It's raining. Again. You're staring at the forecast, your kids are climbing the walls, and the outdoor plans you made aren't happening. This is Portland — rain isn't a surprise, it's a scheduling reality. The good news: the city has a deep bench of indoor options that can fill an entire day, and some of them are genuinely great.
Here's how to use a rainy Portland day productively, organized by budget and visit length.
Start Here: The Best Indoor Play Venues
These are purpose-built for kids and can handle 2–3 hours of energy without anyone going stir-crazy.
SoGrow House is the top pick if you're in or near the Pearl District. It's earned a perfect 5.0 Google rating — that's extremely rare for any venue — and covers multiple formats: amusement center, indoor playground, children's club, and party space. Budget $50–80 for a family of 4. Book through their website since there's no phone listing.
City Play for Kids near the Fisher's Landing East area carries a 5.0 rating with 287 reviews — one of the most credible ratings in the Portland metro. Admission runs $25–40 for a family of 4 (~$8–12 per child, adults typically free). Heads up: weekend hours end at 1PM, so plan a morning visit.
Play and Ponder is a 4.9-rated community favorite in Bethany. Same price range: $25–40. Saturday sessions fill up quickly, so book in advance.
St Johns Swapnplay is Portland's best-kept rainy day secret — it's free or donation-based. Nonprofit community play space in the St. Johns neighborhood, 4.9 rating. One of the only fully free indoor play options in the city.
More Indoor Play: Bigger Facilities
When you need a few hours and a lot of square footage:
Kids Empire Gresham is a full-service indoor play park in Gresham — multi-level climbing structures, areas for different ages, and food options. Budget $50–70 admission plus $15–20 for food. 4.8 rating, 2–3 hours typical.
Happy Play in North Plains runs 7 days a week and tends to be less packed than Portland proper venues since it serves the Hillsboro/Banks area. Admission $30–45.
LEKA Playland in Tigard blends children's museum elements with indoor play — good for kids who want more than just running around. Budget $45–65, 2–3 hours. Check for family packages.
DiG PDX — Oregon's largest indoor sandbox — is genuinely one of a kind. Budget $35–50. Here's the thing: on rainy days, this place books up fast. Get your time slot online before you leave the house, not when you're already in the car.
The Wiggle Room in Northeast Portland runs scheduled open play sessions. Budget $25–40. Check the calendar on the website first.
Ocean Plays Indoor Playground in Hillsboro has a nautical theme and admission around $30–45. Saturday hours are limited to 1–4PM, so weekday rainy days are better here.
Arcades and Active Entertainment
For kids who need to channel energy into something competitive:
Funtastic Arcade at Columbia Gorge Premium Outlets in Troutdale is a credit-based arcade — load a card and budget per kid. Figure $30–60 depending on how long they play. Open until 9PM daily, which makes it a solid late-afternoon option.
Liggle Land in Tigard mixes indoor playground with arcade games. Budget $45–65 for admission plus $5–10 per kid in arcade tokens. Budget those tokens separately — they go fast.
PlayDate PDX in NW Portland is a 4.3-rated facility with an onsite cafe. Budget $40–55 plus $10–15 for cafe purchases. The cafe makes it a good option for parents who need to sit for a while.
Sky Zone Trampoline Park Gresham is wall-to-wall trampolines. Budget $60–100 for timed sessions ($15–25 per person per hour). Grip socks required (~$3–4 if you don't have them). Weekday pricing is lower.
K1 Speed - Indoor Go Karts is the splurge pick for older kids who want real speed. Budget $100–150 for a family of 4. Races run $25–35 per heat. Minimum height requirements apply (~48–58 inches depending on kart). Buy packages online.
Animal Rides and Smaller Options
Animal Rides Happy Rides at Lloyd Center — coin-operated animal rides for toddlers and young kids. Budget $15–30. Bring coins. Lloyd Center parking is free.
The Monkey King Play House in SE Portland's Centennial area. Budget $35–55. The 3.9 rating suggests some inconsistency — call ahead before making the drive.
How to Fill a Full Rainy Day in Portland
A solid rainy day plan: morning session at an indoor play venue (2–3 hours), lunch nearby, then an afternoon at an arcade or trampoline park.
Budget version (~$55–70 for family of 4): - 9AM: City Play for Kids — get there early before the 1PM cutoff ($25–40) - 12PM: Pack lunch or grab something inexpensive nearby - 2PM: Funtastic Arcade at Columbia Gorge Outlets ($25–30 for 2 kids)
Mid-range version (~$100–130): - 10AM: Kids Empire Gresham — budget for 2+ hours ($65–90 with food) - 1PM: Lunch onsite - 3PM: Head home or catch Funtastic Arcade if everyone still has energy
Free version: - St Johns Swapnplay — free or donation-based, 1–2 hours - Pack a lunch - Afternoon at PlayDate PDX if you want a cafe and adult coffee ($40–55)
The main advice: don't wing it on a rainy Portland day. DiG PDX and the indoor play venues with time-slot systems book up by mid-morning on rainy weekends. Make a plan the night before, book what requires it, and you'll have a genuinely good day.