The Old Mill District has scheduled a range of children’s activities in Santa Land space after Christmas. Enjoy a solar system class, story time and art classes on select dates in late December and early January.
Parents may drop off their kids (sign a quick waiver!) and enjoy 45-50 minutes to walk the river trail, grab a coffee, make a return or, of course, enjoy the many fabulous after Christmas sales in the Old Mill District. A $5 donation per child is requested for all events. Santa Land is located next to Jimmy John’s.
Solar System Class
Discover our vast universe with a solar system class lead by instructors of the Oregon Observatory at Sunriver. Kids will learn about the planets and the characteristics that make each planet interesting and unique. Kids will paint and assemble their own solar system to take home. Classes are limited to twelve children per class. Kids ages 7-12 are welcome.
After the class, kids will get the chance (weather permitting) to see to see Jupiter or the Moon using a telescope. The dates of the solar system classes are December 27-29 and January 2-4 at 4pm. Classes located in SantaLand next to Jimmy John’s. A $5 donation is requested per child for all events.
Story Time and Reading Collection
The Old Mill District has partnered with the Deschutes Public Library for story time in Santa Land after Christmas. The dates will be December 27-29 and January 2-4 at 11am and 2:30pm each day. Children of all ages are welcome to attend the free story times.
Local leaders in Bend will read books to children in recognition of the importance of early literacy and reading to kids. The State of Oregon has set an ambitious goal for educational attainment, known as the 40-40-20 goal. Approved in 2011, the goal is for 40 percent of adult Oregonians to hold a bachelor’s or advanced degree, 40 percent to have an associate’s degree or postsecondary certificate and all adult Oregonians to hold a high school diploma by 2025. Preparing and encouraging children to read is the foundation for the Governor Kitzhaber’s plan and a high priority for the Library District. The Deschutes Public Library and Old Mill District are thrilled to help work towards this important goal.
In addition, the Deschutes Public Library District has funded the purchase of children’s books for the Santa Land space offering kids the opportunity to read a new book while waiting for their family pictures with Santa. Children can read and return books to the Reading Collection area as they depart. These children’s books will be the foundation of a Reading Collection available each year in Santa Land.
Art Classes
The Old Mill District has also partnered with the Art Station for children’s art classes in Santa Land. The dates of the art classes will be December 27-30 and January 2-4 at 10-11am (ages 4-6) and 1-2pm (ages 7-10) each day.
Art classes are limited to the first twelve children that check-in. Please arrive ten minutes before class start time as spaces are sure to fill-up quickly. Classes will include: 3-D Paper Dragons, Winter Pastel Collage, Cardboard Creatures, Cardboard Arcade, Pop-up Habitat, Pop-Up Fantasy World and Woven Paper Silhouettes.
Visit www.theoldmill.com/events/happy-holidays-2012 for more information on our art classes and story time readings plus any additional family friendly events we were still planning at press time.
Hot Cocoa & Hot Cider
Savory Spice Shop will be serving complimentary cups of cocoa and cider from 2-4pm on December 27-29 and January 2-4. Stop in and warm up before or after one of the many kids’ performances. Savory Spice Shop is located across from Santa Land next to Ginger’s Kitcheware.