Seattle's Child

Your guide to a kid-friendly city

31 Free Things To Do With Kids Around Seattle, July 23-29

Sand sculptures, cultural festivals, touch-a-truck, and a beloved Seattle parade.

Monday, July 23

Science Action Club: Bug Safari Search for bugs, collect specimens at Green Lake Park and work with scientists to identify species and document habitat conditions that influence the health of the planet. 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Green Lake Library, Green Lake.

Gansango Music & Dance Company An interactive and educational performance blending contemporary and traditional dance with drumming, song and audience participation. 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. Queen Anne Branch Library, Queen Anne.

Music Under the Stars Hear live classical music played by a talented student orchestra, followed by a live broadcast of a Seattle Symphony concert throughout the month of July. 7:30 p.m. Delridge Playfield, West Seattle, July 25 Volunteer Park, Capitol Hill, and July 27 at Columbia Park and Freeway Park, Downtown Seattle.

 

Tuesday, July 24

University Village Playdays Each week a different store hosts a story time or hands-on activity. This week, stop by Microsoft for a fun activity. 10 to 11 a.m. University Village, Seattle (U District).

Edmonds Sand Sculpting Contest Teams or individuals can compete for prizes in this amateur contest. Bring buckets and shovels. 10 a.m. sign-in, noon judging. 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Edmonds Marina Beach, Edmonds.

Garden Party Jamboree Join Northwest singer-songwriter Nancy Stewart for this musical celebration of plants and animals. Best for ages 5 and younger. 1 to 2 p.m. Beacon Hill Branch Library, Beacon Hill.

Karaoke in the Park Head to Cromwell Park each Tuesday in July and sing your heart out. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Cromwell Park, Shoreline.

 

Wednesday, July 25

Free Admission to PlayDate SEA Enjoy free admission to this indoor play space with the donation of two canned goods per child. Food and drinks available for purchase. Held on the last Wednesday of every month. 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. PlayDate SEA, South Lake Union.

Stellaluna Join Tears of Joy Theatre for a puppet show based on the popular children’s book. 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Douglass-Truth Branch Library, Central District.

Kids Art in the Park Weekly arts and crafts workshops in the park with ReCreative and other artists Wednesdays through August. 12:30 to 2 p.m. Cascade Playground, South Lake Union.

Afternoon Art Camp Clover Toys is hosting a weekly, drop-in art camp on Wednesday afternoons through August. Recommended for ages 4 and older. Each week is a different theme, today experiment with watercolors. 3 to 5 p.m. Clover Toys, Ballard.  

 

Thursday, July 26

Scarecrow Video Children's Hour A multi-media educational series, ideal for pre-K. Each week, kids can enjoy a story, video clip, hands-on activity all related to the theme of transportation. 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Scarecrow Video, Ravenna.

Summer Meals Field Day Celebrate the free Summer Meals program with a bouncy house, music, face painting, crafts, an obstacle course, and free lunch. Noon to 3 p.m.  Othello Park, Rainier Valley.

Wading Pool Water Science Enjoy water pool science experiments and receive a free summer book. 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Bitter Lake Community Center Wading Pool, Bitter Lake.

 

Friday, July 27

BAM Arts Fair Shop from over 300 artists showcasing handmade crafts and art. This marketplace represents modern, traditional, and emerging work. Also check out Bellevue Art Museum exhibitions, KIDSfair, the Sound & Movement Stage, food trucks, and much more. 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. July 27-28, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 29. Bellevue Square & Bellevue Arts Museum.

Renton River Days Annual favorites include arts and crafts, visual and performing arts, recreation, food, exhibitions, car and boat shows, children’s activities, and culturally diverse stage entertainment. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 27-28, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 29.

Seussical KIDS See popular Dr. Seuss characters collide in this family friendly musical. Fridays at noon through Aug. 10. Wetmore Theatre Plaza, Everett.

Peanut Butter and Jam Concert Series Outdoor entertainment series for families located next to the spray park. Today, see magician, Jeff Evans. Bring a picnic and blankets. Free, however donations of peanut butter and jam appreciated for the summer food drive. 1 p.m. Tukwila Community Center, Tukwila.

Bingo! Enjoy a few rounds of bingo with fun host Nickolas Panaikas and win prizes. 5 to 7 p.m. Westlake Park, Downtown Seattle.

Family Fun Evenings Create art, participate in games, and enjoy kid-friendly concerts, and other special activities every Friday through Aug. 24. 6 to 8 p.m. Donnie Chin International Children’s Park, International District.

 

Saturday, July 28

Touch-A-Truck Safety Fair Kids (and adults) can climb into and onto buses, fire trucks, heavy-duty big rigs, bouncers, and more.  Also, learn how to prepare for emergency situations. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Westfield Mall Southcenter, Tukwila.

Alki Art Fair Shop from over 90 of art vendors while enjoying live music, food, and kids activities. Free Shuttle Bus from the West Seattle Park n’ Ride parking lot (under the West Seattle Bridge). 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 28-29. Alki Beach Park, West Seattle. 

Messy Play Day Enjoy a morning of sensory discovery with hands-on activities. Dress in clothes you don’t mind getting messy. 10 a.m. to noon. Bright Horizons Bellevue, Sammamish and Mercer Island.

Explore the Beach with Naturalists Join volunteer naturalists during low tide to learn about Puget Sound's marine plants and animals. Offered at several beaches on many dates through August. See the full schedule hereToday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. South Alki Beach, Golden Gardens Park, Olympic Sculpture Park Beach, Seahurst Park, Lincoln Park, Richmond Beach, and Carkeek Park.

Freeway Park Fountain Festival Celebrate the heat of summer with water games, food, music, face painting and more. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Freeway Park, Downtown Seattle.

Summer Music Festival Outdoor summer music series during the Farmers Market. Today, enjoy American folk music from The Winterlings. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. University Heights Center, U District.

Ananda Mela Festival Celebrate Indian culture with music and dance, cooking demonstrations, inflatables, information booths and more. Noon to 9 p.m. July 28-29. Redmond City Hall, Redmond.

Seafair Torchlight Parade See more than 100 parade units march, float and dance in celebration of Seattle. Reserved seating available for purchase. The Parade starts at the Seattle Center (Fourth & Broad Street) on Fourth Avenue and ends on South Washington Street. 7:30 p.m. Downtown Seattle.

 

Sunday, July 29

Pista Sa Nayon The largest Filipino-American outdoor celebration in the country features food, arts and crafts, entertainment, children’s games and more. 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Seward Park.

Alki Point Lighthouse Tours Take a look inside a fully functioning lighthouse on an active U.S. Coastguard site.  No wheelchair access. Children ages 7 and younger are permitted to visit the landing, but must be 8 and older to visit the top. 1 to 4 p.m., weekends through Sep. 3. Last tour begins at 3:45 p.m.

West Seattle Outdoor Movies Enjoy pre-show entertainment, concessions and a movie at dusk. Bring blankets and chairs. Gates open 6:30 pm. Tonight, see The Secret Life of Pets (PG). 

 

Want more events? Check out our Family Events Calendar, searchable by age, location, and cost. 

About the Author

Nicole Santora, Calendar Editor