# OMSI Thanksgiving Break STEAM Labs & Planetarium Shows

> Program for families in the Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro area (OR / WA). Times are Pacific Time.

- When: Ongoing
- Dates: Mon, Nov 23 – Sun, Nov 29
- Where: Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214
- Ages: All ages (Science Playground customized for ages 0-6)
- Price: $14 (Youth 3-13) / $19 (Adults); Children 2 and under free; Planetarium add-on $7
- Organizer: Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)
- Official page: https://omsi.edu/
- Last checked: Thu, Nov 5

Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Nov 11, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about
Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-10), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/omsi-thanksgiving-break-steam-labs-and-planetarium-shows--listing-61a414e4fa2965cd69644d95

## About

During Thanksgiving holiday break, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) along the Eastbank Esplanade hosts special hands-on family STEAM workshops, interactive maker challenges, and astronomical wonders. In the Turbine Hall, children test wind-powered turbine designs, build earthquake-resistant structures, and participate in physics drop-in labs. In the Chemistry Lab, young scientists investigate food chemistry with cranberry-juice pH indicators and yeast biology experiments. The dedicated Science Playground provides toddlers and young children with sensory sand water tables, animal discovery zones, and climbing structures, while the Kendall Planetarium presents family-friendly live star tours of the autumn night sky.

Family Experience & Accessibility:
• Stroller Accessibility: Fully ADA compliant with wide elevators between all floors, broad level exhibit hallways, and dedicated stroller parking corrals.
• Nursing & Rest Spots: Private nursing suites equipped with gliders and outlets on the second floor; family restrooms with baby changing counters throughout the museum.
• Age Suitability: Exceptional for all ages (0-14); Science Playground is customized for infants through age 6.
• Sensory Tips: Sensory kits containing noise-reducing headphones, sunglasses, and fidget items are available at the guest services desk; quiet rest seating can be found along the riverfront breezeway.

## Similar picks in Portland

- [Fall Break Camp at Sellwood Community House (Thanksgiving week)](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/fall-break-camp-at-sellwood-community-house-thanksgiving-week--listing-caa8a69c5c4472a128b428bc) — Ongoing · Sellwood Community House · Ages 5–11 · From $95 · checked Oct 30. No-school-day camp for kids in grades K–5 on the Monday and Tuesday of Thanksgiving week, with hands-on crafts, interactive games and creative activities. Register per day.
- [Trackers Earth Thanksgiving Break Camps (November Break)](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/trackers-earth-thanksgiving-break-camps-november-break--listing-e918b9a905d3103111dcb121) — Ongoing · Trackers Earth Portland (SE Brooklyn HQ) · Paid · checked Oct 30. Trackers' November break camps for grades PK–12 fill the Thanksgiving-week school days with archery, wilderness survival, crafts, blacksmithing, role-playing games and seasonal…
- [Oregon Rail Heritage Center: Holiday Express Steam Train](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/oregon-rail-heritage-center-holiday-express-steam-train--listing-f9d4276876d272a00e264624) — Nov 27 – Dec 20 · 10:00 AM · Oregon Rail Heritage Center · All ages · From $24 · checked Nov 7. Board a real historic steam train for the beloved Holiday Express along the scenic Willamette River. Pulled by the legendary 1941 Southern Pacific 4449 steam locomotive or the…
- [Cooler Camp: Dinosaur Days! (Thanksgiving break ice camp)](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/cooler-camp-dinosaur-days-thanksgiving-break-ice-camp--listing-97f371533c78289be474c1e1) — Mon, Nov 23 (+2 more dates) · 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM · Winterhawks ICE Center Sherwood · All ages · From $80 · checked Oct 14. Thanksgiving-break Cooler Camp at Winterhawks ICE Center Sherwood, November 23–25, 2026. Campers play paleontologist, uncover fossils, hunt for dinosaur eggs and play dinosaur…
- [Fall Break Camp at Garden Home Recreation Center (THPRD)](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/fall-break-camp-at-garden-home-recreation-center-thprd--listing-20298e09b99739999304cf01) — Ongoing · Garden Home Recreation Center · Ages 6–10 · From $65 · checked Oct 30. All-day camp for ages 6–10 during Beaverton's Thanksgiving-week fall break, with games, sports, arts and crafts. Daily themes: Forests in Fall (Nov 23), Campfire Stories &…
- [Fall Break Camp: Seasons Greetings art camp at Garden Home (THPRD)](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/fall-break-camp-seasons-greetings-art-camp-at-garden-home-thprd--listing-bcf984466f58808dfbf89a45) — Ongoing · Garden Home Recreation Center · Ages 6–9 · From $35 · checked Oct 30. Half-day art and craft camp for ages 6–9 over Thanksgiving-week fall break: Holiday Card Studio (Nov 23), Fall Colors painting, collage and dye (Nov 24) and Forest Fantasy…

## More for families

- [Things to do with kids at Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)](https://grassyknees.com/portland/venues/oregon-museum-of-science-and-industry-omsi) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/portland/venues/oregon-museum-of-science-and-industry-omsi.md)
- [Things to do with kids in Multnomah County, OR](https://grassyknees.com/portland/counties/multnomah-county-or) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/portland/counties/multnomah-county-or.md)
- [Thanksgiving break with kids in Portland](https://grassyknees.com/portland/thanksgiving) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/portland/thanksgiving.md)
- [Things to do with kids in Portland — November 2026](https://grassyknees.com/portland/events/2026-11) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/portland/events/2026-11.md)
- [This weekend in Portland](https://grassyknees.com/portland/this-weekend) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/portland/this-weekend.md)
- [Things to do with kids in Portland](https://grassyknees.com/portland) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/portland.md)
