Homeschool & family fun around Portland, OR

Portland's original corn maze, open Sept 5 through Oct 31. October hours are daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with last tickets at 5:30 p.m.

• When: Daily through Sat Oct 31, 2026
• Time: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. (last tickets 5:30)
• Price: Not listed on source
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

A 30-minute Halloween-themed laser show in the Kendall Planetarium, shown daily in October.

• When: Daily through Oct 31, 2026
• Time: Not listed on source
• Price: Not listed on source
• Ages: Not listed on source
• Booking: Not listed on source

The pumpkin patch and corn maze run through Oct 31. The farm is open Oct 31 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (the separate haunted maze is not listed here).

• When: Through Sat Oct 31, 2026
• Time: Oct 31: 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
• Price: Not listed on source
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

Costumed kids come on weekends for trick-or-treat zones and Halloween fun. Costumes are encouraged; no full-face masks, weapons, inflatables or disruptive items.

Upcoming dates: Sat, Oct 24, 2026; Sun, Oct 25, 2026

• When: Sat–Sun Oct 24–25, 2026
• Time: 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
• Price: General admission $26 adults, $21 ages 2–11 (buy online in advance); $5 Treat and Ride Pass for the three treat zones plus one carousel or train ride
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Trick-or-treating is not included with admission. The $5 pass is required, and members must buy it in advance too.

A drop-in Halloween edition of Kids Creation Club. While supplies last; first come, first served.

Upcoming dates: Sat, Oct 31, 2026

• When: Sat Oct 31, 2026
• Time: 10:30 a.m.–noon
• Price: Free
• Ages: Ages 6–12
• Booking: No registration required.

Stories and songs in pajamas or Halloween costumes.

Upcoming dates: Sat, Oct 31, 2026

• When: Sat Oct 31, 2026
• Time: 10:30 a.m.–noon
• Price: Free
• Ages: Children 6 and under with an adult
• Booking: First come, first served.

A drop-in morning of crafts and games for homeschool families.

Upcoming dates: Thu, Nov 19, 2026

• When: Thu Nov 19, 2026
• Time: 10:15–11:30 a.m.
• Price: No fee listed
• Ages: Grades K–5 and their families
• Booking: Drop in.

Hands-on STEAM crafts and activities in the Creative Learning Room, for homeschool youth ages 6–12 and their families. Makers 10 and under need an adult partner.

Upcoming dates: Thu, Nov 19, 2026

• When: Thu Nov 19, 2026
• Time: 1–3 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: Homeschool youth 6–12 with their families
• Booking: Sign up in advance; every participant must register.

⚠️ The library page shows this session as full, and says registration opens Oct 29, 2026 at 4 a.m. Check the page before you go.

Self-guided zoo visits at the $12 school field-trip rate. The zoo lists "ESD-registered homeschool group from Oregon or Washington" among eligible groups. Weekdays from September to early June, with some exceptions on its reservation calendar.

• When: Weekdays, September–early June (see the zoo's reservation calendar)
• Time: Not listed on source
• Price: $12 per student, chaperone and teacher (minimum group of 16); must be booked and paid at least two weeks ahead
• Ages: Pre-K–12 (everyone age 2+ pays)
• Booking: Register and pay online at least 14 days ahead; the rate is not available on the day of your visit. At least 1 adult per 8 students. Tickets are non-refundable. Groups under 16 or without ESD registration can look at the zoo's group tickets.

⚠️ Needs 16 participants and an ESD-registered homeschool group, so it suits co-ops and large groups more than one family.

The museum is free every day for Multnomah County residents with proof of residency (a state ID, driver's license or utility bill; library cards and transit passes are not accepted). Groups can request a pre-booked visit with the group visit form.

• When: Open to visitors; groups book ahead
• Time: Not listed on source
• Price: Free for Multnomah County residents with ID; pre-booked groups $11 each
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Send the group visit request form at least two weeks ahead.

⚠️ The museum's free K–12 school tours (reserve three weeks ahead) don't name homeschool groups, so ask whether yours qualifies.

The museum accepts homeschool groups through its K–12 school reservation system. Guided visits (1 hour, with close looking, discussion and sketching) and self-guided visits run Tuesday–Friday. K–12 students, teachers, chaperones and aides get free admission with advance registration.

• When: Tuesday–Friday during the school year; reservations open through Jan 15, 2027 (spring calendar opens about Dec 1, 2026)
• Time: Not listed on source
• Price: Free for K–12 students and chaperones with advance registration
• Ages: K–12
• Booking: Reserve at least two weeks ahead. Minimum 6 students; guided groups up to 60, self-guided up to 50. The museum asks for about 1 adult per 6 children (K–8 self-guided) and treats homeschool groups like other school groups.

Museum admission is $5 per person. $5 tickets are also offered for select special exhibits, Empirical Theater, Kendall Planetarium shows and USS Blueback submarine tours.

Upcoming dates: Sun, Nov 1, 2026; Sun, Dec 6, 2026

• When: Sun Nov 1 and Sun Dec 6, 2026
• Time: Not listed on source
• Price: $5 per person
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

Museum admission is free on the first Thursday of every month. Children 17 and under are always free.

Upcoming dates: Thu, Nov 5, 2026; Thu, Dec 3, 2026

• When: First Thursday of each month: Nov 5 and Dec 3, 2026
• Time: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

The museum opens on select Mondays when local schools are closed, with hands-on science for kids of all ages.

Upcoming dates: Mon, Nov 23, 2026; Mon, Dec 21, 2026; Mon, Dec 28, 2026; Mon, Jan 4, 2027; Mon, Jan 18, 2027; Mon, Jan 25, 2027

• When: Mon Nov 23, Dec 21, Dec 28, 2026; Jan 4, Jan 18 and Jan 25, 2027
• Time: Not listed on source
• Price: Not listed on source
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ The page lists the dates but not hours or admission. Check the museum before you go.

Wildlife-inspired light displays and familiar favorites after dark. A sensory-friendly night is Nov 16 (4:30–8:30 p.m.), and optional private Snow Globes are sold separately.

• When: Nov 20, 2026–Jan 3, 2027 (select nights; see the zoo's calendar)
• Time: Evenings
• Price: Not listed on source
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

A nightly holiday lights festival. Closed Christmas Day. Value nights are Nov 30–Dec 3 and Dec 7–10.

• When: Nov 27–Dec 30, 2026
• Time: 5–9:30 p.m.
• Price: Online: $17.95 general, $8.95 youth. At the gate: $19.95 general, $9.95 youth
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Value-night prices are not stated in the text we read. Check the page.

Decorated boats parade up and down the river for people watching from shore. Most Willamette nights run from Riverplace Marina to Johns Landing and the Fremont Bridge or to Milwaukie (about two hours). Dec 19 is a combined fleet to Lake Oswego, and the Dec 20 finale goes to the St. Johns Bridge and Cathedral Park. Schedules can change with weather and boating safety.

Upcoming dates: Mon, Dec 7, 2026; Tue, Dec 8, 2026; Wed, Dec 9, 2026; Fri, Dec 11, 2026; Tue, Dec 15, 2026; Wed, Dec 16, 2026; Thu, Dec 17, 2026; Fri, Dec 18, 2026; Sat, Dec 19, 2026; Sun, Dec 20, 2026

• When: Dec 7–20, 2026 (dates listed on the parade page)
• Time: Mostly 7–9 p.m.
• Price: Free to watch from the river
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ The page lists Willamette routes by date. Check the route for your night before you go.

Since 1932, the homes on this Southeast Portland street have decorated for Christmas. Pedestrian-only nights are Dec 15 and 16. A free cocoa and cider booth opens at 6 p.m. Dec 15–24 while supplies last (donations welcome).

• When: Dec 15–31, 2026
• Time: 6–10 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Police may close the street to cars at any time. Residents decorate voluntarily.