Children’s museums are small worlds where everything is built to little kid scale. In this learn-by-doing environment children are encouraged to touch things, imagine, experiment and create. Parents are encouraged to be involved in their children’s discoveries, to see the wheels of their minds turn, to answer their questions, to help them perform a step, to see them smile when they understand, to hear their giggles and see their proud smiles of success, to praise them for their accomplishments.
The Portland Children’s Museum offers a variety of hands-on age-appropriate activities and exhibits from noise-making energy-expending games to quiet activities whether children are just learning motor skills or are on their way to becoming scientists, housing builders, water works specialists, artists and stage producers. Babies and toddlers can move at their own pace with activities to spark their interest In the Baby’s Garden.
Sure to be a big hit with all children, the Museum has opened a Bob the Builder™ exhibit modeled after the HIT Entertainment television series, Bob the Builder™.
In addition, each day offers a story time and other special events like dance parties, musical performances, paint shops, cooking lessons, craft lessons and sing-alongs, as well as seasonal activities like holiday gift making.
If you get hungry, you can visit the Caterpillar Café. The Museum Store offers a variety of educational toys and kits for purchase.
If you are looking for a special birthday party idea, the Museum can help. Camps and classes are offered on a reservation basis.
The Museum offers one-time admissions and membership passes for unlimited visits. If you live in the area, you might want to consider a membership pass as kids will want to return to the museum again and again. Memberships make great birthday and holiday gifts too.
The Portland Children’s Museum is located 5 minutes south of downtown Portland in Washington Park, at 4015 SW Canyon Road, off Highway 26, exit 72.
While you are in Washington Park
Washington Park is located just 5 minute south of downtown Portland. With more than 129 acres, the Park offers playgrounds, picnic areas, trails, tennis courts, and soccer field as well as its show case fountain, bronze sculptures and Holocaust Memorial.
Washington Park also hosts the Portland Children’s Museum, Oregon Zoo, the Portland Japanese Gardens, the International Rose Test Garden, the World Forestry Center Discovery Museum, and the Hoyt Arboretum.
Opposite the Portland Children’s Museum, the Oregon Zoo’s regional exhibits present orangutans, elephants, giraffes, zebras, tigers, eagles, and more.
The Portland Japanese Gardens offers self-guided and hosted tours through its 5.5 acres that demonstrate five different styles of Japanese gardens. Exhibits and art shows are offered too.
The International Rose Test Garden offers education about growing and landscaping with roses and summer tours of the garden.
The World Forestry Center Discovery Museum strives to inform about the importance of the world’s forests through educational programs and tours.
The 185-acre Hoyt Arboretum offers 21 walking/running trails to discover over 1,000 species of trees from around the world.
Happy Travels!
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