Are you looking for some fun things to do this summer in Portland, Oregon? Well, so was I and that is why I put together this list. Most of the activities on my list are either free or low-cost because frankly I am cheap and I have three kids. So, if I am not careful we can quickly spend a lot of money.
Table of Contents
31 Summer Activities in Portland Oregon
I have included activities for inside and outside since you never know what the Portland weather will be like.
Portland Attractions
Museum of Contemporary Craft is free every 1st Thursday of each month.
Oaks Park offers reduced admission on selected days as well as buy 1 get 1 admission days to see their website for a list of discounted days.
OMSI – a massive science museum is only $2 per person on the first Monday of the month.
Oregon Zoo is only $4 on the second Tuesday of each month.
Oregon Historical Society Museum is free for Multnomah County residents.
Playdate PDX offers free admission every last Wednesday of the month to anyone who brings two cans of food for the Oregon Food Bank.
Portland Art Museum is free each 4th Friday of the month from 5-8 PM.
World Forestry Center offers $3 admission on the 1st Wednesday of each month.
Historic Belmont Firehouse offers free tours every Wednesday from 9-3, and the second Saturday of every month for “Safety Saturday” from 9-3
Physical Activities
Run a 5K – This summer, through the Portland Parks and Rec Program there will be a series of $5 5k runs that are family-friendly. All participants are winners and are eligible for the after-event raffle. 5k races begin at 9:00 AM with the kid’s fun run beginning at 8:45 AM. Summer dates are: June 15 Lents Park, July 13th Gabriel Park, August 17th Laurelhurst Park.
FREE soccer clinic for kids put on by the Ascension Lutheran Church June 23 through 27
3 and 4 years old: 10:00-11:30am
K-2nd Grade: 9:30-11:30am
3rd through 8th Grade: 1:00-3:00pm
Registration at Ascension Lutheran Church Saturday, June 7, 14, 21 from 11am to 2pm and Wednesday, June 18 from 5pm to 7pm on 181st they give a free bible, soccer ball, t-shirt, water bottle & last day is a free bbq.
Lumberyard Indoor Bike Park – there are a lot of outdoor skate and bike parks around the area, but this one is indoors and they offer lessons.
Girls Self Defense Classes for ages 10-15 at multiple community centers.
Pedalpalooza family events – 3 weeks of bike fun. With 291 different events, most organized by individuals, bikers of all persuasions are likely to find many events of interest. Nearly all events are free.
Get Wet
Go swimming – There are 8 community pools in Portland offering free swimming this summer. To see if there is one near you and for times check out their website. Unfortunately, East Portland Community Center is not offering free swimming, but you can still swim there for cheap.
Blue Lake Park – admission is cheap just $5 per car. There is a lake to swim in, a playground, and a splash pad.
Play in Keller Fountain – always free and nice on a hot day.
Jamison Square – another free play fountain.
Mccoy park has a splash pad and playground for free.
Portland Activities
Attend a concert – for free in the evening. There are free outdoor concerts throughout Portland every day of the week all summer long from July 7th – August 24th. To see a complete list check out their website.
Movies in the Park – Starting June 28th – September 13 on movies are shown at various parks throughout the city on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays for free.
$1 Movies at Regal theaters on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 AM
Free Bowling for kids – sign your kids up for 2 free games of bowling every day this summer, you only have to pay for shoes
Summer Reading Program for kids – Sign your kids up for the Multnomah County Library summer reading program
Multnomah County Library offers free events for kids are their various locations all summer long.
Alpenrose Dairyville – Dairyville is free to the public and opens every Sunday afternoon beginning June 2nd through August 25th from 1:00 – 4:00 PM.
Rocking Round the Block Car Show – Gresham on Main Street Aug 10th, 8 AM – 5 PM
Lowes kid’s building clinics – every other Saturday at 10 AM
Home Depot Kid’s building clinic- 1st sat of every month
Vacation Bible Schools
Gresham United Methodist Church June 22 – 26
Do you know of other vacation bible schools or summer activities in Portland Oregon that should be included in this list? Please leave a comment and I will be sure to add them.
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