Hey Portland parents! 
We know you want to have fun this summer, but don’t want to break the bank doing it! Check out this list of summer activities around Portland that will keep the entire family entertained, for FREE. From swimming and festivals to museums and guided hikes, there is something for every family to enjoy this summer.
Museums
Portland Children’s Museum
When: Free on the first Friday of each month from 4:00 - 8:00 pm
Where: Main Children’s Museum location
The perfect spot to escape the hot Portland afternoon sun this summer – the Portland Children’s Museum! Join them on Free First Fridays to let the kids play while you wait for your house to cool down!
Oregon Maritime Museum
When: Families are free on the third Saturday of every month
Where: Waterfront Park in downtown Portland
If you have a little one who is obsessed with boats and pirates, you should add the free family day at the Oregon Maritime Museum to your summer calendar. You’ll all love the hands on Children’s Corner – don’t miss the super loud ship whistle!
Cultural Pass to Adventure
When: Summer and beyond – passes are available year-round
Where: Passes available at your local library branch for attractions around Portland
Did you know that you can check out free passes to many Portland attractions from your local library branch? Visit places such as the Portland Children’s Museum, the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals and Pittock Mansion for free this summer (and year-round, actually). For details on how to reserve the passes, please visit the website above.
Hikes & Nature
Story and a Stroll
When: Fridays from 1:00 - 2:00 pm
Where: Tryon Creek Nature Center
Designed for families with kids ages 3-6 (though all are welcome), Story and a Stroll is a fun free event that gets you outside and exploring one of Portland’s best parks. The story is read by a park naturalist and is followed by a guided walk through the park that relates to the story. Please make reservations on their website, which also shows the theme for each week.
Guided Family Nature Walks
When: Saturdays from 10:00 - 11:30 am
Where: Tryon Creek Park
If you want to start your little one hiking, but don’t know where to start, you’ll love these family friendly hikes at Tryon Creek. Hikes are lead by trained guides and have a specific focus each week. Some are better suited for younger kids than others, so please visit their website for detailed information. Parents must accompany children on all hikes.
Movies
Movies in the Park
When: Throughout the summer
Where: Parks throughout Portland, check website for details
Hosted by the Portland Parks Department, these moonlight movies are fun for the entire family. Don your pajamas, grab a blanket and a picnic dinner, and spend the evening watching a movie under the stars! Plus, they have games and entertainment before the movie begins. Check the schedule for details about the movie each week to make sure the movie pick of the week is a good fit for your family.
Family Film Festival
When: Throughout the summer, usually on a specific day of the week, depending on the specific theater
Where: Regal Cinemas around Portland (and across the nation!)
Each summer, Regal Cinemas across the nation open up their theaters to families for free kids movies! In general, they are offered once a week on a specific day and time. Check out the Regal website or call your local theater for details. Be sure to go early to get tickets – they fill up quickly! (And psst! Go here to read our tips for making the best out of the movie theater with little ones!)
Concerts & Music
Concerts in the Parks
When: Throughout the summer
Where: Neighborhood parks around Portland, check website for details
Check out the schedule to see which concert is coming to your neighborhood park this summer! The music and crowd is always family-friendly and inviting – perfect for a warm summer evening.
Washington Park Summer Festival
When: Evenings in the month of August
Where: Washington Park Rose Garden Amphitheater
A great solution to a hot August evening – an outdoor concert with the entire family! Don’t forget a blanket to sit on, and snacks or a picnic dinner. View the website for detailed information about who is playing each week.
Fun at the Park
Portland’s Summer Playground Program
When: Weekdays throughout the summer
Where: Neighborhood Portland parks
A 100+ year tradition of free summer fun for Portland kids including a mobile climbing wall, crafts, organized sports, camp songs and so much more – it’s like going to summer camp, but at your neighborhood park! Check out the website to see what is offered at the park near your house.
Swimming
Open Swim at Portland Public Pools
When: Dates throughout the summer
Where: 13 different Portland public pool locations
Throughout the summer, Portland public pools open their waters to free open swim times so you can visit and do some splashing for free with the entire family. The website can help you find the pool closest to your house – about half are indoor and half are outdoor.
Learn to Swim Week
When: To be announced, keep an eye on the website for upcoming details
Where: Neighborhood pools around Portland
To kick off the swim lesson season each summer, Portland pools offer a week of free lessons to neighborhood kids! Registration is on a specific Saturday just before lessons begin and registration must be done in person, not online. Limited space is available.
Festivals
Sherwood Robin Hood Festival
When: July 15 and 16, 2011 (it’s always the third week in July)
Where: Sherwood neighborhood, just outside of downtown Portland
How cool is this? An entire weekend festival based around the original Robin Hood – there is a parade, archery contests, castle building competitions, a knighting ceremony and much more. Fun for the entire family and best of all, it’s free!
Portland Rose Festival
When: May 27-June 19, 2011
Where: Locations all over Portland
Everyone in Portland loves the Rose Festival each summer and families especially love it because most activities are free! Check out the website for a full schedule of the parades, clown appearances, dragon boat races and fireworks.
Keep your eye on the Red Tricycle Family Events Calendar as well for more free activities that pop up throughout the summer!
-- Katie Kavulla
