SAHM Life: Portland Indoor Toddler Activities

If you’re anything like me, Portland winters can feel a little…long. I’m not one to turn down a stroll in the rain or a good puddle jump session but often we seek out indoor activities that will keep us dry while still having fun. This is a short list of some of the things we do that are great indoor options for rainy days or anytime you might want to let your littles burn off some energy! I’ll be sure to update this post as more spots comes to mind!

East Community Center (Indoor Park)

• Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10am-12pm
• $1.50 per child

This is our favourite spot right now. You can’t beat the admission price and the “play room” is an entire gym filled with slides, mini trampolines, kiddie cars and more. I’ve met some lovely other moms there (and some dads too!) and overall it’s just a very chill and relaxed spot. The sign on the door says no outside food or drink but honestly no one has ever stopped anyone for bringing in a coffee or giving their kiddo a snack.

We try to show up right at 10 because Piper will literally spent the full two hours running around, bouncing balls and wheeling in her little car. It’s also giving Piper practice at taking turns and problem solving with other kids since it’s usually pretty busy. Every now and then the moms have to break up a dispute over who gets the slide next, but it’s been a great way for Piper to have social time with other kids her age!

Vancouver Library

• Open:
  • Sunday 10am—6pm 
  • Monday – Thursday9am—8pm 
  • Friday – Saturday10am—6pm 
• FREE
• Coffee shop in the atrium

Named one of the top 10 children’s libraries in the US! The kids play area is incredible and takes up an entire floor of the library. The “Early Learning Center” is catered to kids 0-5 with so much to explore. Piper was just barely walking when we went for the first time and she still had a blast. You could easily spend a few hours here, especially since there’s a coffee shop in the atrium (can I get an amen!)

POA Cafe

• Open 8am-3pm daily
• no “cover” but you are expected to make a food or drink purchase. It’s a cafe after all!

This is a cute cafe with a kids play area in the back. It was newly renovated last year so all the toys are new and in good shape. It’s a smaller play area so once 5-10 kids get in there it can get a little hectic. Try to score the table right at the back (in front of the play space) so you can sit and enjoy your food or drink and still be close to your little one.

OMSI

• Open 9:30am-5:30pm daily
• $5 parking
• Adult Admission: $14.50
• Youth Admission (3-13): $9.75
• Children 3 and under: FREE

If you think you’ll be heading here more than 6 or so times in a year it might be work looking into a membership and you can find that info here. Piper is free so I just pay for myself or occasionally a friend has a membership that gets a guest in for free (gotta love when your friends hook you up!) We don’t come here as much during the summer since there are so many fun things to do outside but it’s become a monthly favourite during the winter!

I would run out of space telling you everything there is to do at OMSI but aside from walking through the museum itself (which is so cool) there’s a huge kids area. A large sand box, a play grocery store, discovery lab, nature play to learn about animals and so much more. The waterworks area is Piper’s favourite which has a waterwall and lots of flowing water to scoop, poor and splash in. So much fun!

 

Smarty Pants Art Studio

• Open Wednesday-Monday (closed Tuesdays)
• Weekdays open 9am-6pm. Weekends open 9am-4pm.
• $12 for one child and $8 for each additional child

This is a place I discovered in the summer when it was insanely hot and we needed somewhere with Air Conditioning 🙂 This place is filled with crafty goodness, from crayons to paint and clay. There’s even a structure made out of cardboard that the kids are free to paint and draw on anytime they’d like. Some areas are more for older kids (bins with buttons and pipe-cleaners for making crafts) but there’s plenty for the little ones to do! I like the “Rainbow Rice” which is sandbox filled with rainbow coloured rice and your little one can climb right in and enjoy the sensory fun. Piper loves it!

I’ll be updating this post with more places (and photos) so keep an eye out! Also please leave comments below if you have suggestions for other places, I’m sure all us parents will appreciate it!