Portland Children's Museum

Rain or shine, the Portland Children's Museum is usually the kids' first request when I ask them where they want to 'go'. How's that for a positive review? 

Outing: Portland Children's Museum

Cost: $9 for adults and children 1 and older (you can buy tickets for $8 online here). Info about membership here. Parking is additional. They have free first Friday afternoons-info here.

Travel time: Located next the Oregon Zoo. Map here. 

Age: Any age, but a child who is mobile will have more fun.

Reason to go: With the rainy season upon us, this is a fun alternative to a park. Plus, the current special Chagall exhibit is excellent (check back next week for more about that, or click here).

First, let me say that the best time to go is at opening or in the late afternoon. The exhibits are much more fun (especially for kids under 5) when they are less crowded.

Now I'll go through the highlights of this museum for my family. 

The Dig Pit is filled with old chopped tires. It's mostly enclosed so a good spot if you have more than one child. Plus there's some tables for parents.

The Pet Clinic lets kids take care of stuffed animals. There's an exam area complete with X-ray films and some artificial grass to take the animals for a 'walk'. My daughter actually loves being a receptionist here.

Kids can 'drive' a bus and ambulance or play with trains in the Vroom Room. The ambulance has working lights and the train area is huge!

Water Works is just awesome.  I shied away from this room for a long time. Big mistake! It's easily my kids' favorite.

The rock climbing wall encloses a play camping station and volcano slide. My son loves all three.

The Baby's Garden is for kids 3 and under. It's enclosed so they can't escape and wonderful for the museum's littlest visitors. This is also a nice spot if you have two kids.

The Zany Maze, found outside the entrance, is a small hedge maze with lookout above. There is a gate to keep the kids inside. I've seen 'The Shining' too many times for me to like it. My kids love it  though! 

Don't miss the Grocery and Butterfly Bistro (very fun when it's less crowded), the Clay Studio (kids can get their pottery creations fired for a small fee), and the Twilight Trail (complete with life sized Lite-Brite). Truly, there's fun around every corner here and we've explored every single one.