My family and I recently discovered an indoor play space in Vancouver. We love it because it provides opportunities for young children to engage in real-life play, in a light and airy setting without the distraction of screens and other “noisy” toys.
I contacted one of the owners while I was there. This play space was clearly loved, and I wanted to know more about why they made it so beautiful third place for families with small children. As a parent himself, he shared, he understood that parents need to get out early if they have children who get up early or have schedules that are not conducive to later windows for play. Since there are few indoor play spaces in the area, and those that are often don’t open until mid-morning, the couple made the space the way they would want their own children to play!
See also in Vancouver:
Vancouver Public Library Kids Zone
Castle is dizzy
Vancouver isn’t the only Portland metro area with great indoor play spaces. While this is by no means an exhaustive list, these are several places where drop-in play is available – some free and some on a per-visit or membership basis:
Hillsboro
Outside In The Park @ the Plaza
Ocean Games
Tigard
Liggle Land
Tigard Indoor Play Park
LEKA Playland
Cedar Hills
Cedar Hills Recreation Center
Beaverton
Kowabunga PDX
Conestoga Recreation and Aquatic Center Indoor Play Park
Lake Oswego
Play Boutique (membership required)
Portland Northeast
Northeast Swap and Play
The Wiggle Room
Nest Playground
The Kids’ Gym
Portland Southeast
Sellwood Community House Indoor Play Park
Hammer and Jack’s Happy Place
Southeast Indoor Park
Play Forest
Portland West Side
PILEA Play
Mittelman Jewish Community Center Indoor Playground
Portland Downtown
PlayDate PDX
North Portland
St. John’s Swap and Play
Happy Valley, OR
Raindrops Play House
Sandy, O
Wippersnappers Kids Play Place – Playground and Internet Cafe
