23 Free Things to Do with Kids in February

February — with its customary gray skies and rain — is here. But don’t let the dreariness get you down. There are several family-friendly events and activities in Portland this month.

Whether you are looking for indoor activities or outdoor explorations, here are 15+ fun things to do with kids in Portland this February — all for free!

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

Look at art. Kick off the month with free admission for the family at the Portland Art Museum. Visit the museum for free on the first Thursday of each month, plus free programming at the Tomorrow Theater in Southeast Portland. And don’t forget: Kids ages 17 and younger are always free to visit the museum!

Courtesy of the Portland Art Museum

See the light. One of the brightest parts of February in Portland is the annual the Portland Winter Light Festival. Don’t miss illuminated art installations, kinetic fire sculptures and stand-out performances from February 2-10. This year’s theme, Glowing Under Pressure, explores the magic of the deep sea.

Courtesy of the Portland Winter Light Festival

Gong hei fat choy! Celebrate the year of the dragon with free events around the Portland-area at places like Sellwood Center for the Arts, Bridgeport Village and your local library. For more ways to ring in the lunar new year, click here.

Courtesy of Robert Mitchell

Powerful stitches. Visit the auditorium at OMSI now through February 19 from 10 am to 4 pm to see the AIDS Memorial Quilt on display (and help kiddos learn about the impacts of this disease). The quilt, which weighs an astonishing 54-tons, includes nearly 50,000 panels dedicated to more than 110,000 people who have lost their lives to AIDS.

Courtesy of AIDS Memorial Quilt

Watch African films. Celebrate Black history and culture with spectacular films from February 2 through March 2. The 34th Annual Cascade Festival of African Films is a hybrid virtual and in-person film festival at the Portland Community College Cascade campus, as well as at Hollywood Theater and Tomorrow Theater.

Drop a beat. Visit Propulsion Zone in Southwest for the launch party of the Keys, Beats and Bars youth program’s Pier to Peers on Friday, February 2 at 7 pm. The culturally-responsive, audiovisual program is free for youth ages 14-25 at the downtown space every Wednesday from 4:30 to 6:30 pm.

Get sporty. Bring the whole family to VillaSport Athletic Club and Spa in Beaverton from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday, February 3 for its Family Fun Day. There will be games, crafts, activities and more! Pro tip: You can also register for complimentary group exercise classes by contacting the club in advance.

Courtesy of VillaSport Athletic Club and Spa

Faire daze. Visit Cedar Waldorf School for the annual Cedarwood Children’s Faire on Saturday, February 3 from 10 am to noon for arts and crafts, bread baking and a puppet play.

Elmo loves you! Celebrate the birthday of this sweet, fuzzy red puppet at Maggie Mae’s Books. There will be a story time and games on Saturday, February 3 starting at 11:30 am.

Get creative. Head to The Lobby at Ellen Browning Building on Saturday, February 3 from 12 to 2 pm for Kids Day at The Lobby. Budding artists will craft their own versions of timeless masterpieces — and art supplies are included!

Courtesy of The Lobby

Plan a fun outing. Local library systems offer free and discounted passes to popular museums and attractions. Find your library system here to see where you can go.

Bluegrass boogie. The Chick Rose School of Bluegrass (hosted at Artichoke Music on Powell) is holding its Chick’s Kids free bluegrass music workshop for kids ages 6 to 14 on Saturday, February 3 from 11 am to 1 pm — followed by a performance on the main stage! Bring your own instrument or borrow one there.

Courtesy of Chick Rose School of Bluegrass

Learn Japanese Culture. The Japanese National Honor Society at Tigard High School is hosting Japan Night at the high school commons on Friday, February 9 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. The community event features performances, Koto playing origami and more.

Get classical. Meet the musicians of WindSync as they perform an engaging performance (completely with costumes and dance) of Peter and the Wolf by Sergei Prokofiev at the Tualatin Public Library at 10:30 am on Thursday, February 15.

Courtesy of Daniel Ashworth

Hear a story. Our city has a great story times — just for the littles! Find one here.

Create a podcast. Got a great idea you want to share on the airwaves? Make your own podcast with your kids.

Skip the parking fee. February 15 and February 19 are Metro’s Free Parking Days this month. Enjoy free parking at Oxbow and Blue Lake regional parks, Broughton Beach, M. James Gleason Memorial Boat Ramp, and Chinook Landing Marine Park. Looking for more winter hike locales? Here’s five!

Courtesy of Jessica Becker

Lovely pop-up. Visit Lovett Deconstruction & Salvage shop in Northwest for its Valentine’s Day pop-up, Love at Lovett. Local makers like Squeezebox and Koop Kitchen will be on hand, plus a photo booth. And the shop will have a card-making station. Make a Valentine’s Day card for nonprofit, Portland Backpack.

Stroll along. Visit Commonwealth Lake Park in Cedar Hills on Sunday, February 11 at 10 am for Sweetheart Stroll. The 1.5-mile trail is accessible for all. Plus there’s crafts, hot cocoa and nature kits.

Dress up. The Portland Mardi Gras Parade is fun for the whole family: marching bands, art, live music — and a kid’s costume pageant! Take your costumed kiddo to Luke’s Frame Shop on Albina on Tuesday, February 13 at 6 pm. The newly crowned Mystic Krewe queen and king will be there! Then, don’t miss the parade down North Mississippi Avenue starting at 7 pm.

Courtesy of Mysti Krewe of Nimbus

Share the love. Enjoy the fresh winter air and a walk in Tualatin’s parks and trails as you search for one of the 175 hand-blown glass hearts by Tacoma-based artist Timothy Jaquet. And finders keepers! The glass hearts will be placed in City of Tualatin parks and trails throughout the month of February.  Psst! Check out the first link for location clues!

Take a walk. While there are lots of fabulous paid walking tours in the city, you can take a self-guided Walking with Ramona Tour for free.

Amazing agates. The annual Agate and Mineral Show at OMSI on Saturday, February 24 is a must for rockhounds of all ages. Members of the Oregon Agate & Mineral Society will be showcase how to prepare rocks for display by cutting slabs, shaping stones, polishing and creating designs.

Courtesy of Oregon Agate & Mineral Society

Looking for even more fun, family-friendly events? Check out our comprehensive kids calendar!

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