About
Join Portland Children’s Museum as we celebrate Winter Wonder month, and discover what makes this season so special. Express your appreciation of others, practice acts of kindness, build community, and celebrate the joy of giving with us through winter-themed activities all month long. Grab your scarf—or make one here—during Winter Wonder month at the Museum!
SPECIAL EVENTS
Penny’s Puppets
December 4, 11 a.m. in the Theater
Join us for a joyful live performance that uses puppets, story, and song to ignite the imagination and fill the Theater with excitement and laughter. Penny's Puppet Productions is a professional one-woman puppet company dedicated to making the world a better place, one puppet show at a time!
Kid's Company NW Holiday Musical
December 13, 11 a.m. in the Theater
Kid's Company NW presents a holiday musical you won't forget! Kid's Company NW is a musical theater performing troupe comprised of talented kids between the ages of 8 and 14. Immerse yourself in a fun story and a whole lot of singing and dancing. After the show, head up to the stage to meet the stars! All ages welcome.
BodyVox
December 15, 10:30–11:30 a.m. in the Theater
BodyVox blends bold athleticism and freewheeling imagination with dance, comical characters and energizing rhythms to explore the connection between science, math and dance. Discovering the cause-and-effect relationship of force on a dancer’s body leads to discussions fueled by creative thinking. Interactive demonstration allows students to experience how relationships in numbers and shapes affect the timing and spacing of movement. Each segment of this unique program has two parts: dance as art (performance) and dance as science (discussion and audience participation). BodyVox empowers students to break free of their own boundaries by illuminating the link between learning and applying science and math to dance.
Red Yarn: Folksongs & Puppetry for Families
December 20, 11 a.m. in the Theater
Red Yarn, Andy Furgeson, is a dynamic family performer and teaching artist in Portland, Oregon. He weaves folksongs and puppetry into engaging shows for all ages. With his energetic performances and lush recordings, Red Yarn reinvigorates American folklore for younger generations.
New Year's at Noon
December 31, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
No need to stay up late to celebrate the new year! Get those noisemakers and resolutions ready, because it’s time again for New Year’s at Noon. Join us for multiple New Year’s countdowns, a glow in the dark fun room, art activities, and a musical performance and dance party. *Museum closes at 3 p.m.
Every Day
Storytime
11 a.m. & 2 p.m. in the Field Station
Gather round for Storytime at Portland Children’s Museum. Storytime features books enjoyed by children of all ages and their caregivers, read aloud by Museum Staff. Not only is Storytime fun, reading aloud with children enhances their language proficiency, communication, and listening skills. Reading stories out loud together can also help children create real-world connections, prepare them for academic success, and support their imagination and creativity.
Snow City Collaborative
10–4.pm. in the Clay Studio
Join studio educators and other visitors in our Clay Studio to create one-of-a kind snow themed objects all month long.
Sundays
Snow Slime
10–11:30 a.m. in the Wonder Corner
Do you love playing in the snow during the winter season? Well come explore how much fun you can have playing with snow slime! Come visit Meg while she mixes together a batch to play with in our Wonder Corner.
Pottery Glazing
2–4 p.m. in the Wonder Corner
Glaze your own ceramic creation or choose from a variety of pre-made pieces. After glazing, the Museum fires your ceramic piece in our kiln, which causes the glazes to harden and change color, so they are darker, brighter, and very shiny. Now your masterpiece is food safe and waterproof too. Prices start at $3 for pre-made pieces. Price includes piece, glazing, and firing. If you are glazing your own creation, the cost to glaze will be the same cost as it was to fire. Glazed pieces are available for pick up one week after creation.
Mondays
Pottery Glazing
10 a.m.–noon in the Wonder Corner
Glaze your own ceramic creation or choose from a variety of pre-made pieces. After glazing, the Museum fires your ceramic piece in our kiln, which causes the glazes to harden and change color, so they are darker, brighter, and very shiny. Now your masterpiece is food safe and waterproof too. Prices start at $3 for pre-made pieces. Price includes piece, glazing, and firing. If you are glazing your own creation, the cost to glaze will be the same cost as it was to fire. Glazed pieces are available for pick up one week after creation.
Arctic Shaving Cream Landscapes
1:30–3 p.m. in the Wonder Corner
Grab your winter coats, gloves and boots. We are travelling to the Arctic! Do not miss out on this chilly and messy activity as we explore the natural habitats of our arctic animal friends.
Tuesdays
Snow Globes
10:30 a.m.–noon in the Wonder Corner
Create your own miniature world. Join us for collaging and drawing to decorate your own snow scene revealing a winter wonderland.
Wednesdays
Snow Buddies
10:30 a.m.–noon in the Wonder Corner
Create a snow-friend sock buddy! Learn techniques from Grace for making your own cuddly stuffed toy to keep or give as a gift.
Thursdays
Gentle Music for Babies and Pre-toddlers with Mr. Ben
10–11 a.m. in the Theater
Music is magic for children’s cognitive development, lighting up different regions of their rapidly developing brains in ways that nothing else does. Partnering with the Portland Children’s Museum, Mr. Ben brings his music directly to the younger set. His songs and the energy of the show are geared towards babies in arms, pre-toddlers, and children of any age that engage with calmer energy.
Artist Bio: Often credited with being one of the pioneers of Portland's burgeoning kindie music scene, Mr. Ben remains a staple and a favorite of any child who’s seen him perform. He performs music with the intention of entertaining kids and their grownups, making sure that everyone can enjoy the experience together.
Pottery Glazing
10 a.m.–noon in the Wonder Corner
Glaze your own ceramic creation or choose from a variety of pre-made pieces. After glazing, the Museum fires your ceramic piece in our kiln, which causes the glazes to harden and change color, so they are darker, brighter, and very shiny. Now your masterpiece is food safe and waterproof too. Prices start at $3 for pre-made pieces. Price includes piece, glazing, and firing. If you are glazing your own creation, the cost to glaze will be the same cost as it was to fire. Glazed pieces are available for pick up one week after creation.
Winter Watercolor Magic
1:30–2:30 p.m. in the Sprout Studio
In this special painting session, we’ll explore the concept of negative space. We’ll also use salt to add a visual texture to our paintings!
Fridays
Ice Land Sensory Play
1:30–2:30 p.m. in the Wonder Corner
Ice Land Sensory Play is a way for children to let their imagination wander as they explore tubs full of arctic creatures and ice.
Pottery Glazing
10 a.m.–noon in the Wonder Corner
Glaze your own ceramic creation or choose from a variety of pre-made pieces. After glazing, the Museum fires your ceramic piece in our kiln, which causes the glazes to harden and change color, so they are darker, brighter, and very shiny. Now your masterpiece is food safe and waterproof too. Prices start at $3 for pre-made pieces. Price includes piece, glazing, and firing. If you are glazing your own creation, the cost to glaze will be the same cost as it was to fire. Glazed pieces are available for pick up one week after creation.
Saturdays
Sock Skating
10–11 a.m. in the Field Station
Wear your most festive pair of socks and get ready to join us for some indoor play! Experience skating and sliding fun for visitors of all ages!
Pottery Glazing
2–4 p.m. in the Wonder Corner
Glaze your own ceramic creation or choose from a variety of pre-made pieces. After glazing, the Museum fires your ceramic piece in our kiln, which causes the glazes to harden and change color, so they are darker, brighter, and very shiny. Now your masterpiece is food safe and waterproof too. Prices start at $3 for pre-made pieces. Price includes piece, glazing, and firing. If you are glazing your own creation, the cost to glaze will be the same cost as it was to fire. Glazed pieces are available for pick up one week after creation.
