Community center play areas. Twenty of Seattle's community centers boast "toddler play areas," indoor play rooms equipped with enough toys, slides, cars (and other kids) that it adds up to a dream outing for only $3. Shoreline also offers an affordable indoor playground seven days a week.
Space to Create in Seattle. This small, light-filled Ballard studio, located in a green-painted brick building in one of those funky Seattle business districts you’d never find if you didn’t know the name, offers open studio times for preschoolers and/or elementary-age kids. Uwajimaya in Seattle. A trip to the flagship Seattle store in the International District can be a cheap date or an all-out rainy day shopping trip. Snack on bubble tea and noodles; browse manga and Hello Kitty! doodads; and wander aisles stocked with a staggering selection of fruits, vegetables and snacks from Japan and other Asian countries. The Burke Museum Wander through a hands-on exhibit that traces Washington state’s past natural history and check out the “oh wow” mastodon skeleton. First Thursdays are free and most weekends feature family fun activities. Ride the Ducks You haven’t seen Seattle until you’ve seen it from a Duck! Local Seattle-ites and travelers of all ages love Ride the Ducks! Our hilarious, Coast Guard-certified maritime Captains will take you on a fun-filled, musical tour of Seattle. Amphibious World War II vehicles will show you Seattle from both land and water! You’ll see the Seattle waterfront, historic Pioneer Square, the downtown shopping district and Pike Place Market! Then, SPLASH into the water for a party on wheels that floats! Ballard Pool has a spa/warm water area, a slide and rope swing. Check the schedule for family and tot swim times. |
PlayDate SEA A recently opened space in the super-happening area of South Lake Union, PlayDate SEA boasts a 8,500-square-foot Undersea/Atlantis-themed, multi-level play structure with slides, tubes, tunnels and balancing challenges; and a cafe with a diverse menu. Tip: Admission is free the last Wednesday of every month with donation of 2 canned goods.
Woodland Park Zoo Here's a great deal: On select rainy days, the zoo offers a 50 percent "rain discount." Check the Rainy Day Discount page to see if it's on. Also, download a rainy day map so you can hit all of the zoo’s indoor exhibits if it pours. Seattle Aquarium Seals, tide pools, octopus-feeding, starfish-touching: The Aquarium is incredibly dependable as a source of indoor fun and learning for babies and older kids alike. The Children’s Museum, It’s worth the admission fee at The Children’s Museum, Seattle, just to hang out for awhile in the recently retooled Imagination Studio. You’ll find well-organized, well-stocked art stations here: clay play, recycled-materials sculptures, metal embossing and other projects. Plus, pay-as-you-can for the last hour each day. Greenlake Park one of Seattle’s most beloved parks. Its expanse of water and green space in the center of a dense urban neighborhood draws thousands of people daily from all over the city. The park serves as a natural preserve for hundreds of species of trees and plants, as well as numerous birds and waterfowl. The newly reconstructed 2.8-mile path around the lake provides a perfect recreational spot for runners, bikers, skaters and walkers. Many others use the athletic fields or visit the park for boating, picnics and swimming. |
Seattle Gymnastics Academy indoor playground. If you've got ages 5 and under, head to the Seattle Gymnastics Academy in Lake City, Ballard or Columbia City for their indoor play time. With tons of props to jump off off, a foam pit, and much more, you are guaranteed a huge nap later that day.
Pacific Science Center When the cloud cover is thick, there’s nothing like getting an eyeful of the starry night sky in the Willard Planetarium. There's also a new-ish Professor Wellbody health-focused exhibit, an IMAX theater and much more. Museum of Flight Take a spin in a two-seat flight simulator or tour a real Concorde and other iconic aircraft in the Airpark. Check out the awesome new Space Shuttle Trainer exhibit. Free the first Thursday of the month, from 5-9 p.m. Seattle Art Museum The museum’s entry hall features real cars, hung from the ceiling, that seem to be catapulting through the space. Don’t miss the Art Ladder, located in the south building, which features kid-friendly art installations. Another draw for families is the refurbished children’s play area, the Knudsen Family Room on the third floor. This quiet nook, with windows that look down on a busy streetscape, is beautifully designed and filled with outstanding play and educational materials for kids. Free the first Thursday of the month and kids under age 12 are free every day. Golden Gardens Park Located in Ballard on Puget Sound, this popular park offers extraordinary views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. Frye Art Museum Free all the time, the Frye has excellent exhibits, a Small Frye story time the first Friday of every month, led by Seattle Children's Theatre actors, and other family activities. |