Cheap and Free Weekend Activities For February

Posted on Saturday, February 6th, 2010

My friend Char has volunteered with Big Brothers/Big Sisters for a couple of years now. It has been touching and entertaining to see her relationship develop with her “Little” through this time.

Big Brothers/Big Sisters does a great job supporting their volunteers, and they regularly put together a list of cheap and free activities appropriate for children – some apply only to the Portland area while others (like the IHOP activity) might be happening other places around the country.

Thanks, Char, for making sure we know about these events! As always, double-check dates, times and locations before going.

$2 admission at the World Forestry Center’s Discovery Museum – 10:00 am – 5:00 pm – the FIRST WEDNESDAY of every month. Ride the wet-free rapids, try your smokjumping skills and learn about forests all over the world. Metro parking fee of $2 per car. 4033 SW Canyon Rd, Portland. 503-228-1367, www.worldforestrycenter.org
Portland FIRST THURSDAY monthly art gallery walk in downtown Portland, Old Town and the Pearl District. 5:00pm – 8:00pm, FREE
Free FIRST FRIDAY at the Portland Children’s Museum, 5 – 8:00 pm, 4015 SW Canyon Road Portland, 503- 223-6500
$2 Sunday at OMSI – The FIRST SUNDAY of every month, 9:30 – 5:30. All ages. 1945 SE Water Ave, 503-797-4000, www.omsi.edu
Home Depot – Free FIRST SATURDAY kid’s workshops from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., www.homedepot..com
$2 Buck Day at the Oregon Zoo – The SECOND TUESDAY of every month, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, 4001 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, 503-226-1561, www.oregonzoo.org
FREE SECOND SATURDAY at the Washington Count 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: World Sounds w/ Alton Chung, Terry Baber or Obo Addy WHEN: Sundays, Feb, 7th, 14th & 21st, 11:00 am, noon, and 1:00 pm WHERE: Portland Children’s Museum, 4015 SW Canyon Rd, Portland DETAILS: Each Sunday, celebrate music, storytelling and dance from around the world. All ages. Free with admission of $8. 503-223-6500, wwwlportlandcm.org
WHAT: Chinese New Year Cultural Fair WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 14th, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm WHERE: Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE MLK Blvd, Portland DETAILS: Celebrate the Year of the Tiger with folk dancing, music, booths, martial arts demos, puppet shows and lion and dragon dancers. $6, free 6 and under. 503-380-8788, www. portlandchinesetimes.us/cny10/English/index.htm
WHAT: Happy Birthday, Oregon WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 14th, Noon – 5:00 pm WHERE: The Oregon History Museum, 1200 SW Park Ave, Portland DETAILS: The Oregon History Museum is celbrating Oregon’s birthday with FREE admission. 503-306-5198, www.ohs.org
WHAT: After the Flush WHEN: Monday, Feb. 15th, 10:00 am WHERE: Columbia Blvd. Wastewater Treatment Plant, 5001 N Columbia Blvd, Portland DETAILS: Visit Portland’s waste treatment plant and see what happens to poo. Ages 10 and up, able to walk a mile. FREE. Pre-registration required. www.multcolib.org
WHAT: Family Movie Night WHEN: Friday, Feb. 19th, 6:30 pm WHERE: St. Johns Community Center, 8427 N. Central, Portland DETAILS: Watch Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaur. All ages. $3 per family. 503-823-3192, www.portlandonline.com
WHAT: National Pancake Day WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 23rd, 7:00 am – 10:00 pm WHERE: IHOP Restaurants, check website for locations DETAILS: IHOP celebrates Fat Tuesday by offering pancakes FREE. Donation to Children’s Miracle Network suggested. All ages. www.ihoppancakeday.com