Ice Skating
December 22, 2009 by Leigh Anne
Filed under places to play
For the next few posts we are going to share some fun family activities to do during the holiday break.
Need a break from the craziness of holiday preparations? Some time to just spend having fun as a family? How about ice skating?
You can take a break from your holiday shopping over at the Lloyd Center Ice Rink. Check out their website for hours of public skate and cost. Skate rental is also available.
If you are not an ice skater but want to learn they offer lessons or you could just rest your weary shopping feet and watch the skaters. I have to admit I also like watching that big zamboni clean off the ice!!
On the west side of town be sure and check out Valley Ice is located at 9250 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Highway and also the Sherwood Ice Arena located 20407 SW Borchers Dr., Sherwood, OR 97140.
Portland Christmas Tree Farms
November 23, 2009 by Leigh Anne
Filed under places to play
Oregon is known for it’s Christmas trees and rightfully so. Oregon is ranked the top producer of Christmas trees in the U.S. harvesting 6,850,841 trees in 2007! Among the more popular varieties are the Doug fir, noble fir, grand fir, and scotch pine. While not everyone comes to our great state to buy their tree, chances are good they are enjoying one anyway!
Among one of the oldest Christmas traditions, cutting down your Christmas tree is a perfect way to kick off your holiday festivities. Cutting your tree is also great for the environment and our economy. Both renewable and recyclable, the perfect tree is just waiting to be found! Everything Northwest has an exhaustive list of local tree farms to help you find the farm nearest to you. Also check out The Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association. For more information on local recycling of your live tree, click here.
Lastly, here are a few of our top picks:
Christmas Mountain Choose and Cut
25470 N.W. Dixie Mountain Road
Scappoose, Oregon 97056
28366 NW Dorland Rd.
North Plains, Oregon 97133
18175 SW McCormick Hill Road
Hillsboro, Oregon 97123
FYI Friday – Nov. 13
November 13, 2009 by Leigh Anne
Filed under places to play
Need something fun to do this weekend? If you don’t have anything planned for the weekend or are looking for a fun family outing check here each Friday to see what’s going on!
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – Oregon Children’s Theater. Oct. 31 - Nov. 22 at the Portland Center for Performing Arts, Newmark Theater, 1111 SW Broadway, Tickets range from $13-24.00
Rumpelstiltskin – Tears of Joy Theater. Friday, Nov. 13 through Nov. 29th., Portland Center for the Performing Arts, Dolores Winningstad Theater, 1111 SW Broadway. Tickets available through Ticketmaster. Tickets are from $14-16.00.
“Scream! Featuring Goose Bumps” exhibit at OMSI to find out more about our reaction to fear.
Free Family Day at the Washington County Historical Society and Museum, 17677 NW SPringville, Rd., 503-645-5353. Make Stamp and foil plate prints on coasters and place mats using natural materials such as leaves and grasses. Refreshments served. Saturday, Nov. 14th 10 am to 2 p.m.
Russian Cultural Fair hosted at Portland State University in the Smith Student Union’s ballroom, 1825 SW Broadway. A day of Russian music, songs, dancing, food and holidays gifts. Sun., Nov. 15th, noon to 4 p.m. Free.
Mama Zen
November 2, 2009 by Leigh Anne
Filed under places to play
Today we are excited to introduce you to Mama Zen. Their tag line is:
~ making a happier world one mama at a time ~
Because we all know “If mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!”
Mama Zen is located in “The Little Church” at 5137 NE 23rd, Portland, 97211. They are just one block North Alberta Arts Street at the corner of 23rd and Sumner.
Mama Zen’s mission is to nurture moms so in turn, they can nurture the people in their lives.
Everyone needs to breathe, play and connect but as moms we often forget ourselves as we focus on these elements for our family. Mama Zen offers yoga, yoga with childcare, children’s activities and classes, after school yoga for elementary ages and “mama spa day”. All of these offerings are with the same intention; Mama Zen wants their community to have a place where they can come and connect with themselves and their families.
Mama Zen’s next Mama Spa Day is Sunday, November 1st. Check out their website for more information and to sign up!
You will begin your spa experience with a restorative yoga class that will gently move your body through a healing and nurturing sequence The class will conclude with an aromatherapy treatment on pressure points. You will be gently brought back to earth to enjoy a catered tea service of mimosas, warm peppermint tea, and hors d’oeuvres, followed by calming massage and river stone foot soaks while you relax.
In addition to fun relaxing things for mom, Mama Zen also offers children’s classes and is adding even more classes after the first of the year. The classes are very reasonably priced – $5-8 per class.
Mama Zen is also giving back. They are teaming up with a local women’s shelter for fundraising in 2010. They will be donating $1 of every yoga class from 1/15- 4/15 as they help to support mothers that are less fortunate than some.
Mama Zen is also an advertiser on Your Homebased Mom and we thank them for their support. We hope you will take the opportunity to check out their website and pay them a visit!
FYI Friday – Oct. 23, 2009
October 23, 2009 by Leigh Anne
Filed under places to play, places to see
We are starting a new feature here on Homebased Portland – FYI Friday.
On Fridays we will share with you some last minute ideas for weekend fun. Fun, family friendly events that are going on around the Portland metro area.
So if you don’t have anything planned for the weekend or are looking for a fun family outing check here each Friday to see what’s going on!
Westview High School in Beaverton is performing Little Princess this weekend. A delightful story based on the Frances Hodgson Burnett children’s book. Shows are Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 1 and 4 p.m. Westview High School is located at 4200 NW 185th Ave., 503-259-5225. Tickets are $6.00
NW Children’s Theater is performing Winnie the Pooh - Performances are Friday at 7 pm and noon and 3 on Saturday and Sunday this weekend. Tickets are $13-22. Located at 1819 NW Everett St., 503-222-4480.
The Ladybug Theater is offering a nonscary play – Granny and Boo Hoo’s Halloween Party -for the preschool set complete with audience participation. 10:30 a.m. Wed-Thurs., Oct. 28 and 29th. Smile Station, 8210 SE 13th. Tickets are $3.50. Reservations requested. Call 503-232-2346 for more information.
Clifford the Big Red Dog traveling exhibit is going on at the Children’s Museum. Events include story times, crafts and a parade. Check out the Children’s Museum website for specific information. Admission fee to museum is $7-8.00
There is still a lot of Halloween fun going on this weekend.
If you haven’t visited a corn maze yet there are several to choose from.
The Corn Maize at The Pumpkin Patch - located on Sauvie’s Island
Corn Maze Sherwood – located at Grahams Ferry Farm in Sherwood
Kruger’s Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze – located on Sauvie’s Island
Fir Point Harvest Festival – located in Aurora. Includes hayrides, slides, pony rides, pumpkin patch and haunted house.
Pumpkin Patch Trolley – located at the Oregon Electric Railway Museum in Brooks. Ride the pumpkin patch trolley. 3995 Brooklake Road NE., Brooks. Call 503-888-4014 for more information.
If you are looking for something a little more “scary” check out these:
Halloween Fantasy Trail – A lighted trail filled with spooky sights and sounds including a 40 foot illuminated castle, a maze, a crooked house and more! Located in Oregon City. Check out their website for more details. $3.50-5.00 a person
Scream at the Beach – Jantzen Beach that is! Includes 5 Halloween haunts, concerts, shows, rides and concessions. $20.00 a ticket.
The Davis Graveyard - located at 8703 SE 43rd Ave. in Portland. Includes a full light, sound and video animation display.
Millburn’s Haunted Manor – located in Hubard. Milburn’s Boo Lane is available for younger children.
Other activities include:
“Scream! Featuring Goose Bumps” exhibit at OMSI to find out more about our reaction to fear.
Farmer’s Markets are still open -
Hillsboro Sunday Farmers Market
Irvington Farmers Market – NE 16th Avenue between Broadway and Weidler Streets
Make it a great weekend!!
Pumpkin Patches } Plumper Pumpkins
October 19, 2009 by Leigh Anne
Filed under places to play
Plumper Pumpkin Patch is the down home farm experience. The family welcomes you onto their property and into their lives with fall entertainment and harvest activities. Quaint and cozy are how I would describe my experience here, which is what brings me back every year!
For directions and more information please visit them here.
11435 NW Old Cornelius Pass Rd, Portland, OR 97231
FYI Friday
October 16, 2009 by Leigh Anne
Filed under places to play, places to see
We are starting a new feature here on Homebased Portland – FYI Friday.
On Fridays we will share with you some last minute ideas for weekend fun. Fun, family friendly events that are going on around the Portland metro area.
So if you don’t have anything planned for the weekend or are looking for a fun family outing check here each Friday to see what’s going on!
There is a lot of Halloween fun going on this weekend.
If you haven’t visited a corn maze yet there are several to choose from.
The Corn Maize at The Pumpkin Patch - located on Sauvie’s Island
Corn Maze Sherwood – located at Grahams Ferry Farm in Sherwood
Kruger’s Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze – located on Sauvie’s Island
Fir Point Harvest Festival – located in Aurora. Includes hayrides, slides, pony rides, pumpkin patch and haunted house.
Pumpkin Patch Trolley – located at the Oregon Electric Railway Museum in Brooks. Ride the pumpkin patch trolley. 3995 Brooklake Road NE., Brooks. Call 503-888-4014 for more information.
If you are looking for something a little more “scary” check out these:
Halloween Fantasy Trail – A lighted trail filled with spooky sights and sounds including a 40 foot illuminated castle, a maze, a crooked house and more! Located in Oregon City. Check out their website for more details. $3.50-5.00 a person
Scream at the Beach – Jantzen Beach that is! Includes 5 Halloween haunts, concerts, shows, rides and concessions. $20.00 a ticket.
The Davis Graveyard - located at 8703 SE 43rd Ave. in Portland. Includes a full light, sound and video animation display.
Millburn’s Haunted Manor – located in Hubard. Milburn’s Boo Lane is available for younger children.
Other activities include:
”Scream! Featuring Goose Bumps” exhibit at OMSI to find out more about our reaction to fear.
Family Day at the Oregon Historical Society – Saturday from 11- 3 p.m. You will have the opportunities to speak with Native American artists and explore the exhibits.
Apple Tasting Festival at Portland Nursery
Farmer’s Markets are still open -
Hillsboro Sunday Farmers Market
Irvington Farmers Market – NE 16th Avenue between Broadway and Weidler Streets
And if you feel like taking a drive out the gorge be sure and check out the Hood River Harvest Fest with art sale, farmer’s market, live music, food, kids zone, quilt raffle and other exhibits.
Make it a great weekend!!
Pumpkin Patches
October 14, 2009 by Leigh Anne
Filed under places to play
There are enough local pumpkin patches in Oregon to keep you busy for the whole month of October! It is one of the highlights of fall in the great northwest. A great resource for choosing the perfect patch can be found here. Of course you can check out a few of our top picks listed below too!
23985 NW Grossen Drive, Hillsboro, OR
Parking is $2 per car. FREE: pumpkin patch, petting zoo, hay maze, pumpkin fun house!
11435 NW Old Cornelius Pass Rd, Portland, OR 97231
No charge for visiting farm, purchase a sticker that includes the farm animals, hay mazes, rubber duck races, pumpkin bowling, playhouse, tractor tricycles, & weekend hay rides.
32055 NW North Ave. North Plains, OR 97133
Come see some great pumpkins. Add to your experience with a Train and Boat ride. They also feature a caterpillar ride, face painting, pony rides, kettle corn, and food on the weekends!
The Pumpkin Patch and Maize}Sauvie’s Island
October 9, 2009 by Leigh Anne
Filed under places to play
It is that time of year!
Pumpkin Patch time!
Over the next few weeks we will be sharing with you some of our favorite Portland area Pumpkin Patches.
One Pumpkin Patch we have been visiting since our children were little is The Pumpkin Patch on Sauvie’s Island. They claim to be Portland’s original Pumpkin Patch and they may just be having been around for over 40 years.
Located at 16511 NW Gillihan Rd., Portland, OR 97231 on Sauvie’s Island they are open daily. Check their website for specific days and times.
At The Pumpkin Patch you ride free hayride out to the pumpkin fields.
There is lots to do at The Pumpkin Patch. There is the cow train, the gift shop, the animal barn, the produce shop and the cafe.
Now that my children are older they much prefer The Maize to the animal barn or cow train!
O.K. – well, maybe not the cow train!
The Maize is open September and October and covers over five acres. Each year the Maize has a different design and this year is the year of the Blazers!
There is an admission fee to the Maize:
Regular Adult $7
Regular Kids (6-12) $5
Regular Senior $5
5 and Under FREE
There is some signage at the Maize that you are going to want to take note of and take seriously.
Even if it hasn’t been raining – take boots! You’ll be sorry if you don’t!
There are two Maizes this year. If you are looking for a bit spookier experience you will want to check out the Haunted Field of Screams.
This Maize is open limited days and hours so be sure and check out the information on the website.
Happy Pumpkin Picking!
Let us know what your favorite pumpkin patch is in the Portland area by leaving a comment below!
Portland Nursery Apple Tasting Festival
October 2, 2009 by Leigh Anne
Filed under places to play
Fall is definitely in the air here in Portland. Our furnace kicked on for the first time this week. I love that sound and smell!
One of our families fall activities is the Portland Nursery Apple Tasting Festival.
The 22nd Annual Apple Tasting Festival will be held the weekends of Oct. 9,10,11 and Oct.16,17,18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Portland Nursery which is located at 5050 SE Stark, Portland, OR 97215.
You have the opportunity to taste dozens of different varieties of apples and pears and pick your favorites and it’s free!
The best part is that after you have selected your favorites all of the varieties of apples offered for tasting are for sale at the nursery for a great price!
And there is a lot more to do than just taste apples!
Check out their website for a list of scheduled activities. Things such as live music and a scarecrow contest are on the agenda for this year as well as watching apple cider being pressed!
Don’t forget your camera because there will be some fun fall photo shoot opportunities with all the pretty flowers and pumpkins!
There are also some yummy apple goodies to purchase and enjoy – there is fresh pressed apple cider and apple strudel too.
Start off your Fall fun with a trip to Portland Nursery Apple Tasting Festival!
