Trick-or-treating is tons of fun, but there’s more than one way for families to celebrate Halloween in Portland. If your family takes this beloved holiday seriously, you are going to want to keep reading! We’ve come up with a list of indoor events that will thrill you little ghosts and goblins. Read on for our favorite picks.
Halloween at the Portland Children’s Museum
On Halloween day bring your little animals, monsters, witches, superheroes, or ballerinas to the Portland Children’s Museum for a special quest! Kids will Trick-or-treat to each exhibit and have the opportunity to participate in a spookily fun art project or slimy sensory experience. Museum staff will be handing out candy-free goodies like glow sticks, hand-made Halloween buttons, and toys for a perfectly marvelous sugar-free Halloween that everyone can enjoy! This happens on October 31 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you already have plans mark your calendar for October 28th for a playful, festive, and NOT-SO-SCARY evening of Halloween fun at the museum. Note: this is for members only. Kids can trick-or-treat in the exhibits for candy, stickers, pencils and more, decorate Trick-or-Treat bags, and have fun with glow-in-the-dark painting!
Oct. 28, 5:30 –7:30 p.m.
Oct. 31, 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Free for members, $11/non-members
4015 SW Canyon Road
503-223-6500
Online: portlandcm.org
Portland's Aerial Tram Halloween Ride
Wear your witch's hat but leave the broomstick at home! Portland’s Aerial Tram will do the flying for you. Expect a day of frightful and delightful family activities, including face painting and Halloween arts and crafts for kids, and TRAM rides. Kids under 6 ride free with a fare-paying adult.
Oct 26, 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
3303 SW Bond Ave.
Portland, OR 97239
Online: gobytram.com
Kennedy School TRICK-OR-TREATING!
On Halloween Day from 4:30 p.m. until 10 p.m. you can take your kids to the halls of the Kennedy School for Trick-or Treating adventures, dinner out, live performances, and so much more! It’s free for everyone and all ages are welcome. Dinner is not included but we recommend you stay and feed those little cute monsters… or else. Starting at 4:30 p.m. there’s a Willamette Radio Workshop in the Kennedy School Theater. Trick-or-Treating begins at 4:30 p.m. and ends at 6:30 p.m. all throughout the Kennedy School Halls. If you’re feeling the energy stay a bit longer for a live musical performance from the Coastline! Click here to see some images from last year’s fun filled event!
Free for Everyone
Oct. 31, 4 - 10p.m.
5736 N.E. 33rd Ave
503-249-3983
Online: mcmenamins.com
Story Slam: Halloween Edition at Beaverton Library
Get in the Halloween Spirit with a spooky storytime slam at the Beaverton Library! Tell or listen to a story based on the themes “Trick or Treat” and “Spooked, Frightened, or just Plain Scared.” Beaverton City Library's Story Slam is a friendly, open-mic storytelling competition. Potential storytellers will put their names in a hat; names will be picked from the hat and those chosen will take to the stage to tell their true, personal, 5 to 8-minute story. You and your kids can put your names in the hat to tell a story or just attend to enjoy the show! Stories must be told from memory. The winner receives a $10 gift certificate to The Book Corner. This program is free and open to the public; recommended for ages 13 and up. Potential storytellers should arrive 15 minutes early to speak with the event host about their planned story.
Oct. 30, 7 – 8:30 p.m.
12375 SW 5th St, Beaverton
503-350-3600
Online: beavertonlibrary.org
Halloween Party and Open Gym at the Playground Gym
Experience a fun-filled Halloween Party along with an open gym. The Playground Gym will have their space full of fun equipment and mats and will provide crafts, games, story time with a princess, a fire dancing performance, and more. Costumes more than welcome.
Oct. 31
3-6 p.m.
$8 for 1 child, $12 for 2, $15 for 3
5215 N Lombard St.
More info here.
Halloweek Arts at Smartypants
Have a not-so-spooky time at this Halloween event. For the entire week leading up to—and on—Halloween, your kids can get crafty at Smarty Pants. They'll enjoy getting creative while waiting to hit the streets to trick-or-treat.
Oct.25-31
9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
5512 N Montana Ave.
Event details here.
—Annette Benedetti
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