Seattle's Child

Your guide to a kid-friendly city

27 FREE Things To Do With Kids This Week, Aug. 7-13

Lots of opportunities to be entertained this week, indoors or out. See 'Star Trek' in the park, catch an uplifting movie, and rock out to The Not-Its! and Caspar Babypants.

The last weeks of summer are here, but there’s still plenty to do. The smoke is predicted to clear mid week. But if you’d still like to take a break from the outdoors, go to one of the many free events happening at the library, or enjoy a movie, or check out an indoor play space. Wherever you decide to go, you can find tips here to keep you and your little ones cool. This week offers a good mix of fun; from making clay animals, to biking by the lake, to watching a live performance of Star Trek in the park.

 

Monday, August 7

Special Story Time: My Clay Critters Klutz Kids are invited to enjoy crafts, and story time. Enjoy a book about animals and then making clay critters. 11 a.m. to noon. University Book Store (University District).

Free Drop-In Art Studio Bring your own materials or use what is available in the studio for this free drop-in art studio time. 3 to 7 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, 1 to 8 p.m. Saturdays. Beacon Arts (Beacon Hill).

 

Tuesday, August 8

Toddler Gym Play inside with scooters, toys, tunnels and more. For ages 5 and younger. Parental supervision required. 10 a.m. to noon every Tuesday through Sept. 12.

Play Bounce & Jam Family Concert Series Toddlers and preschoolers are invited to play and dance to tot-friendly music. This week, The Not-Its!, next week, Brian Vogan and his Good Buddies. 11 a.m. Issaquah Community Center (Issaquah).

Lunchtime Concert Series See various exotic animals in this weekly kids’ entertainment series. This week, Reptile Isle. Noon to 1 p.m. Cromwell Park (Shoreline).

Summer Food Invasion Field Day This summer, United Way of King County is hosting free Food Invasion Field Days across the county. Enjoy activities for all ages, including an obstacle course, bounce house, face painting, crafts, free food for all, and more.  Kids can also enjoy free meals throughout the summer at various locations and times, details here.  Noon to 3 p.m. Pratt Park (Central District).

Top Ten Toys Game Night Learn how to play different games (new and classic). Games available for all ages. 6 to 7 p.m. Top Ten Toys (Greenwood).

 

Wednesday, August 9

U Village Sounds of Summer Concert Series Weekly concert series with live music from local favorites and well-known artists, with gourmet bites from U Village restaurants, a beer garden and activities in the kid’s play area. This week features Kalimba, an Earth Wind and Fire cover band. 7 p.m. University Village (University District).

 

Thursday, August 10

Meaningful Movies: Landfill Harmonic This movie follows the Recycled Orchestra of Cateura, a Paraguayan youth musical group that plays instruments made entirely out of garbage. When their story goes viral, the orchestra is catapulted into the global spotlight. Watch the trailer here. FREE admission and popcorn, donations accepted. Doors at 6:15 p.m., movie begins at 7 p.m. Centilia Cultural Center at El Centro de la Raza (Beacon Hill).

Cartoon Happy Hour Bring the family and watch cartoons on the big screen every Thursday 5-7 p.m. and enjoy special food and drink offers. Central Cinema (Central District).

Theater for Young Children Come see Why Do Mosquitoes Buzz in Our Ears? and Two Ways to Count to Ten! Learn with the animals of the African savanna how clever thinking rather than strong muscles can win the day. And learn the tale of how Mosquito earned his place as one of the animal kingdom’s most annoying creatures. Free, but donations are accepted. 6 p.m. Albert Davis Park (Lake City).

Admiral Neighborhood Summer Concerts Enjoy free outdoor concerts every Thursdays through Aug. 24 in the Admiral neighborhood of West Seattle. This week, The Ardana, self-described as “Jet-city rock”. Mark your calendars on Aug. 24 for Caspar Babypants. 6:30 to 8 p.m. Hiawatha Park (West Seattle).

 

Friday, August 11

Park in the Heart Free weekly art lessons in the park for children taught by artist Blanca Santander. Learn new techniques in art and create fun things to take home using recycled materials and paint. Every Friday Aug. 4 through Sep. 1.

South Lake Union Block Party Food, games, live music, and a steamroller smack down where designers print giant posters using a steamroller instead of a printing press. Noon to 11 p.m. South Lake Union Discovery Center (South Lake Union).

Drive-In Movie Night Watch a movie from your car or a blanket on the lawn. Haub Field opens at 4:30 p.m., movie at dusk. FREE, donations accepted. Space is limited. Concessions available. Tonight, Moana. LeMay America’s Car Museum (Tacoma).

Movies at the Marina Bring blankets and chairs. Food truck from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Seating begins around 7 p.m., movie at dusk (about 9:30 p.m.). Free popcorn. Tonight, The Secret Life of Pets. Shilshole Bay Marina (Ballard).

 

Saturday, August 12

Exploration for All: Autism Early Open On the second Saturday of each month, families affected by autism spectrum disorder are invited to explore Pacific Science Center during a special free morning visit from 8 to 10 a.m. – before opening to the public. Experience exhibits without heavy crowds. Also, softened general lighting and decreased the noise level and visual stimulation on interactive exhibits wherever possible. Additional fee for special exhibits. Pacific Science Center (Lower Queen Anne).

Community Day at the Frye In honor of the opening of Storme Webber’s ‘Casino: A Palimpsest’ exhibition, the Frye is hosting a museum-wide celebration featuring gallery tours, art-making activities for families, and a special performance featuring Storme Webber and singer Valerie Rosa. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Frye Museum (First Hill).

Iranian Festival Explore the culture of Iran through food, music, dance, poetry, a puppet show and more. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Seattle Center Armory (Lower Queen Anne).

Delridge Day Enjoy music, food, games, kids’ activities, local information and more at this 13th annual celebration of the Delridge neighborhood. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Delridge Community Center (West Seattle).

Kirkland Summer Fest Celebrate summer at Kirkland's largest festival featuring live music, art, food vendors and more. 3 to 11 p.m. Aug. 11, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Aug. 12, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 13. Marina Park (Kirkland).

Cascade Kids Days Enjoy bouncy houses, imagination playground, hands-on learning, art, and entertainment. 2 to 5 p.m. Cascade Playground (South Lake Union).

Caspar Babypants at Pike Place Market Dance, clap, and sing along while supporting a great local cause with everyone's favorite kindie rocker Caspar Babypants, performing for the first time in the brand new Pike Place MarketFront Pavilion. Free, however donations are accepted to support Pike Market Childcare and Preschool, serving families of all income levels. 6 to 6:45 p.m. MarketFront Pavilion (Belltown).

Outdoor Trek (Star Trek) Live performance based on the popular TV show Star Trek: Day of the Dove. Rated PG. Pre-show at 6 p.m. 7 p.m. show.  Aug. 12-13. Dr. Blanche Lavizzo Park (Central District).

Lusio. A Night to Awaken Volunteer Park will be covered with 30+ light art installations to explore. Very family friendly. Get dressed up in your more glowing attire and come see the park like never before. There will also be a kids shadow puppet theater and LED bubble machine. 8 to 11 p.m. Volunteer Park (Capitol Hill).

 

Sunday, August 13

Bicycle Sundays The four-mile stretch of Lake Washington Boulevard between Mount Baker Beach and Seward Park is closed to motorized traffic several Sundays through September. Enjoy biking, jogging or strolling along the water.  10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Lake Washington Boulevard South (Mount Baker).

Pear-a-dise Celebrate the pear harvest in the 100-year old orchard at Garden House. Enjoy yummy treats such as pear sorbet and salsas, pick pears, share recipes, play games, and learn more about gardening. Also–see a live performance by circus act Two of Wands. 1 to 5 p.m. Beacon Arts (North Beacon Hill).

 

Want more? Here’s something for every single day of summer. And you can always check out our Family Events Calendar, searchable by age, location, and cost. 

About the Author

Nicole Santora, Calendar Editor