Author: feliciag

While it may be the shortest month of the year, there’s still time for cheer cheer cheer!

1. Design your own unique Valentine’s Day card for all the unique sweethearts in your life! On February 10th the Adventure! Children’s Museum is hosting a valentine creation event for children and family, included with admission to the museum ($4 for ages 2+). This is sure to be a great opportunity to hang out with your kiddos, make some cute crafts, and dance the day away!
2. Sit back, relax, and enjoy Wall-E. Also on February 10th, Cobalt Activity Center is hosting a free family movie night at 6:30pm!
3. Are your kiddos budding into talented little scientists? Let them explore their scientific curiosity at the Museum of Natural History’s “Little Wonders” event on February 9th! They will be able to engage in fun experiments as well as listen to cool stories – all included in the price of admission ($10 for the whole family).
4. If you’re in the spirit to give back to the community in a hands on way, join this volunteer group full of plant and community lovers that does gardening at Hendrick’s Park every Tuesday!

Start 2018 off right with these low cost adventures for the whole family!

1. Do your little ones love to get MESSY? Let them explore their creativity outside of your home with Messy Art Tuesdays, held weekly from 1-4pm at the Bethel Family Resource Center, entirely FREE!
2. What’s something every kiddo LOVES to build and destroy? Legos! Drop in at the Downtown Library every Wednesday at 4:00 p.m, at the Sheldon Branch every Saturday at 10:15 a.m., or at the Bethel Branch every Saturday at 3:00 p.m., and let them express their creativity! This FREE event is sure to be fun for the whole family, but if it’s not your speed be sure to check the library website for family story and music times.
3. Learn about H20 through hands on exhibits, sure to be a unique experience for ALL ages. Admission prices are as follows: General: $5 , Youths (3-18): $3, Families (2 adults and up to 4 youths): $10, Children (2 and under): FREE

Winter is here in full force and ’tis the season to play in the snow, sled down reasonably sized hills, and spend time with your family!

1. On December 2nd you won’t want to miss the completely free annual Christmas Parade in downtown Springfield. Santa Claus has promised to visit, escorting the finish of the parade and ushering in the holiday season. See decorated cars, horses and floats of all kinds. Start the day with the annual Tuba Concert at noon!
2. If that isn’t enough to get you in the holly jolly spirit, continue on that night with cool boat lights and another visit from Santa at Lowell Covered Bridge. With free parking and refreshments, it’s a holiday must!
3. If you want to see how other cultures around the world celebrate this holiday season, head over the the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art to enjoy the Dia de la Familia showing for free!

No matter how you choose to enjoy these winter months the CAPS labs wishes you a joyous holiday season!

 

The weather has taken a sharp turn this month, so now is a perfect time to cuddle up on the couch with your loved ones and enjoy some hot cocoa. For the adventurous spirits however, there is still plenty of events to enjoy!

1. On November 18th and 19th enjoy art from various cultures with free admission to both museums at the University of Oregon from 11am-5pm!
2. Pack a picnic lunch and spend a sunny afternoon strolling through the lush forest and world-renowned 12 acre rhododendron garden at Hendrick’s Park on Summit and Skyline Drive. (and maybe bring your blankets and cocoa with you)
3. Visit the Science Factory exhibit hall in Eugene to let your kiddo explore science topics including astronomy, mechanics, optics, water quality, and nanotechnology. Try turning a giant Archimedes Screw, examining meteorites, and following balls on their twisting, turning paths through the Recyclotron! Hours and Location can be found here.

Have a cozy November CAPS families 🙂

October is the perfect month for going out to pumpkin patches, haunted corn mazes, or just cuddling up to watch “Halloweentown” with some warm cocoa! Here are some fun ways to get your family in the spooky spirit!

1. At Jonson Farms there is no shortage of activities for the whole family! For $5/ person you get to go on Walt’s Wild Hayride which stops to allow you to bungee mini pumpkins at scarecrow targets, work your way through a giant hay maze, and pick out pumpkins to take home and for carving or eating!
2. Michael’s Craft Store offers a FREE all supplies included crafting project involving gooey slime on October 7th from 1-3pm at their location in Springfield. Kids and kids-at-heart are welcome at this event, which is sure to be a blast!
3. Alton Baker Park is getting in the spirit in the great outdoors. On October 21st from 5:30-9pm there will be a kid friendly haunted hike for $5/ person. You will also get to enjoy fun crafts, snacks, games, and a raffle! If they would like to have a pumpkin featured at this hike, they can come from 3-6pm on October 19th to carve one for free.
4. From 5-7 on Halloween night, dress in costume for a family-friendly carnival with spooky carnival games, sports with a Halloween twist, creepy crafts and sweet treats galore at Bob Keefer Center for Sports and Recreation. Enjoy apple cider, goblin crafts and of course, candy. All for only $5/ per family!

 

Happy Halloween and happy fall to all!

Looking for inexpensive ways to enjoy this summer with the family? Look no further:

1.  Take part in a fun filled morning centered around Alpacas! From 10am – noon on July 15th you can create alpaca crafts, get photos taken with the alpacas,  and enjoy snacks and raffles all for FREE! This event will take place at Eugene, Cascades & Coast Visitor Information & Adventure Center and isn’t one that you’ll want to miss.
2. Watch Finding Dory at Douglas Gardens Park in Springfield at sunset on July 14th! Starting at 7:30 there will be activities within the park, including learning about fish directly from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the chance to win cool prizes and a skit before the movie!
3. Enjoy a Children’s Celebration event that includes face painting, a balloon clown, live entertainment and more fun for the whole family! On July 29th at Island Park in Springfield from 10am – 2pm you can enjoy this event for FREE with a food item donation for Food for Lane County.
4. Read fun stories in the Harry Holt Park every Tuesday and Thursday this month from 12:30-1:30. This is a free event and lunch is provided by Food for Lane County as well as a free book for kiddos that stay until the end!

Hello CAPS families! Summer is just around the corner and we have a list of activities that families can enjoy together to make the most of their school-free schedules! Hope you all enjoy!

1. Join a day of free art fun at the Buddha Eye Temple one June 10th from 12:30-1:30. Kids are welcome to paint, draw and craft at the Buddha Eye Temple! Open to kids of all ages, cultures and skill level. Parents and guardians are encouraged to stay and join the fun! You are welcome to bring your own art supplies, but it is not required.
2. Do you have a kiddo who loves Pokémon? If so, then this is the event for you! Come to the Amazon Community Center on June 17th from 1-3pm to learn facts about your all-time favorite Pokémon and play fun games. Then, at 6pm enjoy a showing of  the action packed movie Pokemon 3 and join the Pokémon master Ash as he rescues his mother from the encasement of a crystal tower.
3. Prepare for Father’s Day with this fun and free card making class! Kiddo’s ages 6-12 can come and make wonderful cards to celebrate the important fathers father figures, and caregivers in your lives! This event will take place at Emerald Art Center on June 17th!
4.  Join New Dream’s 8th Annual Fiesta for a day of culturally enriched fun! This event will include family-friendly games, face painting, authentic Mexican food, and live music! Local vendors and fresh fruit drinks will also be available for families to purchase. This event is free but donations are encouraged. Proceeds will benefit New Dream’s immensely important Spanish program!

1.  Learn to climb with the best of ’em during Spring Cling at the Willamalane Center on April 9th! During this event kiddo’s will learn tips and tricks on the climbing wall and watch demonstrations from the experts! In addition to this there will be raffles and prizes as well as competitions for kids! This event is free to all so come join the fun!
2. Join the free Family Fun Nights at Pete’s Barn where you have the chance mingle with neighbors, make new friends! The night includes dinner, games, crafts and live entertainment! This event takes place on April 7th from 5:30-7:00 so make sure to mark it on your calendars!
3. Learn to dance the Hula on April 9th from 1pm-2pm at the Downtown Library! This is an amazing new activity where families will learn Hawaiian words, hula hand motions, and a beautiful (but easy to learn) dance!
4. Have a blast planting flowers with your children and learning helpful gardening tips at the Sheldon Community Center on April 21st from 6pm-8:30pm. Open gyms, crafts, activities, and food are all included for free! Families are also welcomed to take a swim at the Sheldon pool for the low price of $2 per person!
5. Join the Springfield Public Library for their free Día de los Niños / Día de los Libros (Children’s day/Book day) celebration on April 29th between 2pm-4pm. Local families are invited to celebrate at this bilingual festival including live music from Mariachi del Sol and dance from Ballet Folklórico Alma de México & Chiffin Native Youth Center Students. Refreshments, hands-on art activities, and free books for children to take home will also be included!

 

1. Head on over to the Science Factory for there Tot Discovery Day: Amazing Animals on March 3rd from 9AM to 12PM! Come find out about what makes animals unique, where different animals live and the parts they play in their environments.
2. Go to the Museum of Natural and Cultural History on March 4th from 11AM to 3PM! Start by exploring their newest exhibit, Hungry Planet: What the World Eats. Then there will be storytelling with Cullen Vance at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Here your family can learn about local and global food traditions, and do some culinary-inspired crafts and activities!Cost for admission is 3 to 10 dollars.
3. If your family enjoys art and music making head to Ophelia’s Place for the Art and Music Making with Chamber Music Amici on March 14th from 4PM to 5PM. Girls will be invited to make art that reflects how they feel while listening to classical and popular music.  Advance registration is required. Registration deadline is 3/7. Girls ages 10-18.
4. From March 18th to March 19th  from 10AM to 4PM,  go to the Long Tom Grange for some family fun at the Daffodil Drive and Festival! Enjoy sweet, gooey New Day Bakery cinnamon rolls with fresh, hot Full City Coffee at the annual Daffodil Drive and Festival! Vendors, music, daffodil sales, wagon rides, and antique cars. Free shuttle parking offered from Conser Quarry on Ferguson Road to the grange every 15 minutes with buses and complimentary van rides. View mile after country mile of golden daffodils!
5. Head back to the Museum of Natural and Cultural History on March 10th for Little Wonders: Stories and Activities for Preschoolers! You and your child are invited to learn and play at the museum during the monthly Little Wonders event! This month, explore what bears eat for lunch with stories and fun activities about bears’ favorite foods, how they find it and how it compares to our own lunches. Get your Little Wonders discount coupon, redeemable at Past and Presents – The Museum Store! 15 percent off for museum members, 10 percent off for the public. Cost for admission is 3 to 10 dollars.

 

 

1. Join the Time Traveling Tots Pre-K “class” and learn about the historic Oregon trail and Pioneer life through interactive activities, songs, and storytelling! This free fun-filled event will be held on February 17th at the Lane County Historical Museum from 10:30am-11:30am.
2. Looking for adventure as a family? Join Nearby Nature for their Treasure Trails Nature Quest. You and your family can explore the outdoors on a team scavenger hunt, look for spots animals might hide and where gnomes might have homes! This event takes place on February 18th at Alton Baker Park from 1pm-3pm. The entry fee is between $0-$5!
3. Does your kiddo love museums and learning? Visit Eugene, Cascades & Coast Adventure Center on February 25th where your kiddo’s can interact with staff from area museums through crafts and activities. Refreshments will also be provided and raffle prizes will be drawn throughout the event. This is a free event from 10am-12pm