Pump It Up

Pump It Up is an exciting place to play all year round, but since it has been rainy, I thought I would check out this weeks pop in play time.  In addition, my family and I have played six or more times and purchased a punch card, so we had a free playtime! If you want a discount and plan to visit 10 or more times, you too can purchase one punch card, per kid, for $60.00.  I know that can be a bit speedy so an additional way to save is to watch out for specials offered via Groupon.  Another way I’ve found savings at Pump It Up is my kids have never gotten sick after any play time! (Getting sick can cost time, money and a lot of extra parental energy!) Therefore, I love Pump It Up because kids hands get sanitized before jumping.  Another great thing about Pump It Up is they offer a Sensory Night every third Wednesday of each month for kids with special needs. They also have a Jump ‘N Lights Out available on the weekends, camps and great birthday parties. The only difficult thing about Pump it Up is if you haven’t been there, it can be confusing to locate the first time. There are actually two locations one designed for littler ones (6 and under) and then the one I’m specifically blogging about is designed for ages 12 and under.  Pump It Up Jr. is close to Oregon Gymnastic’s Academy and the non-junior location is in the Allen II Business Park.  We’ve never been to Pump It Up Jr., but have had loads of fun at the Allen location.  Even I love going down the big slide, which seems to be the big hit along with the obstacle course.  I specifically enjoy the lay out of Pump It Up off Allen, as there are two back-to-back rooms that are designed well with room to play and parents may sit on benches in each room or jump for free!  To lay out specific details of Pump It Up’s inflatable section each room consists of 3 large bounce houses.  One room has the popular big slide, a large round bouncy house, and then a good-sized basketball inflatable, with two hoops.  The other room has a smaller slide, fun obstacle course, and a regular bouncy house.  There are drinking fountains along with a vending machine outside in the lobby if your jumper needs a snack or extra hydration.  There is also a relaxing massage chair for parents, as well as an air hockey and two arcade activities for an extra charge. Overall, Pump It Up is a great place to play when your kids are bouncing off the walls and you desire to sit and see their jumping faces or join in the fun yourself.

Click on maps for directions to the Allen location. In addition, click on Pump It Up’s website for other specific detailed directions.

Click on maps for the Jr. location. In addition, click on Pump It Up Jr.’s website for other specific detailed directions.

George Foege Park

If you want to go to the most peaceful park in Portland, go to George Foege Park! However, I don’t know if the actual playground is in Portland or Beaverton?  The Foege Park trail starts in Portland according to Map My Run, and the playground is in the Cedar Hill area. Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation doesn’t even show that the playground exists, but it does!  If you end up driving to George Foege playground, you will need to park either on NW Leahy (which one side of the street is almost completely marked with no parking signs) or 112th Ave.  I suggest turning east on Leahy from Cedar Hills Blvd., and then turn right on 112th Ave., and park up the hill.  You should see a beautiful wooden bridge, and once you cross the bridge, you will immediately see the playground. It is small, but the trees and the grassy area are stunning.  It is like a tucked away private park.  It won’t entertain older kids for long, but it is perfect for a peaceful time running in the grass or if you have young pre-school or early elementary children.  It is primarily fenced in, but does have a walk way from Cedar Hills Blvd. (So be careful on the one side that kids don’t get close to Cedar Hills Blvd! That is a busy street.  That is why there is a bridge to get to the park.)  Overall, there isn’t much else to say except the presence and awe of this park seems worth checking out.  We will definitely return when I am in need of a quiet day. So relax, and enjoy Playing in Portland.

I think you should follow my brief instructions over the map, but it will give you a general location. Click here for a map to George Foege Park.

Center Street Park

Every now and then it is nice to go to a low-key park, and Center Street Park is a definitely a friendly low-key park.  I had never been to Center Street Park, and I’m grateful my friend introduced me, because I plan on returning.  The play structure isn’t large, but it is just the right size for your kid(s) to get some energy out.  Plus there is plenty of open grass to play and a nice walking path that your kids could run around.  I don’t recall seeing a bathroom, but the park is near a Fred Meyer on Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy, as well as a Learning Palace.  You may want to stop by Fred Meyer or the Learning Palace and pick up chalk, bubbles or a ball (I actually keep these things in my car all summer long) to entertain your children for longer so you can talk with a friend. The last thing to mention about Center Street Park is it is tucked away in a quaint neighborhood and is almost entirely fenced in.  Overall, It really makes for an easy play date.  So text a friend, tell them about Playing in Portland, and set up a time to play!

Click on THPRD to see Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation’s description of Center Street Park.

You may click on maps for directions to Center Street Park. However, those directions lead you to park your vehicle on Center Street and walk a path.  I prefer parking on the corner of SW Denfield St and SW Mercer Terrace.