Spring Break in Portland is the perfect time for adventure, whether your kids love outdoor thrills, hands-on fun, or exploring new places. Portland is so spectacular, there’s no need to travel far! Here are 20 family fun ideas to get you started, including fun day trips.
See a waterfall. Spring is the best time for a waterfall hike! We love Hardy Falls and Wahclella Falls, and both are easy to access with kids. Feeling more ambitious? Go on a day trip to the Trail of Ten Falls, the “crown jewel” of Oregon trails.
Snap photos in the tulips. The Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival begins March 22! The week of spring break will be on the early side for blooms, but that means no lines at the festival rides and if you get lucky with the weather you might see hot air balloons sans crowds.
Go whale watching. In late March, gray whales begin traveling past the Oregon coast on their way to Alaska. Find some of the best spots to look for whales.
Skate around town. Check out one of these indoor rinks or strap on those skates and head to one of our kid-friendly bike paths.
Ride a roller coaster. Oaks Amusement Park has been providing family fun for 120 years and counting! Opening day is March 22, when you can be the first of the season to summit Adrenaline Peak. Pro tip: It’s free to ride the carousel and historic train, so a visit to Oaks Park doesn’t have to include a ride bracelet!
Find spring blooms. These are some of our favorite spots to catch spring in action in the Portland area. The timing should be just perfect for cherry blossoms on the waterfront!
Visit a farm and feed the animals. At Triskelee Farm’s baby animal public tours, you will see baby lambs and the cutest baby alpaca. The Easter Bunny will make an appearance on weekends, along with a special egg hunt, bounce house, and crafts. Can’t get enough animal fun? Check out our roundup of other places to find farm favorites.
Go on an egg hunt. Speaking of the Easter Bunny, there are plenty of Easter egg hunts happening the last weekend of spring break. Check out our full list of Easter events here, which includes a helicopter egg drop (really!). (Easter hunt tip: Bella Organic Farm’s very popular Bunny Hop Easter Egg Hunt is only a two-day event on Easter weekend, so if you want to go, get tickets now!)
Work on your (mini) golf swing. Wonderwood Springs Mini-golf is a family favorite for its whimsy and affordable pricing, but you have lots of options for mini-golf fun in PDX.
Go snow tubing. Although flowers are blooming here, there’s still snow on the mountain, so don’t miss Mt. Hood Skibowl‘s snow tubing fun.
Explore a new neighborhood. In our Neighborhood Guide, we highlight family-friendly spots to eat and play in neighborhoods across the quadrants.
Stay dry. It’s not summer yet, and you may still get some rain. But we’ve got you covered (literally). Visit one of these local Indoor Gyms and Pools, Rock Climbing Gyms, Art Studios or Bowling Alleys.
Make a sandcastle — inside! DigPDX is Portland’s largest (and only?) indoor sandbox. During spring break, they’re offering playtime reservations to make sure everyone gets a chance to play without a wait. Book your spot here!
Treat yourself. It’s definitely warm enough for ice cream, and it’s your last chance to try Salt & Straw’s “cereal-sly” delicious March series.
Fly through the forest. Spend the day at Camp Dakota where you can choose from a dozen activities including paintball, rockclimbing, and zip line tours. For more aerial fun, check out six more aerial adventures.
Dine out. Pack a picnic and head to one of these drool-worthy spots to dine alfresco.
Volunteer with the kids. During the busy school year it can feel impossible to make time to volunteer with your kids. Spring break is the perfect opportunity to give back. We’ve rounded up family-friendly spots where kids are welcome to contribute.
Visit a museum. Spring break is a great time to drive to Astoria for a visit to the Columbia River Maritime Museum. Or check out one of our other featured favorites!
Escape. A spring break staycation is the perfect excuse to splurge on an escape room experience.
Check off a bucket list item. We’ve listed 101 ultimate Portland activities, and spring break is the perfect time to check a few off the list!
Looking for more ideas? Don’t forget to check our popular Kids Calendar for the daily happenings!
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