Summer officially arrives this month, along with the end of school. But how to enjoy this lovely month without breaking the bank? We’ve put together 34 ways below. Get ready to celebrate summer fun!
Party with us! Don’t miss our PDX Parent Family Festival event on Saturday, June 21 from 9 am-2 pm Topaz Farm! Your favorite kindie musicians will be there, plus family fun and games, farm animals, giveaways, art and much more. See you there!
Peonies a plenty. Immerse yourself into peony paradise at Adelman Peony Gardens in Salem. With 30 acres of peony fields and a 2 acre display garden to stroll through, there is something for everyone. Dogs welcome, too!
Choo choo! Since 1954, Molalla Train Park has held a special place in the hearts of families. Tailored to train enthusiasts, the park exciting train rides each Sunday from May to October. The gates open at 11:00 am, allowing visitors to board the train promptly at 11:30 am.
Love is love. Celebrate LGBTQ+ families during Pride. Check out these family-friendly Pride events (most are free!).
Roll out. Ride bikes together with kids and families with Kidical Mass before the start of Pedalpalooza’s Bike Summer Kick-Off ride on Sunday, June 1! This is a moderate paced ride, slow enough for kids on bikes and parents on cargo bikes. The ride is 5 miles from the playground and splash pad in Colonel Summers park, to the Peninsula Park, which will be the start of the Pedalpalooza ride a half hour later at 3 pm.
Painting party. Come paint with local artist, Larry Yes during Free Art in The Park at Pioneer Square on Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 3 – July 31. Kids, adults, neighbors, families and friends are invited to come out in creative spirit to enjoy painting, fun and connection. Pro tip: Art materials provided while supplies last!
Tune time. Also at Pioneer Square this summer, don’t miss the Noon Tunes Summer Concert Series on Tuesdays and Thursdays June 3 – July 31! From Noon-1:00pm enjoy music from some of Portland’s best regional and local musical talent.
All aboard. From June 5-8 from 10 am-4 pm, tour vessels from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, Royal Canadian Navy and others during Fleet Week, part of the Portland Rose Festival roster of fun events.
Water dragons. Speaking of boats, check out the annual Dragon Boat Race on June 7 (also part of the Portland Rose Festival). Watch colorful dragon boats race across the Willamette River near the Hawthorne Bridge — more than 60 teams compete!
Rose Festival Parades. The Fred Meyer Junior Parade is on June 4 from 1-3 pm and the Grand Floral Parade is on June 7 from 10 am to noon.
Hear some tunes. Who doesn’t love a summertime concert? Join the folks from the Cathedral Park Performing Arts Collective for their annual summer Porch Concert Series. Held the second and forth Saturdays of each month, these free concerts feature local musicians. And bonus, it’s right by the St. Johns Farmers Market!
Ye olde storytime. Every Saturday, Gerard Bardler reads stories and sings songs during Bard Storytime at Wonderwood Springs from 11 am to noon. Books generously donated by our neighbor’s Twin Rivers Books.
Let your light shine. Visit the Reser in Beaverton for Shine the Light on June 7. This family day will include art appreciation, theater and art activities and performances featuring many beloved local performers and organizations.
Hikes for littles. Head to Leach Botanical Garden for its weekly Honeybee Hikes. Specially tailored for littles ages 2 to 5, nature education staff lead groups on slow, curiosity-driven activities designed to engage young minds and incorporate their caregivers.
Splish splash. Portland Parks & Recreation splash pads and interactive fountains are officially open for the summer season as of June 14! Time to cool off!
Reservoir reverie. Come celebrate the opening of the Washington Park Reservoir site. The Portland Water Bureau, part of the City’s Public Works Service Area, is hosting a grand opening to showcase the brand-new park space. Bring the family for a day of festivities, tours, and a community outreach fair!
Dragonfly day. Celebrating one of you kiddo’s favorite flying friends with a bunch of fun activities that kids (and adults!) will enjoy. Held on Saturday, June 14th from 1–3 pm at Tegart Ponds in SW Gresham.
Shave ice and splash. Head to Beaverton City Park for Family Picnic with Rainbow Shave Ice. Don’t forget your kiddos’ swim suits for the splash pad!
Cool cars. Join the Vancouver Mall and Orchards Cars & Coffee for the annual Clark County Father’s Day Car Show! Held on June 15 from 10 am-3 pm, the auto show features lots of cars, of course, plus live music, food, raffles and other family-friendly entertainment.
Celebrate Juneteenth. The Miracles Club is hosting Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration on June 19 from noon to 6 pm at 4200 NE MLK Jr Blvd. Enjoy music, guest speakers and kids activities along with great food.
Play day. Join the Columbia Play Project for its 3rd annual Family Play Day on June 21 at the Waterfront Park in Vancouver. Around 25 child-serving organizations will be present, each providing a playful way to engage you and your kids. The stage show will feature hourly performances — all featuring kids performing their hearts out. Waterfront Park, Vancouver.
Touch a truck. Your little truck lover will not want to miss Randall Children’s Hospital Touch-a-Truck event at Clackamas Community College on June 21 from 9 am to noon. Littles can explore fire engines, ambulances, school buses and more, and talk to the folks that operate them!
Check out art. The whole family gets free admission to the Portland Art Museum on June 22 for Miller Family Free Day, a monthly event. Remember: kids ages 17 and under always get in free to PAM!
Sunflower social. Check out Maiden Plaza in Southeast on June 22 from 2-6 pm for the first annual Sunflower Summer Fair. There will be live music, delicious food, family-friendly activities and a festive, walkable space filled with booths and local vendors.
Catch ’em all. The Vancouver GoFest Celebration returns for its third year. This free, family-friendly festival transforms Esther Short Park and the heart of Main Street into a real-world adventure celebrating all things Pokémon, community and creativity.
Go by bike. Join Sunday Parkways on June 29 in the Cully-area neighborhoods.
Explore nature. During Metro’s Free Parking Day, parking fees are waived at all your favorite Metro parks. Think Oxbow, Blue Lake, Broughton Beach, and others. This month, parks are free on June 19 and 20.
Sign up for your local summer reading programs. Worried about your kids forgetting everything they learned at school the past year during summer break? The summer reading program keeps kids motivated to read and learn all summer long. Sign up for free to get a game board, encouraging your kids to read for a certain number of minutes or do a reading-related activity. At stops along the way, they can pick out a toy, book or coupon for local fun. At the end, they get a free t-shirt or onesie. Here’s the link for Multnomah County, Clackamas County, Washington County, and Clark County’s programs.
Try out a new playground. There are playgrounds. And then there are these playgrounds. These ones are unique and utterly wow-worthy—totally worth the trip.
Enjoy a free lunch. Portland Parks & Rec’s Free Lunch & Play begins on June 21. Your kids will get free lunch at parks around town, along with sports, games and arts & crafts activities. Find the schedule here.
Go for a swim adventure. Is it warm enough yet? Is it warm enough yet? Check out one of these local swimming holes for a break from the heat.
Volunteer! Try one of these family-friendly volunteering opportunities.
Strike! Register your kids for free bowling — all summer long!
For even more great ideas, check our popular Kids Calendar!