All Bend-La Pine Schools are closed to students Monday–Tuesday, Oct. 19–20; events and activities are canceled and will be rescheduled. Students return Wednesday, Oct. 21 on the early-release schedule, and schools follow regular schedules Thursday–Friday. Silver Rail Elementary remains closed until further notice; a separate plan has been shared with Silver Rail families and staff. Counselors are available in all school buildings, and law enforcement presence is heightened.
Source: Bend-La Pine Schools, updated Sat, Oct 17, 9:30 AM PT
Free meals, counseling, childcare, activities and more — offered by Bend neighbors and organizations.
Directory last updated: Mon, Oct 19, 6:51 PM PT
Monday, Oct. 19: 9 a.m.–noon (letter writing); noon–3 p.m. (crafternoon & letter writing)
Central Library, Creative 1 (2nd Floor), 61956 SE Santorini St, Bend, OR 97702
Monday, Oct. 19, 6–7:15 p.m.
856 NW Bond St, Suite 202, Bend, OR 97701
Monday, Oct. 19, 7–10 a.m.
61147 S Hwy 97, Bend, OR 97702 (Pinebrook Plaza)
Monday, Oct. 19, 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
2797 NW Clearwater Dr, Suites 100 & 500, Bend, OR 97703
13 free listings
Free open play for families on Monday, Oct. 19, 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Parents are encouraged to stay and connect. Parents who need child care during open play can drop off children over age 5. (Reported by Eat Drink Bend's Oct. 18 update. We haven't found it on Tula's own website yet, so contact the studio to confirm. Phone and email are from tulamovementarts.com.)
Available through Oct 19, 2026
With no school Monday and Tuesday, MacDougall Training (a baseball and softball training facility) is opening its doors to anyone who wants some physical activity, with access to its cages, training equipment and gym. A donation bucket will be available, with all proceeds going to support Silver Rail. Bend Family Loop lists the hours as noon–3 p.m., all ages, free. (Sources: MacDougall Training's Instagram post; hours from Bend Family Loop; address/phone from macdougallbaseball.com.)
Available through Oct 20, 2026
With schools closed, McMenamins Old St. Francis School is opening its theater for free, family-friendly films Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 19–20, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Bring the kids, come as you are, and stay for a little while or for a movie. No expectations, just a space to be together. Source: McMenamins Old St. Francis post shared in the Bend Oregon Facebook group.
Available through Oct 20, 2026
NatureConnect Central Oregon is hosting free pop-up nature and art activities for families, with go-at-your-own-pace options to connect with nature and community. Monday, Oct. 19, 10 a.m.–noon at Al Moody Park; Tuesday, Oct. 20, 10 a.m.–noon at Alpenglow Park. Free and open to all families. (Source: NatureConnect's Instagram post.)
Available through Oct 20, 2026
With Bend-La Pine Schools closed Monday and Tuesday, Play Theory Cafe, an indoor play space and cafe, is again offering pay-what-you-can admission on Oct. 19 and 20, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Source: Play Theory Cafe's Instagram post, also reported by KTVZ on Oct. 19.)
Available through Oct 20, 2026
Ruckus: A Children's Science Museum (the Children's Museum of Central Oregon) is opening its Discovery West pop-up for free open play for all families who want a welcoming place to gather and play. Monday, Oct. 19, 9 a.m.–3 p.m., and Tuesday, Oct. 20, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. (after Toddler Time). The pop-up is at Discovery Corner, 1123 NW Ochoa Dr., Suite 100. (Source: Ruckus's Instagram post; address from ruckusmuseum.org.)
Available through Oct 20, 2026
With schools closed, The Little Gym of Bend is opening for free community open gym Monday and Tuesday, noon–3 p.m. — a familiar place to play, move, and simply be kids. All families welcome; no membership required. Registration and waiver required: Monday https://ctgro.com/Q531tzsX1 · Tuesday https://ctgro.com/wGPG9MNi9
Available through Oct 20, 2026
The Central Oregon Junior Golf Association (COJGA), with Old Back Nine and XGolf Bend, is offering kids complimentary tee times and simulator play this week so they can be together outdoors with friends. Bend Family Loop lists Tuesday, Oct. 20, 12:30 p.m. at Old Back Nine and Wednesday, Oct. 21, 3 p.m. at XGolf Bend (a Monday 10:10 a.m. session was also listed). Free; send COJGA a direct message on Instagram to sign up. (Sources: COJGA's Instagram post; dates/times from Bend Family Loop.)
Available through Oct 21, 2026
Deschutes County Health Services, St. Charles Health System and Bend-La Pine Schools are holding free drop-in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) sessions with crisis stabilization, emotional support, small-group discussions, guidance on talking with children about traumatic events, and connections to local resources. Open to families, staff and community members. There is no event Monday, Oct. 19.
Available through Oct 21, 2026
Bend FC (nonprofit soccer club) is offering a free day camp Mon–Fri, Oct. 19–23, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Update Oct. 18: Monday and Tuesday reached capacity (kids and volunteers). The camp continues Wednesday–Friday for Silver Rail students and families; volunteers may be needed Wed.–Fri. Activities: soccer, recreational games and group activities. No Bend FC membership or soccer experience needed. Registration required. Location: Bend FC Soccer Complex at Pine Nursery Park or Bend FC Futsal Center (registered families were emailed). (Sources: bendfctimbers.com/free-community-camp; KTVZ 10/18.)
Available through Oct 23, 2026
Dry Canyon Club in Redmond is hosting its 2nd Annual Pumpkin Painting Party on Saturday, Oct. 24, 1–7 p.m. Pumpkin painting is free for anyone, with a costume contest and trick-or-treating around the lot. 100% of proceeds from the day's sales will be donated to the families of Silver Rail. (Source: Dry Canyon Club's Instagram post; address/phone from drycanyonclub.com.)
Available through Oct 24, 2026
Wildheart Nature School is offering Silver Rail Elementary families one of its upcoming October No School Nature Days free of charge; use code SILVERRAIL when registering. October No School Nature Days are Wed. Oct. 28, Thu. Oct. 29 and Fri. Oct. 30, ages 6–12, 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m., at Double JR Ranch. It is also offering a couple of remaining spots in its Thursday Wilderness Adventure and Archery Homeschool Program (ages 6–12) free to Silver Rail students; email info@wildheartnatureschool.com to join. (Sources: Bend Family Loop, which quotes Wildheart; dates/ages/times from wildheartnatureschool.com. Confirm the code with the school when registering.)
Available through Oct 30, 2026
Availability may change. Please confirm details directly with each organization.
Time, meals, items or money — every offer makes a difference.