Eugene Family Scoop - Weekday Edition (May 18-21, 2026)

Hello my friends!

It's peak wildflower season! 🌸

I have a recurring calendar reminder each year that tells me: THIS is the best couple of weeks to view wildflower hikes and some cultivated gardens. And anyone who knows me knows I'm obsessed with flowers. Put me in a field surrounded by thousands of blooms, and my serotonin levels skyrocket—I'm walking on cloud nine for weeks!

The season is short—sometimes only lasting a week or two. Then you have to wait an entire year for the next chance. So take advantage while you can!

Here are some of my favorite places to visit right now:

🌸 Adelman Peony Gardens, Salem — Fields and fields of these sweet-smelling blooms are something out of a story. Very close to Schreiner's Iris Gardens if you want to maximize the trip!
🌸 Schreiner's Iris Gardens, Salem — It's not just fields of irises—there's a beautiful "secret" garden full of spring blooms like lupines, clematis, and other novelties. Hard not to feel like Alice in Wonderland!
🌸 Sweet Creek Falls — This easy 2.2-mile hike is great for younger kids. While it doesn't always have flowers, there are plenty of slugs and cool views. And the air really does smell sweet—I think it smells the sweetest this time of year! My favorite go-to out-of-city hike for visitors or during hot summer days. Lush, next to moving water, peaceful, and quintessentially Oregon.

Highlights this week:

🎸 Magical Moombah: At The Hop! Thursday & Friday 10:15am, Saturday 10am & 1pm at The Shedd! The wild and wacky Moombahteers time-travel back to the rockin' 1950s with contests, jokes, songs, and dancing to hits like "Peggy Sue," "Rock Around The Clock," and "La Bamba." $5.

🛼 Pop-out Roller Rink Thursday 6-10pm at Farmers Market Pavilion! Eugene Roller Village transforms the plaza into a skating rink with DJs and live music. $10 entry.

🎵 May Kidz Rock Music and Arts Festival Monday 6:30-7:30pm at MEPAA! Support youth artists while enjoying low-sensory acoustic music. Free!

🌈 Make a Stained Glass Suncatcher Wednesday 4:30-5:30pm at Downtown Library! Colorful suncatchers for ages 5-9. Free!

Plus: Tot Tuesdays at Tugman, Tuesday Farmers Market, bookmark crafting with Little Hands Can, We Are AANHPI Families virtual series, storytimes, swims, and open gyms!

Warmly,
Jess

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🪼 Little Jellies Parent Support and Play Group Mondays 10am–12pm • Birth-24 months • Free
📍Pearl Buck Center, 3690 W 1st Ave, Eugene
Connect with other parents navigating the joys and challenges of early parenthood, share experiences, ask questions, exchange helpful tips, and get support during your child's first years. Safe space for caregivers to make connections and build a support system while infants and toddlers play and explore in a developmentally appropriate, nurturing space. Open to all. More info

📚 Toddler Storytime Mondays at 11am • Toddlers • Free
📍River Road Santa Clara Volunteer Library, 105 Oakleigh Lane, Eugene
Weekly toddler storytime with Gail! (Closed for federal holidays.) More info

🎨 Monday Sensory Activity 11:30am • Ages 2+ • $7
📍Adventure Children's Museum, 490 Valley River Center, Eugene
Sensory activity for young children at the museum (museum admission required). More info

👶 Baby Clinic Mondays 12:00–1:30pm • Postpartum & babies • Free
📍Our Community Birth Center, 188 West B Street, Building O, Springfield
Free drop-in support for postpartum families and baby feeding! Have your baby weighed, get lactation and feeding questions answered, and connect with other parents. Open to anyone in the community regardless of where you gave birth. More info

🌏 We Are AANHPI Families — A Family-to-Family Real Talk Series 12:00–1:00pm • All ages • Free
📍Online via Zoom
A free virtual conversation series celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander family experiences! Share stories and collective wisdom about multi-generational, multi-cultural child-rearing while honoring practices, heritages, languages, and traditions. Live Spanish translation and captioning available. Register for one or all episodes. More info

🏊 Family Swim 1–2pm • All ages • Youth (3-17) $6, Adult $7
📍Sheldon Pool, 2443 Willakenzie Rd, Eugene
Open family swim time at Sheldon Pool. More info

🏊 Family Swim 2-3:30pm • All ages • Youth (3-17) $6, Adult $7
📍Echo Hollow Pool, 1655 Echo Hollow Rd, Eugene
Evening recreational swim at Echo Hollow Pool. More info

💦 Water Park Swim 4:30–6:30pm • All ages • Toddler (3 & under) $4-7, Youth (4-17) $7-9, Adult $8-11
📍Splash at Lively Park, 6100 Thurston Rd, Springfield
Water park swimming with slides and play features. In-district and out-of-district rates available. More info

🎵 May Kidz Rock Music and Arts Festival 6:30–7:30pm • All ages • Free
📍MEPAA Music & Arts Center, 2370 Parliament St, Eugene
Support youth artists at MEPAA's youth art gallery while enjoying low-sensory acoustic music! May 18 lineup: Sean's Music Study (6:30pm) and Max Hendershot (7:00pm). More info

🏊 Rec Swim 7–8:30pm • All ages • Youth (3-17) $6, Adult $7
📍Sheldon Pool, 2443 Willakenzie Rd, Eugene
Evening recreational swim at Sheldon Pool. More info

🌽 Lane County Farmers Market 9:00am–2:00pm • All ages • Free
📍Farmers Market Pavilion & Plaza, 85 E 8th Ave, Eugene
A laid-back mid-week farmers market stocked with locally grown and produced goods. Kids 12 and under receive $5 Little Lettuce tokens to spend on fresh produce. EBT/SNAP accepted with $20 Double Up Food Buck match available.

🦘 Toddler Time at Get Air 10am–12pm • Under 46" tall • Check pricing online
📍Get Air Trampoline Park, 4211 W 11th Ave, Eugene
Toddler-only jump time in a safe, age-appropriate environment. More info

🌳 Tot Tuesdays at Tugman — 10:30–11:45am • Ages 0-6 • Free
📍Tugman Park, Eugene
A free weekly mom & child social meetup. Join a seated circle with introductions, a question of the week, and open playground time to connect with other moms. Drop in anytime throughout the series — no commitment required. Runs every Tuesday through September 8th. More info

🏊 Baby Swim 10:30–11:30am • All ages • Youth (3-17) $6, Adult $7
📍Sheldon Pool, 2443 Willakenzie Rd, Eugene
Special swim time for babies and young children with caregivers. Warm water pool. More info

📚 Family Storytime | Cuentos para Familias 10:30am • All ages • Free
📍Springfield Public Library, 225 5th St, Springfield
Bilingual family storytime in English and Spanish! Located in the Kids & Tweens area More info

🔖 Bookmark Crafting for the Senior Book Project with Little Hands Can 11:00am–12:00pm • All ages • Free
📍Springfield Public Library, 225 5th St, Springfield
Join Little Hands Can after storytime for a preschool-friendly craft that gives back! Make bookmarks for the Senior Book Project and take one home too. All ages welcome, no registration required. More info

🤸 NAAG Preschool Open Gym 11am–12pm • Ages 6 & under • $8 per child
📍NAAG, 1205 Oak Patch Rd, Eugene
Open gym time for little ones to explore gymnastics equipment and burn off energy. Parent supervision required. More info

🤸 Bounce Preschool Open Gym 11:15am–12:30pm • Preschool age • $10 per child (or $50 for 6-visit pass)
📍Bounce Gymnastics and Circus Arts Center, 329 W 3rd Ave, Eugene
Preschoolers can explore gymnastics and circus arts equipment during open gym time. More info

🎨 Tuesday Storytime at Adventure Children’s Museum 11:30am • Ages 2+ • $7
📍Adventure Children's Museum, 490 Valley River Center, Eugene
Story time at the Adventure Children's Museum (museum admission required). More info

🏊 Family Swim 1–2pm • All ages • Youth (3-17) $6, Adult $7
📍Sheldon Pool, 2443 Willakenzie Rd, Eugene
Open family swim time at Sheldon Pool. More info

🏊 Family Swim 2-3:30pm • All ages • Youth (3-17) $6, Adult $7
📍Echo Hollow Pool, 1655 Echo Hollow Rd, Eugene
Evening recreational swim at Echo Hollow Pool. More info

📚 Tweens: Free Period 4:30–5:30pm • Ages 9-12 • Free
📍Downtown Eugene Library, 100 W 10th Ave, Eugene
A get-together just for tweens! Drop in and hang out with other kids your age. More info

🎲 Teens: Play D&D 5:00–7:00pm • Teens • Free
📍Sheldon Branch Library, Eugene
Play Dungeons & Dragons — beginners welcome! More info

🏊 Family Swim 7–8pm • All ages • Youth (3-17) $6, Adult $7
📍Sheldon Pool, 2443 Willakenzie Rd, Eugene
Open family swim time at Sheldon Pool. More info

🏊 Rec Swim 7-8:30pm • All ages • Youth (3-17) $6, Adult $7
📍Echo Hollow Pool, 1655 Echo Hollow Rd, Eugene
Evening recreational swim at Echo Hollow Pool. More info

🤸 Gymnastics NW Preschool Open Gym 10am–12pm • Preschool age • $6 per child
📍Gymnastics Northwest-River Rd Parks and Rec, 30043 Leghorn Ave, Eugene
Open gym time for preschool-age children to explore gymnastics equipment. More info

📚 Family Storytime | Cuentos para Familias 10:30am • All ages • Free
📍Springfield Public Library, 225 5th St, Springfield
Bilingual family storytime in English and Spanish! More info

🤸 NAAG Preschool Open Gym 11am–12pm • Ages 6 & under • $8 per child
📍NAAG, 1205 Oak Patch Rd, Eugene
Open gym time for little ones to explore gymnastics equipment and burn off energy. Parent supervision required. More info

🤸 Bounce Preschool Open Gym 11:15am–12:30pm • Preschool age • $10 per child (or $50 for 6-visit pass)
📍Bounce Gymnastics and Circus Arts Center, 329 W 3rd Ave, Eugene
Preschoolers can explore gymnastics and circus arts equipment during open gym time. More info

👶 Baby Connection 11–12pm • Parents with babies 0-12 months • Free
📍Parenting Now, 86 Centennial Loop, Eugene
Connect with other parents of babies. Topics vary weekly. More info

👶 New Parent Support 12–1:30pm • Parents with babies 0-12 months • Free
📍Parenting Now, 86 Centennial Loop, Eugene
Connect with other new parents and share the joys and challenges of early parenthood. More info

🏊 Family Swim 1–2pm • All ages • Youth (3-17) $6, Adult $7
📍Sheldon Pool, 2443 Willakenzie Rd, Eugene
Open family swim time at Sheldon Pool. More info

🏊 Family Swim 2-3:30pm • All ages • Youth (3-17) $6, Adult $7
📍Echo Hollow Pool, 1655 Echo Hollow Rd, Eugene
Evening recreational swim at Echo Hollow Pool. More info

🎨 Art After School (Drop-In) 2–5pm • Ages 5+ • $10 per child
📍Pudding Art Studio, 911 River Rd, Eugene
Open-ended art session with several art invitations available. Kids can explore and work on their own creative ideas. Siblings welcome with parental supervision. Drop-in, no registration required. More info

🌈 Make a Stained Glass Suncatcher 4:30–5:30pm • Ages 5-9 • Free
📍Downtown Eugene Library, 100 W 10th Ave, Eugene
Make colorful suncatchers that look like stained glass! More info

💦 Water Park Swim 4:30–6:30pm • All ages • Toddler (3 & under) $4-7, Youth (4-17) $7-9, Adult $8-11
📍Splash at Lively Park, 6100 Thurston Rd, Springfield
Water park swimming with slides and play features. In-district and out-of-district rates available. More info

🏊 Rec Swim 7–8:30pm • All ages • Youth (3-17) $6, Adult $7
📍Sheldon Pool, 2443 Willakenzie Rd, Eugene
Evening recreational swim at Sheldon Pool. More info

🎸 Magical Moombah: At The Hop! • All ages • $5
📍The Shedd Institute, 868 High St, Eugene
The wild and wacky Moombahteers are time-traveling back to the rockin' 1950s! Packed with contests, jokes, songs, and dancing to hits like "Peggy Sue," "Rock Around The Clock," "La Bamba," and more. Show times: Thursday May 21 & Friday May 22 at 10:15am; Saturday May 23 at 10:00am & 1:00pm. More info

📚 Family Playtime 10:15–10:45am • Young children • Free
📍Bethel Branch Library, 1260 Willamette St, Eugene
Fun and learning for young children with their grown-ups! More info

🦘 Toddler Time at Get Air 10am–12pm • Under 46" tall • Check pricing online
📍Get Air Trampoline Park, 4211 W 11th Ave, Eugene
Toddler-only jump time in a safe, age-appropriate environment. More info

🏊 Baby Swim 10:30–11:30am • All ages • Youth (3-17) $6, Adult $7
📍Sheldon Pool, 2443 Willakenzie Rd, Eugene
Special swim time for babies and young children with caregivers. Warm water pool. More info

🤸 NAAG Preschool Open Gym 11am–12pm • Ages 6 & under • $8 per child
📍NAAG, 1205 Oak Patch Rd, Eugene
Open gym time for little ones to explore gymnastics equipment and burn off energy. Parent supervision required. More info

🤸 Bounce Preschool Open Gym 11:15am–12:30pm • Preschool age • $10 per child (or $50 for 6-visit pass)
📍Bounce Gymnastics and Circus Arts Center, 329 W 3rd Ave, Eugene
Preschoolers can explore gymnastics and circus arts equipment during open gym time. More info

🎨 Thursday Slightly Messy Art 11:30am • Ages 2+ • $7
📍Adventure Children's Museum, 490 Valley River Center, Eugene
Get a little messy with art projects at the museum (museum admission required). More info

🏊 Family Swim 1–2pm • All ages • Youth (3-17) $6, Adult $7
📍Sheldon Pool, 2443 Willakenzie Rd, Eugene
Open family swim time at Sheldon Pool. More info

🏊 Family Swim 2-3:30pm • All ages • Youth (3-17) $6, Adult $7
📍Echo Hollow Pool, 1655 Echo Hollow Rd, Eugene
Evening recreational swim at Echo Hollow Pool. More info

🎨 Kids Art Club 4–5:30pm • Ages 5+ • $15 per child
📍Pudding Art Studio, 911 River Rd, Eugene
Directed art projects — exploring sculpture and 3D work throughout March! This week: finish and paint mini papier-mâche wall hangings. RSVP required: [email protected] More info

🎲 Teens: Play D&D 4:30–5:30pm • Teens • Free
📍Downtown Eugene Library, 100 W 10th Ave, Eugene
Play Dungeons & Dragons — beginners welcome! More info

🏊 Family Swim 7–8pm • All ages • Youth (3-17) $6, Adult $7
📍Sheldon Pool, 2443 Willakenzie Rd, Eugene
Open family swim time at Sheldon Pool. More info

🏊 Rec Swim 7-8:30pm • All ages • Youth (3-17) $6, Adult $7
📍Echo Hollow Pool, 1655 Echo Hollow Rd, Eugene
Evening recreational swim at Echo Hollow Pool. More info

🎵 Pavilanis School of Music Classes Various times, Tue-Sat • Ages 0-12 • Free, donations welcomed
📍Pavilanis School of Music, 388 E 3rd Ave, Eugene
Group music classes for all ages! Early Birds (ages 0-5): Hatchlings (birth-18 months), Nestlings (18 months-2.5 years), Fledglings (2.5-5 years) — explore instruments, music storybooks, musical games, painting, dancing, puppet songs. Youth Classes (ages 5-12): Beginner piano, guitar, violin, and bucket drumming. Enrichment classes: PS Music (ages 4-5), My Music Community (ages 5-9), Family Instrument Play (ages 0-5). Classes meet weekly on month-by-month basis. Sign up early — seats fill fast! More info & sign up

🌿 Nature Out Loud No School Day Adventure Monday May 25, 8:30am–4:30pm • Ages 5-11 • $70 members, $80 non-members
📍Alton Baker Park & Learnscape, Eugene
Hike, discover, and make music in nature! Become a forest floor investigator, play in the Sound Garden, make melodies from recycled materials, and sing silly songs on the Star Stage. Groups of 12 kids. Scholarship aid available — use coupon code ECO at checkout. More info

🏕️Singing Creek Summer Camps Various weeks June-August • Ages 6-11 • $250/week
📍Dorris Ranch Living History Village, 205 Dorris St, Springfield
History and nature-based summer camps! Choose from Forest Path Nature Camp, Earth Ways Indigenous Camp, Pioneer Homesteading Camp, Opal Whiteley Nature Fairies Camp, or Lewis & Clark Explorers Camp. 9am-3pm Monday-Friday. Hands-on crafts, games, stories, outdoor exploration, cooking, music, and special guests! Scholarships available. View full schedule & register

🔍 Natural Scientists Summer Camp July 13–17 • Ages 5-9 & 10-14 • $350/child (sibling discount & scholarships available)
📍Parker Learning Gardens, 31239 Lanes Turn Road, Coburg, OR
Follow your curiosity and explore the natural world through hands-on science, farm ecology, and arts activities! Kids will care for goats, sheep, pigs, chickens, and rabbits; experiment with fermentation and cooking; dig into soil and decomposition science; forage for medicinal plants; explore water ecosystems; and study farm ecology and weather. Camp runs 9am–3:30pm with flexible drop-off and pick-up 30 minutes before &after camp hours. Scholarships and payment plans available. More info

⛳ Camp Putt Adventure Golf Park Fri 4–7pm, Sat-Sun 12–7pm (starting March 30) • All ages • $6-$7
📍4006 Franklin Blvd, Eugene
All-ages seasonal outdoor mini-golf park featuring two 18-hole courses spread over two acres of lush greenery, tranquil water features, and scenic landscapes. Youth (11 & under) $6, Adults (12-49) $7, Seniors (50+) $6, Students & Military $6, Family of four $24. ALL-ACCESS Members get one free round daily! More info

🎨 MECCA Community Studio Drop-in during store hours • All ages • Pay-what-you-can ($3-5/hour suggested)
📍MECCA (Materials Exchange Center for Community Arts), Eugene
Need a place to create? MECCA's community studio is open to the public during store hours (Tue-Sat 11am-6pm, Sun 12-5pm). Studio fees include space, supplies, and anything from their pay-what-you-can section. Perfect for rainy days, early release Wednesdays, or anytime creativity strikes! Call ahead for groups: 541-302-1810. More info

☕ PlaySpace Cafe Mon-Thu 9am-6pm, Fri-Sun 9am-7pm • All ages • Check pricing online
📍2420 W 11th Ave, Eugene
Custom designed indoor play areas, book nook, and Apollo Art Room perfect for little ones to be creative, exercise, and imagine! Enjoy hot coffee, fresh pastries, light lunch, and fast internet while your kids play. Comfortable seating options available. Private party room (The Voyager) available for rent. More info

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Here's to the journey!

Jess
Creator, Eugene Family Scoop