The Kid-Friendly Guide to Portland-Area Museums

We are continually amazed at how much Portland has to offer kids and their grownups.  We have to say, though, we were astounded when we started putting this guide together as to how many museums there are in Portland!  From the quirky (vacuums and hats, anyone?) to the nationally recognized, we are surrounded by new and exciting ways to educate and entertain our kids.  Here’s our list.  As always, share your knowledge!  Let us know your thoughts about these museums and which ones we’ve missed.  And it’s always a good idea to call ahead to make sure the information below is still accurate.

 

 

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GIVEAWAY: Tickets to Oregon Children’s Theatre’s Magic School Bus

Ms. Frizzle, Wanda, Ralphie, Carlos and the other students at Walkerville Elementary are putting on a play about climate change, and we know what that means…field trip. WAHOO! The Frizz and her class circle the globe, from Antarctica to the equator, learning about global warming. In classic School Bus style, they start with the big picture, then take a closer look at the reasons the world is getting warmer. It’s not all bad news—Ms. Frizzle and kids explore countless easy ways to combat climate change and learn that science is fun when you take chances, make mistakes, and get messy!

After 25 years of scientific adventures, the Magic School Bus has made its first-ever landing in Portland. The Oregon Children’s Theatre has co-commissioned this play with Bay Area Children’s Theatre and will be the only company to produce it outside of the national tour. Projections and photo-realism add to the set design, help deepen concepts, and show the expanse of the globe.

We were there opening weekend! Read our review here!

 

Drammy Award winning Oregon Children’s Theatre presents The Magic School Bus Live: The Climate Challenge
January 22–February 19, 2012 at the Newmark Theatre, 1111 SW Broadway (Saturdays at 2:00 & 5:00 pm and Sundays at 2:00 pm).
Tickets are $16-$30 for adults and $13-$26 for children.
Box Office: 503-228-9571 or through TicketMaster (503-790-ARTS or www.ticketmaster.com).
General information: www.octc.org.
Recommended for ages 6 & up.

We are giving one lucky reader four tickets to see the show! Details for entering below …

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Celebrate the Chinese New Year – Portland Style!

The Chinese New Year begins January 23rd, with celebrations continuing for two weeks.  It is a time to welcome longevity, wealth, and prosperity and to eliminate negative energy from the past.

This year is the Year of the Dragon.  Those of you born in 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, 1952, 1940, 1928, or 1916 are all dragons.  Congratulations!  You are innovative, enterprising, flexible, brave, passionate, and self-assured, among other qualities.  Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with some of these activities around town.  Many are free.

 

What: Chinese New Year Celebration at Child’s Play.   Paper fan craft, test your chopstick skills, face painting, and prizes.
Where: Child’s Play, NW 23rd and Kearney St.
When: Saturday, January 21, 10-1
Cost: Free!

What: Celebrate the Chinese New Year at the Lan Su Garden.  Special events include lion and dragon dances, martial arts demonstrations, feng shui talks, dance and music performances, and more.
Where: Lan Su Chinese Garden, 239 NW Everett
When: January 23-February 6
Cost:  Included with admission ($7-$9.50, with children 5 and under free)

What: Celebrate the New Year with a puppet show, crafts, and food at the Midland Library.
Where: Midland Library, 805 SE 122nd Ave
When: Tuesday, January 24, 5:30-7
Cost: Free!

What: Festivities include a lion dance, puppet show, singing, crafts, and food at this celebration at the Holgate Library.
Where: Holgate Library, 7905 SE Holgate
When: Wednesday, January 25, 6-7:30 PM
Cost: Free!

What: Library festivities continue with this celebration at the Gregory Heights Library, with music, games, crafts, and food.
Where: Gregory Heights Library, 7921 NE Sandy Blvd
When: Saturday, January 28, 1-3 PM
Cost: Free!

What: Make Red Fans for the Lunar New Year at the Woodstock Library.  The fan is a traditional Chinese symbol and red paper is used to symbolize good luck and happiness throughout the year.  Registration required; currently a wait list.
Where: Woodstock Library, 6008 SE 49th
When: Saturday, January 28, 4:30-5:30
Cost: Free!

What: Chinese New Year Cultural Fair at the Oregon Convention Center.   An annual showcase of Chinese cultural activities (including music, dancing, and martial arts demonstrations), plus food and vendors.
Where: Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE MLK
When: February 11, 11-5
Cost:  Not yet specified; last year was $6, with children 6 and under free

 

What did we miss?  Post a comment below and tell us!

School Open House Guide

We have pulled together a comprehensive listing of open houses for Schools around the Portland area. These include daycares and preschools, all the way through high-schools and schools with specific focuses. We will be updating the guide frequently and will post the coming week at the top.We are also collecting info to put together a much more comprehensive Education Guide. Information can be submitted here.

We also have a list of the schools in alphabetical order here.

If your school is not listed here, you can submit information for free inclusion here.

Week of January 23 – 29, 2012

Tuesday January 24

Childswork Learning Center
Tours are offered 4 times a month as follows: January: 24, 25; February: 7, 8, 21, 22; March: 6, 7, 13, 14; April: 3, 4, 10, 11, 24; May: 1, 2, 22, 23 Please call to reserve your spot.
4235 SE Salmon St., Portland, OR 97215 – (503) 234-3611
www.childswork.org
Ages: Parent-Child 2′s, 3s, 4s, blended age, prek and K
Childswork is a non-profit, play-based school.

Amiguitos Preschool
Open House: Jan. 25 – 9:00 am to 1:00 pm; Feb. 22 – 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
11675 SW Butner Rd., Portland OR 97225 – (503) 596-2661
www.amiguitos.org
Ages: 30 mo to 5 yrs
Preschool Spanish Immersion near Cedar Hills.

Bodhi Tree Center
Open House Dates: Wednesdays, 10:00 am – noon, January through February. For other dates/times please call to arrange.
5403 SE Center St., Portland, OR 97206 – 503-788-0336
www.BodhiTreeChineseSchool.org
Ages: 2 years old, 3-5 years old, pre-K, ages 6-12, 13 on up
Specialize in Mandarin Chinese children’s programs.

Camas Montessori School
Open House: Jan. 25 – 4:00 – 7:00 pm
1004 NE 4th Ave., Camas, WA 98607 – 360-834-7434
www.camasmontessori.com
Ages: 2 1/2 – 6 yrs
Social, academic dev. for primary children.

Child’s View Montessori School
Open House: Jan. 25 – 9:00 – 11:00 am and 4:00 – 6:00 pm
4729 SW Taylor’s Ferry Rd., Portland, Oregon 97219 – (503) 293-9422
www.childsview.net
Ages: 2 1/2 years (and potty trained) through Kindergarten

Youngset Cooperative Preschool
Open House: Jan. 25: 7:00 – 9:00 pm
1838 SW Jefferson, Portland, OR 97201 – (503) 954-3733
http://youngsetpreschool.com/
Ages: 3-5 yrs
2 year preschool program for ages 3-5 years old.

Thursday January 26

Agia Sophia Academy
Open House: Jan. 26 – 5:00 – 7:00 pm
14485 SW Walker Rd., Beaverton, OR 97006 – 503-641-4600
www.asapdx.org
Ages: Elementary K – 5th; Montessori PreK (ages 3-5)

Children’s Hour Academy
Open House: Jan. 26: 4:00 – 6:00 pm
17650 SW 65th Ave., Lake Oswego, OR 97035 – (503) 635-2139
http://www.childrens-hour.com/
Ages: Infant to 6th Grade
Learn more about our Kindergarten program!

Dove Christian Preschool
Open House: Jan. 26. – 7:00 – 8:00 pm
7555 SW 45th Ave., Portland, OR  97219 – (503) 246-5459
www.dovepreschool.com
Ages: 3-5

Multnomah Playschool
Open House: Jan. 26 – 6:30 – 8:30 pm. Kids are encouraged.
5500 SW Dosch Rd., Portland, OR 97219 – (503) 866-6095
www.multnomahplayschool.com
Ages: Tu/Th 3′s class, M/W/F 4′s class and Pre-K class
Tour the class, meet the teachers, ask questions!

Park Academy
Open House: Jan. 26 – 6:30 – 8:00 pm
17600 Pacific Highway, Marylhurst, OR 97036 – 503-635-3088
www.parkacademy.org
Grades 4 – 12
Our Open House is for students who feel discouraged in a conventional classroom.

Sonbeam Early Learning Center
Open House: Jan. 26 – 4:00 – 7:00 pm
620 NE Clackamas St., Portland, OR 97232 – 503-233-7272
www.sonbeam.com
Ages: 2 1/2 – Pre-K

Trillium Charter School
Open House: Jan. 26 6:30 – 7:30 pm; Feb. 23 6:30 – 7:30 pm
5420 N. Interstate Ave., Portland, OR 97217 – 503-285-3833
www.trilliumcharterschool.org

Friday January 27

Village Free School
Open House: Jan. 27 – 6:00 pm; Feb. 24 – 6:00 pm
8660 SE Foster Rd., Portland, OR 97266 – (503) 788-3935
www.villagefreeschool.org
Ages: 5 – 18
A small democratic school for youth of all ages.

Saturday January 28

Funny Farm Early Learning Center, Inc.
Open House: Jan. 28 – 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
7475 SW Oleson Rd. #13A, Portland, OR 97223
www.funnyfarmelc.com
Ages: Preschool, ages 3 to 5

Gabriel Park Preschool
Open House: Jan. 28 – 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
5815 SW Gillcrest Ct., Portland, OR 97221 – (503) 244-3518
www.gabrielparkpreschool.com
Ages: 3′s-4′s mixed class – Tues, Thurs, Fri – 9-12:30
A Learn through Play Cooperative Preschool.

Mt. Tabor Preschool
Open House: Jan. 28 – 10:00 am – noon
5441 SE Belmont St., Portland, OR 97215 – (503) 975-4242
www.mttaborpreschool.org
Ages: 3 and 4 year olds
We are a developmental, cooperative preschool.

Opal Museum School
Open House: Jan. 28 8:30 – 10:00 am. RSVP required.
Portland Children’s Museum – 4015 SW Canyon Road., Portland, OR 97221 – 503-471-9917
http://www.portlandcm.org/educators-2/opal-school-main/opal-museum-school/
Ages: Reggio-inspired early childhood school, ages 3-6
Engaging children’s creativity and imagination.

Providence Montessori School
Open House: Jan. 28 – 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
4911 NE Couch St., Portland, OR 97213 – (503) 215-2409
www.providence.org/montessori/
Ages: Primary & Lower elementary, 2.5 yrs-4th grade
Montessori education for primary & elementary students.

Sungarden Montessori Children’s House
Open House: Jan. 28 10:00 am – noon
2284 Long St., West Linn, OR 97068 – 503-665-2609
www.sungardenmontessori.org
Ages 2.5 – 6
SunGarden is a small, non-profit, Jr. Green, AMI recognized Montessori school located in a charming house across the street from Sunset Park in West Linn. Since 1980, SunGarden has provided an excellent start for young children- nurturing the joy of learning in thoughtfully prepared, respectful communities.
Teaching Method/Philosophy: AMI Montessori
Minimum Age Requirement: 2 1/2 yrs
Teacher to Student Ratio: 1:8
Before and after school care available
Program Hours: 8:00 am – 5:30 pm
Tuition: Morning: $585/month; full day: $805/month
Sibling discount: $50/mo. discount
Financial Aid available

Sunday January 29

Christ the King Catholic School
Open House: Jan. 29 – 9:30 am – noon
7414 SE Michael Drive, Milwaukie, OR 97222 – 503-785-2411
www.ctkweb.org
Grades: K-8th

Holy Cross Catholic School
Open House: Jan. 29 – 9:00 am – noon
5202 N. Bowdoin, Portland, OR 97203 – (503) 289-3010
www.holycrosspdx.org/school
Grades: Kindergarten – 8th Grade
Rigorous academic and faith centered education.

Mother Earth School
Please RSVP for a farm tour: Jan 29th: 1pm, Feb 5th: 11am, Feb 19th: 1pm and March 3rd: 11am
11640 SW Boones Ferry Rd., Portland, OR, 97219 – 503-893-9774
www.motherearthschool.com
Ages: Preschool and kindergarten, summer camp ages 4-12
An all-outdoor farm and forest school in SW PDX.

Portland Christian Elementary & Preschool
Open House: Jan. 29 – 1:00 – 4:00 pm
11845 SE Market Street, Portland, OR 97216 – (503) 256-3960
www.pcschools.org
Grades: Pre-school beginning at 2 1/2 yrs through grade 6.

Portland Christian Jr/Sr High School
Open House: Jan. 29 – 1:00 – 4:00 pm
12425 NE San Rafael St., Portland, OR 97230 – (503) 256-3960
www.pcschools.org
Grades: T6 – 12
College prep w/many extracurricular activities.

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Review: OCT’s The Magic School Bus Live

Review by Molli Vandehey – Portland Mom and PDX Kids Calendar reader

I must admit that our family approached the opening of Magic School Bus with nervous excitement. The excitement, of course, because it’s THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS! It’s one of the things from my childhood that I can, and do, share with my children. My 9 year old, Leilani, and I have pored through the books often, as she has scientific questions that I – a history and English loving mama – am not equipped to answer. The nervousness, though, stemmed from the fact that we were also bringing my 2.5 and 4-year-olds (daughter Breezy and son Sage, respectively) to what would be their first foray into the live theater experience.

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Flowers from veggie leftovers

Our wonderful friends (and community partners) at SCRAP made this awesome video for our readers.

A wonderful use for the ends of lettuce!

Thanks SCRAP!

GIVEAWAY: Tickets to “Baba Yaga” Tears of Joy Puppet Theatre Production

Meet the star of Russian folk lore, Baba Yaga!

Join Tears of Joy Theatre on an exciting musical journey into a Russian forest. Marusia is lost in the deep dark woods when she encounters a ten-foot house on chicken legs!  Baba Yaga springs out of the house and stuffs Marusia into a stewpot where she is joined by the Hedgehog Prince. To win their freedom, Marusia and Hedgehog set out on a quest for the magical black sunflower which is guarded by a fearsome dragon!

Cautionary childhood stories about Baba Yaga abound in Russian and Slavic folklore.  Flying around in her mortar, she is known to capture disobedient children (ala Hansel and Gretel). Baba Yaga’s famous house on chicken legs, named Isbushka, is presented in our production by a skilled stilt-walker. Based on the book by Ernest Small, Geraldine Custer’s adaptation brings Baba Yaga’s exciting yet essentially harmless personality to life.

The production is a lively musical, featuring unforgettable songs by Richard Moore. The puppets in this play are large adaptations of bunraku puppets that bring a magical presence to the stage. And, as always, arrive to the theatre ½ hour early to make your own puppet, and bring your own chicken-leg house home with you!

We are giving away a family four pack tickets to one lucky winner to see “Baba Yaga”. Details for entering below.
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GIVEAWAY: Tickets to Cirque du Soleil’s OVO

Cirque du Soleil’s OVO is a headlong rush into a colorful ecosystem teeming with life, where insects work, eat, crawl, flutter, play, fight and look for love in a non-stop riot of energy and movement. The insects’ home is a world of biodiversity and beauty filled with noisy action and moments of quiet emotion. When a mysterious egg appears in their midst, the insects are awestruck and intensely curious about this iconic object that represents the enigma and cycles of their lives. It’s love at first sight when a gawky, quirky insect arrives in this bustling community and a fabulous ladybug catches his eye – and the feeling is mutual.

OVO is overflowing with contrasts. The hidden, secret world at our feet is revealed as tender and torrid, noisy and quiet, peaceful and chaotic. And as the sun rises on a bright new day the vibrant cycle of insect life begins anew.

The name OVO means “egg” in Portuguese. This timeless symbol of the life cycle and birth of numerous insects represents the underlying thread of the show. Graphically, OVO hides an insect in its name: The two letter “Os” represent the eyes while the letter “V” forms the nose. OVO features many acrobatic acts including a stunning flying trapeze act: Six flyers fly as high as 14m, making this act the biggest of its kind ever presented under a Grand Chapiteau by Cirque du Soleil. This act is the most difficult in the world to execute in terms of the distance between stations. It combines many circus disciplines: banquine, Russian swing and swinging chair.The finale features 20 artists running; jumping and leaping straight up an 8m vertical wall.

We are giving away two tickets to see OVO on Friday April 13th at 8:00 pm. Details for entering below.
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GIVEAWAY: Tickets to “Mythbusters: Behind the Myths”

PLEASE NOTE THIS GIVEAWAY ENDED ON JANUARY 11, 2012

“MythBusters: Behind the Myths,” coming to the Keller Auditorium on January 21, promises to be a fantastical evening of on-stage experiments, audience participation, rocking video and behind-the-scenes stories. For the first time ever, fans will join Jamie and Adam on stage and assist in their mind-blowing and mind-twisting approach to science. “MythBusters: Behind the Myths” brings you face-to-face with the curious world of Jamie and Adam as the duo matches wits on stage with each other and members of the audience.

One of the Discovery Channel’s most highly regarded and watched series, “MythBusters” is now in its ninth season.   Co-hosted by Hyneman and Savage, “MythBusters” mixes scientific method with gleeful curiosity and plain old-fashioned ingenuity to create its own signature style of explosive experimentation – and the supporting or de-bunking of urban myths that we live with day to day.

We are so excited to be giving away FIVE pairs of tickets to their amazing matinee performance at 4 p.m. on Saturday, January 21, 2012 at Keller Auditorium.

Details for entering below …

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How to Make Origami Picture Frames

Our wonderful friends (and community partners) at SCRAP made this awesome video for our readers.

A wonderful use for old calendars!

Thanks SCRAP!

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