Five things to do for kids during spring break

From scavenger hunts to swimming, the Mid-Willamette Valley is buzzing with activities during spring break. Check out these five things to do that will keep the kids active and entertained.

1 Go on a scavenger hunt

The hunt is on. Both the Hallie Ford Museum of Art and the Oregon State Capitol building have planned scavenger hunts for spring break.

The Hallie Ford Museum of Art

Using clues in the "Family Guide," kids can test their knowledge and find various works of art in the gallery to win a prize. Be sure to check out the "Roger Shimomura: An American Knockoff" exhibit, which is open through March 29.

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays; closed Mondays

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays; closed Mondays Where: Hallie Ford Museum of Art, 700 State St.

Hallie Ford Museum of Art, 700 State St. Cost: $6, $4 ages 55 and older, $3 educators or college students and free for ages 17 and younger and for all on Tuesdays

$6, $4 ages 55 and older, $3 educators or college students and free for ages 17 and younger and for all on Tuesdays Information: (503) 370-6855 or willamette.edu/arts/hfma

Oregon State Capitol

The Oregon State Capitol building scavenger hunt covers inside, outside and even the upcycled seal of Oregon in the Galleria. In addition to the hunt, there will be tower tours at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Visitors younger than 18 must be accompanied by a guardian.

When: Building hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

Building hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Where: Oregon State Capitol, 900 Court St. NE

Oregon State Capitol, 900 Court St. NE Cost: Free

Free Information: (503) 986-1848

MORE: Find fun things to do with kids from our Kid Trip columnist.

2 Check out your local library

The Salem Public Library has a week worth of activities for youth of all ages.

For teens:

Get into the fun with "Human Game Pieces: Giant Board Games for Teens," 4 to 5 p.m. March 24, Anderson Rooms A&B.

Spend March 25 with the stars watching "If I Stay" at 3 p.m. in the Teen Scene.

Experience magic hands-on with the "It's Magic! An Arts Workshop" from 3 to 6 p.m. March 26. Then, following the workshop, test your newfound skills as part of an open-to-the-public performance at 6:30 p.m. Both activities take place in Loucks Auditorium.

Because one day is never enough, spend March 27 with the stars, too, watching "Divergent," based on the best-seller by Veronica Roth. It will show at 3 p.m. in the Teen Scene.

All teen activities are free, but space is limited. Interested teens should register using the "My Calendar" link at salemlibrary.org, at the Teen Scene or by calling (503) 588-6364.

For elementary-school-age kids:

Watch "Frozen" 2 p.m. March 20 in Loucks Auditorium.

Get your hands dirty with "Dig It!" garden crafts 2 p.m. March 24 in Story Rooms A & B.

Discover your inner artist during "Spring into Art" 2 p.m. March 25 in the Anderson Room.

Stretch and strengthen during "Yoga for Kids" 2 p.m. March 26 in Story Rooms A & B.

Watch "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" 2 p.m. March 27 in Loucks Auditorium.

All kids' activities are free with no registration required.

When: March 20-27

March 20-27 Where: Salem Public Library, 585 Liberty St. SE

Salem Public Library, 585 Liberty St. SE Information: (503) 588-6088 or salemlibrary.org. Register for teen events by calling (503) 588-6364.

3 Get wet and wild

Whether looking for a leisure swim or a wild ride down a water slide, four area pools offer a variety of water fun.

Wings & Waves Waterpark

It's a consistent 85 degrees inside the waterpark, which features four slides that start from an original Boeing 747, plus a wave pool, leisure pool and hands-on science center.

When: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. March 23-27; check website for other hours

10 a.m. to 8 p.m. March 23-27; check website for other hours Where: 500 NE Captain Michael King Smith Way, McMinnville

500 NE Captain Michael King Smith Way, McMinnville Cost: Varies. $12 to $32.

Varies. $12 to $32. Information: (503) 434-4185 or evergreenmuseum.org/waterpark

The Dallas Aquatics Center

The center has five pools, plus a waterslide, lazy river and spray fountain. Spring break recreational swim is 1 to 5 p.m. March 23-27. The Roger Jordan Community Park, where the center is located, also has tennis courts, basketball courts, soccer and baseball fields, plus a skate park all available for use free of charge.

When: 1 to 5 p.m. March 24-28

1 to 5 p.m. March 24-28 Where: Dallas Aquatics Center, 1005 SE LaCreole Drive, Dallas

Dallas Aquatics Center, 1005 SE LaCreole Drive, Dallas Cost: $5.50, $4.50 ages 60 and older and 17 and younger, $14 for a family of four

$5.50, $4.50 ages 60 and older and 17 and younger, $14 for a family of four Information: (503) 623-9715 or ci.dallas.or.us and click on "Dallas Aquatic Center"

(503) 623-9715 or ci.dallas.or.us and click on "Dallas Aquatic Center" Open swim also offered at:

Salem YMCA , 685 Court St. NE. Cost: $6 youth, $13 adult, $18 family. Information: (503) 581-9622 or theYonline.org

, 685 Court St. NE. $6 youth, $13 adult, $18 family. (503) 581-9622 or theYonline.org The Kroc Center, 1865 Bill Frey Drive NE. Cost: $5 day pass for up to age 17. Information: (503) 566-5762 or kroc.salvationarmysalem.org





4 Be amused

Enchanted Forest, the valley's local amusement park, opens specially for spring break. From the Big Timber Log Ride to the Ice Mountain Bobsled Roller Coaster, a variety of rides and attractions will keep the family busy for the day. Pack a picnic or purchase a snack from one of the variety of food vendors at the forest.

When: The park will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 20, then 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 21-29. Rides open at 10:30 a.m. each day.

The park will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 20, then 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 21-29. Rides open at 10:30 a.m. each day. Where: Enchanted Forest, 8462 Enchanted Way SE, Turner

Enchanted Forest, 8462 Enchanted Way SE, Turner Cost: $10.95, $9.95 ages 3 to 12 and 62 and older, and free ages 2 and younger; rides cost extra

$10.95, $9.95 ages 3 to 12 and 62 and older, and free ages 2 and younger; rides cost extra Information: (503) 371-4242 or enchantedforest.com

5 Take a break

A handful of local places are hosting spring break camps from one-day activities to a week of schedule fun on all manner of subjects.

The Abbey Art Studios

Get artsy and creative with three spring break day camp options at The Abbey Art Studios. The Abbey also offers open studio time for ages 8 to 16. Check website for details.

Miniatures and Fimo Creatures , 9 a.m. to noon, March 23

Paint , 9 a.m. to noon, March 24

Fabric Creations , 1 to 4 p.m. March 27

Where: The Abbey Art Studios, 331 State St.

The Abbey Art Studios, 331 State St. Cost: $25; sibling or parent additional $10 per day; open studio $5 per hour

$25; sibling or parent additional $10 per day; open studio $5 per hour Registration: Register online. Mail check to: 331 State St., Salem, OR 97301

Register online. Mail check to: 331 State St., Salem, OR 97301 Age: 7 to 14

7 to 14 Information: theabbeyartcenter.weebly.com

Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum

Become a rocket scientist at the Spring Break Beginner Model Rocket Camp. Each student will build and fly an Estes rocket that they can take home on completion of the camp.

When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 26 and 27

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 26 and 27 Where: Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, 500 NE Captain Michael King Smith Way, McMinnville

Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, 500 NE Captain Michael King Smith Way, McMinnville Cost: $110 or $80 museum member

$110 or $80 museum member Age: Grades third through fifth

Grades third through fifth Information: (503) 434-4185

Gilbert House Children's Museum

Explore science, become a superhero, make natural art, build a robot, learn magic and travel the world. Gilbert House Children's Museum is hosting a Summer Sampler camp where kids can have a new experience each day.

When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 23-27

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 23-27 Where: Gilbert House Children's Museum, 116 Marion St. NE

Gilbert House Children's Museum, 116 Marion St. NE Cost: $140 to $152

$140 to $152 Age: 5 through 12

5 through 12 Information: (503) 371-3631 or acgilbert.org

Kroc Center

Experience something new every day with the Kroc Center's spring break day camps based on their summer programs. Sign up for one day or all week.

March 19: "Top Chef: Italy"

"Top Chef: Italy" March 20: " Camp H2O"

Camp H2O" March 23: " Kroc Adventures"

Kroc Adventures" March 24: "Mission Impossible"

"Mission Impossible" March 25: "Mad Science"

"Mad Science" March 26: "Theater Thursday"

"Theater Thursday" March 27: " Ceramics"

Ceramics" Where: Kroc Center, 1865 Bill Frey Drive NE

Kroc Center, 1865 Bill Frey Drive NE Cost: $35 to $225, with discount for members

$35 to $225, with discount for members Information: (503) 566-5762 or kroc.salvationarmysalem.org.

Silver Falls Family YMCA

Silver Falls Family YMCA Spring Break Camp include games, crafts, swimming, hiking and adventuring.

When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 20-27

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 20-27 Where: Community Center, 421 S Water St., Silverton

Community Center, 421 S Water St., Silverton Cost: $30 to $100; discount for members

$30 to $100; discount for members Information: (503) 873-0205 or theyonline.org/silver-falls-family-ymca

cwright2@StatesmanJournal.com, (503) 399-6671, find her online at Twitter.com/CarleeWrightSJ and Facebook.com/CarleeWrightSJ