Growing up in the Portland area, I always said summer doesn’t officially start until July 5th, and the current weather forecast is proving my point. The rain has been a nice reprieve from the heat wave we recently had, but everything I shared on Instagram this week are activities most enjoyed on sunny days!

I kicked off the week by sharing the return of ZooNights. If you haven’t been, it’s such a fun way to experience the Oregon Zoo and is an extremely kid-friendly event. I took my kids for the first time last year and it’s become a summer tradition for us. I also posted about what I think is the most kid-friendly outdoor pool in Portland and Part 4 of my splash pads series with @daniee.marieee and @megan.in.pdx.

On Parents Night Out PDX I shared a reel about Oregon’s first Korean-American-owned winery, which also happens to be VERY kid-friendly (stay tuned for a reel about it on Kid-Friendly PDX too 👀).

This week’s Thursday newsletter was 10 Things To Do With Your Kid(s) Next Month, and July is packed with fun, FREE, activities!

In other news, Tigard announced this week that its only splash pad, at Universal Plaza, won’t be activated this summer due to improvements that need to be made. This is a total bummer; however, there are 69 other splash pads, interactive fountains and water features in the Portland area to enjoy. You can learn more about all of them in my Kid-Friendly PDX splash pads guide.

Have a great week!

First and foremost, happy Father’s Day! ✨

If you’re still planning your festivities for the day, Frog Pond Farm is offering free admission to dads and the Portland Pickles are playing a double header at 2:05 and 6:05pm. I also shared a couple Father’s Day ideas in my 10 Things To Do With Your Kid(s) In June newsletter.

There are a lot of new subscribers since my last Playing Catch Up newsletter, and if y’all were confused why I didn’t publish one last Sunday, I was in Disneyland with my family! It was SO 👏 FUN 👏

Now let’s get to what I posted this week. A lot of my content lately happens to be great ways to beat the heat, including the coolest indoor waterpark, a unicorn-themed coffee shop and part 3 of my splash pads series with @daniee.marieee and @megan.in.pdx. Speaking of splash pads, ICYMI I published my Kid-Friendly PDX Guide about splash pads, interactive fountains and water features while I was out of town. Trust me when I say it’s the ULTIMATE guide.

On my Parents Night Out PDX page, I shared a great Mexican restaurant with a rooftop patio and my favorite movie theater in Portland, both of which are great for a date night and also allow minors if you want to go as a whole family!

This week’s Thursday newsletter was a Kid-Friendly Q&A with Brittany Truman-Greene, who owns a wedding and events childcare service called Party Pals.

In other news, there are some great events going on next weekend that didn’t make it into my 10 Things To Do With Your Kid(s) In June Newsletter. On Saturday, June 27, the Hoyt Arboretum is hosting Fairy Fest and on Sunday, June 28, The FLIP Museum is hosting their annual Day of Play Celebration. Both of these events are FREE!

I hope you have a great week, and if you’re a dad I hope today is everything you want it to be! 🫶

Summer break is here, and there are so many fun things going on in and around Portland for kids (and adults) of all ages.

For younger kids, Bridgeport Village is bringing back its FREE summer playdates series and hosted its first one on June 4th and Oaks Park’s famous Preschool Rides kicks off for the season on June 16th. Splash pads all over the Portland Metro are now activated, and @megan.in.pdx, @daniee.marieee and I dropped our first roundup on Friday. We’ll be sharing some of our favorites every Friday this summer.

This week, I also shared one of my favorite things to order from Burgerville in the summer, details about Melody’s Haven of Hope at Oregon Horsemanship’s free open house and revealed my June newsletters (which includes a MASSIVE guide that highlights 70 splash pads, interactive fountains and water features in the Portland Metro area).

On Parents Night Out PDX, I shared a reel about one of my favorite patios in Portland and a wonderful wine tasting experience that’s perfect for summer, and kid-friendly.

This week’s Thursday newsletter was a Small Business Spotlight on EllyPop — a natural hydration pediatric freezer pop brand founded by two naturopathic doctors.

In other news, my dream business recently opened in Lake Oswego. The Thirsty Caterpillar is equal parts bookstore, coffee shop, wine bar and imaginative play space. SAY LESS!

I won’t be sending out a Playing Catch Up newsletter next Sunday (June 14th) because I’ll be in Disneyland! Any tips for visiting with a 3- and 6-year-old would be much appreciated. 😇 I’d also love to hear about good food options for kids. The comments and my DMs are always open!

Have a great two weeks!

Summer is almost here, and with the weather we’ve been having it feels like it already is here! Portland Parks must feel the same way, because they bumped this year’s splash pad activation date up from June 10 to June 5! 🙌

This week on Instagram I shared a love letter to Lloyd Center. The mall has been a Portland institution since its doors opened on August 1, 1960, and, barring a miracle, its doors will close for good on August 8, 2026. There’s a coalition called Save Lloyd that is fighting hard against demolition. If you’re interested in joining the cause, there are a few actionable steps you can take. Check out their website for ways to help.

I also posted a reel about the most fun date night experience that is also family friendly; shared info about a ceramics market with FREE kids crafts happening every Wednesday this summer; and offered a discount code for an intimate summer camp that wraps up with a family celebration every Friday. On Parents Night Out PDX, I shared a reel about one of my favorite patios in Portland.

My Thursday newsletter this week was 10 Things To Do With Your Kid(s) Next Month, and there are so many fun things going on in June!

June is also Pride Month, and there are tons of wonderful events going on in and around Portland, starting this weekend! PDX Parent shared a wonderful list of family friendly festivities, which you can check out HERE.

Have a great week!

Happy Memorial Day weekend!

I’m back after a much needed unplugged weekend in Napa and have been SO busy this week! Splash pads in Portland don’t turn on until June 10th but did you know many of the surrounding areas activated theirs this weekend? There are some great splash pads in the suburbs, and West Linn alone has FIVE within its city limits!

This week, I also posted a reel about the coolest Vancouver playground with a secret built-in Hot Wheels track; my family’s favorite year-round swim school; and the best summer camp for budding basketball players, which happens to be hosted by the Portland Trail Blazers!

My Thursday newsletter this week was a Kid-Friendly Q&A about Tiny Track Toys. Founder Daniela Egan chatted with me about her new TriMet-inspired wooden toy train line and shared some great recommendations as a local parent.

The weather forecast isn’t looking great for Memorial Day, but a lot of indoor play areas will be open. If you haven’t already checked them out, I made Kid-Friendly Guides about indoor playgrounds with a focus on a big play structure and imaginative play spaces. Both would be great resources for a fun indoor holiday outing!

Have a great week!

First and foremost, Happy Mother’s Day! 💖

If you’re still planning your festivities for the day, Frog Pond Farm is offering free admission for mamas today and Pinolo Gelato is serving moms a free cup of gelato. Gardens are also ALWAYS a great place to celebrate Mother’s Day (I plan on visiting Leach Botanical Garden with my family today!) and last month I shared a Kid-Friendly PDX Guide all about the wonderful gardens in and around Portland.

Now, let’s get to what I posted on Instagram this week! It started off with a reel about the most delicious mango mochi. I also posted a reel that shares more information about Camp Alegria’s Little Latin Chefs summer camp (ICYMI, I partnered with Camp Alegria to give away a free week of summer camp!); highlighted my favorite indoor play space for toddlers; and showcased a new tool by Stand For Children Oregon that allows you to see how your school district’s amount of student contact days and hours compares to state and national averages. You can access the tool HERE.

Over on Parents Night Out PDX, I shared a reel about the coolest bar with ‘70s vibes and rotisserie chicken and a Vietnamese vinyl bar. Bonus: both allow minors until 8pm! 🙌

This week’s Thursday newsletter was a Small Business Spotlight about reSPACEd — a mom-owned organization company that specializes in families and the ADHD population. I want to point out that I accidentally spelled owner MaryJo Monroe’s last name wrong in the newsletter (the editor in me is CRINGING 😣). You can read the newsletter below, and snag two exclusive offers on reSPACEd services while you’re there!

Now onto the sad news of the week. PlayDate PDX announced they are closing their doors for good on May 31st. There are still a few weeks to show support, so go visit and let your kids get their wiggles out while you sip on a coffee (or beer, or wine).

I also wanted to give you all a heads up that there won’t be a Playing Catch Up newsletter next week. One of my best friends just turned 40 and I’ll be spending the weekend unplugged in Napa! 🥂

I hope you all have a great couple weeks, and if you’re a mom I hope today is everything you want it to be. ✨

Mother’s Day is one week away! I’ve already shared several ideas for ways to celebrate in my 10 Things To Do With Your Kid(s) In May newsletter, Kid-Friendly Gardens guide and Places To Soak On Mother’s Day (Or Any Day) guide, but there are so many fun events going on that I wanted to give you a few other suggestions: Whimsy Wees is hosting a sweet mom and me DIY flower bar art event; Color Me Mine Clackamas is hosting a pottery painting session complete with pastries; and Northwest Children’s Theater is presenting special performances of Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.

This week on Instagram I launched a giveaway for one free week of Camp Alegria’s summer camp; shared my favorite wetlands and nature park to see ducklings this spring; posted about the most relaxing therapeutic soak; revealed details about TESO Life Beaverton’s grand opening; unveiled my newsletter themes for May; and highlighted one of my favorite kid-friendly gardens that I used to go to every year with my mom on Mother’s Day. 🥹

Since there are five Thursdays in April, this week’s big newsletter was a ✨ BONUS GUIDE ✨ showcasing hot tubs and soaking pools in the Portland area (some are kid-friendly but most are for relaxing without children).

I enjoyed highlighting places that are more grown up friendly in this bonus guide and am curious if you enjoyed it too or if you’d rather I focus on things to do with kids in my next bonus guide, which will drop in July. Please participate in the poll and BE HONEST! This is all so new and your feedback means so so much to me. I would also love any specific suggestions you have for newsletters, so feel free to comment or message me with your ideas. 💖

Have a great week!

Spring means wildflowers and baby animals, and this week on Instagram I highlighted both! I kicked off the week with a reel showcasing some of the (many) reasons why I love Frog Pond Farm, including seeing all the adorable babies. 🥹 The family friendly farm opens for the season on May 1st. I also shared a reel about my favorite wildflower “hike” (in quotes because it’s a pretty flat, half-mile loop) to go on with my kids. On Parents Night Out PDX, I posted a reel about a date-worthy pizza spot that’s participating in Pizza Week and the vibiest Mexican restaurant in Portland. 🤩

Keep an eye on my page today for a giveaway with Camp Alegría: a bilingual summer camp program in Hillsboro that offers sessions for a variety of interests, including sports, cultural celebration, cooking, and mindfulness/movement. The camp is hosting a free open house on May 15th at 5:30pm for interested families, which includes a tour and cooking demo. You can RSVP below. 👇

RSVP HERE

This week’s Thursday newsletter was 10 Things To Do With Your Kid(s) Next Month, and there are so many fun events happening in May! The list includes everything from eating s’mores with goats to Mother’s Day activities and spring festivals.

In other news, the NBA playoffs are underway and the Blazers play their second home game today at 12:30pm. This is the first time the team’s made the postseason in five years and as a lifelong fan I am SO happy my kids finally get to experience Blazermania (even though I was NOT happy with the way the game ended on Friday night 😒)!

Have a great week and GO BLAZERS!! ❤️🖤

This week on Instagram I shared a reel about a Portland food hall with great food options AND a kids play area (plus games and pinball machines!) and S’MORES FLIGHTS (I REPEAT: S’MORES FLIGHTS!). I also shared some reels just for the grown ups on Parents Night Out PDX, including the country’s first and only wine spa and cruising down the Willamette in a HOT TUB BOAT (I REPEAT: HOT TUB BOAT!). My sweet friend Lisa Rice (@rice_camp) also did a guest collab where she took her husband Wes out for a date night in Multnomah Village and Hillsdale.

This week’s Thursday newsletter was a Kid-Friendly Q&A with Sam Schultz, the founder of a brand new Portland-based biking summer camp called Biking Buds. In the feature, Sam chats with me about what families can expect from his summer camp’s inaugural season and shares recommendations as a local dad. He also shares an exclusive promo code for subscribers interested in registering for his camp. 👀

In other news, it was announced that the Lloyd Center plans to close its doors for good on August 8, 2026 after the Portland Design Committee approved plans to demolish the iconic mall, along with its ice rink. The plans involve redeveloping the property into retail, housing and an outdoor space.

Organizations like Save Lloyd Center and Save Lloyd Ice Coalition have been passionately advocating to save the existing mall and there are two pending appeals to the current plan.

This week was a doozy for me! If you’ve been following me on social media for a while, you know I like to share “Parents Night Out” and “Unique Date Idea” reels from time to time. I’ve been wanting to share more content like this, and on Easter my brother asked me a simple question: “Why don’t you make another account focused on that?”

My jaw nearly dropped to the floor when he said that. It was so simple and made so much sense, yet I hadn’t thought of it before! (That might be in part because I’m already spreading myself pretty thin with Kid-Friendly PDX and this newsletter on top of raising two young kids.) Despite my plate already being very full, I immediately grabbed the handle @parentsnightoutpdx and made a simple logo. I posted an intro reel on Friday, which you can watch HERE, and am sharing a self-care reel later today. 👀 I’m so excited to become a resource for all of YOU as much as I am for your families!

This week on Instagram I also shared a reel about an EPIC kid-friendly indoor pool; a magical secret garden with FREE entry; and a $50 gift card giveaway with Thinker Toys (tomorrow is the last day to enter!).

This week’s Thursday newsletter was a Kid-Friendly PDX Guide all about local gardens (did you know there are 14 of them, nine of which offer FREE entry?!).

In other news, there’s a new play cafe getting dreamed up in Troutdale right now. Your Play Cafe is still in the build-out phase, and it will be SUCH a great addition to the community when its doors open! Leach Botanical Garden also shared an update revealing that community support has led to enough funding to keep the garden open through December 2026. Let’s keep showing up to ensure this whimsical garden stays open permanently! 🙌

Happy Sunday and happy Easter!

If you’re on the hunt for an art summer camp, today is the last day to enter my giveaway with AR Workshop in Hillsboro. We’re partnering together to give away a free week of summer camp! You can get all the details on how to enter HERE.

This week on Instagram I also shared details about my son’s AMAZING birthday party at Play & Ponder; the last part of my kid-friendly, mom-owned businesses series (this one was a roundup of Vancouver and SW Washington businesses!); my favorite garden to visit with my kids; and a post about what newsletters you can expect in April (spoiler alert: paid subscribers get an EXTRA guide this month that’s all about places to soak on Mother’s Day (or any day)). If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your subscription, this is the month to do it!

Upgrade to paid

This week’s Thursday newsletter was a Small Business Spotlight on the ceramic prints studio Stay Little. My family LOVES getting pieces made here and owner Hailey is an absolute dream. You can use exclusive promo code KIDFRIENDLYPDX for $10 off appointments booked now through June.

In other news, bloom festival season is here and the tulips are already popping at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival! Check out a reel my friends Rice Camp made about their experience HERE.

I hope you all have a wonderful Easter (if you celebrate) and great week ahead!

Happy Sunday and end of Spring Break!

If you haven’t had a chance to catch cherry blossoms in peak bloom at the Portland Japanese Garden, I highly recommend it. We went on Thursday and they were absolutely GORGEOUS! You can see a reel about it HERE and some photos of the blooms below.

Speaking of gardens, they will be the focus of my Kid-Friendly PDX Guide next month so keep your eyes peeled for that in your inbox on April 9th. 👀

I shared a lot of fun stuff on Instagram this week, including a great place to grab brunch with kids; a new indoor playground + food cart pod that we spent FOUR HOURS at (and I still had a hard time getting my kids to leave); part four of my kid-friendly mom-owned businesses in Portland series; and Northwest Children’s Theater’s latest production — Alice in Wonderland: A Jazz Musical.

This week’s newsletter was 10 Things To Do With Your Kid(s) Next Month and there are some GREAT events coming up in April, including egg hunts and bloom festivals.

In other news, there are a few days left of Portland Dining Month. I went out with a friend to Lucca earlier this week and it was AMAZING! I also plan to go to Yaowarat before the month is over.

On Friday, I saw some news that made me SQUEAL with delight: A CAT CAFE IS COMING TO VANCOUVER! Milky & Coco’s Kit-Tea Cafe plans to open this summer and I am beyond excited. 😻

Have a great week!

It’s officially spring, and in Portland that means the cherry blossoms are in peak bloom! If you haven’t made it down to the waterfront to see them yet, Spring Break would be the perfect time to do it.

Enchanted Forest and Oaks Park are also both open for the season now, just in time for Spring Break, and Literacy Kid Lounge recently announced Last Saturday Storytime, with the first one scheduled for March 28th. The Portland Trail Blazers are also hosting their last Sunday Family Funday game of the season on March 29th. My daughter and I went to one in December and had a BLAST! You can see our experience HERE.

If you want some more Spring Break inspo, check out my recent reel about Washington Park’s hidden gem and my Indoor Playgrounds Guide.

Spring also means summer is right around the corner, and I launched a new summer camp giveaway on Instagram this week with Biking Buds! Biking Buds is a new Portland-based summer day camp designed for budding bikers ages 3–12, with levels covering new bikers just starting on balance bikes to experience bikers building confidence with road-riding. The giveaway runs through March 24th. Find details on how to enter HERE.

This week on Instagram I also helped introduce a new preschool that’s coming to the Portland area, shared part 3 of my Kid-Friendly, Women-Owned Businesses in Portland series and posted a reel about the cutest fruit-shaped ice cream.

This week’s newsletter was a Kid-Friendly Q&A with Krystal Williams of Blooming Love Doula. In the newsletter, she chats with me about her postpartum doula business and shares her recommendations for new parent support and places to take kids of all ages. If you missed it on Thursday, you can read it HERE.

I hope you all have a great week and Spring Break!

Happy Sunday!

Last week, I was writing this email from paradise. This week, I’m writing it in bed after contracting norovirus. 🤢

Before I got sick, I posted lots of fun stuff on Instagram, including an amazing hack for visiting Washington Park during Spring Break; the cutest giveaway with Magnolia Dough Co., and my favorite place for kid-sized pie to celebrate Pi Day. I also shared part 2 of my Kid-Friendly, Mom-Owned Businesses in Portland series, which you can watch HERE.

The weather this week has been absolutely brutal, but good timing for this month’s Kid-Friendly PDX Guide, which is a comprehensive list of all the indoor playgrounds in the Portland Metro Area (there’s 13!). You can read the newsletter HERE.

Speaking of guides, I’m debating what to focus on in April and would love your input! Thank you in advance for taking the poll below. 😄

As for Portland news, the cherry blossoms have started to bud and are predicted to reach peak bloom on March 23. A fire broke out at Elephant’s Delicatessen flagship store in Northwest 22nd early Tuesday morning. The beloved Portland eatery’s CEO shared a statement on Friday, thanking the community for its support and revealing that they are currently assessing the damage and will do all they can to rebuild.

There are some fun events coming up that were announced after my 10 Things To Do With Your Kid(s) In March newsletter went out, so I wanted to share those with you. Red Yarn is playing a concert at Mike Bennett Studios on March 21 (see more details HERE) and Portland Parks & Recreation is teaming up with The Connection Club to host a low sensory egg hunt at Gateway Park on March 22 (see more details HERE).

Last week, I asked if you’d like to see my essentials for traveling with kids and the consensus was YES!

Whenever we go on long trips snacks reign supreme, and I love finding some new fun things for my kiddos to try. These GoBe snack spinners are SO fun and such a novelty. I also love these Mother Could Snack Boxes that have removable dividers. Lollipops are a fun tool to help with ear discomfort. I love the YumEarth brand.

New activities are also a great way to keep kids excited and engaged on the plane. An Instagram follower suggested wrapping them like presents, and my kids LOVED that! My daughter loves sticker books and these Melissa & Doug ones are always a hit. I love that they’re reusable! I got these suction toys for my son, which were also really fun in the bath at our Airbnb, and this fidget toy box came with SO MANY great things to keep both kids occupied. Mother Could also makes a kids travel organizer which is a total GAME CHANGER to keep activities all in one place. I like to put coloring supplies (Melissa & Doug water wows are great and mess free!), small toys, books, magnatiles, stickers, wall clings (these are great to stick on the airplane window because they come right off), and more. Toddler-sized pillows also make for great travel pillows if your kiddo doesn’t want a neck pillow.

You can find all these items and more in my Travel Must-Haves For Kids list on my Amazon Storefront, and PLEASE don’t hesitate to ask questions about anything that I mentioned, or traveling with kids in general. The comments and chat are always open. 🥰

Have a good week!

Happy Sunday!

I fly home from Hawaii today and am NOT happy about it! But I am happy that spring is right around the corner, and that means Enchanted Forest is opening for the season soon (March 21st, to be exact). I shared a reminder reel this week, which you can watch HERE.

The amusement park’s founder and creator, Roger Tofte, passed away last month at the age of 96. His family is hosting a celebration of life on May 12th that is open to the public. You can find more info about that HERE.

Spring is also the best time to visit a local garden, and Leach Botanical Garden can use your support. After announcing last month that it may be forced to close, the garden shared an update this week revealing it had reached its short-term goal and will be able to stay open at least through June 30th. Find out ways you can help support HERE.

March is Women’s History Month, and I launched a series this week that highlights kid-friendly, mom-owned businesses in the Portland area. You can watch part 1 HERE and look out for a new reel every Tuesday this month.

This week’s themed newsletter was a Small Business Spotlight on a new coffee shop I absolutely love. If you haven’t already, read my profile on A Plus Coffee Shop HERE (and don’t forget to use your exclusive promo this month)!

As I pack up everything to head home, I’m wondering if you would be interested in a newsletter with links to my travel essentials for traveling with kids (we’ve flown to Hawaii every year for the past three years, so I’ve become a pro)! If enough people are interested, I’ll share in next week’s Playing Catch Up newsletter.

Have a great week!

Happy Sunday! I’m sending this newsletter from Hawaii 😎 but there’s a lot going on in Portland this week.

In local news, Governor Tina Kotek made the announcement that she plans to meet with state and national early learning experts to provide recommendations to improve access to affordable, quality childcare and preschool with the ultimate goal of ensuring access to all Oregon children.

There’s also a new indoor play space coming to Hillsboro. We don’t know much about Littles Field yet, but they activated their Instagram this week and shared their first reel, which you can watch HERE.

On my Instagram channel, I shared another amazing Multnomah County Library glow up and the cutest new venue for kids cooking classes called CocinArte.

My fourth and final monthly newsletter also went out this week, and I’m so excited for you all to have a full picture of what The Kid-Friendly PDX Newsletter offers! This one is 10 Things To Do With Your Kid(s) In March and showcases events for children of all ages, including five that are totally free. You can read that newsletter HERE, and keep an eye on my Instagram page today to see what’s on the newsletter schedule for March. 👀

I hope you all have a great week!

Love The Kid-Friendly PDX Newsletter? Share it with friends and collect rewards! When more friends use your referral link to subscribe (free or paid), you’ll receive comped access to a paid subscription:

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Good morning and happy Sunday!

After a freakishly warm and dry first part of the month, it finally feels like February. If you’re looking for a fun indoor activity to do today, World Forestry Center is offering FREE admission as part of its Free Day Series!

Watch a Kid-Friendly PDX reel about World Forestry Center HERE

Another free activity that is always fun is visiting a library, and there are so many in the Multnomah County system that have recently received refreshes that include interactive kids areas. I highlighted the Albina branch on Instagram this week, and it is BEAUTIFUL! You can watch that reel HERE. Another new library is in Northwest, and it’s hosting a family playtime today. Watch a reel about that branch HERE.

I also partnered with Stand For Children Oregon on Instagram this week to share some staggering statistics about education in Oregon. Did you know our state is ranked 47th in the nation for time in school? The non-profit is educating parents about HB 4154, which updates Oregon’s attendance reporting, and created a template that allows you to email your reps in less than 30 seconds. You can see my post with more information HERE and email your reps using the template HERE. Yesterday, I shared a reel about Dev’s Coffee Bar’s coffee and hot cocoa flights. Watch that reel HERE.

ICYMI, this week’s newsletter was a Kid-Friendly Q&A with Sarah LaPrade aka Literacy Lady PDX. We chatted about her amazing business, Literacy Kid Lounge + Bookshop, and she gave some wonderful recommendations about things to do with kids in Portland, as well as some of her favorite children’s books written by local and Black authors. Read that newsletter HERE.

If you’re a free subscriber, you have one more week to get 25% off a paid subscription. Paid subscribers get access to every newsletter and the full archive, including my monthly guides (this month was 22 restaurants with free play areas) and curated events list, 10 Things To Do With Your Kid(s) Next Month (my first newsletter comes out on Thursday!). The price ends up coming out to $3.75/month or $37.50/year. I’m offering this deal through February 28th to celebrate The Kid-Friendly PDX Newsletter’s first month!

Get 25% off your paid subscription

I also launched a subscriber referral program this week that rewards you for sharing The Kid-Friendly PDX Newsletter with friends. When more friends use your referral link to subscribe (free or paid), you’ll receive comped access to a paid subscription:

• Get a 1 month comp for 5 referrals

• Get a 3 month comp for 10 referrals

• Get a 6 month comp for 20 referrals

Simply send the link below in a text, email, or share it on social media with friends 👇

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Happy Sunday!

I hope you all had a great Valentine’s Day. 💖 Since it’s a three-day weekend, my kids are both spending the night at the grandparents’ tonight, which means my husband and I get a MUCH NEEDED date night.

Hopefully that will result in a new Parents’ Night Out reel, and I’m curious if Parents’ Night Out guides would be of interest to you. I want to include an extra newsletter for paid subscribers on months that have five Thursdays, and I’d like to know if you’d rather have some resources for things to do without kids, or if you’d rather I make neighborhood guides that highlight all the great kid-friendly things to do in different parts of the city. OR, if you want a little of both. I did a poll on my Instagram story but want to do one here too since these newsletters are for YOU!

ICYMI, I published my first Kid-Friendly PDX guide on Thursday and am so excited for it to be out in the world! It’s a comprehensive list of all the restaurants, coffee shops, breweries and food cart pods with free kids play areas (there’s 22!) and an interactive Google Map. You can read it HERE.

Guides are part of a paid subscription, and I’m offering 25% off monthly and annual subscriptions through February!

Get 25% off a paid subscription

On Instagram this week, I highlighted one of my favorite indoor pools to swim at with my kids; gave a PSA that it’s the last weekend to experience OMSI’s Monsters of the Abyss exhibit (January 16 is its last day!); and launched an AMAZING giveaway with School’s Out — they’re giving away a free summer camp to one lucky family! 🙌 You can enter the giveaway HERE (it runs through February 18th and the winner will be announced February 19th on my Instagram story).

In Portland news, Leach Botanical Garden announced it’s at risk of closing and was forced to make some major budget cuts. Find out how you can help HERE. The ice skating community, from local skaters to Olympians, have been advocating to save the iconic Lloyd Center ice rink after developers revealed plans that included complete demolition of the beloved mall. You can sign a petition to save the ice rink HERE.

On Friday, Enchanted Forest announced the death of its founder and creator, Roger Tofte. He was 96 years old. Tofte began dreaming up his whimsical world in 1964 and got to work on construction, building most of it by hand. On August 8, 1971, the beloved amusement park opened its gates.

If you haven’t been to Enchanted Forest, I cannot recommend it enough. It reopens for the season on March 21st, 2026. Rest in peace, Roger, and thank you for creating such a magical place. ❤️

Happy Sunday!

There’s been a lot going on in Portland, and on my channel, this past week so let’s get to it!

First and foremost, it’s Black History Month and there are some amazing events going on in Portland to celebrate. You can see a great list from Do503 and The Best of Portland HERE and a list specifically geared towards families by Happy Valley Family HERE.

The Portland Winter Light Festival also kicked off over the weekend, with 200+ immersive, light-based art installations and events spanning more than 100 locations across the city. Next Saturday (February 14), the festival is hosting a lantern making workshop for kids at The Judy. I partnered with them to help spread the word, and you can get more info HERE. (Did I mention the whole festival is FREE!?)

If you’re looking for other fun things to do with your kiddo(s) this coming week, Northwest Children’s Center’s production of Pete the Cat is happening through February 15 at The Judy. You can see my experience at the show HERE.

Speaking of things to do, how is it already time to start thinking about summer camps?! I partnered with School’s Out this week to help spread the word about their game-changing platform that helps parents easily find, plan and book summer camps and activities in the Portland area. You can watch the reel HERE and sign up for a free account HERE.

This week I also collaborated with the amazing Moms For Oregon on a post with some ideas how parents can keep the momentum going to stand up for our immigrant neighbors. You can see that HERE.

And, of course, this is launch week for the newsletter! If you happened to miss my first post (a Small Business Spotlight on Play & Ponder) you can read it HERE.

Next week’s Thursday newsletter is a Kid-Friendly PDX Guide highlighting restaurants, coffee shops and breweries with free kids play areas (there are 22 in the guide!). It also includes an interactive, color-coded Google map! This newsletter is available to paid subscribers, and I’m offering 25% off monthly and annual paid subscriptions until the end of February. You can subscribe with the discount below.

Get 25% off paid subscriptions

Have a great week!