If you’re trying to find something to get you and your family out of the house, you’re in luck! This ultimate list of fun things to do in Portland with kids is the best place to start for local attractions and family-friendly activities.
Whether you’re looking for things to do inside or outside, there’s something for everyone in this exciting city. Check out these Portland family activities and start planning your next adventure!
Table of Contents
1. Oregon Zoo
As one of the most popular things to do in Portland with kids, the Oregon Zoo covers 64 acres and houses hundreds of unique animals. Home to elephants, polar bears, tigers, red pandas, otters, condors, and more, your children will love seeing and interacting with these exciting species. From summer camps to seasonal events, there is always something fun to do at the zoo.
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With recent efforts being made to revamp their animal welfare systems, this top-rated attraction for kids in Portland has become an exciting hub for learning and education on wildlife and the environment. Kids can develop new knowledge about conservation and how they can help make a better world for these animals.
- Oregon Zoo, 4001 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, OR 97221
- (503) 226-1561
2. Washington Park
As home to the Oregon Zoo, the 400-acre area of Washington Park offers a massive space on the west side of the city. If you’re relocating to Portland with kids, this will likely be a frequent stop for a day out of the house. There are so many fun places to visit around Washington Park including the Hoyt Arboretum and the International Rose Test Garden.
With a variety of kid-friendly things to do in Portland, visitors to the park can enjoy a picnic on a nice summer day or go for a hike along one of the 15 miles worth of walking trails. You’ll find unique kids activities that range from playgrounds and tennis courts to an archery range and more.
- Washington Park, 4033 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, OR 97221
- (503) 319-0999
3. Portland Japanese Garden
Arguably one of the top Portland family attractions, the gorgeous Japanese Garden offers an experience unlike any other nearby. You and your children will have the opportunity to learn about the unique Japanese culture and even enjoy some Japanese tea and cuisine at the site’s cafe.
Don’t miss out on this great activity for kids in Portland as you walk through the incredible gardens such as the Sand and Stone Garden, Natural Garden, or the Strolling Pond Garden.
4. Powell’s City of Books
Spanning an entire city block, Powell’s City of Books boasts the largest used and new bookstore in the world. With over one million books, this will be tremendously fun for kids in Portland who love to read.
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Located in Portland’s Pearl District, people of all ages will be enthralled by the collections they will find. Shops in the area have everything from children’s books and teen novels to rare and autographed books you can look through. Powell’s City of Books is truly one of the most amazing points of interest in Portland.
5. Portland Children’s Museum
Thanks to its ongoing seasonal camps and workshops, there are always fun things to do at the Portland Children’s Museum. Kids will have a blast learning in the makeshift construction area followed by the chance to make new creations out of clay. There is also a maze, a waterworks learning center, and even a stage where kids can perform their own plays or skits.
Anyone looking for family activities in Portland, the children’s museum should be on your list of places to visit. Whenever you and the kids get hungry, they also have a museum cafe where you can enjoy lunch, snacks, and drinks for a quick break.
6. Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)
The rotating exhibits and permanent exhibits about space, science, and paleontology make the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry one of the most exciting places for kids in Portland. Museum staff frequently hold ongoing events where children get to learn about stars, colors, the film industry, and more. They even have an entire exhibit based on the interior of a real submarine.
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Once it’s time for a pause in the action for food, you and your children can head over to the Empirical Café or the Theory Restaurant to grab a yummy bite to eat.
- OMSI, 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214
- (503) 797-4000
7. Oaks Amusement Park
If you’re looking for an outside activity, some of the best things to do with kids in Portland can be found at the Oaks Amusement Park. When there, you and the kids will enjoy a seemingly endless list of attractions including rollercoasters, thrill rides, family rides, kid-friendly activities, and so much more.
The park also hosts a rollerskating rink, a mini-golf course, and a wide variety of fun carnival games. With places to eat at the Oaks Park concession stands, it’s a great Portland family activity for birthday parties and other events.
8. Portland Saturday Market
Open on Saturdays between 10 am – 5 pm and Sundays between 11 am – 4:30 pm, the Portland Saturday Market is one of the best weekend attractions in town. A walk around the market will lead you and the kids past everything from delicious snacks and candy to toy creators and family-friendly activities.
Some of the most popular vendors include Modern Wolf PDX, Strawberry Paint Shop, Melting Pot Candy, and Toys 4 U. While wandering around, you’ll also enjoy the sound of live music from local artists constantly playing in the background. Whether you go there to buy new toys and trinkets or simply to people watch, it’s easily one of the top kid-friendly things to do in Portland.
9. World Forestry Center
For an educational Portland attraction for kids, take a trip over to the World Forestry Center. This 20,000 square foot museum is an amazing place to visit in Portland where people of all ages can learn about the relationship between humanity and our forests.
With four stories worth of exhibits to walk through, you can help your kids gain special insight into environmental sustainability and the importance of forests and trees in our lives. Parents looking for fun things to do in Portland with kids will find the World Forestry Center both instructive and entertaining.
- World Forestry Center, 4033 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, OR 97221
- (503) 228-1367
10. Forest Park
If you’d like to take your kids out to experience real nature firsthand, Forest Park is one of the most spectacular places to visit with children in Portland. This gorgeous area offers guided tours, walking trails, bike paths, and even horseback riding trails. Your kids are sure to love hiking through the forest as they see landmarks like Vista Point and the Willamette River.
Spanning over 5,100 acres, this point of interest in Portland is part of the Tualatin Mountains and will provide kid-friendly activities of all kinds. Enjoy a walk through the green trees, a family bike ride, or a fun picnic surrounded by
- Forest Park, Portland, OR 97231
- (503) 823-4492
11. Portland Aerial Tram
Ready to get a birds-eye view of downtown Portland? The Portland Aerial Tram is a fun way to take a break from a day out on the town with your kids. Holding up to 79 people, the tram is a 4-minute trip over the I-5, above downtown, and up to Marquam Hill.
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You and your kids will be able to see sights all over Portland in the panoramic view cabins traveling 500 feet over the city. It is easily one of the top family things to do in Portland that everyone should experience at least once.
- Portland Aerial Tram, 3303 SW Bond Ave, Portland, OR 97239
- (503) 494-8283
Map of Things to do in Portland with Kids
Which Fun Portland Things to Do with Kids Will You Visit First?
With a vast array of exciting attractions for kids in Portland, you and your family can enjoy the zoo, parks, bookstores, museums, and much more. You’ll never be bored when exploring this incredible Oregon city.
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