by Liz Melendez Stevens, CPD

The winter months can be tough with young kids - cold and wet weather can dampen our motivation for outdoor play, even though we know we all benefit when kids get outside. Staying warm at home can result in everyone feeling a little squirrely within the constraints of our home’s four walls.

In the Portland, OR and Vancouver, WA area, we’re lucky to have a host of indoor play spaces for kids, from the infant stage through preschool and even beyond. When the weather is a barrier to getting outdoors, check out these options - whether they’re around the corner or the occasion for a local field trip:

Vancouver
City Play for Kids

My family and I recently discovered this 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 was able to connect with one of the owners while I was there. This play space is clearly loved, and I wanted to know more about why they created this beautiful third place for families with young kids. As a parent himself, he shared, he understood that parents need to get out in the day early if they have early-riser children or schedules that are not conducive to later windows for play. Since there were few indoor play spaces in the area, and those that were often didn’t open until mid morning, he and his wife built the space the way they want to play with their own kids!

Also to check out in Vancouver:
Vancouver Public Library Kids Zone
Dizzy Castle

Vancouver isn’t the only Portland metro area with great indoor play spaces. While this isn’t an exhaustive list, these are many places where drop-in play is available - some free of charge and some on a per-visit or membership basis:

Hillsboro
Outdoors In Park @ the Plaza
Ocean Plays

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 Children’s 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. Johns Swap and Play

Happy Valley, OR
Raindrops Play House

Sandy, OR
Wippersnappers Kids Play Place – Playground & Internet Cafe

Other great sources for indoor play ideas include: talking with other parents (go ahead, chat up the toddler mom in front of you at the grocery store!); learning from other families at the Monday or Tuesday Nurturing Circle; and checking out up-to-date ideas at PDX Parent Magazine.

It can be a challenge to get everyone’s wiggles out when the weather is daunting - having a few favorite spots (and a few new ones in your back pocket, for adventurous days) can be a motivator, a connection to community, and a source of the shared fun that bonds us to our littles. Gotta run - time to play!

Liz Melendez Stevens is a certified postpartum doula and a mom of two who’s new to the PNW. She loves all forms of play and is always looking for the next adventure to take with her family.