Does anyone in your family know how to make soap, identify edible weeds, build a toilet or repair ripped jeans? Learn these super useful life skills – for free – this Saturday. Also free this week: yoga, zumba, adventure hikes, cultural festivals and First Thursdays at the museums. Have a great week!
Monday, February 4
¡Hora De Cuentos! Sing songs, learn rhymes and read books in Spanish. 10:30 to 11 a.m. Central Library, Downtown Seattle.
Tuesday, February 5
Ballard Playspace Get out of the house (but stay out of the cold) at this drop-in open play. 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Ballard Church.
Wednesday, February 6
Yoga and Zumba at Seattle Center Start your day with slow-paced yoga, and end it with an energetic Zumba class. All ages and all fitness levels welcome. Gentle Yoga, 7 to 8 a.m. or 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.; Zumba, 6-7 p.m. Seattle Center Armory, Seattle (Lower Queen Anne).
Bilingual Kaleidoscope Play & Learn Enjoy arts-and-crafts time, plus listen to stories and sing songs in English and Mandarin. 10 to 11:30 a.m. Beacon Hill Branch Library, Seattle.
Renton History Museum Free Day Learn about local history in this Art Deco firehouse turned museum. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Renton History Museum, Renton.
Thursday, February 7
First Free Thursdays at the Museums Explore a new exhibition, wander a favorite gallery or give little kids their first museum experience. Try Living Computers Museum + Labs, Northwest African American Museum, Museum of Flight, SAM or one of the many other participating museums. Check websites for free admission hours.
CulturalFest International Expo Meet international students, and do hands-on activities representing more than 35 different cultures. 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Husky Union Building Ballroom, University of Washington, Seattle.
Chess Club All ages and skill levels can drop by for a casual game of chess. Basic instruction available, along with chess puzzles for little kids. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Northeast Branch Library, Seattle.
Friday, February 8
Somali Book Launch Celebrate the launch of community-created children’s book, Baro Tirinta Af Soomaaliga (Learn to Count in Somali)! This book was created by local Somali families and is published by the Seattle Public Library. Meet the authors, enjoy refreshments and get a book signed ($). 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., NewHolly Gathering Hall, Seattle (New Holly).
Family Game Night Gather around a table with your friends and neighbors for some old-fashioned fun. Bring a favorite board game from home, or try one from the Center’s collection. 6 to 7:45 p.m. Miller Community Center, Seattle (Capitol Hill).
Saturday, February 9
Hands-On Skills Fair Learn how to preserve food, save seeds, make soap, repair a bike, identify edible weeds and other useful life skills. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Meadowbrook Community Center, Northeast Seattle.
Winter Weekends in the Park Build your own sculpture about sound, create a musical instrument and turn a cardboard box (bring your own) into a musical car for a “drive-in” movie. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle.
Lunar New Year Celebration Ring in the Year of the Pig with cultural demonstrations, including: martial arts, music, dance and visual arts, plus samples from Din Tai Fung. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Bellevue Square.
Black History Month Teach-In Learn all about Harriet Tubman and the amazing things she did. 2 p.m. Retroactive Kids, Seattle (Columbia City).
Valentine’s Arts & Crafts Create sweet treats and a card. For ages 12 and younger. 3 to 4:30 p.m. International District/Chinatown Community Center, Seattle.
Family Wild Walks: Winter Safari Play games and learn about animals in nature during this hour-and-a-half adventure walk. Gather at the Graham Visitors Center at 1:15 p.m. 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Washington Park Arboretum, Seattle.
Sunday, February 10
Ranger-Led Hike Wend along a beautiful creekside trail on this two-mile hike. 10:30 a.m. to noon. Lakemont Community Park, Bellevue.
Sunday Public Sail Set sail on one of the Center for Wooden Boats’ beautiful, classic boats. Sign up for a slot in person, several trips throughout the day. Space is limited. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. South Lake Union.
Everett Reads: Sy Montgomery Meet adventurer and author Sy Montgomery, and hear a presentation about our special connection to the animal world. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cope-Gillette Theater, Everett.
Check out more events! Our Family Events Calendar is searchable by age, location and cost.
