Seattle's Child

Your guide to a kid-friendly city

Seattle center's International Fountain

10 ways to savor the last of summer in Seattle

Make the most of summer's last hurrah

Labor Day weekend is upon us. Here are 10 ideas for fun things to do around town during summer’s last hurrah.

Watch your kids play in the International Fountain

At Seattle Center, the International Fountain‘s complex array of water nozzles shoots out water, and bathing-suit-clad kids still dash around its big shiny dome. The kids may want to stay for some time. More spray/splash parks around Seattle (it’s their final weekend for most spray parks).

Rent kayaks

There’s nothing like exploring Seattle’s waterways from a small, human-powered boat. Be sure to reserve in advance! Double kayaks are a great way for parents and kids to explore safely together. Here’s an updated list of places where you can rent all sorts of watercraft.

First time on a kayak or paddle board? Try one of these locations that’s easy on the waves.

Try out this donut boat too for a fun excursion around the lake.

Treat yourself to ice cream

One of the great seasonal pleasures of summer is taking a bite of a frozen treat on a hot day. And what’s more, many ice cream joints have seasonal flavors on the menu. Molly Moon’s has blueberry pie and Salt & Straw’s offerings with a summer picnic theme. Fried Chicken ice cream anyone? Seriously, it’s a flavor! Check out these other options too.

Take a family bike ride

Whether you want to go on a tour of your neighborhood’s quieter streets or take advantage of one of Seattle’s great urban trails, there’s lots of fun to be had on two wheels.

For pointers on how to teach your kid to ride a bike: Use these 4 steps

Go to the beach

Labor Day weekend is a wonderful time to go beach combing. Here are the best family beaches around town.

Head over to Jetty Island- take the 5-min ferry ride to this unique piece of beach. Build sand castles then walk the shore- just don’t get stuck in the quicksand on low-tide days. Here are tips you need to know to get there.

Food truck picnic

Here’s how it works: you either Google your favorite food truck or find a new one using a food truck tracking site such as seattlefoodtruck.com.  Then you visit the truck, order food, and take it for an al fresco meal at a nearby park.

Visit a farm

You could go apple picking, or you might stop by a sunflower patch. Visit Mountainview U-Pick Blueberry Farm for berries and blooms Friday through Sunday. If you want some mini theme park experience to go with your rural adventure, the rides at Remlinger Farms are open and ready to explore.

Go to the zoo or sanctuary

Meet the twin polar bears at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium.  Play at Point Defiance Zoo‘s nature area or go to Cougar Mountain Zoo to see the lemurs and tigers.

Book your tickets for the Wild Felid Advocacy Center and see the oldest snow leopard in the world!

Box with a kangaroo at the Fall City Kangaroo Ranch.

Mini-golf

The game is simple enough for both little kids and grown adults to have a good time. Here’s our updated list of where to go.

Got to the Fair

The Evergreen State Fair is open for visitors, while the Washington State Fair opens Labor Day Weekend. Fair food, rides, attractions and fun!

 

Bonus outing: Go troll hunting

A new artist is in town and he’s trolling the Seattle area, building giant trolls in 5 different spots. There’s one on Bainbridge, in West Seattle and soon to be in Issaquah. A magical experience wander, wonder and hunt to find them all.

 

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Find more in our searchable Family Event Calendar

About the Author

Fiona Cohen

Fiona Cohen lives in Ballard with her husband, two teenagers, a big vegetable garden and an absurd cat. She is the author of "Curious Kids Nature Guide," and is working on a new nature book for kids, to be published by Little Bigfoot in 2022.