Kid-Friendly Fourth of July Staycation (Portland Style)

Some vents and activities are canceled due to COVID. You can check our Kids Calendar or our summer bucket list for updated ideas for family fun.

For some, the Fourth of July means packing up the bags and getting out of dodge. But for those of us who are staying put, there is much family-friendly fun to be had right here in Portland. Here are some ideas to keep you and your family occupied and happy over the holiday week.

Pick away. Strawberries might be tapering off, but raspberries and blueberries are on their way. Fill up your pails, your freezers, your blenders and your jam jars with berries from our favorite u-picks. Be sure to call before heading out to check what’s ready for picking.

Get the blues. The Waterfront fills with music lovers from around the world for the Waterfront Blues Festival, starting on July 4. Even if you can’t snag tickets, you can still take in the fireworks. If you position yourself well (try Sellwood Blvd.), you can see a dual fireworks display over Oaks Park and the waterfront. Check out more fairs and festivals taking place around town this summer.

Take a break. Who wants to cook on vacation? More to the point, who wants to clean up from dinner over vacation? Give yourself a break and check out one of these kid-friendly restaurants. On a budget? Try one of these restaurants where kids eat free.

Soak in the a/c. Polish off those bowling shoes and head to a local bowling alley. If you sign up for the Kids Bowl Free program, your kids can get two free games every day of the summer. A/c included.

Cool down. Hit up a local splash pad. Bring your suit, a towel, a change of clothes and your camera — and get ready for some wet summer fun.

Explore a new playground. Climb like a spider, get lost in nature, be a pirate, dig up fossils — all at one of these amazing playgrounds.

Explore Wine Country — with the kids. Check out these family-friendly vineyards, plus nearby parks to explore. If you want to stay local, there’s always kid-friendly breweries and pubs.

Have an adventure. Whether it’s indoor skydiving, laser tag, or dizzying aerial obstacle and zipline courses, there’s plenty nearby to get your kids’ (and your own) heart racing.

Scoop it up. What’s a vacation without ice cream? Work your way through some of Portland’s best using this map as a handy guide.

Choose your own adventure. We put together 40 ideas for non-stop Portland-area fun here.