- Oaks Amusement Park
The wildest place to spend the day with family in the Sellwood neighborhood is at the Oaks Amusement Park! Kids and grownups alike can play arcade games at the shooting gallery or the ring toss. Those who are more adventurous can take a spin on the rides, like the carousel, bumper cars, or something more thrilling like the scrambler or the Tree Top Drop. Families can even play a round of mini-golf together or go for a spin in the roller rink. Hungry? Stop by the park’s Midway Cafe for a burger or shake, or stop by the roller rink’s concessions stand for some nachos, cotton candy, or even a beer or cider for the parents! Admission to the Oaks Amusement Park is free, but there’s a fee per ride or game. To get the most out of your day, grab a bracelet for unlimited rides, just $39.95 or $19.95 for those under 48″ tall.
- Sellwood Riverfront Beach Park
If the sun’s beating down and you need to cool off, head down to the Sellwood Riverfront Beach Park for a dip. The beautiful park sits right alongside the Willamette River, with open beaches ready for swimming, splashing, and building sandcastles. The park also features miles of nature trails and open fields for exploring. If you’re bringing Fluffy along with you, there’s also a huge dog park on sight where your pup can run off-leash with the rest of the family.
- Westmoreland Nature Play Park
The Westmoreland Nature Play Park is one of the most unique playgrounds around. Rather than the usual metal and plastic structure for kids to play on, the Westmoreland Nature Play Playground encourages children to play by interacting with nature. The structure is made of wood, rocks, and plants, with a huge sandpit to dig in and towers of logs to climb. Any adventurous kid could spend the whole afternoon running and playing among nature here!
- Portland Puppet Museum
Spend an afternoon exploring the Portland Puppet Museum, a beautiful display of artisan and handmade puppets from cultures all over the world. In addition to displaying rare and exotic puppets, the museum also features rare antique dollhouses, dolls, and costumes worldwide. Visit the gift shop to pick up a special Make Your Own Puppet crafting kit for children, or take home a beautiful handmade puppet for yourself!
- Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge
To spend a day away in nature, check out the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge. The Wildlife Refuge sits upon 163 acres of meadows, woodlands, and wetlands, a haven for birdwatchers, nature lovers, and hikers. Bring a pair of binoculars and try to spot as many different bird species as you can, or spend some time creeping through the tall grass to try and catch a lizard or salamander. Spending some time exploring the wildlife refuge can be a great way to get some physical activity while teaching your family about the wonders of the natural world.
