2026 Summer Camp Expo at OMSI

Make your own homemade cocoa-hazelnut spread! Smooth, creamy, and oh-so indulgent. The family is sure to love it.

As autumn settles across the country each year, with leaves turning orange and the air growing cool and crisp, thousands of Americans purposely venture into cornfields and get lost. Armed with maps, clues, flashlights — or occasionally nothing more than misplaced confidence — families and friends wander through towering rows of corn, searching for the elusive way out.

With the arrival of autumn, a familiar figure appears on front porches, in pumpkin patches, and at harvest festivals across North America — the scarecrow. Dressed in flannel shirts, stuffed with straw, and sporting cheerful smiles, they have become a defining symbol of the season.

Few things evoke autumn like apple cider. Whether served cold at an orchard, steaming hot with cinnamon and cloves, or poured from a bottle with a little alcoholic kick, cider seems the perfect accompaniment to crisp afternoons, colorful leaves, and warm cozy sweaters.

Long ago in a small Irish town, a drunkard named Stingy Jack earned his nickname after tricking the Devil himself. Jack was notorious in his little town, and Satan had heard of his mischievous deeds.

The seasons are changing, which means it’s time to visit the pumpkin patch! Luckily, the ultimate autumn wonderland is nestled right in the heart of Tualatin: Lee Farms

Flynn Creek Circus presents The Cricket & the Wren, an all-human circus featuring breathtaking acrobatics, athletic skill, storytelling and comedy. The 2026 production comes to Vancouver’s Clark College Oct. 8-12, Cathlamet’s Rivermile 38 Brewery Oct. 16-18, and Salem’s Riverfront Park Oct. 23-25.

This British classic with twist of southern carm is perfect for a tasty light treat for the kids.

The shift back to “school mode” can feel like an abrupt end to summer. With a little planning, though, families can make the transition easier on everybody and foster a healthier, less stressful start to the school year.

My 3-year-old has taken to feeding our dog dinner with the duty and honor of the Swiss Guard, albeit with the consistency of, well, a 3-year-old. Some kibble ends up on the floor rather than in the bowl, but the dog takes care of most of it. My 3-year-old has taken to feeding our dog dinner with the duty and honor of the Swiss Guard, albeit with the consistency of, well, a 3-year-old.

You’re cut off in traffic, and you’d really like to lean on the horn and yell a few choice words, but something stops you. You know how tricky that intersection can be, and escalating the situation into road rage won’t help anyone. The jolt of anger passes, and you move on with your day.

No complaints of “too spicy!” with these crowd-pleasing curry dinners.

No matter what grade your child is in, a fresh school year is a time filled with possibilities. Setting goals can help kids stay motivated, develop good habits and measure their progress as they grow and develop.

The Tater Tot. It’s hard to resist these crunchy golden-brown potato morsels piled high in a basket, or nestled on a plate accompanying our favorite burger or sandwich. For many of us, “Tater Tot” and “comfort food” go hand-in-hand. It’s ingrained in our culture—at least from a food perspective!

Maybe it was just me, but this summer seemed to fly by particularly fast. A brand new school year is right around the corner! The fall opens doors to new opportunities for learning, friendships, and growth. Speaking of growth, we’re revamping a few things over here at NW Kids! The September issue features our annual Birthday Guide. Be on the lookout for a different rendition of the guide in 2027. 🎉 We’ll see you back here in October for the first Open House Guide of the 2026

Parents today face a shifting landscape when it comes to technology in schools, so being aware of a school’s policies on technology use is essential.

Starting the day with thoughtful calories can put anyone, especially young people, on the right track for school, sports, activities and mood.

When the weather gets cold and the rains start, what’s better than the warmth of the oven, the rich aroma of fresh-baked treats, and the simple pleasures of being indoors. Find everything you need at the Co-op for these tasty muffins.

From trick-or-treating to candy canes, the holiday season is packed with sugary temptations. While these treats are a fun part of celebrating, aim for tooth-friendlier treats like these:

If you like traditional potatoes, try incorporating their tasty, tuber cousin into your cooking — sweet potatoes! These kid-pleasing dishes are rich in fiber, carbs and vitamins. A few easy ways to try them:

Getting kids out the door in the morning or to bed at night can feel like a daily battle. If you’re tired of reminding, rushing and repeating yourself, a routine chart can help.

As families settle into a new school year, change is everywhere. New classrooms, new routines, changing friendships and growing independence all require children to adapt. While some transitions are exciting, others are much harder — and children don’t always have the words to tell us what they’re experiencing.

Research consistently shows students rise, or fall, to the level of expectations set for them. When you communicate belief in a child’s potential, they activate a self-fulfilling cycle: confidence grows, effort intensifies and performance follows.

Kids can learn so much in the kitchen, from math and vocabulary, to science and fine motor skills. Let them have a go at these fun recipes.

Cheesy chive muffins, Autumn morning muffins and Golden cornbread muffins

Take your mocktails to a fun and functional new level with extracts from Oregon-based Herb Pharm. Herbs are your ally in this healthy and delicious drink, with passionflower said to calm an exhausted mind.

When you think of classic fair food, what comes to mind? Perhaps it’s cotton candy, funnel cakes, or caramel apples. For many Americans, the ultimate fair staple is the corn dog. And when it comes to corn dogs, one name stands out in the annals of fried food history: the Pronto Pup.

There’s nothing corny about tasty snacks — unless you’re talking popcorn!

We’ve reached the last month of summer and Back to School is coming soon. This month’s issue features the 2026-27 Waldorf, Montessori & Reggio Emilia School Guide

If there is any single person we can attribute the concept of Forest Park to, it is most certainly the landscape architect, John C. Olmstead. In 1903, Olmstead envisioned the forested hills of West Portland as an urban park—a natural recreational resource for local residents. Planned in conjunction with the upcoming Lewis and Clark Exposition of 1905, Olmstead recommended that the “romantic wooded hillsides” be preserved as parkland. To the naysayers he argued, “It is true th

Play ball! During the 1970s, umpires called out the famous phrase to launch Portland Mavericks baseball games at Civic Stadium (Providence Park) in one of the most colorful chapters in the history of Portland baseball.

The Oreo cookie. Two chocolate wafers with a creamy vanilla filling sandwiched between them. A perennial favorite for decades, Oreos are loved by millions around the world, with one major debate baked into its delicious existence, which revolves around the best way to eat them: dunk or twist. There are two opposing camps: Twisters and Dunkers. The former maintain that the best way to eat an Oreo is to twist them apart and enjoy each side separately; some eat the creamy center