GeekGirlCon Seattle 2026: A Family Guide to Geeky Fun

Got a daughter who can name every Pokémon and where she first saw it? A kid who spends as much time drawing graphic novels as reading them? A budding scientist whose questions about the universe have long since outstripped your ability to answer them?

Have we got a weekend for her.

GeekGirlCon returns to downtown Seattle Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 24–25, with two days of science, gaming, comics, costumes, workshops, performances and people who take all that geekery very seriously, in the best possible way.

The annual convention, held at the Seattle Convention Center’s Arch building, celebrates women and other underrepresented people in science, technology, gaming, literature and the arts. It’s also a place where kids can try something new, meet people who share their interests, and discover that what they’re passionate about might actually lead somewhere.

And before anyone asks: Yes, boys are welcome. So are dads, grandparents and anyone else who enjoys a good lightsaber battle or has strong opinions about fictional universes.

Why girls? And why GeekGirlCon?

For much of the history of comics, science fiction, video games, and technology, women have participated without always receiving equal recognition or opportunities.

GeekGirlCon was created to challenge that imbalance. Women organized its first convention in Seattle in October 2011, creating a space where their contributions and interests would be celebrated.

Fifteen years later, the mission remains much the same: Make room for everyone, but deliberately put women and underrepresented creators in the spotlight.

For parents, the value goes beyond representation.

A girl who loves astronomy can meet actual astronomers. A kid who spends hours playing video games can meet people who make them. A teenager who draws comics in the margins of her homework can hear professional illustrators talk about their careers.

And perhaps most importantly, kids can spend a day surrounded by people who don’t think their particular obsession is weird.

At GeekGirlCon, it’s more likely to be a conversation starter.

What’s there for kids? Quite a lot, actually.

The 2026 schedule includes workshops, presentations, gaming, performances, meetups and activities that families can explore at their own pace.

The convention welcomes children of all ages — organizers call those ages 12 and younger “geeklets” — but some activities will appeal more to one age group than another.

Here’s our parent-focused guide to Saturday’s offerings. We set the age recommendations based on the activity descriptions, unless an official age range is noted. Some sessions have age restrictions that are enforced by convention staff.

Ages 5–9: Little geeks, big possibilities

Geeking starts young. Here’s what to look for:

• Paint a miniature and take it home. At Paint and Take Miniatures, volunteers help beginners paint a small figure, and they leave with their own creation. It’s a good introduction to the crafting side of gaming, even for kids who have never rolled a 20-sided die. Saturday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Suggested ages 6 and older; younger children may need help.
• May the Force be with them. Members of the Jedi Order battle the Sith in Kamino Temple Presents: The Bounty, a Star Wars Story, an all-ages stage production. Expect costumes, action and a lesson in teamwork, Jedi-style. Saturday, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Officially all ages.
• A little fantasy before dinner. First Fantasy Fun brings young adventurers together for cooperative games, movement activities and storytelling with fantasy characters. For younger children, this may be an easier entry point than sitting through a panel discussion.Saturday, 5–6 p.m. Suggested for elementary-age children.
• Play something new. The convention’s independent video game area includes titles such as Little Kitty, Big City, Astrolander and Fisti-Fluffs. Parents can browse with their children and help select games suited to their interests and ages. Saturday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Ages vary by game.

HINT: For preschoolers, lean toward a shorter visit, with time to admire the costumes and explore the exhibits. A full day of crowds, noise and scheduled activities may be more than a 3-year-old — or her parents — bargained for.

Ages 9–12: Science, stories and making things

This may be GeekGirlCon’s sweet spot. Kids are old enough to join many workshops and discussions, but young enough to be delighted to meet a real astronomer.

• Ask an astronomer anything. Really. At Ask an Astronomer: Sci-Fi, Space, and Reality, scientists will answer questions about space, their careers and what Hollywood gets wrong about the universe. Young writers can even ask for advice about inventing scientifically plausible alien worlds. Saturday, 10:30–11:30 a.m. Suggested ages 9 and older.
• Make a game instead of just playing one. At Create Your Own One-Page RPG: A Design-Thinking Workshop, participants learn to turn an idea into a playable role-playing game, complete with rules and a setting. It’s creative writing, problem-solving and game design rolled into one.Saturday, 10–11 a.m. Suggested ages 10 and older.
• Pokémon meets marine biology. What happens when a whale dies and sinks to the ocean floor? And could the Pokémon Wailord support an entire underwater ecosystem? Pokémon, Whales and the Ocean — How Could One Wailord Feed an Entire Ecosystem? uses a familiar fictional creature to explain the real science of whale falls and the organisms that depend on them. Saturday, 2:30–3:30 p.m. Suggested ages 9 and older.
• Draw characters who look like the world around us. In Designing Black Characters, an artist teaches participants how to depict diverse Black facial features, hairstyles, and characters. A particularly good choice for kids interested in comics, animation or illustration. Saturday, 1:30–2:30 p.m. Suggested ages 10 and older.
• Put down the screen. Pick up a needle. Cross-Stitch Like It’s 8-Bit: Pixel Hearts IRL turns old-school video game pixels into real stitches. Beginners can create a pixelated heart, with supplies provided. Saturday, 3–4:30 p.m. Suggested ages 10 and older, depending on dexterity and patience.

Parents wondering whether their child’s Dungeons & Dragons enthusiasm has educational value: Dungeon Master’s Guide to D&D for Kids offers adults tips for introducing younger players to tabletop role-playing games in accessible, welcoming ways. Saturday, 10–11 a.m.

Ages 13–17: Meet your people. Maybe your future profession

Teenagers may get the most out of GeekGirlCon, particularly those who have started thinking about turning an interest into something more.

• Want to draw for Dungeons & Dragons? Artists from the Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering teams will review portfolios at Women of Wizards Portfolio Reviews. Young artists can receive feedback from professionals who work on the games they love. Saturday, 10 a.m.–noon. Best for older teens with developed portfolios. Advance registration is required, and portfolios must be available offline.
• Love graphic novels? Meet the people who make them. Crafting YA Comics: Art, Publishing, and Beyond brings together Michelle Jing Chan, Alina Pete, Gabriela Rodríguez Epstein and Jen Vaughn to discuss visual storytelling and the realities of working in comics publishing. Saturday, 1–2 p.m. Suggested ages 11 and older.
• Who gets to make the games we play? Developers from ArenaNet will discuss how their backgrounds, experiences and workplace decisions shape more inclusive games at the Creating Diverse and Inclusive Games Panel Discussion with ArenaNet Developers. Saturday, 2:30–3:30 p.m. Suggested ages 13 and older.
• What happens to originality in the age of AI? Authors and illustrators tackle that question at Creating Authentically, a discussion about developing a creative voice and navigating publishing in a rapidly changing technological landscape. Saturday, 10–11 a.m. Suggested ages 13 and older.
• Go find your people. The Teen Meetup is specifically for ages 13–17. Teens can talk books, movies, games, cosplay and whatever else has captured their imaginations. For a teenager who doesn’t have friends who share her interests, this could be the best hour of the convention. Saturday, 2:30–3:30 p.m. Official ages 13–17.
• Calm Your Mind With Needle and Thread is a workshop introducing cross-stitch and blackwork embroidery, with supplies provided. Saturday, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Suggested ages 12 and older.

Don’t overlook the things that aren’t on your schedule

Not every worthwhile GeekGirlCon experience requires sitting in a room at a particular time.

The convention includes a DIY Science Zone, where scientists and educators guide visitors through experiments and answer questions about their fields.

The tabletop and board game library offers free play Saturday from 1–6 p.m. — potentially a welcome break from the bustle of the convention.

Artists and vendors are also on hand to browse, costumes to admire, and people to meet.

Saturday’s first Idol Fest, from 1–2:30 p.m., features local performers, music, dancing and elaborate costumes, followed by a performer meet-and-greet.

A warning to parents: If your child is susceptible to falling in love with handmade art, comics and collectibles, the vendor area may prove hazardous to your wallet.

Before you pack up your geeklets

• When: Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 24–25, 2026.
• Where: Seattle Convention Center, Arch building, 800 Pike St., Seattle.
• Hours: Saturday, 9 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Check the official schedule for individual session times and any changes.
• Tickets: Advertised prices are $30 for a single-day adult pass and $60 for an adult weekend pass. Weekend passes are $25 for teens ages 13–17 and $10 for children ages 6–12. Children ages 5 and younger attend free. Check current registration for availability and any additional fees.
• Children: All children, including those admitted free, need a convention pass. Children younger than 13 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Organizers encourage parents to register children in advance so emergency contact information is available.
• Accessibility: GeekGirlCon provides accessibility information and a private nursing room on Level 2 in Chelan. Organizers strongly encourage attendees ages 5 and older to wear masks indoors.
• Financial assistance: Pass scholarships are available through the convention.
• More information: GeekGirlCon website | Full schedule | Tickets

Last word

The point of GeekGirlCon isn’t that every girl should become a scientist, game developer or comic book artist.

It’s that she should know she could.

And if she leaves with a painted miniature, a new friend, a head full of questions about space and a determination to make her own video game? Well, that’s a pretty good Saturday.