Here is this week’s list of family-friendly free or frugal events for around the Northwest, as well as some events going on around the country.
Don’t forget to check out Goldstar for Discount Tickets on many local activities and events, if you are looking for a specific event and want to save some money!
The Snow Queen Introduces Kids to Classical Music (Seattle; 2/1; tickets as low as $5 plus service fee)
Goodnight Moon: Children’s Favorite Comes to Life (Portland; 2/1 & 2/8; tickets as low as $11 plus service fee)
Beloved Children’s Classic Charlotte’s Web From Oregon Children’s Theatre (Portland; 2/1 & 2/8; tickets as low as $12 plus service fee)
Hit Musical Comedy The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Seattle; 2/7 – 2/9, 2/14 – 2/16 & 2/20 – 2/23; tickets as low as $21.20 plus service fee)
Aida: Elton John’s Score Soars in Tony Award-Winning Musical (Portland; 2/20, 2/22, 3/1 & 3/8; tickets as low as $16.15 plus service fee)
If you see a fun, frugal event that’s not listed, feel free to leave a comment so we can add that event to our list.
PUGET SOUND AREA::
Friday, January 31st:
*Arlington-Stillaguamish Eagle Festival – Arlington; 1/31 – 2/1; 9:00am – 5:00pm; Guided eagle tours, demonstrations, exhibits, an animal show, music, wagon rides, hands-on arts and crafts, and more. Various locations in and around Arlington; see online for schedule.
*FreeTête-à-têter At Frye Museum – Seattle; 1/31; 11:00am to 5:00pm; Frye Museum entrance and parking are free all the time. You can check their events page here, for a list of weekly events.
*Snap! Shows for Kids – Seattle; 1/31; 11:15am – 11:45am; Snap! is a series of immersive and inspiring performances. This month features Show Brazil, an interactive live performance of bossa nova, Brazilian popular music, and original compositions by musician Eduardo Mendonça. Limited seating. Advanced tickets recommended. $5.
*Pay-What-You-Can at Seattle Symphony’s “Soundbridge”- Seattle, Beneroya Hall; 1/31; 12:00pm to 4:00pm; Soundbridge is a music discovery center and Friday afternoons are “Pay What You Can” entrance- suggested donation $5 – $15 per family; Ages 2-5, 30 minute interactive storytelling with song & rhythm, dance & musical instruments at 1:45pm.
*All-Ages Seahawks Happy Hour – Everett; 1/31; 5:00pm – 7:00pm; All Hawks fans are welcome to attend this event that features a Dunk a Bronco Fan Dunk Tank where a donation of a non-perishable food item or cash donation to benefit the Volunteers of America Food Bank earns a chance to sink the competition and possibly win a “Super” Bowl full of Seahawks themed prizes. Other activities include free super-fan face painting, Hawks “Flair-Hair” station from Regis Salon, Fan Flair Contest from 5 to 6 p.m. (enter alone or as a group), food court Happy Hour Specials, 12th flags for kids to color, regular drawings for Seahawks merchandise and 94.1 KMPS, now Beast Mode 94.1, party crew and prize tent.
*Puppet School Open House – Seattle; 1/31; 6:00pm – 8:00pm; Meet with the Puppet School co-founders and local staff, plus snacks, entertainment, a raffle and special class discounts.
*Chinese New Year Celebration – Seattle; 1/31; 7:00pm – 9:00pm; Traditional lion dance, martial arts demonstrations and Chinese medicine information booths.
Saturday, February 1st:
*Lunar New Year Celebration – Seattle; 2/1; 10:00am – 4:00pm; To honor the year of the horse, this free event will feature a variety of multicultural entertainment, including folk theater and calligraphy painting. Lele Tian, an experienced, bilingual emcee and former host of the 2013 Microsoft Asian Spring Festival, will be hosting the event.
*FREE First Saturdays for Families – Seattle; 2/1; 10:00am – 5:00pm; Families enjoy free admission on the first Saturday of each month, plus hands-on art activities and entertainment.
*Ethnic Celebration – Lacey; 2/1; 10:00am – 6:00pm; Food, art, cultural booths, children’s area and dozens of performances on three stages.
*Pied Piper Kids’ Entertainment Series – Seattle; 2/1; 10:30am; Listen to captivating storytelling from Tangerine Tales. $3 suggested donation.
*GroundFrog Day – Snohomish; 2/1; 11:00am – 1:00pm; Family entertainment and activities, plus the arrival of froggy prognosticator Snohomish Slew who will “ribbit” if spring is on its way.
*Kids’ Chinese New Year Dance Party – Seattle; 2/1; 11:00am – 2:00pm; Come celebrate the Chinese New Year and Year of the Horse with a dance party for the whole family! Boogie to the DJ, make a paper Chinese lantern, and join in the lion dance! Full menu available and bar for parents. $7 or $20 for up to 5, babes in arms free. No adults without kids.
*Lunar New Year Festival – Seattle; 2/1; 11:00am – 4:00pm; Celebrate the Year of the Horse with multicultural entertainment including lion and dragon dances, children’s costume parade, dancing, drumming, food and more. See schedule online.
*Mother Goose Story Time – Seattle; 2/1; 1:00pm – 2:00pm; Bring your kids ages 6 and younger to meet master storyteller Mother Goose for myths and legends, sing-alongs, scavenger hunts and other activities highlighting birds and animals of Seward Park and legends of the Northwest. Guest appearances by Talking Tree, Sasquatch, Owl, Eagle and Bear.
*Family Nature Walk – Tacoma; 2/1; 1:00pm – 2:00pm; Explore Tacoma’s Parks during this free naturalist-led walk. Discover amazing plants and animals and how they adapt to the seasons. Walks are organized and led by Tacoma Nature Center staff. Not recommended for strollers or children younger than age 3. FREE, pre-register.
*Bellevue Art Museums Get Crafty Saturday – Bellevue; 2/1; 1:00pm to 3:00pm; Free craft time for kids each Saturday. $2 material fee or free with admission.
*Nature Walk at Lake Hills Greenbelt – Bellevue; 2/1; 2:00pm; Explore Lake Hills Greenbelt with a park ranger. Learn the history of the park, tour community gardens, and learn about local wildlife. All ages. 2 p.m. Saturdays. $1 suggested donation per person.
*Mercer Slough Nature Walk – Bellevue; 2/1; 2:00pm-3:00pm; Meet a Mercer Slough park ranger at the visitor center for a free guided tour and learn about the fascinating flora, fauna and history of the Mercer Slough Nature Park. Please dress for weather. No registration is required. FREE.
*Daughter’s Night Out – Federal Way; 2/1; 3:30pm – 5:30pm; Dress up for a night out with music, dessert and more. Photos and flowers available for purchase. $25 per couple, $10 additional person. Pre-register.
*Father-Daughter Valentines Dance – Marysville; 2/1; 5:30pm – 7:00pm or 7:30pm – 9:00pm; Dancing, refreshments and photo. 5:30 to 7 p.m. or 7:30 to 9 p.m. Feb. 1 and 8. $20 per couple, $5 each additional daughter. Pre-registration required.
*Daddy-Daughter Dance – Graham; 2/1; 7:00pm – 9:00pm; Enjoy an all-ages dance for fathers and daughters. Professional photos available. $18, $7 each additional daughter. Pre-registration required.
Sunday, January 2nd:
*Chinese New Year Celebration – Seattle; 2/2; 10:00am – 12:00pm; Sponge invites families to celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Horse. The spirit of the horse is recognized as energetic, bright, warm-hearted, intelligent and able and according to the Chinese Zodiac, people born into the year of the horse will embody these qualities. Families can learn about the mythology of the horse, create a horse-themed craft project and sample Chinese New Year delicacies. Children can also participate in a free Mandarin language class, which incorporates movement, music and play.
*Family-Friendly Superbowl Viewing – Seattle; 2/2; 2:00pm; All ages are invited to the theater space to watch the Seahawks play the Broncos on a 16-foot screen. Full menu will be available from Wild Ginger. Call or email to reserve your seats.
Monday, January 3rd:
*Masterpiece Monday - Bellevue; 2/3; 10:00am – 10:45am; Create a special art project each week to take home during this fun drop-in class. Activities vary from painting to collage and mosaics. Ages 3 and older. Most Mondays 10 to 10:45 a.m. $2 supply fee per class. Please check website for current schedules. No registration required.
Tuesday, January 4th:
*Village Playdays – Seattle; 2/4; 10:00am – 11:00am; Kid-friendly storytime, crafts and activities at a different University Village store or restaurant each Tuesday. Parents receive discounts and offers for that day. Check website for details.
Wednesday, January 5th:
*Tales & Trails for Little Tykes – Seattle; 2/5; 10:00am-11:00am; Introduce your toddler to nature with story time, songs, and fun activities inside, followed by exploration along the trails of Seward Park. Walks are easy and less than one mile in length. Pre-register, space is limited. Recommended for ages birth to 3. Cost: $2 per person.
*FREE Drop-In Playgroup – Seattle; 2/5 & 2/6; 10:00am – 12:00pm; Join kids ages birth to 5 and their parents/caregivers every Wednesday and Friday for a drop-in playgroup! Have fun playing with other families, reading, and singing. First-time families will be asked to fill out a registration form. FREE
*Students Get Free Admission To The Bellevue Art Museum – Bellevue; 2/5; 1:00pm to 5:00pm; Students of all ages can explore the Bellevue Arts Museum after school FREE with printable coupon.
Thursday, January 6th :
(Always make sure to call the museum ahead of time to confirm that they are still participating in these discount days/events/activities)
*Westfield Southcenter Family Fun Day – Seattle; 2/6; 10:00am; Save the date for Westfield Family Fun Days! On the first Thursday of each month we will explore the month’s theme with books, craft and a snack. Stay tuned to our Facebook page for each month’s theme and event details.
*FREE Nordic Heritage Museum - Seattle; 2/6; 10:00am – 4:00pm; Nordic Heritage Museum is FREE first Thursdays.
*Free Admission To Kids Discovery Museum – Bainbridge Island; 2/6; 10:00am – 4:00pm; First Thursday of the month Kids Discovery Museum offers free admission.
*Free Admission To The Burke Museum – Seattle; 2/6; 10:00am – 8:00pm; First Thursday of the month The Burke offers free admission to the museum.
*Free Admission To The Museum Of History & Industry - Seattle; 2/6; 10:00am – 8:00pm; First Thursday of the month MOHAI offers free admission to the museum.
* Free Admission To Wing Luke Museum – Seattle; 2/6; 10:00am – 8:00pm; First Thursday of the month Wing Luke offers free admission to the museum.
*Free Admission To Seattle Art Museum- Seattle; 2/6; 10:00am – 9:00pm; First Thursday of the month SAM offers free admission to the museum.
*Free Admission To Seattle Asian Art Museum- Seattle; 2/6; 10:00am – 9:00pm; First Thursday of the month SAM offers free admission to the museum.
*Free Admission To The Northwest African American Museum - Seattle; 2.6; 11:00am – 7:00pm; First Thursday of the month NAAM offers free admission to the museum.
*Free Admission To Henry Art Gallery – Seattle; 2/6; 11:00am – 9:00pm; First Thursday of the month Henry Art Gallery offers free admission.
*Half Priced Admission Imagine Childrens Museum – Everett; 2/6; Thursday 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. is half priced ( $3.88)
*Free Admission To The Museum Of Flight - Seattle; 2/6; 5:00pm – 9:00pm; First Thursday of the month Museum of Flight offers free admission.
*Late Play Date – Auburn; 2/6; 6:00pm – 8:00pm; This monthly FREE program is perfect for kids ages 3 to 12. Families will enjoy free admission to the museum as well as themed craft stations and activities on the first Thursday of each month. No registration required.
For more lists of local events in WA check out these websites::
*Sounds Fun Mom - Maegen always has a great list of events local to the South Sound area of WA
*Grays Harbor Deals - Annaliese lists some great events each weekend for Grays Harbor county (Long Beach, Hoquiam, Aberdeen, Moclips, Ocean Shores, Raymond, Elma & more!)
*SnoCo Mom - Emily shares all about Snohomish County family & kids activities on her blog & you’ll find some great weekly events.
PORTLAND AREA:
Here’s our list of weekly events for the Portland area.
Friday, January 31st:
*Little Kids Ride at the Lumberyard – Portland; 1/31, 2/3 – 2/5; 9:00am – 12:00pm; The Lumberyard, Portland’s indoor bike park, includes jump lines, pump tracks, skill sections and technical trail riding for beginners to experts. Weekday mornings that major Portland area metropolitan schools are in session kids 6 and under ride for just $6 from 9 am until noon. If they want to continue riding after noon it’s just another $6 until 2 pm.
*Tallulah’s Daddy at Warehouse Cafe – Portland; 1/31; 10:00am – 11:00am; Come sing, dance and stomp like a dinosaur as Tallulah’s Daddy sings and plays his guitar, bass and cajon. Tallulah’s Daddy plays fun, energetic and interactive acoustic music for kids, and brings lots of percussion goodies for kids of all ages to play with!
*Weekly Storytime + Craft at Craft Factory – Portland; 1/31; 10:30am – 11:00am; Friday morning storytimes are free. They offer a storytime craft special: $5 for any two ornamental crafts. If your child would like to do something other than the ornamental craft, they are welcome to choose a regularly-priced ($12) base. Storytime books are on loan from Annie Bloom’s Books, right next door.
*Music From Mr. Hoo from The Alphabeticians – Portland; 1/31; 11:00am to 12:00pm; Mr. Hoo will be singing songs with and for kids. He’ll play his guitar and sing some original songs, some Alphabeticians songs, some classic kid songs and Hoo knows what else? $3 suggested donation pp.
*Music With The Tangled Threads At Cafe au Play – Portland; 1/31; 11:30am – 12:30pm; The Tangled Threads consists of a nine foot tall ukelele player and a human doll rhythm section that roam the land singing for their supper. This duo’s repertoire includes classic hits, children’s tunes, and an eclectic selection of comic, new and slightly bizarre songs. A visual treat and a delight to the ear, this pair of globe trotters appeals to all ages and brings smiles to audiences everywhere! You can find their winter schedule of appearances at thetangledthreads.org. Cost: $3 suggested donation
*Story and Stroll at Tryon Creek – Portland; 1/31; 1:00pm-2:15pm; This program integrates nature exploration, art, literature, music, movement, and outdoor play. It is geared toward families with young children (preferably ages 2-6 but all are welcome.) For more specific information, call (503) 636-9886 ext. 225. FREE.
*Year of the Horse Shadow Puppet Craft at Green Bean Books – Portland; 1/31; 1:00pm – 5:00pm; Lunar New Year begins Friday, January 31st. Stop by Green Bean Books anytime between 1-5pm to make your own Horse Shadow Puppet.
*Portland Art Museum Free - Portland; 1/31; 5:00pm – 8:00pm; On the fourth Friday of every month, enjoy free admission to the Portland art museum.
Saturday, February 1st:
*Guided Nature Walks at Tryon Creek – Portland; 2/1; 10:00am-11:30am; Free guided nature hikes exploring the forest and stream ecosystems and natural history at Tryon Creek State Natural Area. Topics will vary from week to week but will be appropriate for all ages. Parents must accompany kids on all hikes.
*Chinese New Year at Child’s Play Toys – Portland; 2/1; 10:00am – 12:00pm; Make a Dragon Stick Puppet, Win a prize at the Dragon’s Fire Pit, Take home a coloring sheet, All Ages! Free!
* Kids Saturday Morning Skate Session At Oaks Park – Portland ; 2/1; 10:30am to 12:00pm; For $6 children 10 and under can skate (skates included). Parents free with paid child admission.
*Seed Balls at Al’s Garden Center – Woodburn; 2/1; 11:00am; If you enjoy making mud pies and playing in the dirt, this is the perfect project for you! Seed balls are a combination of soil, red clay and seeds that are mixed and rolled into a ball to form seed balls. After they dry, they can be thrown outside on a sunny day and left to sprout and grow. No planting necessary. Come join us for some good, old fashioned muddy fun. Reservations required. Cost: $5
*Rain City Rock Out! at Rain City Coffee – Portland; 2/1; 11:00am – 12:00pm; Mo Phillips jams his originals, classic family jams, and supa sweet familiar pop tunes to charge up your Saturday! Cost: $5 suggested donation
*Festival of the Bees at Shining Star Waldorf School – Portland; 2/1; 11:00am – 2:00pm; A very family-friendly event, with crafts like dipping sweet scented beeswax candles, honey tasting and purchasing, Garden Bee Kits to sow in your own soil to encourage our bee friends, and storytelling. We will also have a fun photo-booth set up with costumes to dress up in and stamp a memory into a photograph. The Silent Auction will offer wonderful gifts, crafts, certificates, and much more for your purchasing pleasure and directly supports our school’s financial aid program for lower income families.
*10 Free Days at Pittock Mansion – Portland; 2/1 – 2/10; 11:00am – 4:00pm; Join in the celebration as the Pittock Mansion kicks off its 100th year with free admission February 1-10. Discover what life was like for Portland’s early pioneer and entrepreneurHenry Pittock and his philanthropist wife, Georgiana. Enjoy a walk up the grand, elegant staircase or take in the sweeping views from the home’s famous music room. Explore a new exhibit, Building Pittock Mansion, showcasing the mansion’s original blueprints, photographs of workers constructing the home, and modern technologies that were incorporated into the architectural masterpiece when it was completed in 1914.
*Free Papermaking Workshop – Oregon City; 2/1; 11:00am – 4:00pm; A full day of free museum admission at the 2014 Opening of the Museum of the Oregon Territory, with hands-on papermaking workshop at 3 p.m.
*Chinese New Year Celebration at Oodles 4 Kids – Portland; 2/1; 11:00am – 5:00pm; Celebrate the Year of the Horse with us at Oodles 4 Kids. We’ll have fun activities scheduled throughout the day.
*’Spider Moccasin’ Folk Music For Kids – Oregon City; 2/1; 12:00pm – 1:00pm; Marcus Mosely, “Spider Moccasin,” is a Warm Springs/Wasco Tribal Member and graduate of the Pacific NW College of Art. Spider Moccasin offers a free concert of contemporary folk music for kids and their families, all part of the Museum of the Oregon Territory’s all day event “Willamette Falls; Where the Future Began”. Features 4 new exhibits, an amazing view of the Falls, and complimentary museum admission. Kids can bring an item for trade or a home-made offering to honor salmon. Go to ClackamasHistory.org, or call 503.655-5574 for details.
*Once Upon a Time Family Theatre: Puss N’ Boots – Portland; 2/1; 12:00pm – 1:00pm; Help this feline fop further the fortunes of his faithful friend. Once Upon a Time Family Theatre is a magical mix of theatrical simplicity and grand storytelling for kids and their families. There’s always a slight twist to the traditional story that keeps these productions fresh. Though simply produced, these delightful and engaging productions will soon have everyone fully absorbed in the interaction of live theatre. Help bring this tale to life on our Stage! Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are available online at https://pdxmetroarts.3dcartstores.com/Puss-n-Boots–February-1-2014-NOON_p_51.html. Cost: $1 child/$2 adult
*Oregon Pacific Railroad Train Rides at Rail Heritage Center – Portland; 2/1; 1:00pm – 5:00pm; The Oregon Pacific Railroad is offering round trip diesel locomotive powered passenger train rides to the public from the Oregon Rail Heritage Center, located near OMSI. The OPR is a full size freight railroad that runs along the Willamette River, through Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge, next to the Springwater Trail. Passenger trains will operate on Saturdays and depart the Oregon Rail Heritage Center at 1:30pm, 2:30pm, 3:30pm and 4:30 pm. Rides last approximately 45 minutes. Locomotive cab rides are available for an additional fee. Cost: $5
* Free Family Swim At Marshall Community Center - Vancouver; 2/1; 4:45pm to 6:30pm; Bauman Chiropractic is sponsoring free family swims at Marshall Pool Saturday evenings.
*Portland Singing Sensation – Lake Oswego; 2/1; 6:00pm – 9:00pm; This fundraising event features the soloist talents of Portland Boychoir and Ovation Show Choir. Spectators will enjoy over 30 solo acts competing for the title Portland Singing Sensation’s “People’s Choice” winner, determined by votes (5 for $5.00) purchased by attendees. Participants are members of Portland Boychoir’s premiere performing choir, the Advanced Boys, and coed, high-school members of Ovation Show Choir, all of whom select and prepare their own song for this widely-anticipated event. A panel of celebrity judges decides “Judges’ Choice” best male and female while choir director, Dr. David York, awards one or two performers who covet the “Director’s Choice” award which recognizes those singers demonstrating significant improvement or development.
Sunday February 2nd:
*$2 Days at OMSI – Portland; 2/2; 9:30am to 7:00pm; Explore the museum for $2 on the first Sunday of each month.
*PAM Family Tour – Portland; 2/2; 12:30pm; Bring your family to explore the Museum with a docent skilled at engaging visitors of all ages. Tours are free for members or with Museum admission, and free for children age 17 and younger.
*The David Show! at Rain City Coffee – Portland; 2/2; 1:00pm – 2:00pm; Musical variety show for children of all ages and their families, now on Mondays.
*Chinese New Year Party – Beaverton; 2/2; 1:30pm – 2:30pm; Celebrate the Year of the Horse with fun crafts and activities! Ages 2-11 with family.
Monday, February 3rd :
*Story Time with Olive and Dingo at Laurelhurst Cafe – Portland; 2/3; 10:00am – 11:00am; Fun for all. Not your average Story Time!! Full of comedy, songs, stories, balloons and laughter. Sure to get the jumpers jumping, the dancers dancing, wigglers wiggling and the noise makers cooing. Olive and Dingo are bright and cheery, cartoony characters who love inspiring kids and families to be silly, to love imrove and creative performance and to be the best audience members Portland has ever known! Balloons twisting and fellowship is at the end of the show. Folks are encouraged to check Olive and Dingo out on the web. Lots of love! Cost: $5 per child for balloons and entertainment
*Tallulah’s Daddy at Rain City Coffee – Portland; 2/3; 10:00am – 11:00am; Come sing, dance and play with Tallulah’s Daddy as he plays guitar, bass and cajon. Tallulah’s Daddy plays fun, energetic acoustic music for your little ones, and you can grab some coffee, tea or a snack. We start with musical storytime, then sing songs, and we leave a little bit of extra time for the kids to get their hands on some percussion instruments! No cover charge, donations appreciated.
*Washington County Museum Free Admission – Portland; 2/3; 10:00am to 4:30pm; Admission is free to this museum every Monday.
*The David Show at Cafe au Play – Portland; 2/3; 10:30am – 11:30am; Fun and interactive musical variety show performed by David Rutiezer. Fun for all ages! Cost: $3 suggested donation
*Intergenerational Sing-Along at Cafe au Play – Portland; 2/3; 11:30am – 12:15pm; Join The Singing Hearts Club, an intergenerational sing-along every Monday at Cafe Au Play from 11:30-12:15. Toddlers, elders and everyone in between enjoy time together sharing songs, stories and simple movements. $5 buys you the chance to request any song and Mrs. Harrington will learn it and play it at next week’s gathering!
*Mondays On The Mall – Portland – Downtown Central Transit Mall; 2/3; Various Times; Free events all day including Wii play, caricatures, the original photo booth and entertainment.
Tuesday, February 4th:
*The Young Hearts Club Toddler Sing-along at Papaccino’s Coffee Shop – Portland; 2/4; 10:00am – 10:30am; Join The Young Hearts Club, led by Heather Harrington, and sing and dance along with your favorite children’s songs. Simple movements, positive messages, and a supportive environment for parents and children to enJoy the joy of music. With your $5 “Membership Donation”, Mrs. Harrington will learn any song of your choosing for next week’s sing-along. Cost: $5 donation
*Story Time with Olive and Dingo at Warehouse Cafe – Portland; 2/4; 10:00am – 11:00am; Fun for all. Balloons twisting and fellowship is at the end of the show. Folks are encouraged to check Olive and Dingo out on the web. Lots of love! Cost: $5 per child for balloons and entertainment
*Winter Story Time Stay-n-Play at TaborSpace – Portland; 2/4; 10:00am – 11:15am; Darlene Sochin, a professional classroom teacher of 24 years, will share her love of reading and telling stories with toddlers, preschoolers, parents, and caregivers. Every Tuesday morning this winter here in Portland, she offers story time, and activities to follow, for a fun way to brighten up your rainy winter mornings. A great way to break up the day and for some special learning and exploring before lunch and nap time. Cost: $5
*Preschool Play and Skate at Oaks Park – Portland; 2/4; 10:00am – 11:30am; This special roller skating session is just for your littlest skaters. Children 6 and under enjoy games, songs, blals, a 15 minute group lesson, snack time, and more. Conventional skate rental included. Shoes and strollers welcome on the skating floor. Adults free with paid children’s admission. Cost: $6.00
*Tangled Threads at Milagros Boutique – Portland; 2/4; 10:30am; Join The Tangled Threads for music and merriment at Milagros Tuesdays at 10:30 am. $5 admission fee per child (adults are free!) Please bring exact change or a check for the artist.
*Red Yarn at Cafe au Play – Portland; 1/28; 10:30am – 11:00am; Weaving together energetic live music, puppetry and storytelling, Red Yarn teaches positive values while reviving American folklore for a younger generation. Join Red Yarn & his lovable critters every Tuesday morning at Cafe au Play. Audiences will sing, dance, act, and experience the joy of community during Red Yarn’s interactive shows. Cost: $3/walking person.
*Storytime at Green Bean Books – Portland; 2/4; 11:00am – 11:30am; Get ready to get immersed in the world of books! FREE
*Mommy Matinee at the Kennedy School – Portland; 2/4 & 2/5; 2:30pm – 4:30pm; Tuesdays & Wednesdays moms, dads, grandparents, nannies and their babies are welcome. Let the kids fuss – we don’t mind! Click here for today’s movie. Cost: $3 pp
*Tales for the Year of the Horse at Holgate Library – Portland; 2/4; 6:00pm – 6:45pm; Have fun learning about Chinese New Year (2014: The Year of the Horse!) as master storyteller Anne Rutherford tells a lively group of tales that celebrate the spirit and meaning of the holiday.
Wednesday, February 5th:
*Visit the Historic Belmont Firehouse – Portland; 2/5; 9:00am – 3:00pm; Drop in any Wednesday to see the exhibits and learn about safety for you and your family. No appointment is necessary.
*Red Yarn at Village Ballroom – Portland; 2/5; 10:00am – 10:45am; Weaving together energetic live music, puppetry and storytelling, Red Yarn teaches positive values while reviving American folklore for a younger generation. Join Red Yarn & his lovable critters every Wednesday morning at the Village Ballroom. Audiences will sing, dance, act, and experience the joy of community during Red Yarn’s interactive shows.Stick around for open playtime after the show, also hosted by Woodlawn Swap’n’Play! Cost: $5/family
*Honeybee Hike at Leach Botanical Gardens – Portland; 2/5; 10:00am – 11:00am; Weekly nature-related activities for young children and their adult caregivers. Discover the secrets of the Garden and its critters through stories and outdoor explorations. Story or craft. Dress for the weather and wear good walking shoes for unpaved, uneven walkways that could be muddy. Strollers limit where we can explore, so carriers are ideal for little ones. No pre-registration required. Best for ages 2-5. Cost: $2/child
*African World Music at Rain City Coffee – Portland; 2/5; 10:00am – 11:00am; Neindow and friends bring the rhythms of Africa to Rain City Coffee every Wednesday. Kids of all ages and adults are welcome to join this fun, upbeat music hour of drumming, singing and jamming. Cost: $5
*Story Time with Olive and Dingo at Sound Grounds – Portland; 2/5; 10:00am – 11:00am; Fun for all. Balloons twisting and fellowship is at the end of the show. Folks are encouraged to check Olive and Dingo out on the web! Lots of love! Cost: $5 per child for balloons and entertainment
*Wondrous Wednesday’s At The World Forestry Center – Washington Park; 2/5; 10:00am to 5:00pm; Reduced admission for The Discovery Museum. Get in for $3 on the first Wed. of each month.
*Mommy Matinee at the St Johns Theater- Portland; 2/5 ; 1:00pm – 2:30pm; Parents, nannies, grandparents and caregivers, bring your babies to these films, from G to R ratings. Let the wee ones fuss, they don’t mind. Every Wednesday, first showing, unless an event has been booked. Check movie listings for showtimes or call 503-249-7474 . Cost $3.00
*Mo Phillips Party Time! at Oregon Public House – Portland; 2/5; 5:00pm – 6:00pm; Join Mo for some excellent family rock out dinner action. Great food! Great beers! Great pub! Great tunes! The Oregon Public House is a non-profit pub that sends all profits to local charities — and you get to choose which charity on the list you would like your funds to go to!
Thursday, February 6th:
*Tallulah’s Daddy at Warehouse Cafe – Portland; 2/6; 10:00am – 11:00am; Come sing, dance and stomp like a dinosaur as Tallulah’s Daddy sings and plays his guitar, bass and cajon. Tallulah’s Daddy plays fun, energetic and interactive acoustic music for kids, and brings lots of percussion goodies for kids of all ages to play with! Cost: donation
*St Johns Swapnplay Playspace Open Play - Portland; 2/6; 10:00am – 12:00pm; Free to all! This is a chance to come learn, play and grow. Free toddler/preschooler art class from 10-11. First come first served as we run out of materials after 15 students. Open Play is an open time for non-members to enjoy the space.
*Mommy & Me with a Jewish twist – Portland; 2/6; 10:30am – 11:30am; Join other moms and bond with your child while exploring the Jewish world through play, music & movement, stories and crafts. Ages 0-3 years. Healthy snacks provided. Each week, tots will enjoy a new theme incorporating movement exercises, music, sensory play and crafts. Great Opportunity to hang out with other local moms. Open to all and free of charge.
* Free admission to the Museum of Contemporary Craft - Portland; 2/6; 11:00am – 8:00pm; Free admission on the first Thursday of every month.
*Storytime at Green Bean Books – Portland; 2/6; 3:30pm – 4:00pm; GBB is now offering a second weekly story time! Join us any Thursday afternoon, 3:30-4:00pm for stories and laughter! FREE
For more lists of local events in western OR check out::
* PDX Kids Calendar - this is a comprehensive events-based website for families in the Portland area.
NATIONAL EVENTS:
*Free Craft Activities at Lakeshore Learning Stores– Sat. ; 11am to 3pm; Kids can come to this free craft time each week for a new craft (plus print a $5 off $25 coupon).
*Bank Of America Museums On Us Free Entrance – ; Bank Of America card holders can get free entrance to Museums Nationwide. Check website for participating museums in your area.
*Home Depot Kids Workshop – Saturday ; 9:00am to 12:00pm; Kids can participate in free building projects the first Sat. of the month. This week they will build a picture frame.
*Lego Stores Mini Models Build – Tues. ; 5:00pm; Monthly model build event, one free for kids 6-14 while supplies last. 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm
*Barnes and Noble Free Storytime - Times and events vary by location. Check your location for specific story’s available this weekend.
Fun & Frugal Family Events – 1/31 – 2/6 is a post from: Thrifty NW Mom
The post Fun & Frugal Family Events – 1/31 – 2/6 appeared first on Thrifty NW Mom.