• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Urban Bliss Life logo

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • contact
  • shop
  • cookbooks
  • cooking classes
  • resources
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • 30-Minute Meals
    • Air Fryer Recipes
    • Appetizer Recipes
    • Asian recipes
    • Bread Recipes
    • Breakfast Recipes
    • Cookie Recipes
    • Dairy-free Recipes
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Entertaining Recipes
    • Filipino Recipes
    • Gluten-Free Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Holiday Recipes
    • Instant Pot Recipes
    • 5 Ingredients
    • Kid-Friendly Recipes
    • Main Dish Recipes
    • Make-Ahead Recipes
    • Pasta Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Snack Recipes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Seafood Recipes
    • Vegan Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Cocktail Recipes
    • Dog Treats
  • Wine
    • Oregon Wine Guide
    • Washington Wine
    • California Wine
    • Food and Wine Pairing
    • Wine Country
    • Wine Tips & Wine Pairings
  • Travel
    • Europe
      • Greece
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Liechtenstein
      • The Netherlands
      • Switzerland
      • The UK (United Kingdom)
    • Canada
    • USA travel
      • California
      • Colorado
      • Hawaii
      • Idaho
      • Montana
      • Nevada
      • New Mexico
      • New York
      • Oregon Travel Ideas
      • Utah
      • Washington
      • New Orleans
    • Travel Gear
    • Japan
    • Travel Tips
    • Hotels
    • Family Travel
  • Restaurants
  • About
    • Work With Urban Bliss Life
    • Press
    • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Fall Recipes
  • All Recipes
  • Cookbooks
  • About
  • Work With Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Urban Bliss Life » Blog » 50 Things to Do in Portland with Kids

    Published: July 3, 2017 / Updated: September 23, 2022 by Marlynn Jayme Schotland · This post may contain affiliate links.

    50 Things to Do in Portland with Kids

    495 shares

    Visiting Portland, Oregon with the family? Then check out my list of 50 Things to Do in Portland with Kids!

    50 Things to Do in Portland With Kids travel tips on UrbanBlissLife.com
    Living in or visiting Portland, Oregon this summer?

    Summer is the absolute perfect time to visit Portland! I've lived in the Portland, Oregon area for nearly 38 of my 43 years. I know this city and the surrounding suburbs, country, beaches, vineyards, and mountains, nearly inside and out. And yet, there is always something new to explore.

    I LOVE living in the Pacific Northwest, and have truly enjoyed raising my kids (now ages 10 and 13) here. Portland has so much to offer different types of travelers of all ages, who have all different types of interests. Whether you love the mountains, the beaches, the lakes, the city, or the country - you'll find it all within short driving distances from city center.

    Here's a quick list of just a few of our family's favorites: 50 Things to Do in Portland with Kids During the Summer! There are a ton of articles that focus on babies and toddlers, so I'm including a lot of fun summer activities in Portland for families with older kids (like mine), too.

    50 Things to Do in Portland, with Kids During the Summer

    Tilikum Crossing photo by Marlynn Jayme Schotland on UrbanBlissLife.com

    1. Walk or bike across Tilikum Crossing. It's the first bridge of its kind in the US, only open to pedestrians, cyclists, and public transportation!

    2. Visit the Portland Public Library.

    3. Get your zen on at the Japanese Garden.

    fresh berries in buckets

    4. Pick berries at one of the many U-Pick berry farms around the city and surrounding areas.

    5. Find tranquility within the city at the Lan Su Chinese Garden.

    50 Things to Do in Portland With Kids: outdoor fountains

    6. Play at one of the many splashpads across the city and surrounding areas (Beaverton and Happy Valley are our family faves).

    50 Things to Do in Portland With Kids: OMSI

    7. Engage their brains and all senses at the Oregon Museum of Science & Industry, OMSI. In addition to the regular activities and exhibits, the IMAX theater has regular and traveling shows, and the visiting exhibition is always something that is exciting to kids and adults alike!

    50 Things to Do in Portland With Kids: Powells Books

    8. Bulk up your home library collection with a visit to Powell's Books, the country's largest independent bookstore.

    50 Things to Do in Portland, Oregon With Kids: Family friendly breweries

    9. Enjoy good eats (while you cool off with a local craft beer) at one of the city's many family-friendly breweries. Our family favorites: Wayfinder Beer, 10 Barrel Brewing, Hopworks Urban Brewery (HUB), Bridgeport Brewing, Sasquatch Brewing, Thirsty Lion Pub & Grill, and Migration Brewing.

    kayak in water

    10. Rent canoes or kayaks and spend the day adventuring on one of many Portland-area rivers, including the Willamette River, and the Tualatin River.

    11. Embark upon the 4T Trail: Trail, Tram, Trolley, and Train.

    tryon creek state park

    12. Take a soothing forest bath and hike in one of Portland's many nature parks. Our family favorites: Tryon Creek State Park, Cooper Mountain Park, and Forest Park.

    13. Satisfy your sweet tooth with artisan ice cream. Our family faves: Ruby Jewel, WizBang Bar.

    The Oregon Zoo offers fun for kids of all ages! Travel tips on UrbanBlissLife.com

    14. Pack a picnic and catch one of the many fun, educational summer programs at the Oregon Zoo.

    15. Catch one of the free Movies in the Park put on at different public Portland parks throughout the summer.

    The Latourell Falls Loop is an easy, beautiful day hike along the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. Travel tips on UrbanBlissLife.com

    16. Chase waterfalls. Our favorites that are within an hour's drive: Latourell Falls and Silver Falls State Park.

    50 Things to Do in Portland, Oregon With Kids: Sandy Trout Farm

    17. Go fishing. There are many places you can fish with a license but for a day of fun without the formalities (and a 100% chance of catching fish), check out Sandy Trout Farm.

    18. Explore the incredible World Forestry Center.

    19. Play mini golf, arcades, and ride the amusement park rides at Oaks Park.

    Bollywood Theater Papri Crackers and Dahi Papri Chaat recipe on UrbanBlissLife.com

    20. Expand your child's cultural palette (and maybe yours too?). Dine at kid-friendly, fun, non-intimidating restaurants like Bollywood Theater, Kachka, or Boke Bowl.

    21. Take a drive up to see the best view of the Columbia River Gorge from the Vista House.

    22. Geek out on classic arcade games (all ages until 4:30pm) at Ground Kontrol.

    providence park in portland

    23. Cheer on the super awesome and always amazing Portland Thorns or the Portland Timbers.

    50 Things to Do in Portland, Oregon With Kids: Chess at Director Park

    24. Play chess with the cool life-size chess set in Director Park.

    25. Stroll through and explore the beauty of the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden

    180 Xurros (churros and chocolate!) Portland, Oregon restaurant review on UrbanBlissLife.com

    26. Satisfy your sweet tooth with some churros at 180 Xurros

    27. Sign up for Kids Bowl Free and enjoy air conditioned, indoor bowling fun at your neighborhood bowling center.

    Things to do in Portland with Kids: Lavendar farm

    28. Visit a U-Pick lavender farm. Our fave: Mountainside Lavender Farm.

    50 Things to Do in Portland, Oregon With Kids: Rose Garden

    29. Soak up the City of Roses at its heart: the Portland International Test Rose Garden.

    30. Spend the day visiting one of the many Eastside farms, such as Sauvie Island Farms

    50 Things to Do in Portland With Kids: Zenger Farm

    31. Make an appointment and have your kids experience a working farm, like Zenger Farm

    32. Walk around downtown Portland. You don't need an agenda. It's just fun to explore downtown! But, you could include lunch in "Portland's Living Room," Pioneer Square - or attend one of the free Summer Concerts in the Square.

    33. Visit what is reportedly The World's Smallest Park, Mill Ends Park.

    50 Things to Do in Portland, Oregon With Kids During the Summer - Smith Berry Barn, travel tips on UrbanBlissLife.com.

    34. Explore the many Westside farms and feed chickens, llamas, and goats. Our family lives on the westside, and a decade ago we started doing what I coined as Farm Fresh Fridays. Our family favorites include Baggenstos farm, Smith Berry Barn, Lolich Farms, Bella Organic Farm, and Oregon Heritage Farm.

    35. Explore the historic Pittock Mansion.

    Travel to Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge on UrbanBlissLife.com

    36. Go for an educational and easy nature walk in the Tualatin Wildlife Refuge.

    37. Get crafty with one of Portland's many arts & crafts studios, including SCRAP, My Masterpiece Art Studio, and Mimosa Studios.

    50 Things to Do in Portland With Kids: food carts

    38. Check out any of the Portland food cart pods, including the ones downtown, in North Portland, and in SE Portland.

    39. Check out one of Portland's independent toy stores. Our faves: Finnegan's Toys and Piccolo Mondo.

    Stoller Family Estate Vineyard & Winery on UrbanBlissLife.com

    40. Pack a picnic and enjoy the views at one of Oregon's many family-friendly wineries. Some of our family faves include Hawks View Cellars, Hazelfern Cellars, Stoller Family Estate, Keeler Estate, and Ponzi Vineyards.

    41. Load up on fresh produce, meet local farmers and food artisans, enjoy a meal from a local food cart, and enjoy live music and entertainment at one of the many public farmers markets around the city.

    The Bite of Oregon on UrbanBlissLife.com

    42. Attend one of the many summer festivals in downtown Portland. Some family fun faves include the Waterfront Blues Festival, Mississippi Street Fair, Division/Clinton Street Fair, Bite of Oregon.

    43. Check out one of the many free activities at local book stores, such as Green Bean Books. This adorable shop in NE Portland offers storytimes, arts & crafts events, opportunities for your kids to read to dogs, and more!

    44. If you have babies or toddlers, explore the Portland Children's Museum.

    50 Things to Do in Portland With Kids: frozen yogurt and EB & Bean

    45. Cool off with some froyo. One of our faves: Eb & Bean.

    46. Splurge on a fancy night out with the kids. Enjoy dinner at Nel Centro, then catch a show at the Keller Auditorium.

    47. Have a picnic in one of Portland's many public parks. One of our faves: Laurelhurst Park.

    donuts at Coco in Portland

    48. Do your own research to find out: who makes the Best Donuts in Portland? Our family faves: Blue Star Donuts and Coco Donuts.

    49. Walk to the top of Portland's dormant volcano, Mt. Tabor, and enjoy the views of the city, then have a picnic, play in one of playground areas, or allow your dog to make new dog friends in one of the off-leash areas.

    50 Things to Do in Portland With Kids During the Summer - Multnomah Falls, travel tips on UrbanBlissLife.com.

    50. Finally, do the touristy thing and venture out to Multnomah Falls. During the summer, every day is busy and crowded. However, you're best bet is to go mid-week, and go very early in the morning, or just before sunset time.

    There you have it: 50 Things to Do in Portland, Oregon with Kids During Summer!

    Of course, this is just a small start. There are SO MANY more things to do in Portland, Oregon with kids during the summer! I could add 50 more, but I wanted to give you a small taste of what Portland has to offer families. I hope this list helps you - whether you live in the city and are looking for things to do, or whether you are planning a trip out to visit Portland during the summer.

    Which of these activities would appeal to your family the most?

    All photos on this website, unless otherwise stated, are ©Urban Bliss Life. All rights reserved.

    « Where to Eat in Poipu, Kauai: Merriman's Fish House
    Taco Mac and Cheese: a competition-worthy recipe »
    495 shares

    Get recipes, travel tips, deals and more delivered to your inbox!

      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Sisi says

        June 30, 2018 at 5:26 pm

        I live in portland oregon and the BEST doughnuts are from the Voodoo Doughnuts.After eating there, all the other shops aren't even close to as good. I never get doughnuts from anywhere.

        Reply
      2. Natalie says

        July 05, 2017 at 9:25 am

        I'm woefully undertraveling in the PNW region, but we're hoping to change that really soon. I know my kids would LOVE to come explore all of the amazing things in Portland! Pinning this for future travels. :)

        Reply
      3. Catherine @ Ten Thousand Hour Mama says

        July 05, 2017 at 9:02 am

        SUCH an awesome list! I'm saving this for later.

        I'm really excited to rent a SUP at the river with the family. That's been something I wanted to do for ages, and I just found out that George Rogers Park in Lake Oswego rents them right on the beach there!

        Reply
      4. Caitlin | Beauty & Colour says

        July 04, 2017 at 2:23 am

        Portland is amazing - I'm hoping to get there this summer!

        Beauty & Colour | Vegan Lifestyle Blog

        Reply
      5. Erin (Platings and Pairings) says

        July 03, 2017 at 5:25 pm

        Wow Marlynn - What a great list!!! Fantastic ideas for the warmer summer months and all the beautiful places that Oregon has to offer!

        Reply
        • Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

          July 03, 2017 at 9:21 pm

          isn't it a good place? thanks Erin!

      6. Elise Cohen Ho says

        July 03, 2017 at 2:00 pm

        I have not gotten to Portland yet but when I do I will certainly be coming back to this list.

        Reply
        • Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

          July 03, 2017 at 9:19 pm

          i hope you get to visit here someday, Elise!!

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

      Primary Sidebar

      Marlynn Jayme Schotland 2021 profile pic

      Hi! Thanks for stopping by! I'm Marlynn - a cookbook author, writer, photographer, and mom of two teenagers + a lovable lab retriever. Here you'll find my fast, easy, and delicious recipes, wine pairings, and travel guides. I hold a WSET 2 with Distinction in wine, and am a member of Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA).

      More about me →

      Featured In

      Urban Bliss Life Press Featured In graphic

      Spring Recipes

      • overhead photo of stacked lucky charms cereal bars on a green plate.
        Lucky Charms Cereal Bars
      • grilled salmon with lemon, garlic, and herbs, with lemon slices on a white plate.
        Grilled Salmon with Lemon and Herbs
      • strawberry crinkle cookies on a plate
        Strawberry Crinkle Cookies
      • several cheesy spinach mini frittatas stacked.
        Cheese and Spinach Mini Frittata Recipe

      New Recipes

      • jar of crab stock and label that reads Crab Stock.
        Easy Homemade Crab Stock
      • Jolibee spaghetti in a bowl with parsley, shredded cheese, and side of salt and pepper.
        Jollibee Spaghetti (Filipino-style Spaghetti)
      • Jayme-Schotland Family with Chef Andrew Zimmern for Family Dinner TV Show.
        Family Dinner TV Show Features the Jayme-Schotland Family
      • crab pancit filipino noodles in a large bowl, with slices veggies and chunks of crab meat.
        Crab Pancit

      New Travel Tips

      • glass of red wine next to a bottle of Bells Up Winery pinot noir.
        Bells Up Winery
      • The Prayer Hall of Wat Chalong temple in Phuket, Thailand.
        Wat Chalong Temple
      • four dinner dishes of pasta, tacos, seafood benedict, and vegan mac and cheese with title text that reads Victoria BC restaurants.
        Downtown Victoria Restaurants
      • images of four different temples in Bangkok, Thailand with title text overlay.
        Best Bangkok Temples
      • Twitter
      • Facebook
      • Pinterest
      • Instagram
      • YouTube

      Footer

      ↑ back to top

      logos of media outlets that have featured urban bliss life.

      Recipes

      • 30-Minute Meals
      • 5-Ingredients
      • Air Fryer
      • Asian
      • Dairy-Free
      • Pasta
      • Seafood

      About

      • About
      • FAQs
      • Privacy & Accessibility Policy
      • Terms & Conditions

      Contact

      • Contact
      • Work with me

      As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
      Copyright © 2022 Urban Bliss Life

      All rights reserved. You may not use any photos or recipes on this site for any personal or commercial use without my express written permission.