Here are some of our favorite nature centers around the Seattle area.

Hiram Chittenden Ballard Locks

• Take the trails: Stroll the paths at Carl S. English Botanical Garden to find the grassy hill facing the locks — a popular place for kids to roll down.
• Cost: Free
• Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Oct 1, 2024-April 30, 2025) Closed Monday/Tuesday
• Location: 3015 NW 54th St., Seattle.

The Ballard Locks is a fantastic, pet-friendly place to watch boats of all sizes pass from the freshwater harbor to the tidal waters of Puget Sound. In the summer months, you can also watch salmon climb a water ladder on their epic journey to spawning grounds. The visitor center and museum explore the Locks’ history through videos and installations.

Aerial view of the Locks. (Image courtesy US Army Corps of Engineers)

Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

• Take the trails: The refuge has four miles of mostly boardwalk trails that move through varied landscapes, from the forest to the river and pond.
• Cost: $3/for adults, 16 and under: Free, use the America the Beautiful Pass
• Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Visitor Center)
• Location: 100 Brown Farm Road NE, Olympia

Take your flock to Olympia’s Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, which attracts more than 250 species of birds, seven species of amphibians and tons of other wildlife. Interactive stations and placards reveal a wealth of information about the delta, watershed, and animal habitat. This center is what many birds on their north and south migration use as a refuge to feed and rest before continuing their flight. Check out binoculars from the Norm Dicks Visitor Center to see wildlife up close. Here is more information about which wildlife you can expect throughout the different seasons. 

Nisqually Estuary Boardwalk at sunrise (Image: Steve Russell)

The Breazeale Interpretive Center/Padilla Bay

• Take the trails: A spiral staircase leads to a rocky beach or take the Padilla Bay Shore Trail, one mile south of the center, for grand views of the San Juan Islands, Mt. Baker, and the Cascades.
• Cost: Free
• Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Location: 10441 Bayview Edison Road, Mount Vernon.

Located in Skagit County, the pet-friendly Breazeale Interpretive Center is a mini-aquarium that packs a punch. Exhibits tell the tale of Padilla Bay estuary and its intertidal mudflats. Large tanks hold seastars, urchins, and various fish. Touch tanks are a plus for kids. Don’t miss the hands-on room: sort shells and rocks, identify bones, read, play games, and more.

Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. (Image courtesy State of Washington Department of Ecology)

Brightwater Environmental Education Center

• Take the trails: The facility is surrounded by three miles of trails
• Cost: Free
• Hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Location: 22505 WA-9, Woodinville

Where does poop go? It’s a question that every curious child wants to know, and the answer is at this pet-friendly wastewater treatment facility and education center. Interactive stations teach kids about water conservation and how the treatment facility separates wastewater into clean and reclaimed water.

Brightwater Treatment Plant. (Image courtesy King County.gov)

Cedar River Watershed Education Center

• Take the trails: For an easy walk, follow the paved path from the Center to the shore of Rattlesnake Lake
• Cost: Free
• Hours: Thursday-Friday, 12-5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Location: 17905 Cedar Falls Road SE, North Bend

This pet-friendly education center is all about the city’s drinking water. Listen for the rhythmic beats of water hitting the collection of drumheads created by local artist Dan Corson. Grab a blue ping-pong ball and get ready to experience a day in the life of a water droplet.

Cedar River Watershed Treatment Center. (Image courtesy Seattle Public Utilities)

Highline College MaST Center

• Take the trails: Walk the beach at low tide. MaST divers often recover animals from the Sound, so be on the lookout as you walk on the shore.
• Cost: FREE
• Hours: Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Location: 28203 Redondo Beach Drive S, Des Moines

Gobies, greenlings, sculpins, gunnels, sea stars, crabs, and snails, too. You’ll find them at this marine biology center and aquarium, where a 38-foot gray whale skeleton greets you at the door. There are more than 250 native Puget Sound marine species in the Center’s tanks of marine life and hands-on exhibits.

(Image courtesy of MaST Discovery Center)

Tacoma Nature Center

• Cost: FREE
• Hours: Everyday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Location: 1919 S Tyler St., Tacoma

The Tacoma Nature Center is on a 70-acre preserve surrounding Snake Lake and offers something for everyone. Engaging activities include family walks, easy trails, and a fantastic playground. Exhibits host local wildlife like frogs, turtles, and bugs. Interactive areas teach how to build a wetland and its importance to our environment. The reading nook provides a quiet space, while the log-shaped tunnel calls for kids with a lot of energy to climb and scurry through, which is especially great on rainy days. 

(Image courtesy Tacoma Parks)

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Fairytale or nightmare? In the end, this adventure—made possible by Washington Paid Family Leave—was far more the former. Rather than spend the entire postpartum period at our Seattle home, my wife and I sought out an extended change of scenery while caring for our newest family member.

Doing something different the second time ’round

After our older child, Lena, was born in 2021, we relished a leisurely summertime postpartum at home in Seattle. Once we got the hang of parenting on our own turf, our family leave time allowed us to plot midweek getaways to Tokeland, Marrowstone Island, Glacier, and Orcas Island, unburdened by work schedules.

But as my wife and I prepared for Lena’s little brother Asa to arrive in January, we began dreaming up something different. Why stop at a few short getaways? As seasoned pros, we knew that newborn care is largely the same no matter where you are, and that taking such a long break from our professional responsibilities was unlikely to happen again any time soon. Having a baby is like going on a sabbatical, with a few extra diaper changes. 

What’s more, we realized that in a few years, we will be beholden to school schedules, which means the prospects of spending this much wintertime away from home are dim. Paid leave of absence from our jobs felt like the last, best chance to do something unconventional for years to come.

Not to mention snow country is the only place we really want to be in the colder months, so the Methow Valley—home to the largest (family-friendly) cross-country ski trail system in North America—seemed the ideal spot to spend a big chunk of our paid family leave time.

BYOF

To keep costs down, we rarely dined out. Instead, we relied on prepared food that we cooked before Asa’s birth. We also brought along dishes made by the friends and family who signed up for our new baby meal train. In fact, when the train was created, we specifically requested easy-to-reheat frozen meals. 

Taking dinner preparation out of the equation made parenting two kids with no child care far less daunting. 

Timing it right

Timing was crucial to executing this gambit. The plan was to leave for the Methow roughly one month after Asa was born, but we made the rental reservation six months before his due date. Fortunately, he came on time, so the calendar worked in our favor. 

Before we hit the road, all of his medical appointments for his first month of life were complete, and we scheduled his two-month check-up for the first full day we were back home. 

What ifs

Our doctor gave us her blessing with a few caveats — seek medical attention if Asa had a high fever or his stool deviated from newborn mustard yellow.

Still, there’s no denying that we were rolling the dice. If he or mama had any birth complications, we likely would have had to pull the plug. And if something dramatic had happened on the trip that required specialized care from an institution like Seattle Children’s, we were hours instead of minutes away.

The economics

We rented a well-appointed two-bedroom, two-bathroom cabin on a lovely wooded lot alongside a burbling river. The cabin cost $3,750, which breaks down to $125 per night. Compared to what a nightly rental this size would cost, we calculated that by spending at least two weeks in the cabin we would break even on the monthly rate. We stayed three weeks total.

We had to configure a temporary diaper changing station on a bookshelf and drag along a Pack ‘n Play. But we found the gorgeous floor-to-ceiling mountain views, breathtaking night sky, and serene quiet a more pleasant setting for midnight feedings and afternoon temper tantrums than our cozy-but-getting-cramped Craftsman in Squire Park.

We also pre-purchased season passes to the Methow Trails system, so we could ski as much or as little as we wanted on any given day. Methow Reservations, the valley’s homegrown rental lodging reservation system, manages several properties that are only available for 30-day-plus stays. 

Lesson learned

In hindsight, staying in a more developed winter resort town would have given us more choices when entertaining a toddler for several weeks—although such a destination likely would have been more expensive. We did find a wonderful babysitter, however, who gave us much-needed respite from our very active toddler.

If you choose a city break instead of an outdoor recreation destination for an extended parental leave getaway, this conundrum may prove less of an issue, but for us, the complete change of scenery was a prime motivation. Did we mention we had guests? Don’t hesitate to invite friends who can crash the party for a few days, especially those who can pull their weight by playing with a toddler or cradling a newborn.

Far from an option for every parent

Of course, a month-long vacation is not financially realistic for all new parents. 

For many, paid family leave is a wage replacement that allows parents to afford the basics while not working their normal job. In our case, eating the cost of Lena’s preschool for such an extended absence was a bitter pill to swallow, but we are fortunate enough to have annual vacation savings, so we decided to invest in this one grand adventure. 

Going away for the postpartum period and new-baby leave period is not for everyone, but if you are fortunate enough to be able to use paid leave funds beyond meeting your family’s basic needs, consider an extended getaway. The luxury of time off is a uniquely precious commodity. Come next year you’ll be back to long weekends and a week or two here or there.

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A young research assistant outfitted my daughter with tiny headphones, and, as we sat together, a toy mechanical monkey would occasionally light up in front of us, grinning wildly and banging its little metal cymbals to my daughter’s squealing delight.

The monkey was my then-5-month-old’s introduction to science.

In a nutshell, researchers played sounds in her ear through the headphones. The delicate equipment registered when she heard a sound, setting the monkey in action. We found out her hearing was fine, and I felt a little pride in knowing she had contributed to the growing body of research on infant hearing. The experience was so enjoyable for both of us that we signed up to participate in two other infant studies.

I’m far from unique in my curiosity. About 1,800 infants and children are enrolled in UW child development research each year, and on average, 650 families of infants and toddlers are assigned to take part in studies each month.

Why participate in research?

Participating in child development research through the university’s Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences (I-LABS) has several benefits. Parents gain increased awareness about their child’s growth and behavior, learn about resources to enrich a child’s early learning environment and get paid for their participation. For most kids, it’s a fun outing. And then there’s the element of giving back.

“The largest benefit of participating in research is undoubtedly the contribution to science itself,” says Dr. Christina Zhao, a Research Assistant Professor at the UW’s Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences. Zhao directs the Lab for Early Auditory Perception (LEAP) housed within I-LABS.

“Our understanding of early human development is made possible by generations of children and families who participated and continue to participate in research,” Zhao says. “These families advance the world’s understanding of human growth and behavior, essentially laying the groundwork for policies and programs related to child health, education, and welfare.” 

Labs need infants and toddlers

Infant and toddler participants are almost always needed in I-LABS studies. 

“Right now, we have 15 different labs requesting infant and child participants,” says Dr. Ellen Levi, who manages the university’s study participant pool. Infants as young as six weeks are needed for some studies, and researchers will soon be looking at newborns. Many studies are trying to understand what typical child development looks like while others seek to gain a better understanding of autism, Fragile X, Down Syndrome, speech and language delays and disorders, and deafness,” adds Levi.

What happens in a study?

What an infant or older child will do as a research study participant depends on the study. For example, Tori Hennessy pointed to the Sibling Language Development currently underway as an example of what happens. The study examines the underlying neural mechanisms of infant language development with families. Hennessy manages the LEAP’s daily activities. The researchers on the study are recruiting infants aged 3 to 5 months with at least one sibling over the age of 3.

Participating families visit the lab four times over a year. Here’s what happens: 

First, the older sibling undergoes a one-hour language and behavioral assessment. 

“During the initial appointment, big siblings work with one of our research speech and language pathologists to assess their language skills,” says Hennessy. “The child may be asked to identify pictures, repeat sounds or sentences, and chat with the SLP about their favorite toy. We take lots of breaks and provide snacks as needed. Parents are encouraged to observe the whole session from our adjoining, family-friendly observation room.” 

Multiple sessions to recors

Then, over three sessions at 6, 12, and 14 months, the infant sibling is scheduled for neural recording.

“We use magnetoencephalography (MEG) technology to understand how infants process and learn speech,” says Hennessy. “An MEG recording is safe, silent, and the perfect brain-imaging tool for babies since it’s much like sitting in a fancy infant car seat. Infants in the study listen to speech sounds, and the MEG records how their brain responds to those sounds. During the recording, infants are entertained by a highly trained research assistant (AKA a toywaver) with a variety of toys. 

“While the infants listen passively to the auditory stimuli, we are collecting valuable data about what is happening in their brain,” says Hennessy. “An infant’s capacity to process and differentiate between speech sounds allows us to illustrate their language development trajectory.” 

How to get involved

Erica Stevens, assistant director of the UW I-LABS, says the University of Washington has a vibrant research community. The labs have developed a simple way for families to volunteer for studies. Families opt in to the labs’ participant pool, a database shared by research labs exploring questions about human development. 

“We are constantly recruiting people of all ages and all backgrounds to join our pool,” says Stevens. “Parents can enroll their children in the pool as young as newborns by filling out an intake form. Any age is welcome.”

You can register your child in the Communication Studies Participant Pool at studies.uw.edu/join. You can also call 206-616-6210 or email babylab@uw.edu to learn more.

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The post Baby science: Enroll in UW infant research appeared first on Seattle's Child.

Healthy eating habits for kids: Hydration and Nutrition

Hydration is key in summer, and while water is often the go-to, don’t overlook milk. Milk contains essential electrolytes like potassium and sodium, which play a crucial role in maintaining the body’s fluid balance, especially important for active kids during hot months. For those with lactose intolerance, lactose-free milk provides the same hydration and nutritional benefits without discomfort.

Creative Meals

Summer is the perfect canvas for creative meals that are as fun to make as they are to eat. Transform cucumbers into boats and fill them with a mix of cherry tomatoes, chickpeas, feta cheese, and fresh herbs, topped with a light vinaigrette. Follow up with a summer berry parfait, starting with rich Greek yogurt, which is rich in protein and essential for children’s development. Add granola, then a layer of fresh Washington berries. These simple, nutritious dishes are perfect for kids to assemble and enjoy.

Refreshing Treats

Who doesn’t love cool treats on a warm day? Try homemade frozen yogurt fruit popsicles or easy smoothies. Get creative and use a variety of berries and fruits mixed with a swirl of creamy yogurt for that perfect blend of taste and nutrition.

Smart Snacking

Between sun-soaked adventures, snacking can help maintain energy levels. Pair fiber-rich foods like apple slices with some nut butter or whole grain crackers with slices of cheese. These combinations provide a balance of taste and nutrient-dense energy to keep kids satisfied and ready for their next summer activity.

Chill Factor

In the summer heat, refreshing snacks are important. For a quick cool-down, freeze yogurt tubes. Alternatively, use leftover granola and berries to create a chilled yogurt bark – spread yogurt on a tray, top with granola and berries, and set it in the freezer. Once solid, break it into pieces for a crunchy, cool treat. Even a brief freeze can transform yogurt cups into a creamy treat. These cool snacks are not just enjoyable but also a safe way to beat the heat and keep energy levels up.

Building Healthy Eating Habits for Kids

Cultivating a love for nutritious eating early on can set a foundation for lifelong healthy choices. Share screen-free meals outdoors to reinforce the value of eating together. Try making food fun by shaping fruits and sandwiches into playful designs or let them be the chefs, picking out fruits and veggies, and getting hands-on with meal prep. It’s all about turning healthy eating into an opportunity to explore new foods and flavors.

With these tips in mind, let’s make this summer fun and healthy. Here’s to staying hydrated and enjoying the flavors of the season.

About the Author

Dairy Farmers of Washington champions and supports our state’s dairy industry, helping make Washington a unique place to live. We take pride in promoting Washington’s exceptional products and collaborating with partners who share our commitment to sustainable and delicious dairy. For more in-depth nutrition information and tasty recipes, visit our website at wadairy.org.

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The first six weeks can be the hardest emotionally.

From feeding to bonding, what you expect to feel or do may not match reality. Moments of grief and regret are as common as the joy a newborn can bring. Adjusting to a huge life change while not getting adequate sleep can make it feel like you’ll never find a rhythm. Caring for yourself and your baby with little time for other tasks is sometimes lonely and anxiety-producing. 

The newborn phase can bring amazing moments of love along with some of the hardest days you’ll ever face. Plans often change so be prepared to reset expectations. Once the baby starts interacting with you more, parenthood generally feels more rewarding. Remind yourself the day is coming soon when your baby will smile at your valiant efforts. It’s their way of letting you know You Are The Best Parent They Ever Had.

In the meantime, new parent support groups, perinatal therapists, and postpartum doulas can help you navigate the first months. Check out the peer support groups offered by PEPS and Families of Color Seattle to reduce isolation and normalize your experience. 

Birth recovery looks different for everybody and every body.

Give yourself grace. Post-pregnancy, hormones continue to have a loosening effect on joints and ligaments, making it easier to injure yourself. Movement is important for recovery, but ease into exercise and protect your joints from stress. 

Some pregnant people choose to begin working with a physical therapist during the third trimester to reduce pain, support childbirth, prevent pelvic floor dysfunction, and aid in general postpartum recovery. All parents are at elevated risk for repetitive stress injuries from infant care so good ergonomics are important.

You baby will pee on you.

Girl or boy, your newborn will let it flow on you, and probably not just pee. It is an initiation rite for all new parents. Wait a few minutes after your baby poops before changing them. Trust me. They’re probably not done yet. Put a clean diaper under the baby before you begin diaper changes to help contain messes. 

Asking for help is the hardest when you need it the most.

In our hyper-individualized society, accepting support even during huge life changes is a challenge, but it certainly makes surviving this time easier. People who offer help want to support you. Make a list of needs and plan to ask your community for help in ways that work for you. 

You are actually the expert.

Parents are surrounded by experts—pediatricians, doulas, etc…, on almost any topic. Ultimately you are the expert on your baby because you spend the most time with them. Trust yourself. 

Relationships change.

From grandparents to friends to partners, things can change in unexpected ways. Shifting self-perception and needs can be challenging. Clear communication is essential. Consider these classes to help protect your relationships. 

• Bringing Baby Home is a workshop aimed at helping couples understand the impact of a baby on their relationship and keeping their relationship strong once baby arrives. 
• Swedish Medical Center’s Grandparents Class is designed to help grandparents understand the latest research and ways they can lend support to the new family.

Your baby didn’t read that book.

There isn’t a single book or Instagram page with all the tips for the “right” way to parent. There is no single right way. If there were, there would only be one book on the shelf! Your baby will have a unique temperament, personality, and other attributes. That means parenthood depends on finding your best style for raising them.

Feeding can be the biggest surprise.

Despite all the information available prenatally, most new parents say feeding challenges are still the biggest postpartum surprise. Each feeding situation is unique leaving even the most prepared parents sometimes feeling overwhelmed. Informed support beginning immediately after birth can make a significant difference in developing a successful feeding plan. Consider hiring an IBCLC-certified lactation consultant or postpartum doula before the baby comes. 

Here’s one practical tip: Hand express and collect colostrum before birth to be used in the first day or two if needed. Be sure to check with your care provider about when it’s safe to start expressing. 

And remember, there is never shame in choosing or needing to use formula.

Megan Davis is a seasoned Certified Postpartum Doula at www.doulamegandavis.com

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My favorite temporary pets were the perch and sunfish we’d catch on fishing trips and bring home in a bucket. We’d fill up the bathtub and let them swim around for a while. Then we’d kill them and eat them. 

So, years later, it was new territory for me when we got a dog. My daughters had been lobbying hard for one for a long time, but I’d resisted. Having small children was enough of a challenge already, thank you very much. I wasn’t looking for another mouth to feed, or anyone else’s poop to clean up, and I just wasn’t convinced that it would be worth all that time and effort. Eventually, though, I gave in.

We got Java when she was just a puppy. She was a standard Labradoodle: a little black ball of curls and energy and sharp little teeth. As advertised, she didn’t shed, or trigger our allergies, but she did gnaw on the furniture and poop all over the yard, and she barked at every dog who passed within a hundred yards of our house. We tried to train her, with mixed results, but after a while it didn’t seem to matter. Little by little, she became part of the family.

As she grew older, and much bigger, she developed a mischievous streak. Combined with her inherited poodle talent for standing on her hind legs, it allowed her to surreptitiously poach any food we carelessly left within her reach. Once we found an empty bag on the counter which had recently contained an entire loaf of bread. There was not so much as a crumb of evidence at the scene of the crime, but her skulking demeanor when we confronted her with the bag told us all we needed to know.

In truth, though, she was the least problematic member of our family. The rest of us, with our endless capacity for selfishness and self-absorption, were always disappointing or wounding each other, as humans do. Java, though, was all about our pack. When we walked in the door, she’d greet us as if we were conquering heroes, and when we got out her leash for a walk, she’d shower us with unbridled gratitude and joy. Her love was pure and uncomplicated in a way that ours could never be. There were no strings attached, no simmering grudges, no unspoken disappointments to temper her devotion. In the evenings, when we were all home under one roof, she’d lie at our feet and bask in the contentment of having her pack reunited. That was all she ever wanted from this world.

Java developed bladder cancer when she was nine years old–not a pup by any means, but still in her prime. It was too soon–we weren’t prepared to let her go. When the time came to put her down, we took her to the vet, and each said goodbye to her in turn. We fed her treats, and stroked her fur, and hugged her against our chests. She was wagging her tail, clearly enjoying all the love and attention, but I’m sure she was confused by our tears. She could always read our collective emotions like a book, and our grief must have been as clear to her as the neighborhood news she read with her nose as she sniffed through her morning walk. 

It’s easy to make fun of people who anthropomorphize their pets. Who really knows what a dog thinks when we dress it up in a tiny sweater, or what a cat feels when it insists on going in and out of the house a dozen times in an hour? We see ourselves in them, and we interpret their behavior in terms of our own customs and ways. But what we often forget is that they are watching us from their own perspective as well. 

Java’s lifelong project was to transform us into a proper wolf pack. With patience, persistence and unshakeable faith, she kept showing us the power of unconditional love. And though we never met the standard that she set for us, I like to think she trained us well enough so that, in the end, she felt we were worth all that effort and time. 

Jeff Lee is still trying to learn new tricks, in Seattle WA

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Bongos

This place is all about a fun family time and good food, from its colorful paint job and grass awnings to its backyard-style Caribbean cuisine to its sandpit with shovels and buckets. It’s like stepping onto a beach in the city. You’re sure to find kid-pleasers among the chicken dishes, po’boys, or burgers. But the simple beans and rice is a sure bet. 6501 Aurora Ave. N, Seattle. bongosseattle.com 

The Spot

Yes, you can get burgers and other tasty fare at The Spot West Seattle. But go for the waffles, sweet or savory, served all day and accompanied by free live all-ages music on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. This “community hangout” is for all ages, so pick your family’s spot on the patio and tuck in. 2920 SW Avalon Way, Seattle. thespotwestseattle.com

Agua Verde Café

The burritos are big, as are the restaurant’s awesome views of Portage Bay. Kids’ fare is simple: bean and cheese burritos, quesadilla, or their famous “mangodilla,” a mango, and your choice of meat-filled quesadilla, are usually hits. Warning: it’s crowded during the summer. Grab a basket of chips and wait for your table at the adjacent waterfront park. Got time? Rent single and double kayaks and paddleboards from Agua Verde Paddle Club, just below the restaurant, March through October. 1303 NE Boat St., Seattle. aguaverdecafe.com

Humble Pie

Humble Pie is an unassuming pizza joint just off Rainier Avenue. It offers outdoor dining with infrared heaters at picnic tables beneath a solar panel roof, as well as an indoor dining room.  It’s wonderful in the summer but even on a cold, rainy night, it’s a great place to stay cozy and enjoy some of the best pizza in town.

Half of their pizzas are vegetarian-friendly. Kids should check out the chicken coop, which helps supply those egg pies. 525 Rainier Ave. S, Seattle.  humblepieseattle.com

Anthony’s Beach Café

The Beach Café is a lovely spot for outdoor dining while enjoying the splendid view of boat activity on Puget Sound. There’s solid food and a large sandbox for the kiddos in the outdoor dining area in warm weather months. Feeling adventuresome? Walk on the nearby Edmonds/Kingston ferry for a short, scenic ride. 456 Admiral Way, Edmonds. anthonys.com

Elemental Pizza

U-Village is a popular hangout for Seattle families: There’s shopping, a playground, fun water fountains, and outdoor dining on the patio at Elemental Pizza, where pies are made from fresh ingredients in an open wood-fired oven. The grassy play area nearby is a great place for kids to cavort before the pizza arrives. 2634 NE University Village St., Seattle. elementalpizza.com 

Smarty Pants Garage

This motorcycle-themed American fare pub with “dang good sandwiches” is tucked in the alleyway behind Grand Central Bakery in Burien. There are only two items on the kids’ menu – a grilled cheese with a side and a kid-sized pancake with fresh fruit during brunch hours. But the regular menu has lots of options, and they’re plenty big to share with your littles. Kids will love the motorcycles on display and more garage-themed décor. Dogs welcome. 626 SW 152 St., Burien. smartypantsgarage.com

Ivar’s Salmon House and Fish Bar

There are many Ivar’s restaurants around Seattle, but this one in the Northlake/Wallingford neighborhood sits right on the water with a patio offering up-close views of Lake Union boat traffic and the downtown Seattle skyline. There are two restaurants here: inside with full-service menus and a large collection of Native American art, and the walk-up fish bar on the sidewalk.  Both offer seating on the barge, where kids will enjoy watching the seaplanes take off, and the water taxis drop off passengers at the restaurant dock. 401 NE Northlake Way, Seattle. ivars.com/salmon-house

** Writer Jennifer Mortenson contributed to this article.

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But what if your family is not yet ready for permanent pet ownership or is unable to make that kind of long-term and financial commitment? Or you already have a pet but your kids want more animals in their lives?

Thankfully, there’s another – much-needed – option for connecting kids with the ethics and benefits of animal care: fostering shelter animals. 

Fostering comes with responsibility but also with flexibility. Homeless animals have a variety of needs – small space or larger, short-term or longer, on their own or with other foster animals. Have resident pets? That can work well, too, though some foster animals will require a private or protected space in your home. 

Kitty Love

The Manning family of Shoreline has fostered felines for PAWS (Progressive Animal Welfare Society) for five years. The family of five includes “master fosterers” Katie Manning and her 11-year-old daughters Eliana and Ava.

The three Mannings agree that the first few times they fostered, they felt a bit nervous, even though they had completed foster training at PAWS. 

 “We quickly learned we weren’t really on our own,” says Manning. “The PAWS Foster staff is wonderfully supportive.”

During years of fostering, they have become accustomed to returning beloved animals to the shelter to find their “forever homes.”

Ava remembers that returning the first couple groups of kittens was hard. “But then the family talked about it, and we just said, ‘Let’s do it again,” because the fun is much more than the sadness.”

The art of parting

Still, parting can be sweet sorrow. “It can be tough, especially at first,” says Manning. “I get a little teary when I drive up to the foster office.” But, she says, three things make that drive easier:

• “We can’t keep them all.” The family has several permanent pets.
• “When we return a current foster to the shelter, we make room in our home and hearts to take another one.”
• The family has total trust in PAWS to vet potential adopters and ensure each feline finds a loving home. 

The twins are heavily involved in the care of the fosters, including kittens. “We get to see the kittens being born,” Eliana says. “One time, I put it on Zoom so my friend could watch, too.” 

“It was a mini biology lesson,” adds Manning.

Newborn kittens require special attention, although the mama cat is wired to provide most of the care. “We weigh them every day,” Ava says. “Sometimes we need to bottle- or syringe-feed them, so we’ve learned to make up the formula. We pass the kittens around and everyone helps.”

Even visitors. When people come to visit the Mannings, they help socialize the felines to living with humans. Sometimes, they fall in love and decide to adopt one or two. All potential adopters are interviewed and approved by PAWS staff to ensure the cats’ “forever homes” are happy homes.

Caring for Canines

Chris Korol and her daughter Jo Lauckhart, 12, haven’t kept a list, but they estimate they’ve fostered close to 200 dogs since they began in Berkeley, CA, when Jo was 5. 

“When we returned to Seattle,” says Korol, “one of the first things we did was to look into local animal rescue organizations. PAWS is one of the oldest and largest and has a great reputation, so we signed up.” 

Fostering is definitely a family affair, says Korol, although Jo’s dad and 15-year-old brother have less hands-on responsibility. Jo takes on extra responsibility by fostering small animals like rabbits and mice through Seattle Animal Shelter.

A foster  fails mean love

Sometimes, there’s a “foster fail” – an animal the family just can’t part with. The curly ball of fur bouncing on Jo’s lap is a recent example. According to Jo, “She’s got so much personality. Plus, her sibling didn’t make it, and her mom got adopted, and I didn’t want to let her go.” 

Korol enjoys fostering and says it has taught her kids responsibility and how to care for animals. “It’s temporary, so if the kids don’t pull their weight, a family just doesn’t foster again. Or they wait until the child matures and asks to try it again.”

For this family, one of the most rewarding parts of fostering has been welcoming mama dogs, who then have their puppies in the home. 

“The kids have been able to watch the process, experience what that’s like, and then care for the newborn pups,” says Korol. Of course, the births don’t always go well, and that’s difficult. But, she says, “it’s also a learning opportunity, that’s a part of life. . . And the PAWS Foster staff is a big help when things don’t go as we had hoped.”

Now in middle school, Jo continues to feel great about taking in foster dogs and other animals. How would she advise a friend whose family is considering fostering? She would give an unqualified thumbs-up.

“It’s a lot of work sometimes,” she says. “But it’s really worth it. You feel good about helping, and the animals are just lots of fun!”

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