If you are good at multi-tasking, you can sign up for the next Signing With Baby class AND get ready for the Super Bowl! Super Bowl Sunday with little ones in the house is a little different from watching the big game back in the child-free days.  Can your toddler or baby join in the fun without, well, ruining it for everyone else?  Of course they can! The key is to find fun ways for the kids to feel like they are participating in the game even though they aren't watching it, don't understand it and probably couldn't care less about it. There are many different activity ideas waiting to be found online, but here are a few good ones to get you started.  First of all, a soft indoor football is a must.  What better way to enjoy a football game than actually playing the game?  Toddlers love to play with balls, and it will immediately help them understand what everyone is talking (and signing!) about.  

Next up comes the cheering.  A simple foil streamer wand or two can be a great way for your toddler to join in the excitement.  When people cheer, she can grab her wands, shake and cheer along.  Or why wait for others to cheer?  Dancing around the room armed with shiny streamers is probably good for some ongoing amusement.  Of course, it can't all be about high energy fun.  For some downtime, your little one can look at some football books:

​squeeze a football sensory ball or color a few printable football coloring pages. (Click image to find product or source.)

Before the big event, you can get your child invested by picking up decorations from the Dollar Tree and letting him add his own special touch to the festivities.  If this idea might destroy your own party plans, then designate a little "kids area" for him to decorate to his hearts content.  Party planning extends to foods too!  Be sure to find some exciting treats for your little ones so they can partake in the Super Bowl feeding frenzy.   If you are inspired to elevate their Super Bowl experience to another level here are some special foods, intriguing crafts and activities to consider (click on the photo for directions from the source).

Sometimes, staying home and entertaining everyone is just not what a tired mom and dad want to do.  Luckily, there are also places you can go to that will give you some kid-friendly Super Bowl fun without any of the hassle of a party at home.

SuperPlay
9300 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy
Beaverton, OR 97005
(503) 292-3523
"$60 UNLIMITED BOWLING during the Big Game! Includes (1) lane for up to 6 people, (1) basic pizza, (1) 8-foot table, and (1) game laser tag for up to 6 people! Reservations Required."
Big Al’s
14950 SW Barrows Rd. Beaverton, OR 97007
Main: 503.748.6118
"Join us on February 2, 2020 for the BIG game on our 55-Foot BIG Screen! There’s no better place to bring your group to enjoy the festivities and catch all the action, so make your plans to be HERE! Our seating is first come, first served so get here early for the best seats!"

So enjoy your Super Bowl activities on Sunday!  Remember to use your signs and don't forget to sign up for the next Baby Express Signing with Baby class that starts on February 20!  This great video from ASL Nook will teach you some football signs to use with your family on the big day!

Will it snow in Beaverton? Will it rain? Nobody ever really knows! But whatever the weather, this is the time of the year when moms with little ones long to get out of the house and find a play area more exciting than the living room. Of course, taking your baby or toddler to a Baby Express Signing With Baby class is always a great idea! Our classroom is a nice sized space with toys, music and fun where you get to play and learn some signs as an added bonus. But what if you want to get out of the house more than once a week for our baby sign class? An indoor playground might be exactly what you need! Beaverton has several nice indoor playgrounds just waiting to be explored.  Here is a list of local indoor play spaces that you might want to check out!  And while you're looking, don't forget to learn the sign for PLAY! ​

Pump It Up Jr. of Beaverton
16205 NW Bethany Ct Ste 120
Beaverton, OR 97006
(503)645-1042
Toddler Only Pop in Playtime
Children ages 3 and under can play on soft, fun-filled, interactive inflatables in a safe, clean, climate controlled environment.
Hours:  Thursday | 9:30am - 12:00pm
Friday | 9:30am - 12:00pm
Cost: $8 per child / $5 ages 24 months & under 

Munchkin Playland
18335 NW West Union Rd
Portland, OR 97229
503-533-5438
(*UPDATE* Munchkin Playland appears to have gone out of business.  They are currently closed and will be looking for buyers to purchase the Playland until October 2020. Their website is no longer working so I am updating the link above to direct you to their Facebook page for more information.) Children under 42 inches tall can play on fun animals and structures inspired by the state of Oregon.  In addition to the main play area, there are numerous play options surrounding it, including a food cart, baby dolls, kitchens and a caterpillar tunnel.  Parents can also enjoy treats while they watch their little ones.  The cafe serves a variety of food and drink options and has free wi-fi.
Hours:  Monday-Friday | 9AM-5PM and Saturday-Sunday | 9AM-1PM
Cost: $8 per child or $5 for crawlers and cruisers. Multi-visit play pass cards are also available.
(Note: I have been here and the staff works hard to keep it very clean.  I see employees wiping down play structures multiple times during a visit!)

Oceanplays
1001 SE Tualatin Valley Hwy A24,
Hillsboro, OR 97123
(503) 608-9066
This play extravaganza is one giant square structure with multiple levels, tunnels, bridges, slides, ball pits, swings and ball cannons. There is quite a lot for kids to explore in this elaborately designed play maze.  There are tables for parents and some packaged snacks available for purchase.
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 10:00 am - 7:30 pm and Friday-Saturday: 10:00 am - 8:30 pm
Cost: Weekdays ages 1-3 $5 and ages 4-12 $8.  Weekends and holidays ages 1-3 $6 and ages 4-12 $10
(Note: Having been here, I would say that the staff are very nice and seem invested in the customer experience. The structure may be hard for little ones to navigate on their own, but parents are allowed to go on it with them.  I don’t think it would be a great fit for crawlers or cruisers.  At times the older kids can be a little overbearing inside the structure but staff is watchful. The play area is very clean and well-maintained.)

Cedar Hills Recreation Center Indoor Play Park
11640 SW Park Way
Portland, OR 97225
503-629-6340
The Indoor Play Park is for kids ages 6 weeks to 6 years old. The play area includes a wide array of toys and equipment for children.  It’s a safe, spacious place for children to interact and develop social and motor skills. No pre-registration required.
Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 9:00-11:00AM September-May
Cost: $4.50 (in-district) and $6.25 (out-of-district). Multi-visit passes available.

Garden Home Recreation Center
Indoor Play Park
7475 SW Oleson Rd
Portland, OR 97223
503-629-6341
The gym is transformed into a safe and fun environment with games, toys, play houses, play cars and trucks. These activities develop communication, spatial and motor skills and stimulate a child's imagination.  Parent participation is required. Ages newborn-6 years.
Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9:30-11:30 AM October-June
Cost: $4.50 (in-district) $6.25 (out-of-district)  Multi-visit cards available.

Conestoga Recreation and Aquatic Center Indoor Play Park
9985 SW 125th Ave.
Beaverton, OR 97008
503-629-6313 
The gym is used to create a safe environment with toys, play houses, play cars and trucks and more. Parent participation is required. Ages newborn to 6 years old.
Hours: Monday-Friday and Sunday 9:00-11:30 AM (Sundays are all inclusive and Go Baby Go cars are encouraged) September- June
Cost: $4.50 (in-district) $6.25 (out-of-district)  Multi-visit cards available.

Mittleman Jewish Community Center Indoor Playground
6651 SW Capitol Highway, Portland, OR 97219
503.244.0111
The climate-controlled Sportsplex is filled with toys and equipment, including a trampoline and gymnastics equipment. Adult must remain in the Sportsplex. The first Wednesday of every month is a special indoor playground that features snacks, storytelling/singing and drawings. Ages 6 months to 5 years.
Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10:00AM-12:00PM September-June
Cost: $7 (Free to members)

Outdoors In - Park @ The Plaza
124 E Main Street 
Hillsboro, OR 97123
503-681-5244
The indoor park has 3,800 square feet of space to play, a full-sized playground, 16 foot bouldering wall, a classroom space filled with toys for children of all ages, and NEOS, an interactive, electronic whole-body gaming system for kids and adults. Ages birth- 17
Hours: Sept-May open Monday- Friday 9-1PM and 2- 6PM, Saturdays 9-12PM and 1-4PM, Sundays 1-4PM.  June- August, open during morning times only Monday-Saturday.  Sensory friendly play times are available all year.
Cost: $4 (resident) $6 (non-resident) Multi-visit passes available. Ages 0-1 are free.

Additional Small, Free Play Areas That Kids May Enjoy.

Cedar Hills Crossing Mall
3205 SW Cedar Hills Blvd, Beaverton, OR 97005
(503) 643-6563
Small indoor play area with a tunnel, bridge and animal to play on.  It is next to some coin operated rides.
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10-8PM, Sunday 10-6PM

Washington Square Mall
Children’s Play Area
9585 SW Washington Square Rd, Portland, OR 97223
(503) 639-8860
Take a break from shopping and entertain the kids at the Children's Play Area, located near JCPenney. Children under 42-inches tall can explore Oregon through kid-sized adventure structures.  The play area closes daily from 1pm to 2pm for mid-day cleaning. 
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10-9PM and Sunday 10-7PM

Tefinition
10140 SW Washington Square Rd, Portland, OR 97223
Bubble tea cafe that features a pink ball pit with a giant teddy bear for small kids.
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 12-8PM, Friday and Saturday 12-9PM


Do you know an indoor playground in the Beaverton area that's not listed?  Mention it in the comments below!