Having a baby is a life changing event and eventually it’s good to get out of the house even if it means taking baby along! I’ve personally attended many of the below activities and compiled my list ensuring that they are 100% free. If there are changes to the free status or if there are any other classes/events that I am missing please feel free to contact me. This list is current as of February 2019.
Take a Trial Class
Lots of places have a free demonstration class for a new family! Some places that offer this for babies are Gymboree, MyGym, the Little Gym, Music Together, and Fit4Mom.
It’s a great way to try things you and your baby might like prior to possibly enrolling in a new activity!
Movies
During the Summer months there are free movies on the big screen for families!
Summer Movies in the Park (Portland Parks and Recreation)
Flicks on Bricks at Pioneer Square
Once a month Village Ballroom offers a free family movie night (events usually post on their facebook page)
Music
Donation based kid bands such as Red Yarn and Uncle Ben perform weekly at the Village Ballroom NE Woodlawn and TaborSpace SE Mt Tabor
Know Thy Food in the Brooklyn Neighborhood has donation based kids bands 10:30 on weekdays
Hiking
Some good places to go with a stroller or carrier are Mt Tabor, Laurelhurst Park, Hoyt Arboretum, and Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden (Free Mondays).
Close-in and “easy” hiking parks with a carrier are Oaks Bottom, Tryon Park, Tualatin Hills Nature Park, and Forest Park.
Hike it Baby is a group that organizes local hikes. They have a 30 day free trial but it is a subscription cost afterwards. Another free option is to join Facebook groups that have organized events!
Online Groups
These Facebook groups are active as of February 2019. They have weekly or monthly events that include playdates and free meetups to and are a great way to get support and make parent friends!
Portland Area First Time Moms and Partners
Peanut App A Free “Tinder” or “Match.com” for mom friends, organized by location you can swipe if you are interested in another mom & baby’s profile and if there is a match then you can contact the mom to plan a playdate!
Support Groups
Most hospitals/insurances offer support groups such as Legacy Emmanuel, Kaiser, and Providence. Some insurances cover the first classes while others give them at a discounted rate.
Milagros NE Concordia
Portland Doula Love (birth to three months) N Overlook
New Seasons N Boise, SE Woodstock, Happy Valley
Baby Blues Support Group For those with postpartum and perinatal mood disorders
Baby Story Time
Book Babies Multnomah County libraries have free events for the public daily. They start with some singing and reading and then have 30 minutes or so of open playtime. Any age welcome but recommended for 4 months and up to really get the most out of it, although I started going when A was 3 months to get us out of the house. There are also programs for Clackamas County and Washington County.
Children’s Place Bookstore Thursdays 10:30 AM Storytime
Green Bean Books Baby Story Time & Musical Story Times
Splash Pads & Fun Parks
Westmoreland Nature Play SE Westmoreland
Pirate Park/Morgan’s Run NW Bethany
Harper’s Playground N Arbor Lodge
Dawson Park N Boise
Discovery Park NE Gateway
Ed Benedict Park SE Powellhurst
Miscellaneous
Nest Indoor Playground is free for kids under 1
Belmont Goats visit the local goat herd on Saturdays and Sundays from 11-2 (weather dependent)
