By Brooke Strickland

When I think back to my childhood years growing up in the Pacific Northwest, I remember many winter days spent warm and cozy inside, finding ways to keep occupied. My sister and I would use our imaginations and on a rainy or blustery day, you would often find us immersing ourselves in a world of pink with Barbie, or tangled up in a fort of sheets and blankets. As a parent, maybe you are out of ideas on ways to keep your kids from being bored during some of the chilliest days of wintry weather. If your children are bouncing all over the place at home, maybe it’s time to get out for the day. Here are some of our favorite indoor activity spots for keeping kids active during the nippy days that make up what we know and love as an Oregon winter.

Babies, Toddlers, and Young Children

Portland Children’s Museum
503-223-6500
www.portlandcm.org

The Portland Children’s Museum, which has been in operation since 1946 and is now the sixth oldest children’s museum in the country, is an exciting hubbub of creativity and discovery for kids of all ages. Running through February 15th is the Adventures of Clifford the Big Red Dog exhibit, which teaches kids about friendship, kindness, honestly, respect, fairness, and responsibility. The museum also hosts lots of classes for kids of all ages, is available for birthday parties, and if some parents out there need a few hours to yourself, there is a new “drop-off Play Brigade” that let gives children a chance to play with other kids while participating in a class or camp. There is so much to do at the Portland Children’s Museum. Call or visit their website today to check it all out.

Munchkin Playland
503-533-5438
www.munchkinplayland.com

Inspired by the stunning scenery of Oregon’s forests and wildlife, Munchkin Playland is an exciting place for kids to play, and parents to relax. Stumptown Coffee (yum!) and Beaverton Bakery pastries (yummier!) are provided for parents to nibble on while watching their munchkins play. Play passes are only $5, or play pass cards are available for regular play times throughout the winter months!

The Little Gym
Beaverton location: 503-579-0859
www.tlgbeaverton.com
Lake Oswego location: 503-595-9702
www.tlglakeoswegoor.com

This spot has become an international sensation with over 300 locations in 21 countries. With two locations in the Portland metro area, convenience abounds. Serving kids from ages 4 months to age 12, there’s sure to be a program that fits your kids’ needs. The Little Gym offers karate, gymnastics, dance, cheerleading, and even sports skills development classes. Camps, birthday bashes, and parent’s survival nights are also popular activities that The Little Gym brings to Portland parents.

Teens and Tweens

Sykart
503-684-5060
www.sykart.com

For teens ages 16 and up with a valid drivers license, Sykart indoor go-kart racing center might be the ticket. Walk-in races are available every day making it a perfect way for your teen and their friends to get out and enjoy some good old fashioned competition. There are private rentals available, league racing offered, and “driving schools” provided. Driving schools allow children or those that don’t have a valid driver’s license the chance to learn about safe go-kart racing; these people must complete this training before racing in a regular session.

Laurelhurst Theater
503-232-5511
www.laurelhursttheater.com

Part of Portland’s history since 1923, this hoppin’ theater boasts four screens with independent movies, classics, and modern cinema. Pizza, drinks, and other tasty snacks can be purchased and taken into the movie, as well. Before 3pm, minors must be accompanied by an adult and weekend shows are only a buck for children 12 and under. So make it a family event, or let your kids and their friends make an afternoon of it. Cheap movies and a unique atmosphere: a winning combination for your teen.

Old Town Pizza
503-222-9999
www.oldtownpizza.com

You could start your afternoon off with shopping in some downtown’s eclectic bookstores and clothing shops, and then end your day with a visit to Portland’s famous haunted pizzeria. Not only is the food fantastic, but the atmosphere has a sinister, yet fun air about it. Beneath the floorboards of the restaurant, lurk the historic Shanghai Tunnels, where you and your teen can take a 90 minute tour, weaving through Chinatown and Old Town. It’s not for the easily spooked – it just might leave you holding onto each other a little more closely at the end.

All Ages

OMSI
503-797-4000
www.omsi.edu

219,000 square feet of learning and fun awaits parents and kids of all ages at OMSI. Hands-on exhibits, a planetarium, a real submarine available for touring, and the ever-amazing OMNIMAX Dome Theater are just some of the amazing sites. Running through January is the SCREAM! exhibit that explores the science of fear. You and your children can put your fears to the test and then learn ways to help children move past some common fears they might have. Perhaps you want to experience a laser light show, choreographed to classical or rock music. Even better, OMSI has a really cool science store, where you and your kids can pick up science-type games and other cool stuff to bring back home and keep you occupied during the rainy months.

Grand Central Bowl
503-236-2695
www.thegrandcentralbowl.com

Nothing brings a family together like bowling, so why not venture to Grand Central Bowl to hit some pins? After a $14 million dollar renovation, this spot is much more than a bowling alley—it’s a full entertainment destination! Maybe you want to throw together a New Years party or a special winter family reunion. Perfect! Grand Central Bowl has several private rooms and meeting spaces, with adjacent billiards, views of the lanes, and fireside lounges. Or maybe you just want a couple hours to spend with the kids. There are twelve lanes with easy computerized scoring, and even a VIP bowling lounge. Strike!

North Clackamas Aquatic Park
503-557-SURF
www.clackamas.us/ncprd/aquatic

Wow! No matter what the weather’s doing outside, your kids will love this indoor water arena. If they like to swim, slide, or splash, this is the place to go. Play in the wave pool, swim laps, or sign them up for a water fitness class. The park also hosts birthday parties, features the Tsunami Café, and if your kids aren’t so much into getting wet, there is a 29 foot steel mountain rock wall they can scale.

Gear up!
Get your kids in play-mode. Now that you are armed with some exciting ideas for the upcoming winter months, bundle them up, buckle them in, and take them for a ride to one of these bustling activity destinations.

A lifelong resident of the Pacific Northwest, Brooke Strickland is a freelance writer and editor. When she’s not writing, Brooke can be found in a comfortable chair with a book, or on the Oregon coast with her newborn daughter, husband, and two dogs.

this article originally appeared in the December 2009 issue of Portland Family Magazine.