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Things to Do in Oregon With Kids

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10 Awesome Places to Take Your Kids This Summer in Oregon

No summer in Oregon would be complete without a visit to at least one of these great kid-friendly places in Oregon. From a great zoo to an off-road vehicle ride through sand dunes & more. There are so many great ways to enjoy Oregon with kids.

Oregon with kids, Portland, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Lincoln City

The beautiful state of Oregon is an incredible place to explore, whether you are a vacation visitor or year-round resident. This list of awesome kid-friendly places in Oregon will help you make sure that your kids have a great time along the way.

Whether you are looking for outdoor adventures or hoping for a great place to take your animal-loving kids, you'll find some great ideas here. There are even places that specifically cater to kids aged 10 and younger. With this list, your summer vacation in Oregon is off to an amazing start!

Oregon with kids, Portland, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Lincoln City

Tree to Tree Aerial Adventure Park

Tree to Tree Aerial Adventure Park - Gaston, OR (Tree to Tree Aerial Adventure Park)

The amazing Tree to Tree Aerial Adventure Park is loads of fun for families looking for physical adventure. Test your skills on their Aerial Adventure Obstacle course or enjoy the view as you fly through the trees on their zip line tour. And for the younger kids age 2 to 8, their adventure village is a safe way for children to enjoy the same sense of adventure as older kids and adults! The adventure park is also a great place to host parties, so be sure to check out their package deals and all the other great info you can find on their website.

Seaside Aquarium - Oregon Coast with Kids

Seaside Aquarium - Seaside, OR (Seaside Aquarium)

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The Seaside Aquarium in Seaside is one of the oldest aquariums on the west coast. This privately owned aquarium is dedicated to educating the public about marine life. Enjoy the beauty of a wonderful variety of underwater life and then check out the Touch Tank where you and your kids can touch starfish, sea anemones, and sea urchins. But what this wonderful aquarium is most famous for is their playful family of seals. If you check out their website, you can read all about each individual seal and even take a quiz where you can match each seal's picture to its name. If you are in the Seaside area, this special aquarium is definitely a great place to take the kids!

Oregon Zoo

Oregon Zoo - Portland, OR (Oregon Zoo)

If you are in the Portland Oregon area with kids this summer, be sure to visit the Oregon Zoo. This beautiful 64-acre facility is home to 232 different species of animals, 28 of which are threatened or endangered. Filled with plants native to the area, the zoo is a lovely, shady escape from the hot sun. If you happen to live in the area, consider becoming a member of this exciting facility. There are other great ways you can get involved, and there are classes, camps, and programs for kids and adults, as well! If you love animals, the Oregon Zoo is a must-visit!photo of people at the zoo

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry - Portland, OR (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry)

If you and your kids love science, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry is one of the best kid-friendly places in Oregon for you to visit! This place is not only interesting and informative, it is really cool! They have over 200 wonderful exhibits, hands-on labs where you can learn about everything from Paleontology to Chemistry, and catch one of the amazing shows in the planetarium. There is so much to see at this wonderful museum that if you live in the area, you may want to consider a membership. They also offer some great classes and camps for kids of all ages, which is a great way to keep your kids busy throughout the summer!

Seaside Helicopters LLC

Seaside Helicopters - Seaside, OR (Seaside Helicopters)

If you've never seen the Oregon coast from a helicopter, a visit to Seaside Helicopters is your perfect opportunity. This place offers amazing helicopter tours that provide you with breathtaking views of the coast and so much more. Whether you want to get a better view of forests, wildlife, or some of the amazing rock formations in the ocean, you will see the world in a whole new way when you see it from a helicopter. Your kids will be talking about their helicopter ride for years to come!oregon coast with kids

Gilbert House Children's Museum

Gilbert House Children's Museum - Salem, OR (Gilbert House Children's Museum)

The Gilbert House Children's Museum is one of the best kid-friendly places in Oregon for younger children. This wonderful place is specifically designed with children ages two to ten, although it can be a lot of fun for older kids and adults, as well. Just about everything in the Gilbert House offers a hands-on experience for younger children, giving them the opportunity to explore, create, solve problems, and discover new things. And if you happen to live in the Salem area, be sure to check out their summer camp and other awesome ways to keep your kids busy all year long!

Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area

Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area - Coos Bay to Florence, Oregon

It's been many years since we camped at the Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park and drove dune buggies through the Oregon Dunes National Recreation area but oh what fun it was! It's amazing going from the beauty of the coast from the beaches of Seaside and Cannon Beach to the miles of sand dunes in Florence, Oregon. While kids can't drive their own off-road vehicles there are some tours available that they can participate it in. How unique to see the ocean and sand dunes in one state. We enjoyed the camping although it was windy and I realized afterwards that my face got wind burn but we survived and it was worth our time to stop by. A person riding an atv in the sand dunes

Enchanted Forest

Enchanted Forest - Turner, OR (Enchanted Forest)

In Turner, Oregon, there is a place of pure magic. The Enchanted Forest is one of the best kid-friendly places in Oregon. It is largely the work of Roger Tofte, who created it from his imagination, one piece at a time. Open since 1971, this beautiful amusement park features fun rides and beautiful areas to explore - like the Old European Village and the Tofteville Western Town. The Enchanted Forest is so much fun, you really need a few days to fully enjoy this magical place!

Cannon Beach History Center and Museum

Cannon Beach History Center and Museum - Cannon Beach, OR (Cannon Beach History Center and Museum)

Learn more about the beautiful Cannon Beach area when you visit the Cannon Beach History Center and Museum. This place offers so many cool events and exhibits, you never know what you may find there. Check out their website so you'll know what is coming up next. They even have concerts and lectures at times! They love to welcome children, as well as adults. Kids will love the interactive exhibits where they can learn about the history of the area while having fun.

Whether you are visiting Oregon this summer or are lucky enough to call it home, this list of kid-friendly places in Oregon will help you make sure your kids have an awesome summer!oregon coast with kids

Hellgate Jetboat Excursions

Hellgate Jetboat Excursions - Grants Pass, OR (Hellgate Jetboat Excursions)

Oregon is a truly beautiful place. And this is one of the kid-friendly places in Oregon that will help you and your kids experience that beauty in a really wonderful way! At the Hellgate Jetboat Excursions, you'll enjoy an amazing adventure along the Rogue River where you'll see stunning views of the natural world and the animals that live there. They have several excursions to choose from, many of which include a delicious meal at the beautiful Hellgate River Lodge. If you are looking for outdoor adventure, these people know just how to help! Be sure to check out their website for information and special offers!

Bonus Activities for the Oregon Coast with Kids

Lincoln City

REGATTA GROUNDS

For some fun outdoor activities take the kiddos and have a go at the unique sandcastle play structure, there are short nature trails where you can sit down for a picnic. There's even a boat ramp, fishing dock and swimming area all with beautiful lakeside views of Devil's Lake

KITE FLYING

You can't go to Lincoln City and not do some kite flying. We've been there a few times ourselves, first before our daughter was born and later when she was old enough to try out some kit flying with us. The sky on some days can be coloured with all of the kites in the air.  They celebrate two kite festivals, including the Lincoln City Oregon Kit Festival, each year in summer and fall, welcoming professional talent from around the world. Learn about kite flyingflying a kite over the ocean and beach.

Make sure to check out our other travel articles like our 5 Must-Dos at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.oregon coast with kids

Here are some resources for you when planning your trip to Oregon with kids. 

1. Oregon Off the Beaten Path: Discover Your Fun (Off the Beaten Path Series) by Myrna Oakley (Paperback)

2. Fodor's Oregon (Full-color Travel Guide) by Fodor's Travel Guides (Paperback)

3. Moon Coastal Oregon (Travel Guide) by Judy Jewell (Paperback)

4. Hiking Waterfalls in Oregon: A Guide to the State's Best Waterfall Hikes by Adam Sawyer (Paperback)

5. Frommer's Portland Day by Day by Donald Olson (Paperback)

6. Weird Oregon: Your Travel Guide to Oregon's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets by Al Eufrasio (Hardcover)

7. Oregon: The Coloring Book by Jennifer Reynolds (Paperback)

8. Oregon: A Photographic Journey

9. The Oregon Trail Card Game by Pressman Toy

10. Oregon (America) by Tanya Lloyd Kyi (Hardcover)

By on March 16th, 2019

About Powered by Mom

I’m Michelle aka Powered by Mom. I’m married with one daughter, my hubby was my high school sweetheart, our two dogs Nyx and Cleo and our cat Oliver. As you can see we’re a family of animal lovers. We love to travel when we can, try different food and activities all over the world and enjoy being together. My passions are writing, travelling, creating new recipes, encouraging people to adopt not shop and just to enjoy life while we can.

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60 thoughts on “Things to Do in Oregon With Kids”

  1. were goin to Oregon in Nov .. I never saw that they have a zoo so thanks for the great informative read on this destination !!!!!I hope we have good weather and can get to the coast/ beaches.

    Reply
  2. I have been to Portland Oregon before with my hubby and we enjoyed the scenery and white water rafting and the famous doughnuts at the voodoo. The next visit will be to see the waterfalls and find a good hiking spot.

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  3. My daughter just returned from a vacation in Oregon and I can't wait to visit. So many beautiful places to visit. Thanks for all the suggestions1

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  4. I have always wanted to go to Oregon. Thank you for sharing these wonderful places to visit. It all looks amazing!

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  5. I grew up in Oregon. Crater Lake, any part of the Oregon beach, Multnomah Falls, Enchanted Forest...all beautiful.

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  6. If you are going to Oregon and have a chance, visit Crater Lake!!!! It is beautiful there! I was lucky enough to visit as a kid when my dad took my brother and I there! We have great pictures as a memory of a gorgeous and wonderful day!

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  7. I've always wanted to do a helicopter right with my son when we went on vacation but the thought of that just freaked me out lol

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  8. I would love to visit Oregon with my children and grandchildren someday. There are so many fun things to do there! A helicopter ride sounds incredible! My grandchildren would definitely enjoy the Enchanted Forest.

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  9. I have never visited Oregon before. These scenes are lovely and I know I would enjoy a trip there with my family.

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  10. Oregon Off the Beaten Path®: Discover Your Fun looks like an excellent resource for a short road trip from Nevada.

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  11. I've never visited Oregon. I had no idea that there were so many things to do there. I will have to add this to my list of destinations.

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  12. Oregon sounds like a great place to visit. I'm looking for another place to visit in the next few years. I'll have to keep this on my list. I like that there are a lot of great things to do with kids too.

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  13. We have not been to Oregon yet. It sounds so beautiful and a lot of activity's that we could do with the grand kids.

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  14. I've never been to Oregon but always wanted to. The woods by the ocean would be the first place I want to travel to.

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  15. Oregon is absolutely beautiful!! This is a place I would never get tired of visiting! I know my grandkids would love to visit this place! A few of my grandkids love the mountains! I know they would love to kite fly. How cool it is that Oregon has a couple of kite flying festivals a year! The helicopter rides would be awesome too. Most of the rest of the activities can be done in Chicago too. I still love the zoo, museums, and more!
    Pin worthy! Thank you for sharing!

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  16. My grandchildren would love visiting the Tree to Tree Aerial Adventure Park as all of them love a physical challenge, especially an obstacle course. Cannon Beach also sounds like a great place for them as well. What child doesn't love the water?

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  17. Thanks for sharing all these beautiful sites, as I don't know much about Oregon. It looks like a gorgeous, peaceful vacation destination for the whole family to enjoy.

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  18. Okay so now i am mentally planning on taking my four year old Roman to the Sea side aquarium and also the seaside helicopters and the enchanted forest. The last time i went to oregon I was solo and in a desperate situation way before my little guy was even a twinkle in my eye this blog inspired me to want to go back with a passion and make good memories in oregan it is so beautiful there and now that i know i can make a kid trip out of it im dying to go! Thank you! -Abigail S.

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  19. I never would have thought of Oregon for a kid/family vacation yet you're list is extensive and ideal for my nature loving, museum hoping family. I need to add Oregon to the family trip bucket list! I mean who doesn't want to visit the Enchanted Forest!!!!

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  20. I have never been tim Oregon but I really want to go one day. I always hear about how beautiful it is and my favorite author lives there and describes it in a few of her novels.

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  21. My oldest would love the Tree to Tree Aerial Adventure Park – Gaston, OR because he would enjoy flying thru the air

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  22. Oregon has been on my list of places to see for awhile. I think it looks like a beautiful state with so many different things to offer.

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  23. Oh thank you for this. We are visiting Oregon this summer and are excited about this list of what to do with the kids.

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  24. We have lived in Oregon for a little over a year. Thank you for the great kid friendly idea for exploring our new state. Can’t wait to go to the Portland Zoo.

    Reply
  25. I have never been to Oregon but I would love to go. It looks really beautiful and these are cool things to do even if you don't have kids. My son would love to do just about all of these.

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  26. I used to live in Oregon, and have visited about half the places listed here. I totally agree that they are amazing places to take your kids! If you're considering Oregon as a vacation spot, you won't be disappointed!

    Reply
  27. I have never been to Oregon but this review has peaked my interest. It has such beauty and many activities to explore.

    Reply

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