25+ Free Things to Do With Kids in September

Sure, we’re back at school this month, and the days are getting shorter. But there is still so much going on in September. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite things to do with kids around Portland — all for free this month.

We’ve made every effort to confirm this information, but always double-check with the organization before heading out!

River dragons. Cheer teams as they row to the beat of a drum at the 2024 Portland Dragon Boat Festival. Food and drink vendors will be on land for post-race partying. Join the fun on Saturday and Sunday, September 7-8, at the south end of Tom McCall Waterfront Park.

Go on a hike. Check out one of our kid-friendly fall hikes to peep the leaves, look for wildlife and breathe in the fresh air.

Paddle Around. Summer vacation may be over, but you still have time to kayak before the rains come. Check out these 10 great spots to kayak with kids.

Dine al fresco. Now that it’s not too hot, try one of our favorite picnic spots before the winter rains set in.

Visit Herman. At the Bradford Island Visitor Center, don’t miss underwater windows that allow you to peer into the the fish ladder, educational displays about the dam, and the rooftop observation deck with its panoramic view. At the Bonneville Hatchery, feed rainbow trout, visit Herman the Sturgeon (he’s 10 feet long and more than 80 years old!), and spend some time meandering the lovely grounds. Pro tip: bring a picnic and eat along the river. September and October are great months to see adult fall Chinook and coho salmon spawning. This is a fun and interesting day trip for both kids and adults.

Frolic through the fields. The colorful Swan Island Dahlia Festival is still happening, so head to Canby to spot more than 350 varieties — plus live music and food carts.

Purrfect scavenger hunt. Can you find all 31 of the locally created cat scultptures in downtown? Look for these fun felines now through October 13 during Coraline’s Curious Cat Trail. Pro tip: download the kitty map here!

First Fridays. Celebrate local businesses and communities on the first friday of the month. There’s Multnomah Village First Fridays and in Troutdale, don’t miss the First Friday Art Walk. (On Thursday, Canby hosts the First Thursday Night Market.)

Art for all. Speaking of first-week-of-the-month freebies, don’t forget that the Portland Art Museum has its Free First Thursdays, plus programs at the Tomorrow Theater in Southeast Portland are also free for the day. (Kids 17 and under are always free at PAM!)

Street play. The City of Portland Bureau of Transportation and the Pacific Refugee Support Group is hosting the last of its three free Play Streets events on Friday, September 6 from 5-7 pm between 72nd and Cully Avenues. Play Streets are pop-up spaces for intergenerational play aiming to bring residents and newcomers together. Games, fun, food, and music for the whole family!

Coding kids. If you have a budding computer engineer, enroll them in this free coding class for kids and teens. Hosted by Annie Bloom’s Books, this ongoing class teaches kiddos app, website and game development and animation.

Swift Watch. During the month of September, head to Chapman Elementary School in Northwest Portland to see an incredible sight: One hour before sunset, thousands of Vaux’s Swifts gather overhead as they prepare to roost for the night.

Celebrate Beaverton. Head southwest for the Beaverton Celebration Parade on Saturday, September 7. There will be plenty of marching bands and colorful floats!

And celebrate SE. For Southeast families, don’t miss the Division Clinton Street Fair, complete with live music, food and drinks and local vendors.

Recycled fashion. Strut your stuff during Recycling on the Runway: A Trashion Show Spectacular. Presented by The Milwaukie Arts Committee, families can create clothes and costumes using recycled, upcycled or repurposed materials, then walk the “runway” during the Milwaukie Sustainability Fair on Sept. 7 at the Farmer’s Market area in downtown Milwaukie. Bonus: there are prizes!

Kids fest. On Sunday, September 8, don’t miss the third annual Multicultural Kids Festival at Ventura Park next to Ventura Park Elementary. The event will feature a vibrant showcase of multicultural performances and activities such as a climbing wall, petting zoo, bounce houses, and art classes.

Kiddie concert. Red Yarn and his delightful puppet friends with be performing a free concert at the Cathedral Performing Arts Collective on Saturday, September 14. It’s part of the annual Porch Concert Series in North Portland. Wanna see more Red Yarn?! Don’t miss the Sellwood Community House 5th Birthday Bash! He’ll be there, plus cake, crafts and more.

Cześć! Celebrate all things Poland during the Portland Polish Festival on Saturday and Sunday, September 14-15 at 3900 N Interstate Ave. for a weekend filled with authentic food, live music, captivating dance performances, cultural exhibits and more.

Fiesta Latina. Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and El Grito, Mexico’s Independence Day, at this free, family-friendly community festival at North Clackamas Park on Saturday, September 14. Explore Latino heritage and culture with delicious food, live music and performances, kids activities, games, authentic artisan vendors, and resource booths. And on Sunday, September 22, don’t miss El Festival de Mariachi in Hillsboro.

Mid-autumn moments. On September 14 at the new Hong Phat Supercenter (located at 4200 SE 82nd Ave.) experience the Portland Mid-Autumn Festival, a day filled with cultural performances, delicious food, unique merchandise, and fun-filled activities for all ages.

Fall y’all. Celebrate all things fall during the Oh My Gourd Harvest Fest at Sellwood Community House on Saturday, September 21. Baby goats will be there!

Go for a bike ride. From classics to new favorites, check out these kid-friendly bike paths.

Plan a fun outing with your library’s cultural passes. Local library systems offer free and discounted passes to popular museums and attractions. Find your library system here to see where you can go. (Check your library system for the most up-to-date information on where passes are accepted.)

Beary cute. Probably one of Portland’s cutest parades, the annual Teddy Bear Parade in Gresham is a fun time for the whole family. Catch these stuffies on Saturday, September 28.

Roll out. Don’t miss the last Portland Sunday Parkways of the season on Sunday, September 22 in SW Multnomah.