We always love exploring Portland, of course, but there is so much to love in its nearby towns and neighborhoods (like parking spots, for one thing). Whether you are seeking adventure, nature, art, indoor play, or a family-friendly restaurant, here are some of our top things to do with kids in Tigard:
1. Visit Summerlake Park. This is a lovely, 30-acre park with great views, and long and windy paved trails for walking, stroller-pushing, and biking. Kids will love two playgrounds to choose from, and there’s lots of space for picnics, as well as a dog park. Keep an eye out for birds and other wildlife around the lake.
2. Get the wiggles out at Westside Dance and Gymnastic Academy. During their Indoor Play Park hours, kids 6 and under (with a parent or responsible adult) can play in this large gym, trying out the zip-line, bounce castle, trampoline and foam pit. And at Parents’ Night Out, kids from 4 to 12 can enjoy all these activities in the large gym from 6:30 pm-10 pm, with pizza available for dinner. Check the website for the latest schedules. They also offer award-winning classes and camps in dance and gymnastics.
3. Try indoor skydiving at iFLY Tigard. If your family is looking for more adventure, head over to iFLY for indoor skydiving. Kids as young as 3 can fly; grown-ups who want to try it out need to be under 250 pounds for safety reasons. Flyers are placed into a gigantic, vertical wind tunnel, and a certified flight instructor is with you at all times. You can even opt to have the instructor take you soaring up to the top of the air tunnel, about 40 feet. Our Editor’s kids checked it out and loved it; read about their experience here.
4. Rent a canoe at Cook Park through Tualatin River Keepers. If you like your adventure outdoors, you can rent a canoe, kayak, or a paddleboard on the Tualatin River. Because it has little current, this river is a great one to get started on. Cook Park Boat Rentals are open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 9 am until 6 pm, through Labor Day. Year-round, check out Cook Park for scenic paths along the river and a big playground.
5. Take advantage of (mostly free) kid-friendly activities at the Washington Square Mall. First, there’s a great play area near J. C. Penney. For both younger and older kids (and their parents), The Lego Store offers special events, plus bricks to play with in store. Stop by The Apple Store to check out the latest technology, or the kids can even take a class. Pottery Barn Kids offers a weekly storytime, and Hanna Andersson holds special events, like pajama parties with crafts. You can always drop by See’s Candies for a free sample.
6. Take in a show at The Broadway Rose. This local theater company offers inexpensive, kid-friendly musicals in the summer with professional actors supported by young artists from their summer drama camps. There’s also a sweet Santa Sing-Along in November, which includes a gift for each child and pictures with Rudolph and The Big Guy.
7. Get crafty at Live Laugh Love Art. You and the kids can paint ceramics, canvas, or a wood sign, or even fuse glass during Walk-in & Create sessions, Wednesday-Sunday 10 am-6 pm. Walk-In & Create costs $10 plus the cost of materials. It’s a large and well-maintained space, although the cost is a bit pricier than you will find at other ceramics or art studios for children. For adults and older kids, they also offer workshops like glass-blowing and welding.
8. Grab a bite at Max’s Fanno Creek Pub, a kid-friendly place with a great beer list. This restaurant right on the Fanno Creek Trail boasts lots of indoor and outdoor seating, a play area, and solidly good food for adults and kids. Their mac and cheese passes the kid/parent test—it’s clearly not from a box, but kids still like it. The Kids Menu is $4 on Sundays, and breakfast is served all day on the weekends.
9. Catch a movie, hit up a farmers market, have fun with kids activities, and more at Bridgeport Village. There is always something going on at Bridgeport Village. In the summer, Club Bridgeport offers free kids activities and meet-and-greets with fun characters. Plus, Regal Cinema offers $1 movies on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the summer. Barnes and Noble hosts events like storytimes, game nights, and kids activities throughout the year.
What did we miss? What neighborhood should we explore next? Let us know! You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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