While there is far more than 5 fun things to do in Portland with kids, today I’m sharing with you the most memorable things we did as a family in Oregon’s LARGEST CITY; Portland!
Over Spring Break we went on an adventure. An 8-day road trip as a family along the Oregon Coast. Getting things started in Olympia, making our way over to Portland, then heading to Cannon Beach and wrapping things up in Seattle before heading back home to Vancouver. While we all had our favorite points in the trip, Sofia’s absolute favorite stop was Portland Oregon.
While I got this post together I asked Sofia for her input in creating a list of fun things to do in Portland with kids. With absolutely no hesitation she listed off her 5 favorite things.
So without further ado, here at 5 fun and WACKY things to do in Portland with kids. As per 7-year-old Sofia:
EAT ALL THE DONUTS
We visited 4 Donut Shops in 2-days during our stay in Portland. Absolutely NO SHAME in our Donut Game. One of the Donut Shops that you must check out when visiting Portland Oregon has to be Voodoo Doughnuts.
The quirkiest of shops I have ever been in, Voodoo Doughnut gives an experience you will get nowhere else. From the people that work there, to the donuts you eat, to the crowd outside. The experience is equally as amazing as their donuts.
While we were there we also visited Nola Doughnuts, Blue Star Donuts and Pip’s Original. We all loved each of them for different reasons but if we’re going to choose a favorite, Nola Doughnuts wins hands-down.
Look at their site, you’ll see their donuts have the flakiest of layers, more than you could ever count. It was almost like a croissant donut. They were square but still a traditional round hole in the center. They were light and airy and beyond anything I’m sure the girls and I could recreate. EVER!
VISIT POWELL’S BOOKS
Our first stop in Portland was Powell’s Books. We had been recommended to visit Powell’s Books by many many readers (pun-intended). I wasn’t sure how much fun a bookstore was going to be forthe girls, but I felt like if we didn’t go there we didn’t do Portland right.
We arrived at Powell’s Books on the corner of 10th Avenue and Couch Street and I instantly knew upon walking in we would be there the afternoon. If you didn’t think you could get lost in a bookstore, I say pay Powell’s Books a visit and I dare you to split up with the human you’re there with.
Sofia and Stellla were both given $20 from their nana and papa to spend while on the vacation. It wasn’t a question, when we arrived at Powell’s Books that this is exactly where it would be spent.
Sofia bought the coolest clay animation movie maker set, while Stella gravitated to all the beautifully illustrated boardbooks about Portland. We left with 2 books that we have read each night ever since buying them (All Aboard the Pacific Northwest by Kevin and Hailey Meyers and Portland Baby by Barbara Kerley).
As suspected, our afternoon was spent in Powell’s Books. But not before collecting all the lovely stickers they give the kids at Customer Service. Don’t leave there without asking for one.
SEE THE OLD TOWN PORTLAND SIGN
Although just a sign on top of a building, the Old Town Portland sign is something you just must see when visiting Portland Oregon.
Located very close to Voodoo Doughnuts (for convenients I’m sure), the Old Town Portland sign is located Downtown Portland. If you pay the sign a visit, in a perfect world you would see it both in the daytime and night. But if you only have time for one stop, I highly recommend you visit or drive past (like we did) when the sun goes down. It’s lit up and more beautiful than ever!
FUNNY STORY: we were not able to find parking near the sign and only got to see it while buckled into the car. Sammy crossed the bridge 3 times just so I could get a good look. He’s a stand-up guy this man I married.
EXPERIENCE SLAPPY CAKES
We stumbled across this restaurant while searching for fun things to do with kids in Portland. THANKS GOOGLE! The best way to describe this restaurant is Korean BBQ for Breakfast. WAIT! It’s not what you think.
Slappy Cakes in Portland is a restaurant that allows you and your kids to make pancakes at your table. Things get started by ordering your pancake batter. While we went fairly traditional and ordered a Classic Buttermilk batter, the options included red velvet, lemon poppy seed, and even s’mores.
Next you order your toppings, from fresh fruit, to infused honey’s, jams and butters. The options again felt infinite. It didnt take longer than 5 min before our batter and toppings arrives and off we went cooking our breakfast.
The girls both had so much fun making breakfast at Slappy Cakes. We felt a bit silly but we did ask a server when we should flip our pancakes. We felt like there was no margin for error, not like at home, the last thing we wanted to do was burn them. He assured us we were not the first ones to ask and give us all his tips on creating the perfect pancake.
If you’re heading to Portland with your kids anytime soon we highly recommend visiting Slappy Cakes for breakfast.
PLAY AT WASHINGTON PARK PLAYGROUND
Washington Park playground located at 1715 Southwest Sherwood Boulevard is a must-see Park in Portland Oregon. We visited the park on a whim when the girls to blow off some engery. May have had something to do with all the donuts we consumed.
We only stumbled across the playground when googling parks nearby. Washington Park playground came up and our destination was set. We arrive to a beautiful playground with bathrooms nearby, tables and picnic benches around, massive trees for the perfect amount of shade and tons of kids doing what they do best. PLAYING.
If you need some time away from the hustle and bustle of Portland, Sofia highly recommend a visit to Washington Park playground.
While these are just our top 5 things to do in Portland with kids, if I’m being completey honest, this list could go on-and-on. Portland’s motto is “keep it weird” and they truly live up to it. We could’ve spent 5-days here easy.
ACCOMMODATIONS IN PORTLAND
I had so many questions on Instagram about where our family stayed in Portland. We rented another beautiful Airbnb, this time not so small, like our Tiny House. This one we stayed at was a incredible coach home in the Alberta District. I highly recommend this Airbnb rental for any families that require only two bedrooms. It was perfectly situated close to the strip, which included shops, parks, restaurants and even an vintage bus turned grilled cheese restaurant.
Like I said Portland does a bang up job staying true to their motto. Keep it weird Portland, we love you!
:: DISCLOSURE :: this post contains affiliate links
***
Hey! Are you following us on social media?
Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube // Pinterest
Amanda | Toddling Traveler says
So many of my favorite things in here! I was there pre-kid but hope to take my son to Portland someday!!
Astrid Vinje says
We LOVE Slappy Cakes!