# Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals Dinosaur & Gem Vault > Place to go for families in the Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro area (OR / WA). Times are Pacific Time. - When: Open on its own schedule - Where: Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, 26385 NW Groveland Dr, Hillsboro, OR 97124 - Ages: All ages (Children 4 and under free) - Price: $14 adults, $9 youth (5-17); free for children 4 and under - Organizer: Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals - Official page: https://ricenorthwestmuseum.org/ - 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/rice-northwest-museum-of-rocks-and-minerals-dinosaur-and-gem-vault--listing-d22cd99075c3c2e8f3547d2f ## About Nestled in Hillsboro on a peaceful wooded estate listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals is one of the finest geological museums in the Pacific Northwest. Housed inside a handcrafted 1952 mid-century ranch home built from native Oregon myrtlewood, the museum displays over 20,000 museum-quality specimens. Children are mesmerized by the world-famous 'Alma Rose' rhodochrosite crystal from Colorado, a darkened fluorescent mineral vault that glows brilliantly under ultraviolet blacklight, authentic fossilized dinosaur eggs, and a touchable iron meteorite fallen from outer space. Outside, a rock pile allows young rockhounds to search for and keep their own rough agates and quartz crystals. Family Experience & Accessibility: • Stroller Accessibility: The ground floor and main galleries are stroller accessible via ramps; gravel walkways on the outdoor grounds are navigable with sturdy strollers. • Nursing & Rest Spots: Clean restrooms with baby changing stations in the main lobby; picnic tables and garden benches surrounded by tall trees on the lawn. • Age Suitability: Recommended for ages 3 and up; toddlers enjoy the glowing rainbow minerals and outdoor rock hunt. • Sensory Tips: The fluorescent rock room is dark with UV light which kids find magical; the museum is generally quiet and relaxed, ideal for sensory-sensitive visitors. ## Similar picks in Portland - [Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals Family Discovery Days](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/rice-northwest-museum-of-rocks-and-minerals-family-discovery-days--listing-3a6e5df0ca6ca8e3bdd85637) — Open on its own schedule · Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, Hillsboro · All ages · From $10 · checked Nov 5. Recognized as the premier mineral museum in the Pacific Northwest and an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, the Rice Northwest Museum in Hillsboro is housed within a grand… - [Pre-Zoo Lights at the Discovery Museum](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/pre-zoo-lights-at-the-discovery-museum--listing-6fedc32cd7982f245b7e51f3) — Fri, Nov 13 · 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM · Discovery Museum, World Forestry Center · From $5 · checked Nov 9. The World Forestry Center keeps its Discovery Museum open an extra hour this winter so families heading to Zoo Lights can warm up and explore forest exhibits first. Guests… - [No-School Day Camps at the North American Aerospace Museum](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/no-school-day-camps-at-the-north-american-aerospace-museum--listing-4cd9a8df6fadf17d71f1e751) — Wed, Nov 11 · 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM · NORAM Titan Pavilion, North American Aerospace Museum, McMinnville · Paid · checked Oct 28. The North American Aerospace Museum in McMinnville runs one-day camps on school days off, each built around a theme from flight and space science and held in the museum's Titan… - [World Forestry Center Discovery Museum Thanksgiving Family Days](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/world-forestry-center-discovery-museum-thanksgiving-family-days--listing-af0c9be9029689535b5402f8) — Open on its own schedule · World Forestry Center Discovery Museum · All ages · From $5 · checked Nov 5. Situated in Washington Park directly opposite the Oregon Zoo, the World Forestry Center's Discovery Museum invites families during Thanksgiving break to discover the wonders of… - [Laser K-Pop Demon Hunters — Kendall Planetarium laser show at OMSI](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/laser-k-pop-demon-hunters-kendall-planetarium-laser-show-at-omsi--listing-4aa62978b3679d3892681404) — Nov 1 – Nov 30 · 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM · Kendall Planetarium, OMSI · All ages · Paid · checked Oct 28. A 30-minute laser show in OMSI's Kendall Planetarium set to the music of the animated hit K-Pop Demon Hunters, with laser effects swirling across the dome in time to the songs… - [STEAM + Skate Day Camps at Oaks Park](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/steam-skate-day-camps-at-oaks-park--listing-587885eaa61e7ddd450a9c88) — Wed, Nov 11 (+9 more dates) · 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Oaks Park · From $40 · checked Oct 16. Oaks Park runs single-day and three-day STEAM + Skate camps on school days off. Campers in grades 1 through 8 start the morning with games and group activities, then do hands-on… ## More for families - [Things to do with kids in Hillsboro, OR](https://grassyknees.com/portland/towns/hillsboro-or) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/portland/towns/hillsboro-or.md) - [Things to do with kids in Washington County, OR](https://grassyknees.com/portland/counties/washington-county-or) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/portland/counties/washington-county-or.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)