Portland Children's Museum

The Portland Children's Museum was a children's facility in Portland, Oregon with various hands-on learning areas. Its attractions included a clay studio, a miniature theater, a pretend grocery store, and an interactive veterinary clinic for young visitors.

The facility was founded in 1946 and served families for 75 years until its permanent closure in 2021. Financial pressure during the pandemic ultimately led to the museum's shutdown.

The museum displayed rotating exhibits inspired by children's books, featuring interactive scenes from stories like The Snowy Day and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. Visitors could engage directly with familiar tales and explore them through hands-on play.

The location was easily accessible and attracted around 250,000 visitors annually before closing. Families should note that the facility is no longer operational, though similar child-friendly spaces are available in nearby communities such as Vancouver, Beaverton, and Tigard.

After closure, the Columbia Play Project launched a mobile play truck service to continue offering learning opportunities to children. The project is working toward establishing a permanent facility expected to open by 2026.

Location: Oregon

Inception: 1946

Website: http://portlandcm.org

GPS coordinates: 45.50850,-122.71800

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:49