Looking for free family fun in Portland this March? Whether you’re hoping to explore the outdoors, check out local festivals, or find indoor activities for those rainy days, we’ve got you covered. From free museum days to storytimes, parades, and seasonal events, there’s something for everyone—without spending a dime! Read on for 20+ free things to do with kids in Portland this March.
Find Lucky. Head to West Linn for the Lucky the Leprechaun Hide & Seek event. Between February 27-March 17, search West Linn’s best hidden places to find Lucky’s hiding spots. Turn in your completed Hide & Go Seek booklet to City Hall by March 17 at 3pm to be entered into a raffle! Booklets available online, outside of City Hall or at select park kiosks beginning February 27.
Explore Portland Parks. Portland Parks Environmental Education is starting a new program called Explore Your Park series! These pop-up events will have a scavenger hunt, creature feature and fun hands-on activities to help participants learn about the plants and animals that call that park home. The program is free, open to all ages, and drop in style. March 2 and March 7 from 11 am – 1 pm at Columbia Park.
Storytimes. Look for your closest library location — or try out a new place — for storytimes in Portland and beyond, plus in Vancouver!
Pop-up playtime. Enjoy a fun-filled morning of connection and playtime at an engaging and safe indoor play gym at The Well Church! Active play gym for 1-5 year olds. Coffee + tea for grown ups. Held Wednesdays from 10 am to noon.
First Thursdays at PAM. On Thursday, March 5 admission to the Portland Art Museum is free! Plus, programs at the Tomorrow Theater in Southeast Portland are also free. Pro tip: Kids 17 and younger always get in free!
Parent meet ups. Community during parenthood is so essential. Moms can find it here during the MomCo PDX meet up, while dads have the weekly Community Dad’s Group.
Build it. Kids love the free monthly Home Depot workshops (they even get an orange apron!). This month’s is on Saturday, March 7 where they will be building a leprechaun trap! Lowes also kids’ workshops!
Prom queen. Each spring, Abby’s Closet invites high school students to a two-day prom dress giveaway where they can choose a dress that fits their unique style – completely free of charge. More than 5,000 dresses have been donated, from vintage to brand new, short and long, and sizes 0-20+. Saturday and Sunday, March 7-8.
Lunar New Year fun. Welcome the Year of the Horse on Saturday, March 7, 10 am-1 pm during the 10th Annual Lunar New Year Dragon Dance and Celebration, organized by the Portland Chinatown Museum and co-presented with the Oregon Historical Society. Led by the Portland Chinatown History Foundation’s 150-foot dragon, the parade will pass through the China Gate, march down SW Third Avenue to SW Jefferson and Park Street, and end at the Oregon Historical Society Park Plaza.
Festival for the birds. Tryon Creek’s annual Owl Fest on Saturday, March 7, includes an all ages guided hike, owl pellet dissection activity, crafts, face painting, and more.
Make music. Make music with Youth Music Project during its open house on Saturday, March 7 from 2-5 pm. Sample group classes, test drive instruments, meet instructors, buy used gear, and more.
Market shop shuffle. It’s back! The Portland Saturday Market, the nation’s largest continuously operating open-air arts and crafts market makes its 2026 debut on Saturday, March 7. There’s something for everyone here: jewelry, art, kids clothes and more, all made by local artisans. But with live music and plenty to see, you don’t have to make a purchase to have a great time.
Murder mystery party. Visit the Lake Oswego Library for an afternoon of fun and mystery, and see if you can solve this murder during Which Guide Lied? on Saturday, March 7 from 2:30-4:30 pm. Designed for 9th to 12th graders. This event is free, but registration is required, as the program is limited to ten participants. After you sign up, you will be emailed a description of your character! There’s also the Before Hours Teen Book Club on March 8.
Play with color. Celebrate Purim and Holi at the Elsie Stuhr Center on Sunday, March 8, 2-4 pm. There will be family friendly activities, mask making, color throw, face painting and more.
Bingo! Get your bingo fix in at Hillsboro Downtown Station every other Wednesday at 6:30 pm for five exciting rounds of Bingo! It’s free to play and kid-friendly!
Gone fishin’. Enjoy a free family fishing event at Commonwealth Park Lake in Cedar Hills on Saturday, March 14 from 9 am-1:30 pm. Participants will receive guidance from community mentors in the art of fishing. Fishing gear included!
Go green. Visit Wonderlove for its annual, and family-friendly, St. Patricks Day Festival. Enjoy vendors, live bands, trivia, raffles, games and more!
Broadway minis. Little thespians can participate in Metropolitan Performing Arts’ The Ugly Duckling on Saturday, March 14 from 1:30-2:30 pm. Little actors, ages 3 to 6 can sing, dance and act their way through an amazingly fun script written for them.
CSA share. Bring the kids and enjoy CSA Share Fair, a family-friendly event filled with fun activities on Sunday, March 15. From farmer matchmaking to a cookbook swap and kid’s scavenger hunt, this event is all about discovering the benefits of CSA and meeting the people behind the food.
Sham-rock ‘n’ roll. Celebrate March with a festive St. Patrick’s Day parade. Head to the Beverly Cleary School at 33rd and Hancock at 1 pm on Sunday, March 15. Don’t forget to wear green!
Park pass. Take advantage of this month’s Enjoy this month’s free parking day at Metro parks on March 19 with a visit to one of the city’s spectacular parks, including Oxbow and Blue Lake regional parks, M. James Gleason Memorial Boat Ramp, Broughton Beach and Chinook Landing Marine Park.
Listen up. Looking for storytime fun? There are plenty of free options, from story times at your favorite library to fun readings at local bookstores. One of our favorites? Bard Storytime at Wonderwood Springs!
Fixer upper. Have you been meaning to fix that bike sitting the garage? Or is the toaster on the fritz? The folks at the Repair PDX can help! At rotating locations, volunteers help mend household items — all for free!
Nature crafts. Visit the Tryon Open Nature Classroom on Friday, March 20 for free kid-approved arts and crafts. It’s the perfect post-hike activity.
Spring into spring. Head to the mountain for SpringFest on the Mountain on March 21. There will be live music from Garcia Birthday Band, games, raffles, food and a beer garden for the adults.
Get planting. Have extra house plants, outdoor plants, bulbs, or seeds? Bring a plant and get a plant at the Spring Plant Swap on Sunday, March 22 at the Beaverton City Library. Kids can also plant a seed to take home and grow.
Search for eggs. Easter may be next month, but you can celebrate early during the Camas SpringFest & Egg Scramble on Saturday, March 28. Enjoy a fun-filled celebration of spring with activities, games and family-friendly entertainment for all ages. There’s also the sensory friendly egg hunt in Camas, too! In Portland, don’t miss the egg hunt at Christ United Methodist Church.
Budding blooms. Winter has passed and the sweet-smelling days of spring are upon us. There are plenty of places to witness this changing of the season. Here are favorites for cherry blossoms, and spring blooms in general!
Take in the view. Now that the sun is shining more, take advantage of the clearer, warmer days at one of these playgrounds with a view. Or visit one of these spectacular destination playgrounds.
History lessons. Learn more about Portland’s vibrant Black community at these five spots.
Watch whales. Every spring in late March, gray whales make their annual migration past Oregon’s coastlines en route to Alaska. Here are some of the best spots to catch them in action.
Artful. Our city is full of great places to see art, and several are free! Check out where to find art at no cost.
History revealed. The Oregon Historical Society is a great place to teach kids about our state’s rich history. Admission is free for all Multnomah County residents, too.
Find more fun at our kids calendar!