Little ones love to splash in the public fountain at Peninsula Park in North Portland.

Credit: Aaron Lee

Family Friendly

Discover the best things to do in Portland with toddlers, tweens and every age in between.

Little ones love to splash in the public fountain at Peninsula Park in North Portland.

Credit: Aaron Lee

Ready for the best. family. vacation. ever? Whatever you’re kids are into (science, animals, video games, the great outdoors), there are plenty of family-friendly things to do in Portland. Read on for some of our favorite family-friendly activities, and check out our events calendar for upcoming kid-friendly events.

Questions About Visiting Portland With Kids

Is Portland family-friendly?

Of course! Portland is home to thousands of families, and you’ll find fun things for kids to do in every corner of the city. Read on for some of our favorite year-round activities.

Are there things to do with kids when it’s raining?

There’s no such thing as being cooped up inside when you’re in Portland. There’s an indoor skatepark, rock climbing gyms, indoor play areas, a massive indoor soccer field, ice skating, and more.

Does Portland have an aquarium?

The Oregon Zoo has a “Penguinarium,” a polar bear exhibit, and other areas to see animals underwater. There are aquariums on the Oregon Coast in Newport and Seaside, Ore.

Aerial view of the docked submarine on the Willamette River at OMSI

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)

With interactive science labs, a planetarium, a giant-screen theater, a retired navy submarine, traveling exhibits and "After Dark" events, OMSI lures all ages.

a red panda walks on a tree limb, surrounded by leaves

Oregon Zoo

Located near downtown Portland in Washington Park, the Oregon Zoo is home to more than 2,600 animals.

person walking through a museum exhibition of different trees

World Forestry Center Discovery Museum

Tree- and forest-lovers of all ages can learn about the importance of sustainability and experience a Portland icon at the World Forestry Center Discovery Museum, with exhibits on local and global forests.

Oaks Amusement Park

In Southeast Portland’s Sellwood neighborhood, Oaks Amusement Park has been providing families with carnival thrills and family fun since 1905.

an airplane with tubes coming out of the sides

Kid-Friendly Regional Attractions

Trips outside the city promise all-ages entertainment. Here are four must-see attractions within two hours of downtown Portland.

an adolescent boy looking through a submarine scope

When I Grow Up: Portland Attractions for Career-Oriented Kids

At these family-friendly Portland attractions, kids can walk in the shoes of the heroes they idolize: firefighters, astronauts, airplane pilots and sailors.

Four large headed scary/funny monsters on stage

Children’s Theater

Portland's children's theater companies introduce kids to live theater and teaches them people in costumes are fun, not scary.

Portland International Raceway

Portland International Raceway hosts a spectrum of exciting events, including cycling, drag racing and motocross, auto shows and obstacle course events.

Quarterworld

Opened in 2016, Quarterworld is the largest arcade bar in Portland. Split into adult- and kid-friendly sides, the old theater houses 34 machines and 64 arcade games, along with flavorful eats like bao buns, pizza and banh mi sandwiches.
Ground Kontrol

In addition to a full complement of vintage video games and pinball machines, this two-floor adult arcade features a beer and wine bar, live music and DJs on weekends and a steady stream of joystick-related events.
Avalon Theatre & Wunderland

At this family-owned business, two small screens show second-run movies, while the on-site video arcade offers hours of entertainment for mere nickels.
Guardian Games

This massive game store offers all kinds of games and game-related events, plus space to play. Adults will appreciate the availability of beer on tap.
Cloud Cap Games

Cloud Cap Games has classic board games, card games and puzzles, plus work by local artists. They also host regular game gatherings and special events, and provide some games for rent to play at home.

Parks with Playgrounds

If you're not old enough to fully appreciate Portland's beer, bikes and arts culture, we also have many slides and swings perfect for kids.

Play Time

people of all ages around a picnic table covered with draft beers and coloring books

Kid-Friendly Breweries in Portland

In a city with so many excellent breweries, parents don't have to choose between spending time with their kids and enjoying a great pint of beer.

a young girl adds chocolate chips and blueberries to a pancake

Kid-Friendly Dining

These family-friendly Portland restaurants combine healthy children’s menus, play areas and fun.

an ice cream sampler consisting of four small bowls and one sugar cone

Ice Cream in Portland

Savor culinary creativity by the scoop at Portland's top ice cream spots, including regional chains, frozen yogurt shops and vegan options.

Little Otsu

Little Otsu is a Portland-based independent publisher that focuses on publishing and selling illustrated books and paper goods.
Black Wagon Kids Boutique

Black Wagon offers a collection of modern, artist-inspired, artist-crafted merchandise for babies and kids: clothing, toys, books, bedding, furniture, decor and more.
Collage – Alberta

This popular art-supply store stocks drawing, painting, jewelry-making, stamping, mixed-media, card-making and other supplies, including children's.
Scrap PDX

The SCRAP retail store sells all kinds of reused materials for arts and crafts, plus school, office, and party supplies. They also offer classes and some new items such as glue and brushes.
Presents of Mind

Since 1989, Presents of Mind has sought to curate a selection of new and unique gift items. They carry unusual gifts and locally designed items including jewelry, cards, accessories, baby items and more.

Portland Toy Stores

Whether you’re a parent looking for an educational game or a collector on the hunt for a vintage action figure, Portland’s toy stores deliver.

Toy Time

two children sitting on a train, one is dressed like a train conductor

Family Fun for All Ages

Whether your children are just learning to crawl or have mastered their iPhones, Portland’s abundant kid-friendly activities keep the good times rolling.

a family roller skating at Oaks Amusement Park

Indoor Activities for Children

When Portland's weather prevents kids from running around outside, families can choose from dozens of indoor activities.

A family with two small children a hike along a tree-shaded stream.

Kid-Friendly Hikes

Portland has numerous kid-friendly hiking spots with trails under 4 miles (6 km) close to the city and bursting with natural beauty.

kids splash in the fountain at peninsula park

Portland’s Public Fountains

Cool off with free fun at these kid-friendly fountains in Portland.

Swimmers beat the summer heat at the indoor North Clackamas Aquatics Center with slides and pools

Amusement & Water Parks

Portland and the surrounding region offer a variety of amusements and entertainments for the young and young at heart.

Ice Skating in and Around Portland

Here are your best bets for ice skating in Portland and the region, from year-round indoor rinks to winter-only outdoor options.

Editor's Pick

Sept. 16–Oct. 31, 2023

Spirit of Halloweentown

Courthouse Plaza Cost Varies

The historic town of St. Helens, located 45 minutes from Portland, celebrates Halloween all month lo…

Editor's Pick

Halloween

Editor's Pick

Sept. 2–Oct. 31, 2023

The Corn Maize at the Pumpkin Patch

Sauvie Island Pumpkin Patch $8 – $10

The Corn Maize, located on Sauvie Island north of Portland, offers visitors eight acres of physical …

Editor's Pick

For Kids, Halloween, Outdoors

Editor's Pick

Oct. 28–29, 2023

Howloween

Oregon Zoo Free with admission

The zoo provides a fun and safe setting for this Halloween tradition, where costumed trick-or-treate…

Editor's Pick

Festival, For Kids, Outdoors

Editor's Pick

Nov. 24–Dec. 17, 2023

Holiday Express

Oregon Rail Heritage Center $25 – $99

Join Santa Claus and his elves for a magical ride behind the 1912 Polson #2 steam locomotive. Decora…

Editor's Pick

For Kids, History

Seasonal Family Fun

A woman and three children find their way through the tall corn at the Corn Maize at The Pumpkin Patch on Sauvie Island.

The Corn Maize on Sauvie Island

The Corn Maize, located on Sauvie Island north of Portland, offers visitors eight acres of physical and mental challenges in a cornfield.

Apple Picking Near Portland

Freshly-picked Pacific Northwest apples are a local favorite, and many Portland-area orchards allow visitors to pluck the fruit right off the branch.

thousands of small birds swarm around a tall brick chimney at sunset

Chapman Swift Watch

Every September, spectators gather to see the world’s largest roost of Vaux’s swifts swarm and spiral into the chimney of a Northwest Portland school.

A city park in autumn with yellow leaves on the large trees and the ground

Portland’s Best Spots for Fall Color

Autumnal beauty abounds in Portland, and there are plenty of prime places to revel in leaf-crunching relaxation.

a person standing in front of a pumpkin patch holding a pumpkin in front of their face

Pumpkin Patches in and Near Portland

Get swept up in that autumnal feeling at these friendly farms just outside of Portland with U-pick pumpkin patches and fun family activities like hayrides, corn mazes, petting zoos and festive autumn food and drink.

A person sitting inside a large pumpkin paddling across a lake

West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta

This annual race series consists of paddlers piloting a gaggle of gigantic gourds through a watercourse.

Halloween Events in and Around Portland

From corn mazes to dance performances, half-marathons to haunted houses, Portland provides the perfect Halloween plans for any scare-seeking witch or warlock.

$Dozens of jack-o\'-lanterns illuminate the lawn of a park$

The Spirit of Halloweentown

The historic town of St. Helens, located 45 minutes from Portland, celebrates Halloween all month long with haunted tours, costume contests and more.

a night image of the word LOVE spelled out in large letters made of hundreds of small bulbs attached to bicycles in front of a large brick building

Portland Winter Light Festival

Brighten your February with glowing sculptures and thousands of twinkling lights at Portland’s annual Winter Lights Festival.

Building entrance decorated with festive lights at night time

Holiday Light Displays in Portland

Portland is full of bright ways to embrace the shorter days of winter; here are some of the stars in the city’s constellation of holiday light displays.

cars driving on snowy highway towards a snow covered Mount Hood

Winter Sports on Mount Hood

Just a 90-minute drive from downtown, Mount Hood sits right in the city’s backyard and makes for a heck of a winter playground.

a towering waterfall behind a stone bridge surrounded by snow and ice

Winter Hikes in and Near Portland

Oregon is the perfect place for outdoor adventure, any time of year — explore our selection of all-weather paths and hikes in and near Portland.

large lotus shaped lanterns sit in the water with people gazing over a koi pond in a traditional Chinese garden

Lunar New Year Celebrations in Portland

Portland's Asian communities celebrate the Lunar New Year with traditional dances, lantern ceremonies and stunning performances.

Family admires coi pond at Portland Japanese Garden

Spend Spring Break in Portland

Plan an epic spring break in Portland with our list of activities for families, friends, couples and solo travelers.

a tractor sits among rows of blooming tulips on a farm

Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival

Colorful fields reminiscent of Holland burst with acres of tulips in full bloom at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival in Woodburn.

a child collecting easter treats in a basket

Easter Events in Portland

Spring is the harbinger of Easter festivities in Portland. Check out kid-friendly Easter egg hunts, annual picnics and candy-centric events.

a crowd of people relaxing on blankets outdoors

Where to Celebrate Earth Day in Portland

Show your love for Mother Earth by participating in one of these Earth Day events in Portland.

Mother’s Day Events in Portland

Myriad Mother's Day events in Portland make it easy (and fun!) to celebrate moms, grandmas and all of the other important women in your life.

A boy stands in a field of tulips with oak trees and people in the background

Best Spots for Spring Flowers

Find your favorite blooms, from roses to rhododendrons and tulips to trilliums, with our guide to spring flowers in Portland.

native american woman on colorfully decorated horse waves in parade

Portland Rose Festival

Portland Rose Festival features multiple parades, waterfront carnival rides, concerts, races, fireworks and plenty of roses.

UFO Festival in McMinnville

Every May, thousands of visitors flock to the city’s famous UFO Festival, featuring four days of parades, costume contests and expert speakers.

Summer Free for All

Portland Parks & Recreation offers over 400 free events including free movie screenings, concerts and rock climbing.

crowd gathered around a street musician as he performs at Last Thursday art walk

Portland Street Fairs

Come summer, many of Portland’s neighborhoods put on local parties with live music, food and fun.

decorated paint reads please play me at a metro stop as an orange street car passes behind

Piano Push Play Brings Music to the People

Piano Push Play invites local artists to transform old, donated pianos into whimsical works of art which are distributed across the city.

An elephant in a pool raises its trunk and open mouth toward the camera

Zoo Nights

Enjoy magical summer nights in Portland with live music while relaxing among the lush gardens and wildlife at Zoo Nights.

Edgefield Concerts on the Lawn

With acts that have ranged from Al Green to ZZ Top, McMenamins Edgefield Concerts on the Lawn are an annual rite of summer and the hottest ticket in town.

mother and child walking through a field of wildflowers

Sauvie Island

Sauvie Island, the Manhattan-size isle is one of the largest river islands in the country just north of Portland, is where families can find an entire day’s worth of adventures with swimming, hiking, birding and local farms.

Two Portland Timbers soccer players celebrate on the field after a goal

Portland Soccer: Timbers and Thorns

With a fervent following, every Portland Timbers and Thorns match has a festive atmosphere that's enjoyable whether you're a soccer fan or not.

a wooden dock in a river with swimmers standing, sitting, or climbing out of the water, looks toward a city center in the fading light

Swimming Holes Near Portland

Stay cool all summer long at these serene swimming spots, surrounded by the stunning natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest — and all less than an hour away from Portland.

a giant pickle mascot wearing a baseball uniform and hat poses for a photo with a man wearing a Portland Trailblazers T-shirt

A Complete Guide to Portland Baseball

The Portland Pickles and Hillsboro Hops have captured the hearts of Portland baseball fans with inventive promotions and plenty of nods to local culture. Here’s how to get in on the fun.

Fireworks burst in a night sky above a river, with boats in the foreground and a bridge in the background

Fourth of July Events

There’s nothing more American than fun, family and, of course, fireworks. Pack all of that into one weekend with these July 4 events.

large crowd enjoying a summer music festival in Waterfront Park with the Hawthorne Bridge over the Willamette River full of boats in the background

Portland’s Waterfront Blues Festival

Every Fourth of July weekend, the Waterfront Blues Festival takes over downtown Portland’s Waterfront Park.

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