater-goers of all ages. This season, young readers will be thrilled to see some of their favorite characters (Fly Guy, Pinkalicious and more!) come alive on stage. OCT offers a variety of subscription packages, which all include great benefits like behind the scenes tours and free ticket exchange if your schedule changes. With some of the highest quality productions for young people in our area, OCT is a great way introduce your family to live theater!

Subscriptions $54-115.

1111 SW Broadway octc.org NORTHWEST CHILDREN’S THEATER With an emphasis on creating new works, NWCT has produced 15 original adaptations, including their current production: The Tail of Sleeping Beauty... with Puppets! (Imagine this classic fairytale taken over by a group of quirky and hilarious bird puppets and you’ve got the idea!) NWCT has a long 28 | NW Kids Magazine

standing commitment to accessibility, which they demonstrate by providing sign language interpretation and audio description for all of their mainstage shows. In addition to their amazing productions, NWCT offers year round theater classes for young people ages 3-18. Subscriptions $30-40.

1819 NW Everett nwcts.org BROADWAY ROSE THEATRE COMPANY For older children and teens with the theater bug, Broadway Rose is a great option for well-produced musicals.

This season, you’ll want to mark your calendars for Beehive: A Hair-raising Musical Review or The Addams Family: A Kooky-Ooky Musical. Broadway Rose always posts parental advisories for their productions, so you’ll never have to wonder if the material is appropriate for your family, and offers several subscription packages, which include lost ticket protection and free ticket mailing.

Subscriptions $80-216.

12850 SW Grant Ave, Tigard broadwayrose.org

JOURNEY THEATER ARTS GROUP Journey provides theater classes for youth ages 6-18, and students 8 and up are eligible to audition for their Broadway-style productions. Staff at Journey are committed to supporting children in developing their talents and creating a Christcentered community. Upcoming productions include James and the Giant Peach Jr. and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jr. in Portland. Tickets $9-18.

Productions around the metro area journeytheater.org

OREGON CHILDREN’S THEATRE Fly Guy: The Musical – Now thru Feb 12 Flora & Ulysses – Feb 25-Mar 26 Tomás and the Library Lady – Apr 1-23 Pinkalicious: The Musical – May 6-Jun 4 NORTHWEST CHILDREN’S THEATER The Tail of Sleeping Beauty: With Puppets! – Now thru Feb 26 Robin Hood – Apr 22-May 21 BROADWAY ROSE THEATRE COMPANY Company* – Now thru Feb 26 Beehive – Apr 13-May 14 The Addams Family* – Jun 29-Jul 23 *parental guidance suggested JOURNEY THEATER ARTS GROUP James and the Giant Peach Jr – Feb 17-26 Shrek the Musical Jr – Feb 24-Mar 5 Beauty and the Beast Jr – Mar 3-12

Photograph by JOURNEY THEATER ARTS GROUP

The Little Mermaid Jr – Mar 10-19

Looking for more?

CORBETT CHILDREN’S THEATER has a commitment to mentoring and supporting youth development in the community. They offer classes, audition opportunities and a wide variety of theater productions. corbettchildrenstheater.com STAGES: PERFORMING ARTS YOUTH ACADEMY offers classes, camps and performance opportunities to youth in the Hillsboro area. Catch their production of The Secret Garden this spring to get a feel for the high quality of their work. stagesyouth.org OREGON CITY CHILDREN’S THEATER offers great youth theater opportunities. They are committed to supporting young people in their desire to perform and producing professional level shows. Their next production, The Lion King, will open in March. occtheatre.org Gesse Stark-Smith is librarian and freelance writer. A native Seattleite she enjoys exploring the Portland area, baking and reading cozy murder mysteries.

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WIZARD WORLD

Get Out and Play!

This month’s local adventures

Feb 1-6

Feb 4

The year of the Rooster has officially begun! Lan Su Chinese Garden, nestled sweetly at the base of Chinatown, celebrates every Chinese New Year with lion dances, martial arts demonstrations, revelatory cultural scenes and a plethora of kids activities. The festivities culminate with a spectacular lantern viewing and dragon dance; however, separate admission is required for this event. $7-9.50, kids 5 and under free, lansugarden.org

The little ornithologists in your life will absolutely love this guided tour, where visitors explore the island in search of hawks, bald eagles, and falcons and even get to meet local raptors up close and personally. $10/vehicle, oregonmetro.gov

Feb 4

Feb 10-12

Don’t miss the Kiako Foundation’s annual fundraiser, Hōʻike, a dazzling, and possibly dizzying, showcase of Hawaiian food, live music and authentic Polyneisan and hula dance performances. Hōʻike includes a silent auction and a Hawaiian dinner (evening only), at PCC’s Sylvania Campus. $15-45, kiako.org

Shuffle the snow off your boots and get ready for some good old-fashioned family fun! This huge event is replete with games, arts, sports, learning displays, face painting, bounce houses and all manner of “fair food,” which is just what we need to stave off that February chill. $10/family, kuik.com

Lan Su Chinese Garden Chinese New Year

11th Annual Ho‘ike Hawaiian Cultural Event

Sauvie Island Raptor Road Trip

Northwest Family And Kids Festival

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

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Feb 18-19 KidFest NW NORTHWEST FAMILY AND KIDS FESTIVAL

Feb 11

Victorian Valentine Tea Party Your junior historian will delight in this extravagant celebration of bygone valentines from more fanciful eras. Come dressed in your best tea party finery (hats and gloves encouraged!) and enjoy tea, scones, finger sandwiches, and desserts with your gloved pinkies pointed to the ceiling. This annual fundraiser’s proceeds benefit The Fairview Historical Society. $27, kids under 12 $12, echohistory.org

Every year KidFest throws what amounts to a huge party for children of all ages. KidFest has a little something for each age group, including but not limited to sports demos, a petting zoo, bounce castles, concerts, contests and a downright massive assortment of activities and games. This year’s event boasts a zip line, rock climbing, and go-carts! $5, kids 3 and under free, kidfestnw.com

Feb 16-26

PDX Jazz Festival 2017 Honor Black History Month by celebrating the innovation, soul and spirit of jazz. 10 days of concerts means there’s something for everyone - take your pick! Ticket prices vary by show, pdxjazz.com

Feb 17-19

Wizard World Portland Comic Con One of Portland’s most anticipated annual fandom events! If you’ve got a fan of sci-fi, comics, fantasy, anime or manga in your household, you’ve likely already heard plenty about this upcoming con. We suggest assembling your family’s cosplay ASAP, and be prepared to fill your camera roll to capacity. $20+, wizardworld.com

KIDFEST NW

Feb 25

Bird Language For Beginners at Cooper Mountain Nature Park February is a big month for bird lovers; the rapid increase in daylight motivates dynamic changes in the way our local avian habitants vocalize. Learning to distinguish and recognize their squawks, songs and alarm calls is a must for all junior bird enthusiasts, and encouraging a new generation of whistling bird whisperers in the year of the rooster is a parental requirement (I think!). $10, oregonmetro.gov

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SPRING BREAK CAMPS Art of STEM Mar 27-31, 9am-4pm Single days available Ages 5-10, $58-65/day artofstem.com Farber Swim School Mar 27-30, 10am-1:30pm & 2-5:30pm 30-minute lessons Ages 3 & up, $29-35/day, $106-130/4 days farberswimschool.com My Masterpiece Art Studio Mar 27-31, 10am-2pm Single days & early drop-off available Ages 4-8 or 6-11, $58/day (10% sibling discount) mymasterpieceartstudio.com Portland Children’s Museum Mar 27-31, 8:30am-2:30pm Ages 4-6, $212 members/$250 non-members portlandcm.org Portland Parks and Rec Mar 27-31, 9am-5pm Half-day & full-day, before & after-care available Ages 2-12, ~$25/whole day portlandoregon.gov/parks/61157 Oregon College of Art and Craft Mar 27-31, 9am-5pm Before & after-care available Age 4-8th grade, $335-360/wk cms.ocac.edu Trackers Earth Mar 27-31, 7:30am-4pm Single days & after-care available Age 4-10th grade, ~$78/day trackerspdx.com

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Westside Dance & Gymnastics Academy Mar 27-31, 8:45-11:45am & 7:30am-5:30pm Half-day & full-day camps Ages 3-teen, $34-69/day, $146-295/wk, add’l $8 for same-day registration westsideacademy.com

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