If you really, seriously don’t need any more stuff, ask grandparents and relatives for these fun kid activities that will build core memories. (Or give them to your own kids!)
A Ride On The Holiday Express
Running through January 4, the Oregon Rail Heritage Center’s Holiday Express train ride is a must-do, particularly for train fans, who will be overjoyed to ride along the Willamette River on a real, 1912 steam locomotive with Santa and his elves! Pro tip: For more festive train rides, click here!
Swim Lessons
Your kid needs to learn how to swim, and — sadly — those essential lessons are not free. If you’ve got a grandparent looking to give a truly lifelong gift, ask for swim lessons. If they really want to give a “thing,” suggest they wrap up a fun swimsuit, towel and goggles, along with the generous promise of paying for swim lessons. Get the grandparents on board, and get your kid a spot in a Portland Parks & Rec class, or on the waitlist at one of the area’s local kids swim schools, like Children of the Sea or DolFUN Swim Academy.
A Year (Or A Month) of Red Yarn Shows
Anyone who has raised a toddler in Portland in the past decade or so owes a lot of joyful mornings to Andy Furgeson (better known to kids as Red Yarn). Though his weekly shows around town are a suggested donation of $20 a show, what a relief it would be to know that a relative had already pre-paid your family’s part. Plus, what could be more in the holiday spirit than supporting a local gem like Furgeson, who keeps your kids singing and dancing all year long.
A Trip To Skamania Lodge
For about $750 a night, your family could book the 3-bedroom villa at Skamania Lodge in the Columbia River Gorge. With a fire pit, grill and plenty of space, a multi-generational getaway is a gift everyone could enjoy.
OMSI Membership
If your family’s OMSI needs are low-key, the “OMSI for 2” membership ($110 a year) will suffice. But if you have a big crew and your kids want to bring along friends you might want to ask for the $275 a year Patron membership that includes two named adults, six named kids, four guests, unlimited planetarium matinees and other perks.
Oregon Zoo Membership
Oregon Zoo visits might be a little sporadic in the rainy season, but once summer break comes, you know you’ll be heading to the Zoo at least once a week. So you know you’ll use these passes every year, too. And once your in-laws or relatives are in the habit of giving them, it might just become a (very welcome) annual gift.
Sky Zone Membership
For about $32 a month per kid, a membership to Sky Zone trampoline park is a rainy-day lifesaver for families with active kids. Locations in Gresham, Beaverton and Vancouver, Washington.
Tickets to Oregon Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker
Tickets to OBT’s annual performance of Balanchine’s classic The Nutcracker are always a treat, and asking a relative, friend or grandparent to take your kids to see it is also a sweet way to let them know your kid wants to spend quality time with them.
Tickets to Beyond Monet and Van Gogh
If your family missed Beyond Van Gogh, no worries! It’s back, and now Beyond Monet has been added to the dazzling immersive experience, too. It runs through January 5.
Trackers Winter Break Camps
Invite generous grandparents to indulge the kids in some magical activities over winter break, (and alleviate some of the stress of 14 days with no school) by asking them to get your kid a spot in one of the Trackers Earth winter break camps! Choose from festive adventures like Snowshoe Mountain: Tracking, Trails & Cocoa, which promises an “epic snowball fight,” as well as doughnuts and cocoa. Or Woodworking Elves: Toys, Carving & Crafts, where kids can learn woodworking, and make gifts and toys to share. Trackerspdx.com/youth/camps/winter-break-camp
Tickets to the Oregon Symphony’s Music for Families Series
Though by the winter holidays, you’ll have missed one of the four performances in the Music For Families series, it’s still a wonderful gift. Starting at $44 dollars per person, your kids can still look forward to The Sounds of Science in February, Adventures in the Great Outdoors in April, and Peter and the Wolf in June. Orsymphony.org/concerts-tickets/subscribe/2425/music-for-families-series
Gift Experiences That are Free, Or Nearly Free
Asking for the gift of a fun experience instead of stuff doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank. In fact, it could even be a way to ensure that a loved one doesn’t spend money they don’t really have on something your kid doesn’t really want or need. Let them know that what your kid really wants is to spend time with them, and try suggesting a few special ways they could do that:
A Cozy Movie Night In
A cozy movie night (or afternoon) could include simply dimmed lights, a big fluffy blanket, some warm popcorn and the promise of two hours of Grandma and Grandpa’s undivided attention.
Baking Lessons or A DIY Bake-Off
Baking with kids is messy, but so fun. And if your parents or in-laws offer to manage the mess at their house, that’s truly a gift! If you have a big family, you could even stage a big DIY version of The Great British Bake Off and let Grandma and Grandpa be Paul and Prue (costumes encouraged!).
Spa Day at Home
Mix up some simple face masks — it’s easy to find basic recipes online — and put your feet up together. Maybe add a few favorite magazines, some mugs of tea and a great soundtrack, too.
Library Storytime
If you have a relative or close friend looking to give a free gift that’ll really keep giving, offering to take your little one to a (free) storytime at your local library could be a wonderful gift. Not only would it mean a little break for mom or dad, but it’s also a wonderful way for them to work in some quality one-on-one time with your kid.
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