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

Take part in the Spring Break Passport to Fun family-friendly programming hosted at a handful of venues March 23-27. Participating venues include Deepwood Museum & Gardens, Hallie Ford Museum of Art, State Capitol State Park, Willamette Heritage Center and World Beat Gallery.

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. With a full passport, children can enter to win a prize basket.

Here are the highlights —

At Deepwood Museum and Gardens

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. Get a guided tour Wednesday through Saturday (at 9, 10, 11 a.m., and 12 p.m.) Reservations required. Call 503-363-1825 or email melanie@deepwoodmuseum.org. A scavenger hunt is available during the tours, and each child gets a prize once completed. There is also an opportunity for families to make a Victorian craft. Park in the lot at 12th and Lee Street. Gardens are open from sunrise to sunset. 1116 Mission St SE

At Hallie Ford Museum of Art

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. Choose a prize when you complete the hunt. 700 State St

At the Oregon State Capitol

This historic building is now open. 30-minute tours are offered daily at 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, and 2:30. Get your passport stamped and take part in a scavenger hunt (for a prize) at the Information Desk. Explore the House and Senate Chambers, the new Welcome Center, and the Capitol Store while you visit. 900 Court St NE

At Willamette Heritage Center

Preserving and interpreting the history of the Mid-Willamette Valley, the Willamette Heritage Center (WHC) features 14 historic structures that house permanent and changing exhibits, a research library and archive, a textile learning center, and rentable event spaces over a five-acre campus, which also has retail shops, art galleries, cooperative artist studios, and offices. Passport participants can play Spin-It-2-Win-It, a free game where everyone is a winner. Admission is $15 adult, $13 senior, and $11 youth (6-17). 1313 Mill St SE.

Other Spring Break programming includes —

Monday, March 23: Low-Sensory Day with quiet activities in the Education Center.

Wednesday, March 25: Family Day with games, crafts, a take-home souvenir, and fiber arts demonstrations.

Plus, see the Echoes of ‘76, a multi-part, multi-disciplinary exhibit exploring how echoes from 1776 continue to be heard in our community.

At World Beat Gallery

Explore the latest gallery exhibit, Joy & Sovereignty: Black Food & Agriculture, and get crafty, too. The gallery is open 12 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Call 503-581-2004 for more information. Pringle Plaza, 390 Liberty St. SE

Spring Break programming includes —

10 a.m. to 12 p.m. March 23
Lauhala Bracelet Making Workshop
Create your own woven bracelet inspired by traditions from Samoa, taught by Tasi Keener of Paradise of Samoa.

10 a.m. to 12 p.m. March 24
Musical Petting Zoo with the NW School of Music
Kids and families can play, explore, and learn about a variety of musical instruments in a welcoming, engaging environment. Discover new sounds and spark a lifelong love of music!

10 a.m. to 12 p.m. March 25
Fairy Door Making Class
Create your own magical fairy door to take home — perfect for gardens, trees, or anywhere fairies might visit!

10 a.m. to 12 p.m. March 26
Leather Workshop
Learn foundational stitching techniques while crafting your own leather wallet or card holder. Taught by Antonio Huerta of Comunidad y Herencia Cultural.

Classes are free. Donations welcome. Space is limited. Sign up here.

More Spring Break Fun

Explore Art

• Pop in at Salem on the Edge, 156 Liberty St NE, to see a survey or digital artmaking by Salem artist Jim Hockenhull.
• Check out Stefani Art Gallery, 305 Court St NE, to see the imagined botanical worlds of Bianca Youngers with So Long, The Garden.
• Visit Salem Art Association’s Bush Barn Art Center, 600 Mission St SE, to see the Young Artists’ Showcase plus Art Teachers | After Hours.
• Check out Gallery 444 inside Elsinore Framing, 444 Ferry St SE, for The Art of Pastels.

Visit the Yozakura

Take a stroll through the Capitol Mall between 6 and 9 p.m. for Yozakura, a nighttime viewing of the cherry blossoms happening through April 6. Parks staff have illuminated the trees with Japanese lanterns and lights. The community is invited to partake in Yozakura by bringing a blanket, camping chairs, and a nighttime picnic to enjoy under the canopy of trees.

Check out the Library

2-3 p.m. Tuesday, March 24 | Story Rooms A&B
Spring Crafts for Kids: Intended for elementary-aged youth
Kids in grade K-5 are invited to plant a seed and get creative with a variety of crafts. Free. Drop in. All supplies provided.

4:30-6 p.m. Tuesday, March 24 | Story Room B
Tinker Tech Tuesday for Kids
Kids through grade 5 with an adult are invited to check out and explore a STEAM kit for 30-minute sessions.

10:15-10:40 and 11-11:20 a.m. Wednesday, March 25 | Story Room A
Preschool Storytime 
For children ages 2 1/2 to 6. Stories, songs, and movement. Pick up storytime tickets at the Children’s Corner Desk beginning at 10 & 10:45 a.m.

2-3 p.m. Wednesday, March 25 | Story Rooms A&B
Bilingual Gnome Party/Fiesta bilingüe de duendes
Elementary-aged children are invited to do gnome-themed crafts and activities. Free. Drop in.

5:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 25
LEGO at the West Salem Branch
West Salem Branch Meeting Room | 395 Glen Creek Rd NW
Families are invited for an hour of unstructured play with LEGO. All supplies are provided. Free. Drop in.

10:15- 10:40 and 11-11:20 a.m. Friday, March 27 | Story Room A
Infant/Toddler Storytime 
For babies and toddlers up to ages 2 1/1. Stories, songs, and rhymes. Pick up storytime tickets at the Children’s Corner Desk beginning at 10 & 10:45 a.m.

2-4 p.m. Friday, March 27 | Children’s Corner
Drop-In Activities for Kids
Kids and their grown-ups are invited to drop in for coloring, board games, and a craft. Free. All materials are provided.

1-2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 28 | Children’s Corner
Reading Buddies
Readers are paired with a trained teen volunteer for a 30-minute session of fun literacy activities and shared reading in a supportive environment. Free. First come, first served for elementary-aged readers. Learn more

Unless otherwise specified, events take place at the main library at 585 Liberty St SE

Author: The Instigator