Looking for things to do for your kids during Spring Break? Fill the week with family-friendly fun. We’ve rounded up some local favorites. Check it out —
Passport to Fun
The“Spring Break Passport to Fun” returns to bring you a week of family-friendly programming to entertain the kids. Eight downtown locations are teaming up to offer families free or discounted activities. Participating venues include Oregon State Capitol, State Capitol State Park, Willamette Heritage Center, Hallie Ford Museum of Art, World Beat Gallery, Salem Art Association, Salem Public Library and Deepwood Museum.
Print your passport here or pick one up at a participating location. Passport stamps are given at each location after the listed activity is completed. Get at least four stamps and you can enter to win a Capitol prize basket at any open location.
Here are some of the highlights —
At Oregon State Capitol, 900 Court St NE
Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday
Although the historic portion of the Capitol are inaccessible due to construction, you can pop-in to the building through the State Street entrance to get to the Information Desk where you can get your passport stamped and learn more about the Capitol construction. Note: You will have to go through security screening.
At State Capitol State Park, 725 Summer St NE
Explore the open portions of the park to find the year that Oregon became a state, then use your pencil to rub the date on the passport in the place that the stamp would go.
At Deepwood Museum and Gardens, 1116 Mission St SE
A historic Victorian house designed in Queen Anne style, Deepwood Museum and Gardens is situated in a five-acre public park and features formal gardens, nature trails, a greenhouse and an original carriage house. As part of the passport program, the museum is offering guided tours (approx. 45 minutes) Wednesday through Saturday at 9, 10 and 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. Reservations are required, so call 503-363-1825 or email melanie@deepwoodmuseum.org. Passport participants get special reduced adult admission of $5. Children are free but must be accompanied by a paid adult. A scavenger hunt is available during the tour and each child gets a prize once completed. Gardens are open daily from sunrise to sunset.
At Hallie Ford Museum of Art, 700 State St
Open 12 to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday
Passport to Fun participants get free admission, plus can take part in “The Hunt is On!” a family guide to help with the exploration of the museum’s permanent collections that is available throughout the coming year. Choose a prize when you complete the hunt.
PS — Find more art to view at Artists in Action/Elsinore Gallery, 444 Ferry St SE, and Salem on the Edge, 156 Liberty St NE
At Salem Art Association, 600 Mission St SE
Open 12 to 4 p.m. Thursday to Saturday
Take part in a scavenger hunt. Complete the activity and receive a free sticker. Admission is free.
At Salem Public Library, 585 Liberty St SE
Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Special Events:
Garden Crafts for Kids — plant seeds and create garden art, 2-3 p.m. Tuesday, March 25 in Story Rooms A&B
Crochet & Slay for Teens — bring a current crochet, knitting, cross stitch, felting or other fiber arts project to work on over random conversation. Help and materials are also available to get teens started on a new project, 4-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 25 in Teen Scene
Tinker Tech Tuesday for Kids — STEAM tech kits are available to grades 2-5 for 30-minute sessions, 4:30-5:45 p.m.March 25 in Story Room B
Preschool Storytime — Pick up storytime tickets at the Floor 2 Ask Here Desk, 10:15-10:40 a.m. March 26 and 28 in Story Room A
Infant/Toddler Storytime — Pick up storytime tickets at the Floor 2 Ask Here Desk, 11-11:20 a.m. March 26 and 28 in Story Room A
Bollywood Family Dance Party with DJ Prashant — Kids and their grownups are invited to move and learn at this free, high-energy dance party led by Bollywood DJ Prashant, 2-3 p.m. March 27 in Story Rooms A&B
Teen Theater Improvisation Workshop — Middle and high school will amuse themselves and their friends as they learn the basics of theater improv. Advance signup needed, 3-5 p.m. March 27 in Anderson Rooms A&B
Check the Library Calendar here for more details and additional events.
At Willamette Heritage Center, 1313 Mill St SE
Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday
Passport participants can play a Victorian game, plus take a self-guided museum tour, and check out the changing exhibit “Let’s Play,” a Heritage Invitational exhibit that explores how Mid-Willamette Valley communities have come together through competition.
Special Events:
March 24 is a Low-Sensory Day for individuals with special needs, families and support staff. The museum will be open for self-exploration and will feature quiet activities in the Education Center. There will be a fun souvenir for spending the day with WHC.
March 26 is Family Day where you can enjoy the museum with various games and crafts designed for school-age children, plus fiber arts demonstrations. Kids will also receive a fun souvenir for spending the day with WHC.
At World Beat Gallery, Pringle Plaza, 390 Liberty St SE
Check out the gallery’s latest exhibit “Mythical: Legendary Creatures from Around the World” where you can get your passport stamped, then color a dragon and/or make a blossoming cherry tree.
Special Events:
Make Fairy Doors — 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. March 26
Check out the Musical Petting Zoo with the NW School of Music — 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. March 27
More Spring Break Fun
Visit the Children’s Museum
From March 24 to April 6, Check out Gabby’s Dollhouse MEOWseum Discovery Days where you can celebrate with themed crafts, a Spring Break Gabby scavenger hunt, creative play, and DJ Catnip’s purr-fect playlist. PS: There will be a Meet & Greet with Gabby from Gabby’s Dollhouse on April 6. Click here for more info and to sign up.
Experience Yozakura
Take a stroll through the Capitol Mall between 6 and 10 p.m. through March 31, and enjoy a nighttime viewing of the cherry trees where Japanese lanterns and lights illuminate the foliage. Picnics are welcome and encouraged (but no alcohol).
Throw an Axe
For ages 12 and older, channel your inner Oregon Pioneer and check out Oregon Axe Throwing, 700 High St NE. No experience needed. Instructors will teach you all you need to know and stay close for safety. Click here to book. PS: Use promo code Springfun25 for any booking between March 23 to 30 and save 20%.
Snap Away
Salem’s Riverfront Carousel is hosting a Spring Photo Contest. Three categories: Carousel Love, Celebrating at the Carousel and Goofin’ Around — with three winners in each category. Submit your photos through March 30, then public voting happens March 31 through April 14 with winners announced April 15. Click here for more details.
Explore Public Art
The City of Salem public art collection, which is managed by the Salem Public Art Commission, features a wide variety of work including murals and sculptures that you can see throughout our city. Check out the online Public Art Scavenger Hunt, a virtual adventure that tests your knowledge of eight outdoor artworks and provides a bird's eye view of the city, here. Then take a self-guided tour using the information here.
Also, new to public art in downtown Salem, you can see a number of electrical boxes that have been wrapped with artwork from the collection. How many can you discover?
And remember, be sure to tell them you heard about their event(s) in Press Play Salem!