January is upon us. We get to take a break from extremely busy and often overwhelming (not to mention expensive) December holidays and dive into a calmer and more outwardly-focused month. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service is coming up, and there are plenty of great opportunities to volunteer, learn or march for peace in January! Check out our MLK Day of Service post for ideas or this helpful article from Hands On Greater Portland on family volunteering.
Friday, January 11:
Toddler Time on Friday Mornings in SW PDX. We are excited to offer Toddler Time on Friday mornings! Toddler Time is intended for children 3-years-old and younger.
Inclusive Storytime in Hillsboro. Limited to 15 children, ages 3-5, and their parents and caregivers. Kids with varying learning styles and abilities come together in a safe and supportive environment. Children who may need visual/communication supports, a more predictable routine, or adapted materials due to a motor impairment are welcome.
Story Time with Olive & Dingo in SE PDX. This show brings all the Olive and Dingo hits! Toddler-friendly songs to rock out to, books to keep attention, and all the silly antics of Olive and Dingo! The fast paced show will engage the kiddos for 40 minutes and then finish with balloon twisting!
Roller Girl Party with the Rose City Rollers in Beaverton. Join us for “Roller Girl”-themed crafts and activities with some special guests – derby players from the Rose City Rollers roller derby league! All ages.
$5 After 5 in SW PDX. Every Friday evening, we invite you to play with us—to have a different Museum experience—a little bit more relaxed, more interactive, and more social experience. Admission is just $5 after 5 pm.
Saturday, January 12
Free Guided Nature Walks in Tualatin. Volunteers from the Friends of the Tualatin Hills Nature Park are guiding free monthly walks through the park. Walks will take 1-1/2 to 2 hours and will start from the Tualatin Hills Nature Center.
Christmas Tree Take Back for Salmon in Milwaukie. Bring your used Christmas tree to the North Clackamas Urban Watersheds Council and they will turn it into salmon habitat for only $15. All proceeds benefit the work that they do to protect our local watershed.
NW Reptile Expo in NE PDX. Come join us for a Day of scaly fun at the northwest’s largest Reptile expo. We are Americas only captive bred Reptile show. Come out and meet some of the west coasts finest,most knowledgeable reptile breeders. You can find lots of reptile products and feeders for your beloved critters. There will also be Reptile rescues on hand that are trying to find new homes for the rescued reptiles. Bring the whole family.
Activist Storytime & Sign-making Craft in NE PDX. Celebrate activism and read about remarkable activists in history — and today — at Activist Storytime. Then let’s get ready for the Women’s March next weekend by making signs together. Express your goals and dreams for the upcoming year and get creative.
January Second Saturday at the Water Center: Mammals of the Columbia in Vancouver. Ever wonder what it would be like to be a scientist? Inquisitive young minds can explore different fields of science through hands-on activities. Learn about mammals that live right in our backyard! Discover more about beavers, pika, river otters and other critters that call the Columbia River Watershed home.
Nigerian Dance Party with Jujuba in SE PDX. Dance and celebrate with Jujuba, a 10-piece afrobeat and juju ensemble featuring Nigerian master talking drum legend, Nojeem Lasisi.
Kid Vision Boards in Gresham. Join us for a fun afternoon filled with fun discussing goals for the new year. We will start with a storytime reading and then have vision board making for kids. The vision boards can be literary focused to help kids think about the different types of stories that they want to read in 2019 or set personal goals for the year.
PONYO: Studio Ghibli Film Retrospective in SE PDX. Ponyo is a feature film from OMSI’s Studio Ghibli Film Retrospective—Eighteen Ghibli films over eighteen days on Portland’s largest screen!
Perfect for audiences of all ages, Ponyo centers on the friendship between five-year-old Sosuke and a magical goldfish named Ponyo, the young daughter of a sorcerer father and a sea-goddess mother.
Sunday, January 13
Second Sunday Savings in SW PDX. Second Sunday Savings offers reduced admission to the Museum: just $3 per person between 9 am–noon every second Sunday of the month. Once you’re here, stay to play all day!
Tumble Gymnastics Open Gym in NW PDX. Tumble Open Gym Open gym is a time for families to come in and play without facilitator-led curriculum. Depending on your child’s age (under 3 years), you can stay and play or drop off (over 3 years).
BINGO at The Siren Theater in NW PDX. BINGO is back. Celebrate the beginning of 2019 with BINGO, mimosas, music, comedy and prizes. With BINGO callers Erin Jean O’Regan and Jed Arkley.
Новогодний праздник! / Slavic New Year in SE PDX. еатральное представление с Дедом Морозом, Снегурочкой и другими сказочными персонажами, музыка, поделки, подарки и многое другое. Come and celebrate the most popular holiday in Slavic culture with music, folktales, gifts and much more.
The Not-So-Secret Family Show in NE PDX. Tickets are $8 each, babes in arms free. Cash only at the door or buy in advance through this ticket link.
Looking for even more ideas? Check out our full calendar here.