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Best Places for Families (Spring/Summer)

Best Places for Families in Seattle
Lake Sammamish Park Beach


Seattle is full of parks, beaches, and outdoor recreation to keep you busy all summer long. Here is a list of our favorite things to do.

1. Kid-friendly Hikes. Check out Tiger Mountain, Cougar Mountain, and Discovery Park for a variety of trails perfect for everyone in the family.

2. Water Parks. Put the bathing suits on and head out to Bellevue's Crossroads Water Park or Auburn's Les Gove park for some water fun.

3. Wild Waves. Want slides too? Wild Waves is located in Federal Way and guarantees fun times for the whole family.

4. Beaches. The city is full of great beaches for swimming and building sand castles, such as Lake Sammamish beach, Medina Beach, Alki Beach, Madison Park beach.

5. Playgrounds. Our favorite Eastside playgrounds are at the Lewis Creek Park, Grass Lawn Park, and the Bellevue Downtown Park. Our Seattle favorites are Magnolia Park, Volunteer Park, and Denny Park. 

6. Animals & Wildlife. Spend the day at Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo, or go to a smaller zoo in Issaquah, Cougar Mountain Zoo. Tacoma's Point Defiance Zoo also has great views and an Aquarium. Or take a drive to Tenino for the Wolf Haven, or to Eatonville for the Northwestrek & Wildlife Park, or go for a whale-watching tour in the San Juan Island.

7. Green Lake. Bring the bikes and rollerblades to Green Lake and spend the day people watching, playing in the kids' pool, or renting kayaks and row boats.

8. Seattle Center. Spend the day at the Seattle Center relaxing by the International Fountain and the gardens, playing games and rides in the amusement park, visiting the Pacific Science Center and Children's Museums, and taking the elevator up to the top of the Space Needle.

9. Farms. Take the kids to a farm to visit with the animals, pick some fresh produce, or hang out in the farm's amusement park. Some of our favorite farms are: The South 47 farm, Bryant Blueberry Farm, and Remlinger Farm. The Kelsey Creek farm in Bellevue has tons of farm animals, a playground, and summer camps.

10. Boating. Rent a canoe or a kayak at Enatai park in Bellevue or at the Agua Verde Cafe & Paddle Club in Seattle.


Best Places for Families (Fall/Winter)

Best Places for Families in Seattle


Whether it's raining or snowing, there is lots to do indoors and outdoors in the Emerald City. Here are some of our favorite things to do.

1. Kid Museums. Visit the Children's Museum or the Pacific Science Center at the Seattle Center. Or head out to Bellevue and visit the Kids Quest Museum in Bellevue Mall - great for tots and bigger kids (It's free on Friday nights). Bainbridge Island also has the Kids Discovery Museum. See all Seattle Museums.

2. Performing Arts. Attend a live performance at one of Seattle's theatres. If you have little ones, some theatres offer a family room that you can hide out at and watch the show when your little one gets fussy. If you prefer a movie, check out some movie venues in and around Seattle.

3. Story Times. These are usually for the under 5 crowd, but are loads of fun for the whole family. Check out the King County Library System, or your county's libraries for programs. Also, Barnes and Noble, Borders, and Pottery Barn Kids all offer weekly story times.

4. Take a Class. Check out our list of kid and adult classes.

5. Snow Sports. Take a drive to Stevens Pass, The Summit at Snoqualmie, or Crystal Mountain for some sledding, snowshoeing, skiing, snowboarding, and more fun winter activities. Keep an eye out for good deals (Tip: kids 10 and under ski for free at Crystal Mountain in 09/10 ski season).

6. Indoor Playgrounds. Bellevue Square's third floor hosts a Kids Cove playground, just for kids. A great playground for all ages.

7. University Village Playdays. U-Village hosts a playday every Tuesday at 10 a.m. with story times, crafts, and activities for kids. They also hand out a special passes with special offers to select villages shops and restaurants.