Spring has sprung! The cherry blossoms are blooming on the UW campus (and everywhere else), the daffodils are decorating the farmers' markets, and the tulips are just thinking about popping open. Go enjoy this beautiful time of year this week — for free!
The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival opens April 1 and runs through the 30th. (It's technically free, though garden entrance and some activities require a fee.) There's also the annual Daffodil parade in Pierce County, Daffodil Day in Downtown Seattle, and a few guided nature walks where you can enjoy springtime in Seattle.
And for those of us cursing spring blooms with scratchy throats and watery eyes (raises hand), there are lots of free indoor activities, too, such as Free First Thursdays at the museums. Have a great week!
Monday, April 1
Toddler Gym Let your energetic toddler burn off energy while learning social skills, developing hand-eye coordination and making new friends. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hiawatha Community Center, West Seattle.
PlayDate SEA Enjoy free admission to this huge, indoor playground (plus parent café) on Monday evenings. 5 to 8 p.m. PlayDate SEA, Seattle (South Lake Union).
Tuesday, April 2
Story Time with Ms. Mynique Bring your toddlers to enjoy stories, rhymes, songs and toys with the children’s librarian. 10:30 to 11 a.m. Douglass Truth Branch
Library, Seattle (Central District).
Story Club: Rocks in His Head Share a story about collecting things that are important to us. Then talk about the history museums’ collect. Ages 7 and older. 4 to 5 p.m. Auburn Library.
Wednesday, April 3
Baby Gym Babies explore different sites, textiles and surfaces to help them learn and grow. 9:30 to 10 a.m. Advantage Gymnastics Academy, Woodinville.
Daffodil Day Take a lunchtime walk through downtown Seattle and collect locally grown daffodils from Pike Place Market farmers. Volunteers are spreading springtime cheer at 19 different street corners (see list of locations online). 11:30 to 1 p.m. Westlake Park, Downtown Seattle.
Thursday, April 4
Museum First Thursdays It’s time to go explore a new exhibition or revisit a favorite museum! Most are free today. Various times and locations; check museum’s website for details.
Nordic Stories Read When Two Get Up by Tor Age Bringsvaerd; then make a related craft. 10 a.m. Nordic Museum, Ballard.
Japanese Garden Explore exhibits highlighting Japanese culture, watch demonstrations, and explore the beautiful garden. 3 to 6 p.m. Japanese Garden, Washington Park Arboretum, Seattle.
Friday, April 5
Small Frye: Storytelling + Art Start in the museum galleries with Seattle Children's Theatre as they weave together an imaginative narrative in a dramatic book reading. Then create a work of art inspired by the book’s themes. Pre-registration recommended. 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. Frye Art Museum, Seattle (First Hill).
First Friday at BAM Enjoy free admission to Bellevue Arts Museum on the first Friday of each month. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Bellevue Arts Museum, Downtown Bellevue.
Saturday, April 6
Exotics at RTC Season Opener Have a kid who loves cars? Or maybe you’re a motorhead, yourself? Head to Redmond Town Center to ooh and ahhhh over a display of exotic and very rare cars. This event is weather dependent, so check the Facebook page for details. 9 to 11 a.m. Redmond Town Center.
Daffodil Festival Grand Floral Parade Head to Pierce County today for a huge parade (four of them, actually!) to celebrate spring. More than 40 floats are decorated with fresh daffodils, plus marching bands and more. The parade starts in Tacoma at 10:15 a.m., in Puyallup at 12:45 p.m., in Sumner at 2:30 p.m. and in Orting at 5 p.m. Check website for routes and details.
International Children’s Friendship Festival Kids of all ages perform traditional dances and songs to highlight more than 40 cultures represented in the Seattle area. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Sun. Fischer Pavilion, Seattle Center (Lower Queen Anne).
Movin’ Around the World: Spring Explore different cultures through song, dance, play and hands-on activities. Each day showcases a different culture; see the full schedule online. $5 donations appreciated. 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. today through April 12. Seattle Center Armory (Lower Queen Anne).
Sunday, April 7
Juanita Bay Wildlife Tour Take an interpretative tour of a wildlife habitat that includes songbirds, waterfowl, raptors, amphibians, turtles, beavers and other small mammals. Bring binoculars if you have them. For ages 6 and older. 1 p.m. Juanita Bay Park, Kirkland.
Pop-Up Story Walk Explore the trails at Brightwater Center and learn about water conservation. Pages of the children’s book Water Princess are printed and posted on panels, so you can read the story – page by page – as you walk the path. 10 a.m. Brightwater Center, Woodinville.
