A sweet little cat in our neighborhood named Midnight helped to teach my kids kindness and how to be gentle.

Kids and animals can have a lovely connection. Being around animals helps children learn empathy, responsibility, and patience. Animals encourage questions and make learning hands-on, whether it’s science, emotional awareness, or problem-solving. When kids learn alongside animals, education becomes meaningful and memorable.

The fish store and visiting the goats have always been a fun outing for my kids. Here are some other fun ideas.

Free Goat viewing and interaction: https://thebelmontgoats.org/visit-us

Pets on Broadway: https://petsonbroadway.com/

The Wet Spot Tropical: https://www.wetspottropicalfish.com/

🐦 Wildlife & Nature Spots (Free to Visit) thanks chat GPT

🌿 Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge – A large urban wildlife refuge where you can watch birds and other animals along the wetlands, right in SE Portland. It’s open from early morning until midnight and free to enter. 🌳 Bird Alliance of Oregon (Formerly Portland Audubon) – A 172-acre wildlife sanctuary with trails perfect for birdwatching and wildlife observation; visiting the area is free (though some programs may have fees).

🌲 Portland Audubon Wildlife Care Center – Located at the same sanctuary, this center rehabilitates native wildlife; you can often see birds being cared for and learn about local species — free to visit (donations welcome). 🌾 Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area – Just outside the city, this free wetland reserve is excellent for spotting waterfowl, herons, ducks, beavers, and more when you walk the trails or boardwalks. 🌳 Forest & Parks – Places like Forest Park, Marquam Nature Park, and Powell Butte Nature Park have trails where you’ll see wildlife such as songbirds, squirrels, and other critters while hiking.

Tutor: My name is Brenda Bokenyi. I am a licensed teacher with more than 20 years of experience and certified Orton Gillingham instructor. I am available as a private tutor for children in 1st through 5th grade that need literacy support in English or Spanish. I am available to consult with families regarding literacy or navigating public school IEP meetings. Contact for 20% off your first 4 tutoring sessions by mentioning Knowledge Seekers. https://bokenyi.com/tutoring/

Autism Society of Oregon: Check out there great events, there are lots. Creating a world where everyone in the Autism community is connected to the support they need, when they need it. ASO will be Oregon’s leading organization providing resources, education, advocacy and support for Autistic individuals and their families, friends, and supporters.https://autismsocietyoregon.org/

Studio EMRYS: is a small ceramics studio in SE Portland offering calm, small-group clay classes for kids ages 7–12. Classes are hands-on and low-pressure, with an emphasis on process, material exploration, and creative confidence. We keep groups intentionally small to allow space for relationship-building, flexibility, and learning at each child’s pace. Newsletter discount,$10 off a kids clay mini series. hello@studioemrys.com

Massage by Izzy: I just received a massage from Izzy and it was wonderful! Truly relaxing and I got some of the kinks worked out in my body in a gentle and effective way.Hello, I’m Izzy. My goal as a massage therapist is your relaxation. Massage does not have to be painful to be impactful. Simply relaxing is undeniably rejuvenating. Rejuvenation occurs when you take time out to focus on your wellbeing. Many aches and pains and injuries can benefit from relaxation. I enjoy working with the nervous system to ease into tight muscles. By bringing breath and awareness to tight parts of the body we bring relaxation. While I do go deeper into your muscles, I also understand the impact of stillness and gentleness to allow your body to feel safe to relax. A massage is a great way to slow down and focus on your wellbeing, and get a chance to listen to what your body needs. Please join me if you are interested in slowing your life down a bit more. Offer, first massage only $65 just email Izzy and mention Knowledge Seekers harger.isabel@gmail.com

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