I don’t think it’s a big revelation to anyone that our incredible fall weather is winding down. At Portland Family Adventures, we had a very active summer. Since June 1st, we’ve published 34 articles, and experienced a 2500% increase in site traffic! We published two of our most popular articles “Tips for Biking with Kids” and “Top 10 Summer Activities.” In that same vein, I’m going to highlight some of our favorite rainy-day-activities. Although the outdoor activities may start to decrease, remember that Portland Family Adventures documents indoor activities as well.
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What’s to Love: Awesome indoor playpark! When I’m out investigating businesses that bill themselves as “family friendly,” it’s obvious that the majority of these businesses have good intentions. However, all too often, I’ve discovered the list of caveats to be as long as the list of good intentions. For example, your kids may have a great time somewhere, but exorbitant costs come close to driving you into bankruptcy! It’s definitely hard to find a place with high marks in a wide variety of areas (e.g., decent food, fair prices, accessibility, plenty of options for fun, low stress, etc.). Well, I’m happy to report that “Out of This World” owners Don and Linda Milford used their good intentions wisely, and absolutely nailed the indoor playpark concept! This is without a doubt the best multi-use, indoor playpark in the greater Portland area. Here is why…
What’s to Love: This is definitely one of the nicest climbing facilities I’ve ever seen. Part of the reason – it’s practically brand new. Many climbing gyms rent out old warehouses and build walls inside. The Portland Rock Gym was built from the ground-up with an aesthetically pleasing design both inside and out. The walls are high with what appears to be an infinite number of climbing routes and boulder problems. I’ve taken my son here on two occasions, and he loved it both times!
What’s to Love: Established in 1920, The Sellwood Community Center remains an important fixture in the neighborhood. While a bit worse for wear, fans of Sellwood’s small-town-feel will ultimately enjoy the space. The Center offers a plethora of programs throughout the year and a day camp program in the summer. This small space has plenty to offer!
What’s to Love: Perhaps, you’ve seen the bumper sticker, “Keep Portland Weird!” I’m all for it, and this establishment sure helps make a strong case for Portland’s weirdness. It’s in a pretty unusual location – downtown in the basement of a building between 5th and 6th on Taylor. It has a pirate theme with glow-in-the-dark paint, which also adds a three-dimensional feel when glasses (supplied) are worn.
What’s to Love: My son and I stumbled onto Wilsonville Lanes by accident. We were in the parking lot of Bullwinkle’s Family Fun Center, and my son said, “Dad can we go bowling?” I replied, “I don’t think there is a bowling alley nearby.” At that point, I looked in the distance and sure enough, Wilsonville Lanes appeared. In this area of strip-malls and car dealerships, I didn’t expect much, but was pleasantly surprised.
What’s to Love: I just saw the “Speakin’ Beacon” puppet show, which was a combined effort from two Portland puppeteers: Penny’s Puppet Productions & The Mudeye Puppet Company. During the show, we met several interesting characters including a lovable rat and a space alien, who transformed to hide his identity into a 3-eared bunny and what appeared to be a talking pickle. The show did a good job of engaging the audience with a fun storyline, humor, and “clap-alongs” to music at several points during the production.
What’s to Love: Where do I start? The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (affectionately know to all as “OMSI” ahm-zee), is almost a pointless post. Most people in the Portland area are well aware of this incredible community resource, and everyone seems to love OMSI. I should probably break this up into 5 or 6 different posts, because there are so many things to love about OMSI. However, since OMSI offers a plethora of general information via their website, I’m going to stick to my usual format – trying to pinpoint what might be extra special just for parents and their kids.
What’s to Love: Bullwinkle’s is actually a family-style restaurant, which is located within the confines of the “Family Fun Center.” It appears to be all one business to me, but I have to admit – I’ve never eaten at the restaurant. The food is not why we go to the Fun Center. We go to the Fun Center for the “Kidopolis” indoor playland. Their website describes it as a “…five-level, soft play area is for children 5 feet tall and under. One Frog Hopper Ride is included with the Kidopolis Playland admission price. Socks are required. No wet clothing allowed.” It’s a big collection of tunnels, slides, ups, downs, twists and turns. It’s a great time! Overall, the Fun Center is clean and well kept. There are also many other options for families…
What’s to Love: JJJump has two locations in the Portland area (Clackamas and Vancouver). This inflatable playland is very similar to Pump-it-Up, but doesn’t feel as corporate to me. We’ve only tried out the Vancouver location, and we had a great time. JJJump offers a good variety of inflatable structures, which will get you and your children bouncing, sliding, climbing, and crawling.
What’s to Love: The main attraction here – “Jungle Playland” – is free for adults and reasonably priced for kids. It’s the best indoor play structure I’ve seen in the Portland area. Bullwinkle’s Family Fun Center in Wilsonville has a nice structure, but this is as nice and bigger. There is just so much room for kids to move and play within this structure filled with great slides, a twirling tunnel, obstacles, and a plastic-ball plunge “pool.” Personally, I love the climbing nets and the fact that adults can go in the structure (if your back can handle it!) with their kids.
What’s to Love: Simply stated, the North Clackamas Aquatic Park (NCAP) is the nicest facility for swimming and water-fun in the Portland area. The biggest attraction is probably the wave pool, which generates some pretty nice cruising waves. Their water slides are gigantic (one is a fully enclosed tube), the under 5 area has the best kiddie-slide in Portland, there is a rock climbing wall with an auto-belay feature, and the changing/public areas are clean and well kept. The design of this aquatic park will keep the whole family busy visit after visit.
What’s to Love: Around 2005, the museum received a 7 million dollar renovation, and it shows! Most of the exhibits are family-friendly. The building itself is beautiful. Adults will marvel at the woodwork, hand carvings, and Cascadian-style architecture. I have to admit, I wasn’t expecting too much (in terms of family fun) when we decided to give the Forestry Center an initial visit, but I was pleasantly surprised.
What’s to Love: When I think of family activities in Portland, I usually think of parks, playgrounds, biking, hiking, etc. I don’t think of a commercial place in the suburbs, but this place is way too much fun to be excluded. There are two separate businesses in the Portland area: Pump-It-Up and Pump-It-Up Junior. Junior is specifically targeted at toddlers and smaller kids. Pump-It-Up is great for adults and older kids.
So what is Pump-It-Up anyway? It’s basically a big warehouse with giant, inflatable play structures – bouncing areas, slides, and obstacle courses. The structures (at both venues) are sturdy enough for adults to freely participate. This type of play is good for adults – it makes you feel like a kid again, and your kids will love the freedom and physicality of the play.
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What’s to Love: Do you want to teach your kid/s to roller skate? Look no further, this is your spot! The staff is friendly, it’s inexpensive, and it’s located right inside the Oaks Amusement Park in southeast Portland offering plenty of parking. For beginners, the staff will adjust the trucks on the wheels, so your kid won’t end up flat on his/her backside. This adjustment tightens the wheels so kids can literally walk/scoot across the floor. This helps develop their balance and their confidence. The rink also features some very fine lessons offered each skating session, plenty of room to skate, and of course, Chipper the mascot!
What’s to Love: Bowling and kids go together like two peas in a pod. Rolling a very large, heavy ball and knocking things over – C’mon! Bowling is a great activity for kids. I have to admit, I’m not a much of a bowler, and I’ve probably been about 15 times in my entire life. However, I’ve already taken my son to this establishment (address below) on several occasions, and he loves it!
What’s to Love: When I was in 5th grade, my parents bought me a remote control car from Radio Shack. I thought it was the coolest toy I had ever seen in my life. It had a 5 foot wire that ran from the “remote control” to the car, so basically, it was on a leash the whole time. When powered-up, the car would move slowly in a straight line. The controller had a single button, which when pressed, put the car in a reverse, left-turn. Unfortunately, that was the complete steering/navigation system. That car was the epitome of a “one trick pony.” When I wanted to turn the car, I had to hit the button over and over until the car slowly pointed in the correct direction. Still, that car was the envy of the entire neighborhood. Over the past 30 years, I haven’t seen many remote control cars or trucks until recently, and wow…was I pleasantly surprised!
