KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Tue, Feb 10: Native Family: Native Storytime at Albina Library
Wed, Feb
11: Make a Valentine! | Cedar Mill Library
Thu, Feb 12: Kids' Valentine Dance Party at Beaverton City Library
Fri, Feb 13: Portland Night Market
Sat, Feb 14: Valentine's Day Family Crafting Event at Venvino Art Studios
Sat, Feb 14: Dance Lab: Little Movers, Big Feelers with Ms. Sunny! at Lake Oswego Public Library
Mon, Feb 16: 2026 Free Entrance Days in the National Parks
Mon, Feb 16: College Bound: SAT/ACT Prep & Planning Workshop | Bethany Library Annex
Thu,
Feb 19: Lantern Viewing Dragon + Light Show Nights at Lan Su Chinese Garden
Fri, Feb 20: Family Bingo Night at Camas Public Library |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
Next week, my husband and I are heading to a Valentine's Evening behind-the-scenes tour of the Darwin Martin House in Buffalo, New York. It’s the same Frank Lloyd Wright museum we’ve visited
several times, but this version is fancily dressed for the holiday: candlelight, champagne, treats, and a fresh perspective on something familiar. That’s the real magic of Valentine’s Day: It’s one of those perfectly made-up holidays, constructed out of paper hearts, glitter, and good intentions... and it manages magically to transform our spaces, our schedules, and our spirits. As publisher, I've had a 25-year front row seat to communities
around the country who turn nothing into something every February. This year, visitors can say "I Love Thee" in a Victorian mansion in Riverside, CA while a re-enactor in a top hat explains the romantic origin of the Hershey’s Kiss. Frying Pan Farm Park in Virginia will
help kids say "I Love MOO!" with farm animal puns. The Oregon Rail Heritage Center invites everyone on a Valentine's
Express Steam Train ride that is more light-hearted than steamy. And next Saturday, biologists at the California Academy of Sciences will hand out heart-shaped valentines to their African penguins—who will then present them to their mates to help line their nests. Not
all Valentine’s Day celebrations require you to get out and about, though; just muster some creativity and apply it to stuff you already have lying around the house. Cut hearts from red paper and tape them to the door. Dress in scarlet or rose or salmon pink. Light a candle at dinner while you're eating heart-shaped cheese, toast, bacon, or lasagna (here are 25 fun recipes from Food Network). When you and your kids dress up your world together, you’re not just celebrating love, you’re celebrating creativity. And they're learning the life skill of transforming ordinary stuff around them into something special. It only takes one step beyond the good intention to make it so. Love can be grand, indeed. But it doesn’t have to be grand to be great.
—Debra
Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities
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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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The all-new 2026 Camp Invention® program, Spark, is coming to curious kids in your community this summer! Rising K-6 campers will collaborate with friends to tackle hands-on, open-ended challenges. They’ll team up with robotic capybaras, ride the waves of
entrepreneurship, uncover the power of protecting their ideas and build a DIY space rocket! Each experience is designed to spark confidence, build persistence and create unforgettable summer memories. Visit invent.org/save/camp to secure your spot! Register using CIFUN25 by 3/31 to save $25 or CIFUN20 by 4/28 to save $20 when you register. Interest-free payment plans are available, making camp affordable for all families.
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Enjoy free dental screenings for kids, explore our super-fun dental office exhibit, meet special guests, and jump into smile-worthy activities during Dental Health Month!
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Usher out the old year and welcome prosperity into the new! Lunar New Year is a significant holiday celebrated in China, Korea, Vietnam, and many other countries worldwide. Join us in this vibrant celebration as we explore rich traditions through
interactive activities, crafts, music, and dance. Experience the excitement of a live lion dance performance accompanied by the powerful beats of drummers, bringing good fortune and joy. Come celebrate with us and learn about the cultural significance of this festive occasion. Pre-registration is encouraged.
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Rock out to a high-energy instrumental concert, inspired by the legacy of Black rock and metal. Hear stories about Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Tom Morello and others who shaped the sound of modern rock and metal.
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The Hillsdale Farmers' Market is a year-round market hosting 50+ local farmers and food artisans from Oregon and Southwest Washington. Product selection includes a wide range of seasonal vegetables, fruits, meats, cheeses, honey, baked goods, specialty and
ready-to-eat foods, native plants and herbs, and fresh and dried cut flowers.
Stock up on farm-fresh produce, artisan goods, and cozy seasonal favorites—all while supporting your local farmers and makers.
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- All Ages Storytime | Oak Lodge Library – Southeast Concord Road, Oak Grove, OR 97267, Friday, February 6, 2026, 10:30 am & 11:30 am
- Baby Sign Language | Lake Oswego Public Library – 706 4th Street, Lake Oswego, OR 97034, Friday, February 6, 2026, 10:30 am
- All Ages Storytime | Gladstone Public
Library – 525 Portland Ave, Gladstone, OR 97027, Saturday, February 7, 2026, 10:30 am - 11 am
- Free Dental Screenings – 414 Jefferson St NE, Olympia, WA 98501, Saturday, February 7, 2026, 2–4 pm
- Puddletown Chess - Winter Wonderland III Tournament – Puddletown Chess – 10940 SW BARNES RD #247, Portland, OR 97225,
Saturday, February 7, 2026, 10:00am - 3:30pm PST
- Family Storytime - Camas Public Library – 625 NE 4th Ave, Camas, WA 98607, Saturday, February 7, 2026, 10:30am - 11:30am
- Black History Month: RISE! The Legacy of Black Guitar Heroes | Albina Library – 3605 Northeast 15th Avenue, Portland, OR 97212, Saturday, February 7, 2026, 4 pm
- Jazz in the Library | Cedar Mill Library – Cedar Mill &
Bethany Community Libraries - Cedar Mill Branch – 1080 NW Saltzman Road, Portland, OR 97229, Saturday, February 7, 2026, 4 pm
- Family Storytime | Cedar Mill Library – 1080 Northwest Saltzman Road, Cedar Mill, Portland, OR 97229, Saturday, February 7, 2026, See website
- Young Willamette Writers Author Chat: Lindsay Puckett | Beaverton City Library – 12375 SW 5th
St, Beaverton, OR 97005, Saturday, February 7, 2026, 11 am - 12 pm
- Family Storytime | West Linn Public Library – 1595 Burns St, West Linn, OR 97068, Sunday, February 8, 2026, 10:45 am
- Felted Narwhals for Teens | Albina Library – 3605 Northeast 15th Avenue, Portland, OR 97212, Sunday, February 8, 2026, 3 pm
- Cards for a Cause | Ledding Library of Milwaukie – 10660 SE 21st Ave, Milwaukie, OR 97222, Sunday, February 8, 2026, 1 pm
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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the Portland area! Use our Big List to help find the best one for your kiddos and check our events calendar to find Open Houses where you can meet teachers and tour the
schools.
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Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the Portland area? Escape rooms are interactive, puzzle-packed experiences where you and your team work together to solve clues and complete your mission-all before time runs out! Whether you're escaping
a spooky cabin, cracking a high-stakes heist, or breaking a magical curse, escape rooms offer exciting, screen-free fun for kids, teens, and adults.
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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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