Sometimes parents just need a chance to get away from their children, if even for a few hours.

Children can need the same … some time playing, meeting friends and enjoying other activities.

An Oregon State University program may have just what both generations are looking for.

KidSpirit's Parents Night Out, held every two weeks on a Friday or Saturday night, lets parents relax knowing their children are having a pizza dinner and that they are safe and learning at the same time.

"The kids like being active," said KidSpirit director Karen Swanger.

They also like the pizza and the variety of activities, which include basketball, kickball, gymnastics, jump rope, tag and science activities provided by OSU's chemical engineering department and the Avery House Nature Center.

Parents Night Out activities are located in OSU's Langton Hall, also the site of the KidSpirit offices. Activities are organized and supervised by KidSpirit staff.

Participants must be at least 3 years old and potty trained. Activities are geared toward children 13 and younger, and most of the participants are ages 3 to 8.

KidSpirit is a nonprofit organization in the College of Health and Human Sciences. It serves youths with various year-round athletic, leadership and arts and crafts activities.

The activities are provided on a schedule, with 30 to 90 minutes allowed during the four-hour event. Parents Night Out emulates KidSpirit's successful summer camps, which include more than 200 children.

"Sometimes they don't want to quit playing and move on to something else," said Kristen Granlund, a KidSpirit staff member and OSU student.

Granlund said the children enjoy having Langton Hall to themselves.

"It's just special for them to be here," she added.

The program was started about three years ago when a KidSpirit gymnastics instructor said other clubs had similar programs. It began as a pilot project with a moderate response. The program is now in its second year with sessions held every two weeks.

"I think the (parent) feedback has been very good," Granlund said. "I think they like that the kids don't want to go home."

Swanger said attendance has been slower in the spring — averaging about 10 participants, though 20 to 30 regularly participated in the winter. The program has some regulars who attend, with others joining through word of mouth.

Several times in the past few years, the program also has reached beyond OSU to hold activities in the local schools.

At a glance

What: Parents Night Out, a chance for parents to enjoy an evening by themselves and an opportunity for children to enjoy arts, science and athletic activities from 6 to 10 p.m.

Who: Offered by KidSpirit, a nonprofit organization in OSU's College of Health and Human Sciences

Where: Langton Hall, OSU

When: The next two sessions are scheduled for May 21 and June 4

Cost: $20 per child per session

More information: Call 737-KIDS (5437) or write to kidspirit@oregonstate.edu, or go online to kidspirit.oregonstate.edu