Looking for family-friendly things to do around Salem, Oregon? There are plenty of places in and around Salem that offer fun, creativity, and connection for kids of all ages. We’ve rounded up some of the top local spots where families can laugh, learn, and make memories together.
Gilbert House Children’s Museum
Since 1989, Gilbert House Children’s Museum has been sparking hands-on learning and imaginative play. Located in Salem’s Riverfront Park and housed in beautifully restored historic homes, the museum features 16 engaging STEAM exhibits indoors (including a vet clinic, green-screen theater, and engineering studio) and a massive 20,000-square-foot Outdoor Discovery Area with climbing structures, slides, and the world’s tallest Erector Set tower. There’s always something new to discover at Gilbert House!
Salem’s Riverfront Carousel
A visit to Salem’s Riverfront Park isn’t complete without a ride on the Riverfront Carousel. This non-profit attraction was entirely hand-built by community volunteers and artists, and it’s home to hand-carved and painted wooden horses, mythical creatures, and local wildlife.
In addition to carousel rides, the space also hosts birthday parties, seasonal events, and carving demonstrations that highlight the heart behind the project. The carousel has become a favorite for families with its classic charm, affordable pricing, and playful atmosphere.
Athletic Edge Adventure Park
Athletic Edge Adventure Park is a nonprofit indoor destination that brings families together through active play. With a 3-story play structure (complete with slides, a zip line, ball-pit tower, and toddler village), a 9-hole mini golf course, arcade-style table games, shuffleboard, corn hole, and 8-ball pool, there’s a fun activity for every age group.
The space has its own café which serves pizza, espresso, and local beer, wine, or cider for parents. Private party rooms, themed celebration packages, and preschool enrichment camps or classes are also available!
Get Air Trampoline Park
Ready to bounce? Get Air Trampoline Park in Salem is here to provide high-energy entertainment that’s perfect for active families. The park has activities and events for all ages, including wall-to-wall trampolines, a dodgeball court, slam dunk basketball lanes, long tumbling tracks, foam pits, a ninja-style obstacle course, and a “Little Air” zone for younger jumpers under 46 inches.
Enchanted Forest
Step into a fairytale at Enchanted Forest, a storybook theme park that feels as magical as its name. Spread across 20 acres of forested hillside, the park is divided into imaginative zones (Storybook Lane, Tofteville Western Town, and the Old European Village) where kids can explore fairy-tale scenes, animatronics, slides, miniature trains, and themed rides.
Enchanted Forest is a seasonal attraction, open weekends in spring and daily during the summer (through Labor Day). As a special tradition for many generations, Enchanted Forest has had Oregon families coming back again and again since 1971.
Salem Public Library
Offering more than just books, the Salem Public Library is also a family-friendly space where kids can explore, learn, and play. The library hosts free weekly storytimes, including sessions for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers that feature songs, rhymes, and interactive fun. Inside the Discovery Room, little ones can engage with educational toys and hands-on activities, while the Tiny Tots Play Spot offers space for open play and social connection. During the summer, their “Level Up at Your Library” reading challenge motivates young readers with fun goals and prizes!
Kroc Center
At the Salem Kroc Center, there’s an activity for every member of the family. Kids can climb the 33-foot rock wall, play a game of HORSE in the gym, or splash around the indoor pool! For little ones, the Kroc hosts Toddler Time twice a week, which provides safe, open play in the gym for kids under 6. They also offer Kroc Tots swim lessons to help build water confidence at an early age. Older kids can take part in Fit Kids classes, after-school programs, and themed day camps that mix swimming, crafts, climbing, and more. With programs designed for all ages, the Kroc Center is a go-to destination for active fun year-round.
Willamette Heritage Center
The Willamette Heritage Center brings local history to life across its five-acre campus of 14 historic buildings, including the 1841 Jason Lee House and the 1896 Thomas Kay Woolen Mill. Families can explore exhibits on pioneer life, early industry, and cultures through hands-on galleries, period rooms, and guided self-tours.
The Center also offers Backpack Buddies activity packs and Family Fun Friday events, featuring puzzle-solving, discovery, themed crafts, and storytelling. With field trips, summer workshops, rotating exhibits, and affordable admission (free for kids 5 and under), it’s a place where children and parents can walk through Salem’s history together.
Northern Lights Theatre Pub
For an easy, affordable family movie night, Northern Lights Theatre Pub checks all the boxes. With matinee screenings and “No School” showings throughout holidays and summer, it’s perfect for kids and families looking to catch a movie during the day. The three-screen venue offers table-side food and drink service so you don’t miss a moment. Ticket prices stay reasonable at $7 matinees, $9 evenings, and just $5 on Mondays and Tuesdays (and little ones under 2 get in free). With special accessibility features like open-caption and sensory-friendly showings, Northern Lights makes it easy for every family to enjoy a trip to the movies.
Wunderland Salem
The recently opened Wunderland—located at 1010 Hawthorne Ave SE in the former Costco building—brings a fresh entertainment option to Salem. The 29,000-square-foot venue features multi-level go-kart racing, pixel games, an immersive laser tag arena (coming soon), and an arcade with nearly 100 nickel-play video and redemption games. Admission is budget-friendly, with special mid-week discounts. Guests can complete their waivers online before arriving to save time at the door.
Pietro’s Pizza & Pirate Adventure
A Salem favorite since 1957, Pietro’s Pizza offers more than just their signature thin-crust pies. The Salem Pietro’s also boasts a glowing Pirate Adventure Laser Tag arena, a 3D blacklight indoor mini-golf course, and a lively Gallery of Games filled with video, redemption, and skill games. With great pizza, affordable activities, and a laid-back atmosphere, Pietro’s is a local classic for families looking to enjoy food and play all in one place.
Hallie Ford Museum of Art
Located just steps from the State Capitol, the Hallie Ford Museum of Art has welcomed families since 1998 into its 27,000‑sq‑ft space filled with regional and global artwork. The museum offers a seasonal family gallery guide called “The Hunt is On!”, where kids and adults work together to solve art-themed clues and explore the permanent collections.
Six rotating galleries display everything from Native American pieces to contemporary Pacific Northwest work, making it easy to visit again and again. Admission is free for guests 17 and younger!
Create A Memory
Create A Memory is downtown Salem’s first paint-your-own pottery and fused glass studio, and it’s a perfect stop for a hands-on family outing. Open six days a week with no reservations needed for small groups, the studio offers pottery painting, glass fusing, birthday party packages, and summer camps. With an extensive selection of bisque, glazes, and glass, it’s easy to customize your project and take home a personalized masterpiece once it’s kiln-fired.
When it comes to family fun in Salem, there’s no shortage of things to do. These local attractions have a variety of ways to stay active and engaged while keeping smiles on everyone’s faces! Support local and plan your next family outing with these fun-filled spots in mind.
