We’ve lived in Seattle for over a year now, and we’ve made a point to experience most of the kid-friendly activities it has to offer. In this post, I’m listing out our favorite things to do in Seattle with kids. These are top recommendations for first time visitors, not necessarily niche activities for those of you that live here in Seattle. My kids are in grade school, but many of these activities are for kids of all ages.
You won’t have time to do everything on this list so pick and choose those that sound the most fun to your family. If I had to choose, here are the top things I recommend doing in Seattle with kids for first time visitors: Pike Place Market, the Pacific Science Center, ferry to Bainbridge, and Discovery Park. This is a good mix of city sights and outdoor activities.
The best time to visit Seattle is definitely in the summer months where you can expect beautiful, mild sunny weather and very little rain. July, August, and September are usually the best weather wise (but also the busiest.) If you come during the rainy season (October through June essentially), don’t forget your rain jacket.
What To Do In Seattle With Kids
Pacific Science Center
The Pacific Science Center is great for kids of all ages. Not only does it have tons of science related exhibits (everything from dinosaurs to space) but you can also visit the Tropical Butterfly House, the planetarium, and see a laser light show (not to be missed!)
Pike Place Market
You can’t come to Seattle without visiting the iconic Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle. If you can, I recommend going on a weekday because it can get VERY busy on the weekends, and that can be very overwhelming especially with young kids.
I like going with an empty stomach so I can sample lots of different vendors. Our favorites are Pike Place Chowder, Piroshky Piroshky, The Crumpet Shop, Le Panier, and Hellenika Cultured Creamy. Be sure to wander around inside and visit some of the cute little shops, too. Be warned, lines can get very long and, personally, I think cleanliness could be improved, but it’s still worth a visit.
Woodland Park Zoo
If your kids are animal lovers like mine, I recommend visiting the Woodland Park Zoo for an afternoon. This zoo has a variety of exhibits, but it’s not too big for young kids to walk. We personally love seeing the bears and river otters in the Northwest exhibit.
Museum of Pop Culture
If your kids are a bit older, say 6 and above, I highly recommend the Museum of Pop Culture. This museum houses a wide range of pop culture artifacts. I was really impressed when we visited over the summer. Our favorite was the Fantasy exhibit where we got to see several props from the Harry Potter films. So cool!
Seattle Aquarium
This aquarium is a bit small, but it has a variety of animals like seals and otters and tons of different types of fish and birds. Plus it’s right on the waterfront so you can walk the boardwalk before or after. If I had to pick between this and the zoo, I would go with the zoo unless your kids are very into marine life.
Ballard Locks
This is such a unique Seattle landmark. The Ballard Locks (in Ballard, obviously) was created as a canal between the saltwater of the Puget Sound to the freshwater of Lake Washington. Among other purposes, the locks lowers or raises boats to allow them to pass between the different water levels of these two bodies of water.
In addition, salmon use the fish ladder here to migrate to the ocean and back to the freshwater of the rivers upstream to spawn. They have viewing windows inside to watch the salmon as they make their journey. It’s a sight to see. Note that they migrate only during the summer including mid-June to September.
If you’d really like to experience this, hop on one of the Argosy Cruises that takes you through the locks by boat.
Discovery Park
This big beautiful green space borders the Puget Sound northwest of downtown Seattle. If you want to experience the beautiful Pacific Northwest without leaving the city, this is your best bet. Check out the beautiful playground and then hike down to the lighthouse. We always pack a picnic as well.
If your kids are under 5, you can go to the Environmental Learning Center in the park and obtain a parking permit to park near the lighthouse.
Seattle Public Library
We often make a point to visit the library when traveling with our kids. It’s a nice space to have some quiet downtime. The Seattle Central Library in downtown is a beautiful building and has lots of space to roam. Take the elevator up to the top to see some views of Seattle and then spend some time in the children’s area.
Alki Beach
Visitors be warned, this is not a white sand beach you’d find in California or Florida; however, who can be mad when you get incredible views of the Puget Sound (and a possible whale sighting!) We are lucky to live near Alki Beach and go often. During the summer, mainly on the weekends, the beach can get quite crowded so arrive somewhat early to get parking (before 10am.) The beaches are a bit rocky (we prefer to wear water shoes), but there is still sand and fun to be had.
Artist’s At Play Playground
Located in Seattle Center, this HUGE playground is a blast for kids. It has a 30 foot climbing tower and two big slides to keep your kids entertained for an afternoon. Plus, it’s near several attractions in Seattle Center, including the Pacific Science Center, the Museum of Pop Culture, the Space Needle, and the Chihuly Glass and Garden Exhibit.
Ferry To Bainbridge Island
One of my favorite activities to do with visitors is to take the Washington State Ferry from downtown Seattle to Bainbridge Island. The ride is scenic and fun for kids and adults alike. Once on the quaint island, grab a bite to eat and some coffee and explore all the adorable shops.
I recommend just walking on (the process is much simpler), but you can bring your car on this ferry as well. Buy a ticket at the ferry terminal in Seattle for a walk on passenger; there is no charge for the ferry from Bainbridge to Seattle.
Elliot Bay Book Company
Our family LOVES a bookstore. The Elliot Bay Book Company is a huge, independently owned bookstore in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle. It has a coffee shop inside, too, for all your caffeine needs.
Seattle Children’s Theater
Also located in Seattle Center (you could really spend several days in this area), the Seattle Children’s Theater is another great place to visit for younger kids. I haven’t personally taken my kids there, but they have been on several field trips with their school. The theater puts on different kid-friendly shows, and my kids find it very entertaining.
Snoqualmie Falls
If you have a car and want to see some beautiful scenery without venturing too far outside the city, check out Snoqualmie Falls located about 35 minutes east of the city in Snoqualmie, Washington. You can view the falls from a spot near the parking lot, but you can also take the short and easy hike down to see the falls from below.
Molly Moon’s Ice Cream
A Seattle institution with several locations throughout the city (although the closet to downtown is the one in Capitol Hill), this ice cream shop is so yummy. We really like trying their seasonal flavors. What kid doesn’t love ice cream?
Mt. Rainer National Park
If you want to get out of the city for the day and have some time to explore, I definitely recommend checking out Mt. Rainer National Park. This could be a whole blog post unto itself, but this beautiful national park is so worth your visit. The road inside the park, on the way to the main visitor’s center, is not for the faint of heart, but the views are incredible.
When visiting a national park, always check the website prior to your visit for any closures. Here, I recommend driving to the Paradise Visitor’s Center and choosing a hike that sets off from there. There are a few kid-friendly options.
More Activities
These are activities that are still fun, but wouldn’t be on my list for a first time visit.
The Space Needle
Some of you may be surprised to see this here. The Space Needle, while a staple of the Seattle skyline, actually doesn’t have that great of views of the city. Sure, if you have the time and the money, absolutely go, but it wouldn’t be my first choice. You can see better views of the city from Kerry Park.
Lincoln Park
This is another beautiful green space in Seattle proper, but it’s a bit out of the way of the main attractions. This park has a rocky beach to explore (so fun for kids!), a big playground, and hiking trails.
Olympic National Park
If you plan to be here for more than a week, or if you really enjoy visiting national parks (or are a huge Twilight fan, lol), consider Olympic National Park. This huge national park has several different ecosystems to explore including alpine forest, coastal lowlands, and even a rainforest! There is so much to see, I couldn’t possibly list it out here.
Seattle Children’s Museum
We haven’t personally visited the Seattle Children’s Museum, but I assume it would a great place to take younger kids. Plus, it’s also located in Seattle Center near other attractions.
The Museum Of Flight
We’ve heard awesome things about the Museum of Flight. It’s located in South Seattle so you’d need a car to visit this one.
