Editor's note: article updated 2019
Sure raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens are still a few of our favorite things. But so are glitter manicures, sugary pink doughnuts and frilly tutus! School's out, and girls just wanna have fun.
You don't have to venture far from Seattle to find some perfect spots for summer girl time. Here are a few of my daughter's favorites:
Girl Power on Pages
For inspiration, read up on your favorite female characters at your nearest independent bookstore. Try Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park, Secret Garden Books in Ballard or The Elliott Bay Book Company on Capitol Hill. Find the heroine of girlie spunk, Pippi Longstocking, drama queen Fancy Nancy or the brave Laura Ingalls. And don't forget a girl who really knows how to have some fun, Eloise from the Plaza Hotel! Get lost for hours in the cool quiet passages among the bookshelves.
Glitter & Glam
Next, a girl has to look her best for a day on the town. Lucky for us, Seattle has no shortage of stores for finding the perfect ensemble. A consignment shop is a great place to start. Many girls outgrow their favorite party dresses, and these previously-loved dresses are just waiting to be discovered on their hangers.
Hopscotch Kids in Lynnwood has great seasonal dresses and performance outfits. Cruzin' Kidz in Woodinville always seems to have everything we are looking for. Don't forget Value Village for some really outrageous outfits. Display & Costume, with locations in Seattle and Issaquah, has a supply of feather boas, tiaras and lots of fabulous accessories. Try some glitter for your hair!
Summer Day, Spa Day
Speaking of hair, Sharkey's in Ballard is the place to go for the total glamour experience. Your little one can climb aboard a hot pink Barbie Jeep, choose a movie to watch and prepare to be pampered. A friendly stylist will shampoo her hair, style it, braid it if she wishes, then finish the look with a scented spray of hair perfume (try the Cotton Candy).
Afterward, she may enter the "Glamour Room" where she will feel like a movie star as she is treated to a manicure, which is included with the price of a haircut. Sparkling hot pink and silver dress-up dresses, along with hats and sequined boas, hang on hooks. Lighted mirrors and makeup chairs line the bright purple walls, while your favorite pop tunes fill the room.
Another spot for some pampering is Snip-its Salon located at Bellevue Crossroads, where they do ear piercings, mani-pedis and can add washable color and glitter to your girl's new do. Good to know: Snip-its stylists receive special training to meet the needs of children with autism.
Sugar is Sweet, and So Are Girls
Top Pot Doughnuts, with locations throughout the Puget Sound area, is the place to go for a "Feather Boa," but not the kind that you wear; this is a delicious doughnut fit for a princess. Also try the Rainbow or the Sandcastle … you really can't go wrong. Moms will love the lattes and a few moments of peace.
Trophy Cupcakes, with four locations in and around Seattle, is another place to go for a sweet treat. These delicious buttery cupcakes, in a tempting array of flavors, are perfect for an afternoon tea party.
All Dressed Up with Somewhere to Go
Here are some ideas for places to visit with your favorite girl, or a van full of giggling girlfriends. The American Girl store at the Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood is a one-stop destination. Ooh and aah over the selection of dolls and their accessories, have lunch at the store's Bistro, and even have your doll's hair done at the salon. And, bonus, it's nice and cool in there on a hot summer day.
The Moonpaper Tent in Seattle's Roosevelt neighborhood is a magical place offering a series of classes and workshops for girls who love drama and creativity. Check out their summer offerings at www.moonpapertent.org.
Have a real tea party at the Queen Mary Tea Room, near University Village in Seattle. The Children's Tea, for kids 10 and younger, includes tea, cocoa or juice. And please, don't forget your tiara!
This summer, celebrate being a girl, and celebrate the girls you love.
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Tonya J. Cunningham is a freelance writer and poet living in Lake Forest Park. When her three children aren’t in their usual cleats and ballet slippers, she loads them into the van and leads them on new adventures.
