Lois and Dave Cho’s children have been a part of their winemaking dream from the start. In 2014, they packed up their car and drove from California to Corvallis so Dave could study enology and viticulture at Oregon State University. At the time, they had a 10-month-old daughter, but Lois felt what she thought was carsickness during the roadtrip. Turns out she was pregnant with their second child.

When Dave was studying wine firsthand, Lois recalls them feeling like a bother at wineries with children in tow. “I found myself self-conscious of [the kids’] rowdiness, their crumbs, and apologetic when looking for a changing table,” she explains before telling me a touching story.

Watch a Kid-Friendly PDX reel about CHO Wines HERE

“There was a formative experience I had when visiting a winery in Okanagan, Canada. The kids were napping in the car, so Dave went to taste wine on his own. I was taken aback because the winemaker met me at the car and brought me a glass of wine. Then, he proceeded to come back for every single tasting pour and serve me in the parking lot,” she says. “In hindsight, he very likely had kids and a wife that he loved and valued.”

Dave knew he wanted to be a winemaker, but the vision for a winery, vineyard, and tasting room came later. In fact, there was a point in time when it looked like they may not materialize at all. Lois had recently given birth to their third child and was continuing her career as a nurse practitioner while Dave worked his way up in the wine industry. It all got to be too much.

“After six years living in Oregon and Dave working his way up the industry, I asked him to leave it all,” Lois reveals. “Harvest consisted of 16-hour work days, often with no days off, for 26 days straight. I had seasonal depression and postpartum depression. Which later, I learned was also Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and major depression.”

“We actually left Oregon in March 2020, because I couldn’t [take] it anymore,” she adds. “Dave told me I was his priority - that he didn’t need wine, he needed me to be happy and healthy and for their kids’ mom to be well. We arrived back in California on the first day of lockdown, and as I cared for my mental health and restored our family, we launched CHO Wines in April of 2020.”

Watch a Parents Night Out PDX reel about CHO Wines HERE

During the pandemic, Lois taught herself graphic design and began creating wine labels and growing their social media account. In 2022, she left her decade-long career as a family nurse practitioner to join CHO full-time. She and Dave found a property in Hillsboro and moved back to Oregon. They were all in.

Two years later, CHO Wines opened the doors to its tasting room. It’s the first Korean-American-owned winey in Oregon.

“We simply wanted to make great Oregon wine and build something meaningful for our family. Along the way, we realized that our presence in this industry meant something to other people too,” Lois says about the superlative. “There weren’t a lot of people who looked like us when we entered wine. So when another Korean-American or Asian-American family comes out to CHO and tells us how much it means to see themselves represented here, that part still gets me.”

When Dave and Lois designed their tasting room, it was with families in mind. You’ll find a space inside with books and toys suitable for a wide range of ages. If the weather’s nice, your kid(s) can choose items to bring outside and staff will bring out a blanket for them to sit on and play on the patio. Just next to the patio are giant Tetris Tumble and Connect Four games. Sometimes there’s a bubble machine. Sometimes there’s chalk.

There’s also kid-friendly snacks, like juice, crackers, applesauce and fruit snacks. CHO Wines is not a business that tolerates children; it’s one that welcomes them.

“CHO was built around our real life, and our real life included kids running around, snacks everywhere, grandparents, friends, a little bit of chaos, and a lot of joy,” Lois says. “I don’t think the wine industry embraces the female voice as much as they could. It starts with hospitality to moms. We want other families to feel like they can exhale when they get here and for moms to be seen because we matter too!”

As someone who loves wine, I’m always on the hunt for wineries that are truly kid-friendly, and CHO Wines impressed me so much that I became a member during my first visit. Their wine is unique and EXCELLENT, but what sold me on the membership was the fact that I could comfortably bring my kids. I could invite friends with kids for a tasting and know the children would be able to run in the grass; explore the vineyard; eat fun snacks; play. All while the grown ups relax and enjoy beautiful wine and a beautiful view.

We could make memories together. And that’s exactly what Dave and Lois want.

“Some of my favorite moments at CHO are watching kids run around the vineyard, chasing bubbles, while their parents are sitting with a glass of wine,” Lois says. “That's real life. And there's room for real life here.”

CHO Wines is offering a special discount to subscribers. Receive 15% off your first tasting experience with promo code BRINGTHEKIDS - all kids receive a juice box and goldfish or applesauce!

A message from Lois: I do want to emphasize that we have limited seating indoors during the rainy season, so I highly recommend making use of this offer while it's still sunny out!

I haven’t sent a Playing Catch Up newsletter for two weeks due to my kid-free trip to Kauai (which was AMAZING) but this week on Kid-Friendly PDX I shared highlights from a different trip I went on this summer: Sunriver. I kicked off the week with a montage reel about Sunriver, then highlighted a brewpub in Sunriver with an indoor play area; our favorite spot to play in the Deschutes River; why the High Desert Museum is perfect for kids; and a brewery in Bend with the coolest outdoor setup for families.

On Parents Night Out PDX I shared a photo carousel of the best cocktails I drank on Kauai and a reel about the oldest public rose garden in Portland. (Hint: it’s NOT the International Test Rose Garden!) ICYMI, I shared a Kid-Friendly PDX Guide about Portland gardens back in April. 👇

Speaking of guides, I’m going to let you all in on a little secret before I announce my September newsletters next week. 🤫 Next month’s Kid-Friendly PDX Guide will be a comprehensive list of all the pumpkin patches within 25 miles of Portland and will include info like admission cost and what activities to expect, as well as an interactive map.

I’m offering 30% off monthly and annual paid subscriptions through August 31st, bringing the price down to $3.50/month or $35/year. So if you’ve been thinking about upgrading your subscription, now’s the time to do it!

Get 30% off a paid subscription

This week’s Thursday newsletter was 10 Things To Do With Your Kid(s) Next Month, and there’s some really fun events going on in September!

In other news, a super cool and super kid-friendly claw machine arcade called Klawcade opened in Vancouver on Friday. My kids and I got to preview it before it opened and had a blast! I’ll be sharing a reel about it next week. I’m also posting a giveaway for Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow-N-Fire tickets today at noon so keep your eyes peeled for that! 👀

Lastly, my birthday was yesterday so your girl is officially 40! 🎉

I hope you all have a great week!

The ‘ber months are quickly approaching, and with them come all the fun of fall! Most pumpkin patches open in mid-to-late-September (stay tuned for a pumpkin patch Kid-Friendly PDX Guide next month 👀), as well as one-off harvest festivals and corn mazes. September is also the month we officially say goodbye to summer, and there’s some great events going on to bid the season farewell.

This month’s roundup includes a corn maze, Hot Wheels monster truck event, a couple free end-of-summer festivals, and so much more. As always, the roundup is curated to ensure there are things to do for a wide range of ages and interests.

Below you will find all the info you need to know about each event with plenty of time to add it to your calendar.

Upgrade to a paid subscription and unlock access to the whole Kid-Friendly PDX Newsletter archive, including every 10 Things To Do With Your Kid(s) Next Month and Kid-Friendly PDX Guide, as well as a Bonus Guide on months with five Thursdays.

To celebrate three years of Kid-Friendly PDX, I’m offering 30% off monthly and annual paid subscriptions, bringing the price down to $3.50/month or $35/year. The offer is good through August 31st.

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Bella Bergeron has been working with children for 13 years, and when she moved to Portland five years ago it was her daily walks in Peninsula Park that inspired her to start Family Friend.

“I’d see caregivers chasing little ones around the playground or walking the paths with strollers, and I felt a wave of nostalgia for my days spent caring for kids,” she recalls. “On one particular day, in the midst of working towards a stressful deadline, I witnessed a really sweet, silly moment between a parent and child. Right then and there, I decided I needed to step away from my WFH job in creative production and fully pivot back toward supporting local families.”

“I knew I could do that as a nanny,” Bella adds, “but I also had a much bigger vision for building a community space that truly connects networks of care and likeminded folks right here in Portland.”

When Bella set out to make her vision a reality, she knew she wanted Family Friend to cater specifically to the LGBTQIA2s+ community.

“My lived experience as a queer caregiver has given me a front row seat to how heteronormativity, stereotypes, and outdated gender assumptions directly affect caregivers, families and children,” she explains. “Additionally, queer folks are disproportionately affected by many of the issues parents and caregivers face, such as perinatal mental health, poverty, healthcare provider bias, community exclusion, and more.”

“When I started building and dreaming about this project, I knew that offering ‘inclusion’ didn’t feel like enough,” Bella continues. “To many of us, spaces labeled as ‘inclusive’ can still feel othering or intimidating. I wanted Family Friend to go a step further and be a place where LGBTQIA2s+ families and caregivers are actively centered and celebrated.”

Family Friend is just that. It’s a queer parenting village that offers everything from childcare resources to community events. Read on to learn more about Family Friend and some of Bella’s favorite parks, restaurants, indoor play and LGBTQIA2s+-owned businesses to visit with the kids she nannies.

What do you think makes Portland the right place to start Family Friendly?

First off, because I love Portland! Beyond having a vibrant population of queer folks raising kids, Portland has naturally become a bit of a sanctuary destination for queer families moving to escape hostile laws, especially those threatening parents and children. I’ve met so many incredible families arriving here, totally new to town and looking for their village. People are constantly moving to Portland seeking safe, affirming, and maybe slightly radical spaces to land, and I want Family Friend to act as a direct bridge connecting them to that community.

Your main focus right now is building a network of nannies and childcare providers. Tell me a little more about how that’s going.

Yes! Right now, we are actively building a database of local, reliable nannies and childcare providers specifically tailored to support our queer parenting village. We’ll soon be launching access to this network and individualized matching services for families through a private membership model, and it’s going wonderfully so far! I am loving getting to know other local caregivers, hearing about their diverse experiences, and learning more about their care styles and philosophies. Through our early access forms, I’m also getting great insight directly from parents about what they need most, and I am so excited to start bringing these pieces together.

So far it’s been very validating and enlightening seeing what folks are looking for on both sides, and I’m so excited to see what change this might bring to the overall childcare space/our community. I have dreams of folks in our community forming collective care hubs, neighborhood cohorts, parent care swaps, nanny shares, and other more “alternative” forms of childcare. Family Friend will be at the heart of this as a connecting force that brings the people together who have similar views surrounding upbringing for their kiddos, and likeminded community for themselves.

You also host community events. How have they been going? Do you have any in the works right now?

Hosting community events has been such a fun and organic way to connect with local families and genuinely listen to what they need and want from a network like ours. I am so deeply grateful to everyone who has shown up, whether it’s sitting down to make crafts together, jamming along with me on a little musical instrument, or just stopping by our booth at a local festival or craft fair to say hi!

Since families have diverse needs, schedules, and locations, it is sometimes difficult to find an accessible time and place for everyone. To help combat that, we’re currently working on an app with an amazing parent from our community which we hope to launch alongside the caregiver network in the coming months. This app will be a private, members-only place for families in our community to chat and connect with one another to ask questions, form playgroups or care shares, and plan their own meetups.

Right now we are planning on hosting another Childcare Provider Craft + Chat event later this summer that’s just for childcare providers such as nannies, babysitters, postpartum doulas, etc to meetup and build community. We also want to put on some more classic fun, family friendly gatherings and collaborations, and have a few of those coming up this fall and winter! Stay tuned by following us on socials @familyfriendportland or joining our email list on our website for all the updates and announcements.

Family Friend is still in its beginning stages. What’s the ultimate goal/vision for the resource network?

We are definitely keeping it intentional! I am deeply committed to a slow, thoughtful launch so we can truly understand community needs and keep Family Friend grounded, but I certainly have some big dreams for down the road. Aside from our caregiver network, we are currently collaborating with a local parent to build a private community chat app for member families. This will make it much easier to connect with likeminded folks, coordinate shared care (like nanny shares or parent care swaps), and build lasting friendships… stay tuned for more on that soon!

The ultimate long-term vision is for Family Friend to be the ultimate go-to resource for queer folks starting (or restarting) with their families in Portland. I want it to be a nearly effortless way to tap into trustworthy childcare networks, local neighbor collectives, and welcoming neighborhood businesses. My biggest dream is that one day, as this community thrives, we can collectively work toward opening our own physical brick-and-mortar community space, a home base for workshops, family events, forming care collectives, and hosting drop-in hangouts for the village we are growing today.

What are your goals for the rest of the year?

By the end of 2026, my main goals are to have a large, solid roster of trusted caregivers in our system, successfully match a few local families with wonderful providers, to launch our app to families, and hopefully get a couple of families to team up on a successful nanny share or parent care swap! I also want to start dreaming up a second annual “Noon Year’s “ party, as well as a few more nanny events, all while continuing to tune into what our community needs to make Portland an even better place for queer families to raise their kids.

What’s the most memorable thing a family or caregiver has said to you about Family Friend?

One of the most touching things a parent told me recently was simply that their kids had grown up, but this would have been exactly what they needed! Hearing folks express how relieved they are to find a space that genuinely gets their unique family structure makes every single effort completely worth it.

That said, by far the most special and memorable moments I’ve had with Family Friend have been with the kids. Young children can have incredible natural social skills and senses, and children in our community have often encountered spaces where their parent(s) have been othered or even shamed, ridiculed, or even harmed for who they are. The sense of belonging a child has when their parent is accepted and celebrated specifically for their queer identity is palpable. Not only is it heart warming, but it’s something that motivates me to continue doing this work and creating spaces to celebrate LGBTQIA2s+ families!

What do you think is the most important thing families should know about Family Friend?

The most important thing families should know is that Family Friend was built by someone who truly understands the labor of love that is childcare. This isn’t a faceless corporation… it’s a mission driven project created out of a deep personal desire to see queer parents and their kids supported, protected, and celebrated. Whether you need a trusted pair of hands for childcare or just want to find your people, you belong here.

As a nanny I’m sure you are going out with kids all over Portland! What do you think makes Portland a good place to raise kids?

Oh, absolutely! Outings are the highlight of our weeks with the toddlers I care for, and the options here are pretty great. I think Portland is a great place to raise kids because they get the best of both worlds: sprawling nature, incredible parks, and outdoor recreation all within city limits, combined with the chance to grow up surrounded by a wonderfully diverse, generally pretty open-minded community from many different walks of life. I also hope that Family Friend will be a key factor in making Portland an even better place to raise kids for queer folks.

What are your favorite parks?

Honestly, all of them?! But if I really have to narrow down the rotation for kid-friendly adventures:

• Peninsula Park

• Wilshire Park

• Errol Heights Park

• Laurelhurst Park

• Sellwood Park

• Gabriel Park

• Mt. Scott Park

• Creston Park

Favorite kid-friendly restaurants?

• The Heist Food Carts

• Just Bob

• Wonderwood Springs

• Pal’s

• Pizza Jerk

• Lovely’s 50/50

Favorite indoor play activities?

• Rainbow Family Storytimes at Multnomah County Libraries

• Community center pools

• OMSI

• Taborspace (specifically for birdie beats music time!)

• Miss Mindy’s Studio

• Mike Bennett Studio / Museums

• Hopscotch

• Dig PDX

What are some of your favorite local kid-friendly LGBTQIA2s+ owned businesses?

Such a great question, and I am always keeping my eye out to learn about more! Here are a few I love:

• Always Here Bookstore

• Superhero Fitness

• My Gym SW Portland

• Ready Set Grow

• Portland Insectarium

• Side Yard Farms

When I first set out to make this guide, I intended it to be a comprehensive list of all the playgrounds within 25 miles of Portland that receive substantial shade throughout the day; however, during the research stage I discovered that there are more than 70 playgrounds that are at least partially canopied by either trees or sails.

I polled my Instagram followers to see if folks were more interested in a larger list with less information about each park or a smaller roundup with more info. The overwhelming majority wanted something curated and detailed. Then I asked how many parks people wanted to see, and the consensus was around 15. I narrowed down my list with that in mind, and then a follower messaged me saying the most important thing to them was to make sure the list was spread out enough for there to be an option close by no matter where you live in the Portland Metro Area. With that in mind, I came up with a list of 18 that I believe span the whole area and include the playgrounds with the most shade.

The guide includes all the info you need to know about each park, including how it’s shaded, what type of play equipment is available, if it’s dog-friendly, what other amenities the park features, and if there are bathrooms on-site.

In addition to the guide, I also made an interactive to help visualize each location. Read on to learn more about the 18 playgrounds and view the map.

If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your subscription to paid, I’m offering 30% off monthly and annual paid subscriptions this month, bringing the price down to $3.50/month or $35/year.

Get 30% off a paid subscription

Read more

This week has been challenging. The wildfires sprawling across the Pacific Northwest are absolutely devastating, and the poor air quality meant spending time inside. Without realizing it, everything I posted on Instagram this week happened to be fun indoor activities.

I kicked off the week with a reel highlighting Claw City’s newest location. If you’re unfamiliar with the local arcade chain, they specialize in claw machine games that are actually winnable! It’s one of my daughter’s favorite places to go. Look out for a giveaway with them later today. 👀

I also shared reels about Huckleberry’s first Oregon location; Elephants Deli’s fun new game, Ele-Deli Bingo; and Multnomah County’s amazing new East County Library, as well as a post about Melody’s Haven of Hope at Oregon Horsemanship’s upcoming open house events, which are happening today and on August 23rd.

On Parents Night Out PDX, I hosted a giveaway for tickets to Seedling Psychological Services’ Movement Before Mayhem event and shared a reel about 10 Barrel’s rooftop bar.

This week’s Thursday newsletter was a Small Business Spotlight on Wildlings Play Place, which is one of my favorite indoor playgrounds because they cater to adults as much as they do to kids.

Next week, I’ll be sharing a Kid-Friendly PDX Guide about Portland area playgrounds with the most shade. I’m offering 30% off monthly and annual paid subscriptions through August 31st, bringing the price down to $3.50/month or $35/year! So if you’ve been thinking about upgrading your subscription, now’s the time to do it!

Get 30% off a paid subscription

In other news, Lloyd Center closed its doors for good on Saturday. I have so many fond memories from childhood and adulthood in that mall and am so sad to see it go. I hope a new ice rink opens somewhere in the city. ❤️

There won’t be a Playing Catch Up newsletter next week. My husband and I are going to Kauai WITHOUT CHILDREN (!!!) to celebrate our 40th birthdays (we were born 12 days apart 🥰). I hope you all have a great two weeks!

When you walk into Wildlings Play Place, you’re welcomed by friendly staff, colorful murals, the sound of happy children squeals in the play structure, and grown ups relaxing and chatting in the café. This is the exact scene Darci Hansford pictured when she opened her indoor playground and café in August 2024.

“I opened Wildlings Play Place because I saw a need in our community and the surrounding areas for a place where caregivers could bring their children to play, learn social skills, and burn off energy while parents had a chance to relax, catch up on work, or connect with other adults. As a mom of young kids, it was exactly the kind of place I wanted and needed after the pandemic,” she recalls. “I also wanted to create something a little different. I envisioned a place where families weren’t rushed by time limits and where both kids and caregivers had great options for food and drinks. I wanted parents to actually enjoy being there instead of counting down the clock. Whether someone wanted to meet a friend for coffee, grab lunch, or simply let their kids play while they took a breath, Wildlings was designed to be that space.”

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Darci’s seen her vision come to life during the last two years, and on August 1, 2026 she began a new chapter she wasn’t expecting to start so soon: opening a second location. When the owners of Wippersnappers approached her about taking over their business, it was unexpected but something she couldn’t pass up. It just made sense.

“They had created something families in Sandy truly loved, and the fact that they trusted us to continue that legacy was incredibly flattering,” Darci admits.

“We’re keeping everything families already love about the play structure,” she adds, “but we’re adding the things that have made Wildlings so successful — our café with fresh food and specialty drinks, no time limits on play, memberships, community events, and a space that’s designed for caregivers just as much as it is for kids.”

Darci’s focus on community is also present in the vendors she works with, opting for local businesses and entrepreneurs whenever she is able. “I personally love to support local and small businesses,” she says, noting that she’s found most of Wildlings’ local products by visiting farmers markets or store fronts. You can find baked goods from Dos Hermanos Bakery, B's Bake Shop and Sugarcoated PDX; beer from pFriem Family Brewers, Grand Fir Brewing and Pelican Brewing; cider from Portland Cider Co., and coffee from Portland Coffee Roasters.

As a small business owner herself, Darci’s experiences challenging days and sleepless nights, but seeing what she’s built for families and her employees makes it all worth it. “We get to celebrate birthdays, watch kids make new friends, see first steps, and create memories that families will look back on for years,” she gushes. “It’s such a happy business to be in, and I never take that for granted.”

As a mother of two daughters, it’s also important to Darci that her girls see how hard work can pay off. “I’m proud that my daughters get to watch this journey,” she says. “I hope they see that building something meaningful takes hard work, resilience, and a willingness to take risks. I want them to grow up knowing that they can do hard things and create something they’re proud of too.”

Wildlings Play Place is offering a special discount to subscribers. Mention The Kid-Friendly PDX Newsletter and receive $5 off admission per child through September!

I don’t know about you, but for me summer is flying by. I can’t believe it’s already August! This week, I shared a reel about one of my favorite parks; hosted a giveaway for tickets to Venardos Circus, which will be in Portland through August 16th; posted the 9th and final part of my splash pads series with with @daniee.marieee and @explore.with.megan [insert crying emoji]; and shared what newsletters you can expect to hit your inbox this month. In that post, I also revealed that August marks the third anniversary of Kid-Friendly PDX and to celebrate I’m giving y’all 30% off monthly and annual paid subscriptions through August 31st, bringing the price down to $3.50/month or $35/year!

Get 30% off a paid subscription

On Parents Night Out PDX, I shared a reel about the BEST girls night with @explore.with.megan.

Since there are five Thursdays in July, this week’s Thursday newsletter was a Bonus Guide highlighting all the Portland area parks with fenced in playgrounds. The guide is divided into fully fenced in, gated playgrounds and partially fenced in playgrounds so you know just how much security you can expect.

In other news, a new indoor playground is coming to Beaverton. Greatroom Play & Cafe is gearing up to open its doors and I CANNOT WAIT to see the space - the photos looks AMAZING!

I hope you all have a great week! 🫶

There are five Thursdays in July, which means you all get a ✨ BONUS ✨ guide this month! A lot of you have asked me about fenced in playgrounds, so I thought that would be the perfect focus for a summertime bonus guide.

This guide highlights seven fully fenced in and gated playgrounds in the Portland Metro Area, as well as nine that are partially fenced in or fully fenced with no gate. If you’re a caregiver to a child who’s a runner, you know how important this distinction is!

In addition to the guide, I also made an interactive, color coded map to help visualize each location. Read on to learn more about the 16 playgrounds and view the map.

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Summer is a time to get outdoors as much as possible, and this week I shared several fun ways to play outside, starting with an awesome waterfall hike in Happy Valley that is great for young kids. I also shared the Oaks Park ride that Mike Bennett themed; a fully fenced in playground with a Hot Wheels track built into the play structure; part 8 of my splash pads series with @daniee.marieee and @megan.in.pdx; and how special it was to take my daughter to a Portland Thorns match.

On Parents Night Out PDX, I posted a reel about a unique and relaxing date idea at a floating sauna!

This week’s Thursday newsletter was 10 Things To Do With Your Kid(s) Next Month and there’s a lot of fun things happening in August, including a bunch of free events!

In other news, Lee Farms is hosting a free play date on July 31 and Mike Bennett announced that the Portland Aquarium will be closing in October. If you haven’t had a chance to visit yet, it’s such a fun experience. (I made a reel about the Portland Aquarium when it opened, which you can watch HERE.) This is also a reminder to support your favorite local businesses. A lot are struggling right now and could use the love. 💖

I hope you have a great week!

It’s hard to believe the final month of summer is almost here, but August is the last hurrah before fall and there are so many fun things going on!

This month’s list includes a circus, sunflower festival, five totally free events, and one totally free kids burger! As always, the roundup is curated to ensure there are things to do for a wide range of ages and interests.

Below you will find all the info you need to know about each event with plenty of time to add it to your calendar.

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I just got back from a family trip to Sunriver, and it’s so special being able to take my kids somewhere I have core memories of from my childhood. 🥹 I plan to post some reels about my trip, including two restaurants with play areas, next month! For now, let’s dive into what I shared on Instagram this week.

I hosted a giveaway with Shoestring Circus to celebrate their amazing show coming to Vancouver July 17-26. My daughter and I went to the performance on Saturday and I cannot recommend it enough - it’s SO fun! I’m sharing a reel about it tomorrow, so keep your eyes peeled for that. 👀 I also shared a reel about the cutest toddler and preschooler hikes at Leach Botanical Garden; a pop up burger event that’s giving out FREE kids burgers; and part 7 of my splash pads series with @daniee.marieee and @megan.in.pdx.

On Parents Night Out PDX, I partnered with GetOut Oregon for a giveaway (that runs through July 20 so you still have time to enter!) and shared a reel about one of my favorite speakeasies.

This week’s Thursday newsletter is a Kid-Friendly Q&A with Ivybrook Academy Tigard owner Alicia Ebeling. We chatted about her new preschool and she shared some great recommendations for things to do with kids in Portland.

In other news, if you happen to be named Justin, Justine or Justina, you get FREE admission to Frog Pond Farm today to celebrate Farmer Justin’s birthday! There’s also a cat cafe opening in Vancouver next week, and I am SQUEALING with joy!!

I hope you all have a great week!

When Alicia Ebeling moved to Portland 13 years ago, it was a job at Nike that drew her here. During her time at the company, she realized that she felt most satisfied when she was coaching and developing others.

“I started to wonder if maybe I was put on this earth to do more than sell shirts and shoes,” she recalls. “And that maybe I could make a real, positive impact on people’s lives outside the conference room.”

In 2024, the mother of two made that thought a reality. The only problem was, she wasn’t sure what exactly she wanted to do.

“It took me a long time to find the right outlet for this calling to ‘do more.’ I have so many different passions—art, writing, reading, the great outdoors... I could go on and on,” Alicia explains. “But in my search for the perfect fit, I eventually came across Ivybrook Academy. Not only was I drawn to how Ivybrook Academy connects with the community, I was also super impressed with its innovative approach to early education, and the thoughtful attention Ivybrook takes to its students and families. The moment I walked into one of the sister campuses in North Carolina and saw the delighted little faces in that school, I just knew I had to be a part of it.”

This fall Ivybrook Academy Tigard will be opening its doors to Portland area families, offering a range of programs for kids as young as 18 months all the way up to 6 years old.

Read on to learn more about the Pacific Northwest’s first Ivybrook Academy location and some of Alicia’s favorite local things to do with her children, from hikes to art fairs.

What made you decide to open an Ivybrook Academy instead of starting your own program?

Ivybrook has mastered the art of early education and providing a wonderful program for students to learn and teachers to teach. I couldn’t even dream of trying to build something so amazing from scratch, especially when I didn’t come from this industry. Plus, the franchise team is truly a phenomenal group of people who have made my life as an owner a breeze, relatively speaking. They have helped so much.

This is the first Ivybrook Academy in the Pacific Northwest. What was the process like to get the school open?

It’s been a year and a half in the making! The process of opening a school is a lengthy one—starting with getting the proper funding (which nearly took me out), finding a location, working with an architect, getting permits and then building the thing. Luckily, I was blessed with so many incredible folks who made this about as smooth as it could have been. Shout out to the City of Tigard, Colliers Engineering, Modern NW, my franchise team, and of course, my family for all the support along the way!

What do you think makes Ivybrook Academy stand out from other preschool programs?

We are a half-day program that blends the best of Montessori and Reggio Emilia approaches into an incredibly thoughtful, innovative, and hands-on curriculum.

Our half day is designed to keep students engaged for optimal learning time and attention. We are not a day care—which I realize isn’t going to meet the needs of every family—but is absolutely the best approach for families who can make it work.

The blended Montessori and Reggio approach is unique and very intentional. We use Montessori materials, but we don’t follow every single Montessori guideline because we want the teachers to work alongside students, as co-learners in their development journey.

Our teachers are not babysitters. They observe and document what our students are interested in, which drives a lot of the children-led projects that deepen their understanding of topics that they are already interested in, strengthening their curiosity and love for learning.

Ivybrook also believes in strong parent-teacher collaboration. Lots of communication goes out each week to share what the children are learning, with ideas on how they can practice concepts at home.

This is like the Harvard of preschools. I would have done anything to get my kids into a preschool like this when they were younger. There’s a reason Ivybrook schools across the country have extensive waitlists.

Why do you think the Portland area is a good place to open an Ivybrook Academy location?

If there’s anything I’ve learned about this community, it’s that we’re a little bit competitive. (Or maybe that’s just a little pocket of Portland where I live?) But it’s a good thing! Parents want the best for their kids here. We spend a fortune on sports and dance classes and music lessons and experiences. I’m confident the Portland metro area is going to come to find out our school is one of the best the metro area has to offer.

This will be Ivybrook Academy Tigard’s first school year. What are you most excited about?

I can’t wait to see those delighted little faces, wearing their cute little backpacks marching to their classrooms! I’ve gotten to see how excited they are when children first see the school during their tours and nothing makes me happier knowing that we’ve provided such such a beautiful place for them to learn. Also, I never thought I would relish cleaning up sweet little finger prints off of glass doors, but I love it! I’m excited for ALL the finger prints.

Is there anything you’re worried about?

Honestly? Getting students to leave when school is over! We’ve had several melt downs of toddlers who were NOT ready to leave when their tour was over. It breaks my heart!

What can families expect when they enroll their child at Ivybrook Academy Tigard?

Families will be in the absolute best hands with Miss Savannah as their principal. They can expect proactive communication, an expert resource, and a caring, loving staff to greet them at family events and parent orientation leading up to the new school year.

Do you have space in the program for the 2026-27 school year? If so, can you please share a link for interested families to learn more?

We still have open spots for all ages between 18 months to 6 years. Before a family can enroll, they’ll need to set up a tour and allow us to get to know their child a little better. To schedule a tour, families can either call us at 971-377-1496 or contact us at https://www.ivybrookacademy.com/contact/ by selecting the Tigard Campus.

We are also enrolling for summer camps for 2-6yr olds during the last few weeks of the summer! We have an art camp July 27-31, a STEAM camp Aug 3-7 and Splash camp Aug 10-14.

Is there anything else you want readers to know about Ivybrook Academy?

We have our grand open house and ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, July 18th 2-5pm. We’ll have lots of fun kids activities including a children’s art show on display. All ages are welcome to participate in the traveling art show, and the art will make two more stops through September.

You and your children are avid readers. What are your favorite local bookstores?

We are big fans of Powell’s and go any chance we can. We hop between the one downtown and the one in Beaverton, depending on our patience for traffic.

I’m always on the hunt for used books. Do you have a favorite used bookstore?

There is a charming little used book store right across the street from the Beaverton City Library called The Book Corner that we love to visit. There have been some incredible finds at super low prices. We also try to donate there when we can!

Do you have a favorite local author?

Chuck Klosterman and Melissa Maerz are two local writers who I’ve gotten to know quite well. They are amazingly intelligent people and incredibly successful writers who just so happen to be married and have kids the same age as ours. They also make for fantastic dinner conversations. Highly recommend Chuck’s latest book, Football, or any piece of work that Melissa publishes.

You’re an art lover. Do you have a favorite local artist?

My husband! Erik Ebeling is a sculpture artist who makes beautiful portraits and figurative works that seem very old world and contemporary at the same time. He’s been featured all over the world and in incredibly proud of him. You can see his art at erikebelingart.com or follow his Instagram account.

What are your favorite art fairs to go to with your kids?

We love the Last Thursday Alberta Street art fairs during the summer. It’s a great excuse to stop into our favorite galleries (like Blind Insect, Talon Gallery, and Guardino - although no longer in business) and check out other local artists who set up their booths along the street. There’s usually music and food and dancing and the kids have a great time.

What about farmers markets?

We frequent the Tigard Farmer’s Market since we have a booth there about once a month. It’s a great place to connect with families and local businesses (and of course pick up some tasty food!) We love the Wow Cow food truck.

Your family also enjoys hiking together. What are some of your favorite kid-friendly trails?

We have yet to explore all that Forest Park has to offer but we used to love going to The Witch’s Castle on the Wildwood trail, and hiking around the Hoyt Arboretum—especially hiking down to the Redwood Observation Deck.

Once my kids were a little older, we started hiking in the Columbia Gorge. We’ve hiked up and around Multnomah Falls but my favorite hike to do with the kids is the Top Spur Trail Head to Bald Mountain. It’s easy enough for a 4 year old to do and has one of the most breathtaking views in the area. (Just don’t let your kiddo run off on their own so you can keep them away from the cliff’s edge! I’m a nervous mama.)

How about your favorite park?

We love Gabriel park in Multnomah Village. The kids and my husband can play basketball while I walk around the trail. Afterward, we like to pop across the street to Sunny’s for some frozen yogurt.

Lastly, your family is into sports. What do you think is the most family friendly local sporting event?

My kids love sports! But we are spending so much time in rec and school leagues, that we haven’t had time or energy to go to any professional games. We did, however, really enjoy attending a few high school basketball games. Anytime Lincoln Highschool and Ida B Wells plays each other, we make a point to go. My kids (9 and 11 years old) really get into them, and I can tell they walk away INSPIRED by the older kids/teenagers.

Summer is a time for outdoor fun and there are so many free things to do around Portland. I kicked off the week by helping spread the word about World Forestry Center’s ForestFest. The free event is happening on Saturday, July 18, and also includes free entry to their Discovery Museum! I also posted about one of my favorite Portland Parks; a free alternative schooling option; and part 6 of my splash pads series with @daniee.marieee and @megan.in.pdx. On Parents Night Out PDX, I shared a reel about a spectacular whiskey distillery in wine country.

This week’s Thursday newsletter was a Kid-Friendly PDX Guide about Portland area parks with sand and water play that comes with an interactive map for easy planning!

In other news, there’s some fun farm events coming up. Lee Farms is hosting free craft time every Thursday in July and Frog Pond Farm is celebrating Christmas in July with a special visit from Santa!

I hope you all have a great week!

Let’s be real: the combination of sand and water makes for some pretty dirty play; however, it’s also amazing sensory play and a great summer activity! Pouring, digging, scooping, and textile exploration is so beneficial for children of all ages, and there are 17 parks within 25 miles of Portland that offer combo sand and water features.

Some of these parks are equipped with water pumps that spill directly into sand while others boast canal and river-type setups.

This guide includes address, hours of operation, when the water turns off for the season, and a blurb about each park.

Read on to learn more about the 17 parks that offer sand and water play in the Portland area, and check out the interactive map below for easy planning.

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I hope you all had a fun and safe 4th of July! This week, I shared a reel about the coolest pirate-themed playground; an inspiring film about salmon conservation; and part 5 of my splash pads series with @daniee.marieee and @megan.in.pdx.

I also revealed all the newsletters you can expect in July, and if your family likes playgrounds and parks this is going to be a great month for you! My Kid-Friendly PDX Guide will highlight all the Portland area parks that combine sand and water play, and because there are five Thursdays this month I’m including a Bonus Guide for paid subscribers with a roundup of fenced in playgrounds. This is something several people on Instagram have reached out to me about, and I’m so excited to create this resource!

On Parents Night Out PDX, I shared a reel about piña coladas served in a whole pineapple that can be made with or without alcohol and a Thai restaurant in Portland with the BEST happy hour! I went to both places on date nights but kids are welcome at each.

This week’s Thursday newsletter was a Small Business Spotlight about the most kid-friendly brewery in Portland, Hopworks Brewery. If you haven’t read it yet, there’s a special discount for your next visit!

I also just wanted to say THANK YOU to all of you for subscribing to The Kid-Friendly PDX Newsletter. June was my most successful month yet, and I am so grateful to each any every one of you. If you have any ideas of resources you’d like to see here, don’t hesitate to message me, comment on a post, or DM me on Instagram, TikTok or Facebook.

I appreciate you all so much and hope you have a great week! 🫶

When Christian and Brandie Ettinger opened the Pacific Northwest's first certified B Corp brewery back in 2007, they were parents to a toddler and a newborn. In addition to a focus on sustainability, they wanted Hopworks Brewery to be a safe and welcoming place for families.

“When we first started Hopworks, we were young parents and enjoyed going out with our kids. There were limited options for places to go where you would feel comfortable if your child had a melt down, and you wouldn’t have to leave immediately,” Brandie recalls. “We wanted to create that casual, safe space for parents, caregivers and kids to get away from the virtual world and enjoy their time together. The kids are having fun and the parents and caregivers can relax and connect with others over a delicious pint of beer!”

Nearly 20 years later and Hopworks is, in my opinion, the most kid-friendly brewery in Portland. The Mothership, located in Southeast Portland, is equipped with two play areas: one with a play house, kitchen, pretend food, and butterfly wings for dress up; the other with a train table and busy board mounted on the wall. You can also find an array of toy dinosaurs, vehicles, magnatiles, games and books stocked in both areas.

“Kids inherently seek out fun and creative opportunities to engage in their environments. They need to move. The play areas provide a creative world to tap into their imagination and learn to play with others,” Brandie explains. “AND, of course, while the kids are entertained, it gives the parents and caregivers some breathing room to be adults and have meaningful conversations.”

Hopworks also offers a great, and affordable, kids menu that doubles as a coloring and activity sheet. Children are able to customize their meal, choosing an entree, side and drink from classics like pizza, chicken tenders, pasta, french fries, apple slices and more. It also comes with a chocolate chip cookie that’s available upon request. A A kids meal costs $9 most days of the week and is only $5 on Wednesdays.

For grownups, the menu includes pub favorites like pizza, burgers, salads, and their famous pretzel bites and beer cheese. But the star of the show is the beer. Hopworks offers a roundup of beer year-round and special brews depending on the season. Brandie’s personal favorite is Evelyn Sunshine Imperial IPA, a seasonal beer with a sweet story behind it.

“This beer is released every July 1st in honor of our daughter Evelyn’s birthday and to celebrate Oregon beer month!” she explains. “She is turning 18 this year so we have been brewing this amazing beer for almost 20 years now!”

While families are a focus, the Ettingers strive to make Hopworks a fun and welcoming place for everyone. They often host live music and events, from sports watch parties to crafting. You can find a full, up-to-date list of events on their website. Brandie and Christian also have some exciting plans for the future.

“We will now be empty nesters in the fall and look forward to what adventures might come our way!” Brandie shares. “Hopworks brewery will be launching some new innovative products, the pub is releasing an exciting new menu, and our new music venue will continue to support local artists and entertain our guests with music, poetry, and comedy.”

Hopworks Brewery is offering a special discount to subscribers. Mention The Kid-Friendly PDX Newsletter and receive 10% off your order through the month of July!

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!

Summer is in full swing and there are so many festival and community events going on in July!

This month’s list includes summer festivals, concert series, pride events and more — and eight of the ten activities listed are FREE or donation-based admission! As always, the roundup is curated to ensure there are things to do for a wide range of ages and interests.

Below you will find all the info you need to know about each event with plenty of time to add it to your calendar.

Read more

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! 🫶