The brand-new indoor game facility in Tukwila has 12 rooms, each with 2 to 7 games, plus a photo booth. Wear your comfy shoes — it’s a workout!

Throw balls to hit asteroids. (Image: Caroline JiaYing Grygiel / Seattle’s Child)

You will break a sweat. Everyone will have fun. So much fun, your kids will forget they’re too cool to hang with you.

Activate has 66 locations across North America, France, Dubai, and the United Kingdom. The first Washington location opened Dec. 14, kitty corner from Westfield Southcenter.

We love how this area, dubbed Seattle Southside, has become a hub for activities for older kids. There’s Activate and iFly next to Southcenter, and Great Big Game Show and The Escape Game inside the mall. (Attention puzzle fanatics, The Escape Game at Southcenter has different escape rooms from the South Lake Union location.)

The laser room is one of the most popular at Activate. (Image: Caroline JiaYing Grygiel / Seattle’s Child)

We visited Activate two weeks into its opening. Everything was sparkly clean, and the staff was super friendly. When the clock ran out, we left happy — and wiped.

For your first visit, here’s what you need to know:

Age Rules, Group Size, and What Families Should Know Before Playing

The average age of Activate players is 24. The minimum age requirement is 6, and it’s better if kids are around 10 to really understand how to play. Kids 6 to 13 must be supervised by an adult. It is very dark inside with lots of flashing lights.
You need at least two people to play, and up to five people fit in a room. If you are a party of six or more, split into smaller groups.

If you need a break, try this game where you match what the screen tells you to do. (Image: Caroline JiaYing Grygiel / Seattle’s Child)

To save time, book a reservation, sign the waiver, and create a player profile online ahead of your visit. Keep in mind Fridays and weekends, especially toward the evening, are the busiest times. During the daytime, you see more families.

When you enter, check in at the front desk and stash anything that doesn’t fit into your pockets in a secure locker. Shed extra layers while you’re at it. You’ll be running, jumping, and crawling, and you will get hot.

Scan your wristband on the iPad to check your score when you finish. (Image: Caroline JiaYing Grygiel / Seattle’s Child)

Each player gets a rubber wristband, and the clock starts running once you tap into your first game. Don’t waste any minutes. Before you tap in, use the restroom, get a drink of water, and take a lap around to scope out the options. Save the photo booth for last because you can do that after your time is up.

There’s a helpful staff member monitoring the game area if you have questions.

Inside the Games: What You’ll Actually Play at Activate

The three most popular games are running on the grid, dodging lasers, and shooting hoops. Our absolute favorite was the mega grid, which are light boxes on the ground, and we played that multiple times.

Other challenges include flinging balls at asteroids, pressing buttons all over a room, and hiding from a giant eye. You’re interacting with screens the whole time, but it’s active and will definitely get your blood pumping.

The mega grid is made of light-up tiles on the ground. (Image: Caroline JiaYing Grygiel / Seattle’s Child)

If you need to catch your breath, check out the more chill options. You can shoot lasers at targets or scan photos to spot the differences.

Most of the games are very physical. The key point is you can be as active as you want. Play one game the entire time, or bop around from room to room. It’s completely up to you.

Each room has a list of games posted on the touch screen outside. The cooperative games are coded blue, and the competitive ones pink. Get directions by tapping on the question mark. Each round runs two to four minutes, so you’re never waiting long for an open room.

Find the button that matches the one on the screen. (Image: Caroline JiaYing Grygiel / Seattle’s Child)

When time’s up, scan your wristband on the iPads in the hall to see your scores. The system saves your progress, so you don’t have to start from scratch when you come back.

Where to Eat After Activate Near Southcenter Mall

There’s no food, drink or gum allowed inside Activate. After working up an appetite, we strolled across the street to Southcenter. Mr. Dim Sum is a buzzy Cantonese restaurant that opened in the mall a little over a year ago, and it’s 100 percent worth the hype.

Mr. Dim Sum serves dim sum all day, and most of the dishes on the menu run about $8 each. When the steamers landed on our table, I understood why: each chubby har gow is loaded up with four or five shrimp inside. No skimping on ingredients! Try the juicy shui mai and the softest, freshest mango mochi. If you can restrain yourself, save a little food to take home only because their to-go bag is ridiculously cute.

We wrapped up a truly banner day in Seattle Southside with bubble tea from 85C, a yummy Taiwanese bakery. (The Southcenter location will reopen Jan. 30 after a remodel.) Their drinks are on the sweet side, and after a session at Activate, you’ve earned it.

Mr. Dim Sum in Westfield Southcenter serves dim sum all day. (Image: Caroline JiaYing Grygiel / Seattle’s Child)

If You Go: Planning Your Visit

• Location: Activate Tukwila, 300 Andover Park West, Tukwila (in the same shopping plaza as Barnes and Noble)
• Phone: (564) 206-0920
• Cost: 60 minutes for $28 plus tax, 90 minutes for $38 plus tax
• Hours: Monday-Tuesday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Wednesday 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 11 p.m, Sunday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Parking: Free parking in the shopping plaza
• Best Time for Families: Weekday mornings and early afternoons tend to be quieter

The post Jump, duck, throw! Indoor family fun at new Activate Tukwila appeared first on Seattle's Child.

(Image: Katie G. Cotterill/Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium)

What’s New for Zoolights 2025

This year brings more lights than ever before, totaling 1.5 million. You’ll also notice a new aurora borealis theme. Additionally, dogs are allowed to come on specific nights for the first time ever (Remaining dog nights are Dec. 9 and 10 and Jan. 4. Make sure to buy your dog’s ticket online since they don’t accept walk-up dogs).

(Image: Katie G. Cotterill/Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium)

How to Plan Your Zoolights Visit

Upon entering the zoo, you’ll be directed to walk towards the lighted tiger with a sign that says “enter here”. From there you will find a well-marked parth that guides you through the Zoolights. Before starting down the path, make sure to take a picture at the lighted wreath and grab a hot chocolate to sip along the way. Our daughter loved that they added marshmallows to the hot chocolate!

The Zoolights are an annual tradition for our family, and we always enjoy looking at the various displays (especially the lighted tunnel, Narrows Bridge, and giant octopus) and keeping an eye out for the lighted Sasquatch. There are several photo opportunities along the way, as well as a giant peg lights that kids can play with in the pavilion near the Pacific Seas Aquarium. The zoo has several reminders that the animals are sleeping and the aquarium is closed, but if you look closely, you might find a couple still awake. We saw the clouded leopard, penguins and some wild racoons.

A Clouded Leopard was still awake to greet us! (Image: Amber Moak / Seattle’s Child)

Can You See Animals at Night?

If you want to guarantee that you see animals, consider purchasing tickets for the Groovy Goats experience. This animal encounter experience lets you get up and person with the goats and give them festive enrichment. Space is limited, and the thirty-minute experience is only available on Thursdays through Mondays at 4:40 and 5:15 pm. Make sure to book your tickets ahead of time ($55 a participant or $35 for members, available for all ages).

Food, Treats & Carousel Rides

Once we finished the route, we enjoyed dinner at the Plaza Cafe. There are also some yummy treats you can pick up here or along the way, such as kettle corn and a cinnamon roll on a stick, which both smelled delicious. We then took a ride on the historic 1917 carousel that features many different types of animals, including a frog, whale, and elephant. ($4 a ticket or $2 for members).

(Image: Amber Moak / Seattle’s Child)

Tickets, Pricing and Parking (2025)

Tickets are timed arrival, so purchase yours ahead of time to make sure you get your preferred date and time. Costs range from $14-$20 per person based on the date, and member tickets
are $7-$10 per person. Parking is free.

The Zoo is located at 5400 North Pearl Street, Tacoma, WA 98407, and is easy to get to from I-5. From Seattle, take the 132 exit to SR 16 West. Then take the Pearl Street/Ruston exit and head north on Pearl Street. Due to construction in Point Defiance Park, you’ll need to use the Mildred Street entrance to get to the zoo. There were easy-to-follow signs when we went.

(Image: Katie G. Cotterill/Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium)

Helpful Tips For Families

• Zoolights are open from 4:30-10 p.m. daily, except for December 24 and 25 when the zoo is closed.
• Bring layers. This exhibit is open rain or shine so bring layers to ensure everyone stays warm.
• The path is stroller-friendly and the perfect length for anyone in the family to walk, even toddlers
• The zoo is a cashless facility.
• Group tickets are available for groups of 25 or more people.
• Dogs are allowed at the zoo on Dec 9, 10 and Jan 4 so plan accordingly. We were there on a dog night, and they were all well-behaved.

More Holiday Lights & Events

• WildLanterns at Woodland Park Zoo. A top-searched Seattle holiday experience, featuring towering illuminated animals, immersive zones, and dazzling lantern art.
• Holiday Light Displays Roundup. Our comprehensive guide to drive-thru displays, neighborhood shows, walk-through experiences, and new 2025 additions.
• Garden d’Lights at Bellevue Botanical Garden. A beloved annual tradition known for handcrafted botanical sculptures made from more than half a million lights.
• Candy Cane Lane (Seattle). One of Seattle’s longest-running neighborhood light traditions, perfect for families who love classic home displays.
• Ballard Nutcracker House. A hyper-local favorite where one home transforms into a Nutcracker wonderland complete with glowing characters and whimsical touches.

Some of the products, services, or experiences mentioned in this article may have been provided at no cost or at a discount. However, all opinions expressed are solely those of the author and/or the Seattle’s Child editorial team. Our coverage remains independent, and we only feature things we genuinely believe will be of interest to our readers.

The post Point Defiance ZooLights: 1.5 million lights create a Tacoma tradition appeared first on Seattle's Child.

Featuring over half a million twinkling lights arranged in whimsical scenes throughout the botanical garden, Garden d’Lights is a crowd pleaser for all ages. Creative light displays are designed and installed by volunteers each year, representing thousands of hours of behind-the-scenes and on-the-ground preparations for the big event. This year’s event is expected to draw over 70,000 visitors, so plan ahead if you intend on visiting.

Photos can never 100% do holiday lights justice .. you’ll have to use a bit of your imagination (and trust us!) (Image: Allison Peterson / Seattle’s Child)

What You’ll See This Year

During our walk through this year’s light show, several displays stood out: a scintillating river, a life-size vegetable garden (complete with a sneaky rabbit pulling up carrots!), and even a fire-breathing dragon. Each light sculpture plant is created by hand, taking anywhere from 2 hours for a small flower to over 40 hours for a larger and more intricate plant. The largest light sculpture currently on display is the poinsettia tree that is composed of over 11,000 lights and took over 350 volunteer hours to create.

Peter Rabbit, is that you? (Image: Allison Peterson / Seattle’s Child)

What’s New for 2025

Despite having visited Garden d’Lights many times over the years, there is always something new to discover. The 2025 Garden d’Lights has a varied walking path with a new order of light displays, and each display has been upgraded to incandescent lights for brighter, more vibrant colors. Keep your eye out for new additions to the displays, including the cutest baby owl perched next to its mother.

Several special events this year help add to the magic of a stroll through Garden d’Lights. Live musical performances will take place on several evenings in the Aaron Education Center. Musical performances are included with Garden d’Lights admission. Download a free scavenger hunt for kids and see how many light-plants and light-critters they can find along the path (Make sure to search both high and low!). Enjoy Garden d’Lights in a quieter setting on their sensory-friendly night on December 2 (tickets required). The sensory-friendly night will have limited capacity and no live music for a calmer experience.

Mama and baby owl, one of the cutest new additions! (Image: Allison Peterson / Seattle’s Child)

Make it a Bellevue Night Out

If you want to dive deep into the holiday spirit, consider adding on a second stop after your visit to Garden d’Lights. Snowflake Lane, a free nightly holiday parade, takes place just down the road between Bellevue Square and Lincoln Center. With the parade beginning at 7 p.m. each evening, this can make a spectacular finish to the evening after an early-entrance viewing of Garden d’Lights.

Whether visiting for the first time or for the 31st time, Garden d’Lights lives up to its moniker: It is an absolute delight for all who enter this enchanting garden. Gather your loved ones and make your own memories at Garden d’Lights this season!

A cherished family tradition. (Image: Allison Peterson / Seattle’s Child)

Know Before You Go: Tickets, Parking, Hours & Logistics

Dates & Hours

• Open nightly November 29–December 31
• Closed December 25
• Entry times between 4:30–8 p.m.; lights off at 8:30 p.m.

Ticket Info

• General admission (ages 11+): $10
• Discount nights ($5): December 1–4 and 8–11
• Ages 10 and younger: Free (ticket still required)
• All tickets must be pre-purchased online; no gate sales

Parking

• Premium onsite parking: $5 (first come, first served)
• Free parking is available 0.25 miles away at Wilburton Hill Park

Walking Path & Accessibility

• Approximately ¾-mile walking path
• Crushed-gravel surface; sturdy strollers recommended
• Several benches are throughout the route
• Allow at least 45 minutes to enjoy the displays

Weather & What to Wear

Garden d’Lights runs rain or shine, and tickets are nonrefundable due to weather. Dress warmly and bring waterproof layers if rain is expected. Hats, gloves, and hand warmers make a big difference on cold nights. Wear comfortable shoes or boots that can get wet or muddy.

Food & Shopping

• Copper Kettle Coffee (mid-route) offers snacks and warm drinks; outside food is discouraged
• Trillium Store (near the entrance) carries toys, gifts, books, holiday décor, and more
• Both are open nightly from 4:30–8:30 p.m.

More Holiday Lights Around the Seattle Area

Looking for even more festive glow this season? Explore these family-favorite light displays across the region:

• WildLanterns at Woodland Park Zoo. A dazzling after-hours adventure filled with larger-than-life lantern animals, immersive zones, and glowing photo ops at every turn. A top pick for animal-loving kids.
• Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium’s Zoolights. A Tacoma classic featuring more than 800,000 lights, including the iconic Mt. Rainier display, whimsical sea creatures, and a glowing tunnel perfect for family photos.
• Holiday Light Displays Roundup. Our comprehensive guide to the best holiday lights across Seattle, the Eastside, and beyond — from drive-thru shows to neighborhood traditions and big-ticket experiences.
• Evergreen Christmas Lights. A cozy, walk-through forest experience with twinkling lights, warm drinks, and plenty of Northwest charm. Perfect for younger kids and families looking for a calmer outing.
• Candy Cane Lane. One of Seattle’s most beloved neighborhood traditions, featuring block after block of classic holiday décor, vintage displays, and sweet surprises in Ravenna.
• Ballard’s Nutcracker House. A hyper-local gem where one Ballard family transforms their home into a Nutcracker-inspired fantasy, complete with characters, music, and whimsical handcrafted touches.

Some of the products, services, or experiences mentioned in this article may have been provided at no cost or at a discount. However, all opinions expressed are solely those of the author and/or the Seattle’s Child editorial team. Our coverage remains independent, and we only feature things we genuinely believe will be of interest to our readers.

The post Garden d’Lights Returns: A Bellevue holiday classic for 2025 appeared first on Seattle's Child.

Seattle Theatre Group and Broadway at The Paramount present “Disney’s The Lion King,” winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and one of the longest-running shows in Broadway history. On stage now through the new year, the family-friendly production is based on the beloved Disney animated film, told with a unique storytelling approach that underscores this wondrous tale of childhood folly, heartbreak, and redemption. If you haven’t experienced the marvel of the musical’s opening number, “Circle of Life”, then don’t let this chance stampede by.

(Image: Matthew Murphy)

Synopsis

Life at Pride Rock is bustling and beautiful, a microcosm of beasts living in synergistic harmony. Mufasa is the king of this land, and his reign oversees a multitude of creatures: leaping gazelles, swooping birds, stomping elephants, towering giraffes, and, of course, his own pride of lions. The Serengeti surrounds the theater, drawing viewers into the story of Mufasa’s son Simba, a rambunctious cub looking to explore the world around him. Zazu, an African red-billed hornbill and his father’s right-hand wingman, is his glorified babysitter, though even Zazu can’t contain Simba and his best friend Nala, who like to venture to elephant graveyards and tango with hyenas.

Mufasa’s brother, Scar, is salty about his brother’s power and position. He uses Simba’s naivety to set up the “accidental” death of the king. Heartbroken and guilty, Simba flees the kingdom he should be overseeing, meeting new friends Timon, a meerkat, and Pumbaa, a warthog, who teach him their motto for a stress-free life: “Hakuna Matata.”

Time passes. Scar’s reign proves fruitless. Water runs dry, and food is scarce. Nala leaves Pride Rock to seek help, only to find Simba, a grown lion, eating grub with animals who should be prey. With the help of soothsayer and mystic baboon Rafiki, Simba realizes that the right thing to do is to confront Scar, uncover the truth about his past, and take his place as the rightful king of the jungle.

(Image: Matthew Murphy)

The Cat’s Meow

This is not just a faithful rendering of the Disney film. Tony Award-winning director Julie Taymor co-designed the masks and puppets, which are the stars of this show. It would be a different experience if the lions were merely actors in furry, yellow cat suits. Instead, the performers and the costumes operate together in symbiotic harmony, highlighting the humanity of the story, without losing the wild beauty of the animal kingdom.

The production features songs from the original film by Elton John and Tim Rice – bops like “Circle of Life,” “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” “Be Prepared,” “Hakuna Matata,” and “Can You Feel theLove Tonight” – as well as a few iconic additions, namely the soulful number, “They Live in You.”
The dazzling set design and artful choreography will keep viewers young and old entertained from start to finish.

There are some difficult or troubling concepts that may upset younger or sensitive viewers. Mufasa’s death, while tastefully portrayed, may be emotionally triggering for those easily upset by the loss of a parent. Scar, as a villain, provides plenty of levity, though many of his jokes are geared towards adult viewers. His heartless intentions – to kill both Mufasa and Simba, as well as to manufacture an uprising amongst the hyenas – has the potential to frighten delicate spectators.

(Image: Matthew Murphy)

Meta Meaningful

The morning after opening night, I was given a backstage tour of the Paramount Theatre. Winding through tight hallways strung with bits of costumes and disassembled set pieces, the tour led us to possibly the most exciting and important room in the building: the puppet shop, where puppet master Michael Reilly keeps his menagerie of lions, warthogs, and hornbills.

Zazu is the fowl of the hour and one of three puppets in the production. Mufasa’s majordomo is an intricate build. His neck is comprised of a slinky in a sock. Hundreds of individually painted feathers are then individually applied to his body. Reilly says Zazu needs a complete overhaul every 6 months to keep him fresh, and is the only puppet with a backup they have lovingly christened Clyde.

The masks worn by the lions – Mufasa, Scar, Simba – are also wonders of artistic prowess. They aren’t heavy because they are not made from the wood they are meant to emulate, and the hydraulics used to move the masks from the top of the actor’s heads to their faces require finesse to make their operation appear organic.

(Image: Matthew Murphy)

But the most interesting thing Reilly said, a throwaway comment that got me thinking, was about the set-up of the musical at large, the macro element  I’d never processed, despite seeing “The Lion King” on stage a handful of times in my life: the production’s aesthetic is meant to look hand-made, and we are meant to view the animals as people pretending to be animals. This is a story told by humans, using the resources (wood, grass, feathers, etc.) available to them. They aren’t meant to be transformed into the creatures. The intention is not for the performers to look like real animals. They are humans who know they are acting, which contributes to the overarching allegorical themes of self-discovery and the duality of the human and animal worlds.

Like I said, I’ve seen “The Lion King” on stage at least 5 times prior to this run, but it felt completely fresh with this newly discovered objective in mind. There is so much to take in; it would require dozens of viewings to fully appreciate the artistry, timing, and technical wizardry that goes into the show, both on and off stage. My companions to the performance had never seen this musical, and their excitement by the opening number felt like watching my children on Christmas morning: there is an undeniable spark of joy and incredulity that this production inspires, and there is no better time than the holidays to experience anew.

(Image: Matthew Murphy)

Know Before You Go

• Dates: The show runs through January 4, with a variety of times spanning the morning and
  evening.
• Location: The Paramount Theatre is located at 911 Pine Street, Seattle, 98101
• Runtime: Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes with one 15-minute intermission.
• Recommended age is 6+.
• Special Performances
  • The ASL Interpreted Performances are Sunday, December 14 at 1 p.m., Saturda,y December
    20 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, December 27 at 2 p.m.
  • The Sensory-Friendly Performance is Saturday, December 13, at 2 p.m.
  • The Audio Described Performances are Sunday, December 7 at 1 p.m., Saturda,y December
    13 at 2 p.m., Sunday, December 14 at 1 p.m., and 6:30 p.m.
  • The Open Caption Performances are Sunda,y December 7, at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, December
    20 at 2 p.m. and Saturda,y December 27 at 7:30 p.m.

More Stage Magic

• Holiday Performances Around Seattle. A roundup of festive concerts, ballets, plays, and musical events happening throughout the region all season long.
• Parent Review: “Elf the Musical.” A joy-filled, candy-colored production at The 5th Avenue Theatre that brings Buddy the Elf’s cheer to life onstage.
• Parent Review: “The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza!”  A silly, high-energy holiday adventure starring everyone’s favorite Mo Willems character — perfect for younger theatergoers.

Some of the products, services, or experiences mentioned in this article may have been provided at no cost or at a discount. However, all opinions expressed are solely those of the author and/or the Seattle’s Child editorial team. Our coverage remains independent, and we only feature things we genuinely believe will be of interest to our readers. 

The post Parent Review: ‘The Lion King’ returns to Seattle with stunning costumery appeared first on Seattle's Child.

The zoo launched WildLanterns in 2020, the brightest spot in that pandemic winter. And every year since the show has only gotten better and better. It’s become our favorite winter tradition.

Tree kangaroo lanterns light the way toward the Forest Trailhead, a new Woodland Park Zoo exhibit set to open in May 2026. (Image: JiaYing Grygiel / Seattle’s Child)

We love that WildLanterns is a brand new show every year. As my kids said, it’d be boring to look at the same lanterns year after year. The zoo’s Forest Trailhead opens next May, and stationed in front are the lantern versions of the animals that will live inside: red pandas and tree kangaroos. Don’t miss the orcas playing soccer in honor of next summer’s World Cup.

This year, WildLanterns also knocked it out of the park with the interactive features. There are just so many, it’s hard to tear your kids away.
Unlike other holiday light shows, WildLanterns isn’t a Christmas-specific event. The lanterns form the shapes of various plants and animals, and the show runs through Jan. 18, 2026 (well into the new year and a nice way to celebrate 2026).

This massive centipede brings plenty of wow factor. (Image: JiaYing Grygiel / Seattle’s Child)

What to Expect at WildLanterns 2025

The zoo’s walking path is shaped like a giant infinity symbol. There’s a map online if you want to orient yourself. It’s 0.8 miles of flat, paved walkway, with lots of stands selling refreshments and restrooms on the way. It’s the ultimate family-friendly venue. Plan on spending about two hours taking in WildLanterns. There’s so much to see.

At the ticketing office, you’ll see a flock of owls on the roof. Stop for a photo in the mountain cabin, then enter the zoo’s gate and meet a gigantic moose.

A towering moose lantern welcomes families as they step into WildLanterns, setting the stage for the glowing walk ahead. (Image: JiaYing Grygiel / Seattle’s Child)

If you turn left and start your stroll on the north loop, you’ll see Mount Rainier surrounded by woodland creatures. Shhhhh, there’s a trio of hibernating animals here too. Further along, you’ll bump into the musk ox and a pair of lovey-dovey swans.

Along the south loop, walk through a moonlit mangrove, past frogs and toads, elephants and sloth bears. Enter the cobra tunnel if you dare. A sea of butterflies and flowers fill the Discovery Loop.

Dare enter the Cobra Tunnel? (Image: JiaYing Grygiel / Seattle’s Child)

Interactive WildLanterns Zones Kids Will Love

The highlight of WildLanterns for my kids is always the interactive pieces. Some are stationed along the zoo’s walking loop: the drum tree is at the south entrance and light-up seesaws on the north side. Most, however, are grouped in the interactive zone in the middle of the zoo.

Must-tries:

• Rock on a porch swing, and the luminous butterfly above you flutters its wings.
• Inflatable tube figures (like the ones outside car dealerships, but way cuter) blow up when you scream your head off. They’re voice-activated!
• Play whack-a-mole on a bear’s belly.

A sweet sloth bear lantern carries its cub through WildLanterns. (Image: JiaYing Grygiel / Seattle’s Child)

WildLanterns with Kids: Tips from Seattle Parents

Seasoned Seattleites know this, but seriously, dress for the weather. Wandering around in cold rain is much less fun when unprepared. The upside is that the rain makes beautiful reflections. On weekends and closer to the holidays, WildLanterns will be dark and crowded. Bring glow sticks or mini-flashlights for the kids. It’s fun for the kids and makes them easier to spot.

The Zoomazium is open 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. during WildLanterns. It’s a nice spot to warm up and take a break. Try the glow-in-the-dark building blocks and stepping stones that change color.

Mount Rainier surrounded by woodland creatures. (Image: JiaYing Grygiel / Seattle’s Child)

You can buy snacks at the zoo or bring your own food. Warm up in the indoor food pavilion or the Zoomazium. Private VIP snow globes are available for 90-minute reservations for an eye-popping $575.

If you want to meet the man in red at WildLanterns, book tickets for November 30, Family Photo Night.

Sensory-Friendly WildLanterns Nights and Supports

Heads up, there are flashing lights in the interactive zone. You can borrow sensory items from Guest Services and the Zoomazium. The zoo offers low-sensory nights on December 2, 2025, and January 8, 2026.

Striking Steller’s sea eagle lanterns soar overhead. (Image: JiaYing Grygiel / Seattle’s Child)

WildLanterns Tickets, Discounts & Promo Codes

WildLantern tickets are admittedly not cheap. But think of it this way: the money goes directly to animal care and conservation projects. The least expensive tickets are on non-peak weekdays, and those start at $28.45 for kids 3 to 12, and $32.45 for 13 and above. Kids 2 and under are free.

Note that zoo admission does not include WildLanterns. Zoo visitors can see the lanterns in daylight but will be shooed out before the evening event begins. Zoo members save 20% on WildLanterns tickets. You must be logged into your account for the discount.

Colorful skinks and sailfins add a tropical pop to WildLanterns! (Image: JiaYing Grygiel / Seattle’s Child)

The zoo also offers a senior stroll on Nov. 25, with 40 percent off admission for those 65 and up.

Parking at the zoo is $15 (plus taxes and fees) in the otter and lion lots. All other lots are $10 (plus taxes and fees) during evenings of WildLanterns. We always go for the free street parking in the neighborhood.

Looking for a WildLanterns discount code? While promo codes are limited, members save 20%, and special partner promos may pop up some years — check the zoo’s website and social channels for current deals.

Have you ever seen a moth look so stunning? (Image: JiaYing Grygiel / Seattle’s Child)

The Bottom Line

WildLanterns is a really fun thing to do in the dark as a family. The great thing about it getting dark at 4 p.m. is you can see the lanterns — and be home in time for little kids’ bedtimes.

Hours & Dates

• Where: Woodland Park Zoo, 5500 Phinney Ave. N
• When: Open now and runs nightly through Jan. 18, 2026. WildLanterns will be closed from November 17 to 20, 24, 27; December 1, 8, 15, 24–25; and January 5–7, 12–14.
• Hours: 4-9 p.m. Last entry at 8:30 p.m.

Some of the products, services, or experiences mentioned in this article may have been provided at no cost or at a discount. However, all opinions expressed are solely those of the author and/or the Seattle’s Child editorial team. Our coverage remains independent, and we only feature things we genuinely believe will be of interest to our readers. 

The post Parent Review: What’s new at WPZ’s WildLanterns this year? appeared first on Seattle's Child.

The fall season is the best time to go. If you’d like to learn more, sign up for a group tour (here’s how to sign up!), and be sure to look into the water from the bridge over West Sunset Way, and spot a salmon taking their long journey from the sea! My kids and I enjoyed this enrichment experience and recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about this fascinating Northwest species and its life cycle.

We had been to the hatchery, run in partnership with Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery (FISH), many times before — but my sons Nikhil and Simon were excited to see what they would find in the streams leading up to the salmon ladder in the hatchery.

Parking and Tours: What Families Need to Know

Taking a 40-minute drive from Woodinville into downtown Issaquah, we parked near the hatchery (free 2-hour street parking on all sides of the facility). Volunteers greeted us at the entrance. Walk-ups are welcome, but I recommend reserving a time online for guaranteed access. Tours last roughly 45 minutes.

Volunteers guide families through the salmon life cycle with hands-on learning. (Image: Jasmin Thankachen / Seattle’s Child)

Salmon in Issaquah Creek

We started our walk at a pair of salmon statues, where we learned about the differences between male and female salmon. “The boys have a hook-like mouth!” observed my oldest, Nikhil.

We moved on to an indoor exhibit, where we saw salmon fry and learned a little more about the spawning process. We walked to a bridge over Issaquah Creek, where we could see dozens of male and female salmon swimming upstream. Some females stopped to wag their tails, clearing an area for nesting. With a swish and a swoosh, we saw males fighting with each other in hopes of fertilizing the female’s eggs.

“Mom! There’s a dead fish, too!” Simon said. Our guide explained to us that after spawning, the salmon die, lying on the banks of streams and rivers. The dead salmon are then eaten by forest animals like beavers, birds, and otters, completing an ecological life cycle. Surviving salmon continue swimming upstream to the ladders of the hatchery, our next stop.

Salmon Ladder and Holding Tanks

Ladders are step-like structures that allow fish to swim around large man-made structures like dams. At the hatchery, salmon jump up the steps to enter a holding tank. We had to have a lot of patience to see the salmon jump the ladder. But when we did, it was exciting to see them flying through the air, landing with a big splash into the next tank.

“They’re huge!” Both children were amazed to see the salmon up close, in the large tank, located at the end of the ladder. We spotted a few different types. Then we looped around to where the baby salmon (called fry) were kept (more than a million of them!) to take a peek. Then onto a map to discuss the journey of wild salmon from the oceans, where they live their adult lives, and then back to the rivers and streams, where they come back to spawn. It was fascinating to learn that they innately know exactly where they were born when it comes time to spawn.

We ended our tour at the facility where biologists farm salmon, taking a look through the windows of the building to see large tubs where salmon eggs are harvested and fertilized, grown and eventually released back into the wild. Did you know that female salmon are clubbed on the head so that their eggs can be harvested?

Visitors can watch salmon fight their way upstream during spawning season. (Image: Jasmin Thankachen / Seattle’s Child)

Hatchery Operations and Life Cycle Learning

“This was really great, Mom! Better than I thought,” said Simon at the end of the tour. Right before lunch, we headed to a larger bridge on the street, past the hatchery entrance, to see more salmon swimming upstream. We made some more observations about the dead fish on the banks and the number of fish that might be making their journey up the stream and back to their birthplace. It was a perfect end to our field trip.

Sweet Stop: Boehm’s Candies in Issaquah

Since we were already in Issaquah, we didn’t miss stopping at the famous Boehm’s Candies, a charming shop filled with house-made candies and chocolates. Adjacent to the store is a beautiful garden and chapel, where we took a self-guided tour. We learned about Boehm’s founder and history. Then we entered the store and picked up a few treats for the ride home.

Know Before You Go: Issaquah Salmon Hatchery

• Location: Downtown Issaquah (125 W. Sunset Way)
• Parking: Free 2-hour street parking on all sides of the hatchery
• Cost: Free (donations encouraged)
• Tour Length: About 45 minutes
• Tours: Walk-ups welcome, but reserve online to guarantee a spot
• Best Time to Visit: Fall spawning season, especially October

More Family Adventures

Looking for more ways to get outside and explore with your kids? Check out our Things to Do section for field trips and excursions, and don’t miss our guide to nature centers that help grow young stewards. If you’re already in Issaquah, the new giant indoor sandbox is a must-see.

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Too cute? Too energetic? Too over the top?

Happily, none of those. Just like her much-less-cool mom, she got swept up in the showmanship, silliness, and high level of talent on the stage. It surely helped that she could envision herself in the cast, some of whom were just a year or two older than she is.

“Bye Bye Birdie” is an irresistibly fun show, and Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre pulls it off beautifully.

Details

Here’s the plot description: When teen idol Conrad Birdie gets drafted into the Army, he decides to shake up small town Sweet Apple, Ohio, with one last performance and a kiss for a fan on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” (“Bye Bye Birdie,” as you can see, was inspired by the national outcry surrounding Elvis Presley being drafted in 1957.)

In a scene from “Bye Bye Birdie,” Albert Peterson guards Conrad Birdie from reporters while Rosie Alvarez stands by. (Photo by Tracy Martin, courtesy of The 5th Avenue Theatre)

Here’s what surprised me, and this is a script note, not a production note: “Bye Bye Birdie” isn’t really about Conrad Birdie. His role is relatively small. It’s about fame and fandom, and about relationships, family, and otherwise. We spend the most time with Noah Weisberg and Ashley Perez Flanagan as music promoter Albert Peterson and his long-suffering secretary/girlfriend Rosie Alvarez. (And tell me if you don’t think Weisberg is a dead ringer for CNN’s Jake Tapper).

Additionally, the cast’s young stars, including the teen chorus, are fabulous.

The 5th’s Executive Director, Bill Barry, speaking to the audience as the show opened, announced that 19 cast members were making their professional stage debuts with this production. Many had come up through the 5th’s Rising Star Project. During the curtain call, we learned that five of them were high school seniors who were missing graduation ceremonies that night. The cast (and the crowd) honored them with a sweet, on-stage “graduation.”

More to know

Here’s what the theater said by way of content warning:

“‘Bye Bye Birdie’ contains themes and content that include racism, microaggressions, and some sexual situations and innuendos. Themes include high-school romances, the power of celebrity crushes, aging and maturity expectations of female-identifying characters, and interracial relationships.”

Fun fact: “Bye Bye Birdie” won the 1961 Tony Award for Best Musical.

The “Bye Bye Birdie” 5th Avenue Theatre run continues through June 29, with accessible performance options available.

Ticket information here; details on accessible performances.

(Photo by Tracy Martin, courtesy of The 5th Avenue Theatre)

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Getting there

Before you go, make sure you have proper documentation. U.S. citizens traveling to Canada need a valid U.S. passport, passport card, or NEXUS card to enter the country (children under the age of 16 only need proof of U.S. citizenship, like a birth certificate).

Located on the southern tip of British Columbia’s Vancouver Island, Victoria is easily accessible to visitors with several transportation options from Seattle.

• Victoria Clipper fast ferry: Roughly three hours from Seattle to Victoria. Tickets start at $140 per person roundtrip, with discounts for children. Iinfants under one travel for free on the Clipper.
• Black Ball Coho Ferry: Ninety minutes from Port Angeles to Victoria. Roundtrip fares for adults are $45, and children (ages 5-11) are $22.50. Children four and younger travel free. For an additional $22, roundtrip travelers can bring a standard-length vehicle on the ferry.
• Drive: Roughly five hours driving north through British Columbia, and connecting with the Tsawwassen, B.C. ferry just north of the Canadian border.
• Kenmore Air: Direct 45 minute flights between several Seattle-area locations and Victoria’s Inner Harbour. Flights start at $169 per person, one way.

The Clipper is a popular option, and takes under three hours from Seattle. (Image: Allison Peterson)

Where to stay

With everything from hotels, to resorts and camping — there is lodging to suit every taste and budget in Victoria.

The Huntingdon Manor Hotel is directly across the street from the ferry terminal and offers several family-friendly amenities, like family suites and a free hot breakfast. Guests can rent bicycles or take bike tours from the hotel’s onsite bike shop, The Pedaler.

For a luxury stay, consider splurging on a night in the Fairmont Empress Hotel, one of the most iconic landmarks in Victoria. In addition to being a National Historic Site with stunning waterfront views, this hotel also has kid-friendly features like an indoor pool and scrumptious breakfast and canapes (better known as “snack time”). Whether you’re a guest or just visiting for the day, make a reservation for Tea at the Empress, consistently rated the best afternoon tea in Victoria.

The Fairmont Empress Hotel. (Image: Allison Peterson)

Several campgrounds and RV parks are available in the Victoria area. For more information on camping, visit the Canada Parks website or the Victoria Tourism website.

Family-friendly activities

Victoria offers a multitude of activities for every age and interest.

Victoria’s Inner Harbour | Get yourself acquainted with all that Victoria has to offer by exploring the main hub of the inner harbour. Stroll along the waterfront promenade, ride a horse-drawn carriage past the Parliament building, or stop for a bite at one of the many seaside cafes. Walk over the Johnson Street Bridge and take in the views from Songhees Park, then catch a water taxi back across the harbour. If you time it right on a summer weekend, you can even watch the free water ballet performed by a talented fleet of water taxi captains.

Giddy up! (Image: Allison Peterson)

Butchart Gardens | At the top of many Victoria visitors must-see lists is one of North America’s most famous public gardens, Butchart Gardens. Open year-round, Butchart Gardens offers guests unique experiences in every season. With everything from manicured palatial gardens to hidden waterfalls, the gardens have endless opportunities for exploration. Stop by the Rose Carousel for a ride on a vintage hand-carved wooden animal, then head to one of the garden’s cafes or ice cream shops for a pick-me-up. Butchart Gardens puts on a world-class fireworks show every Saturday evening in July and August, so bring along a blanket and enjoy the show!

Butchart Gardens. (Image: Allison Peterson)

Beacon Hill Park and Children’s Farm | Covering over 180 acres, Beacon Hill Park is the crowning jewel in the B.C. Park system. Explore miles of walking paths and bike trails, observe Blue Heron nesting perches, and visit the ducks and turtles in the park’s many ponds. Kids will enjoy the park’s playgrounds and splash pad, but nothing compares to the Children’s Farm in the center of the park. Part petting-zoo, part farm animal education center, the seasonal Children’s Farm is sure to delight “kids” of all ages.

Beacon Hill Childrens Farm. (Image: Allison Peterson)

Clover Point Park | If you’re looking for the perfect beach day, head over to Clover Point Park . This pebbly beach has ample space to go rock collecting, dip toes in the sea, and build driftwood forts. Bring sturdy sandals or beach shoes for the quick but somewhat steep walk down to the beach from the clifftop parking area — this stunning beach is well worth the effort!

Clover Point. (Image: Allison Peterson)

Fisherman’s Wharf | Fisherman’s Wharf is a charming and eclectic over-water village just a 15-minute walk from Victoria’s inner harbour. Explore quaint shops while dining on fish tacos and ice cream and you’ll feel like you’ve entered another world. Kids will enjoy playing at the adjacent waterfront park before strolling back to town.

Fisherman’s Wharf. (Image: Allison Peterson)

Biking | With hundreds of miles of dedicated bike paths, riding bikes is a great way to explore Victoria and the surrounding area. Several bike shops offer daily rentals and guided tours like Victoria Bike Rentals and Cycle B.C.

Kayaking | Since Victoria is located on a harbour, exploring by sea can be a great way to tour the area. Several local companies offer kayak rentals and tours like Ocean River Sports and Kelp Reef Adventures.

(Image: Allison Peterson)

Whale watching | Victoria offers ample opportunities to observe and learn about marine life via seasonal whale watching tours. Several companies offer guided whale watching and zodiac boat tours directly out of Victoria Harbour such as Prince of Whales and Springtide.

Victoria’s Chinatown National Historic Site | Visit Canada’s oldest and most intact Chinatown right in the heart of Victoria. Take in the beauty of historic buildings, sample traditional Chinese foods, and shop in a variety of stores and marketplaces. Squeeze your way down Fan Tan Alley – with an entrance only three feet wide, it is the narrowest commercial street in North America.

(Image: Allison Peterson)

Dino Lab | Budding archaeologists will love discovering real dinosaur fossils at Victoria’s Dino Lab . Offering guided tours and private dig times, Dino Lab visitors are able to learn from dinosaur experts while getting up close and hands-on with fossils. Reservations required.

Dining

Whether you fancy a quick bite or a unique treat, Victoria has dining options to satisfy even the pickiest eaters.

• The Local: Burgers, bowls, wraps, and kid fare with patio seating available
• Red Fish Blue Fish: Seaside fish taco bar, fish ‘n chips, and sustainable seafood
• The Blue Fox Cafe: Voted Victoria’s best breakfast for the last three decades…need I say more?!
• Crust Bakery: Handmade pastries, sandwiches, and bakery goods
• Discovery Coffee: Handcrafted coffee and doughnuts
• Murchie’s Fine Tea: Canada’s oldest tea company, serving specialty tea, coffee, sandwiches, and bakery goods
• Chocolats Favoris : Delectable chocolates and fancy dipped ice cream cones
• Olde Tyme Candy Shoppe: Candy for every craving

(Image: Allison Peterson)

As you can see — Victoria has something special for every traveler, no matter your interests or budget. Armed with these tips, you’ll be ready to cross the Salish Sea and create unforgettable memories with your family in this charming city!

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The post A Weekend in Victoria: Tips for a family-friendly getaway appeared first on Seattle's Child.

My kids enjoyed their time so much that “That’s so cool!” and “Mom, this smells really good” were all I heard on our trip around the garden. We highly recommend this park for a day trip and outing, rain or shine.

Location, location, location

East of downtown Bellevue and connected to Wilburton Park (a must-see with large playground structures AND a zip line), the garden welcomes you with tree-lined paths, a colorful, moving sculpture, and a waterfall wall. After running up to the wall, my kids stick their hands in the water and squeal at how frigid it feels.

Garden layout, small doors and waterfalls

The Bellevue Botanical Garden park is divided into specialty gardens — native, perennial, rock and water gardens — each exhibiting the diversity of plants and flowers that grow in the Pacific Northwest. We turn to the left and walk up a ramp into a lush forested grove, heading into the Native Discovery Garden. Along the way, we used my phone and the QR codes posted around the park to learn more about the foliage.

Hopping over to the other side in the Japanese Garden.

Daffodils and tulips have started to emerge out of the ground. Rhododendron buds bulge from the tips of stems, and the last of the dried leaves and flowers that survived through much of winter fall to the ground. We follow a path to the Yao Garden through a traditional Japanese gate. (The Yao Garden honors the sister-city relationship between Bellevue and Yao, Japan.) We find a Japanese lantern to sit by in this peaceful space, taking in the scenery and enjoying the maples, huge basalt stones, and other greenery.

Exiting the garden, we spot waterfalls and a curious door built into a stone wall. The door is locked, but we decide it must be a Hobbit door and imagine all the beautiful places it leads to. We spot another curious statue, a chair named “The Nature of Sitting.” We take turns sitting on the sculpture, “I’m the King of the garden!” claim both kids.

The Hobbit door

Moving on, we pass through the Native Discovery Garden and observe ducks dunking their heads into the ponds and run to see a sculpture of an owl, about to take flight, with a fierce look on its face.

The Ravine Experience

Signs point us to The Ravine Experience, which is why we came to the park! A 150-foot suspension bridge hangs over a rushing stream, surrounded by native foliage and tall trees. We walk along the bridge, which sways under our feet, and stop in the middle to take pictures and look down the ravine. We walk back and forth a few more times and eventually head back to the Lost Meadow Trail.

The Lost Meadow Trail and interactive sculptures

The trail is a 1/3-mile loop through ten acres of woodlands, meadows and wetlands. We spot birds and squirrels, balance our way back and forth on moss-covered stone garden hedges, and see many sculptures. There are many favorite sculptures – one in particular is “Night Blooming,” a structure resembling a beehive with an opening so visitors can check out the inside. My kids pretend to be bees and buzz ourselves into the sculpture and find the afternoon light passing through the tiny gaps, creating a remarkable image. We stay a while, sitting on the ground, just looking up.

“Night Blooming”

Inside the “Night Blooming” sculpture

Continuing on the trail, we see many more sculptures. Some we sit in or on, touch, and investigate. The loop brought us around to the front of the park. We were near Waterwise Garden, the Urban Meadow and the Rock Garden. Near the cafe, we see tables and chairs so visitors can rest and a large green lawn where visitors can set out a picnic. We also see photographers scattered around, taking photos, since it’s a special place for family pictures too.

Last Looks

Heading back out to the parking lot, my kids can’t resist getting another splash of water at the waterfall wall. We took another look at the “Large Galaxy” statue at the main entrance. The flowers on the path leading to the parking lot smell so good that visitors should stop at these potted plants for another sensory experience.

Like many garden parks, the Bellevue Botanical Garden is worth checking out more than once a year, with blooming flowers, changing leaves, and plenty of wildlife passing through. We know we’ll be back soon for another visit. Maybe next time, the Hobbit will have made his way back.

Know Before You Go

• The Trillium Store, the gift shop has seasonal hours. Please check the website for the latest hours of operation.
• The Copper Kettle Coffee Bar serves sandwiches, snacks, coffee, tea, juices and treats. Check the website for seasonal hours. They provided free Wi-Fi.
• Supervise children and stay on pathways and lawns at all times.
• Do not enter plant beds or climb on rocks.
• Pets are not allowed. (Service animals only.)
• No bicycles, skates, scooters or skateboards allowed.
• Parking and admission are free.
• The paths are stroller-friendly.
• Restrooms are open.
• Check out the BellHop, Bellevue’s 100% electric, on-demand, and free shuttle service if you want to avoid driving.
• The garden offers free story times for children in preschool and kindergarten every month!

More Things to Do

27 wonderful children’s books and outings to go with them 

Mushrooms are amazing! How to study them with kids

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An improvement from its predecessor, “Haunted Mansion” squeezes in enough laughs and jumps to warrant a spin in the Doom Buggy. However, the film’s lasting impression will not live up to its source material, a ride which, even at just 9 minutes long, packs in more of a punch than the 2-hour feature.

A scene from Disney’s live-action HAUNTED MANSION. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2023 Disney Enterprises

A spooky ride

It’s unlikely there was any contingency of moviegoers begging for a redo of the 2003 fiasco adaptation, “The Haunted Mansion”. Based on the beloved ride that has been spooking guests since it opened in 1969 at the Disneyland theme park, that film and its newest incarnation, “Haunted Mansion”, were made with the high hopes of bringing back to life the nostalgia and whimsical terror experienced by Disney fans on the animatronic attraction during its nearly 55 years in operation.

At the very least, “Haunted Mansion” has made some overall improvements and updates for our movie-going experience. Apart from dropping “The” in its title, this new film written by Katie Dippold and directed by Justin Simien, focuses on developing and building up the haunted house trope from scary movie lore, doing away with the gag-filled plot and harnessing the power of the supernatural.

The Eddie Murphy-led film from 20 years ago had little structure and a dilapidated premise. At the very least, this new film builds an impressive, cohesive world that isn’t the worst place to inhabit for a couple of hours. The cast is stacked with high-profile names and talent. The story finds a comfortable rhythm and keeps the action moving; there are no unfortunate mid-ride breakdowns or long periods of stalling. But even so, the scare factor is either too strong for some young viewers or too weak for older audiences, causing “Haunted Mansion” to fall through the cracks often found in such old houses.

(L-R): Chase Dillon as Travis, Rosario Dawson as Gabbie, LaKeith Stanfield as Ben, Owen Wilson as Father Kent, and Tiffany Haddish as Harriet in Disney’s HAUNTED MANSION. Photo by Jalen Marlowe.

Some fixes and improvements

The Disneyland ride uses “Doom Buggies” to transport visitors throughout the haunted house, double-wide chairs with a gothic cape that bend and turn as the various ghosts parade around it. The pace is steady, not fast, which allows the spooks to settle in and reside for a time. By this same token, “Haunted Mansion” is not interested in hard and fast scares, preferring instead to set the scene and develop its characters before the real nightmares commence.

LaKeith Stanfield stars as Ben, an astrophysicist and recent widower living in New Orleans. Stricken by grief, Ben can barely perform on the historical tours of NOLA he has been operating since his wife’s passing. His life changes when Father Kent (Owen Wilson) pops by with a proposition: help photograph ghosts in a remote mansion outside the city using his homemade spectral camera and make some seemingly easy cash.

Gabbie (Rosario Dawson) and her son Travis (Chase Dillon) had moved into the large house looking for a fresh start. It became quickly apparent that this was no normal mansion in Louisiana when ghosts flooded from the woodwork, traumatizing Travis and leaving Gabbie desperate to be rid of the apparitions. With the additional aid of a Bourbon Street medium Harriet (Tiffany Haddish) and local historian Bruce (Danny DeVito), Ben, Gabbie, Travis and Father Kent must solve the mystery and absolve the house of the tormented spirit holding every soul inside hostage.

(L-R): Owen Wilson as Father Kent and Tiffany Haddish as Harriet

No need to strap in

The all-star cast is rounded out by Jamie Lee Curtis as head-in-an-orb psychic Madame Leota and Jared Leto, whose purely voice performance is a wasted use of his talent. The chemistry created amongst the cast carries much of the film, even the scenes that were obviously written in to tie it back to the source material. Winona Ryder makes a small cameo for that reason, donning the Victorian-era maroon dress and headpiece made famous by the attendants working at the Disneyland attraction.

Despite all of this, “Haunted Mansion” won’t make you rethink your favorite spooky movie. Ardent Disney fans will delight in the Easter Eggs, but the joy ends there. As a standalone tale, the film offers no explanation for the haunting or the origins of its evil. Apart from Ben, Gabbie and Travis, the other main characters, though played by actors known for their comedic presence, are underdeveloped. Overall, the film treads in shallow water, never making the leap or taking the chance to set it apart from what it ultimately is: just another movie based on a Disneyland attraction.

Lindsay Lamb as The Bride in Disney’s HAUNTED MANSION. Photo courtesy of Disney.

Know before you go

MPAA rating: PG-13 for some thematic elements and scary action

Recommended age: 10+

Runtime: 122 minutes

Nightmare inducers: Though the film is rated PG-13, it is arguably on the lighter end of that rating. There is nothing that would truly scare adult viewers. Those younger than 10 may be spooked by a few situational shocks and the more gruesome ghosts of the lot. (The murderous phantom bride has long been a staple of the ride’s myth and the main contributor to its sinister atmosphere.) For young viewers easily frightened, there may be enough bump-in-the-night sequences to trigger nightmares. For more mature young viewers, “Haunted Mansion” will be an easier Halloween-time movie selection.

Difficult concepts or emotions: Death is certainly one of the film’s foremost keynotes, given that a majority of its characters live in the ghost realm. But the lead characters are also grappling with the passing of key relationships, which may be triggering for kids who are easily affected by morbid thoughts or the fear of loved ones dying. The young boy Travis is bullied and feels different from his peers. Discussions of “fitting in” and “being yourself” prevails much of his story arc.

Read more

Find more things to do on seattleschild.com

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