61. Northwest Children’S Theater And School
City: Portland, OR
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (503) 222-4480 (tickets), (503
Address: 1819 Northwest Everett St.
Description: An outstanding operation, Northwest Children’s Theater produces frequent and imaginative shows with children in starring roles. Their classes (starting at $150 for 9 weeks) and camps (starting at $135 for 1 week) are first-rate, and they have been responsible for many budding Portland stars. Shows range from interpretations of classic fairy tales such as Sleeping Beauty to adaptations of works such as Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day to musicals from Annie to Hamlet to original works, all performed with incredible professionalism.
62. Oregon Children’S Theatre
City: Portland, OR
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (503) 228-9571
Address: 600 Southwest 10th Ave.
Description: This professional theater company takes props, makeup, and sets to Portland-area schools to ignite the magic of drama in classroom workshops and assemblies. And then, at Keller Auditorium, this marvelous outfit turns it around by bringing local kids onstage to help present plays and musicals. They adapt great children’s classics such as James and the Giant Peach, A Wrinkle in Time, and Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse into accessible and exciting theater. They also have excellent classes. There are tuition costs for the classes, but discounts and scholarships are available.
63. Sand In The City Beach Party
City: Portland, OR
Category: Tours & Attractions
Description: Held in early July, this benefit for the Kids on the Block Awareness Program transforms Portland’s festive downtown patio into an ocean beach when more than 250 tons of sand are shaped, slapped, and molded into sand castles, dragons, and other wild critters by teams of local businesspeople. In addition to this jovial competition, master sand sculptors give demonstrations, and children can create their own works of art in a kids’ sandbox. Food and craft booths are plentiful, too, as well as live music, clowns, and puppet shows. For further information on Sand in the City, see the Festivals and Annual Events chapter. It’s free to attend, but donations are welcome. Some activities do have fees, but are usually only a couple dollars. Cash only.
City: Portland, OR
Category: Tours & Attractions
City: Portland, OR
Category: Tours & Attractions
66. Buckman Swimming Pool
City: Portland, OR
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (503) 823-3668
Address: 320 Southeast 16th Ave.
67. Creston Swimming Pool
City: Portland, OR
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (503) 823-3672
Address: 4454 Southeast Powell Blvd.
68. Portland Saturday Market
City: Portland, OR
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (503) 222-6072
Description: The Portland Saturday Market, which also runs on Sun, is a characteristic Portland experience that children love. In addition to the vendors of tie-dye, candles, jewelry, pottery, and stained glass, you’ll find lively entertainment of every variety (especially music). The food is delicious, and the eye candy is even better. There are special activities just for children, such as performances by Tears of Joy Theatre, children’s musicians, and other fun things. Saturday Market takes place from the first weekend in March to Christmas Eve. On Sat the market opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m.; Sun hours are 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
69. Barnes & Noble Bookstore
City: Portland, OR
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (503) 249-0800
Address: 1317 Lloyd Ave.
Description: Area Barnes & Noble bookstores not only offer books but also have story times and author events for preschoolers through teens. The Lloyd Center location along with the Beaverton store (18300 Northwest Evergreen Pkwy., 503-645-3046) are two of our favorites, but there are six in the area, all of which typically offer a weekend morning storytime and a Saturday event as well. To see what’s on deck, click on the store locator tab on the website listed above. Both the Lloyd Center and Beaverton stores also have toys and games in addition to books. Barnes & Noble stores are spacious and comfortable; most have an in-house Starbucks and free Wi-Fi. Maybe you’ll get to browse a little too.
70. Borders Books
City: Portland, OR
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (503) 220-5911
Address: 708 Southwest 3rd Ave.
Description: Borders’ book events, signings, crafts, and story readings are typically held on Saturdays throughout the year. We like this downtown spot because of its proximity to the MAX line and its handsome interior, as well as its fantastic selection of music and DVDs, in addition to the books. Their events for children are always festive. There are five Borders stores in the area, all with free Wi-Fi, and they all have cool events for children. To see what’s on the calendar, use the store locator tab on the website above; it will take you to the link for the downtown Portland store, or whichever one you prefer, and you can view the store events.
71. A Children’S Place
City: Portland, OR
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (503) 284-8294
Address: 4807 Northeast Fremont St.
Description: A Children’s Place is a wonderful independent store in the Beaumont neighborhood that offers an impressive selection of books and music for children of all ages. And they have the expertise that comes with focusing on young readers, so they make wise recommendations if you need advice. You can also buy a wide variety of educational toys and puzzles here, as well as games to stimulate those fertile imaginations, a good stock of art supplies, and musical instruments, and they work with teachers and local schools to keep them supplied as well. A Children’s Place also hosts many events—including book events for adults—with their Thursday morning storytelling a community favorite.
72. Cosmic Monkey Comics
City: Portland, OR
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (503) 517-9050
Address: 5335 Northeast Sandy Blvd.
Description: A fine, large comic store with a wall of Manga and every variety of comic books. Cosmic Monkey is open daily from 7 p.m. They are very kid-friendly and offer summer workshops on how to create your own comics.
73. Excalibur Comics
City: Portland, OR
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (503) 231-7351
Address: 2444 Southeast Hawthorne Blvd.
Description: A premier outlet for comics in the Portland area, Excalibur carries collector’s items, books, and alternative comics in addition to their mainstream offerings. Not everything is G-rated, but they do have an impressive selection of children’s comics, as well as good service. And you can rent anime flicks and other DVDs from Excalibur.
City: Portland, OR
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 1005 West Burnside St.
75. Child’S Play
City: Portland, OR
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (503) 224-5586
Address: 2305 Northwest Kearney St.
Description: A fine neighborhood shop in the Northwest Portland district, Child’s Play features well-made, inventive toys. You’ll find a decent selection of seasonal toys and dress-up clothes as well as lines like Playmobil, Lego, and Brio. The wide array of Breyer horses and accoutrements is another big draw. The store also carries books. It’s useful to note that the shop has a parking lot (a rarity in the area) and they will wrap your gifts for free.