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 30+ ways below. Get ready to celebrate summer fun!
Party with us! Don’t miss our PDX Parent Family Festival event on Saturday, June 27 from 9 am-1 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!
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.
Roll out. Ride bikes together with kids and families with Kidical Mass on Monday, June 1! This is a moderate paced ride, slow enough for kids on bikes and parents on cargo bikes. Ride bikes together with kids and families, from Grant Park to Alberta Park for the start of Pedalpalooza’s Bike Summer Kick-Off ride! This is a moderate paced ride, for kids on bikes and parents on cargo bikes. We’ll ride 3.5 miles from the playground in Grant park, to Alberta Park, which will be the start of the Pedalpalooza kick-off ride.
Peonies a plenty. Immerse yourself into peony paradise at Glencoe Farms. This family owned and operated peony grower also sells fresh cut peony stems and plants. Come stroll two acres of peonies and enjoy the view of farmland!
Painting party. Come paint with local artist, Larry Yes during Free Art in The Park at Pioneer Square on Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 2 – July 30. 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 2 – July 31! From Noon-1 pm enjoy music from some of Portland’s best regional and local musical talent.
Love is love. Celebrate LGBTQ+ families during Pride. Check out these family-friendly Pride events (most are free!).
Carve it. Don’t miss the Fourth Annual Sandy Invitational Chainsaw Competition and Forest Festival, a celebration of our forests and the people who work in them. Watch chainsaw carvers produce remarkable art and take some home with you. Bring the kids to the Family Zone, and check out 90+ vendors and partners! Pro tip: Parking and hearing protection available on site. Held June 5–7.
All aboard. From June 4-7 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 free, fun events.
Water mons. Speaking of boats, check out the annual Dragon Boat Race on Saturday, June 6 (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!
Hammer time. If your kiddos love to build, then the Free Home Depot Kids Workshop, held the first Saturday of each month, is the event for them. This hands-on learning experience encourages skill-building and creativity in children ages 5-12. There’s also the Kids Workshop at Lowes!
Library party. Come celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Washington County Cooperative Library Services with a party for everyone’s favorite book bug, Wallace! There will be treats, Wallace-themed craft stations and fun new giveaways while supplies last. This will also be an excellent time to pick up your Summer Reading log and your choice of free book for Plant a Seed, Read!
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 6 from 1–6 pm at Tegart Ponds in SW Gresham.
Rose Festival Parade. In 2026, the Portland Rose Festival proudly introduces an exciting evolution of two beloved traditions: the CareOregon Grand Floral Starlight Parade, held on Saturday, June 6 from 6:30-9:30 pm.
Museum freebies. From June 6-7, Bank of America, Merrill and Bank of America Private Bank cardholders can receive free general admission to the Portland Art Museum and the Portland Japanese Garden.
Summertime celebration. Celebrate the beginning of summer with a School’s Out for Summer celebration! There will be free food, summer activity kits, and local community-based organizations in attendance offering great summer resources and fun activities for kids.
Fix it. Need a toy, household item, small appliance, clothing, etc. repaired? Head to a Repair PDX event and have it come back to life for free! They take place at various locations around the Portland metro area. Visit their calendar to find one near you!
Find it. Team up with friends and family to compete in the Gresham City-Wide Scavenger Hunt on Saturday, June 13! Your team will hunt for historic sites and accomplish tasks, uncovering Gresham’s past in the process. This event is for all ages and abilities, and many tasks can be done from home. Prizes are in store for those with the most points, including a lifetime museum membership!
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.
Foster fun. The Foster Summer Soirée returns on June 13, from 12–6 pm for an afternoon of community fun along Foster. There will be family-friendly activities, live music, sidewalk sales, food and more.
Superheros unite. This Juneteenth Hillsdale Library is celebrating freedom and the fight for justice with a Black Superheroes Craft Fair! Join in for a fun afternoon of crafting in your favorite superhero costume! There will be a superhero button making and cape and mask decorating. Then try out the laser maze and take a picture at their superhero photobooth!
Pool time. Enjoy weekly free swim sessions at these PP&R outdoor pools: Pier Pool – Thursdays 1:30-3:30pm; Creston Pool – Mondays 6:30- 8 pm; Peninsula Pool – Tuesdays 1-3:45 pm; Montavilla Pool – Tuesdays 6-8pm; Grant Pool – Wednesdays 1-3 pm and Sellwood Pool – Wednesdays 6:30-8 pm.
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 18-19.
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.
Celebrate Juneteenth. Celebrate this special day with events happening at Lake Oswego High School, at Esther Short Park in Vancouver, at Lillis-Albina Park and in Tigard.
Check out art. The whole family gets free admission to the Portland Art Museum on June 21 for Miller Family Free Day, a monthly event. Remember: kids ages 17 and under always get in free to PAM!
Enjoy a free lunch. Portland Parks & Rec’s Free Lunch + Play begins on June 22. Your kids will get free lunch at parks around town, along with sports, games and arts & crafts activities.
Craft time. Don’t miss Craft Day at Fort Vancouver, a free, family-friendly community craft event, offering hands-on creative activities for all ages. Participants can try a variety of crafts, including basketry with the Columbia Basin Basketry Guild, origami with Holly Williams and puppet making with Dragon Theater.
Play day. Join Harper’s Playground for a Day of Play at Vancouver’s largest Inclusive Playground! Come with your family and friends, connect with community, and enjoy free activities, music, and games for all! June 27, 10 am-2 pm.
Ready, set, race. Watch the creative Milk Carton Boat Race at Westmoreland Park casting pond! Spectators get to vote for their 3 favorite teams. Opening ceremony is at 11:45 am; races begin at noon on Sunday, June 28.
Go by bike. Join Sunday Parkways on June 28 in East Portland.
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.
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!