Camping Guide

18 Must-Visit Oregon State Parks

We've got your next basecamp for everything from QT with your canine to the whole (human) wolfpack, breezy disc golf getaways to blissful backcountry treks.

06/30/2017 Edited by Ramona DeNies By Ketzel Levine and John Shewey

Family

20+ Ideas for Family Fun in Portland

We’ve got 10 gold-standard destinations and off-the-radar alternatives that will blow your little ones’ little minds.

06/30/2017 Edited by Fiona McCann By Zach Dundas, Margaret Seiler, and Kelly Clarke

Design

This New Book Will Change the Way You Think about Playgrounds

Design Museum is on a mission to create better places for play across the country.

06/29/2017 By Bryanna Briley

Family

20+ Ideas for Family Fun in Portland

We’ve got 10 gold-standard destinations and off-the-radar alternatives that will blow your little ones’ little minds.

01/23/2017 Edited by Fiona McCann By Kelly Clarke, Zach Dundas, and Margaret Seiler

Family

Great Wolf Lodge: the Centralia Waterpark Your Kids Know Exists

One day, parents, your precious tadpoles will win this battle. Prep for the inevitable with these pro tips. (No. 5: do not play the claw.)

01/20/2017 By Margaret Seiler

Essay

All Kids Should Go Mushrooming—If They Can Keep Their Little Mouths Shut

Even toddler fungiphiles must be tight-lipped.

08/15/2016 By Lily Raff McCaulou

GET OUT

Run Towards Paid Parental Leave This Mother’s Day

Family Forward Action hosts Run Mama Run, a 5k, 10k, and Kids' Fun Run on May 8.

04/21/2016 By Sarah Hopwood

NORTHWEST HAPPENINGS

This November, Be Grateful for These Healthy Events

Make fire cider, learn to snowshoe, combat eating disorders with yoga, and choose between a turkey trot and a Tofurky trot.

11/04/2015 By Tuck Woodstock

SHOP LOCAL

The Best Places to Shop for Kids Toys and Games in Portland

6 places to bring your babes to toyland, from a Portland kid's perspective

09/21/2015 By Kelly Clarke

Happy Trails

Tips for Hiking with Kids from Real Portland Parents

"Everything will be fine as long as you keep in mind that children have no forethought or self-preservation skills."

07/28/2015 By Allison Jones With Kelly Clarke, Fiona McCann, Margaret Seiler, and Brian Barker

BIG PICTURE

Would You Swim in the Willamette? Prove it.

Why the annual Big Float challenges Portlanders to dive in to the river that runs through us.

07/01/2014 By Peter Holmstrom

THEATER

Everything You Need to Know about OCT's 'The Giver'

We chart the path of the Newbery-winning novel from controversial book to successful OCT play to Jeff Bridges-starring movie. Thru May 18

05/07/2014 By Peter Holmstrom

HELLO, MUDDAH!

Pick the Right Portland Summer Camp for Your Brood

Portland’s plethora of day camps could give your kids the skills to do just about anything.

03/03/2014 By Margaret Seiler

TICKET GIVEAWAY

Win Tickets to Beauty and the Beast

The massive scale and general weirdness of this production mean there's something for both the kids and the adults. Dec 14–29

12/11/2013 By Nathan Tucker

THEATER

Review: Milagro’s ‘Corrido Calavera’

Rather than scare you, Milagro's humorous Day of the Dead play might make you a little less afraid. Thru Nov 9

10/22/2013 Photography by Ally Bordas

HAPPENINGS

Trail Blazing in Salem

This month, The Oregon Trail comes to life in a live-action role play game in Salem

09/13/2013 By Roxanne Davis

NEWS

Portland's New Alternative Scouts

The 55th Cascadia Scouts welcome all comers to an outdoorsy scouting frontier

06/04/2013 By Alex Zielinski

SUMMER GUIDE

Summer Fun for the Family on $50 a Day

From your a.m. sip to Happy Hour, with plenty of kid-friendly activities in between (rain or shine)

06/02/2013 By Kasey Cordell

ARTS NEWS

MythBusters Exhibition to Come to OMSI

An "Explosive Exhibition" based on the hit TV show will open on Feb. 8.

01/23/2013 By Aaron Scott

Happenings & Deals

Tripster: Weekend Plans

It's a good time to be a kid: Kids eat free in San Diego this month, and Stub Stewart State Park hosts a family-friendly organized ride. For adults: $319 Hawaii flights.

10/05/2012 By Kasey Cordell