Kid-Friendly PDX Shares Her Perfect Day in Vancouver with Kids

My social media platform @kid.friendly.pdx may be all about fun things to do with your kids in Portland, but I absolutely love exploring Vancouver and Southwest Washington (and feature the area a lot on Instagram and TikTok)! There are so many wonderful parks and playgrounds, kid-friendly restaurants, indoor play spaces, and don’t even get me started on the waterfront — it’s GORGEOUS! 

There’s so much to do that it’s easy to spend a whole day in the area, and that’s exactly what this itinerary is about. Read on to see what my perfect day in Vancouver with kids looks like. 

Stop One: Short & Sweet 

My family loves bubble tea, and Short & Sweet is the cutest shop. I love how customizable the drinks are (you can choose your sweetness level!) and that they offer noncaffeinated options for kiddos. There are also tons of toppings to choose from that range from traditional boba to rainbow jelly. As for food, Short & Sweet serves delicious banh mi sandwiches daily and mochi donuts Friday through Sunday. 

Stop Two: Vancouver Community Library 

I love walking to the Vancouver Community Library after grabbing a treat at Sweet & Short (it’s less than a quarter mile away). This is by far the coolest library I’ve ever been to. I’m always in awe as soon as I walk through the door and head straight to the third floor to play in the Early Learning Center. The interactive play structures are nothing short of amazing and the bright colors are mesmerizing. My kids can spend hours there, and we still never see it all.  

In addition to the sensory play structures, there’s also an area for kids to color and last time we visited my 5-year-old spent a lot of time building with magna tiles. She’s also a big fan of the play kitchen! 

Stop Three: WildFin American Grill 

After working up an appetite exploring the library, it’s time to grab some lunch at WildFin American Grill on the Vancouver Waterfront. Yes, this is an upscale restaurant, but did you know they have an epic kids’ menu? They serve children’s classics like grilled cheese and chicken strips, and the prices range from $9.99 to $11.99. The best part? They call it the “Kid’s All-Inclusive,” which means every meal comes with a starter (veggie sticks), entree, beverage and ice cream sundae for dessert. For adults, they offer a wide range of seafood favorites and a lunch menu. 

If the weather’s nice, taking a walk along the waterfront is a must — the views are incredible — and my kids love playing in the splash pad during the summer. The splash pad is an artistic mapping of the Columbia River, with a wading area and cascading water feature that ebbs and flows. I love admiring the real river while they splash in the replica. 

Stop Four: City Play For Kids 

There are a lot of amazing indoor play spaces in the Vancouver area, but my family’s go-to is City Play For Kids. My children are two and five, and I love how open the space is so I can easily keep an eye on and play with both even if they’re doing separate activities. It’s designed for ages one through eight, which is also great for parents of multiple children with a large age gap. 

Owners Greg and Laura Silva pour their hearts into what they do, and it shows. The space is centered in imaginative play and features storefronts like a cafe, vet, grocery store, fire station and house. They’re always rotating out toys and sensory activities and creating thematic play based on seasons and holidays, like a pumpkin patch in the fall and gingerbread playhouse in the winter. They even collaborated with Burgerville in the past and transformed their cafe into a play version of the iconic Pacific Northwest eatery.   

Stop Five: Oak Tree Station 

Oak Tree Station is a short drive away from City Play For Kids and a great family friendly option for dinner. This food cart park is massive. There are 20 carts on-site that offer a variety of cuisines including some great seafood (Pan Roast), burgers (The Cravory) and my favorite Portland restaurant-turned-food-cart (Montage A La Cart). With so many options, there’s bound to be something even the pickiest eater will like. 

While the amount of food options is a selling point for me, what really makes Oak Tree Station stand out from other food cart parks is its natural play area. Kids can play on a log climber, rope ladder and giant tunnel while adults leisurely supervise at a nearby picnic table shaded by the majestic namesake oak tree. There’s also a large grassy field next to the play area that boasts a cornhole setup and is the perfect place for kids to practice kicking a soccer ball or doing cartwheels. 

There’s plenty of indoor seating for when the weather is less than ideal. Inside, you’ll also find a beer and wine bar (Taps at Oak Tree Station), ice cream shop (Ice Cream Renaissance) and dessert shop (GiGi-Doux). 

After a day like this, it’s easy to see why the Vancouver area has become one of my favorite family destinations. From playful mornings and scenic afternoons to delicious meals and cozy spots to unwind, this city has everything families need for a full day of fun and connection. There’s always something new to discover and I can’t wait to plan our next adventure across the river! 

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