Avalon Theater and Wunderland

Kids love it at the Wunderland Nickle Arcade. If you have a pocket full of nickels and nowhere to go, pile up the family, and head straight to Avalon Theater and Wunderland Nickle Arcade. The whole place has an old school retro feel to it, cheap movie tickets, and endless entertainment for everyone in the family including the XD Dark Ride, a movie with interactive special effects. Once you’re done, walk across the street for a slice of pizza from Straight from New York Pizza, coffee from Stumptown, or groceries from the H Mart. Wunderland has several other locations around Portland, Oregon area in Milwaukie, Gresham, Beaverton and even Salem. Some of which include mini golf (Milwaukie), laser tag (Beaverton, Gresham), game rooms and VR (Gresham).

3451 SE Belmont St.
503-238-1617
Hours: Sun 12 -9 p.m., M-Th 1-9 p.m., Fri 1-11 p.m., Sat 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Online: wunderlandgames.com

Academy Theater

This amazing theater on SE Stark In Montavilla offers unique food and beverage items including juice boxes for kids, adult beverages for parents, cookies and Rice Krispy treats from Bipartisan café, and even sushi from Miyamoto Sushi after 6 p.m.. Check the schedule ahead of time and get there in time for an afternoon matinee or special screening of an old classic. Don't forget to grab the popcorn and a slice of pizza from Flying Pie Pizzeria as well. Kids 12 and under are just $4! Also available to rent for birthday parties.

7818 SE Stark St.
503-252-0500
Online: academytheaterpdx.com

Mimosa Studios

Currently celebrating their 20th anniversary on Alberta Street this October, Mimosa Studios is a paint your own pottery studio with a community focus. With friendly and helpful staff, an abundance of ceramics, and a large variety of painting supplies and stencils, you simply can’t go wrong at Mimosa Studios. If you are looking for ways to express your unique creativity together as a family try it out. Everyone picks their own item to paint and decorate with staff on hand to help with anything that comes up. Mimosa studios is open 7 days a week, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. They recommend you call to make a reservation to paint in the studio however where they offer social distance painting. They are also offering their very popular To Go Painting Kits available online for pick up.

1718 NE Alberta St.
503-288-0770
Online: mimosastudios.com

Empirical Theater OMSI

The Empirical Theater at OMSI hosts both kid-friendly documentaries by day and Hollywood Blockbusters by night. Catch documentaries of oceans or dinosaurs in the morning or afternoon if you have younger ones, or take the older ones to one of the special screenings at night. The NW Film Center is also screening some films at the OMSI Bridge Lot through September as part of their “Open Air” Cinema at OMSI. Kids 5 and under are free at the Open Air cinema!

1945 SE Water Ave,
503-797-4000
Online: omsi.edu/theater & tickettomato.com/event_group/306/open-air-cinema-at-omsi

Indoor Playgrounds and Climbing Gyms

There are a variety of indoor playgrounds across Portland great for rainy days and those with younger kids. The Wiggle Room is an excellent play area for younger kids (Ages 0-7) in NE Portland for when it’s rainy outside or when you need to let your toddler get some wiggles out. They even have coffee, wine, beer, and snacks for mom and dad while you watch. Right now they are operating on their “Private Play” model for the time being. Book a spot with a group for some fun!

Other great indoor playgrounds include The Nest Playground, Monkey King Playhouse in SE, and Playdate PDX.

If your family is a little older and looking for more of an adventure, check out The Circuit bouldering gym and Portland Rock Gym for some climbing and bouldering. Both gyms offer camps and after school programs as well. 

The Nest
6517 NE Sandy Blvd.
971-229-0963
Wedn - Fri 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Sat &  - Sun 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Online: nestplayground.com

The Wiggle Room
1925 NE 42nd Ave, Unit C. 
503-877-9233
Online: thewiggleroom.com/private-play

Playdate PDX
1434 NW 17th Ave
503-227-7529
Online:playdatepdx.com

Make sure to check hours for closures.

Oaks Park Roller Skating

Dust off your roller-skates and take the whole family to the rink. This old time fun never gets old! You may want to check out the Saturday morning kid skate or try out the Open Skate Sessions. No skates? No Problem. You can rent conventional, inline, or precision skates for the gang and spend a few hours getting great exercise while creating lasting memories. Conventional skates are available in sizes from Toddler 6 to Men 17. 

Oaks Park also has a mini-golf course, games, and of course, rides!

7805 SE Oaks Park Way
503-233-5777
Online: oakspark.com/roller-skating-rink

Fall Hours TBD 
Current Roller Rink Open Skate Hours:
Tue-Thur 3:30-6:30 p.m, 7-9:30 p.m.; Fri-Sat 12-3 p.m., 3:30-6:30 p.m., 7-10:30 p.m.

*Please note: The number of admission tickets available per session is limited. Tickets must be purchased online in advance to guarantee admission.  Private rentals are only available with advance online reservations. Spectators welcome at no charge.

*State mandates require all individuals 5 and older, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a mask while indoors. It is strongly recommended that children 2-4 years old also wear a mask when indoors and that unvaccinated individuals wear a mask both indoors and outdoors.

Pier Park: Disc Golf and More

Grab your discs and head to Pier Park for an afternoon of disc golfing with the family. Pier park is a hidden treasure in the city. The park is tucked away in the North Portland/St. Johns neighborhood surrounded by trees and beauty. After you finish the course stop by the playground and let the kids play! Pier Park also has a skatepark, tennis courts, and a pool.

b/t N Lombard St & Bruce Ave 
St. Johns, North Portland
Online: friendsofpierpark.org

Punch Bowl Social

If your family errands take you downtown and you’re looking for a spot that has great kid entertainment, food, and a bowling alley then Punch Bowl Social is your spot. The décor is unique and the food tasty. Grab an order of their social nachos or beef birria tacos to get your family date started while the kids bowl, play shuffle board, or check out the video games. Karaoke is also available. All ages until 10 p.m.

340 SW Morrison St.
3rd Floor (in Pioneer Place Mall)
Portland, Or 97204
503-334-0360
Online: punchbowlsocial.com/location/portland

PSU Farmers Market/Portland Art Museum

If you’re looking for something to do on a Saturday morning consider taking the family to the Portland State University Farmer’s Market. Try fruits and veggies from some of Oregon’s best farmers and orchards, buy flowers for the kitchen table or your partner, and enjoy the local live music in the morning. Located along the PSU park blocks, this farmers market is open rain or shine on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (April-Oct) and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Nov-Mar). The PSU Farmers Market also includes multiple food vendors including renowned Pine State Biscuits and a New Mexico style breakfast burrito cart that always has a line.

After stocking and filling up on local food, walk over to the Portland Art Museum for a cultural experience. The museum offers a diverse collection of art that is well curated. Children ages 17 and under are free, all the time!

*Masks are encouraged at the Farmers Market for high density areas and some vendors may require them at their booths.

Portland Art Museum
1219 SW PARK Avenue
Portland, OR 97205
503-226-2811
Online: portlandartmuseum.org

COVID-19 Update: In accordance with the recent mandate from Oregon Governor Kate Brown, masks are required for staff and visitors. Learn more here. Due to continued reduced staffing, Northwest Film Center activities will continue to be offered outside and virtually.