KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Wed, Jan 7: Forest Stories at World Forestry Center and Discovery
Museum
Sat, Jan 10: Portland Metro Reptile Expo at the DoubleTree Hotel Portland
Sat, Jan 10: Hello
2026 Chess Tournament at Puddletown Chess
Sun, Jan 11: Sensory Storytime at West Linn Public Library
Fri, Jan 16: FAN EXPO Portland 2026 at the Oregon Convention Center
Sat, Jan 17: PAW Patrol Live! “A Mighty Adventure” at Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Sun, Jan 18: OMSI's Masked Night at Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)
Sun, Jan 18: Pop-Up Valentine Card Making Workshop at Venvino Art Studios
Fri, Jan 23: The Planets and Beyond - A Narrated Family Concert at Beaverton Symphony Orchestra
Sat, Jan 24: Oregon City Pool 60th Birthday Celebration |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
When I was a teenager, a math teacher I respected told me that there are two kinds of people: Those who make pizza, and those who grab as many slices as they can. "At the end of the day," he said, "you want to be someone who has made more pizza than she eats." He said this to me at the perfect time, when I was just forming my ideas about who I was and was going to
become. I decided I wanted always to be on the positive side of the pizza-making equation, so I started thinking about how to use the time I have here on Earth to make as much pizza as I possibly could. Over the years, I found that the key to success in this long-term goal is to tune my mental radar to the very near future, to stay in control of my time rather than giving it away to an algorithm that serves endless empty calories: How best do I use the next five
minutes, the next half hour, the next day? It all adds up. Even young kids can add value to the world, especially if they watch their parents doing it. New Year's resolutions are notoriously hard to keep, especially when they're overly specific. But resolving to be on the positive side of the pizza-making equation is straightforward. For some easy recipes for quick wins, check out my quick-read article 12 Starter Ideas for Pizza on Earth. Then look up from your phone, scan your world, and you'll find all the ingredients you need. Here's to a delicious 2026!
—Debra Ross,
publisher
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KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more. If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes from Deb" section of our site. |
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Start the New Year with the gift of knowledge! Hi! We're PDX MiniMakers, a hands-on after-school enrichment program where kids explore engineering, design, and problem-solving through 3D printing. Our program is especially designed for 4th-8th graders and held after-school Monday through Thursday at middle schools in the Portland school district. Check out 3D Printing Workshops near you! Psst… and don’t forget to follow us on social for early bird discount alerts!
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Presented by the Scappoose Historical Society, Whoville is alive inside the 1900s era Watts House Pioneer Museum. The experience is inspired by Dr. Suess and the beloved, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Each room has been meticulously transformed into colorful and sparkling themes for guests of all ages to enjoy! This is a must-do tradition for the holidays - now through Jan. 4.
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Dive back in time to explore what lurked beneath the surface at the newest exhibit in Portland—Monsters of the Abyss: Aquatic Predators Past + Present. Meet massive mosasaurs, a spine-chilling Spinosaurus, and bizarre creatures as you travel through millions of years, witnessing the rise and fall of Earth’s most awe-inspiring aquatic creatures as well as their present-day descendants. Highlighted by amazing fossils, daily educational programming, and some unbelievable live animals, this exhibit brings guests face-to-face with the real-life monsters who defy imagination and have inspired myths and legends. You’ll have to see them to believe them.
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Ping & Woof Opera is once again presenting Menotti's timeless masterpiece: Amahl & the Night Visitors. This family friendly show tells the touching story of a young boy’s encounter with the three kings on their journey to Bethlehem. A one-act opera, this heartwarming tale is perfect for audiences of all ages and a treasured tradition of the season. Ring in the New Year with Menotti’s beloved holiday classic! Runtime is approx. 50 minutes with no intermission. Reception to follow.
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Our maestro is missing, and Sherlock Holmes and the Oregon Symphony are on the case! Follow along with the famous Great Detective and the Oregon Symphony as they use their music to find the maestro once and for all. Young symphony-goers will be invited to put their sleuthing skills to the test with musical riddles and puzzles for this family-friendly and educational concert!
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- Mike Bennett's Snow Day Village - Director Park, Southwest Park Avenue, Portland, OR, Fri 1/2 & Sun 1/4, 11 am - 7 pm
- Mini Cloud Chamber Particle Detector | Mini Cámara de Niebla, Detector de Partículas - Cornelius Public Library, North Adair Street, Cornelius, OR, Fri 1/2, 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
- Little Comics Book Group | Ledding Library - Ledding
Library Of Milwaukie, Southeast 21st Avenue, Milwaukie, OR, Fri 1/2, See website
- All Ages
Storytime | Oak Lodge Library - Oak Lodge Library, Southeast Concord Road, Oak Grove, OR, Fri 1/2, 10:30 am & 11:30 am
- Winter Village @ Orenco Station - 943 NE Orenco Station Loop, Hillsboro, OR, Fri 1/2 - Sun 1/4, 10 am • 11:30 am • 1 pm • 2:30 pm • 4 pm • 5:30 pm • 7 pm
- Bard Storytime with the Bard! | Wonderwood Springs - 8811 N Lombard St, Portland, OR, Sun 1/4, 11 am - 12 pm
- Ping & Woof Opera presents Amahl & the Night Visitors - Ping & Woof Opera, Southwest Nicol Road, Portland, OR, Sun 1/4, 3 pm
- Whoville Comes to Life for the Holidays - Scappoose Historical Society, Watts House Pioneer Museum, Fri 1/2 - Sun 1/4, Fridays-Sundays, 5-8 p.m.
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EXPERIENCES create memories much more than stuff does. As you're considering gifts for family and friends, consider giving the gift of a family membership to one of our local attractions in and around Portland. Here are local organizations that offer
memberships.
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Winter is here and fun options for families just keep getting better! Whether you stick with what you love or decide to try something new, KidsOutAndAbout has plenty of ideas. From Ice skating, kid-friendly museums, indoor play centers, and outdoor
activities to thinking ahead to next year's school options - we've got you covered.
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There are lots of places to have a birthday party in the Portland area! Start thinking outside the box! KidsOutAndAbout has dozens (and dozens) of ideas! Also includes the areas of Lake Oswego, West Linn, Beaverton, Clackamas, Tigard, Tualatin, Milwaukie,
Oregon City, and Hillsboro.
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2025's best places to take kids in the Portland area: In early summer each year, thousands of parents vote in KidsOutAndAbout's survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids. Our Top 20 results page is an annotated list of the winners, both of the top 20 slots
and of the three category winners.
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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