Children playing on a playground near a body of water with a boat and trees in the background.

activities for kids

Fun for the whole family

Designed for all ages, with space to run, play, and cool off, and plenty of places to grab a bite or a snack, Waterfront Park makes it easy to spend time outdoors —especially with kids.

Most families spend one to three hours exploring, so bring a picnic blanket and your appetite.

People enjoying a sunny day at a waterfront park with a fountain and trees, surrounded by modern buildings and a bridge in the background.

What You’ll Find

  • Designed for all ages

  • Open green space, picnic areas, and river views

  • Play areas and seasonal splash pad  

  • Leashed pets welcome

Play

  • Make a splash at the Headwaters Wall—an interactive bronze map of the Columbia River watershed that doubles as a splash pad on warm days

  • Build sandcastles at the urban beach area along the riverfront

  • Run and play on open lawns perfect for picnics and games

Explore

  • Spy cargo ships, speedboats, and the occasional floatplane from the Grant Street Pier

  • Learn about the history of the Columbia River Watershed

  • Watch airplanes take off from the nearby airfield

eat

  • Grab a bite at What a Catch, a walk-up fish and chips window by WildFin. An easy stop for lunch, a snack, or a casual family dinner

  • Scoop up specialty small-batch ice cream at Salt & Straw or let the milkshake masters at The Yard Milkshake Barbuild your perfect over-the-top sundae

People, including children, gathered at a park near a modern building with large glass windows during daytime. Some are near a shallow water feature, while others are sitting or standing on the landscaped area with trees and outdoor seating.
Outdoor seating area at Wild Earth, with people sitting at tables, and a modern building with wood and concrete exterior in the background.
A playground with children and adults, featuring a red net climbing structure on a blue rubber surface, surrounded by green trees and park benches, with modern buildings in the background.
A diverse group of people, including children and adults, are enjoying a sunny day near a water feature with tiered concrete platforms for children to play and splash water. In the background, there is a modern building with large glass windows, red umbrellas on a patio, and a large sailboat mast with rigging, suggesting a waterfront setting.
A man and a young boy playing in the sand on a beach, with a row of concrete blocks nearby and lush green bushes behind them. In the background, there's a river with a bridge crossing over it under a clear blue sky.