What are the best places to take a family with young kids on the southern Oregon coast?

Brandi C

I have two daughters, almost 3 and almost 4. We will be moving to the southern Oregon coast. I am looking for stuff to do in and around Brookings, Gold Beach, Port Orford, Bandon, Coos Bay and the surrounding areas. The cheaper the better, but we're willing to pay for cool stuff. We're looking for great places to hike, good beaches, good parks and other attractions. We're also looking for family friendly restaurants or cools shops. We'd also love to find a place where the girls could ride model trains. There's a great train park in Medford and we'd love to find one on the coast. We're on a budget so we're not looking for anything expensive, just cool stuff to do on our days off. THANKS!!!

Answer
If you're in Coos Bay there is a great place for young kids called "Outdoor Inn". They have an indoor inflatable jumpable and several of the larger plastic castles for the kids to climb and play in. They also have quite a few of the push cars to ride on. Little ones outgrow this part of the facility by about 6-7 years old, but for your girls, it's perfect. Cost is about $2 a day per child when last I checked. I found a youtube video of the facility which shows you what it looks like
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9Lbl2aP5Zw
The business is located on 4th Street in Coos Bay, just two blocks off Highway 101.

Another good place for kids in the area is the West Coast Game park which is 7 miles south of Bandon on the Oregon coast. This wildlife park bills itself as the largest petting zoo in the United States with over 450 animals and birds.
http://www.gameparksafari.com/

Here is another good site which lists things to do an see in this area: http://www.oregonduneskoa.com/oregoncoast.html
For girls your age, I recommend the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve and the tide pools at the end of Cape Arago highway. You might also look into Gymnastics Plus in Coos Bay, which is located at the Boys and Girls Club. They offer frequent children's classes in gymnastics and have a lot of fun toys and trampolines for the girls to play on. Prices are very reasonable.

As to places to eat, Outdoor Inn serves a wide variety, but you might also look at Dave's Pizza in Coos Bay, Denny's Pizza in Coquille and any of the Kozy Kitchen restaurants in Coos Bay, North Bend and Myrtle Point. I'm not as familiar with the towns to the south, but I'm sure you will find all are kid friendly and enjoyable.

Here's a great list of our local activities - many of which would be fun with kids:
http://www.visittheoregoncoast.com/home.cfm?dir_cat=15359. Don't forget to ask when the various local Christmas programs are in any of the towns - most have some kind of free celebration, with petting zoos, free photos with Santa, arts and crafts - even treasure hunts occasionally. All great fun.

Is it lame to have a sweet 16 luau party, in your backyard, without a pool?

ECHAN

I am looking for a cheaper alternative for throwing a big party. I want it to be fun &memorable but at the same time I don't want to bankrupt my parents in the process:) My party would probably be the beginning of September so, the weather could be rainy, and I would like there to be about 60 people.

I was thinking it could be an inside/outside party with lots of food and games. I do not have a pool, which kind of makes me think a luau party without a pool isn't a good idea.

The activities would be including: xbox, dancing, eating, volleyball, limbo, trampoline, movies playing inside &more.

I would greet every guest at the door with leis, to make sure everyone knows how much I appreciate them coming to my party.

I would have a ton of decorations around the yard and in my house including:
personalized banner
lanterns/tiki torches
inflatable palm trees
flowers
beach balls
candles
streamers
pineapple centerpieces
balloons
etc.

For food, I would have a hollowed out watermelon to hold fruit salad, mock-cocktails, Hawaiian pizza, &the usual chips, candy, etc. I would put the food in sand buckets, instead of just bowls.

Some other ideas I was considering is a photo backdrop so I can have a lot of memories from this party and possibly hire a DJ, a local band, or just stick to a play list I make. Both of those might not be possible, but they are in the air.

My whole party theme and location is still undecided at the moment and I really don't want it to be a lame party, so any ideas and your honest opinion would be greatly appreciated:) I want everything to be perfect on my special day.

Answer
Your party sounds great and well thought out. We have had a luau party without a pool. Not everyone has a pool in fact most people don't. So have your party and your friends will have so much fun!

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what is the best water trampoline?

Chris

my family is buying a house on a lake and i would like a trampoline for the water. i am a competitive gymnast and need at lot of jumping room for under $400 dollars. i know the cheapest trampolines are about 8 foot of jumping room but that is not enough room for me. i need at least 10 foot of jumping room if possible. i want this for my birthday. my dad is very hard to convince so i have to have as much reaserch as possible and need many links, thanks for your help.

Answer
Choosing a water trampoline or water bouncer for summer fun can be confusing as there are a lot of options out there. Choosing the perfect fit for you and your family is all about being informed on the different types of water trampolines, water bouncers and various accessories. This guide will help you find the right product for you and your needs.

Water Bouncers

Water bouncers are often mistaken for their more expensive counterpart, water trampolines. The jumping surface of a water bouncer is connected directly to the floatation part of the bouncer instead of being connected by springs thus giving it a smaller bounce. They are typically smaller than water trampolines making them easier to store and easier to set up because they require no assembly.

Connection

* Jumping surface is connected to the floatation tube, typically by interlocking nylon webbing.
* Jumping service of bouncers is NOT connected by springs.

Assembly

* Does not require assembly, only inflation.
* Inflate and anchor before enjoying.
* Anchor should be a simple D-ring anchor or any weight over 20 pounds should suffice.
* Anchor in over six feet of water to avoid injuries.

Pricing

* Bouncers usually range in size from 10 to 15 feet in diameter.
* Bouncers are generally less expensive than water trampolines and are typically under $1,000.

Water Trampolines

Inflatable water trampolines differ from water bouncers due to the fact that they can hold heavier weight loads and tend to allow to higher jumps. The added support and higher jumps are a result of the framed jump surface that is connected by springs to a frame, which is then connected to the inflation tube.

Connection

* Jumping surface of a water trampoline is connected to the frame by springs.
* Provides significantly greater weight support and higher jumping heights.

Assembly

* Some assembly required.
* Frame and jumping surface must be assembled and attached to the floatation tube once inflated.
* Anchor needs to be at least 60 pounds and should be anchored in a place without water currents.

Pricing

* It is easy to find water trampolines priced under $1,000 but they can be over $1,000 also.
* Can be as large as 25â² in diameter and as small as 11â² in diameter.
* Typically are more expensive than water bouncers.

Styles

* Rectangular trampolines are offered that range in sizes and can be up to 25 feet in length.
* Rectangular trampolines tend to be more expensive and hold tension better because of their shape.
* Circular trampolines tend to be less expensive and do not hold tension as well but they do have a sweet spot in the middle of the mat because of the tension distribution.

Safety

Safety is one of the main concerns of many people who purchase water trampolines. Children under 6 years old should not be allowed on water trampolines and children over 6 should be supervised by an adult. Life vests should be worn at all times while enjoying your water trampoline. Also, be sure to read all directions carefully and set up your water trampoline and accessories accordingly to ensure maximum safety and fun!

We have a plethora of information on our site.

where can i find really cheap gymnastics mats?

Q. notones that are really thin, thicker ones, but not quite crash mats. either that, or cheap inflatable trampolines..something i can practice skills on at home.

Answer
Flexiroll is the one recommend by American Cheerleader. They are fairly inexpensive. I believe there is one under $100. You can find them here: http://www.dversifiedsports.com/flexiroll.htm.

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what is the best water trampoline?

cheap inflatable trampoline image

Chris

my family is buying a house on a lake and i would like a trampoline for the water. i am a competitive gymnast and need at lot of jumping room for under $400 dollars. i know the cheapest trampolines are about 8 foot of jumping room but that is not enough room for me. i need at least 10 foot of jumping room if possible. i want this for my birthday. my dad is very hard to convince so i have to have as much reaserch as possible and need many links, thanks for your help.

Answer
Choosing a water trampoline or water bouncer for summer fun can be confusing as there are a lot of options out there. Choosing the perfect fit for you and your family is all about being informed on the different types of water trampolines, water bouncers and various accessories. This guide will help you find the right product for you and your needs.

Water Bouncers

Water bouncers are often mistaken for their more expensive counterpart, water trampolines. The jumping surface of a water bouncer is connected directly to the floatation part of the bouncer instead of being connected by springs thus giving it a smaller bounce. They are typically smaller than water trampolines making them easier to store and easier to set up because they require no assembly.

Connection

* Jumping surface is connected to the floatation tube, typically by interlocking nylon webbing.
* Jumping service of bouncers is NOT connected by springs.

Assembly

* Does not require assembly, only inflation.
* Inflate and anchor before enjoying.
* Anchor should be a simple D-ring anchor or any weight over 20 pounds should suffice.
* Anchor in over six feet of water to avoid injuries.

Pricing

* Bouncers usually range in size from 10 to 15 feet in diameter.
* Bouncers are generally less expensive than water trampolines and are typically under $1,000.

Water Trampolines

Inflatable water trampolines differ from water bouncers due to the fact that they can hold heavier weight loads and tend to allow to higher jumps. The added support and higher jumps are a result of the framed jump surface that is connected by springs to a frame, which is then connected to the inflation tube.

Connection

* Jumping surface of a water trampoline is connected to the frame by springs.
* Provides significantly greater weight support and higher jumping heights.

Assembly

* Some assembly required.
* Frame and jumping surface must be assembled and attached to the floatation tube once inflated.
* Anchor needs to be at least 60 pounds and should be anchored in a place without water currents.

Pricing

* It is easy to find water trampolines priced under $1,000 but they can be over $1,000 also.
* Can be as large as 25â² in diameter and as small as 11â² in diameter.
* Typically are more expensive than water bouncers.

Styles

* Rectangular trampolines are offered that range in sizes and can be up to 25 feet in length.
* Rectangular trampolines tend to be more expensive and hold tension better because of their shape.
* Circular trampolines tend to be less expensive and do not hold tension as well but they do have a sweet spot in the middle of the mat because of the tension distribution.

Safety

Safety is one of the main concerns of many people who purchase water trampolines. Children under 6 years old should not be allowed on water trampolines and children over 6 should be supervised by an adult. Life vests should be worn at all times while enjoying your water trampoline. Also, be sure to read all directions carefully and set up your water trampoline and accessories accordingly to ensure maximum safety and fun!

We have a plethora of information on our site.

what is a fun, cheap inflatable lake toy?

I am looking for something inflatable like a slide or like hamster ball to run across the water... no trampolines. Something not too expensive... do you know where to get this?

Answer
Try a truck or tractor inner tube, always a hit, and cheap!

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what toys do you think are a great investment?

cheap inflatable trampoline image

Sexy Ma

what toys do you think are a great investment? I have a 12 yr old daughter and 4 yr old son and they use the trampoline EVERYDAY! I also, have a motorcycle power wheels and my daughter will ride on it with him(we have a jeep power wheels but my daughter can't fit into that one comfortably) and a 9 ft. inflatable water slide..Both my kids have sooooo much fun on it!

Answer
I hate to spend money on big expensive toys...Mostly because kids get bored quickly and most toys break or the kids lose pieces really quickly!

I like toys like play-doh, cheap fun and easy to replace.

Our biggest investment was a play kitchen with food and pots and pans. We also built a sandbox, but sand toys are really cheap.

Our favorite toys:
Play-doh
Washable water colors
Wooden blocks
Crayons (Washable)
Books
Wooden puzzles
Hot wheels cars
Army guys
Bubbles (which you can make yourself)
Etc.

what is the best water trampoline?

Chris

my family is buying a house on a lake and i would like a trampoline for the water. i am a competitive gymnast and need at lot of jumping room for under $400 dollars. i know the cheapest trampolines are about 8 foot of jumping room but that is not enough room for me. i need at least 10 foot of jumping room if possible. i want this for my birthday. my dad is very hard to convince so i have to have as much reaserch as possible and need many links, thanks for your help.

Answer
Choosing a water trampoline or water bouncer for summer fun can be confusing as there are a lot of options out there. Choosing the perfect fit for you and your family is all about being informed on the different types of water trampolines, water bouncers and various accessories. This guide will help you find the right product for you and your needs.

Water Bouncers

Water bouncers are often mistaken for their more expensive counterpart, water trampolines. The jumping surface of a water bouncer is connected directly to the floatation part of the bouncer instead of being connected by springs thus giving it a smaller bounce. They are typically smaller than water trampolines making them easier to store and easier to set up because they require no assembly.

Connection

* Jumping surface is connected to the floatation tube, typically by interlocking nylon webbing.
* Jumping service of bouncers is NOT connected by springs.

Assembly

* Does not require assembly, only inflation.
* Inflate and anchor before enjoying.
* Anchor should be a simple D-ring anchor or any weight over 20 pounds should suffice.
* Anchor in over six feet of water to avoid injuries.

Pricing

* Bouncers usually range in size from 10 to 15 feet in diameter.
* Bouncers are generally less expensive than water trampolines and are typically under $1,000.

Water Trampolines

Inflatable water trampolines differ from water bouncers due to the fact that they can hold heavier weight loads and tend to allow to higher jumps. The added support and higher jumps are a result of the framed jump surface that is connected by springs to a frame, which is then connected to the inflation tube.

Connection

* Jumping surface of a water trampoline is connected to the frame by springs.
* Provides significantly greater weight support and higher jumping heights.

Assembly

* Some assembly required.
* Frame and jumping surface must be assembled and attached to the floatation tube once inflated.
* Anchor needs to be at least 60 pounds and should be anchored in a place without water currents.

Pricing

* It is easy to find water trampolines priced under $1,000 but they can be over $1,000 also.
* Can be as large as 25â² in diameter and as small as 11â² in diameter.
* Typically are more expensive than water bouncers.

Styles

* Rectangular trampolines are offered that range in sizes and can be up to 25 feet in length.
* Rectangular trampolines tend to be more expensive and hold tension better because of their shape.
* Circular trampolines tend to be less expensive and do not hold tension as well but they do have a sweet spot in the middle of the mat because of the tension distribution.

Safety

Safety is one of the main concerns of many people who purchase water trampolines. Children under 6 years old should not be allowed on water trampolines and children over 6 should be supervised by an adult. Life vests should be worn at all times while enjoying your water trampoline. Also, be sure to read all directions carefully and set up your water trampoline and accessories accordingly to ensure maximum safety and fun!

We have a plethora of information on our site.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

What are the best places to take a family with young kids on the southern Oregon coast?

cheap inflatable trampoline image

Brandi C

I have two daughters, almost 3 and almost 4. We will be moving to the southern Oregon coast. I am looking for stuff to do in and around Brookings, Gold Beach, Port Orford, Bandon, Coos Bay and the surrounding areas. The cheaper the better, but we're willing to pay for cool stuff. We're looking for great places to hike, good beaches, good parks and other attractions. We're also looking for family friendly restaurants or cools shops. We'd also love to find a place where the girls could ride model trains. There's a great train park in Medford and we'd love to find one on the coast. We're on a budget so we're not looking for anything expensive, just cool stuff to do on our days off. THANKS!!!

Answer
If you're in Coos Bay there is a great place for young kids called "Outdoor Inn". They have an indoor inflatable jumpable and several of the larger plastic castles for the kids to climb and play in. They also have quite a few of the push cars to ride on. Little ones outgrow this part of the facility by about 6-7 years old, but for your girls, it's perfect. Cost is about $2 a day per child when last I checked. I found a youtube video of the facility which shows you what it looks like
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9Lbl2aP5Zw
The business is located on 4th Street in Coos Bay, just two blocks off Highway 101.

Another good place for kids in the area is the West Coast Game park which is 7 miles south of Bandon on the Oregon coast. This wildlife park bills itself as the largest petting zoo in the United States with over 450 animals and birds.
http://www.gameparksafari.com/

Here is another good site which lists things to do an see in this area: http://www.oregonduneskoa.com/oregoncoast.html
For girls your age, I recommend the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve and the tide pools at the end of Cape Arago highway. You might also look into Gymnastics Plus in Coos Bay, which is located at the Boys and Girls Club. They offer frequent children's classes in gymnastics and have a lot of fun toys and trampolines for the girls to play on. Prices are very reasonable.

As to places to eat, Outdoor Inn serves a wide variety, but you might also look at Dave's Pizza in Coos Bay, Denny's Pizza in Coquille and any of the Kozy Kitchen restaurants in Coos Bay, North Bend and Myrtle Point. I'm not as familiar with the towns to the south, but I'm sure you will find all are kid friendly and enjoyable.

Here's a great list of our local activities - many of which would be fun with kids:
http://www.visittheoregoncoast.com/home.cfm?dir_cat=15359. Don't forget to ask when the various local Christmas programs are in any of the towns - most have some kind of free celebration, with petting zoos, free photos with Santa, arts and crafts - even treasure hunts occasionally. All great fun.

Is it lame to have a sweet 16 luau party, in your backyard, without a pool?

ECHAN

I am looking for a cheaper alternative for throwing a big party. I want it to be fun &memorable but at the same time I don't want to bankrupt my parents in the process:) My party would probably be the beginning of September so, the weather could be rainy, and I would like there to be about 60 people.

I was thinking it could be an inside/outside party with lots of food and games. I do not have a pool, which kind of makes me think a luau party without a pool isn't a good idea.

The activities would be including: xbox, dancing, eating, volleyball, limbo, trampoline, movies playing inside &more.

I would greet every guest at the door with leis, to make sure everyone knows how much I appreciate them coming to my party.

I would have a ton of decorations around the yard and in my house including:
personalized banner
lanterns/tiki torches
inflatable palm trees
flowers
beach balls
candles
streamers
pineapple centerpieces
balloons
etc.

For food, I would have a hollowed out watermelon to hold fruit salad, mock-cocktails, Hawaiian pizza, &the usual chips, candy, etc. I would put the food in sand buckets, instead of just bowls.

Some other ideas I was considering is a photo backdrop so I can have a lot of memories from this party and possibly hire a DJ, a local band, or just stick to a play list I make. Both of those might not be possible, but they are in the air.

My whole party theme and location is still undecided at the moment and I really don't want it to be a lame party, so any ideas and your honest opinion would be greatly appreciated:) I want everything to be perfect on my special day.

Answer
Your party sounds great and well thought out. We have had a luau party without a pool. Not everyone has a pool in fact most people don't. So have your party and your friends will have so much fun!

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

what is a fun, cheap inflatable lake toy?

cheap inflatable trampoline image

I am looking for something inflatable like a slide or like hamster ball to run across the water... no trampolines. Something not too expensive... do you know where to get this?

Answer
Try a truck or tractor inner tube, always a hit, and cheap!

Where in Australia/The Internet can i buy an human sized inflatable walk on water ball? [PIC INCLUDED]?

warennie

http://www.thegreenhead.com/imgs/sportsstuff-nuclear-globe-4.jpg

Answer
Go to http://www.sportsstuff.com and click on "Trampolines and Fun Stuff". They aren't' cheap!

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