Top 20 Destinations in Portland for Fun Activities with Children
Portland, Oregon is a great city for families with children. From museums and zoos to parks and beaches, there is no shortage of fun and educational activities to do with kids in Portland. In this blog post, we’ll be highlighting the top 20 destinations in Portland for fun activities with children.
- Portland Children’s Museum
- Portland Japanese Garden
- Oregon Zoo
- Portland Art Museum
- Forest Park
- Peninsula Park Rose Garden
- Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)
- Oregon Coast
- Portland Children’s Museum at Washington Park
- Tom McCall Waterfront Park
- Portland Thorns FC soccer games
- Cooking, art, or dance classes
- Portland Saturday Market
- Hands On Children’s Museum in Salem
- Portland Farmers Market
- Portland Pickles minor league baseball games
- Portland Children’s Museum at Providence Park
- Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport
- Portland Winterhawks hockey games
- Portland Children’s Museum at Portland Meadows
Portland Children’s Museum
The Portland Children’s Museum is a great destination for families with children. It has a variety of interactive exhibits and activities that are both educational and fun. Some specific exhibits that kids might enjoy include the “Build It!” exhibit, where they can use real tools and materials to build structures, and the “Waterworks” exhibit, where they can explore the science of water through hands-on play. The museum also has regular workshops and special events, so be sure to check the schedule before you visit. There is also a small cafe and gift shop at the museum. You can find more information and directions on the Portland Children’s Museum website or on Google Maps.
Portland Japanese Garden
The Portland Japanese Garden is a beautiful and peaceful destination for families with children. With its stunning gardens and calm atmosphere, it’s a great place for a leisurely walk or picnic with kids. The garden also has a small playground and a koi pond, which kids can enjoy. In addition to exploring the gardens, kids can also learn about Japanese culture and traditions through the garden’s educational exhibits and events. You can find more information and directions on the Portland Japanese Garden website or on Google Maps.
Oregon Zoo
The Oregon Zoo is a great destination for families with children who love animals. With a variety of animals to see, from elephants and gorillas to flamingos and penguins, it’s a fun and educational outing for the whole family. The zoo also has regular events and demonstrations, such as animal encounters and keeper talks, so you can learn more about the animals and their habitats. There is also a small cafe and gift shop at the zoo. You can find more information and directions on the Oregon Zoo website or on Google Maps.
Portland Art Museum
The Portland Art Museum is a great destination for families with children who are interested in art. With a variety of artworks from different time periods and cultures, it’s a fun and educational outing for the whole family. The museum also has regular workshops and events, such as art-making sessions and artist talks, so you can learn more about the art and the artists who created it. There is also a small cafe and gift shop at the museum. You can find more information and directions on the Portland Art Museum website or on Google Maps.
Forest Park
Forest Park is a beautiful destination for families with children who love nature. With over 80 miles of trails and 5,000 acres of forest, it’s a great place for a hike or bike ride with kids. The park also has a small playground and several picnic areas, so you can enjoy a picnic or a snack together as a family. In addition to exploring the trails, kids can also learn about the local flora and fauna and the importance of conservation. You can find more information and directions on the Forest Park website or on
Google Maps.Peninsula Park Rose Garden
The Peninsula Park Rose Garden is a beautiful destination for families with children who love flowers and gardens. With over 7,000 rose plants in a variety of colors and varieties, it’s a great place for a leisurely walk or picnic with kids. The garden also has a small playground and a fountain, which kids can enjoy. In addition to exploring the roses, kids can also learn about different types of flowers and how to care for them. You can find more information and directions on the Peninsula Park Rose Garden website or on Google Maps.
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)
The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is a great destination for families with children who love science and technology. With a variety of interactive exhibits and activities, it’s a fun and educational outing for the whole family. Some specific exhibits that kids might enjoy include the “Discovery Lab,” where they can conduct hands-on experiments, and the “Planetarium,” where they can learn about outer space. The museum also has regular workshops and special events, so be sure to check the schedule before you visit. There is also a small cafe and gift shop at the museum. You can find more information and directions on the OMSI website or on Google Maps.
Oregon Coast
The Oregon Coast is a beautiful destination for families with children who love the beach. With over 360 miles of coastline, it’s a great place for a beach day or a coastal road trip with kids. The coast has a variety of beaches, from sandy to rocky, so you can choose the one that best suits your family’s interests. In addition to playing in the sand and enjoying the water, kids can also participate in a variety of coastal activities, such as whale watching, surfing, and tidepooling. You can find more information and directions on the Oregon Coast website or on Google Maps.
Portland Children’s Museum at Washington Park
The Portland Children’s Museum at Washington Park is a great destination for families with children. It has a variety of interactive exhibits and activities that are both educational and fun. Some specific exhibits that kids might enjoy include the “Build It!” exhibit, where they can use real tools and materials to build structures, and the “Waterworks” exhibit, where they can explore the science of water through hands-on play. The museum also has regular workshops and special events, so be sure to check the schedule before you visit. In addition to visiting the museum, kids can also enjoy playing in Washington Park, which has a playground and a variety of other recreational activities. There is also a small cafe and gift shop at the museum. You can find more information and directions on the Portland Children’s Museum at Washington Park website or on Google Maps.
Tom McCall Waterfront Park
Tom McCall Waterfront Park is a great destination for families with children who love the outdoors. With a beautiful riverfront setting and a variety of recreational activities, it’s a great place for a picnic or a walk with kids. The park has a small playground and several picnic areas, so you can enjoy a snack or a meal together as a family. In addition to exploring the park, kids can also enjoy watching the boats on the river and learning about the history of Portland’s waterfront. You can find more information and directions on the Tom McCall Waterfront Park website or on Google Maps.
Portland Thorns FC soccer games
Take your kids to a Portland Thorns FC soccer game for some family-friendly sports entertainment. It’s a great way to spend a day together and experience the excitement of live soccer. The Thorns play at Providence Park, which is a small and intimate stadium where kids can get up close to the action. The games are also affordable
, with ticket prices starting at just $15. You can find more information and directions on the Portland Thorns FC website or on Google Maps.Cook Park
Cook Park is a great destination for families with children who love the outdoors. With a beautiful riverfront setting and a variety of recreational activities, it’s a great place for a picnic or a walk with kids. The park has a small playground and several picnic areas, so you can enjoy a snack or a meal together as a family. In addition to exploring the park, kids can also enjoy playing in the river or fishing in the pond. You can find more information and directions on the Cook Park website or on Google Maps.
International Rose Test Garden
The International Rose Test Garden is a beautiful destination for families with children who love flowers and gardens. With over 7,000 rose plants in a variety of colors and varieties, it’s a great place for a leisurely walk or picnic with kids. The garden also has a small playground and a fountain, which kids can enjoy. In addition to exploring the roses, kids can also learn about different types of flowers and how to care for them. You can find more information and directions on the International Rose Test Garden website or on Google Maps.
Lan Su Chinese Garden
The Lan Su Chinese Garden is a beautiful and peaceful destination for families with children. With its stunning gardens and calm atmosphere, it’s a great place for a leisurely walk or picnic with kids. The garden also has a small playground and a koi pond, which kids can enjoy. In addition to exploring the gardens, kids can also learn about Chinese culture and history through the garden’s exhibits and cultural programs. You can find more information and directions on the Lan Su Chinese Garden website or on Google Maps.
Washington Park Amphitheater
The Washington Park Amphitheater is a great destination for families with children who enjoy live music and performances. The amphitheater hosts a variety of concerts and events throughout the year, including children’s shows and family-friendly performances. The amphitheater is located in Washington Park, which has a playground and a variety of other recreational activities, so you can enjoy a full day of fun together as a family. You can find more information and directions on the Washington Park Amphitheater website or on Google Maps.
Hoyt Arboretum
The Hoyt Arboretum is a great destination for families with children who love nature. With over 12 miles of trails and
over 6,000 trees and plants from around the world, it’s a great place for a leisurely walk or hike with kids. The arboretum also has a variety of educational programs and events, such as guided tours and nature classes, which kids can participate in. In addition to exploring the trails and gardens, kids can also enjoy the arboretum’s small playground and picnic areas. You can find more information and directions on the Hoyt Arboretum website or on Google Maps.Powell’s City of Books
Powell’s City of Books is a great destination for families with children who love reading. It’s the largest independent bookstore in the world, with over 68,000 square feet of books on all sorts of subjects. The store is organized by genre, so it’s easy to find the kind of books that your children are interested in. In addition to browsing the books, kids can also participate in the store’s regular events, such as story times and book clubs. There is also a small cafe and gift shop at the store. You can find more information and directions on the Powell’s City of Books website or on Google Maps.
Pioneer Courthouse Square
Pioneer Courthouse Square is a great destination for families with children who love the outdoors. With a beautiful downtown setting and a variety of activities and events, it’s a great place for a picnic or a walk with kids. The square has a small playground and several picnic areas, so you can enjoy a snack or a meal together as a family. In addition to exploring the square, kids can also enjoy watching the street performers and participating in the regular events, such as farmers markets and concerts. You can find more information and directions on the Pioneer Courthouse Square website or on Google Maps.
OMSI After Dark
OMSI After Dark is a fun and educational event for families with children who love science and technology. It’s held at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)
on select Friday evenings, and it’s an adults-only event (children under 18 are not allowed). OMSI After Dark features a variety of interactive exhibits and activities, as well as live music, food and drinks, and science demonstrations. It’s a great way to enjoy the museum in a more laid-back and social atmosphere. You can find more information and directions on the OMSI After Dark website or on Google Maps.The Grotto
The Grotto is a beautiful and peaceful destination for families with children. It’s a Catholic shrine and botanical garden located on a hillside in Northeast Portland, and it’s a great place for a leisurely walk or picnic with kids. The Grotto has a small playground and a variety of gardens, including a rose garden and a rock garden, which kids can enjoy exploring. In addition to exploring the gardens, kids can also participate in the regular events, such as Mass and retreats, or visit the gift shop. You can find more information and directions on the The Grotto website or on Google Maps.
Whether you’re a local or a visitor, Portland has something for everyone, and these destinations offer a variety of activities and experiences that kids of all ages will enjoy. From museums and gardens to sporting events and playgrounds, there is something for every child’s interests and preferences. I hope you have a great time exploring these destinations and creating memories with your children in Portland. Don’t forget to check out the links provided for more information and directions to each destination.
