The summer break is officially over for many kids this week, but fun isn’t just for the summer. This weekend brings rich cultural celebrations including San Gennaro Italian Festival, Live Aloha Hawaiian Festival, and the Arts-A-Glow Lantern Festival.
Tuesday, September 5
Kaleidoscope Play & Learn Children ages 18 months to 5 years learn and explore through the use of art, music, toys and more. Families learn about their child's development and community resources available to them. 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Rainier Beach Public Library (Rainier Beach) & Lake City Public Library (Lake City).
Wednesday, September 6
Busy Builders Busy Builders program promotes imagination and creative play. Includes various building toys, plastic straws and connectors, Jenga blocks, Picasso Magnetic Tiles and puzzles. Recommended for ages 3 to 10. 4 to 5:30 p.m. New Holly Public Library (Rainier Valley).
Thursday, September 7
Museum First Thursday Enjoy free admission all day to select museums (note: there may be admission for special exhibits). Many have children’s activities including story times at Northwest African American Museum (noon), Wing Luke Museum (11 a.m.), and Nordic Heritage Museum (10 a.m.). Museums participating include Burke Museum (University District), Museum of History and Industry (South Lake Union), Seattle Art Museum (Downtown Seattle), and Museum of Flight (Tukwila).
Laurelhurst Salmon Bake Enjoy live music, a kids’ carnival and the famous salmon bake ($). 5:30 to 8 p.m. Laurelhurst Community Center (Laurelhurst).
Friday, September 8
SEAPEX – Seattle Philatelic Exhibition National level postage stamp exhibition with over 25 dealers, and an unveiling of new designs. Free stamps for kids and teachers. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 8, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 9, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 10. Tukwila Community Center (Tukwila).
San Gennaro Festival Celebrate Italian culture with this three-day outdoor street fair. The children's area includes free face painting, crafts and games, and a cheese building contest. Live music all day along with authentic Italian food and vendors. 6 to 10 p.m. Sept. 8, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 9, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 10. South Angelo Street (Georgetown).
Saturday, September 9
Picnic in the Park Enjoy live music, food trucks, petting zoo, kids’ activities and more at this community celebration. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pfingst Animal Acres Park (Lake Forest Park).
Seattle Design Festival Block Party See installations created by local designers, community groups and contractors, plus enjoy demonstrations, art activities and more. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 9-10. Occidental Park (Pioneer Square).
Book Exchange Bring sci-fi, mystery, cookbooks and kids’ books for trading, or purchase for $1 to $2 each. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Phinney Neighborhood Center (Phinney Ridge).
Children’s Story Time Enjoy fun readings from picture and storybooks. Recommended for ages 2 and older. 11 a.m. Elliot Bay Book Company (Capitol Hill).
Sustainable Ballard Festival Celebrate and learn about sustainability. This year's theme is "Certified Local" featuring ways that you can commit to local, sustainable actions. The event will have hands-on activities, live music on a solar powered stage, urban farm animals, food carts and more. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ballard Commons Park (Ballard).
The Not-Its! Enjoy an outdoor concert from one of Seattle’s favorite “kindie” rock bands. They’ll play songs from their new album Are You Listening along with other hits. Also, enjoy coffee and donuts from Top Pot. Part of the Saturday Family Concert Series presented by Town Hall Seattle. Tickets are free, but you'll need to pre-register here. 11 a.m. Freeway Park Plaza (Downtown Seattle).
Arts-A-Glow Lantern Festival Lantern making, lantern procession at dusk, face painting, live music, performers, food trucks, circus performers, and more. Bring shakers or bells for the procession. 5 to 10 p.m. Dottie Harper Park (Burien).
Pratt Open House Watch artists in action, meet instructors, and enjoy hands-on art activities, food trucks and more. 6 to 9 p.m. Pratt Fine Arts Center (Central District).
Sunday, September 10
Mount Baker Day in the Park Annual neighborhood festival features a kids’ parade (9:45 a.m.), music, games and more. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mount Baker Community Club.
Live Aloha Hawaiian Cultural Festival Hawaiian music, dance, food, vendors, workshops (including lei making and hula) and kids’ activities. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Seattle Center
Want more to do? You can always check out our Family Events Calendar, searchable by age, location, and cost.
