The childhood dream of discovering buried treasure has captured the imagination of many generations. Sailing the seven seas while equipped with a compass, a map, and maybe even a talking parrot brings out the inherent adventurous nature of little ones. Treasure folklore has been popularized in novels such as Treasure Island and the stories of Peter Pan and continues in the present day, as seen in Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean movie series.
Even though burying pirate treasure most likely never happened, many people over the years have been inspired to make it a reality. One example is Forest Fenn, who hid a real treasure back in 2010 and left a poem behind for people to decode and search for it. The belief in buried treasure, especially in the history of piracy, seems more myth than reality. But even in adulthood, I still find myself wondering if there may be a long-lost treasure chest buried somewhere in the sand of the Caribbean.
Searching and digging for buried treasure is a classic example of the journey often being more valuable than the destination. Fortunately for Portland, there is a place that centers on both the journey and the dig.
DiG PDX is the largest indoor sandbox in Oregon and is the perfect place for kids to have their own adventure. This massive space has tons of sandpits, ideal for solo or group play. They provide all the toys for guests to use, including mini-excavators, buckets, shovels, sifters, and much more. An aspect I particularly appreciate about this venue is that, while the toys are great, they leave enough space for guests to engage in imaginative play.
Located at 8536 SW Apple Way, Beaverton, OR 97225, they are open Sunday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm and closed on Saturdays. Generally, these hours are for open playtime, but sometimes DiG PDX requires reservations, particularly during school breaks and holidays. The cost to participate is $18 per child, with two guardians included free. Extra adults are $5 each, and infants not playing in the sandboxes are free when joining a paying sibling.
The first thing you might be wondering is how hygienic this place is. My millennial mind goes back to the nasty sandpits at outdoor parks that I wouldn’t dream of letting my kids play in today. But DiG PDX is different in the best way because they use a play-grade aragonite sand that is imported from the Bahamas. This 100% silica-free, non-toxic sand is not only dust-free, but totally safe for indoor play.
Furthermore, DiG PDX maintains a strict, daily sanitization routine of all equipment and toys, as well as sanitizing the sand itself. In a noble effort to maintain this cleanliness, they do not allow outside food, drinks, or toys within the sandpit area. They have also implemented a Sick Policy, encouraging potential guests who are not feeling well to stay home and asking them to leave if they arrive with noticeable symptoms of illness.
Everyone’s safety is a top priority at DiG PDX, which makes it a place I trust to take my kids.
A fun feature here is that they offer the space for birthday parties, and when booked, you get the entire place to yourself. No sharing the space with other guests. You are also encouraged to supply your own food and drinks for the party, and the clean-up is handled entirely by the staff. Their birthday party format provides a party host, all necessary materials such as tables and chairs, and allows up to 20 children, with a small fee for each additional child.
This stress-free birthday party option includes 2 hours of play time and 30 minutes for setup for $550, with a $250 deposit. DiG PDX also offers birthday party add-ons to make the event even more memorable. Some optional additions include Boba Tea Catering by Boba Gem, Sugar Cloud Cotton Candy Cart, and Kid-Friendly Axe Throwing. Celebrating your child’s birthday here is a low-stress, entertaining option to celebrate them turning another year older.
DiG PDX also hosts various special events throughout the year. Their next one will be on January 18th for playtime with the characters Bluey and Bingo. At this event, the kids can play and interact with these loveable characters, play games with them, and eat tasty treats. These events tend to sell out quickly, so act fast.
DiG PDX is a great place for kids to play and explore. Their imagination is limitless in a place such as this, and their creativity will soar here. Who knows, maybe they will even uncover some buried treasure.
Alex is a devoted husband and father born and raised in Portland, Oregon. He is a professional artist, author, and advisor for both Yale and Harvard University’s arts departments. His books, ‘Selling Leonardo: The Art World’s Greatest Scandal’ and ‘Holy Ghost: Decoding Leonardo da Vinci’s Final Painting’ are available wherever books are sold.