It’s here. Summer’s commencing whether you’ve maxed out your school-free calendar or not. Here’s hoping you managed to fill the weeks with summer camps, sports, lessons and day trips. And if you haven’t — don’t worry! We’ve rounded up ongoing family-friendly summer activities. And they’re free! No decision fatigue here!

Courtesy of Portland Parks & Recreation

Library Storytimes

Storytime is more than a story—it’s a time to socialize with other kiddos and learn to love the library. Check your local library’s event schedule for culturally specific or age-specific storytimes, including LGBTQ+, Bilingual, Book Babies, Native, Black and more. Find Multnomah County Library storytimes here. For additional storytimes in different counties, check out Washington County, Clackamas County and Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries. Looking for storytimes outside of the library? Find them here.

Summer Reading Programs

Kids of any age may participate in summer reading challenges through the library. Sign up on Beanstack (online or via the app) or visit the library in person to receive a paper game board. Help your kids register for challenges, log their reading and earn prizes.

Weekends at Wonderwood Springs 

Every Saturday from 11 am-noon is Bard Storytime at Mike Bennett’s North Portland café. “The Bard” of Wonderwood sings songs and reads stories curated by Two Rivers Bookstore. And every Sunday, kindie performer Mr. Ben graces the stage for a kids’ concert from 10-11 am. 

Porch Concert Series

Every second and fourth Saturday, May through September, the Cathedral Park Performing Arts Collective hosts free live music from 10 am-12:30 pm on the porch of their building. Pro tip: Stop at the St. Johns Farmers Market for fresh snacks before spreading your blanket on the lawn and enjoying the tunes. 

Construction Crafts at Hardware Stores

Home Depot and Lowe’s both offer free monthly craft days for kiddos (check age recommendations, generally 4-12 years). Register ahead to secure your spot. Home Depot workshops are on first Saturdays from 9 am – noon; Lowe’s workshops are usually on third Saturdays from 10 am-1 pm. Pro tip: You don’t have to build the craft in store! You can grab it and go.

Free Days at Portland Art Museum

The first Thursday of every month means free admission at the Portland Art Museum. Tickets can be reserved online one week in advance, or grabbed directly at the door. Programs at the Tomorrow Theater in SE Portland are also free on these days. Don’t miss these additional museum options with free (or discounted) admission days.

SMILE Summer Music 

Six Saturday evenings in July and August catch live music in Sellwood in the parking lot of Moreland Presbyterian Church (SE 19th & Bybee Boulevard). Events start at 6:30 pm. BYO Chair. 

Noon Tunes Summer Concert Series + Free Art in the Park

Head downtown Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 2-July 30 from noon-1 pm at Pioneer Courthouse Square to enjoy this free community art series that pairs live music with hands-on artistic engagement. Art materials available while supplies last. 

Kindred Gardens

Formerly known as Partum Gardens, this community organization hosts a gathering every Wednesday morning in SE Portland at Green Thumb (SE 58th Avenue) with the intention of building a strong network that supports families in a garden setting to “cultivate deeper relationships with ourselves, one another and everyone’s mother, Earth.”

Pedalpalooza

Bike Summer, a.k.a. Pedalpalooza, includes hundreds of bike events across Portland throughout June, July and August. Check the online calendar, or follow @pedalpaloozapdx on Instagram for updates. Most rides are free; all are open to the public.

Kids Bowl Free

Two free games per day, all summer long. Create a Kids Bowl Free account to register online. 

Participating Lanes: 

  • Portland: Kingpins, Grand Central Bowl & Arcade
  • Gresham: Mt. Hood Lanes
  • Milwaukie: Milwaukie Bowl
  • Beaverton: Kingpins, Super Play
  • Hillsboro: Park Lanes Family Entertainment Center
  • Forest Grove: Rainbow Lanes
  • Hood River: Orchard Lanes
  • St. Helens: Oregon Trail Lanes

Movies and Concerts in the Parks

Relish cool summer evenings with free movies and concerts in the parks all summer long. Check the Portland Parks & Recreation Summer Free for All website for a full list of this year’s participating parks and their event dates. 

Free Lunch + Play

Also part of Summer Free for All, kids 18 and younger can participate in Portland Parks & Recreation’s Free Lunch + Play at participating parks June 22 through August 21, Monday through Friday from 10 am- 2pm (no lunch on Friday, July 3). Events include free lunch, drop-in games, crafts and recreation. See the schedule online to find out when Free Lunch + Play will be at a nearby participating park.

Echo Theater Circus Play Zone

In partnership with Portland Parks & Recreation’s Summer Free For All events, Echo Theater, an aerial arts ensemble theater and imaginative play group, offers free events at select parks once each month this summer.

Don’t miss them at these parks:

  • Alberta Park: (1905 NE Killingsworth Street)Tuesday, June 30, 11 am-1 pm 
  • Creston Park: (4454 SE Powell Boulevard) Tuesday, July 21, 11 am-1 pm
  • Khunamokwst Park: (5200 NE Alberta Street) Wednesday, August 5, 11 am-1 pm

Arts in the Parks

Every summer, from June 23 through August 21, the Multnomah Arts Center’s community engagement team serves thousands of residents in more than 20 Portland parks. Check the schedule online to see when it’ll be in a park near you.

Free Family Swim

Many of Portland’s outdoor pools offer free open swim sessions throughout the summer. You can also register for Free Swim Week (June 22-26), which provides free swim lessons for all ages. Register in person at any Portland Parks & Recreation Pool on June 12 from 4 pm-7pm, or online beginning at 7:30 pm. 

Splash Pads

Open now through Labor Day (September 7), seasonal splash pad hours will be 10 am-8 pm. This is a great way to cool down with littles. Find your nearest splash pad using our handy online interactive map.

Portland Sunday Parkways

Returning for its 19th consecutive year, the Public Bureau of Transportation’s Portland Sunday Parkways opens public space for walking, biking, rolling and playing. Southwest Portland’s event was in May, but three more are scheduled for the summer:

Kickstand Comedy in the Park

Likely inappropriate for small children, Kickstand offers free comedy in Laurelhurst Park every Friday starting June 5 through September 4 at 6:30 pm (no shows July 10 or 24). Pro tip: Parental discretion is advised, content is typically rated PG-13, but can get R-rated. 

Opera a la Cart

This mobile performance venue brings live opera directly into community spaces throughout Portland. This year its schedule includes free shows in partnership with Portland Parks & Recreation’s Free Lunch + Play event series. 

$1 Movies at Regal Movie Theaters

The only event on this list that isn’t entirely free, but at $1 a ticket for kids and adults alike, it’s pretty darn close. From June 1 to August 13, Summer Movie Express tickets are $1 starting at 11 am Monday through Thursday. 

More Free Summer Fun: One-off Free Summer Events