Fresh Experiences to Embrace in January: Kick Off the New Year Right

Start the new year with a fresh perspective by diving into something new—whether it’s mastering a DIY craft, learning a new sport, or honing a unique skill, January is the perfect time to explore exciting possibilities and fuel your personal growth.

Foster Your Creative Side

Unleash your inner artist and spark your imagination by exploring hands-on workshops and creative classes that allow you to foster your artistic side and discover new talents.

Cake Hoopla (cakehoopla.com) is a no-bake cake decorating studio in Tigard, where all ages can enjoy the art of cake and cupcake decorating. Visit Cake Hoopla during open studio time and decorate cakes or cupcakes at your own pace or take a decorating class.

Learn the art of cooking at a workshop by Hillsboro’s Collective Kitchen (collectivekitchen.net). Classes run the gamut from pizza and pasta making to learning how to make scrumptious desserts.

Board and Brush Creative Studio (boardandbrush.com/progressridge) in Beaverton combines woodworking techniques with the latest artistic trends and custom graphics to help you create your own personalized project.

Learn a New Sport

Challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone and boost your fitness by learning a new sport, while staying warm and cozy.

Pickleball is all the rage and Beaverton has its own indoor court devoted entirely to this popular sport. Jumbo’s Pickleball (jumbospickleball.com/beaverton) is the first multi-court pickleball gym in Tualatin Valley. These “true-bounce” courts are available to rent, along with shoes, paddles and balls.

Indoor rock climbing gyms combine adventure and fitness, offering a fun and challenging way to build strength, enhance coordination, and reach new heights. The Beaverton location of Portland Rock Gym (portlandrockgym.com/beaverton) is a premier climbing destination featuring bouldering, a brand-new Ropes Hall, and fitness and yoga classes. On-site gear rental is also available. Additional climbing gyms include the venerable Stoneworks Climbing Gym (belay.com), also in Beaverton, and The Circuit Bouldering Gym (thecircuitgym.com/tigard) in Tigard.

Set a positive tone for the year ahead, step into the unknown, and make this January the start of something extraordinary.

Learn more at tualatinvalley.org.