I go to a lot of events for my work here at PDX Parent, and Hopscotch Portland may be my favorite of all time. It somehow manages to be both family-friendly and also the perfect spot for date night. I believe there’s magic involved.
Hopscotch is an immersive art experience in southeast Portland, a wonder-inducing walk through 25,000 square feet of light, sound, and art. It’s basically what I imagine would happen if the Portland Winter Light Festival, Top Chef, and the Portland Night Market had a beautiful baby together.
The artwork of a diverse group of local, national, and international artists is featured in 14 immersive installations, but this isn’t a typical museum or gallery experience. Kids and adults will be obsessed with Diodic Daydream by Matchless Builds, a glowing ball pit that manages to be both playful and oddly soothing. The other installation that is about to break the internet is Quantum Trampoline by Kuflex, a responsive light display that transforms based on the movements of guests bouncing along a trampoline.
There’s also an undercurrent of activism that makes Portland the perfect home for this business. Gaze by The Human Rights Campaign and The Wiz will draw crowds year-round, but especially during Pride month. When we were there, people were dancing past illuminated words of encouragement, acceptance, and support, as joyful music surrounded them. And Rainbow Cave by Basia Goszczynska brings a breathtaking beauty to environmental activism.
The menu is full of all your favorite snacks — waffles, popcorn, ice cream, mac and cheese — but seriously elevated. My tween and I kept fighting for more bites of the spicy mango sorbet, and she plans to order the falafel waffle on her next trip so she can have it all to herself. But if your kids aren’t quite as adventurous as my almost-teen, no worries — you can order a plain mac and cheese, too.
New in 2024: Kate’s Ice Cream, award-winning purveyor of Portland’s favorite plant-based and gluten-free ice cream, is Hopscotch’s exclusive ice cream partner this summer! They’re even offering a signature Hopscotch flavor featuring a cotton candy ice cream studded with electric blue Rice Krispies treats and white chocolate freckle. (If you love your dairy and gluten as much as I do, don’t worry — you’d never know this incredible frozen treat is entirely plant-based.)
But don’t stop with food! The cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks are out of this world, much like the entire experience. The flaming “Chromesthesia” is so good, it’s worth saying chro-mes-the-sia, and if you order the “Electric Avenue,” a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Portland Winter Light Festival. My daughter loved her non-alcoholic “Celestial Unicorn,” complete with tongue numbing glitter on the side of the glass. You can bring your drink throughout the space, and my husband and I enjoyed sipping our cocktails while my daughter made one last stop at Quantum Trampoline before we left.
The experience is best for ages 4+, but all ages are welcome during the day, and it’s free for ages 3 and under. If you’re looking for a date you can bring your baby to, this is it; even infants will love the lights. This is also the rare family activity your teenager will actually want to join. If you prefer date night sans children (solidarity), plan an evening visit; the last child’s ticket is available at 5 pm daily. Hopscotch has really found the sweet spot between being both family- and date-friendly. “We are incredibly grateful for the support we have received from the family market. As a parent of a little one myself, I know how hard it can be to fill the day with exciting activities that can be fun for both kiddos and parents,” says Nicole Jensen, Co-Founder of Hopscotch. This is your sign to skip playing yet another round of Candyland, and do something you all can enjoy.
Wear socks for the trampoline and ball pit, and bring a credit or debit card for food and drink (Hopscotch is cashless). Hopscotch is ADA accessible, and compact strollers are allowed. I would recommend wearing your baby or toddler instead of using the stroller, as you’ll likely have a better experience if you travel lightly.
The best news is that Hopscotch Portland is permanent, which means you can come back whenever you like. I bet it will be soon.
Hopscotch Portland
1020 SE 10th Ave, Portland
New extended summer hours in 2024: Beginning June 17, through Labor Day, Hopscotch is open from 10 am-10 pm, Wednesday-Monday.
Timed-entry tickets are $24 for adults, $15 for kids, and free for ages 3 and under. I would pay twice that for this experience. Get them here.
Want to support our 100% free content? Use this affiliate link to buy your tickets, and a portion of the proceeds will help fund our work. It’s one more way that Hopscotch is supporting the parent community here in PDX.
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