Family Fun

Elementary

Elementary-age kids delight in spotting snakes and bald eagles at Mount Pisgah Arboretum in Eugene. For in-town kayaking, rent one at Alton Baker Park and paddle the Alton Baker Canoe Canal. Everyone loves a good round of mini golf at Camp Putt Adventure Golf Park. Springfield’s living-history farm at Dorris Ranch and the bike path leading to Clearwater Park are great for wandering, and skateboarders can practice new tricks at Springfield Willamalane Skatepark. South of Eugene, swim at Dorena Reservoir and take on the Row River Trail by bike or rollerblades. On the way to the Oregon Coast, Sweet Creek Falls offers no less than 11 waterfalls. Head north for tide pools and agate hunting around Cape Perpetua. 

For seasonal fun, don’t miss the haunted hayride through Willamalane Park and Recreation in Springfield. Pick up pumpkins in fall at Northern Lights Christmas Tree Farm — and then return to cut your own Christmas tree in December.

When the days turn cooler, indoor play beckons. In Eugene bouncing reaches new heights at DEFY trampoline park. Budding scientists will love Eugene Science Center and the Museum of Natural and Cultural History, while young designers might head over to MECCA: Materials Exchange Community Center for Arts for a drop-in recycled-art workshop.

Tweens and Teens

For plenty of independent exploration, there are 17 miles (27.4 km) of trails around 1,518-foot (462.7-m) Mt. Pisgah and a 1.7-mile loop to 2,058-foot Spencer Butte’s boulder-strewn peak. Junior cyclists will adore the flat, fast 12-mile (19.3-km) Ruth Bascom Riverbank Path System and dirt trails around Oakridge. South of Cottage Grove, walk behind a waterfall for the perfect selfie at Upper Trestle Creek Falls trail. In Florence, an afternoon on horseback exploring beach trails with C&M Stables or surfing Sand Master Park’s dunes on a sandboard make vacation memories. Other fun includes paddling the Siltcoos River Canoe Trail to the ocean, rafting the McKenzie River or hiking through a lava flow at Dee Wright Observatory. Aspiring veterinarians should tour the wooded aviaries of Eugene’s Cascades Raptor Center, which rehabs majestic birds like hawks and owls.

Winter activities include snowshoeing to Salt Creek Falls, downhill skiing at Willamette Pass and cross-country skiing at Gold Lake Sno-Park. For the perfect wintry weekend, head east and snowshoe between Koosah Falls and Sahalie Falls, then soak in Belknap Hot Springs.

The fun doesn’t stop outdoors. Older kids enjoy tackling the elements at Crux Rock Gym and Elevation Bouldering Gym. Discover classic pinball games at Blairally Vintage Arcade and Level Up Arcade, and puzzle your way out of Escape the Room Oregon in Springfield. Vault Dance Studio offers youth the opportunity to learn ballroom dancing!