It’s official: I’m moving to Sellwood.
I’m mostly kidding, but I did get my head turned at The Shack at Sellwood Park, where you could basically spend your entire summer without running out of things to do.
My daughter and I went to one of The Shack’s free Friday night concerts, and it felt like we had gone back in time—not to the real 1990s, but to the movie version, where everyone is happy and everything is free. Sweet teenagers were offering (free!) fairy hair and face painting, and families could borrow balls and other play equipment (for free!), and the music was actually great (despite being, you guessed it, free). Literally everywhere I looked families were smiling like they were the cast of Full House, including my daughter and me.
Free Friday Night Concerts at Sellwood Park
The event we attended was Friday Music & Picnics at The Shack, a free outdoor concert series held Fridays from 6:30-8 pm.
I cannot overstate this; it was idyllic. Families spread blankets under the shade of Sellwood Park’s 100-year-old fir trees while kids ran back and forth between the music, the adjacent playground, and The Shack for popsicles and other concessions. Bring your own picnic and lawn chairs or a blanket, then settle in for live music from a different local artist each week. The 2026 concert series continues through September 11. It’s hard to believe something this special costs zero dollars.
More Free Family Activities at The Shack
The Friday concerts would be enough to bring me back, but they are only one part of The Shack’s enormous summer schedule of fun.
Next up, Jessa Campbell & the Saplings will perform a free, nature-inspired kids concert on Thursday, July 16, from 10:30-11:30 am.
And Thursday evenings bring free concerts from Piano. Push. Play., featuring a different pianist each week from 6:30-8 pm through August 20.
You can also make the music yourself during the free, all-ages Ethos Music Center drum circle on Mondays from 11 am-noon. Instruments and instruction are provided, but dancing along is also completely encouraged.
My daughter and I are already planning to try one of the free BodyVox dance classes. There are four classes offered over three days each week, including Creative Movement for Kids on Tuesdays from 11-11:45 am. The other options include BeMoved, stretching and open contemporary dance.
That is still nowhere near everything. Depending on the week, families may find storytimes, crafts, bingo, tumbling, family yoga, nature activities, and low cost drop-in programs. Most activities and equipment checkouts are free, but a few classes require advance registration and a small fee (I’m talking $10), so check The Shack’s full summer calendar before you go.
Plan Your Visit to The Shack at Sellwood Park
I can’t recommend The Shack highly enough. Whether you’re actively looking for free things to do with kids in Portland or simply want a lovely place to spend a summer day, this is the place to be. The setting is beautiful, the atmosphere is welcoming and there is enough happening here that you could return again and again without having the same day twice.
Where: Sellwood Park, SE 7th Avenue and Miller Street, Portland
The Shack’s summer hours: Monday-Friday, 9 am-8 pm; Saturday, 10 am-7 pm; Sunday, 10 am-6 pm
Cost: Many programs are free; some classes require registration and a fee
Good to bring: A picnic, blanket or lawn chairs and plenty of time to stay and play
As of this writing, they’re just about to launch more weekend programming for families with less weekday flexibility. If that’s you, give them a follow to learn more or check out their calendar for updates!
Support The Shack at Sellwood Park
The Shack is operated by Sellwood Community House, a nonprofit organization creating affordable activities and opportunities for neighbors to connect. It genuinely feels like someone asked, “What if we made summer easier and more fun for families?” and then actually did it.
If you love the idea of a summer filled with free concerts, kids’ activities, community gatherings and old-fashioned fun in the park, you can help keep it going by making a donation to Sellwood Community House. I heard a rumor they’ve got merch coming with the tag line, “Summering Like We Should,” which would be a very fun purchase to show your support.
Read more about this extremely tempting neighborhood in our neighborhood guide to Sellwood-Moreland, or find even more things to do on the PDX Parent Kids Calendar.