Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around Seattle - 2022
2022's Best Places for Kids in the Seattle area!
Every May and June, thousands of local parents, grandparents, and caregivers weigh in on their favorite local places to take kids. Typically, we showcase the Top 20 winners... but this year, in honor of KidsOutAndAbout.com's 21st birthday (we originally launched in June of 2001), we bring you the Seattle area's
TOP 21 Places to Take Kids!
After you check out the list, make sure to find great things to do on our packed daily calendar, sign up for our free weekly e-newsletter, and visit our Everything That's Free page for lots more ideas.
1. Sammamish Animal Sanctuary
Sammamish Animal Sanctuary is a farm that hosts many different rescue animals! Sammamish Animal Sanctuary is the home of the animals from the Rescue Series Books, written by Diane Odegard Gockel. It is regularly open to the public and available for birthday parties, corporate events, and more! Now located in a brand-new location in East Renton! Come visit us or reach out for details!
2. Woodland Park Zoo
Founded in 1899, Woodland Park Zoo has sparked delight, discovery and unforgettable memories for generations of Northwest families. People who experience the wonders of the natural world are inspired to protect it. That's why every year we lead more than 1 million people on a journey that inspires a lifelong love of animals, makes science come alive, and gives people the tools to take conservation action.
3. Redmond Art Works
Redmond Art Works was founded on the idea of creating a space for our community to gather and make art! We specialize in providing innovative art education through weekly classes, camps, birthday parties, and family workshops specially crafted for the artist in all of us. Students (at any age) exposed to art on a regular basis are four times more likely to lead a fulfilling and well balanced life. Redmond Art Works gives students the space to find their natural creativity, develop critical problem solving skills, and build art skills - beginning to advanced. We hope to see you in the studio soon!
4. Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
Experience the Pacific Northwest's only combined zoo and aquarium. Experience unforgettable up-close encounters with tigers, hammerhead sharks, red wolves, sea lions and more. See an award-winning live animal show and close encounters with animals and keepers. There's always something new to see and do and Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium.
Learn more at www.pdza.org.
5. Seattle Aquarium
Come explore the wonders of the marine environment—including sea otters, moon jellies, pufferfish, harbor seals and more—at the Seattle Aquarium. Now with timed ticketing and plan-ahead pricing so you can choose the best fit for your budget and schedule. Have fun while joining us in our mission of Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment!
6. Remlinger Farms
Remlinger Farms is the place for Family Fun in Carnation, Washington. What began over 50 years ago as a humble produce stand has grown into a 200 acre tourist center offering a full service restaurant, bakery, ice cream parlor, large picnic areas, U-Pick fields, Birthday Party Packages, fun and educational tours and Country Fair Fun Park.
7. Kelsey Creek Farm
Kelsey Creek Community Park features 150 acres of forest, meadows and wetlands in the heart of Bellevue, offering a glimpse of this city's rural past. The park features hiking and jogging trails, picnic areas, a playground, wetlands, open grassy areas, creeks and forests. The historic Fraser Cabin sits on the hill adjacent to the park's historic dairy barns. Kelsey Creek Farm offers year-round programs, summer day camps, birthday party opportunities, school group tours, and rentals.
8. My Local Library
Of course, the libraries in the Seattle area are not really ONE place, but MANY places... but it's important to emphasize how valuable libraries are for family learning and fun. The libraries in our area are wonderful about posting their events to the KidsOutAndAbout calendar so you always can get ideas for free things to do with your kids that celebrate education and imagination. KidsOutAndAbout.com takes this opportunity to salute the wonderful children's librarians who serve our community with such dedication. They're proud that locals voted them #13 in best places to take kids this year!
10. Pacific Science Center
Pacific Science Center ignites curiosity in every child and fuels a passion for discovery, experimentation, and critical thinking in all of us.
11. My Gym Kent
My Gym offers physical fitness & educational programs for kids 1 to 10 years old. Gymnastics, Ninja Training, Parent & Me, Dance, and Preschool Prep. Plus Summer Camps, Movie Nights & Kids’ Night In, as well as Birthday Parties!
12. Alki Beach Park
Picture a perfect summer day, and chances are your thoughts will take you to Alki Beach Park, a long beach strip that runs roughly from 64th Place SW to Duwamish Head on Elliott Bay. It's a great spot for a long walk any time of year, and in the summer draws joggers, rollerbladers, volleyball players, sunbathers, bicyclists and strollers out to enjoy the sun. The water temperature ranges from 46 to 56 degrees Fahrenheit depending on season.
13. KidsQuest Children's Museum
KidsQuest Children’s Museum is all about providing hands-on learning opportunities so children can continue playing while also giving our community the chance to grow, explore and connect once more! Explore over 25 innovative exhibits designed for children ages 0-10 plus their friends and family. This is what KidsQuest does best: hands-on, interactive learning with real materials that serve to uplift our youngest community members and their families. Head to kidsquestmuseum.org for updates on programming or to book your child’s birthday party. With full access to the entire museum and the option to add on activities with our Museum Educators, your little one’s special day is sure to be a blast! Keep an eye out for FREE programming like Story Time, Science Hour, Camptivities, as well as in person classes that are sure to intrigue kids of all ages. Reservations are strongly encouraged, so book now to come out and PLAY! KidsQuest is open Tuesday-Sunday 9:30am-5:00pm.
16. Burke Museum
The Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture (Burke Museum) is a natural history museum in Seattle, Washington. Established in 1899 as the Washington State Museum, it traces its origins to a high school naturalist club formed in 1879. The museum is the oldest in Washington state and boasts a collection of more than 16 million artifacts, including the world's largest collection of spread bird wings.
19. Job Carr Cabin Museum
Job Carr Cabin Museum is a replica of Tacoma's first permanent non-Native residence, located in Old Town Park. The Museum brings Tacoma’s history to life through interactive learning for elementary students and our community. FREE admission and events, including craft days, story times, and educational resources.
20. Seattle Mariners
Since the Inaugural Game on July 15, 1999, T-Mobile Park has gained a reputation locally, regionally and nationally as a terrific setting for baseball and a great place for baseball fans. Sweeping views of Seattle's downtown skyline, breathtaking sunsets over Puget Sound, combined with excellent views of game action from all angles give fans at T-Mobile Park an experience unequalled in Major League Baseball.
21. Wild Waves Theme & Water Park
Wild Waves Theme & Water Park is an amusement park and water park in Federal Way, Washington. Opened in 1977 as The Enchanted Village, the park is a popular summer destination in the Pacific Northwest and it is Washington state's only water and amusement park.
Top Arts Educator: Redmond Art Works
Redmond Art Works was founded on the idea of creating a space for our community to gather and make art! We specialize in providing innovative art education through weekly classes, camps, birthday parties, and family workshops specially crafted for the artist in all of us. Students (at any age) exposed to art on a regular basis are four times more likely to lead a fulfilling and well balanced life. Redmond Art Works gives students the space to find their natural creativity, develop critical problem solving skills, and build art skills - beginning to advanced. We hope to see you in the studio soon!
Top STEM Educator: Sammamish Animal Sanctuary
Sammamish Animal Sanctuary is a farm that hosts many different rescue animals! Sammamish Animal Sanctuary is the home of the animals from the Rescue Series Books, written by Diane Odegard Gockel. It is regularly open to the public and available for birthday parties, corporate events, and more! Now located in a brand-new location in East Renton! Come visit us or reach out for details!
