While spring break may have you longing for pristine beaches, sparkling blue oceans or snowy ski slopes, you don’t have to spend a fortune (or even leave the state) to have a spectacular school vacation with your kids. In fact, there are plenty of marvelous activities you can do, here in Portland, for free.
Visit the Library
A stay-at-home spring break is a tradition for my family. We usually make the library our first stop, often picking a few books we can read together. Not only can kids of all ages check out physical and digital reading materials, but they can also find a host of other media, such as movies, audiobooks and music. You’ll find a range of free virtual and in-person programming, such as baby, preschool and family storytimes, tween book clubs, teen video game clubs, creative writing and art workshops, Pokémon and LEGO-themed activities, and more.
Go to a Skate Park
My kids got their first skateboards before they could even walk, so we often visit one or more of Portland’s many free skateparks during school breaks (pictured above). Good options in the area are at Berrydale Park, Ed Benedict Park, Gabriel Park, Luuwit View Park, Khunamokwst Park, Pier Park and Glenhaven Park, Rassekh Park in Lake Oswego and Cedar Park in Sandy. You’ll see kids using skateboards and scooters at many of these locations. Beginners are usually more than welcome; just use common sense to leave space between skaters. Often, more seasoned skaters are happy to offer guidance to those eager to learn how to master a new trick — that’s how my son, Noah, has learned many of his skills. Pro tip: The Burnside Skatepark is a great one for watching more advanced skaters.
Visit Hoyt Arboretum
I’ve also been taking my kids to explore the trails at Hoyt Arboretum since before they could even walk. Your family can enjoy free access to 12 miles of trails, where you have the chance to spot over 2,300 unique woodland species. Even better, during spring break, the expansive park offers its annual Spring Break Exploration Stations. This event includes a host of free, drop-in and scheduled activities for kids of all ages, focusing on local plants and animals of the forest. Expect sensory and hands-on activities, lots of information from staff and more. Held daily from 10 am to noon, March 25-29.
Cultivate Creativity
My daughter loves to create mini-art camps at home for her little brothers. You can, too, by collecting a range of age-appropriate art supplies, such as paper, crayons, colored pencils, paint brushes, chalk or scissors. You’ll likely have more on hand than you know what to do with. If not, this is your chance to get creative, as anything can become an art supply, such as empty paper towel or toilet paper rolls, junk mail, old magazines, scraps of fabric, thread, rocks, leaves, or flowers. Have your child help scour the house or neighborhood for supplies. Set up stations around the house or yard for various activities, such as sewing, drawing, painting, beading or collage-making. You can even invite some of your kiddo’s friends over to join in the fun. For more structured art activities, visit the Rockwood Library’s impressive 1,000-square-foot makerspace (pictured above). There are dedicated times for teens, younger kids with a caregiver, and adults. Your kids can experiment with a range of art and tech supplies, including sewing machines, crafting and art materials, and 3D printers.
See the Cherry Blossoms
Take a stroll down Tom McCall Waterfront Park (pictured above) to take in the glorious pink display as the cherry blossoms bloom in Portland each spring. The exact timing varies each season, but these magnificent trees typically bloom from mid-March to early April, with the best viewing often occurring over spring break or the following week. Other spots to take in cherry blossoms in Portland include Washington Park, Mt. Tabor Park, Laurelhurst Park, the Happy Valley Library (there’s an adjacent playground to check out, too), Pittock Mansion (you don’t need a ticket to walk the grounds), downtown Lake Oswego, University of Portland, and along many neighborhood streets.
Visit the Oregon Historical Society
My kids always enjoy a visit to the Oregon Historical Society, located in downtown Portland. They particularly like the interactive Experience Oregon exhibit, which traces Oregon’s rich, complicated history and the people who call our state home. This fabulous museum is always free for Multnomah County residents. Other exhibits to explore include the dynamic History Hub that uses games, puzzles, objects, pictures, and other interactive elements to get kids thinking about important questions like “How can you make Oregon a great place for everyone?” The Rivers, Roses, and Rip City exhibit offers a history of Portland through the lenses of its vibrant communities and gorgeous landscape.
Go on a Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt
One of my favorite pastimes is taking neighborhood walks (or runs) with my kids and our labradoodle, Bucky. Even if you walk the same blocks around your neighborhood, you’ll always see new things and new people, but you’ll have an even more exciting trek if you seek out some of the many mini art installations, tiny libraries, toy exchanges, and other paragons of Portland ingenuity along the way. You can often discover these gems organically, or you can scope out your ideal route at PDX Sidewalk Joy, where you’ll find the locations of puzzle swaps, mug exchanges, a dinosaur diorama (pictured above), a tiny creature swap and so much more.
Find a Storytime
Have a literary adventure at Green Bean Books in the Alberta Arts District (pictured above). On Tuesdays, stop by for the adorable children’s book store’s weekly 11 am storytime. Past themes have included celebrating local authors and introducing kids to classic and new books. Other monthly programming includes Spanish-language storytimes, youth book clubs, and opportunities for kids to read to therapy dogs. Find additional storytimes at Powell’s City of Books on Saturdays at 10:30 am and Maggie Mae’s Bookshop at 11:30 am on Saturday, March 21. Pro tip: Your local library in Multnomah County, Washington County, Beaverton Library and more, also have great storytimes!
Go on a Hike
Our area brims with gorgeous natural spaces that you can explore for free with your family. Be on the lookout for spring flowers, birds, ducks, ferns, trees, insects and more. You can hike, walk, scoot or bike along paved or dirt paths in many local parks. Stop by ones close to your home or choose a few you’ve never visited to discover all the local beauty of Oregon and Washington. Many parks also have playgrounds, sports facilities, and other free amenities and programming. Some suggestions include Laurelhurst Park, where you can watch ducks swim across the water; Forest Park, where you can walk on trails for miles under a canopy of towering trees; Tanner Springs Park, a unique urban wetland oasis that does double duty to manage stormwater; and Powell Butte Nature Park, which offers stunning city views.
Visit the Portland Puppet Museum
Visit the Portland Puppet Museum (PPM) in Southeast Portland, where you can discover dozens of puppets on display in a variety of styles and sizes. PPM also often includes some interactive elements, so kids can try their hand at puppetry. Since opening in 2012, this unique museum has showcased over 50 different exhibits. PPM offers free admission and is open Thursdays through Sundays, 2-8 pm. (Puppet shows and workshops are often available for a fee.)
Decorate Eggs
Enjoy Egg DecoratingHead to Oak Knoll Winery’s Family Fun Day, on Sunday March 29 from 11 am-5 pm, where parents can taste wines and enjoy the scenic landscape while kids engage in a fun craft project. Pre-made papier-mache eggs are available for children to paint and personalize. Find even more free Easter events here!
Visit the Portland Art Museum
The newly revamped Portland Art Museum underwent a massive $111 million renovation and expansion project that was completed late last year. If you haven’t been back to the museum, this spring is a fantastic time to visit, particularly as children 17 and under always get in free. Pro tip: Tickets for adults are free on the first Thursdays of the month (March 5 this month), but you can also get two free tickets using the Multnomah County Library’s Discovery Pass program. This March, see special shows featuring David Hockney, Rick Bartow, Pipilotti Rist and Marco Brambilla, as well as all the regular exhibits, including exhibits of Native American, Asian, European, Black and Modern art. Portlandartmuseum.org
Looking for even more free family fun? Check out our popular kids calendar!