{"id":41522,"date":"2015-05-28T11:22:15","date_gmt":"2015-05-28T18:22:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.movoto.com\/blog\/?p=41522"},"modified":"2015-05-28T11:22:15","modified_gmt":"2015-05-28T18:22:15","slug":"things-to-do-in-portland-with-a-family","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.movoto.com\/blog\/things-to-do-in-portland-with-a-family\/","title":{"rendered":"30 Best Things to Do In Portland With A Family"},"content":{"rendered":"

1. Make Room For Some Ionic Bonding Time <\/h2>\n

\"Kids<\/p>\n

Source: Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) Facebook <\/div>\n

Kids and adults can foster their love of learning at OMSI where the hands-on and fun don\u2019t stop. You can ride in a motion simulator, do your own experiments, catch an IMAX movie, play in the science playground, or even board the USS Blueback. Keep your eyes peeled for special Sundays when admission is only $2.<\/p>\n

2. Get In Touch With Nature <\/h2>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Source: World Forestry Center Facebook <\/div>\n

…Well, kind of. The Oregon<\/a> Zoo is a great day trip for families but not just because of the animals. The adjacent World Forestry Center makes for 64 acres of land that takes you through environments like African savannahs to tropical rainforests.<\/p>\n

3. Give The Kids A Love For Art <\/h2>\n

\"Two<\/p>\n

Source: Portland Art Museum Facebook <\/div>\n

Visit the Portland<\/a> Art Museum every Sunday for family-focused tours when kids under 17 get in for free and cater to the budding artist inside all of us.<\/p>\n

4. Go Where It\u2019s Easy Like Saturday Morning<\/h2>\n

\"An<\/p>\n

Source: Portland Saturday Market Facebook <\/div>\n

Teens and tweens can spend the day with their parents at the Portland Saturday Market. Browse the rows of handmade jewelry, art, and artisanal goods while tearing apart an elephant ear and dancing to the live music.<\/p>\n

5. The Portland Children\u2019s Museum Lets Kids Be Kids Safely<\/h2>\n

\"Kids<\/p>\n

Source: Portland Children\u2019s Museum Facebook <\/div>\n

With an illuminated Twilight Trail, a toddler sandbox area, a make-your-own-fort area, an art zone and place to play veterinarian, the Zaney Maze to run through, and the Zoom Tree to climb, there\u2019s something for the younger kids and the bigger kids to do at the Portland Children\u2019s Museum.<\/p>\n

6. Share Some Ice Cream From The Moon <\/h2>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Source: Cool Moon Ice Cream Co. Facebook <\/div>\n

Cool Moon, that is. Come with the whole family and order a Real McCall for ten scoops of ice cream topped off with a mound of whipped cream.<\/p>\n

7. Get A Hole In One In The Dark <\/h2>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Source: Glowing Greens Facebook <\/div>\n

Everyone loves a round of mini golf. And the indoor, blacklight, glow-in-the-dark, 3D course at Glowing Greens is always a crowd pleaser that you can enjoy year-round.<\/p>\n

8. Sometimes You Want To Go Where Everybody Knows Your Kid\u2019s Name<\/h2>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

Source: Laurelwood Public House & Brewery Facebook<\/div>\n

You don\u2019t normally see families hanging out in breweries. But Laurelwood Brewery\u2019s philosophy is to keep both of their locations (Northeast Sandy Boulevard and the Sellwood brewpub) as \u201cthe place where friends and family meet.\u201d
\nBring the kids for a family-friendly happy hour and there\u2019s even a play area designed for toddlers.<\/p>\n

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9. Celebrate Independent Bookstores And A Love Of Reading In The Best Book Store Ever<\/h2>\n

\"Two<\/p>\n

Source: Powell\u2019s Books, Inc. Facebook <\/div>\n

Spanning an entire city block and filled with more than 1.5 million books in 3,500 sections, Powell\u2019s is easily an afternoon-long event.
\nGrab a cup of coffee for yourself and a hot chocolate for the kids in the caf\u00e9 and explore the magical world of books, new and used, along with some offbeat novelties and souvenirs. And bring the little ones to enjoy storytime.<\/p>\n

10. Cool Down In Jamison Square\u2019s Disappearing Pool <\/h2>\n

\"Families<\/p>\n

Source: Oregon Live <\/div>\n

When the heat hits Portland, a great way to spend the afternoon is in Jamison Square. One of the coolest public fountains around, kids and adults both love splashing around with the people of Portland.<\/p>\n

11. Find Out Who Can Flip The Best Pancakes <\/h2>\n

\"People<\/p>\n

Source: Slappy Cakes Facebook <\/div>\n

In true Portland form, Slappy Cakes is a one-of-a-kind restaurant where griddles are built into the tables and you\u2019re encouraged to make your own pancakes.
\nYou select your batter and a crazy assortment of toppings like marshmallows, peanut butter and chocolate chips and then see who can come up with the best pancake concoction.<\/p>\n

12. Spend The Day Scavenging For Brains Together <\/h2>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Source: Portland Zombie Walk Facebook <\/div>\n

A zombie walk might be a little bit unconventional for a family outing, but that\u2019s exactly why you live in Portland, right? Besides, if it makes the older kids think you\u2019re still cool enough to be seen in public with, it\u2019s worth a little makeup and torn flannel.<\/p>\n

13. Search For Ramona Quimby <\/h2>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Source: Wikipedia <\/div>\n

Beverly Cleary has made a lot of childhoods a better place with her books. Her neighborhood in Portland honors her with a sculpture garden in Grant Park. Pack a picnic, let the kids play at the playground, and read a little Ramona together.<\/p>\n

14. Discover Why Peanut Butter And Jelly Isn\u2019t Just For Kids Anymore <\/h2>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Source: Tanya Hooper Facebook <\/div>\n

Everyone will be excited for lunch when they find out it\u2019s time to visit PBJ\u2019s Grilled food cart. And no, these aren\u2019t the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches your grandmom used to make you.
\nYou\u2019ll find amazing sandwiches grilled to perfection and stuffed with some of the craziest combos imaginable.<\/p>\n

15. Dust The Bikes Off And Go For A Ride <\/h2>\n

\"People<\/p>\n

Source: Red Tricycle <\/div>\n

One of the best things about living in Portland is getting to be a part of all that gorgeous Pacific Northwest scenery and there is no better way to enjoy it than by going for a ride along many of the kid-friendly bike paths in and outside of the city.<\/p>\n

16. Learn About The Art Of Zen Together <\/h2>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Source: The Portland Japanese Garden Facebook <\/div>\n

The Portland Japanese Garden is an incredibly calming and serene adventure where the whole family can enjoy some different scenery in the immaculately landscaped gardens and elevated boardwalk.
\nThe annual doll festival showcases original Hina Ningyo dolls and visitors can try on traditional cotton yukata and have their photos taken.<\/p>\n

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17. Come Out For Kiddie Happy Hour <\/h2>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Source: YakuzaPDX Facebook <\/div>\n

If you\u2019re dying to get out for Happy Hour but you have the kids, Yakuza has you covered. They don\u2019t just supply the adults with some deliciously handcrafted drinks and food, they even have their own kid-friendly happy hour menu.
\nFrom 5-6 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, shrimp or pork katsus are just $3, add a side of rice or noodles for $2 and some edamame for $1 and everyone is happy.<\/p>\n

18. May The Fifth Be With You <\/h2>\n

\"Traditional<\/p>\n

Source: Cinco de Mayo Portland Facebook<\/div>\n

Cinco De Mayo in Portland is a great experience and it\u2019s super kid-friendly. The fiesta includes a massive Dia de los Muertos exhibit, endless live music, performances by the Mexican ballet, lucha libre wrestlers, an interactive butterfly exhibit, and a carnival.
\nKids can get their faces painted, make crafts, and ride the ferris wheel while learning about Mexican culture.<\/p>\n

19. Fall In Love With Voodoo <\/h2>\n

\"VooDoo<\/p>\n

Source: Voodoo Donut Facebook <\/div>\n

Kids go crazy for a stop at this famous donut shop where they can get a donut the size of their head or a regular sized donut topped with everything their dentists will hate.<\/p>\n

20. Bowl The Rainy Day Away <\/h2>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Source: Big Al\u2019s @Progress Ride Townsquare Faebook <\/div>\n

You probably won\u2019t wait for the rainy days to visit Big Al\u2019s, though, because they\u2019ve packed so much family-fun into one place.
\nGet a Family FUN Pack for the best deal of $12.50 per person (minimum 4 people) and you get 8 games of bowling, 4 shoe rentals, and $20 worth of FUN cards to spend away in the arcade.<\/p>\n

21. Keep Portland Weird With The McMenamins UFO Festival <\/h2>\n

\"Girls<\/p>\n

Source: The McManamins UFO Festival Facebook <\/div>\n

Scared of aliens? Please. The kids in Portland have seen way stranger. Although you\u2019ll find plenty of tinfoil hat-wearing alien enthusiasts, it\u2019s really just a fun outdoor festival where you\u2019ll get to dress up in crazy costumes \u2013 dress the dog up, too, and get him entered in the pet costume contest.<\/p>\n

22. Follow The Pied Piper <\/h2>\n

\"Kids<\/p>\n

Source: The Pied Piper Play Caf\u00e9 Facebook <\/div>\n

When the kids are climbing the walls and you\u2019d like nothing more than to grab a cup of coffee with a friend, The Pied Piper Play Caf\u00e9 is where you need to be.
\nA coffee shop overlooks the play space where kids are free to play with the toys and other kids, giving you a little breathing room and java jolt while they have fun.<\/p>\n

23. Catch A Movie At School\u2026 Kind Of <\/h2>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

Source: McMenamins Kennedy School Facebook <\/div>\n

Check out any one of their many events like live music and Irish dancers in the gym and maypole dancers on the front lawn at McMenamins Kennedy School. But the theater is a great time, too. Grab a craft beer from their pub and sit down in one of the recliners and watch a flick with the family for super night.<\/p>\n

24. Mimosas Even The Kids Can Enjoy <\/h2>\n

\"Girls<\/p>\n

Source: Mimosa Studios Facebook <\/div>\n

For nearly 15 years now, Mimosa Studios has been making Portland a more colorful place by allowing painters of all ages and skill levels to paint pottery in an open but cozy environment. You can also throw birthday parties here, too.<\/p>\n

25. Make It A Roller Kind Of Day <\/h2>\n

\"People<\/p>\n

Source: The Oaks Amusement Park Facebook <\/div>\n

Carnival rides, a rollercoaster, a roller skating rink, and miniature golf \u2013 what\u2019s not to love? The Oaks Amusement park brings wholesome fun for Portlanders to enjoy in their own city.
\nLike This Post? You\u2019ll Definitely Love These:<\/b><\/p>\n