And here’s a special bonus: many of these wonderful institutions participate in the First Thursdays free-museum nights. That means you can enjoy top-tier exhibits, interactive galleries, and learning experiences for free on select evenings. (For more on that, check our article on Free museum admission in Seattle on First Thursdays.)

Ready? Let’s start exploring.

Why Visit Museums with Your Kids

• Hands-On Learning Makes a Difference — Whether it’s a mini bonsai or a giant aircraft, experiences stick when kids can touch, climb, ask, and explore.
• Screen-Free Quality Time — Many of these spots are outdoor or open-air friendly, offering breaks from screens and schedules.
• STEM + History + Creativity — Each museum brings its own flavor: science labs, local history, art and innovation, and industrial design. You can build a season’s worth of museum outings that cover it all.
• Accessibility & Value — From free admission days to community-discount programs, there are many ways to engage affordably.

Featured Museums

• Guide to the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture (Seattle, WA)
• Guide to The Museum of Flight (Seattle, WA)
• Guide to the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) (Seattle, WA)
• Guide to KidsQuest Children’s Museum (Bellevue, WA)
• Guide to the Pacific Bonsai Museum (Federal Way, WA)
• Guide to the White River Valley Museum (Auburn, WA)
• Guide to Imagine Children’s Museum (Everett, WA)
• Guide to Hands On Children’s Museum (Olympia, WA)
• Guide to Children’s Museum of Skagit County (Burlington, WA)
• Guide to SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention (Bellingham, WA)
• Guide to Rocky Reach Discovery Center (Wenatchee, WA)
• Guide to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) (Portland, OR)

Planning Your Visit: Tips & Themes

Map your route

• Seattle core: Burke, Museum of Flight, MOHAI — great for metro day trips.
• Eastside & South: KidsQuest (Bellevue), Pacific Bonsai (Federal Way) — good for combining with parks or other outings.
• North: SPARK (Bellingham), Children’s Museum of Skagit County — perfect for a weekend getaway.
• Central & beyond: Rocky Reach (Wenatchee) + OMSI (Portland) — longer trips but high-reward.
• Multi-stop days: Combine a museum with outdoor time (parks, waterfronts) for maximum family enjoyment.

Check free/discount days

Many of the museums above offer programs like First Thursdays (free or discounted admission after 5 p.m.), membership discounts, and community access nights. Planning visits around these dates can significantly reduce cost.

For example, several museums listed participate in free First Thursday evenings: perfect for after-school or evening visits without sacrificing the full experience. See our overview of free museum nights in the region for more details.

Age-friendly picks

• Toddlers/preschool: Hands On Children’s Museum, Imagine Children’s Museum
• Elementary: KidsQuest, Children’s Museum of Skagit County, White River Valley Museum
• Upper elementary/tweens: SPARK, MOHAI, Museum of Flight
• Full-family/mixed ages: Burke Museum, Rocky Reach Discovery Center, OMSI

Combine learning with play

Look for interactive experiences — climbing, building, creating, experimenting. Most of these museums include hands-on labs or discovery zones where kids choose their own pace and path.

Make it an annual plan

With 11+ museums listed, you can easily plan a “museum of the month” series for your family — keeping outings fresh and exciting all year long.

Why These Museums Stand Out

These spots aren’t just for looking — they’re built for families to dive in and explore together.

• They lean on local specialties (Seattle’s aviation, Washington’s hydropower, Bellingham’s electrical history) to make learning relevant.
• They span a wide geographic area, giving families a range of day-trips and mini-getaways.
• They support a variety of ages and learning styles — from sensory-friendly hours to invention labs.
• They offer value — many with free/discounted days, membership perks, and community access initiatives.

Maximizing Your Visit

• Arrive early if you want more space and fewer crowds — especially on free admission days.
• Pack snacks or plan for lunch nearby (many museums are near cafés, parks, or food trucks).
• For rainy days: choose indoor museums like Burke, MOHAI, SPARK, or KidsQuest.
• Outdoor combos: Pair White River Valley Museum with nearby Les Gove Park or head to Rocky Reach’s riverfront grounds.
• Mix older and younger children: Choose a museum with a broad age-range of exhibits so all can engage.
• Plan around free admission promotions like First Thursdays, library pass programs, EBT discounts, etc.

Bookmark this family-friendly museum guide for the Pacific Northwest and use it as your go-to list when you’re ready for your next adventure — from Seattle to Portland and everywhere in between. Start by choosing one museum from this list for your next outing, add it to your calendar, and plan the full experience (exhibits, snack break, outdoor time). Once you’ve got one visit under your belt, pick your next one and build a “museum circuit” your family looks forward to all year.

The post Ultimate Guide to Family-Friendly Museums (Seattle & Beyond) appeared first on Seattle's Child.

Issaquah Salmon Hatchery: Easy Access and Educational Tours

The Issaquah Salmon Hatchery is not open for guided tours and self-guided audio tours for individuals and small groups.Visit www.issaquahfish.org for more information. The hatchery is located at 125 W. Sunset Way in Issaquah.

See Sockeye on the Cedar River Salmon Journey

Join the Cedar River Salmon Journey and see spawning sockeye – bright red fish with green heads – at four sites along the Cedar River near Renton. Self-guided tours are available and Seattle Aquarium’s Naturalists will be available for questions and short talks. Go to this website for tour details, and kids activities.

Watch Chum and Coho at Carkeek Park’s Piper’s Creek

See hundreds of returning chum and dozens of coho make their way into Piper’s Creek at Carkeek Park throughout November and December. This is the easiest place to see spawning salmon within city limits.

Look for fins and tails in the waters of Piper’s Creek. (Image: iStock)

Self-Guided Salmon Viewing at Bear Creek in Redmond

View sockeye and chinook salmon in Bear Creek from late September to mid-November by visiting a short trail behind Redmond’s Keep It Simple Organics at 12526 Avondale Road N.E. This is a self-guided tour.

Duwamish River Hotspots for Fall Salmon Migration

Visit three sites – Codiga Park, Duwamish Gardens Park and North Wind’s Weir – on the Duwamish River to glimpse pinks, chinook, coho and chum migrate to upstream spawning beds. For more information, check out the county’s SalmonSEEson page. Check out www.DuwamishAlive.org for information about the river, restoration efforts, and special events.

Kelsey Creek and the Mercer Slough Fish Ladder

In October, salmon may return to Kelsey Creek at the Mercer Slough fish ladder south of Southeast 8th Street in Bellevue and at the west tributary at Kelsey Creek Farm Park. A webcam provides views of the creek. Call or email for updates before you go: 425-452-5200 or streamteam@bellevuewa.gov.

Boardwalk Views at Lake Sammamish State Park

Lake Sammamish State Park has a boardwalk trail near where the lake feeds into Issaquah Creek. This is where several salmon species journey from the lake up the creek to the salmon hatchery and beyond. The best viewing occurs mid-September through mid-October, with numbers usually highest in early October. You will need a Discover Pass to park at the state park. There is an automated pay station in the parking lot where you can buy one.

Rare Kokanee Spawning at Ebright and Lewis Creeks

If you are patient and lucky, you might see a little kokanee. They are the same species as sockeye but spend their whole lives in freshwater streams and lakes. From early November through late January, these native fish run at creeks feeding into Lake Sammamish. The runs have been quite small, and scientists are worried the Sammamish kokanee is near extinction. Here’s more information, including a map showing where to look for them.

The post It’s salmon spawning season — here’s where to watch appeared first on Seattle's Child.

From major shows like ZooTunes and Chateau Ste. Michelle’s concert series to the smaller, laid-back performances in local neighborhoods, there’s something for every family. The best part? Many local concerts are free, family-friendly, and easy to drop into after dinner or on a whim.

Spread out a blanket, say hi to familiar faces, and let the kids burn off energy dancing near the stage. Meanwhile, you can relax with a picnic or grab something tasty from a nearby food truck. It’s easy, low-stress summer fun — and it might become your new favorite summertime tradition.

Top free and family concerts in Seattle for summer 2025

May 2025

Seattle

Honk! Fest West | May 30 – June 1 | Georgetown, Columbia City and Pratt Park | The annual free, three-day, community-supported music festival is happening in three neighborhoods.  The music ranges from New Orleans second line brass bands, punk rock marching bands, European Klezmer, Balkan and Romani music, Samba, Maracatu, as well as the passion and spirit of Mardi Gras and Carnival.

Honk Fest West. (Photo courtesy Espresso Buzz Photography)

Summer Concerts at the Locks | May 31 – September 1 | Ballard Locks | Free | Every Saturday and Sunday from 2-4:30 p.m. with the exception of June 15 (10 a.m. Father’s Day) July 4 (Friday) and September 1 (Monday). Full lineup here, May shows below.

• May 31: Boeing Employees Concert Band (Opening Day)

June 2025

Seattle

Summer Concerts at the Locks | May 31 – September 1 | Ballard Locks | Free concerts every Saturday and Sunday from 2-4:30 p.m. with the exception of June 15 (10 a.m. Father’s Day) July 4 (Friday) and September 1 (Monday). Full lineup here, June shows below.

• June 1: Northwest Swing
• June 7: Woodinville Community Band
• June 8: Ballard Brass
• June 14: Hyper Resonance Sax Ensemble
• June 15: Mustangs Northwest Classic Car Show (10 a.m., Father’s Day)
• June 15: Elliot Bay Pipe Band
• June 21: Eastside Modern Jazz Orchestra
• June 22: Around the Sound Community Band
• June 28: Kirkland Civic Orchestra
• June 29: 85th Street Big Band

The Concert Truck Seattle Chamber Music Society | June 20 – July 3 | Multiple locations | Free | Experience the magic and excitement of Seattle Chamber Music Society concerts put on wheels. SCMS musicians will join Concert Truck artists to play a series of concerts throughout the region, free and open to the public in neighborhoods, parks, and markets near you! Check their 2025 dates and locations here.

The Concert Truck! (Photo courtesy Jenna Poppe)

July 2025

Seattle

Spotlight on the Waterfront | July 3-17 & July 31-Sept 25 | Pier 62/Salish Steps | Every Thursday from 6-8 p.m., (except July 24), free live performances set on the city’s scenic locations, Pier 62. Full line up here, July shows below.

• July 3: Tlalokan (Salish Steps)
• July 10: Black and Loud Fest (Pier 62)
• July 17: The Residency (Salish Steps)
• July 31: The Griot Party Experience (Pier 62)

Summer Concerts at the Locks | May 31 – September 1 | Ballard Locks | Free concerts every Saturday and Sunday from 2-4:30 p.m. with the exception of June 15 (10 a.m. Father’s Day) July 4 (Friday) and September 1 (Monday). Full line up here, July shows below.

• July 4 (Friday): Seattle Civic Band
• July 5: Cascadia Big Band
• July 6: Centerpiece Jazz Band
• July 12: Tutti Flutti Flute Ensemble
• July 13: West Seattle Big Band
• July 19: Greenwood Concert Band
• July 20: STRUM
• July 26: Coal Creek Jazz Band
• July 27: Poker Club Brass Ensemble & Guests

Summer Series at the Volunteer Park | July 10 – August 14 | Tickets here | Every Thursday evenings from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for free concerts. Food trucks will be on site. Full line up here, July shows below.

• July 10: The Paperboys, Stacy Jones Band
• July 17: Sara Gazarek, Jovino Santos Neto,
• July 24: Nite Wave, The ABBAgraphs,
• July 31: LeRoy Bell and His Only Friends, Dance Church

Summer at SAM: Concert Night | July 10-August 7 | Free | Olympic Sculpture Park | Thursday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. for free concerts for all ages. Each event will have music, art activities, and food trucks. See website for more details. July line up below.

• Thursday, July 10: Black Ends & Zookraught
• Thursday, July 17: Midnight High & Babes in Canyon
• Thursday, July 24: Instant Crush & Linda from Work
• Thursday, July 31: All Star Opera & AJ Suede
• Thursday, August 7: Passenger String Quartet

Downtown Summer Sounds from previous year. (Photo courtesy: Downtown Seattle Association).

Downtown Summer Sounds | July 11 – August 28 | Hours vary | Multiple Parks in Seattle | Free | Join this free concert series in the Seattle area with multiple locations. See the full lineup here.

U Village Concert Series | July 16 – August 20 | Village Green at U Village | Free | Every Wednesday evening starting at 6-8:30 p.m., music begins at 7 p.m. Full lineup here, July shows below.

• July 16: Wild Rumors – new!
• July 23: Paperback Writer
• July 30: Nite Wave

East of Seattle

Music in the Mountains | July 5 – August 23 | Summit West, Snoqualmie Mountain | Every Saturday from 3:30-5:30 p.m., join Snoqualmie Summit and enjoy free live music. Full lineup here.

Live concerts in the Mountain. (Photo courtesy The Summit at Snoqualmie)

Kirkland Summer Kids Concerts | July 15-22 & August 12-19 | Juanita Park | Free | Join on select Tuesdays from 10-11 a.m. and sing-a-long or dance-along to family friendly music. Full line up here, July shows below.

• July 15: The Brian Waite Band
• July 22: Cowboy Buck

Lunch Concert Series | July 9 – September 5 | Multiple locations in Bellevue | Free | Happen on select Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 12 to 1 p.m. and multiple locations in Bellevue. Food trucks will be on site. Full line up here, July shows below coming soon.

• July 9: Birch Periera & the Gin Joints @Skyline Tower
• July 10: D’Vonne Lewis 3 @Bellevue Connection Compass Plaza
• July 11: Adrian Xacier @Bellevue Square Fountain Court
• July 16: Ian Ayers & Jesse T @Symetra Center
• July 17: The New Triumph @Bellevue Connection Compass Plaza
• July 18: Aaron Crawford @Bellevue Square Fountain Court
• July 23: New Age Flamenco @The Eight
• July 24: Fern Spores @Bellevue Connection Compass Plaza
• July 30: Brittany Collins @Symetra Center
• July 31: Alma Vilegas Latin Jazz @Bellevue Connection Compass Plaza

Celebrate Woodinville Summer Concerts | July 9-30 | Wilmot Gateway Park | Free | Every Wednesday night from 6:30-8 p.m. free concerts, local vendors, food trucks and a beer/wine garden onsite. July shows below.

• July 9: The Abbagraphs
• July 16: Cherry, Cherry
• July 23: Emily Mcintosh
• July 30: Brian James

(Photo courtesy Celebrate Woodinville/Carol Hook/Sarah Kogler)

Rock the Village Series Kirkland | July 9 – August 27 | Village in Totem Lake | Free | Every Wednesday from 7-8:30 p.m., on the green near Cinemark. Stay tuned for the full lineup here.

• July 9: Nite Wave (80’s)
• July 16: Sway (Pop)
• July 23: Good Day Sunshine (Beatles Cover)
• July 30: The Jewel Tones (Motown)

Pine Lake Outdoor Concerts | July 10 – August 14 | Pine Lake Park, Sammamish | Free| Every Thursday evening from 6:30-8 p.m. Local food truck vendors onsite. Full lineup here, July shows below.

• July 10: Three Trick Pony
• July 17: Stephanie Anne Johnson
• July 24: Creedance Tribute Band
• July 31: Friends of the Ghost

Kirkland Evening Concerts | July 10-31 & August 7-28 | Marina Park, Kirkland | Free | Every Thursday from 7-8:30 p.m. Full lineup here, July shows below.

• July 10: Laurel Canyon
• July 17: Herding Cats
• July 24: Eden
• July 31: Christie Huff

City of Mercer Island | July 17 – August 21 | Mercerdale Park | Free | Every Thursday evening from 6:30-8:30 p.m., enjoy concerts for the whole family. Food trucks will be on site each week as well as hands on arts and crafts for kids. Full lineup here. July shows below.

• July 17 – Paperback Writer – Beatles Tribute
• July 24 – MIMX – Mercer Island Cover Band
• July 31 – Gimme Shelter – Rolling Stones Tribute

Lake Boren Concert in the Park | July 23 – August 13 | Lake Boren Park | Free | Every Wednesday from 6-8:30 p.m. Full line up here, July shows below.

• July 23: Between 2 Gregs
• July 30: Diamond Star Halo

Rockin’ on the River | July 30, Aug 13 & 20 | Redmond City Hall | Free | On select Wednesday evenings starting at 5:30 p.m., Full line up here, July shows below.

• July 30: Stonesy

South of Seattle

Concerts at the Arboretum | July 8 – September 2 | Lake Wilderness Arboretum, Maple Valley | Free | Every Tuesday from 6-7 p.m., featuring local musicians, singers, songwriters, and spoken words.

Kent Picnic Performances | July 9 – August 6 | West Fenwick Park, Kent | Free | Every Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. featuring kid friendly performances, as well as water games, carnival-style activities, sno cones, and sports. Full lineup here, July shows below.

• July 9: Alex Zerbe’s Zaniac Comedy Show
• July 16: Red Yarn
• July 23: Aaron Nigel Smith
• July 30: DJ Willy Wow

Kent Summer Sounds | July 9 – August 20 | Kent Station | Free | Every Wednesday evening from 6-8 p.m. Full lineup here, July shows below.

• July 9: Darren Motamedy
• July 16: Nite Wave – 80’s Nite
• July 23: Jewel Tones
• July 30: Santa Poco

Kent Music in the Meadow | July 10 – August 14 | Morill Meadows Park | Free | Every Thursday evening from 6:30-8 p.m., featuring refreshments each night by the Cafe Delaloba & KONA Ice of Maple Valley.

• July 10: Heart By Heart featuring Steve Fossen & Michael Derosier of Heart
• July 17: Eden
• July 24: Prom Date Mixtape
• July 31: Kalimba – The Spirit of Earth, Wind & Fire

Kids Summerstage. (Photo courtesy Auburn Parks and Recreation)

Auburn Kids Summerstage | July 9 – August 13 | Les Gove Park | Free | Every Wednesday afternoon from 12-1 p.m., in the shelter beside Discovery Playground. Hot day? Head to Rotary Spray Park before or after the show. If there is rain, concerts will be moved indoors. Full lineup here, July shows below.

• July 9: Reptile Isle
• July 16: Recess Monkey
• July 23: Charlie Williams The Noiseguy
• July 30: The Magic of Jeff Evans

Auburn Summer Sounds | July 9 – August 13 | Les Gove Park | Free | Every Wednesday evening from 6:30-8 p.m. family friendly concert series. Full lineup here, July shows below.

• July 9: Army Reserve Rock Band. Playing great rock-n-roll music and more
• July 16: Michael Powers – Contemporary Jazz guitar
• July 23: The Flea Circus
• July 30: Never Haz Been – Classic Rock

Bonney Lake Kids Club | July 14 – August 18 | Allan York Park | Free | Every Monday evening from 6:30-7:30 p.m. They will have music, entertainment and reptiles. Check the website for updates on events before attending! See 2025 lineup here.

Des Moines Arts Commission| July 16 – August 20 | Des Moines Beach Park | Free | Every Wednesday evening from 7 – 8:30 p.m., enjoy concerts at the waterfront beach park. Food trucks will be onsite. Coming soon; 2025 lineup here.

Tukwila Concert Series| July 20, Aug. 3, 17, 31, Sept. 7 | Tukwila Community Center | Free | Family friendly concerts on select Sundays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., held on the same day as the Tukwila Farmers Market. See the 2025 lineup here.

North of Seattle

Hazel Miller Plaza Concerts | July 8 – August 21 | Edmonds Hazel Miller Plaza | Free | Every Tuesday & Thursday from 4:30-6 p.m., for free summer concerts featuring a variety of musical stylings from Puget Sound area groups and ensembles. Full lineup here, July shows below

• July 8: Adrian Xavier (Reggae, Ska, Jazz)
• July 10: Outside the Lines (Rock/Country/Pop Cover Mash-ups)
• July 15: Michele D’Amour & the Love Dealers (R&B/Funk)
• July 17: Chimacum Creek (NW Rock/Folk/Soul)
• July 22: DK Duo (Country/Blues/Funk)
• July 24: Dan Duval Good Vibes Trio (Jazz Vibraphone)
• July 29: Sunbeam Tiger (Power Pop/Soul)
• July 31: TBA

Mill Creek Town Center | July 9-September 24 | The Forum, Mill Creek | Free | Every Wednesday evening from 6-8 p.m., showcasing a line-up of jazz, R&B, rock and more. Full line up here, July shows below.

• July 9: The Infinity Project Journey Tribute
• July 16: Cloud Cover Alternative Rock Hits
• July 23: Paperback Writer Beatles Tribute
• July 30: Groove Nation Top 40s

Music in the Marina (Photo courtesy Port of Everett)

Music at the Marina | July 10 – August 28 | Port Gardner Landing, Everett | Free | Every Thursday evening from 5-9 p.m. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs, and enjoy the food trucks while you listen to the music. Music starts at 6:30 p.m. Full lineup here, July shows below.

• July 10: Nite Wave – 80s New Wave Tribute
• July 17: Santa Poco – Twang & Country
• July 24: The Little Lies – A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac
• July 31: Moxie – Feel Good Funk/R&B

Kenmore Summer Concerts | July 10, 24 & Aug 7, 21 | Saint Edwards State Park | Free | On select Thursdays from 6-8 p.m., enjoy a night of live music, delicious food, and fun activities. This event is free (offers a free shuttle service), or if you plan to park, you must have a Discover Pass. Full 2025 concert lineup here. July shows below.

• July 10: TBA
• July 24: TBA

Summer Nights in Bothell | July 11, July 25, August 8 | Bothell Landing Park | Free | Select Friday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. with live music and food trucks. 2025 lineup below:

• Friday, July 11 | Jed Crisologo & Victims of Love
• Friday, July 25 | Robbie Christmas & Brian James Was Here
• Friday, August 8 | The West Coast Feed & Nite Wave

The Edmonds Arts Commission | July 20 – August 24 | Edmonds City Park | Free | Every Sunday afternoon from 3-4 p.m. The concert on August 24 will be at Hickman Park. In case of rain, Sunday Concerts are canceled at 2:30 p.m. Full line up here, July shows below.

• July 20: Golden Bough (Celtic)
• July 27: Todo Es (Latin Jazz)

August 2025

Seattle

Summer Concerts at the Locks | May 31 – September 1 | Ballard Locks | Free concerts every Saturday and Sunday from 2-4:30 p.m. with the exception of June 15 (10 a.m. Father’s Day) July 4 (Friday) and September 1 (Monday). Full lineup here, August shows below.

• August 2: Pacific Cascade Big Band
• August 3: Jazz Orchestra
• August 9: Batucada
• August 10: Ballard Sedentary Sousa Band
• August 16: Pacifica Big Band
• August 17: American a Sax Quartet
• August 23: StageOne
• August 24: Lynnwood Community Band
• August 30: Washington State Letter Carriers
• August 31: Music a Molida

U Village Concert Series. (Photo courtesy: University Village).

U Village Concert Series | July 16 – August 20 | Village Green at U Village | Free | Every Wednesday evening starting at 6-8:30 p.m., music begins at 7 p.m. Full lineup here, July shows below.

• Aug 6: Kalimba
• Aug 13: Hit Explosion
• Aug 20: The Paperboys

Spotlight on the Waterfront | July 3-17 & July 31-Sept 25 | Pier 62/Salish Steps | Every Thursday from 6-8 p.m., (except July 24), free live performances set on the city’s scenic locations, Pier 62. Full line up here, August shows below.

• August 7: Halau Hula Pulamahiaikalikolehua (Pier 62)
• August 14: Northwest Folklife (Salish Steps)
• August 21: ARTS at King Street Station (Pier 62)
• August 28: Mak Fai Dragon and Lion Dance (Salish Steps)

Summer Series at the Volunteer Park | July 10 – August 14 | Tickets here | Every Thursday evenings from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for free concerts. Food trucks will be on site. Full lineup here, August shows below.

• August 7: Quincy Jones Tribute Show with Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra and Special Guest Danny Quintero
• August 14: Kalimba, Day Soul Exquisite

(Photo courtesy Volunteer Park Trust)

Music in the Park| August 7-28 | Madison Park, Seattle | Free | Every Thursday from 6:30-8 p.m. Bring your picnic blanket, your delicious food, and your dancing shoes to the Madison Park playground. Coming soon 2025 line up here.

East of Seattle

Lunch Concert Series | July 9 – September 5 | Multiple locations in Bellevue | Free | Happen on select Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 12 to 1 p.m. and multiple locations in Bellevue. Food trucks will be on site. Full line up here, August shows below.

• August 1: Savanna Woods @Bellevue Square Fountain Court
• August 7: Sonando @Bellevue Connection Compass Plaza
• August 8: The Side Project @Bellevue Square Fountain Court
• August 14: Sam Russell & The Harborrats @Bellevue Connection Compass Plaza
• August 15: Kim Archer & Rene LeMesnager @Bellevue Square Fountain Court
• August 21: Warren Dunes @Bellevue Connection Compass Plaza
• August 22: Miller Campbell @Bellevue Square Fountain Court
• August 28: Bryan John Appleby @Bellevue Connection Compass Plaza
• August 29: Andre Feriante @Bellevue Library/KCLS

Bellevue Lunch Concert Series (Photo courtesy: Bellevue Downtown Association).

Music in the Mountains | July 5 – August 23 | Summit West, Snoqualmie Mountain | Every Saturday from 3:30-5:30 p.m., join Snoqualmie Summit and enjoy free live music. Coming soon: full 2025 lineup here.

Kirkland Summer Kids Concerts | July 8-22 & August 12-19 | Juanita Park | Free | Join on select Tuesdays from 10-11 a.m. and sing-a-long or dance-along to family friendly music. Full lineup here, August shows below.

• August 12: Harmonica Pocket
• August 19: Ian Dobson

Concert in the Park (Photo courtesy Newcastle.gov)

Lake Boren Concert in the Park | July 23 – August 13 | 6 to 8:30 p.m. | Wednesdays | Lake Boren Park | Free | Every Wednesday from 6-8:30 p.m. Full lineup here, August shows below.

• August 6: The Pioneer Squares
• August 13: Two Story Zori

Rock the Village Series Kirkland | July 9 – August 27 | Village in Totem Lake | Free | Every Wednesday from 7-8:30 p.m., on the green near Cinemark. Stay tuned for the full lineup here.

• August 6: The Talbott Brothers (Pop/Country)
• August 13: Chapter 5 (Funk/Pop/R&B)
• August 20: Victims of Love (Eagles Cover)
• August 27: Soul Sacrifice (Santana Cover)

The Jewel Tones at Rock the Village. (Photo courtesy: Village at Totem Lake).

Pine Lake Outdoor Concerts | July 10 – August 14 | Pine Lake Park, Sammamish | Free| Every Thursday evening from 6:30-8 p.m. Local food truck vendors onsite. Full lineup here, August shows below.

• August 7: Two Story Zori
• August 14: Eden

Kirkland Evening Concerts | July 10-31 & August 7-28 | Marina Park, Kirkland | Free | Every Thursday evening from 7-8:30 p.m. Full lineup here, August shows below.

• August 7: Good Day Sunshine
• August 14: The Hipsters
• August 21: Joel Gibson Jr
• August 28: One Hit Wonders

City of Mercer Island | July 17-August 21 | Mercerdale Park | Free | Every Thursday evening from 6:30-8:30 p.m., enjoy concerts for the whole family. Food trucks will be on site each week as well as hands on arts and crafts for kids. Full lineup here. August shows below.

• August 7: Brickhouse – 70s Disco Funk
• August 14: The Pioneer Squares – Classic Rock Variety
• August 21: Prom Date Mixtape – 80s New Wave

Rockin’ on the River | July 30, Aug 13 & 20 | Redmond City Hall | Free | On select Wednesday evenings starting at 5:30 p.m., Full lineup here, August shows below.

• August 13: Madman Across the Water
• August 20: The Jewel Tones

South of Seattle

Kent Picnic Performances | July 9-August 6 | West Fenwick Park, Kent | Free | Every Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. featuring kid friendly performances, as well as water games, carnival-style activities, sno cones, and sports. Full lineup here, August show below.

• August 6: Uncle Jumbo

Kent Summer Sounds | July 9-August 20 | Kent Station | Free | Every Wednesday evening from 6-8 p.m. Full lineup here, August shows below.

• August 6: Oncore featuring the Platinum Horns
• August 13: The Cory Wilds Band
• August 20: School of Rock Kent

Kent Music in the Meadow | July 10 – August 14 | Morill Meadows Park | Free | Every Thursday evening from 6:30-8 p.m., featuring refreshments each night by the Cafe Delaloba & KONA Ice of Maple Valley. August shows below.

• August 7: Eldridge Gravy and the Court Supreme
• August 14: Ryanhood

Summer Stage Kids Concert. (Photo courtesy Auburn Parks & Recreation)

Auburn Kids Summerstage | July 9 – August 13 | Les Gove Park | Free | Every Wednesday afternoon from 12-1 p.m., in the shelter beside Discovery Playground. Hot day? Head to Rotary Spray Park before or after the show. Full lineup here, August shows below.

• August 6: Eric Ode
• August 13: Louie Foxx’s One-Man Side Show

Auburn Summer Sounds | July 9 – August 13 | Les Gove Park | Free | Every Wednesday evening from 6:30-8 p.m. family friendly concert series. Full lineup here, August shows below.

• August 6: Seastar – Contemporary Celtic folk music
• August 13: Cosmic Vinyl – hits from the 60’s to the 80’s

Bonney Lake Kids Club | July 14 – August 18 | Allan York Park | Free | Every Monday evening from 6:30-7:30 p.m. They will have music, entertainment and reptiles. Check the website for updates on events before attending! See 2025 lineup here.

Des Moines Arts Commission| July 16 – August 20 | Des Moines Beach Park | Free | Every Wednesday evening from 7 – 8:30 p.m., enjoy concerts at the waterfront beach park. Food trucks will be onsite. Coming soon; 2025 lineup here.

Tukwila Concert Series | Aug. 3, 17, 31, Sept. 7 | Tukwila Community Center | Free | Family friendly concerts on select Sundays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., held on the same day as the Tukwila Farmers Market. See the 2025 lineup here.

North of Seattle

Hazel Miller Plaza Concerts | July 8 – August 21 | Edmonds Hazel Miller Plaza | Free | Every Tuesday & Thursday from 4:30-6 p.m., for free summer concerts featuring a variety of musical stylings from Puget Sound area groups and ensembles. Full lineup here, August shows below.

• August 5: Puget Sound Company (A Capella)
• August 7: Jazz Therapy (Latin Jazz)
• August 12: Emerald Blue (Jazz/Funk)
• August 14: Scott Lindenmuth Jazz Trio
• August 19: Cosmo’s Dream (Americana)
• August 21: Bobby Medina Mariachi Mexico Trio

Mill Creek Town Center | July 9-September 24 | The Forum, Mill Creek | Free | Every Wednesday evening from 6-8 p.m., showcasing a line-up of jazz, R&B, rock and more. Full lineup here, August shows below.

• August 6: Hair Nation 80s Hair Rock
• August 13: Cherry Cherry Neil Diamond Tribute
• August 20: Sly Mr. Y Classic Hits
• August 27: Madman Across the Water Music of Elton John

Live music at the Marina in Everett. (Photo courtesy: Katetakesphotos)

Music at the Marina | July 10-August 28 | Port Gardner Landing, Everett | Free | Every Thursday evening from 5-9 p.m. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs, and enjoy the food trucks while you listen to the music. Music starts at 6:30 p.m. Full lineup here, July shows below.

• August 7: Steel Beans & Small Paul – PNW Rock and Roll
• August 14: Victims of Love -A Tribute to The Eagles
• August 21: Queen Mother – A Tribute to the Music of Queen
• August 28: Leroy Bell & His Only Friends – An evening of Pop & Soul

Kenmore Summer Concerts | July 10, 24 & Aug 7, 21 | Saint Edwards State Park | Free | On select Thursdays from 6-8 p.m., enjoy a night of live music, delicious food, and fun activities. This event is free (offers a free shuttle service), or if you plan to park, you must have a Discover Pass. Full 2025 concert lineup here. August shows below.

• August 7: TBA
• August 21: TBA

The Edmonds Arts Commission | July 20 – August 24 | Edmonds City Park | Free | Every Sunday afternoon from 3-4 p.m. The concert on August 24 will be at Hickman Park. In case of rain, Sunday Concerts are canceled at 2:30 p.m. Full lineup here, July shows below.

• Aug 3: General Mojo’s (Psych Rock)
• Aug 10: Eli Rosenblatt Band (Salsa/Hip-Hop/Reggae/World Beat)
• Aug 17: Edmonds-Woodway High School Wind Symphony
• Aug 24 | Brass Band Northwest (Big Band) @ Hickman Park**

September 2025

Seattle

Summer Concerts at the Locks | May 31 – September 1 | Ballard Locks | Free | Every Saturday and Sunday from 2-4:30 p.m. with the exception of June 15 (10 a.m. Father’s Day) July 4 (Friday) and September 1 (Monday). Full lineup here, September show below.

• September 1: Moondance, Van Morrison Band (Labor Day)

Spotlight on the Waterfront. (Photo courtesy Jo Cosme/Friends of Waterfront Park)

Spotlight on the Waterfront | July 3-17 & July 31-Sept 25 | Pier 62/Salish Steps | Every Thursday from 6-8 p.m., (except July 24), free live performances set on the city’s scenic waterfront location, with a mix of music, dance and art performances. Full lineup here, September shows below.

• September 4: Artists of Color Expo and Symposium (Pier 62)
• September 11: Seattle Escribe (Salish Steps)
• September 18: Daybreak Star Radio (Pier 62)
• September 25: Sounds of Survivance (Salish Steps)

East of Seattle

Lunch Concert Series | July 9 – September 5 | Multiple locations in Bellevue | Free | Happen on select Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 12 to 1 p.m. and multiple locations in Bellevue. Food trucks will be on site. Full line up here, September shows below.

• September 4: Massy Ferguson @Bellevue Connection Compass Plaza
• September 5: Chris Eger @Summit

South of Seattle

Tukwila Concert Series| July 20, Aug. 3, 17, 31, Sept. 7 | Tukwila Community Center | Free | Family friendly concerts on select Sundays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., held on the same day as the Tukwila Farmers Market. See the 2025 lineup here.

• September 7: TBA

North of Seattle

Mill Creek Town Center | July 9-September 24 | The Forum, Mill Creek | Free | Every Wednesday evening from 6-8 p.m., showcasing a line-up of jazz, R&B, rock and more. Full lineup here, August shows below.

• September 3: Good Times Roll The Cars Tribute
• September 10: The Davanos Classic Rock
• September 17: Point of Sail Yacht Rock
• September 24: Spike and The Impalers Classic Rock

The post The best kid-friendly concerts in Seattle this summer (2025) appeared first on Seattle's Child.

Tips and tricks

Before you head out to one of our rocky beaches, here are some tips and resources to make your trip fun and safe for your family and our beloved sea creatures.

Check the tide schedule. I love the NOAA Tides and Currents website, where I can search by date and location and even plot a whole month’s worth of tides. Negative numbers represent tides below sea level and are the best time to hit the beach. Low tides will occur around the same time across much of the Seattle area, but be sure to adjust the location if you’re headed out to the Olympic Peninsula, where low tides tend to occur earlier.

Bring rain boots and your sure footing to the seaweed-covered rocky terrain at places like Salt Creek Recreation Area. (Image: Natasha Dillinger)

Dress for success. Rain boots or closed-toed sturdy sandals will make exploring our rocky beaches and slippery seaweed more comfortable. Don’t forget sunscreen and water. Keep a change of clothes, a towel, and some hand sanitizer in the car to clean up afterward.

Love our sea life with care. Like an egg, tidepool creatures are tough but fragile. Use one or two wet fingers to gently touch anything you spot. If you pick up a rock to look underneath, replace it gently. Avoid detaching creatures from their homes as it could permanently damage or kill them. Walk carefully to avoid crushing anyone hiding in the eel grass or sand.

Leave pets at home. Not only are they not allowed at Seattle beaches, but their waste deposits toxins in the water and paws can damage the tide pool environment.

A white-lined dirona nudibranch at Brackett’s Landing in Edmonds. (Image: Natasha Dillinger)

Identification, please. Wondering what that red squishy creature hanging from a rock is (hint: it might be a mottled or painted anemone)? You can use an app like iNaturalist (iPhone owners may be able to ask Siri). Local organizations, like those listed below, also host beach naturalists to guide you. Check their websites for dates and locations.

• Seattle Aquarium (beaches from Shoreline to Federal Way)
• Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium (Owen Beach)
• Tacoma Nature Center (Titlow Beach)
• Harbor Wildwatch (Gig Harbor)
• Port Townsend Marine Science Center (Kinzie Beach)
• Environmental Science Center (Seahurst Park, Burien)

Bonus tip: When low tide happens at night, try bringing a UV flashlight with a 365 nanometer wavelength and shining it briefly at sea creatures you find. Some of them (like anemones) are bioluminescent and will glow under your light!

Certain tide pool species are bioluminescent and will glow under a UV flashlight if you’re able to visit at nighttime (typically in the winter). (Image: Natasha Dillinger)

Best places for tide pools

Ready to spot some tidepool creatures? Here are some top tidepooling locations to try out.

Brackett’s Landing

• Location: 50 Railroad Ave. in Edmonds
• Facilities: Limited free 3-hour parking and restrooms
• What we love: The area between the ferry dock and the north jetty is easily accessible from the parking lot (or walk a bit further from street parking when it’s full). The large rocks on either end-host ochre sea stars and painted anemones galore. Walk slowly along the shoreline to see if you can spot crabs, small fish and nudibranchs.

Brackett’s Landing in Edmonds. (Image: Natasha Dillinger)

Carkeek Park

• Location: 950 NW Carkeek Park Road in Seattle
• Facilities: Free parking (the upper level is much closer). You’ll have to walk down a long flight of stairs to the beach, so make sure you stop at the restrooms near the playground (playground under construction until spring of 2025) before heading out.
• What we love: Enjoy the sandy spaces closer to the stairs for aggregating anemones and clams or head north along the beach toward rocks. An especially tall one (you’ll know it when you see it) plays home to ochre sea stars, sea cucumbers and anemones.
• Construction: The bridge that leads you to the beach will soon be under construction. Stay updated here.

Golden Gardens

• Location: 8498 Seaview Place NW in Seattle
• Facilities: Free parking. Park at the northern end of the lot for the closest access to the tidepools. Restrooms are adjacent to the volleyball courts and playground.
• What we love: While you’ll have to trek north past the turtle pond and around a bend to reach the best spots, there is plenty of rocky substrate (the surface on which sea creatures attach) to hold an army of sea creatures. This makes it a good spot to visit on summer days when you want to spread out from the crowds. Keep your eyes peeled for rough piddock clams spitting water out of the sand and mottled sea stars hanging on the rocks.

A sea star wedges its arms through a moon snail collar at Ballard’s Golden Gardens Park. (Image: Natasha Dillinger)

Constellation Park (aka Charles Richey Sr. Viewpoint)

• Location: 3400 Beach Dr SW (West Seattle)
• Facilities: Free street parking (“local access only” signs make it a low-traffic spot). No restrooms, so plan ahead or pack the toddler potty in the car.
• What we love: This is a top destination due to the large amount of rocky dwellings for tide pool life to cozy up. It’s one of the few spots we’ve seen feather duster worms in Seattle (watch for their black and red “plumiage” that gives them their name) in addition to the usual sea stars and anemones. Watch the Seattle Aquarium’s Beach Naturalist page for beach naturalist locations and schedules this summer.

Seahurst Park

• Location: 1600 SW Seahurst Park Rd in Burien
• Facilities: Free parking. Try to find a spot on the lower level for little legs, or take a short walk from the upper parking lot. Restrooms are available near the playground and there are picnic shelters for lunch.
• What we love: Coast Salish tribes have used this area for thousands of years to gather clams, so you can expect to see their jets of water spouting from the sand. Watch for crabs skittering through the eel grass and peep gently under moon snail collars (their gray rings resemble trash at first glance) for nudibranchs. The playground here is right next to the beach, so you can reward little marine biologists with play time when the tide comes back in.

 

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Titlow Park

• Location: 8425 Sixth Avenue in Tacoma
• Facilities: Free parking with restrooms and a great playground.
• What we love: Sea stars and other creatures love to hang out on and around the old pier pilings on the beach, so make these your first stop when you hit the beach. South Sound families will appreciate the guided walks by the Tacoma Nature Center to facilitate low tide finds.

Salt Creek Recreation Area

• Location: 3506 Camp Hayden Road in Port Angeles
• Facilities: Free day-use parking with vault toilets close to the tide pools and flush toilets in the campground (which also features a playground). Head to the northwest corner of the forested campground for stairs leading down to the beach.
• What we love: Also known as the Tongue Point Marine Life Sanctuary, this one is a bit of a trek. Due to the mussel- and seaweed-covered rocky terrain, it’s best for kids with confident footing and parents who can pack them in a carrier. But it is a true tide pool all-star location! We’ve spotted octopus, otters, sea urchins, giant green anemones, blood stars and nudibranchs. I highly recommend including it in your Olympic Peninsula road trip itinerary if your visit coincides with low tide (the rocks are submerged at high tide).

The post Low Tide Wonders: Your guide to Puget Sound’s best tidepools appeared first on Seattle's Child.

Start by talking to the game master. They give you the story and objectives (a mystery to solve, an object to find) and are available to offer hints if you get stuck. Move through multi-room sets, elaborately decorated to encompass the story’s setting, such as a house, jail cell, or ship. Interact with a variety of puzzles within one room. The sets contain many fun gadgets and mechanics, too.

Solve the puzzle, and a drawer with the next clue pops open, revealing the next puzzle in another room.  The game has a time limit, but whether you escape or not, it’s a fun activity and sure to impress even the most jaded teens. If you’re interested in checking out a family-friendly escape room, read on for suggestions on where to go.

(Image courtesy Hourglass Escapes LLC 2025)

Tomb Raider Seattle

1122 Post Ave, Seattle, 98101

• Ages: 10+ The company recommends booking the private option for parties or if you have kids 10 to 14 years old, who could be paired with strangers. An adult must accompany kids 16 and under.
• Length of game: 90 minutes
• Price: $44 and up | Discounts: Weekdays are less expensive, and private games are also slightly lower priced on weekends. There is a weekday spring special currently, all M-F tickets are $44

Although this escape experience is modeled after the Lara Croft Tomb Raider franchise, you don’t need to be familiar with the game to succeed. This 90-minute, six-room experience takes you on a journey to escape the Temple of Fire, solving puzzles along the way. A live guide, “Alex,” leads you the whole way, aided by Lara Croft’s voice to warn of impending danger and move the story along. One thing that sets this escape room apart is the beginning and ending rooms, which feel almost like an amusement park-type ride with motion, sound effects, and “windows” that show the scenery going by as you fly to Chile and then later escape. Having an actor as a game master to guide you is a fun aspect, and they also step in when needed with hints. The set details and special effects made us feel like we were in the Temple of Fire instead of downtown Seattle. Another fun bonus is that at the end, you can get photos taken that are turned into a downloadable and shareable mini comic with music and voice actors. These are emailed to you after the game.

Hourglass Escapes

3131 Western Ave #422b Seattle, 98121

• Age: 10+ An adult must accompany kids under 16. Must have a minimum of three in the group and the games are all private.
• Length of game: 60-70 minutes
• Price: $40+

The award-winning Hourglass Escapes offers four escape rooms: Mystery at Innsmouth, The Ghostly Galleon, Rise of the Mad Pharoh, and Evil Dead 2. I recently did the Mystery at Innsmouth with two teens, and we had a blast. The set details were impressive, with just the right amount of an eerie atmosphere — without being scary. This room had various puzzle types (key locks, combination locks, runes, and more) which kept it interesting. The clues built upon each other and were rated medium difficulty, yet we needed several clues.

Reviewers say that Evil Dead 2 fans will love the Evil Dead 2 escape room, and that it feels just like the Knowby cabin from the movie, and that there are tons of comical moments and Easter eggs for fans. This one does contain adult language and content, according to the website.

Tip: Hourglass is located in two different suites at the same address. When you get your email confirmation, note the location of your escape. We ended up at the wrong spot and they gave us a map to find the correct location. Also, plan to arrive early to find street parking.

(Image courtesy Hourglass Escapes LLC 2025)

Puzzle Break Seattle

2124 2nd Ave Seattle, 98121

• Ages 8+
• Length of game: 60 minutes
• Prices: $39.95 -$49.95, depending on how many tickets you buy | Discounts: Groupon for the Escape from Seattle room and a 30% rebooking discount

Puzzle Break is America’s first escape room company, and their rooms are some of the last standing original rooms in the country. Puzzle Break is not only the OG, but it has also been rated number one by many participants. Unlike most escape rooms, these require finding a physical key to unlock the final door and escape. I took three teens to the Mystic Manor Blue Room. We had a game master who gave us the story’s details and our quest, after which they stood back and only offered hints when needed. The set is very immersive, with an old manor, low lighting and creepy music. We were each given a (battery-operated) candle from a candelabra to use when looking for clues. A flashlight was also provided, which was good for my older eyes.

Puzzle Break offers five rooms, with Escape the Lost Temple being the easiest (recommended for younger kids) and Escape from Seattle: The World’s Fair Affair being the most difficult. Any group that has kids under 18 requires at least one adult to join them and is given a game master. The website indicates which rooms are more family-friendly and what size group is recommended for success. They have a nice lounge area where you can wait for your game to begin.

Puzzlebreak’s lounge room offers games to warm up your escape room skills. (Image: Tiffany Doerr Guerzon)

Sure Lock Escapes Kent, Renton, West Seattle

Locations in West Seattle, Renton & Kent

• Ages: 8+
• Length of game: 70-100 minutes
• Prices: Start at $35 per person for groups of 8 or more

Sure Lock Escapes is locally owned, with locations in Renton and Kent. These are an excellent choice for younger kids or those who don’t appreciate scares because they never include horror or scary elements. The Renton location features three rooms set in the mythical land of Cypher Island, where you will solve puzzles in a Pirate Shipwreck, the Shimmer Reef, or the Abandoned Mineshaft. They also offer the longest escape experience in Washington state, a 100-minute experience called Guardians’ Grove. The Kent location offers three rooms where brave adventurers accept quests to help the kingdom of Lunaris. The West Seattle location has four rooms, two of which offer a “full motion experience” in which the room shakes. All bookings are private so that you won’t be adventuring with strangers.

(Image courtesy Sure Lock Escapes)

Flee Redmond

2222 152nd Ave NE Redmond, 98052

• Ages: No age restriction, but if any kids are 13 or younger, at least one adult must be in the room with them.
• Length of game: 60 minutes
• Prices: Start at $40/hour | Discounts: One child under 8 is free with two paid adults. Group discounts are available for birthday parties and corporate team-building activities.

Flee offers six different escape rooms with varying difficulty. Choose from The Lift (the only single room experience), Prison Escape, Museum Heist, Steampunk Submarine, Ancient Egypt, and the Game of Thrones-themed Icewalker. The website offers video trailers of each and grades each on difficulty to help you choose the best option for your group. That being said, Flee recommends Steampunk Submarine and Prison Escape for younger kids. All escape room bookings are private. Participants say they enjoyed the props and storylines and that the puzzles were challenging without being impossible. Flee also offers portable escape games in a suitcase for on-site events and has zero-latency VR experiences in the same location as the escape rooms.

(Image courtesy Flee Redmond)

Trapped: A Labyrinth Adventure Tacoma

Fort Nisqually Living History Museum in Tacoma, WA

• Length of game: 60 minutes
• Prices: Starting at $224 per group of 4-8 guests, no individual tickets sold (this does not include admission to the rest of the museum).
• Ages: 12+, recommended for groups of 4-8

This escape room is located at Fort Nisqually Living History Museum in Tacoma and is set in the 19th-century Pacific Northwest. The experience is located in one of the museum’s historic reproduction buildings, so historical artifacts surround players as they solve period-inspired puzzles, decode historical ciphers, and more to find a long-lost map. All of the puzzles are based on the real-life history of Fort Nisqually and players are led by a costumed guide for their adventure.

(Image courtesy Trapped Escape Fort Nisqually)

Escape room tips

• Arrive early so you can get settled in and aren’t in a rush to start the game.
• Visit the restroom before the game starts. You can leave for a break, but they don’t stop the clock.
• Listen carefully to your game master when they outline the rules. They will offer helpful advice, such as where not to look for clues (think not under a rug or high above your head), which will save your team time, and other info, like how to radio your game master for hints.
• Look around the room and check drawers, cabinets, and tabletops for clues. Be careful not to force anything open. Look up and down!
• If there is more than one puzzle in a room, splitting the group to work on both simultaneously will save minutes.
• Collaborate to put the clues together.
• You can ask for clues or hints anytime. If you start to feel stuck, it is better to get a hint than to waste time and possibly run out of time.
• My kids watched this video by Mark Rober for tips on beating an escape room.

The post Can you escape? Family-friendly escape rooms near Seattle appeared first on Seattle's Child.

The Progressive Era

Built in 1906 to provide energy for the region’s growing streetcar system, the Georgetown Steam Plant helped shape Seattle as we know it today. The Steam Plant serves as a reminder of the era when electrification came to the West Coast, and today it stands as a National Historic Landmark, a Historical Mechanical Landmark, and a Seattle Landmark. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, too!

Original coal-powered furnaces that fueled the steam plant’s turbines.(Image: Allison Peterson)

This massive steam plant in the Duwamish Valley helped power the region for over 70 years. Since the operations ended in the late 1970s, the purpose of the Georgetown Steam Plant has changed. In recent years, a non-profit has taken over the operations of the facilities to make this landmark accessible to visitors.

Visiting

If you want to visit the Georgetown Steam Plant, free public open houses are available on the second Saturday every month between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.. Guests are welcome to explore at their leisure, or take a free guided tour, available on open house days at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 12:30 p.m.. While safety upgrades have been completed throughout the facility, many portions are only accessible via stairs, so plan for a stroller alternative if you bring little ones. Alternatively, a virtual tour of the steam plant is available online.

The Georgetown Steam Plant dates back to the 1906. (Image: Allison Peterson)

Observe all of the steam plant’s original equipment and machinery as you walk through it. One of the most impressive sights is the two massive vertical Curtis Turbines, some of the only turbines of their type ever produced worldwide. Information signs, hands-on activity tables during guided tours, and events like live music help make a visit to the Georgetown Steam Plant a fully immersive experience.

Building construction and outdoor amenities

Take note of the impressive architecture and attention to detail that went into the construction of this building—details such as marble walls and gold-inlaid clocks give a nod to the gilded Gatsby era when the steam plant was built.

Historical architectural details in the steam plant. (Image: Allison Peterson)

Make sure you save some time to explore the outdoor portion of the steam plant. Around the perimeter of the steam plant, you’ll find interactive outdoor sculptures, picnic areas, and grassy fields where kids can blow off some “steam” of their own! Look up and watch planes flying high–with its location adjacent to Boeing Field and the Museum of Flight, the Georgetown Steam Plant property is the perfect location for planespotting.

Interactive sculptures, picnic area, and a view of airplanes in the outdoor area of the Georgetown Steam Plant. (Image: Allison Peterson)

After the tour

While you’re in the Georgetown neighborhood, stop by Deep Sea Sugar & Salt for a special treat. This bakery serves gourmet cupcakes and cake slices, making it a sweet finish to your day.

With history, hands-on learning, and unique experiences around every corner, the Georgetown Steam Plant is a Seattle landmark you’ll want to visit with family. Step back in time and enjoy all that this piece of Seattle’s past has to teach you.

The post Travel back in time at the Georgetown Steam Plant appeared first on Seattle's Child.

Visiting the new waterfront sounds like a nice way to spend the day, but hunting for parking in that busy corridor surely does not. What’s a family to do? 

Jump on the free shuttle launched last week by the Seattle Historic Waterfront Association. The service runs through mid-September and will make a loop that includes pickups and drop-offs at Seattle Center and Space Needle, Pier 69, Pier 62, Pier 56, Pioneer Square, and King Street Station in the International District every 20 minutes from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

City leaders hope the free ride will make it easier for folks to travel between major downtown attractions like Pike Place Market, the Seattle Aquarium, and Colman Dock and will encourage visitors to attend more than 270 waterfront events planned this spring and summer (including Waterfront Park’s grand opening celebration in September). 

From 5:50 to 7:45 p.m., an evening shuttle will take riders from the waterfront to the Crowne Plaza Hotel, the Kimpton Hotel, the Sheraton Hotel, the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Pike Place Market, and the Four Seasons Hotel. 

The free Seattle Waterfront Shuttle launched in 2018 but was suspended for three years due to COVID-19. It returned in 2023. According to a news release, three buses will run on a continuous loop through the downtown waterfront corridor. 

(Image: Seattle Historical Waterfront Association)

Here are the shuttle stops and what you’ll have quick access to at each:

Shuttle stops heading Southbound

• Stop A: Seattle Center / Space Needle
• Stop B: Pier 69 / FRS Victoria Clipper / Cruise Ships at P66
• Stop C: Pier 62 / Waterfront Park / Bell Harbor
• Stop D: Pier 56 / Great Wheel / Aquarium / Pike Place Market / Ferries
• Stop E: Pioneer Square / Smith Tower / Ferries
• Stop F: King Street Station / Stadiums / International District

Shuttle stops heading Northbound 

• Stop F: King Street Station / Stadiums / International District
• Stop E: Pioneer Square / Smith Tower / Ferries
• Stop D: Copperworks / Great Wheel / Aquarium / Pike Place Market / Ferries
• Stop C: Pier 62 / Waterfront Park / Bell Harbor
• Stop B: Pier 69 / FRS Victoria Clipper / Cruise Ships at P66
• Stop A: Seattle Center / Space Needle

Shuttle evening hotel loop stops

• Stop D: Copperworks / Great Wheel / Aquarium / Ferries
• Stop G: Crowne Plaza Seattle-Downtown Hotel / Kimpton Hotel
• Stop H: Sheraton Hotel / Grand Hyatt Hotel
• Stop I: Pike Place Market / Four Seasons Hotel

The post The free Seattle Waterfront Shuttle is back appeared first on Seattle's Child.

Step in to the sea at Bubble Planet in Bellevue (Photo by Kathryn Mueller)

Unlocking the Bubble Planet experience

After checking in at the front desk, you’ll meander from room to room, weaving through a maze of charming exhibits in the expansive building. Each room is immersive and enthralling – and honestly, we loved them all. From an LED water world where fish, sharks, and manta rays cruise below your feet, to a room filled with giant pastel pink balloons, every room is different and enjoyable. The larger-than-life props, creative and playful backdrops, and magical light displays are very well done, and the continuity of the theme is seen throughout the sensory experience.

Don’t get carried away on this floating swing. (Photo by Kathryn Mueller)

I loved the photo opportunities sprinkled throughout the rooms as well. The selfie room (as it is aptly named) is a great place to stop to snap a few photos. A bathtub filled with yellow rubber ducks; a swing that seemingly stays aloft with the help of a cluster of bright blue balloons; a bubble you can sit inside – how can you not strike a pose and smile for the camera? This room is about halfway through the experience and offers a small snack bar and beverage station, too. There are a few small tables where you can hang out while little ones explore the photo stops, or you can quickly refuel before heading to the next room for more bubblicious adventures! Food and drinks aren’t allowed at the next attraction, so you’ll have to finish them before you move along.

Swim away in the enormous bath of bubbles. (Photo by Kathryn Mueller)

Our favorite stop along our bubble voyage was the bubble bath room. As the name suggests, it’s a giant pool filled with thousands of opaque balls and a bubble-bathing giant whose inflatable limbs jut out from the pool’s depth. Make a splash and jump in. My kiddos had an absolute blast immersing themselves in bubbles. Their giggles were joyful and raucous as they swam through the squishy balls.

Note: The deep end is pretty deep, going up to an adult’s waist, so keep an eye on your little ones. I saw one parent plucking their toddler out from the depths.

Enter the infinity room and be amazed at this never-ending illusion. (Photo by Kathryn Mueller)

Illusions and more

My kids also enjoyed the infinity room, a small, winding room with string lights cascading from the ceiling. It’s as if the room goes on and on and on and is truly unbelievable.

For an additional $5, you can add a virtual reality experience to your visit. It’s the last room you’ll walk through before making your way to the exit. We opted in! My children were enamored with the swinging bubbles and really liked being transported to a virtual bubble world.

If this place wasn’t unreal enough, step into the world of virtual reality. (Photo by Kathryn Mueller)

The experience concludes in a gift shop with interactive games lining the walls and a drawing station for kids. You can color one of many ocean-themed coloring pages and then watch it appear on the large screen on the wall.

Draw and display your art in the last room. (Photo by Kathryn Mueller)

Fair warning, this last room is also the gift shop, so your little ones will likely want to leave with a bubble trinket. They are tempting!

What we loved and what we didn’t

Overall, we loved Bubble Planet in Bellevue. Things to look out for are long lines. We were discouraged by the wait times in line before heading into the different rooms. I wouldn’t recommend going over a weekend because of the crowds. Perhaps the exhibition may have fewer people by trying to go in the morning or on a weekday.

These photos may look like the kids are alone, but the facility can get crowded. (Photo by Kathryn Mueller)

The experience is slated to last 90 minutes, but because we waited in lines, we stayed much longer. For example, the large bubble bathroom was a bottleneck for guests, and we waited more than 30 minutes to enter.

I still highly recommend visiting and was surprised and mesmerized by the experience. I’m thinking about returning for a mom’s night out.

An incredible sensory experience. (Photo by Kathryn Mueller)

Know before you go

• Dates: Bubble Planet is open now through June. Bubble Planet is closed on Tuesdays. You can visit Sunday-Monday, 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Wednesday-Thursday, 9:30 a.m.- 6:30 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
• Location: 103 110th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA
• Cost: Tickets start at $19.90 per adult; $14.90 per child (ages 3 – 14), but ticket prices vary depending on the date. Children two and under are free. Purchase tickets online to reserve a spot. VIP tickets are also available and include a few extra perks, including VR and a Bubble Planet poster. Ticket prices for the VIP experience start at $30.90 for adults. When we visited on a Sunday, they turned people away because they were sold out, so it’s best to purchase tickets beforehand.
• Parking: Street parking is available, but there is a two-hour limit. There is a $7 charge for three hours if you park in the lot directly outside the building.
• Bubble Planet is great for all ages (toddler to adult)
• There is only one restroom, located about halfway through the experience. It has changing tables.
• Other details: Latex balloons are used in one of the rooms, so if you have a latex allergy, you should let a staff member know.
• Socks are also a good idea for bubble explorers. Some of the activities require you to remove your shoes.
• If you’re worried about the cleanliness of the bubble pits, bring hand sanitizer and wipes or use the restroom to wash your hands before exiting.

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Especially for a larger family, places where kids eat for free or for significantly less than parents can be the difference between going out and staying home to cook. If you’re looking to stretch your family dine-out dollar, the following eateries will help with their free or low-cost kid meal deals.

Many other restaurants offer separate kids meal items at fraction of the cost of adult entrees. Always ask if your dine-out has a kid menu, lower-price half sizes for younger kids or other options. Do you know of a place where kids eat for free or at a steep discount? Drop us a line at editor@seattleschild.com.

Agave Cocina & Cantina

Locations: Redmond, Kent

While not as good as free, Agave (winner of the Diner’s Choice Award 2017) does offer a great deal just the same. On Sundays, kids eat for $4.99 all day!

 

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Applebee’s

Locations: Renton, Tukwila, Bellevue, Lynnwood, Bothell, Auburn, Federal Way, Covington

Every Applebee’s restaurant sets its own rules when it comes to this deal, so call your local Applebee’s to ask about kids’ meal discounts. Some stores let kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée or offer special menus for kids. 

 

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Denny’s

Locations: Seattle, Lynnwood, Edmonds, Auburn, Kent, Tacoma, Poulsbo, Everett and other Puget Sound cities

Kids eat free at many Denny’s with adult entrée purchase of $6 or more. Days and participation vary by location and some restrictions may apply. Offer is for dine-in only. Call your local restaurant to confirm their schedule.

 

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Dickey’s Barbecue Pit

Locations: Everett, Bellevue, Bremerton, Gig Harbor, Kent, Port Orchard, Tacoma, Issaquah, Bonney Lake and Puyallup

It’s Sunday Funday at this barbecue heaven. Kids (age 12 and under) receive a free kids meal with a minimum order of $10 or more in store.

 

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Farrelli’s Pizza

Locations: Lacey, DuPont, Sumner, Tacoma, Maple Valley, Puyallup, Silverdale, Yelm and Ruston

On Mondays, kids eat free all day with their paying folks at Farrelli’s. Kids’ meals include carrots, a breadstick, a cookie and a beverage.

Kids eat free at Farrelli’s Pizza with adult purchase of a meal. (Image courtesy Farrelli’s)

IHOP 

Locations: Bellevue, Lynnwood, Seattle, Silverdale, and more

America’s popular pancake eatery on East Madison offers a free kid meal with the purchase of an adult entree and drink every day after 4 p.m. Other IHOP locations may not offer the same deal so call head to ask.

 

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IKEA

Location: 601 SW 41st St, Renton, WA 98057

Need to make a run to Ikea? They’ve got a Tuesday meal deal where IKEA Family members can choose from the selection of adult entrees for only $3.99 each. Get 2 free kid’s entrées when you buy 1 adult entrée on Wednesdays. 

Get 2 free kid’s entrées when you buy 1 adult entrée at IKEA on Wednesdays. (Image courtesy IKEA)

Luna Park Cafe

Location: 107 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104

Kids don’t eat for free but they sure eat for cheap at Luna Park Cafe (named after the old amusement park that used to run in West Seattle). Micky Mouse pancakes start at $5.99 and kids dishes top out at $8.99. Do not miss the milkshakes.

 

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MOD Pizza

Locations: There are numerous locations in the region.

Kids can receive a free kid’s meal with the purchase of any MOD pizza or salad every Sunday of the month. The kids’ meal includes a mini cheese or pepperoni pizza with organic juice or milk.

 

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Red Robin

Locations: Seattle, Bellevue, Bothell, Des Moines, Redmond, Tukwila, Renton, Lynnwood, Auburn, Federal Way, Covington, Kent, Everett, Woodinville, Tacoma, Monroe, Puyallup

Select locations of this family favorite restaurant chain are offering 50% off kids meals on Wednesdays. Red Robin id’s meals include an entrée, side dish, and drink. When you dine-in, it includes unlimited free refills of sides and drinks.

 

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Rhein Haus 

Locations: Capitol Hill 

Every Monday at the Capitol Hill location, kids 12 and under ordering off the Kinder Menu eat free! The menu includes goodies like mac & cheese, mini cheeseburgers, kids pork schnitzel, chicken tenders and root bier floats.

A free meal, and entertainment for an evening at Rhein Haus? Yes please. (Image courtesy of Yes Parade)

The Ram

Locations: Issaquah, Kent, Lacey, Lake Stevens, Lakewood, Marysville, Puyallup and Tacoma

All day Sunday and Monday, kids eat for $1.99 at The Ram with the purchase of an adult entrée. Call your location to make sure they are offering the Sunday deal.

Trapper’s Sushi

Locations: Bonney Lake, Covington, Enumclaw, Federal Way, Lacey, North Bend, Parkland, Puyallup, Silverdale, Tacoma, and Tukwila

Head to Trappers for Kids Eat Free Sundays – that’s when children 10 & younger may order one item for free off the kid’s menu with the purchase of a soda or juice box. Dine-in only.

 

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Whistle Stop Ale House

Location: 809 S 4th St, Renton, WA 98057

On Mondays family’s get one free kid meal (burger or sandwich) at Whistle Stop, with an adult purchase of a meal. Ages 12 & under.

 

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Wing Dome

Locations: Greenwood, and Kirkland 

At certain times of the year, kids receive one free kid’s meal for every adult entree purchased on Tuesdays — and, psst! There are specials on beer for the parents. Check the Wing Dome location near year to see if the kids’ meal deal is being offered.

Kids eat free on Tuesdays at Wing Dome! (Image courtesy Wing Dome)

The post Stretch Your Dollar: 15 restaurants offering free/discounted kids meals appeared first on Seattle's Child.

Here are a few places to go whale watching around the Seattle area and resources on how to spot them. There’s so much to learn about these majestic mammals of the sea, while observing from land. Bonus, no seasick tummies!

Photo credit: Laura Murray

Who’s out there (and what do they look like)

First you’ll need to know what you’re looking for out there. Two organizations in Washington provide excellent information on the whales that travel the Salish seas. The Whale Trail and Orca Network teach people about the various whale pods in the sea through awareness and advocacy.

Provided by The Whale Trail, illustrated by Uko Gorter

Provided by The Whale Trail, illustrated by Uko Gorter

There are typically five types of whales roaming the waters of the Salish Sea. The Salish Sea encompasses the Puget Sound, Strait of Juan de Fuca and Strait of Georgia. There are the iconic Southern Resident orcas and Bigg’s (transient) orcas, which are identified by their unique dorsal fins and saddle patches. Then there are three other whales, which are the more migratory species:  grays, humpbacks and minkes.

Keep your eyes open for other marine animals too, like dolphins, porpoises, seals, sea lions and otters. You can see a complete list of whales and marine animals on The Whale Trail’s website.

Where to go: Best on-shore places for spotting whales in the Salish Sea

San Juan Islands: Lime Kiln State Park

Lime Kiln State Park is known as one of the best places in the world to watch whales. From May to September three pods of southern resident orcas (J, K and L pods) can be seen, often close to shore. Keep your eyes open for minke whales and other marine animals, too. Families enjoy visiting the lighthouse, interpretive center, and snack shop, open during the summer. While on the island, there are three additional Whale Trail sites you can explore as well.

Visit The Whale Museum in Friday Harbor too and learn more about whale bones, conservation, sightings and more. Open daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m.. Tickets are free for 5 and under, Students $5, Seniors (65 and up) $6 and General $10.

Good to know: Getting to San Juan Island requires a ferry ride. The park is about nine miles from the Friday Harbor ferry dock. During the summer it’s best to have a reservation if you’re driving onto the ferry. A Discover Pass is required at Lime Kiln State Park.

Whidbey Island

During the spring (March-May) catch a special group of gray whales known as “The Sounders.” They may be feeding on ghost shrimp just off shore in Langley. Then in the fall, Southern Resident orcas visit Admiralty Inlet. Plus Bigg’s (transient) orcas and humpbacks come throughout the year. The Whale Trail has six sites throughout the island that you can visit for on-shore viewing.

The island is also home to the Orca Network, a non-profit organization connecting people and whales since 1996. Make sure to visit their free museum in Langley and print out these fun kid activities. They also have a public Facebook page where a network of volunteers posts whale sightings all over the PNW, The organization has also created a map of on-shore locations with links to hydrophones so you can listen for whales underwater.

Photo credit: Laura Murray

If you’re looking for more whale fun visit Langley Whale Center (105 Anthes Ave, Langley) and nearby Whale Bell Park (100 Anthes Ave, Langley). At the park, if you see a whale, ring the bell to let others know.

Good to know: From the south, you can hop a ferry in Mukilteo. If coming from the north, you can drive across the Deception Pass Bridge.

Photo credit: Laura Murray

Vashon Island/West Seattle

Here are two options for whale watching. For both, fall and winter are the best times for spotting Southern Resident orcas as they follow the salmon. Bigg’s (Transient) orca, seals and otters are usually seen year-round and humpback and gray whales, occasionally. On Vashon Island, Point Robinson is the official Whale Trail site where families can enjoy beach play and a lighthouse (not currently open for tours). If you’d like to stay for the night, two lighthouse keeper’s quarters are available to rent.

Photo credit: Laura Murray

West Seattle has four fantastic sites—Alki Beach, Charles Richey Viewpoint, Emma Schmitz Overlook and Lincoln Park.

Whale watching takes a lot of patience, so if you’re looking for a way to get the wiggles out, stop at the Whale Tail playground near Alki Beach.

Good to know: To get to Vashon, catch a ferry at the Fauntleroy ferry dock in West Seattle.

Other suggestions on where to go whale watching around the Seattle area:

• Head over to Port Townsend and then visit Port Townsend Marine Science Center (PTMSC).
• Take a trip to Salt Creek (near Port Angeles) and then go see Feiro Marine Life Center.
• Visit Redondo Beach and then head off to MaST (Marine Science and Technology Center).
• See a map of all The Whale Trail sites from California to Canada.

Good to know before you go:

• Set expectations with your kids. You may not spot a whale on the day that you choose to go, but the fun is in the search.
• See where the whales are on the Orca Network’s Facebook page.
• Check out the Viewing Guide on The Whale Trail website for helpful tips about where and how to spot marine life, plus watching responsibly.
• Bring a pair of binoculars that are lightweight, smaller (easy for kids to hold) and sturdy.
• Don’t forget sunscreen or rain gear, water and snacks.
• Read Orca Rescue! The true story of an Orphaned Orca, named Springer, by Donna Sandstrom. Donna founded The Whale Trail organization and lives in West Seattle. The book is based on her personal experience of rescuing a baby orca.

There’s more:

Heading to Whidbey Island for some whale watching? Then take the Ebey’s Landing hike right to the beach.

Easy kid-friendly fall hikes 

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