How fortunate are we to be raising our kids in a city so incredibly vibrant with culture? This week alone, there are family-friendly events celebrating Mexican, Japanese, Hmong, Indian and Pacific Northwest indigenous cultures. Festivals abound, plus lots of fun at museums, libraries and local parks. All free!
Monday, October 29
Children’s Story Time Read stories, learn rhymes and sing songs. 10:30 to 11 a.m. Capitol Hill Branch Library.
Toddler Gym It’s supposed to be a bit soggy today. Stay indoors while still letting the little ones roll, bounce ride and climb. Noon to 3 p.m. Delridge Community Center, West Seattle.
Indoor Pumpkin Patch It’s not too late to get more gourds before the season ends. You’ll stay warm and dry at this pumpkin “patch.” 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today through Oct. 31. Country Village, Bothell.
Tuesday, October 30
Preschool Discovery Zone Create art and design projects and listen to stories. 10 to 11 a.m. Bellevue Branch Library.
Puppets Please! Marionettes Watch cheerful puppets sing, dance and spark lots of smiles. Noon to 1 p.m. Issaquah Branch Library.
The Magic of Edgar Allen Poe Set the Halloween mood with devilish storytelling and a macabre magic show inspired by the characters of Edgar Allan Poe. Ages 10 and older. 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Burien Branch Library.
Wednesday, October 31
Happy Halloween! If you’re looking for trick-or-treating beyond your immediate neighborhood, these events should be easy enough to manage on a weeknight.
Trick-or-Treat Fremont 3 to 6 p.m. Center of the Universe, Fremont Ave.
Boo Bash at the Beach 4 to 7 p.m. Rainier Beach Safeway.
Halloween Celebration at Third Place Commons 4 to 6 p.m. Lake Forest Park.
Tricks and Treats at Redmond Town Center 4 to 7 p.m. Redmond.
Halloween Family Fun Fest 5 to 7 p.m. Bellevue Square.
BOOallup in Puyallup 3 to 6 p.m. Pioneer Park Pavilion, Puyallup.
Thursday, November 1
Free First Thursdays It’s that magical time again! Go explore one of our city’s amazing museums. My family-friendly pick this month: The Museum of Flight, where kids can step inside a cockpit and imagine being a pilot. Various times at participating museums – check their websites.
20 Years of Pacific Voices Celebrate those who’ve contributed to the “Pacific Voices” exhibit, and look ahead to community collaborations for the New Burke (opening fall 2019). Dancing, music and food for purchase. 4 to 7:30 p.m. Burke Museum (U District).
Redmond Community Sing Along Gather with neighbors to raise your voices and your spirits. Check the website to view the songbook, and bring an instrument if you play. 7 to 8:30 p.m. Redmond Community Center at Marymoor Village.
Nordic Stories: Vikings Preschoolers can listen to a fun story about Vikings and make a related craft. Free museum admission, too. 10 to 11 a.m. Nordic Museum, Ballard.
Friday, November 2
Small Frye: Storytelling + Art Seattle Children’s Theatre will put on a dramatic storytelling; an optional art workshop follows. 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. Frye Art Museum (First Hill).
Bellevue Arts Museum The rebellious BAM holds their free admission day on first Fridays. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Downtown Bellevue.
Warm Winter Beds Story Time Through stories and crafts, learn how our animal friends prepare for winter. Two sessions: 11 a.m. to noon or 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Pre-register. Lewis Creek Visitors Center, Bellevue.
Dia de los Muertos & Family Movie Night Watch a performance by the Groupo Folklorico Mexican Dancers and get your face painted with traditional sugar skull designs. Then watch the Disney film Coco 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Miller Community Center (Capitol Hill).
Saturday, November 3
Candy Buy Back Events What do you do with all that candy your kid really doesn’t need? You don’t have to eat it yourself. Head to a candy buy back event – they’re all across the city this weekend – where kids can feel good about donating their loot to a great cause.
Green Seattle Day Get out your gardening gloves and put on your muck boots, because it’s time to freshen up our community green spaces. Families can volunteer at one of 15 parks across the city today. Various times and locations.
Diwali Family Festival Celebrate this festival of light with lantern making, music and a tour of SAM’s special exhibition, “Peacock in the Desert: The Royal Arts of Jodhpur, India.” 11 a.m to 2 p.m. Please RSVP. Seattle Art Museum (downtown).
Hmong New Year Celebration Welcome the Hmong harvest and celebrate the New Year with traditional dances and cultural shows. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Seattle Center Armory.
Short Run Comix & Arts Festival Mingle with thousands of comic artists and comic arts fans from all over the world. Also enjoy art demos, live performances and program highlights from women, people of color, LGBTQ+ artists and artists with disabilities. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fisher Pavilion and The Vera Project, Seattle Center.
Sunday, November 4
Bunka no Hi Japanese Culture Day Experience traditions such as taiko drums, a tea ceremony, music, dancing and martial arts. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Japanese Cultural & Community Center of Washington.
Juanita Bay Park Interpretative Tour Don’t forget your binoculars for this ranger-led stroll through wetlands that are home to water foul, raptors, turtles, beavers and more. Ages 6 and older. 1 to 2 p.m. Juanita Bay Park, Kirkland.
Want more? Check out our Family Events Calendar, searchable by age, location and cost. And when you don’t feel like braving city crowds, try one of these do-at-home or close-to-home winter activities to keep the whole family entertained.
