Ten Places to Beat the Heat with Kids in Portland

Portland summers, we love you so much. Finally a break from the rain, from the dreary gray skies, from the … but what is that super hot yellowish white thing blazing down at us from high above? Must. Get. To. Air Conditioner!

Here are ten sweet spots you can go to take a break from the heat, and still have fun.

Be a Lego Maniac. Nothing says air conditioning like a mall, right? Head to The Lego Store at Washington Square Mall to get your Lego fix in for the day. Another great option is Bricks and Minifigs, where you can—we mean, your kids can—build whatever their hearts desire at the store’s Lego tables.

Live and Learn. Even if your kids aren’t the museum type, the lure of the well-cooled halls may make them reconsider. And once they’re in, they’ll be hooked! Here are a few of our favorites. You can even go to some of them for free.

Leave It to the Experts. Some days it’s just too hot to even consider turning on the oven. Not all Portland restaurants have air conditioning, but luckily Hopworks Urban Brewery — one of Portland parents’ favorite spots for kids — does. Check out even more kid-friendly pubs here.

Have a Bowl. Dust off those bowling shoes and get ready for some good old-fashioned fun. Head to any of the bowling alleys nearby, but if you sign up for the Kids Bowl Free program, your kids can bowl free at participating alleys!

Wiggle It Out. For an indoor playground that’s lots of fun without being super overwhelming, try The Monkey King Playhouse. Your kids can play in the indoor structure, complete with slides, climbing ropes, and lots of cushy mats while you relax with free Wi-Fi. Affordable food options (including ice cream!) are also available. Another great option on the west side is the beautiful and charming LEKA Playland. Keep up with their event calendar, as they are often hosting fun events like concerts or character meet-n-greets. Here are some other indoor playground options (but call ahead to confirm they have air conditioning).

Chill Poolside. Okay, so there’s not technically A/C here, but you can’t be hot when you’re in the pool! Portland Parks & Recreation’s outdoor pools are open for the summer. Come during one of the free open swim days. Another cool outdoor idea? Try out a splash pad or a park with shade.

Do the Robot. C’mon now, who doesn’t get excited by hot glue guns? Hot glue the day away while staying nice and cool at the Craft Factory. Choose your favorite base—from a cut-out of the state of Oregon to a nifty little robot—and then decorate from their bins of recycled goods. Or get a milkshake with your art experience at Creative Culture. Check out other local art studios here.

Check It Out. We know our families aren’t alone in tapping our local library as our go-to “it’s too hot in our house” spot. Even when they don’t have special programming going on (like reptile guys, live music, and storytimes), they still have loads of fun books! It’s a great space to relax and reconnect, without spending a dime, and some of them are extra special.

Get the Scoop. Is there a better way known to man to cool down than to enjoy a scoop of ice cream? No. The answer is no. And Portland has a vibrant ice cream scene. Here are six of our favorites. Pro tip: Head to Cedar Hills Salt-n-Straw, which is conveniently adjacent to an interactive fountain.

Be a Tourist. Are you one of those locals who almost never makes it out to Powell’s City of Books? They have A/C and a cafe, so you can literally stay from 10 am until 9 pm, daily. Fair warning — you will be tempted to buy a lot of books. Every room is a perfectly curated collection of irresistible reads. Don’t miss kids’ storytime on Saturdays!

Want more ideas for family fun? Check out one of our popular roundups.