The InstigatorLooking 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 25 through 30. 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. With your passport, get reduced adult admission of $5 and up to three children accompanying a paid adult for FREE. A scavenger hunt is available during the tours and each child gets a prize once completed. The parking lot is located on 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 State Capitol State Park
As the historic portion of the Capitol is under construction, exploration of the open portions of the State Capitol State Park are encouraged. Keep your eyes open for the year that Oregon became a state, which is printed on one of the many tiles inset in the Capitol Mall. Bring your pencil and rub the date on your passport in the place that the stamp would go. 900 Court St NE
At Willamette Heritage Center
Preserving and interpreting the history of the Mid-Willamette Valley, the Willamette Heritage
Spring Break programming includes —
Monday, March 25: Low-Sensory Inclusive Outreach Day 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for individuals with disabilities, their families and support staff. The museum will be open for self-exploration and feature quiet activities. A specialized tour guide will be available. Admission is $10/adult, $8/senior, $6/age 6-17 and one family member or support staff receives free admission.
Wednesday, March 27: Spring Break Family Day 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. features games, crafts, a self-guided museum tour and fiber arts demonstrations, plus all children will receive a free souvenir. Admission is $10/adult, $8/senior and $6/age 6-17.
Plus, see the PNW Coral Reef Project. In partnership with Coral Knit Fiber Arts, the Willamette Heritage Center is headed under the sea with a walk-through, “underwater” textile exhibit. Community-made crocheted and knitted creations feature healthy and bleached corals and marine animals. The display showcases the beauty and diversity of the undersea world while engaging in a conversation about the health and importance of the world’s coral reefs. Back on the surface, explore artifacts and stories documenting the long history of connection between Mid-Willamette Valley residents and businesses and the sea.
Willamette Heritage Center is located at 1313 Mill St SE. Need more info? Call 503-585-7012.
At World Beat Gallery
Explore the gallery’s latest exhibit “Welcome Spring: Celebrations Around the World.” There will be a cherry blossom craft to make and take throughout the week, plus at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26 there will be a free origami class open to all. Visitors to the Gallery during the break will be entered to win a Family Pass to the 2024 World Beat Festival that includes admission to the festival all 3 days and a parking pass. 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
More Spring Break Fun
Meet Some Monsters
Monsters are on the loose at Gilbert House Children’s Museum, 116 Marion St NE, and they need your help finding them. Pick up a scavenger hunt form at the Welcome Desk and cross them off as you find them hiding throughout the museum. Once you have found them all, take your form back to the Welcome Desk for a special surprise. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Cost to participate is included with your admission. Info: acgilbert.org
Explore Art
Pop-in at Salem on the Edge, 156 Liberty St NE, to see abstracts works by featured artist Seth Allen and guest artist Joel Fleminger.
Visit Salem Art Association’s Bush Barn Art Center, 600 Mission St SE, to see the Young Artists’ Showcase plus Art Teachers | After Hours and Jennie J.Castle | In The Yard through March 31.
Check out the Artists in Action Gallery inside Elsinore Framing, 444 Ferry St SE.
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
Crochet & Slay for Teens — Crocheters, knitters, and fiber artists of all types of middle and high school age are invited to bring a work in progress to this free, drop-in afternoon of random conversation and creation, Need a project? We’ll have some yarn, crochet hooks, knitting needles, and simple patterns available to get you started. 4 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 26 in the Teen Scene
Tinker Tech Tuesday for Kids — Kids are invited to bring their adult and explore a variety of STEAM activities each Tuesday for a 30-minute session in Story Room B. Select from a variety of choices, including several new options. Kits are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Most kits are recommended for grades 2 – 5, but there is also a small selection of kits available for younger children. 4:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 26 in the Children’s Corner
Eric Herman and Puppy Dog Dave — Families are invited for a romping, stomping fun time with Eric Herman and Puppy Dog Dave. Seating is free on a first-come, first-seated basis. Doors open 15 minutes prior to the start of the concert. 2 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 27 in Loucks Auditorium
Garden Crafts for Kids — Welcome Spring! Elementary-aged kids are invited to get their hands dirty planting seeds and creating garden art. 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, March 28 in the Story Rooms
Teen Board Game Extravaganza — Middle and high school-aged youth are invited to learn and play a variety of popular board games and other tabletop games while enjoying some tasty treats. Gaming instruction will be available for a variety of games. Prizes will be awarded to the winners of each game. Advanced signup is encouraged, but drop-ins are also welcomed. 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday, March 28 in Anderson Rooms
Events take place at main library at 585 Liberty St SE
