Don’t let spring simply be a slow march toward summer. No one knows this better than kids. Pool days and campouts are still in the distant future. Oregon spring break with the kids, however, brings a burst of energy. An easy and affordable family trip reinvigorates the senses. Reconnect with the senses of spring, especially with so much to do, see, and taste in Tualatin Valley.
Kid-Friendly Activities
Tualatin Valley is a gamer’s paradise, and that’s for kids of all ages. Langer’s Entertainment Center features bowling, arcade, rock wall, laser tag and more. While Next Level Pinball Museum and Arcade features more than 475 pinball machines and retro and contemporary arcade games.
Squeeze a little education into the kids’ spring break at Hillsboro’s Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals. Despite its name, you’ll find no grains here. Instead, little eyes go big as they roam through the collection of gems, fossils and a whole room filled with petrified wood. Outside, there’s a large yard for play (and burning off some energy). Kids can even pick out a pet rock from the outdoor rock pile.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Tree to Tree Adventure Park (opens for the season March 23, 2024) offers myriad adventures for the family, including a zipline canopy tour, aerial ropes course (ages 7+) and a kids adventure course for the little ones (ages 2-6). Pumpkin Ridge Zip Tours has a two-hour zipline experience open to fun-seekers (ages 8+, must be at least 60 pounds).
Kid-Friendly Breweries & Wineries
As Tualatin Valley is located at the northern end of the esteemed wine region, the Willamette Valley, wineries are often at the top of a visitors must-do list. The beauty and friendly environment of our wineries make a perfect addition to any itinerary, even with kids in tow.
Árdíri Winery and Vineyards sits on a beautiful east-facing slope with a view of Mt. Hood. The open-air facility has an adjoining patio, fireplace and three fire pits for a cozy, family-friendly afternoon.
In the same vein, Oregon’s beer scene doubles as a family-friendly one. Most breweries in Tualatin Valley are also brewpubs, serving hearty fare. Lazy Days Brewing and Binary Brewing in Beaverton are kid friendly, as well as Cooper Mountain Ale Works, with two locations: downtown Tigard and Old Town Sherwood.
Kid-Friendly Hotels
An upheaval of routine is hard on kids and parents alike. A mixture of creature comforts and fun novelties help. A family stay at the McMenamins Grand Lodge in Forest Grove is a perfect example of such a mix. Here, you’ll find kid-friendly live music events, an on-site movie theater and food menus where even the pickiest of eaters will have a hard time choosing what to order.
The Aloft Hillsboro-Beaverton gives all the amenities of a luxe hotel stay, while still accommodating to little guests. The hotel lobby doubles as a game room with a pool table. Take the elevator to the indoor splash pool.
For more kid-friendly Spring Break ideas visit these pages: