Looking for fun things to do with kids in Seattle this month? We saved you some precious free time by doing the legwork to create an epic list of all the kid-friendly activities you can do in Seattle, from the obvious (duh, the aquarium!) to the not-so-obvious. Whether you’re just visiting or grew up here, we bet there is something on this list that may surprise you. The best part is that many of these activities are budget-friendly or even free!
1. Enjoy free museum admission on First Thursday
Many Seattle museums and attractions waive admission for First Thursday. If it’s nice out, you may want to skip the museums and go view the fall foliage at Seattle Japanese Garden for free. Some have restricted hours or require reservations, so read our guide to free museum admission in Seattle before you go.
2. Play at the new Waterfront Park
Part of the 20-acre Waterfront Park that is made up piers, a beach, and a promenade, this new playground has a giant jellyfish structure that kids will love to climb. There’s also a mini playground with a view on the Overlook Walk. Read more about Seattle’s new Waterfront Park.
3. Free cultural festivals at Seattle Center
Seattle Center has free cultural festivals year-round. They’re all free and suitable for all ages. This November, you can enjoy food, music, and performances at these festivals.
4. Explore Bubble Planet
This family-friendly immersive exhibition uses VR technology to create a world of bubbles. It takes about an hour to go through the 10 different themed rooms. Get tickets here!
5. Book a free aquarium visit with your library card
If you have a Seattle or King County library card, you can sign up for a free visit to the Seattle Aquarium. (Plus, children age three and under always get free admission.) Curious how it works? Read more about the Seattle Public Library Museum Pass.
6. Indoor tot gym drop-in at Seattle community centers
If you have a toddler in need of a free indoor play space on rainy days, you can utilize the drop-in tot gyms at various Seattle community centers! See the locations and hours of Seattle’s toddler indoor play areas here.
7. Unleash your inner monster at this glow-in-the-dark miniature golf course, just minutes away from Seattle
Looking for some family fun? You can bring the kiddos (and the adults!) at Monster Mini Golf in Bellevue for an exciting day on the course! Featuring animated monsters across 18 holes, a thrilling arcade, bowling, VR and a laser maze, Monster Mini Golf is truly entertainment central. The entire adventure is set to their very own radio station, W.I.R.D. Radio, so you can dance to your favorite tunes as you beat your best score. Book your spot right here!
8. Visit the Seattle Children’s Museum
Conveniently located at Seattle Center, the Seattle Children’s Museum is best for babies and kids up to 10 years old. Babies under the age of one have free admission. Your ticket grants you all-day admission, with re-entry included, so your little one can explore all the educational and hands-on exhibits at their own pace and you can even take a break to go get a bite to eat.
9. Go inside the Seattle Spheres
The Seattle Spheres are open to all ages and free to visit. Inside you’ll find a lush indoor garden kept at a balmy temperature of 70-something degrees year-round. There’s also a donut store inside! Just keep in mind that you have to reserve your entrance in advance.
10. Take advantage of daily free museum admission for kids
Many Seattle museums have daily free admission for children. These include:
- Seattle Art Museum (free for age 14 and under)
- Museum of Flight (free for age 4 and under)
- Museum of History and Industry (free for age 14 and under)
- Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture (free for age 3 and under)
- Seattle Asian Art Museum (free for age 14 and under)
- Museum of Pop Culture (free for age 4 and under)
- Henry Art Gallery (children of all ages are admitted free; adult admission is a suggested donation)
- Frye Art Museum (always free for all ages—plus check out their free activities and events on their website)
If you don’t want to have to purchase a ticket for yourself to accompany your kids, you can also check out our guides to Seattle museums’ free admission days and using the library’s Museum Pass.
11. Visit the Seattle library
The Seattle Central Library, located downtown, is always worth a visit for its striking architectural design and beautiful 11-story interior. It’s also a blessing for parents because it’s open seven days a week and you’ll find free parking, free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning on hot days, plenty of restrooms, and a children’s center. You can also visit one of the many other branches of the Seattle Public Library; they have nearly 30 locations throughout Seattle and many of them offer programs such as free story time.
12. Go to a Candlelight concert
If you know your kid is at the right age to sit through an hour-long concert, Seattle has a Candlelight Concert series that would be a really special treat for older kids who love music.
13. Visit a classic Seattle diner
A cozy, laidback meal at a diner is the perfect thing to do with kids. Luna Park Cafe in West Seattle is particularly kid-friendly but you can see our full list of the best Seattle diners here.
Looking for more dining options? Here are some of our favorite kid-friendly Seattle restaurants and cafes:
- Easy Street Records & Cafe in West Seattle: grab brunch with your kid and then take them record shopping!
- Muriel’s in Seward Park: it’s located inside Third Place Books so afterwards you can browse the bookstore and then swing by the Seward Park playground.
- Serendipity Cafe in Magnolia has a dedicated kids’ play space.
- Cafe Arta inside Third Place Books Ravenna.
14. Shop for a new toy at Seattle’s children’s stores
We know that sometimes it can be a real roll of the dice to walk into a toy store with your kid in tow. That said, if it’s a special treat day or you know you can trust your kid to keep their chill when surrounded by cool toys for sale, here are our recommendations for the best children’s stores in Seattle:
- Archie McPhee in Wallingford is a kids’ paradise, with tons of funny toys, games, and gag items.
- Bootyland in Capitol Hill is the place to go for ethical, sustainable kids’ toys and clothes.
- Thistle & Poppy in Capitol Hill has unique clothes, toys, and gifts for kids as well as stylish goods for adults.
- Flora and Henri in Pioneer Square has a very sophisticated (and often high-priced) vibe, so this may be a place to take older kids.
- Magic Mouse Toys in Pioneer Square is a two-story space absolutely packed with a wide variety of toys, games, books, puzzles, and more.
- Fremont Vintage Mall in Fremont is not technically for children, but if they’re old enough to be careful they’ll have lots of fun browsing the vintage posters, toys, and knick-knacks.
- Portage Bay Goods in Fremont is a quirky little gift shop with enough fun items to interest older children.
- The Original Children’s Shop in Madison Park is a great place to shop for clothes for your little one.
Also, if you’re shopping for your kiddo on a budget you’ll find a great selection of pre-owned children’s clothes, toys and gear at Childish Things in Greenwood and Kym’s Kiddy Corner in Phinney Ridge.
15. Ice skate at the Kraken Community Iceplex
Home to the Seattle Kraken, the Kraken Community Iceplex is a great place to spend the day with kids. The rink opens to all ages for public skate sessions over lunch hours, weekends and evenings, and kids age 4 and under get to skate for free (not including the cost of skate rentals).
You can also register for Tot Play Hour, which is $12 for adults and free for kids age 6 and under (not including the cost of skate rentals).
Afterwards you can grab a bite with your kiddo at the family-friendly 32 Bar & Grill located in the Iceplex.
16. Join a Seattle art walk
If you have an older kid with an appreciation for art, take them on a Seattle art walk. Once a month, a handful of Seattle neighborhoods invite you to walk through participating galleries and businesses to view art for free. You can read more about the various Seattle art walks and their schedules. Note that they all have evening start times.
17. Explore Pike Place Market
There’s so much you can do with kids at Pike Place Market year-round! Introduce your kids to Rachel, the bronze pig. Let them stick a piece of gum onto the Gum Wall. Take them to watch the fish fly, explore all the shops, and let them eat as much delicious food as they can.
18. Learn something new at Pacific Science Center
There is fun for all ages at Seattle’s Pacific Science Center. You can easily spend a whole day there exploring their new spider exhibit, the salt water tide pool, watching shows in the Laser Dome and the Planetarium, and playing an augmented reality game. Kids under the age of 3 are granted free admission.
19. Book a chocolate factory tour
Does your kiddo have a sweet tooth? Take them to tour Seattle’s very own chocolate factory! Book a tour at Maeve Chocolate here (formerly known as Seattle Chocolate).
20. Reach new heights on an indoor climbing wall
Is your kid climbing the walls at home? Take them to an indoor climbing gym in Seattle. Seattle Bouldering Project has various youth programs available at both their locations. Edgeworks in Ballard also has youth programs. And the REI flagship store allows youth to climb their Pinnacle wall.
21. Play at the Seattle Pinball Museum
Although admission is limited to ages 7 and up, this is a great place to take kids for a few hours of fun. For the entrance price of $17 ($20 for adults) you get unlimited access to over 50 pinball machines. They also sell snacks and sodas.
22. See a show at Pacific Northwest Ballet
If your kiddo is old enough to sit through an entire ballet, take them to see one of the many performances at Pacific Northwest Ballet. A classic holiday tradition for many families is going to see the annual performance of The Nutcracker.
23. Take the Monorail to Seattle Center
Going for a ride on the elevated Monorail is a fun adventure on its own. As a bonus, you can get off at Seattle Center and explore the many attractions there: the Space Needle, the Museum of Pop Culture, Chihuly Garden & Glass, the International Fountain, and the many ongoing events at Seattle Center (most of which are free!).
24. See a show at Seattle Children’s Theatre
Seattle Children’s Theatre puts on productions for young audiences, and also offers classes and camps. If you’d like to take your kid to see a show there you can find info on their website such as age recommendations and accessible performances.
25. Pick out a book at The Elliot Bay Book Company
We love this large bookstore in Capitol Hill for many reasons, one of which is its cozy and welcoming kids’ section. They even have fun places for kids to curl up while they read, like a wooden boat. There is a small cafe tucked inside as well.
26. Go for a ride on Wings Over Washington
If you find yourself on the Seattle waterfront with your kiddo, you have to take them on the Wings Over Washington ride. This virtual reality ride is brief but more fun than the Great Wheel (in our opinion, anyway); you really feel like you’re flying over Seattle and the beautiful state of Washington.
27. Take The Underground Tour
If your kid enjoys history and doesn’t mind being in a slightly dark, enclosed space, then go with them on Seattle’s Underground Tour located in Pioneer Square. You’ll both learn a lot about the fascinating history of Seattle’s underground. Keep in mind that this 75-minute tour is recommended for ages 7 and up.
28. Let them loose at PlayDate SEA
Want to relax while your kid blows off some steam on a rainy day? PlayDate SEA is a three-story indoor play space with an adult-friendly cafe in South Lake Union (1275 Mercer St). The cafe includes beer and wine in addition to coffee and kids’ drinks. PlayDate SEA opens at 10:00 a.m. seven days a week and it costs $10 for all-day play on weekdays, or $18 on weekends (adults get in for free and are required to stay on-site with their children).
29. Go to family-friendly events at Seattle Art Museum
Seattle Art Museum often hosts regular kid-oriented events including Family Saturday, Teen Night Out, and more at their three locations. See the Seattle Art Museum’s family programs here.
30. Book a free zoo visit with your library card
If you have a Seattle or King County library card, you can sign up for a free visit to the Woodland Park Zoo. (Plus, children age two and under always get free admission.) Curious how it works? Read more about the Seattle Public Library Museum Pass.
While you’re there, you can visit the Woodland Park Rose Garden (it is free to visit!) and the West Woodland Park Playground. And don’t forget: In the winter months the zoo gets lit up after dark for WildLanterns!
31. Tear up the skate park
If your kid likes zooming around on their skateboard or roller blades, there are a few kid-friendly spots in Seattle for them. Take them to Judkins Skate Park in Central District, the paved loop around Green Lake and the adjacent Lower Woodland Skate Park, or Sea Sk8 at Seattle Center (which has a food court as a bonus).
32. Walk around Olympic Sculpture Park
A free outdoor activity to do with your little art lover in Seattle is visiting Olympic Sculpture Park. This beautiful outdoor sculpture park is right along the Seattle waterfront, so it’s easy to get to and has beautiful views.
33. Hit up Seattle’s best playgrounds
There’s nothing like a playground for giving your kid fresh air, exercise, and socializing. Here are five of Seattle’s very best playgrounds:
- Waterfront Park playground (new!) is located downtown along Seattle’s waterfront and has a giant jellyfish structure.
- Artists at Play is a truly epic playground located at Seattle Center (pictured above).
- Alki Playground is right by the beach in West Seattle and has a beloved whale tail sculpture.
- Roxhill Park in West Seattle has a castle that kids love.
- Seward Park Playground has a stunning view and a really fun zip line.
- West Woodland Park Playground is conveniently right by the zoo.
34. Splash around in the International Fountain
Kids love splashing around the International Fountain on hot days. It’s worth visiting in the winter, thanks to the fountain’s evening light shows that occur during the holidays for Seattle Center Winterfest.
35. Go for a bike ride
If your kid is older, they might enjoy seeing the city via the Burke-Gilman trail. Younger kids can bike at their own pace along the Green Lake loop. True Seattleites bike in all kinds of weather, rain or shine—just be sure to wear the appropriate waterproof and reflective gear!
36. Look for salmon at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
Take your kid to Ballard for the day, where you can spot salmon and watch the locks in action at the Hiram Chittenden Locks. If the weather turns, you can dry off with a visit to the nearby Nordic Museum.
37. Explore Seattle’s tide pools
Of course this depends on low tide, but a fun and free outdoor activity to do with your kids in Seattle is exploring tide pools. You can read all about the best Seattle beaches for tide pools, or learn from Seattle Aquarium’s Beach Naturalists.
38. Scale an outdoor climbing wall
When it’s too nice out to be climbing an indoor wall, take your kiddo to the climbing tower in the Artists at Play playground at Seattle Center or the outdoor wall at Edgeworks Seattle.
39. Go for a free rowboat ride
The Center for Wooden Boats in Seattle offers free one-hour rowboat rentals on Lake Union year-round. Reserve yours in advance and take your kids out for a boat ride on a dry day!
40. Enjoy free fun on Seattle’s revamped waterfront
Seattle’s new Waterfront Park often has free, family-friendly events going on all year round, and kids can play on the Overlook Walk’s new playground while parents enjoy the view. See upcoming events on the waterfront park website.
41. Visit the Pacific Bonsai Museum
This outdoor bonsai museum in Federal Way is open every day except for Mondays and is free for children (adults are asked to pay a suggested donation of $12 for their admission). Visit on the evening of the winter solstice to see all the bonsai trees lit up.
42. Enjoy free activities in Seattle’s downtown parks
The Downtown Seattle Association often organizes free, family-friendly fun in Pioneer Square and Westlake Park. In the summer, you can take your kid downtown for Parties in the Parks for food trucks, mini golf, and more free fun. In the winter Seattle’s downtown parks celebrate the holiday season with lights, Christmas trees, free hot cocoa, caroling, and even a free ice skating rink.
43. Have a beach day
Seattle has a wide variety of beaches that you and your kids can enjoy year-round. If you want the classic sandy beach experience, go to Alki Beach in West Seattle. We also love Golden Gardens in Ballard if you’re located closer to North Seattle. Both beaches have volleyball courts, bonfire pits, restrooms, picnic tables, and walking/biking paths.
44. Explore Volunteer Park
Volunteer Park in Capitol Hill has a lot of fun places to explore with kids at any time of the year. You can have fun on the playground and if it starts to rain you can dry off in the Volunteer Park Conservatory (pictured above) or climb the steps of the water tower (for free!) for a really cool view. The Seattle Asian Art Museum is also located in Volunteer Park.
45. Stroll around Green Lake
Green Lake has a paved three-mile path all around it that is great for walking and biking year-round. It’s particularly beautiful in September and October thanks to the fall foliage. Older kids might also enjoy paddle boarding or kayaking on the lake.
46. Take a ferry ride
Seattle has many islands in close proximity if you’d like to take your kid on a ferry for a day trip or weekend adventure, such as Bainbridge Island, Whidbey, or Vashon Island. You could also take the water taxi over to West Seattle for the day. Here are some ideas for day trips from Seattle.
47. Explore Discovery Park
Discovery Park is Seattle’s largest city park. It has a playground, a beach where you can explore tide pools, lots of trails for easy hiking, and the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center. Note that getting from the parking lot to the beach is a hike with a lengthy climb on the way back, and dogs are not allowed on the beach.
48. Fly a kite at Gas Works Park
Gas Works Park has one of the best views in Seattle. Go there any time of year to fly a kite, or pack a picnic if it’s really nice out. Just keep in mind that the nicer the weather, the more crowded the small park will be.
49. Explore the Washington Park Arboretum
The Washington Park Arboretum is a beautiful place to visit year-round (and it’s free!). Grab your jackets and enjoy a long nature walk throughout the arboretum whenever the cabin fever starts to get to you and the kids. Plus, the Seattle Japanese Garden is inside the arboretum and offers free admission to ages 5 and under (note that the garden is closed December through February).
50. Visit all of Seattle’s Northwest Trolls
In addition to the famous Fremont Troll (a permanent resident under the Aurora bridge), Seattle is currently home to five larger-than-life Northwest Trolls. They are temporary installations from the artist Thomas Danbo and will be in the Seattle area for several years. Make it a game to discover all five! Read all about the Northwest Trolls and where to find them.