Inside Active Fun Archives | Seattle's Child

Dive in! A complete guide to swim lessons in the Seattle area

Seattle's Child Staff — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 03:03:34 +0000

Grab your goggles and towels — it’s time to splish splash and build those swim skills! We’ve rounded up a list of swim schools and locations across the Seattle area that offer lessons for every age, from babies and toddlers to school-age kids and adults. Many programs provide private, semi-private, and group lessons so that you can find the right fit for your family. Remember, swim lessons aren’t just about having fun — they’re essential for building confidence and keeping kids safe around water. Dive in and make swim safety a priority this season!

Seattle area

Private lessons are available at Little Fish for those 2.5+ years of age. (Image courtesy: Little Fish Swim School)

Eastside

Samena Swim in Bellevue offers year round classes. (Image courtesy Samena Club)

North of Seattle

Aqua Tots in Lynnwood has a brand new facility. (Image courtesy Aqua Tots Lynnwood)

South of Seattle

Located in Des Moines, Mount Rainier pool offers classes 6 months to 18 years old. (Photo courtesy Mount Rainier Pool)

West Seattle

British Swim School has six locations across the greater Seattle area. (Photo courtesy: British Swim School)

Multiple locations

Here are swim schools in the Seattle area that have more than five locations offered.

Sunsational Swim School | Multiple locations | $82/lesson | Register here | Classes offered for 6 months and older | Indoor & Outdoor pools | Year round swim lessons | They offer private lessons in your own pool (and move around locations in Metro area), however, if you dont have a pool, you can get access to either: housing community pool (condo, HOA, friend or family pool, gym pool or public pool (ask permission prior to registering) .

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Jump, duck, throw! Indoor family fun at new Activate Tukwila

Caroline JiaYing Grygiel — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 03:03:03 +0000

When they’re babies, you wish you could just go to the bathroom alone. But then the kids get older, and the number of things that they deign to do with you plummets. Activate is a rare gem where teens and tweens will have fun playing with their parents … and you can’t put a price on genuine family bonding.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Where to Eat After Activate Near Southcenter Mall

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

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

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

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

If You Go: Planning Your Visit

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

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Monster Mini Golf is more than just golf

Janet Kim — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 02:03:00 +0000

Tucked inside the Factoria Mall is a family-friendly entertainment center with a ghoulish, glowing, neon-bright mini-golf course called Monster Mini Golf.

After opening in February 2023, Monster Mini Golf has become a popular destination for family fun. But you won’t find just a glow-in-the-dark, 18-hole mini-course here; it’s a fun center that houses a mini-bowling alley, a laser room, and a full arcade with VR games too. Add to that an extensive prize center (a huge motivator for my 8- and 5-year-old boys) and you’ve got a recipe for a successful day trip for the family.

The Experience: Mini-golf

We started at the 18-hole mini golf course. My whole family loves miniature golf, and this course had just the right amount of challenge so kids and adults could enjoy it. We found it entertaining that some of the mechanical statues spoke and moved their limbs and heads while we putted along the spooky glow-in-the-dark course. The glow-in-the-dark aspect made for a cool atmosphere as our golf balls glowed in the dark, too, while they raced along the course.

Attendants stood by the course, offering a reprieve from the game with their silly movements and tricks. They were also there to help players who were having trouble landing their golf balls in the right spot.

There’s a mini-bowling alley, a laser room, and a full arcade with VR games too. (Image: Janet Kim)

Mini bowling

My 5-year-old especially loved the mini bowling. Throw your bowling ball (really a duck pinball) down the lane and strike out as many pins as you can. Strings pull up the pins and reset the game. Scores are automatically kept on a screen above the lanes. There’s a bumper option too, which is nice for little ones. Each game lasts 5 frames, a bit short for the time and cost of the game ($6/game).

Add to that an extensive prize center was a huge motivator for my 8- and 5-year-old boys. (Image: Janet Kim)

Arcade and VR experience

What stood out among the arcade, VR, and laser game experiences at Monster Mini Golf? The VR game that made you feel like you were riding a roller coaster. Be sure to play Virtual Rabbids: The Big Ride, where you could choose from several scenarios and take an adventure with rabbits. Make it a single ride or double up with a partner.

The arcade offers classic games as well as electronic adventure games. If your kids are interested in choosing a prize at the end of your outing, there are also games to collect more tickets.

Be sure to play Virtual Rabbids: The Big Ride. (Image: Janet Kim)

Laser games

Laser games are great for older kids. My 8-year-old tried the laser maze game, essentially a laser tram alarm. Even on the easiest level, he thought it was pretty hard, which ended the game quickly for him.

Careful, it’s harder than it looks! (Image: Janet Kim)

How to get there

Monster Mini Golf is located off of Factoria Square Mall SE in Bellevue. There are two entrances to Monster Mini Golf, one directly outside with plenty of parking and the other, from inside the mall, near other play areas like Funtastic Playtorium and The Slime Factory. For direct access, enter from Factoria Blvd. SE.

How much is it?

Activities can be purchased a la carte or as combo deals. Because my kids wanted to try everything, a combo worked best for our family. I liked that you could pick and choose what would work for your child, especially when one wanted to do an activity that the other didn’t want to do.

Single activity:
• Mini Golf: $12-14 a round depending on age
• Laser maze: $3 for single play
• Mini Bowling: $6 for a 5-frame game
• Virtual reality: $6 for a single game
• Arcade game cards will work for all the additional activities except mini golf. Deals are available for cards bought in $25, $50, $75 and $100 increments.

Combo deals are:
• Mini Golf + $10 arcade card: $22
• Mini Golf + $10 arcade card + 1 game of bowling: $27
• Mini Golf + $10 arcade card + Laser maze + VR + Bowling: $34

The WHOLE family had a blast! (Image: Janet Kim)

Party rooms

If you’re looking to throw a birthday party or any fun gathering, Monster Mini Golf offers various party packages. All packages include a private party room, a dedicated party expert, as well as set-up and clean-up services. Reservations are available seven days a week with varying start times.

The cost of parties ranges from $395-$1,100, with a non-refundable deposit required to reserve. Monster Mini Golf works with approved caterers to provide food.

Food and facilities

The facility does not sell food, but the mall has plenty of options. After spending an hour playing all the various games Monster Mini Golf had to offer, we picked up food in the mall’s food court.

Some family-friendly options for food or treats inside The Marketplace at Factoria include:

• Red Robin
• Just Poke
• Panda Express
• Jamba Juice
• Cold Stone Creamery

Overall, the facility was clean and not super crowded, which made for a great experience for our family. It’s also a woman—and minority-owned business with murals painted by local artists displayed throughout the mini golf course. Keep this indoor family entertainment center on your list of places to go when the kids are bored. They’re sure to have a fantastic time at Monster Mini Golf.

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Sky Zone is opening its first Seattle location in 2026

Seattle's Child Staff — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 16:04:21 +0000

For years, Seattle families have trekked to Mountlake Terrace, Tukwila, or even farther south to get the Sky Zone experience — birthday parties, rainy-day energy burns, and trampoline-fueled joy included. In 2026, that all changes. Sky Zone has announced that its first Seattle location is slated to open in “late Q1 of 2026” in the Mt. Baker neighborhood at 1765 22nd Ave S.

Excitement is running high among parents who are more than ready to skip the long drive for birthday parties.

Sky Zone has grown from a single Las Vegas location nearly 20 years ago to more than 250 parks nationwide. Each facility is built differently, and while the full lineup of attractions for the Seattle location hasn’t yet been revealed, we’re almost positive high-energy play, obstacle challenges, and plenty of adrenaline will be on the list.

If the wildly popular Mountlake Terrace location — which opened in 2024 — is any indication, Seattle kids are in for a treat. That park features a sprawling field of trampolines, a zipline that ends with an air-cushion landing, a face-first drop slide, inflatable ninja courses, boulder balls, a King of the Hill battle zone, interactive digital gaming walls, and spring-loaded courts for basketball and dodgeball.

Our review of Mountlake Terrace also highlighted practical perks: a soft play area for toddlers, a snack bar for hungry families, counters with outlets for parents who need to squeeze in some work, and hardworking teen staff earning their early job experience. Birthday parties — a major draw — come with dedicated party rooms and full hosting support. “If you’ve ever thrown a birthday party in your house, you know it’s worth every penny to throw a birthday party not in your house.”

While exact opening dates, grand opening festivities, and attraction lists for the Seattle site are still under wraps, Sky Zone says more details will roll out as construction progresses.

Stay tuned — and get ready to rally your crew for a new way to play, finally close to home.

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Pacific Science Center reopens with $10 tickets & new spider exhibit

Caroline JiaYing Grygiel — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 16:02:44 +0000

Deal alert for Seattle families: The Pacific Science Center is back open — and offering deep discounted admission through Nov. 20. Adults pay just $10 and kids $7, making it one of the most affordable days out at Seattle Center right now. Regular surge pricing returns Nov. 21.

PacSci reopened Oct. 23 after a seven-week closure to refresh exhibits, reconfigure the space, and do some routine maintenance. The biggest change that you’ll notice right away: the the beloved courtyard is now fully public (no more talking thru the finicky speaker at the ticket booth). The gates were installed back in 1993, and PacSci’s goal is to have them completely removed by the end of May 2026 in time for the World Cup.

For the first time since 1993, PacSci’s gates are open — inviting families to wander the courtyard freely. (Image: JiaYing Grygiel / Seattle’s Child)

Families can roam right in through the open gates, explore the landmark 1962 World’s Fair buildings, and check out the brand-new traveling exhibit, “Spiders: From Fear to Fascination.” If you’ve got kids who love creepy crawlies — or parents who need some convincing — this exhibit is surprisingly fun, hands-on, and educational. Here’s everything to know before you go, including what’s changed, what’s new, and what’s (sadly) gone for good.

The Spider Exhibit: Hands-On Highlights for Kids

After buying tickets, your first stop is to see the spiders in Exhibits West, the same building as the laser dome. It’s a traveling exhibit from Australia, on view through April 19, 2026. The special exhibit is included with your ticket.

Why spiders?

“People are really afraid of spiders,” marketing director Julie O’Mara said. “We wanted to showcase an exhibit that can help debunk the myths about spiders and why they’re so scary and educate people on how wonderful they are.”

The entrance sets the tone — immersive, interactive, and surprisingly fun for all ages. (Image: JiaYing Grygiel / Seattle’s Child)

Spiders have been around for a long time, long before dinosaurs. You’ll learn all about these arachnids, from their mating rituals to global spider distribution.

When you enter the exhibit, the first interactive experience is an augmented reality floor projection. The virtual spiders scatter as you step across the floor. The point is, they’re more afraid of us than we are of them.

The marquee stars are the living specimens: 13 spiders, one scorpion, and one centipede. Get close up with the most misunderstood spiders (the brown recluse and the southern black widow) and a spider that eats fish (aptly named the fishing spider). The Indian ornamental tarantula is a camouflage extraordinaire and takes some sleuthing to spot.

Two of the exhibit’s most misunderstood residents — the brown recluse and southern black widow — safely on display with clear educational signage. (Image: JiaYing Grygiel / Seattle’s Child)

The thing is, spiders are kind of tiny and hard to see, so luckily, there are great hands-on features in the exhibit. Here are our top three:

Play a “Hungry Hungry Hippos” type game, where instead of hippos, you’re using different spider jaws to snag rubber balls. The fangs are either arranged as pincers or daggers. How good a spider would you be?
Color in a spider, scan it, and watch your spider crawl across the big screen.
Woo a female peacock spider with a dance-off. Warning: if she isn’t impressed by your moves, she may attack and eat her suitor.

After learning about spiders, we walked across the courtyard, and I overheard someone say, “Oh, there’s a spider!” A real, wild spider dangled from the ceiling above us. You’ll leave with a new appreciation for these eight-legged wonders.

Meet the stars of the show: real spiders and other critters on display, from fishing spiders to tarantulas. (Image: JiaYing Grygiel / Seattle’s Child)

Big Changes at PacSci

The PacSci building was originally built for the 1962 World’s Fair, and it was meant to be a temporary exhibit space. The buildings are showing their age, the pools in the courtyard are leaking, and some sections are intentionally drained. (A $40 million renovation is needed to restore the pools — ouch!)

With the courtyard now open to the public, PacSci now has three entrances, plus two more for the IMAX theaters. The main entry is now directly opposite the Seattle Center side. The Denny entrance, which closed during the pandemic, will reopen “sometime in the future.”

“We want people to come in and explore the courtyard because it’s a wonderful space,” said O’Mara. “We’re always in line with our mission to be accessible, and I think removing the gates is a big step.”

You’re encouraged to go in the main entry to buy tickets, and there’s an attendant stationed at the other doors to check for hand stamps. The Grossology restroom, whose doors open to the courtyard, is now open to the public. PacSci has hired additional security, but if you’re like me and want peace of mind, use the restrooms inside the main entry.

Behind the ticketing desk, look below, and you’ll see the ever-popular maker and innovation lab. It’s moved downstairs.

The beloved butterfly house is still in Exhibits East, as is the Brainy Bodies exhibit that debuted earlier this year. Big Moves, next to Brainy Bodies, is made up of existing exhibits cobbled together and updated, and some brand-new pieces built during the closure. The tubes that suck in scarves alone will keep your kids entertained for a decent chunk of time.

A peek into the refreshed Maker and Innovation Lab, now relocated downstairs and buzzing with hands-on creativity. (Image: JiaYing Grygiel / Seattle’s Child)

What’s Gone (RIP Toddlers’ Play Area and Tide Pool)

In the Exhibits East building, the tots’ play area is mostly decimated and replaced with a stage. A sad day for toddlers, but a relief for parents wringing out soggy kids at the water table.

The tide pool, once home to sea stars, anemones, and Crabigail the hermit crab, is also gone. The exhibit reached the end of its operational life, and all the critters have been rehomed to the MaST Center in Des Moines.

The biggest change in PacSci’s exhibits is that the dinosaurs have gone mostly extinct. The geriatric animatronic dinosaurs were created for an 1989 exhibit. Two exceptions: Allosaurus and Tyrannosaurus are now stationed behind the ticketing desk, but they no longer move. Tyrannosaurus wears a Beanie Baby-style tag — he’s a collector’s item!

The building that housed the dinosaurs and the old live science stage is sealed off with plywood painted to match the walls. No word yet on what will take its place. “It is under development,” O’Mara said. “More to come.”

If You Go: Hours, Parking, Transit, Tickets

Location: The Pacific Science Center is located next to the Space Needle at the Seattle Center. Enter through the open gate at Seattle Center and walk across the courtyard to the main entrance to buy tickets. The Denny Way entrance is closed.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday
Cost: $10 adults, $7 kids through Nov. 20. Surge pricing returns Nov. 21, which means the tickets are cheaper when it’s slower. Adults $21-30, youth 3-17 $18-20, children under 3 are free.
Parking: The closest garages are the 5th Avenue Garage, the Mercer Street Garage, and the Theater Commons ADA Parking Lot.
Public Transit: Seattle Metro Routes 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 13, 24 and D Line all drop off at PacSci’s entrance. The Monorail also gets you right around the corner — catch it at Westlake Center, also conveniently a stop on the Light Rail. PacSci and King County Metro have partnered up to offer one free fare on select modes of transport for adult visitors. Follow the steps here to access the offer.

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Parent Review: We visited Issaquah’s new giant indoor sandbox

Britt Thorson — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 15:02:05 +0000

I’ve been dreading my first fall and winter with a toddler. Rain, darkness, endless hours indoors with a 19-month-old who is active, particular, and bored easily? Terrifying. So when I heard Issaquah was opening a giant indoor sandbox called The Sand Garden, I wondered if maybe this was the rainy-day miracle I’ve been waiting for.

That “first time in the sand” look. (Image: Britt Thorson / Seattle’s Child)

First Toe Wiggles

We visited at the end of opening day, about an hour before they closed up. The first thing I noticed was how clean the place was. You hear “indoor sandbox” and immediately picture gritty floors and clouds of dust. Instead, the space was bright, open, and spotless.

My daughter Ava had never walked barefoot in sand before. She dangled her feet off the bench, scrunched up her toes, and looked at me like she’d just discovered magic. Then we spent quite some time doing her favorite activity: scooping sand into buckets (“Putting Things In Things” is her current obsession.) Eventually, she moved on to her second obsession, “Taking Things Out of Things,” systematically removing every toy from the neatly stocked shelves, and shovels from their place on the walls. It was like watching her raid our kitchen cabinets at home, only here it was sanctioned (and sandier).

Nothing like a dump truck and a pile of sand to keep little hands busy. (Image: Britt Thorson / Seattle’s Child)

60,000 Pounds of Sand

Let’s talk sand. SandGarden has 60,000 pounds of it — fine, white, silica-free sand sourced from a quarry in Quebec. The owners, April and Graham Quinn, told me they went back and forth on whether they’d ordered enough before finally cutting open the bags. “Every day I’d look at them and think, did we get enough sand?” Graham laughed. “Turns out, yes.”

If you’re imagining coming home with sand in every crevice, you’re not alone — I was skeptical, too. But it wasn’t bad. The sand felt softer and cleaner than beach sand (because it is), brushed right off clothes, and while Ava’s hair still had grains in it at bath time that were just as hard to get out as ever, we didn’t trail it through the car or house like I expected.

The other big question: air quality. Anyone who’s seen kids dump a bucket of sand knows it doesn’t stay neatly contained. The Quinns planned for that with industrial air purifiers placed throughout the space, and they wet and sift the sand daily to keep dust levels down. I did notice a few sandy “clouds” rise up when a kid went for a dramatic offload, but they settled quickly, and the air never felt heavy or musty. The fact that the sand is silica-free also helps — there aren’t the contaminants you’d get from standard construction or playground sand.

Pro tip: Put younger kids in a snap onesie with pants over it. It limits how far the sand can travel, especially into diaper zones.

Order meets toddler logic: every toy out, all at once. (Image: Britt Thorson / Seattle’s Child)

Who It’s Best For

Ava had fun, but I could tell she’s still a little young to fully appreciate it. The kids who were really going for it were more in the 4–10 range, building elaborate structures, climbing on diggers, and inventing games.

That said, for toddlers, it’s still a neat sensory experience and a place to burn energy on a rainy morning. And for parents, the setup is smart: the whole place is one big open space, so you can see everything from anywhere. There’s free coffee, Wi-Fi, and a parents’ area with tables where you can hang out if your kid is old enough to play independently.

April told me that’s intentional: “We want parents to come [in the sand] and interact and engage, but we also get that some of the kids can play by themselves. Parents can grab a coffee, bring their laptop, answer their emails — and still keep an eye on your kid. No chasing around corners.”

From toddlers to grade-schoolers, kids (and parents) get in on the action. (Image: Britt Thorson / Seattle’s Child)

The Backstory

The Quinns dreamed up SandGarden last year during yet another soggy Northwest November. “We’d been to that third floor Bellevue Square play area so many times, I’m not going back there. I need something else.”

When he saw an indoor sandpit on TikTok, the idea stuck. They found a space, tore down walls themselves, poured in the sand, and here we are: Washington’s largest indoor sandbox.

Future plans include birthday parties in a party room named after their dog, Beau, plus classes and meetups: fossil digs, music times, and even parent meetups.

The parent zone: tables, Wi-Fi, and a front-row seat to the action. (Image: Britt Thorson / Seattle’s Child)

Bottom Line

By the end of our visit, Ava was sandy, tired, and happyish (not Sand Garden’s fault; she was demanding the singular snack that I didn’t pack her. I packed everything else). I was pleasantly surprised that the sand didn’t follow us home like glitter, and I left thinking this could be a solid winter survival spot. For toddlers, it’s about squishy toes and scooping. For older kids, it’s a full-blown adventure.

And for parents, it’s one more rainy-day option to add to the rotation — and that alone feels like a win.

The sandbox also doubles as a mini marketplace.(Image: Britt Thorson / Seattle’s Child)

Know Before You Go

Address: 660 NW Gilman Blvd. Issaquah, WA
Hours: Open daily, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Admission: $22 per child (adults and babies under 1 are free)
Waiver: Parents must sign a waiver for kids to play
Rules: All shoes must be off before entering the sandboxes, all toys and sand need to stay in the box, no food/drink in the sandboxes, and outside toys are not allowed in.
Wear: Loose-fitting clothing for parents and older kids, but I’d recommend tighter clothing for toddlers (snap onesies) and young kids to keep sand from getting to diaper zones.

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

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Strike a Good Deal: Kids Bowl Free program in the Seattle area

Jasmin Thankachen — Wed, 14 May 2025 13:00:01 +0000

Looking for a way to keep the kids active and entertained this summer without breaking the bank? The Kids Bowl Free program might be your new favorite family outing. Offered at participating bowling centers across the country — including many in the Seattle area — this program gives children the chance to bowl two free games every day, all summer long.

How it works

The Kids Bowl Free program is simple. Parents register their children (ages 2–15, though age limits vary by location) on the Kids Bowl Free website. After registering, you’ll receive weekly digital coupons that can be used at your participating local bowling center. Each registered child can bowl two free games daily- just enough time to practice hitting those strikes and spares.

Participating bowling centers set their own dates for the program, but most run from late spring through the end of summer. Shoe rental isn’t always included, so check your local center’s policies. Rental costs vary.

Cities with participating bowling alleys include Federal Way (Secoma Lanes), Kenmore (Kenmore Lanes), Lynnwood (Lynnwood Bowl and Skate), Mill Creek (Arena Sports FEC), Seattle (Roxbury Lanes), and Tacoma (Tower Lanes). For a complete list of bowling alleys in the area, see our article about kid-friendly places to go bowling.

Family passes and about the program

The program isn’t just for kids—parents and older siblings can join in on the fun, too! Families can purchase a Family Pass for a small fee, allowing adults to bowl alongside their kids.

Since 2007, the program has partnered with bowling centers across the US, Canada, and even at US military bases worldwide, providing kids the chance to bowl two free games every day throughout the summer, at no cost to parents. The goal is simple: to give families an affordable, enjoyable activity that encourages kids to move, play, and make memories together.

Rain or shine, the bowling alley is a great way for families to spend quality time together, help kids make new friends, and enjoy friendly competition without worrying about expenses. Spots fill up quickly, so register early.

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The ultimate guide to indoor pools around Seattle

Seattle's Child Staff — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 03:00:00 +0000

When the kids are restless, there’s no better way to provide a workout than to take them for a public swim. It’s a workout for parents with all the items to schlep along, the noise of the pool, and running the risk that your toddler will dash out of the locker room, you’ll have no choice but to pursue in the nude.

On the other hand, after an hour or so of pool play, your kids will pose far less threat to your furniture and the house will be a more peaceful place.

Indoor Pools: Multi-activity

Lynnwood Recreation Center
18900 44th Ave W, Lynnwood 98036 | 425-670-5732 | Fees: $7.50/adult, $7.50/teen (13-17), $7.50/child (2-12), free for 2 and under

The Lynnwood Rec Center pool offers waterslides, a lazy river, a water play area with tipping water buckets and a family hot tub. Accordingly, open and recreational swims routinely sell out, so it’s a good idea to arrive early or call ahead to make sure they have tickets (you can do this up to two weeks in advance). Note that there are sometimes lap swims going on concurrently. Schedules may change due to staffing challenges. Check times on the Rec Center schedule.

Weyerhauser Aquatic Center
650 SW Campus Dr., Federal Way | 206-477-4444 | Fees: $3.25 for rec swim, $5 for adult

The Weyerhauser pool features two separate swimming areas: their main pool and a recreational pool with a pirate’s cove theme. This is a popular venue for swim meets, so check for possible cancellations before heading out. For more information, check the swim schedule.

Snohomish Aquatic Center
516 Maple Ave., Snohomish 98290 | 360-568-8030 | Fees: $9 for drop-in (3 and older)

Snohomish Aquatic Center features a ton of great water features for kids of various ages: a lap pool; a warm-water pool, a lazy river; a massive, enclosed waterslide; a spray-play section and two shallow areas for smaller kids (one that’s a zero-depth entry zone for tiny kids or folks with physical limitations). Coolest of all, there’s a FlowRider machine for simulated surfing. Kids over 42 inches can ride boogie boards, and kids over 52 inches can ride the stand-up board. They have a new Splash Pass annual or 3-month option! Check the pool schedule for more information.

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Indoor pools: Seattle Parks and Recreation

Seattle has eight indoor pools with regular public swim times. Children under six or under 48 inches in height must stay within arm’s-length of an accompanying adult.

There are four types of swim:

Public Swims: All age groups are invited (all pools)
Family Swims: Geared toward kids and caregivers who are in the water with them (Ballard, Madison, Meadowbrook, Queen Anne, Rainier Beach)
Pool Playland: For kids five and under with accompanying caregivers (Ballard, Madison, Meadowbrook, Queen Anne, Rainier Beach)
Women’s Single-Gender Swims: During which all swimmers and pool staff are female and pool windows are covered (ages 10 and up at Meadowbrook, 12 and up at Rainier Beach).

Fees: $7.50/adult, $5.50/youth (1-17)

Ballard Pool
1471 NW 67th St., Seattle 98107 | 206-684-4094

Ballard Pool has six swimming lanes, a diving board, rope swing, slide and a warm-water pool, in addition to family changing rooms. The pool will be closed on March 6, 2025. For more information check the pool schedule.

Evans Pool
7201 E Green Lake Dr. N, Seattle 98115 | 206-684-4961

This Green Lake neighborhood pool is open with a shortened schedule. Check on Facebook and website for more details. See Holiday closure dates here.

Madison Pool
13401 Meridian Ave. N, Seattle 98133 | 206-684-4979

This pool has six lanes, a teaching pool with shallow water for lessons and two diving boards, one at one meter and one at three meters. One advantage of this arrangement is that there are times when kids can do a public swim in the teaching pool, while a caregiver does laps in the main pool. For more information check out the Madison Pool schedule.

Meadowbrook Pool
10515 35th Ave. NE, Seattle 98125 | 206-684-4989

Meadowbook’s six-lane pool has one- and three-meter diving boards, rope swing, sauna and family changing rooms. Due to staffing shortages, expect schedules to change. Check out the pool schedule here.

Pool closed: May 26 (Memorial Day), June 5 (Staff Training), and June 19 (Juneteenth)

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Medgar Evers Pool
500 23rd Ave., Seattle 98122 | 206-684-4766

Medgar Ever Pool is open for the season and offers lap swim, water fitness classes, pool playland, recreation swim and more. See closure dates here.

Queen Anne Pool
1920 1st Ave. W, Seattle 98119 | 206-386-4282

Queen Anne Pool is open for the season with a variety of swim options for everyone. See closure dates and holidays here.

Rainier Beach Pool
8825 Rainier Ave. S, Seattle 98118 | 206-386-1925

The pool at Rainier Beach has several amenities, including a giant slide, lazy river, spray feature, warm pool, spa and sauna. Check out the swim schedule and Holiday and regular closure dates for Rainier Beach Pool. It will be closed for maintenance March 17-28, 2025.

Southwest Pool
2801 SW Thistle St, Seattle 98126 | 206-684-7440

The Southwest Pool offers six lanes and two diving boards, a 102-degree therapy pool and a sauna. See Holiday and regular closure dates here. Check their Facebook page before arriving. For pool times check out the Southwest Pool schedule.

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Indoor Pools: South of Seattle

Evergreen Community Aquatic Center
606 SW 116th St, Seattle | 206-588-2297 | Fees: $7/adult, $6/youth

This White Center neighborhood pool has public swims as well as gender-specific swims. For more information about times check out the Aquatic Center schedule.

Tukwila Pool
4414 S 144th St., Tukwila | 206-267-2350 | Fees: 5.75/youth, $8/adult (residents)

Among the amenities: a diving board and a slide. They have open swims and family swims. The pool slide is closed due to staff shortages. Also open swim is only open to the first 50 participants. Please call ahead to see if the pool is at capacity. For more information on swim times, check out the Tukwila schedule here.

Mount Rainier Pool
22722 19th Ave. S, Des Moines | 206-824-4722 | Fees: $7.25/adult non-resident, $6.75/adult resident, $4.75/youth non-resident, $4.75/youth resident.

This is a six-lane pool with a movable bulkhead between deep and shallow ends. Some drop-in programs. For more information about pool times and closure dates, check the swim schedule.

Lindbergh Pool
16740 128th Ave SE Renton, WA 98058 | 425-204-4440 | Fees: $5.25/adult, $5.25/youth, punch passes are available

The six-lane Lindbergh Pool includes a diving board and family locker room. Some services are phasing in, so best to call ahead. Check out the swim schedule for more information.

Hazen Pool
1101 Hoquiam Ave NE, Renton 98059 | 425-204-4230 | Fees: $5.25 for youth and adult

Pool will be closed April 23-25, 2025.

Open swim: April 4, 11 and 18, 2025 (Fridays, 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.). Not offering swim lessons at the moment.

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Indoor Pools: Eastside

Bellevue Aquatic Center
601 143rd Ave. NE, Bellevue 98007 | 425-452-4444 | Fees: $7/adult, $6/youth

Bellevue Aquatic features two pools, one for lap swimming and the other is a warm-water pool for therapeutic use. The lap pool features a diving board and a 10-foot slide. Open swims sometimes coincide with lap swims. See holiday closure dates here. View the Aquatic Center schedule here.

Mary Wayte Pool
8815 SE 40th St, Mercer Island 98040 | 206-588-1117 | Fees: $7.50/adult, $5.50/youth, offers 10 punch card

Mercer Island’s pool has shallow and deep areas separated by a bulkhead. There are lots of open and family swim hours available in the shallow pool, some of them coinciding with lap swims in the deep pool. Please reserve your spot for individual or family swim. View the swim schedule for more information.

Julius Boehm Pool
50 SE Clark St, Issaquah 98027 | 425-837-3350 | Fees: $6/adult, $5/youth, $15/family

This Issaquah pool has shallow and deep areas separated by a bulkhead., with recreational swims daily. Passes include use of the fitness area and open gym as well as the pool. View the Julius Boehm schedule of swims for day and time information.

Juanita Aquatics Center
10601 NE 132nd St, Kirkland 98034 | 425-936-1627 | Fees: $7.50/drop in

This pool will be closed (Feb 28-August 2025) for major renovations.

This pool in Kirkland has open swim times several days per week; it’s a good idea to check the website before you go. The swims may be canceled for swim meets, particularly on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Offers family punch passes. Check the Juanita Aquatics schedule for more information.

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Indoor Pools: North of Seattle

Mountlake Terrace Pool
5303 228th St SW, Mountlake Terrace 98043 | 425-776-9173 | Fees: $7.25/adult (resident)/ $8/adult (non resident), $6/children (resident)/ $6.75/childnren (non-resident)

Mountlake Terrace’s pool features a lazy river and a leisure pool with an entry that mimics a beach. Check out the Mountlake Terrace Pool schedule for open swim times.

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Easy Indoor Fun with Kids: 18 activities to keep them busy

Aidan Bond — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 23:55:00 +0000

Not that kids mind the wet weather – in fact, it can be a struggle to get them to wear a jacket – but when the day is cold or rainy or both, it’s good to have plenty of ideas for indoor activities, so we’ve put together more than 15 “fun-things-to-do-inside,” from simple science experiments to games at home.

At-Home Fun

Between naps, exhausting school schedules and traffic, sometimes you want to find good times at home. Here are some entertaining and easy experiments, games and quiet activities when you need fresh ideas for fun.

Easy Science Experiments

Cloudy Ways – Make a cloud in a jar with simple items from around the house. Playdough to Plato offers an in-depth tutorial on cloud making. Simply put, you’ll need a glass jar with a lid, matches, hot water and ice to make some clouds.

Catapult! – Make a marshmallow catapult using the tutorial from It’s Always Autumn. This experiment is easy enough for kids as young as four to do but entertaining enough to keep the older ones engaged. This is another project that shouldn’t require a trip to the store. You’ll need marshmallows (or another light, soft object), a thin rubber band, a plastic spoon, bamboo skewers, and masking tape. Once you’ve built the catapult using It’s Always Autumn’s instructions, teach your kids about gravity and how objects are projected through the air. Ask them to watch how the marshmallow always falls to the ground and explain how gravity keeps us grounded to the earth and not floating in space. When kids use the catapult, it shows them how a projectile responds to gravity.

Magic Plant Absorption – Learn how plants absorb water with food coloring and cabbage leaves. This simple experiment is super fun! Take four jars of water and add a few drops of food coloring. Next, take four cabbage leaves or flowers and put them in the water stem first. The colored water will quickly travel up the leaves for an exciting color transformation. This experiment shows how plants absorb water throughout their entire system from the roots, stems, and leaves. As the food-colored water creeps through the plant, ask your child how they think water absorption works. Share with them how root systems pull water and nutrients from the soil and deliver them through the plants to help them grow.

Active Games

Hallway Maze – Use crepe paper, yarn or painter’s tape to create a maze in your hallway. Have the kids help string the crepe paper before encouraging a game of Ninja Spy or Mission Impossible! This easy activity might keep your kids entertained for hours.
Ring Toss – Use simple paper plates and a leftover paper towel roll to create a fun ring toss. Cut out the center from paper plates and have your kids paint them with bright colors, stickers and other fun decorations. Take another plate and glue or tape the inner paper towel roll to the center. Set up the ring toss and see who can get the most rings on the tube.
DIY Light Tunnel – Dig out those Christmas tree lights for this fun treat (if you’ve managed to put them away since the holidays!) Grab a large cardboard box and poke holes in one or both sides of the box while opening the ends up to create a tunnel. You can do a random pattern or be more deliberate in your work. Push the lights into each one once you have all the holes poked. Your kids might have to fight off the adults in the house for time in this magical tunnel!

Quiet time

Epic Art Session – Roll out some butcher paper on the floor and have the kids go to town. Give them crayons, pencils, and markers, and watch their artistic sensibilities open up with a giant canvas.
Snowflakes – Coffee filters or tissue paper make great snowflakes. Fold the filter in half and in half again until you have a thin sliver of paper. Then, start cutting the design.
Sensory Treasure Hunt – Sensory bins can be a great quiet activity. Fill a bin with small toys from around the house. Then cover them with dried beans, rice or oatmeal. Kids love hunting for items; this activity will provide hours of quiet play.

Inexpensive & off-the-beaten-path outings

When the kids are bouncing off the walls, and you decide to venture out, here are a few outings that offer a new view, challenge, lesson, and maybe all three.

Field Trip Fun

Ride the (Light) Rails – Take the Light Rail from one of its many stations in Seattle to Sea-Tac Airport. The kids will be thrilled by the ride while you enjoy sipping a coffee. Once at the airport, take some time to appreciate the art visible before security before jumping back on the Light Rail for a ride back to the city.
Explore Uwajimaya – Head to Uwajimaya in the International District for a fun shopping trip. The flagship store has everything from interesting fruits and vegetables to delicacies from Asian countries and great seafood options. Browse among the aisles to check out unique snacks, manga and Hello Kitty! products. Head to Papa Beard for cream puffs or to snag a bubble tea. See Field Tripping with the Fam at Asian Megastore or take an extended tour around the CID and so much more about Asian cultures.
From Rain into Drinking Water – Nestled above Rattlesnake Lake, the Cedar River Watershed Education Center in North Bend is located in a beautiful setting and has interactive exhibits about how rain becomes our drinking water.
Interactive Environmental Education at Lewis Creek Park. Explore the interactive environmental educational displays and games at Lewis Creek Park Visitor Center in Lakewood. There are movies, scavenger hunts, and information on hiking trails at the center, along with dress-up gear, nature books, animal pelts, and species identification cards.
There Be Gold! – Visit the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in Pioneer Square to learn all about Seattle’s role in this historical time. This small park is entirely indoors with two floors of exhibits and offers the opportunity to earn a Junior Ranger Badge!

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Stay active with our Get Moving! 2026 guide is here

wpp-admin — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 23:30:51 +0000

It’s here! Allow us to brag for a moment on our Get Moving! 2026 guide, an invaluable resource for families looking to stay active throughout the year (yes, winter, too). It offers a plethora of activities tailored to all interests and age groups, ensuring that everyone can find something enjoyable to do together. Because the Seattle area has so much to offer. Here’s a smattering to whet your appetite.

Indoor activities: For those days when the weather doesn’t cooperate (shocking), the Get Moving! 2026 guide gives a list of indoor venues to hang out. Think climbing gyms, trampoline parks, swimming pools, and more. Because, yes, families can remain active regardless of the weather.

Health and wellness tips: Beyond activities, the guide also offers a look at why kids should stay active at home, outside, over winter break, and during the upcoming wet-weather months. Take a look at how to dress when taking a walk or riding a bike outside, as well as other ideas on how to get your child off screens and get their body moving.

Use our Get Moving! 2026 guide to discover new ways to stay active, spend time together, and have a blast! Dare we say … it’s an essential tool for making the most of what the Seattle area has to offer.

If you’re looking for more activities in your community, remember there’s always our Events Calendar for even more events in and around your area.

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