Home MLK Jr. Day Puddletown Planner: 14 Winter Freebies to Score Now by Dennis HodgeJanuary 13, 2016 Search more like this librarynative americanbike ridescoffee shopday paradeeducationfamily friendlyfree tourshands onheritage centerholiday lightskid friendlymusicpuppet show Advertisement Trending Now News Disney+’s Prices Are Increasing—Unless You Want to Watch Ads Food & Drink General Mills Is Bringing Back 4 Classic Sugar Cereals That Your Mom Never Let You Eat Viral & Trending Cat Sneaks into Family Car & Joins Their Road Trip, Becomes Instant Celebrity Viral & Trending Weatherman Discovers His Map Is a Touchscreen and His Reaction Is So Pure Celeb & Entertainment Serena Williams Announces Retirement: ‘If I Were a Guy, I Wouldn’t Be Writing This’ Advertisement Once the sheet forts make it impossible to walk around your house, you may start looking for the front door. Luckily, Portland is like a wonderland of wintertime activities perfectly suited for kids who are hungrily eyeballing the sofas, ready to pounce. And, after the holidays, free is a good price, especially for cool events like cultural powwows and win-win trips to the Portland Children’s Museum. Read on for some of our favorite winter freebies you can add to your calendar now. photo: K. Kendall via flickr Winter PowwowExperience Native American culture and move to the drum beats at the Winter Powwow. Check out drum groups and dancers from across the area, try some Native American food and bring home a Native American craft.Jan. 23 Noon – 9 p.m. Portland Community College Sylvania Campus Health Technology Bldg. 12000 SW 49th Ave. 971-722-6111 Online: pcc.eduMLK Day of ServiceDo a little good while having a lot of fun by participating at the PJ Library MLK day of Service for Preschoolers. Bring diapers, wipes and pajamas to donate to Goose Hollow Family Shelter. Work on a tzedakah (charity) box, hear songs and stories and make blankets for Project Linus.Jan. 18 10 a.m. 6680 SW Capitol Hwy. 503-892-7415 Online: jewishportland.org photo: Lisa H. via YelpTangible BenefitsLet your kids try their skills as a veterinarian or a construction worker, and let them do the grocery shopping or act out their favorite play at the Portland Children’s Museum which is free every first Friday. First Friday of the month 4-8 p.m. 4015 SW Canyon Road 503-223-6500 Online: portlandcm.orgBe EnchantedBecome entranced through the magic of storytelling and browse the endless aisles of books on Saturday mornings with Kids’ Storytime at Powell’s City of Books. While the munchkins listen in, grab a cup of coffee and some free Wi-Fi from World Cup Coffee shop and check out Powell’s Warm up to Winter Sale.Saturdays 11 a.m. 1005 W. Burnside St. 800-878-7323 Online: powells.com photo: pdxwlf.com/pressTrip the Light FantasticFor those of us who miss all those glorious holiday lights, have your kids bask in the glow of the Portland Winter Light Festival on the grounds outside of OMSI, continuing along the East Bank of the Willamette River. Go on a lighted bike ride, or sit back and watch a light puppet show. The kids will be sure to “ooh” and “aah” at the beautiful light creations of more than a dozen artists featuring huge light sculptures, projections and performances. Feb. 3-6 Dusk 1945 SE Water Ave. 503-797-4000 Online: pdxwlf.comCelebrate MonkeysTake your little monkey to celebrate the bringing in of The Year of the Monkey at Lan Su Chinese Garden. Kick off the event on Feb. 8th with the “Rolling in the Wealth, “, think skee ball with oranges, lion dances and a free Hang Bao (traditional lucky red envelope).Feb. 8-22 Daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 239 NW Everett St. 503-228-8131 Online: lansugarden.orgGo on TourYou may already know that First Thursday’s are free at the Portland Art Museum, but did you know kids under 17 can get a free tour on Sundays? With kid friendly docents, everyone is sure to have a great time. Each tour has a theme such as Short Days, Long Nights and Stories in Art.First Thursdays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 1219 SW Park Ave. 503-226-2811 Online: portlandartmuseum.org photo credit tomatoes and friends via Flickr Dunk Some DoughnutsHappy winter birthday to you! At Pip’s Original Doughnuts & Chai you can get a free dozen doughnuts on your birthday. If you can’t get to their Fremont location, see if you can spot their mobile doughnut truck out and about.Your Birthday 4759 NE Fremont St. 503-206-8692 Online: www.pipsmobile.comRide the RailsTake the train to see the trains at the Oregon Rail Heritage Center. At the base of the Tilikum crossing you’ll find larger than life train displays and small pint sized toy train tables. You can climb into the Portland Streetcar to get there then climb into a caboose. Poke your head into the inner workings of a working locomotive.Thurs.-Sun., 1-5 p.m. 2250 SE Water Ave. 503-233-1156 Online: orhf.orgTouch the ArtworkWestside residents can head to Washington County Museum for hands on history and art activities during their Free Family Days. This is one time your kids will be allowed to touch the art!Second Saturdays of the Month 10 a.m..-5 p.m. 120 E Main St. Hillsboro 503-645-5353 Online: washingtoncountymuseum.org Take a PassIf you looking to check out some of Portland’s favorite activities such as the beautifully decorated Pittock Mansion; or enter into a place of serenity at the Japanese Garden; or make a dash to the indoor water park at Evergreen Aviation Museum, check your your local library’s cultural pass program for a free ticket.Multnomah County LibraryWashington County LibraryClackamas County Library photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie via FlickrStudy Owl PelletsTryon Creek State Park’s Owl Fest will have kids discovering all about owls, their habitats and exactly what those owls have been eating. Make some owl themed crafts or take a hike. There is even a meet and greet with the Audubon Education Owls, Hazel and Julio.Mar. 12 1-7 p.m. Tryon Creek State Natural Area 11321 SW Terwilliger Blvd. 503-636-4398 Online: oregonstateparks.orgGet the Luck of the IrishDon your kelly green duds then watch the Sellwood/Moreland St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Afterwards, try some corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie and Guiness beer while you listen to the traditional Irish music at the family-friendly festival that follows the parade. Mar. 12 St. Agatha School 7960 SW 15th Ave. 503-234-5500 Online: stagathaschoolpdx.us photo: eyeliam via flickrWatch WhalesTime your journey to the coast with the gray whales. Whale watching activities abound at many of Oregon’s State Parks. Park Rangers and volunteers will be on hand to help you spot these beautiful creatures as they pass by. At best you’ll spot a few whales, worse case you can just soak in the view of the coast!Mar. 19-26 Oregon Coast Multiple Locations Online: oregonstateparks.orgWhat’s your favorite winter freebie? Let us know in the comments below!—Dennis Hodge Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Copy (Opens in new window) Search more like this librarynative americanbike ridescoffee shopday paradeeducationfamily friendlyfree tourshands onheritage centerholiday lightskid friendlymusicpuppet show Welcome to our Tinybeans family! Be sure to check your email for new activities, recipes and parenting hacks – and to see if you’ve won! Do you have a dog or cat? Select YES below and click submit to start receiving FREE pet ideas and inspiration, news about new pet products, exclusive offers and limited-time promotions. 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