Branching out: playdates in Woodinville wine country

After a full summer of exploring Seattle parks and splash pads, are you completely over slides and swing-ed out?

If your afternoon routine could use a change of pace, consider thinking about the other (non-playground) staples of summertime. Maybe drinks on the patio? Sharing a wine flight with friends? Enjoying live music while sampling a new brew?

Luckily, Woodinville is home to a variety of cider companies, breweries and tasting rooms that are just a short drive away and likely much more kid-friendly than you realize. Here are three places to check out on a playdate that'll be fun for kids and parents:

1. Two Vinters Tasting Room

If dreams of bringing your child to a winery conjure up nightmares of incessant whining and broken glasses, don’t worry – Two Vinters is not your average tasting room.

Their small storefront door opens to a lengthy space where you’ll first notice the bar and a couple of large tables. A little further down, you’ll see a long curtain dividing the room in two. This is where the magic happens.

In the back of Two Vinters, a not-so-secret playroom provides easy entertainment while parents sample new wines. (Photo: Heather Hansen)

Pull back that curtain and you’re greeted with an impressive playroom – complete with a train table, play kitchen, ride-on toys, plastic cars, and buckets of other fun objects to discover. Since at least one parent needs to stay in the play area with children, consider visiting with friends and rotating playroom duties.

2. Locust Cider & Brewing

If you prefer pint glasses over wine glasses, head over to nearby Locust Cider. After recently merging with Dirty Bucket Brewery, their newly combined menu features a variety of light-bodied beers and ciders (Vanilla Bean is a favorite). An expansive fenced patio allows plenty of space for children to move around while providing a decent barrier between the tables and parking lot.

Retro video games will entertain older kids while buckets of small toys will distract little ones. On most Sunday summer afternoons, you’ll also enjoy live music and a food truck in the adjacent Woodinville Junction parking lot.

Locus Cider & Brewing has several locations: Also check out their new family-friendly taproom in West Seattle (2820 Alki Ave. SW) with a lovely view of Alki Beach and the Seattle skyline. 

3. Triplehorn Brewing

Just up the street from the Woodinville Locust Cider is Triplehorn Brewing – with long Bavarian-style tables, you’ll make new friends as kids play with the giant Jenga and Connect Four games. Their large brew hall allows plenty of space for kids to roam around while still within parent eyesight, and it’s easy to spread out activities (Playdoh is a hit) on one of the many tables. If your kids are older, try to coordinate your Triplehorn visits as your kids take classes next door at the Northshore Gymnastics Club.  

No matter if you favor ciders, microbrews or wines – and if you feel like trying all three, we’re not judging – the drinks are delicious, the kids are occupied, and you’re breaking free of your playground rut.

Nearby activity: If kids still need to get out the wiggles before the drive home, swing by Wilmot Gateway Park. Woodinville’s first community park includes an expansive playground and connects to the Sammamish River Trail – perfect for scooters and/or walking off that wine.

More Seattle restaurants that are fun for kids and adults

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Heather Hansen works in marketing and communications. She lives with her husband and 3-year-old son in Bothell.