Sure, we’re back at school, and the days are getting shorter. But there is still so much going on in September. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite things to do with kids around Portland—all for free this month.
We’ve made every effort to confirm this information, but always double-check with the organization before heading out!
Go on a nature treasure hunt. At Tryon Creek State Natural Area, kids ages 6-12 and their adults pick up a challenge from a park ranger and complete it while exploring in the park. You can also visit the newly renovated Nature Center. Sunday, September 1. Check their calendar for ongoing free nature programs for kids, too.
Have a truck load of fun. At Big Truck Day in the Mittleman Jewish Community Center parking lot, the kids can see (and often get inside) police vehicles, fire trucks, limos, race cars, construction trucks and more. There will also be live music, crafts and food vendors. Monday, September 2, 10 am-1 pm.
Get inspired by some art. Art in the Pearl runs Saturday, August 31 through Monday, September 2, with artists showing their work, plus live music, hands-on art activities for kids and adults and food vendors.
Meet a superhero and browse some bargains. Check out the Columbia Gorge Outlets Adventure Kids Club, where kids can meet Spider Hero and enjoy activities and snacks. Saturday, September 7, 9 am.
Watch the Chapman swifts’ aerial acrobatics. Throughout the month, families head to Chapman School to watch the swifts’ dramatic descent to roost in the school chimney. Bring a picnic—and maybe a cardboard box for the kids to slide down the hill (a popular part of the experience). Check the Audubon website for more details, including the latest nightly swift counts. Parking is tight in the neighborhood, so consider parking at Montgomery Park and walking over. September 1-September 30, 6 pm-8 pm.
Get up close to a dragon — a dragon boat, that is. At The Dragon Boat Festival, you can admire these beautiful vessels up close and enjoy vendors and food tables. Saturday and Sunday, September 7-8, 9 am-4 pm at Tom McCall Waterfront Park.
Escuchar una historia en español (hear a story in Spanish). This month Portland Early Learning Project will be at the Canby Library and the West Linn Library with their Spanish Story and Play Time, which includes books, songs and lots of movement. Check their website for times and dates.
Take a music class. Before a new session begins, Music Together of Portland offers free demonstration classes so families can experience their interactive, fun and nationally-renowned program. Registration is required for these classes held on September 11-13.
Join a pirate-themed scavenger hunt. At the Aquifer Adventure, big and little pirates can go on a scavenger hunt in search of hidden treasure—groundwater, an important source of local drinking water. This family-friendly festival includes canoe rides, face painting, a treasure hunt, and a free T-shirt for the first 300 kids. Portland Water Bureau Launch, 16650 NE Airport Way. Saturday, September 14, 12 pm-4 pm.
Dine al fresco. Now that it’s not too hot, try one of our favorite picnic spots before the winter rains set in.
Visit the Bonneville Hatchery and Bonneville Dam. At the Bradford Island Visitor Center, don’t miss underwater windows that allow you to peer into the the fish ladder, educational displays about the dam, and the rooftop observation deck with its panoramic view. At the Bonneville Hatchery, feed rainbow trout, visit Herman the Sturgeon (he’s 10 ft. long and over 45 years old), and spend some time meandering the lovely grounds (bring a picnic and eat along the river). September and October are great months to see adult fall Chinook and coho salmon spawning. This is a fun and interesting day trip for both kids and adults.
Check out the Portland Art Museum or the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum (among others). On Museum Day, sponsored by the Smithsonian, many of the Portland area’s best museums open their doors for free. Saturday, September 21. You must get your two free tickets (per email address) in advance here.
Broaden your horizons. There are many street fairs and cultural fairs coming up in September, including Vancouver’s Fourth Plain Multicultural Festival on September 7, Beaverton’s annual International Festival on September 14 and American Indian Day Celebration on September 27.
Kick off Hispanic Heritage Month. Get the story behind many traditional Latino songs at Nuestro Canto’s Sharing Our Traditions event at Multnomah County Library. Saturday, September 14, 11 am-noon. St. Johns Library. First come, first served.
Say arrrgh. Celebrate International Talk Like a Pirate Day at Green Bean Books with a special storytime and pirate party. Thursday, September 19, 2019 at 3:30 pm.
Check out some bugs at the library. Join Portland Insectarium at the Central Library to learn about insects by observing live bugs and then making an insect-themed craft to take home. Saturday, September 21.
Hit the road. Tour the streets of Portland during Sunday Parkways, when neighborhoods are closed to street traffic. This month, enjoy seven plus miles of walking, biking and rolling through Northeast Portland, plus parks on the route will have free activities, festive music, and food vendors. Sunday, September 22.
Meet some goats. A visit to The Belmont Goats, now in N. Portland, is a fun and charming way to experience Portland’s quirkiness and get some cute photos with the kids.
Plan a fun outing with your library’s cultural passes. Local library systems offer free and discounted passes to popular museums and attractions. Find your library system here to see where you can go.
Skip the parking fee. September 19 is one of Metro’s Free Parking Days. Enjoy free parking at Oxbow and Blue Lake regional parks, Broughton Beach, M. James Gleason Memorial Boat Ramp, and Chinook Landing Marine Park. That day doesn’t work for you? You can always find your perfect park with Metro’s online park finder tool. Most other parks have free parking.