We love summertime in Portland! Not only is the sun shining on a daily basis, but there are so many things to do — and for free! Here are our favorite family-friendly activities and events to check out, all without spending a dime.
Light up the sky. One of the summer’s favorite holidays kicks off this month: July 4! And if you’re still figuring out your holiday plans, we’ve got you! Here are all the parades and celebrations happening in the Portland area, plus some in southwest Washington.
Day at the museum. Visit the Portland Art Museum on Thursday, July 3 for its monthly Free First Thursdays event. And don’t forget: admission to the museum is always free for ages 17 and below!
Lunch + Play. One of our favorite PP&R summer programs is its Summer Free for All. All summer long, kiddos can enjoy a free meal, activities and park time around the city. There’s also free movies in the park and concerts and cultural events.
Keep cool. Have the littles splash around at one of the more than 50 splash pads and fountains across the Portland area. Don’t forget the sunscreen!
Let the good times roll. If you’re looking to stay cool during some friendly competition, head to more than five bowling alleys in the Portland area for a summer of free bowling! Register your kiddo (ages 2 to 15) here.
Take a dip. It’s free Metro parking day! Take advantage on July 17 by cooling off at a Portland watering hole. Find a place here!
Lunchtime jams. Hang out in Pioneer Courthouse Square on Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon (through July 31) for the biweekly Noon Tunes Summer Concert series. Local musicians will serenade while you enjoy the fresh air and some lunch. And don’t miss the Free Art in the Park at Pioneer Square series here, too.
Farm time. Head to Topaz Farm on Sauvie Island with your little for the weekly Animal Walk with Farmer Kat. Kiddos will love seeing the farm’s chickens, ducks, goats and more. Wanna have story time on the farm? Join Scappoose School District Librarian, Keely Nudo, for fun storytime sessions this summer! And get up close to a tractor during Tractor Talks with Farmer Jim.
One with nature. Visit Hoyt Arboretum for its popular Pop-Up Nature! events. They happen three times a week and each week is a different theme. Kiddos of all ages are welcome. And don’t miss the arboretum’s Family Forest Day on July 12.
Bold stories. Visit BOLD Coffee & Books every Saturday from 10-10:30 am for children’s story time. Kids will even get a coloring sheet and sticker to take home!
For the blueberry. On Saturday, July 5 from 10-11 am, Little Nestlings Early Learning Center in West Linn will host its Blueberry Month Celebration. Kids can enjoy story time with the classic, Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey, followed by a snack of mini blueberry muffins. Blueberry-infused playdough, a blueberry scavenger hunt, and more hands-on art activities will also be available.
Bike to it. Pedalpalooza, the summer long bike event series, is in its second month. There are rides everyday now through the end of August.
Hike it, honey. Explore Leach Botanical Garden at the gentle pace of a toddler! Littles (aged 2-5) and their grown-ups can join along on the Honeybee Hikes every Wednesday this summer, from 10-11:30 am. The nature education staff will lead groups on slow, curiosity-driven activities designed to engage young minds and incorporate their caregivers.
Party at Bridgeport. Visit Bridgeport Village on Thursdays from 10-11 am with your 1-3 year-old for fun and activities at the center’s Village Green for the summertime Bridgeport Village Playdates. Bridgeport Village is also bringing back its popular Saturday Summer Kids’ Concerts, featuring your favorite musicians like Red Yarn, Mr. Ben, Olive Rootbeer and more!
Showtime! Enjoy free summer outdoor concerts in the park! The Showtime Concert Series features live music on Thursday evenings during the months of June and July at Shute Park in Hillsboro. Don’t forget to bring a chair or blanket.
Free. For all. Head to various parks around Portland and experience free movies, concerts, festivals, and special events throughout July and August as part of Portland Parks & Recreation’s Summer Free For All! And don’t miss the East Portland Summer Arts Festival at Ventura Park on Saturday, July 12!
Movies in the park. And check out the Movies in the Park by North Clackamas Parks & Recreation.
Porch tunes. This fun concert series is going strong: Check out the Porch Concert Series on the second and fourth Saturday of the month (July 12 and 26) at 10 am at the Cathedral Park Performing Arts Collective.
Celebrate Pride. Continue celebrating LGBTQ+ families and friends this month during Pride. Love is love!
Find your zen. Celebrate the vibrant Buddhist communities in Portland during the Portland Buddhist Festival. Held at the 14-acre Dharma Rain Zen Center, there will be ceremonial practices, dances, mindfulness activities, children’s programs, food and more.
Viva! Viva Tualatin is jam-packed with family-friendly activities: Test your skills on the mechanical bull, cool off on the water slide, or unleash your creativity with crafts, a giant coloring mural, chalk art and much more.
Music with Mr. Ben. Music with Mr. Ben is back at Wonderwood Springs and every Sunday at 10 am. Perfect for kids and adults alike!
Park day. Calling all moms of preschoolers. Head to Mill Pond Playground in Northwest Heights on July 14 for Mom and Kids Park Morning. Join MomCo (Mom Community) for a fun morning in the park. Bring a blanket and a snack.
Treetastic. Celebrate the wonders of forests with a fun-filled, family-friendly day at ForestFest at the World Forestry Center (next to the Oregon Zoo) on July 19. Enjoy hands-on activities, wood-themed crafts, kid zones, and live demonstrations from forestry professionals and community partners.
Tank time. Tank fans of all ages, come visit us the our third annual Tank Day on July 19 at the Oregon Military Museum in Clackamas. Explore the tracked vehicles outside in the Historic Park, talk with veteran tankers, and check out equipment and all things tank related.
Fair thee well. Don’t miss this month’s fun roundup of fairs and festivals! There’s the Washington County Fair; the Robin Hood Festival in Sherwood; the Portland Mermaid Parade; the Cathedral Park Jazz Festival and much more.
Library tunes. Join Jessa Campbell & the Saplings for a fun, high-energy, and interactive music show at the Beaverton City Library on July 24. (And on July 26, check out the library’s doll making workshop!)
Bethany beats. A local tradition spanning nearly 20 years, the Bethany Village Summer Concert Series features three summer concerts in July and August, plus intermission acts featuring local young talent, fun activities, rides and more! This month’s event is on July 24.
Belt it out. Join the Oregon Jewish Museum for an all ages, family friendly, rooftop singalong screening of The Sound of Music. The singalong is free to attend but RSVP is required. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to wear their pajamas to the screening and bring a comfy blanket, pillow, camp chair, or beanbag chair! Snacks, candy, and drinks will be provided.
Ride through. Check out this month’s Portland Sunday Parkways in East Portland on July 27. Participants are welcome to join the 4.5-mile East Portland route at any point. There will be four featured stops along the route and at parks featuring vendor marketplaces, community booths, free family-friendly activities and local entertainment.
Looking for more fun things to do with kids near you? Check out Kids Calendar or our Summer of Fun Calendar with our editors’ daily event picks.