Summer Fun!

There is a sprinkler park over in Happy Valley that my sister and I went to last summer. I don't know if they are too old for that, but it is free, and a fun way to keep cool on those few hot days we get in the summer. I know that there is also one down in NW Portland that is supposed to be nice, but I haven't been there. Also I love hiking in Hoyt Arboretum which is up by the Zoo. There are a variety of different hikes, and much of it is shaded so you keep cool even when it is fairly hot outside. I have never taken kids, but think it would be a fun thing to do.

I live on the west side and our parks & rec dept. has some free events during the summer, so I figure the Multnomah County parks & rec will too. Also, their website lets you find a park based on its features (ball field, water feature, etc.) which is pretty cool.

Go to your local library.They have 2 magazines that are free that list things and a newspaper.Go to oregon.live.com which is the oregonian newsaper online.Check your local parks in the front of the phone book and other activities.Playgroups and othere groups at meetup.com of many sorts.Check local rec centers and pools.Libraries have activity lists if she specific but you can go online for county libraries for other libraries.Have fun!

Jamison Square in downtown Portland is a great spot for kids and parents to cool off during the summer. Its around 11th and nw johnson. It is a really cool water feature. The kids can bring water toys and play for hours. I think i love it as much as the kids do.

You can find a few books (at Freddy's and I'm sure at bookstores too) that list and give a lot of great information about hiking trails in Oregon. If you also have a dog there's even a book that tells of great hiking trails for dogs in Oregon.

I highly suggest hiking (I'm not talking about extreme hiking for miles here). Your kids will enjoy being outdoors, everyone gets great exercise and you can take a picnic with you as well. Very low expense with a HUGE payoff. There are many hiking trails in the Columbia Gorge that are easy for all ages and will usually take you to a great waterfall. At least one trail (Triple Falls Trail near Oneonta just past Multnomah Falls) goes behind the waterfall. These are also great photo opportunities of the kids for you.

But beyond the Columbia Gorge there are hundreds of miles of great easy access and easy to hike hiking trails within ten to twenty to fifty miles of downtown Portland.

If I remember my own kids at 8 and 10 years old very well I know kids that age have a sense of adventure about walking out into nature. There's so much there for them to see and even to learn if you are willing to teach them. It's a great time to really nurture that love of nature in your kids...even if you don't have it yourself (you'll fall in love too).

Sincerely,
C.

My kids are smaller, but because I lead a playgroup I have some ideas.

Oregon Zoo - $2 Tuesday on the 2nd Tuesday of each month

Sunburst Gymnastics (off Hway 212 a little past 82nd Drive) has open gym for school age from 12:15-1:15 on Tuesdays, for 2 kids it would be $4.50 I think, they also have Saturday morning open gym, not sure of the time

Ledding Library has Cultural Passes that would allow you to get in free to the Children's Museum up by the Zoo, the pass has to be reserved, usually about 2 weeks in advance

The Regal Cinemas up on the hill in Oregon City does free kids movies, I believe Tuesday & Wednesday morning at 10:00. Be there early, it's a popular one.

Barnes & Noble at Town Center has storytime with a craft, usually it is younger kids, but they might change that in the summer since kids are out of school

For a day when the budget isn't saying no, no, no (I hear you on that one) OMSI is great for kids to play & learn, right now they have a pretty cool dinosaur exhibit.

The Ceramic Cafe out on Sunnyside lets kids pick a piece, paint it, and fire it to keep. Cost can be anywhere from $6 to $60, so just discuss with your boys before-hand what the limit is.

Also, there is a magazine that comes out monthly that has a calendar of things that happen everyday. I can't remember what it is called, but I'll let you know when I remember, I need to get one now that spring is coming.

GOOD LUCK!!

How about the zoo? They have $2 Tuesdays on the second Tuesday of the month. We often go and take a picnic lunch with us to have afterwards on the big concert grass lawn.

http://www.oregonzoo.org/VisitorInfo/ratesandhours.html

If I think of more, I will forward them on. My little one is only 3 so I am not completely up on the needs of the older kiddos.

Best of luck and have fun!

Hi J.-

I totally understand about the budget.

We have recently found the Nickel Arcade (Wunderland) and it's a blast. You can actually sign-up to be on their mailing list and they'll send you a card to come in free 4 times per year + your kids birthdays. My son and I went there with another family and had fun for a couple of hours without spending anything because they gave us one of the free cards.

Look for coupons in the clipper magazines that come around. Right now they have 99 cent bowling and a buy one, get one free for a bullwinkles attraction.

Speaking of Bullwinkles, they have $12 Tuesdays, which is the wristband where you can play everything (cars, bumper boats, golf).

The library usually has fun things to do in the summer.

Your local community center will probably have some ideas as well. They usually have movie nights, sports nights, etc.

Also, we have 2 water fountain parks here in Wilsonville and I know those communities do too. It's fun to take lunch or dinner to the park and just play in the water.

That's all I've got, good luck.

Hi,
I don't know if other counties have it too, but Washington County Library has Cultural Passes that you can check out. These passes get a certain number of visitors into attractions for free (Children's Museum in Portland and Salem, Portland Art Museum, Chinese Garden, etc.). Washington Park also has a really great playground! Portland Mounted Police will let people tour their horse barns (check the website- there might be a minimum number of people). Regal Cinemas also lets people in for free in the mornings (Tues and Thurs?) during the summer-usually older, but popular movies for kids.
Enjoy!

did you know that the sellwood pool is free on wednesdays during open-swim? check on the times but it's about 2 1/2 hours of swimming so they don't get too much sun. my 11yo son LOVES it. sometimes we pay for the first open-swim (not too expensive) and then stay into the free one that way we get good seats (it can get crowded on wednesdays) and the kids can swim longer.

also, we love doing day hikes. we have a book called "best easy day hikes portland, oregon. it cost us 7.95 to buy and it maps out 28 different trails. it gives you clear directions of where the trails are and what the rules are of each trail (no pets, no food, etc.) most are free to do.

Hi,
I am also a mom in this area with three kids 13,10,and 8. My kids love to go to wunderland 5 cent arcade in downtown milwaukie as long as you set a limit to spend, you can have alot of fun for not too much money .If you are looking for more of the outdoor variety my kids and I just recently packed a picnic and spent the day at meldrum bar park there's a playground, trails for hikes ,the river, a motocross track for bikes ,kids love it ! don't forget the bread to feed the ducks ! Or have you ever gone geocaching? it's like treasure hunting .If you want to know more about it ,let me know .hope these help !!!.