Cheap and Free Activities For March!
Around the Sun has a list of free weekend events in Portland.
The following list of cheap and free family activities is courtesy of Char and Big Brothers, Big Sisters!
FREE Snow Shoe with a Ranger – Snow shoe around 3.5 miles with a ranger and learn about the forest and history. March 12, 14, 19, 21, 26 & 28. Two locations: 10:00 am, Glade Trail, meet outside Mt. Hood Cultural Center and Museum, 88900 E Government Camp OR 1:00 pm, Trillium Lake Trail, meet at Snow-Park, 2.5 miles E of Timberline Rd. off Hwy 26. 503-622-3191, fs.fed.us/r6
FREE SECOND SATURDAY at the Washington County Museum– 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, ages 6 – 12. 17677 NW Springville Rd, on Rock Creek Campus. 503-645-5353, www.WashingtonCountyMuseum.org
WHAT: 20th Annual Buckman Art Show & Sale
WHEN: Friday, March 12th, 5:00 – 9:00 pm, Saturday, March 13th, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
WHERE: Buckman Elementary School, 320 SE 16th Ave, Portland
DETAILS: Art, music, dance and hands-on art activities for kids. Admission $5 Friday and $2 donation on Saturday. www.buckmanelementary.org
WHAT: Rock N Skate
WHEN: Friday & Saturday, March 12 & 13th, 7:30 – 10:00 pm
WHERE: Lloyd Center Ice Rink, 952 Lloyd Center
DETAILS: Music and $7 skates & admission. 503-288-6073, www.lloydcenterice.com
WHAT: OHSU Brain Fair
WHEN: Saturday, March 13th, 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
WHERE: OMSI, 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland
DETAILS: The cerebral celebration includes interactive exhibits, real brains, demonstrations, prizes and OHSU neuroscientists explaining their research. FREE. 503-797-4000. www.omsi.edu
WHAT: Magic Beans – Al’s Kid Club
WHEN: Saturday, March 13th, 11:00 am
WHERE: Al’s Garden Center, 16920 SW Roy Rogers Rd, Sherwood
DETAILS: Receive a velvet pouch with magic beans inside. After planting, kids will be read the Al’s original version of “Jack and the Magic Beans” – Ages 6 – 13. $5. Registration is required. 503-720-1102 www.als-gardencenter.com
WHAT: Japanese Celebration
WHEN: Saturday, March 13th, 1:00 – 6:00 pm
WHERE: Washougal High School, 1201 39th St, Washougal, WA
DETAILS: Kendo exhibitions, taiko drummers, origami, manga and bazaar. $3, 12 and under $1.50
WHAT: Jooblejumblejam! Mudeye Puppet Company
WHEN: Saturday, March 13th, 10:00 am
WHERE: The Café Under the Bridge, Cathedral Park Place, 6635 N. Baltimore St., St. Johns
DETAILS: See the newest production from the recycled puppeteers. $3 kids, $5 adults. www.mudeyepuppets.org
WHAT: Women in Science Day
WHEN: Saturday, March 13th, 9:00 am – 1:30 pm
WHERE: Beaverton Creek Tributary, SW 167th & Ellerson, Aloha
DETAILS: Girls work with science mentors on a SOLV planting project and have lunch. Dress for the weather with sturdy shoes. Girls 12-18. FREE. Registration required. 503-844-9571, x 329. solv.org
WHAT: World Water Day
WHEN: Saturday, March 13th, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
WHERE: Water Resources Center, 4600 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver
DETAILS: Water Day events to raise awareness of water issues. Have fun and learn about local water. FREE. 360-487-7111, cityofvancouver.us/watercenter
WHAT: Slough 101
WHEN: Saturday, March 13th, 8:45 – 1:00 pm
WHERE: Multnomah County Drainage District, 1880 NE Elrod Dr, Portland
DETAILS: FREE – Join experts for a hands-on workshop to learn about the history, wildlife and water flow of the Columbia Slough, plus tour the pump station and water bug discovery. Teens and adults. Pre-registration is required and light refreshments will be provided. 503-281-1132, www.columbiaslough.org
WHAT: FREE Family Day – Washington County Museum
WHEN: Saturday, March 13th, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
WHERE: Washington County Museum, Rock Creek PCC Campus, 17677 NW Springville Rd, Portland
DETAILS: FREE – Quilting, plus traditional toys. 503-525-9259, www.washingtoncountymuseum.org
WHAT: Portland Saturday Market
WHEN: Saturday & Sunday, March 13 & 14th, 11:00 – 4:30
WHERE: Portland Saturday Market, SW Naito Pkwy and Waterfront Park below the Burnside Bridge
DETAILS: Entertainment, craft & food vendors. www.portlandsaturdaymarket.com, 503-222-6072
WHAT: FREE tastings at New Seasons Market
WHEN: Saturday & Sunday, March 13th &14th, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
WHERE: New Seasons Market locations
DETAILS: FREE tastings of corned beef, cabbage and potatoes. www.newseasonsmarket.com
WHAT: Tick Tack Type
WHEN: Saturday, March 13th at 8:00 pm, Sunday, March 14th at 3:00 pm
WHERE: Imago Theatre, 17 SE 8th, Portland
DETAILS: “Opera Beyond Words”, ages 16+. FREE 2 tickets per request. imagotheatre@gmail.com
WHAT: FREE Intro Yoga Classes
WHEN: Saturday, March 13th, 1:00 – 2:30 pm & Tuesday, March 16th, 7:15 – 8:45 pm
WHERE: Julie Lawrence Yoga Center, 1020 SW Taylor,Suite 780, Portland
DETAILS: FREE intro yoga class. 503-227-5524, www.jlyc.com
WHAT: Invitational Ryobu_Kai KARATE Classic
WHEN: Sunday, March 14th, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
WHERE: Mt Hood Community College, 26000 SE Stark St., Gresham
DETAILS: All ages Karate tournament. Admission $5. www.mhcc.edu
WHAT: FREE Portland Art Museum Family Day: Celebrating Film
WHEN: Sunday, March 14th, Noon – 5:00 pm
WHERE: Portland Art Museum, 1219 SW Park, Portland
DETAILS: Enjoy FREE admission to an afternoon of family activities presented by Northwest Film Center, including animated films, interactive digital special effects stations and improvisational theater games. 503-226-2811, www.portlandartmuseum.org
WHAT: All-Ireland Society’s St. Patrick’s Day
WHEN: Wednesday, March 17th, 4:00 – 9:00 pm
WHERE: Ambridge Event Center, 1333 NE Martin Luther King Blvd., Portland
DETAILS: A party for St. Pat’s with hot corned-beef meals, pipe and drum performances, ceili dancers and children’s activities. $5 – $10, ages 11 and younger free with paying adult. www.oregonirishclub.org
WHAT: Rock N Skate
WHEN: Friday & Saturday, March 19th & 20th, 7:30 – 10:00 pm
WHERE: Lloyd Center Ice Rink, 952 Lloyd Center
DETAILS: Music and $7 skates & admission. 503-288-6073, wwwllloydcenterice.com
WHAT: Campfire USA’s Birthday Carnival
WHEN: Saturday, March 20th, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
WHERE: Alder Creek Middle School, 13801 SE Webster Rd, Milwaukie
DETAILS: Celebrate Camp Fire’s 100th birthday by trying your luck at classic carnival games and prizes, playing in a bouncy house, and enjoy food (hot dogs, Polish sausage, chips, soda, cake). Game/food tickets 4/$1.00 or buy $5 worth get 5 tickets free. Service project: donate two cans of food, receive one gift basket raffle ticket
WHAT: SOLV Oregon Spring Beach Cleanup
WHEN: Saturday, March 20th, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
WHERE: Various locations
DETAILS: Help keep our beaches clean by volunteering at one of 44 sites. Advance registration required, locations upon registering. 503-844-9571 x 332. Solv.org
WHAT: Spring Whale Watching Week
WHEN: March 20th – 27th, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm daily
WHERE: 26 spots along the Oregon Coast
DETAILS: Volunteers will help spot migrating whales. Check out the website for locations. 541-765-3304, whalespoken.org
WHAT: Portland Opera Noontime Showcase
WHEN: Monday, March 22, noon
WHERE: Lobby, Hatfield Hall, 1111 SW Broadway, Portland
DETAILS: Portland Opera presents a special kids’ show. FREE.
503-248-4335. pcpa.com
WHAT: Oaks Park Safeway Spring Break BOGO!
WHEN: Monday – Friday, March 22 – 26th, noon – 5:00 pm
WHERE: Oaks Park, 7805 SE Oaks Park Way, Portland
DETAILS: Show your Safeway Club Card and Buy One Ride Bracelet, Get One FREE (Skate session included – $14.50 value) or Buy One Skate Session, Get One FREE (A $5.75 value) Skate rental additional. 503-233-5777, www.oakspark.com
WHAT: Spring Break Animanga Fun
WHEN: Tuesday, March 23, 3:00 – 5:00 pm
WHERE: Tigard Library, 13500 SW Hall Blvd, Tigard
DETAILS: Kid-friendly anime movie and activities. 503-684-6537, Tigard-or.gov/library
WHAT: Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival
WHEN: Thursday, March 25th – April 25th, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
WHERE: 33814 S Meridian Rd, Woodburn
DETAILS: View 40+ acres of tulips, enjoy children’s play area, tram rides and cow train. Entertainment weekends. $10 car weekends, $5 car weekdays. 503-634-2243, woodenshoe.com/springshow.html
WHAT: Better Living Show
WHEN: Friday – Sunday, March 26-28th, 12:00 – 5:00 pm
WHERE: Portland Expo Center, 2060 N Marine Dr
DETAILS: Enjoy kids’ environmental learning area at this sustainable lifestyle festival. FREE. Betterlivingshow.org
WHAT: “You Who”
WHEN: Sunday, March 28th, 1:00 pm
WHERE: McMenamins Kennedy School, 5736 NE 33rd Ave
DETAILS: Musical guest Blitzen Trapper perform at this children’s variety rock show. $10 adults, $5 12 and under. 503-317-8143, youwhoportland.com
WHAT: Beaverton City Library Spring Break Craft Workshops
WHEN: Monday – Friday, March 22nd through March 26th, 2 – 3:30 pm each day
WHERE: Beaverton City Library, 12375 SW 5th St, Beaverton
DETAILS: Different craft workshops each day during Spring Break. Register for these free workshops – 503-350-4001, www.beavertonlibrary.org
WHAT: Ben & Jerry’s FREE cup or cone
WHEN: Tuesday, March 23rd, noon – 8:00 pm
WHERE: 524 SW Yamhill St near Pioneer Courthouse Sq. – 301 NW 10th Ave. in the Pearl District – 39 NW 23rd Pl. in the Uptown Shopping Center – 1428 SE 36th Ave. near Hawthorne Boulevard
DETAILS: Treat yourself to a FREE cup or cone of your favorite ice cream.
WHAT: Rock N Skate
WHEN: Friday & Saturday, March 26th & 27th, 7:30 – 10:00 pm
WHERE: Lloyd Center Ice Rink, 952 Lloyd Center
DETAILS: Music and $7 skates & admission. 503-288-6073, wwwllloydcenterice.com
WHAT: Magic Beans – Al’s Kid Club
WHEN: Saturday, March 27th, 11:00 am
WHERE: Al’s Garden Center, 7505 SE Hogan Rd, Gresham
DETAILS: Receive a velvet pouch with magic beans inside. After planting, kids will be read the Al’s original version of “Jack and the Magic Beans” – Ages 6 – 13. $5. Registration is required. 503-491-0771www.als-gardencenter.com
