Looking for fun (and free!) ways to keep the kids entertained this weekend? Whether you’re hoping to burn off some energy at a local park, explore a new museum exhibit, or catch a family-friendly event, the greater Seattle area is packed with activities that won’t cost a dime. Each week, we round up the best free events and outings for families so you can make the most of your weekend, without breaking the bank. Here’s what’s happening this weekend!
🌟 signals our Editor’s Picks, the most exciting and noteworthy events on our radar
Events that are happening all weekend
Feathers, Fossils, and Flight | January 16-February 28 | 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Daily | Birds Connect Seattle | Free | All ages | Explore Feathers, Fossils, and Flight, their hands-on exhibit uncovering how the first birds took to the sky.
Activity for Kids: Annual Poison Prevention Poster Contest | January 16-31, 2026 | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Daily | Free | All ages | The Washington Poison Center and Seattle Children’s invite kids from throughout Washington state to take part in the 20th annual poison prevention poster contest!
Visit Kelsey Creek Farm every day and view their farm animals. (Image courtesy Kelsey Creek Farm).
Visit Kelsey Creek Farm | January 16 – March 2026 | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Open daily | Kelsey Creek Farm | Free | The farm has been a free oasis for those who love animals, want to be outdoors, or want to immerse themselves in a quiet farm setting and step back to a simpler time.
🌟 Skagit Eagle Viewing and Guided Walks | January 16-February 15, 2026 | 11 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. | Saturday/Sunday | Skagit River Bald Eagle Interpretive Center | Free | You can visit the Skagit River Bald Eagle Interpretive Center for Programming this season every Saturday and Sunday until February 15, 2026.
Free live music on the weekends. (Image courtesy Third Place Commons)
Live Music at Third Place Commons | January 16 – March 28, 2026 | 7 to 9 p.m. | Third Place Commons | Free | All ages | Bring the kids to the Commons Stage at Third Place Commons for live music every Friday and Saturday night. Grab food or bring your own and enjoy the tunes.
Friday, January 16
Annual Community Celebration of Martin Luther King Jr | Friday, January 16 | 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Brockey Center South Seattle College | Free | RSVP here| The event will feature keynote speaker Tim Wise, music by National and International Award Winning Gospel Choir, DaNell Daymons and Greater Works, and emcee by Monique Ming Laven, KIRO 7 Evening Anchor.
🌟 Tots on Trails – Tacoma | January 16-March 27, 2026 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Every Friday | Fort Nisqually Picnic Shelter, Tacoma | Free | 18 mon+ | Children ages 18 months and up are invited to join Park Guide Jenn on a toddler-led hike through Point Defiance Park.
🌟 LEGO Block Party | Friday, January 16 | 3 to 4:30 p.m. | White Center Library | Free | Ages 3+ | Drop in and build together! The library provides LEGO® bricks and other construction toys.
Author Suma Subramaniam | Friday, January 16 | 7 to 8 p.m. | Third Place Books – Lake Forest Park | Free | All ages | Join and welcome back local author Suma Subramaniam and celebrate the launch of her new chapter book V. Malar – Greatest Ranger of All Time!
Family Story Time in Shoreline | January 16 – April 10, 2026 | 10 to 10:30 a.m. | Fridays | Shoreline Library | Free | Ages 0-5 | Enjoy stories, music, movement, and rhymes. Help develop your child’s early literacy skills at the Shoreline Library for ages 0 to 5.
Lego block party. (Photo courtesy: KCLS.org)
Indoor Tot Gym at Ballard Community Center | January 16 – March 30, 2026 | 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Mon/Wed/Fri | Ballard Community Center | Free | Ages 5 and under | The Tot Gym at Ballard Community Center is a good opportunity to relax inside with your child age 5 and under in a comfortable, fun, safe, play space.
Kid Program Kits from Craftopia | January 16, 30, February 6, 20, 27, 2026 | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | All Tacoma Library Branches | Free | Ages 3+ | Craftopia is partnering with Tacoma Public Library to provide fun and free crafts for kids! Visit any of their branches weekly on Fridays to pick up a kit while supplies last.
Drop-In: Teen Room | January 16 – March 31, 2026 | 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. | Mon-Fri | Loyal Heights Community Center | Free | Ages 11+ | The Teen Room is a place where you can play darts, pool, foosball, video games, and board games.
Tot Shabbat at the J | Friday, January 16 – March 13, 2026 | 9:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. | Fridays | Stroum Jewish Community Center | Free | Join every Friday at the J for Tot Shabbat. They welcome the Shabbat with singing, dancing, friends, and fun. FREE, and no registration is required.
Saturday, January 17
Visit the University District Farmers Market | January 17 – December 12, 2026 | 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Saturdays | University District; 50th and 52nd St, Seattle | Free, items for purchase | Visit the farmers market every Saturday throughout the year with vendors and more.
🌟 Kidstock Free Full-Day Art Celebration | Saturday, January 17 | 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Edmonds Center For the Arts | Free | register online | Kidstock is a free full-day arts celebration designed for families with children of all ages and features a variety of live music performances, arts education workshops, and activities for kids.
Lowes Free Kids’ Workshops | Saturday, January 17 | 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Multiple Lowes Locations | Free | Register here | Lowe’s DIY workshops are back. Families can register online in advance (recommended) and then get ready to build something together.
Camp Kindness Volunteer Event (Photo courtesy: Camp Kindness Counts).
🌟 Camp Kindness Counts Family Service Event: Practice Forgiveness | Saturday, January 17 | 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. | Highland Community Center, Bellevue | Free | Register | All ages | Join and practice Forgiveness this month by making blankets for shelter pets. Volunteers will make a difference in the lives of shelter pets in the community by creating warm, comforting blankets.
Federal Way MLK Day Celebration | Saturday, January 17, 2026 | 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Federal Way Performing Arts and Event Center | Free | Join for a day of reflection, unity, and community celebration! Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy through this year’s theme, Turning Pain Into Peace.
Story Walk Read-Along at the Lake Wilderness Arboretum | Saturday, January 17 – December 19, 2026 | 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. | Third Saturdays | Lake Wilderness Arboretum, Maple Valley | Free | Ages 3-8 | Join Librarian Sharon in the great outdoors to read the Story Walk book on the 3rd Saturday each month!
🌟 MLK Day March & Celebration Seattle Parks | Saturday, January 17 | 11 a.m. start | MLK Jr. Memorial Park | Free | All ages | This special day of reflection, unity, and community action will be highlighted by a youth-led march and celebration.
🌟 Winter Puzzle Swap | Saturday, January 17 | 3 to 5 p.m. | Issaquah Library | Free | All ages | It’s the perfect time of the year to be inside doing puzzles! Bring your jigsaw puzzles of any difficulty to the event. You will receive a swap ticket for each puzzle you donate.
🌟 Columbia City Night Market | January 17 -December 19, 2026 | 6 to 10 p.m. | Third Saturdays | 4850 37th Ave S, Seattle | Free | All ages | Seattle’s Columbia City Night Market is a monthly after-dark celebration where four city blocks light up with food, music, art, and local makers.
Kids StoryTime at the Couth Buzzard | January 17 – June 6, 2026 | 10 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. | Every Saturday | The Couth Buzzard | Free | Ages 2-5 | Enjoy a story, songs, games, and art! Geared towards ages 2-5, but fun for all ages at The Couth Buzzard located in Greenwood.
Saturdays at SAM | Saturday, January 17, 2026 | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Seattle Art Museum | Free | All ages | This lively space is filled with hands-on art making, live music, and moments of community—all inspired by SAM’s permanent collections and exhibitions.
Saturdays at SAM (Photo courtesy Seattle Art Museum).
🌟 Family Reading Time at Paper Boat Booksellers | January 17-31 | 11 to 11:30 a.m. | Every Saturday | Paper Boat Booksellers | Free | All ages | Join this weekly family reading time every Saturday morning with the little ones and make a day out of it!
Saturday Morning Story time at Barnes & Noble | January 17-April 4, 2026 | 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Saturdays | Pavilion Centre, Federal Way | Free | All ages | Come join the fun on Saturday Mornings for Story Time on the Children’s stage at Barnes & Noble in Federal Way.
Detective Cookie’s Chess Club | January 17 – March 28, 2026 | 12 to 2 p.m. | Rainier Beach Community Center | Free | Ages 7-20 | Detective Cookie runs a super-cool chess club for kids and community members every Saturday.
Drop-in Board Games at Meadowbrook CC | January 17-March 28, 2026 | 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | Saturdays | Meadowbrook CC | Free | Ages 7+ | Bring your favorite game or try one of the games at the Community Center during this drop-in board games event. An adult must accompany children under 12.
(Image courtesy of MaST Discovery Center)
MaST Center’s Discovery Day | January 17-April 25, 2026 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Saturdays | MaST Center, Des Moines | Free | Visit their aquarium that holds 3,000 gallons of seawater, view 250+ native Puget Sound species, and experience 2 large touch tanks.
🌟 Free Dance with Me for ages 18 months – 3 years & Caregivers | January 17- June 27, 2026 | 9 to 9:45 a.m. | Saturdays | Emerald Ballet Theatre, Bellevue | Free | Sign up here | Ages 18 mon-3 years | Start off your Saturday with movement and community! Young children participate in this class with an adult caregiver
Sunday, January 18
🌟 Sensory Time at Imagine Children’s Museum | Sunday, January 18 | 9 to 11 a.m. | Imagine Children’s Museum, Everett | Free | Register here| Sensory Time is a special Sunday program for families with children on the autism spectrum, children with sensory processing disorders, and children with other special needs.
🌟 Storytime at the Garden for K-2 | Sunday, January 18 | 1 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Bellevue Botanical Garden | Free | Kindergarten-aged kids | Join a Storytime at the Bellevue Botanical Garden with a reading of a garden-related book and a brief activity.
MLK Celebration | Sunday, January 18 | 2:30 p.m. – 5 p.m. | Bainbridge Island Museum of Art | Free | Register here | This family-friendly event will feature poetry, dance, presentations, music, singing, and community voices.
Kids Eat Free on Sundays at MOD Pizza | Sundays, January 18, 2026 | 10:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. | MOD Pizza Locations | Free with purchase | Ages 12 and under | Every Sunday through Jan. 25, kids 12 and younger get a free kids’ meal with the purchase of a MOD-size pizza or salad.
Indoor Tot Gym at Bitter Lake Community Center | January 18 – March 30, 2026 | 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Sun/Mon/Wed | Bitter Lake Community Center | Free | Ages 5 and under | The Tot Gym at Bitter Lake Community Center is a good opportunity to relax inside with your child 9 months to 6 years old in a comfortable, fun, safe, play space.
A little girl is ordering food at a vendor during the West Seattle Farmers Market. (Image courtesy Seattle Farmers Markets)
Ballard Farmers Market | Sunday, January 18 – April 26, 2026 | 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Every Sunday, year-round | Ballard | Free | The market is open rain or shine year-round, in the heart of Ballard. Features live buskers, local vendors, and shopping! Some vendors offer free samples that are perfect for the little ones to try something new.
West Seattle Farmers Market | Sunday, January 18 – April 26, 2026 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Every Sunday, year-round | West Seattle | Free | Nestled in the heart of the West Seattle Junction between Alaska and California Avenues, the West Seattle Farmers Market is a beloved Sunday ritual and weekend destination.
Monday, January 19 (MLK Jr Day)
🌟 WA State Parks Free Entrance Day – MLK | Monday, January 19 | All day | State Parks | Free | Washington State Parks has announced the following free entrance days when a Discover Pass will not be required to park a vehicle in a state park in 2026.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Monday, January 19 | 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. | Wilburton Park, Bellevue | Free | Register here | Join EarthCorps and the City of Bellevue as they celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service at Wilburton Hill Park!
MLK Tribute and Celebration in Edmonds | Monday, January 19, 2026 | 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Edmonds Waterfront Center | Free | All ages | Activities will include preparing healthy snacks, dancing, games, children’s book readings, youth performances, and arts and crafts.
City of Tacoma Annual Martin Luther King, Jr Celebration | Monday, January 19 | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Washington State History Museum, Tacoma | Free | All ages | 11 Days tells the story of Dr. King’s life and legacy through 11 vignettes that include music, dance, shadow play, and historic images.
🌟 Martin Luther King Jr Day at NAAM | Monday, January 19, 2026 | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Northwest African American Museum | Free | All ages | NAAM’s annual King Day celebration returns to honor the life, legacy, and sacrifice of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. More details to come.
Young People’s March for Peace and Kindness | Monday, January 19, 2026 | 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Kitsap Regional Library, Bainbridge Island | Free | Children of all ages, their families, and community members are invited to gather for letter writing between 10:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. at the Bainbridge Island Library and then join the march.
🌟 Martin Luther King Day Rally and March | Monday, January 19 | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Garfield High School | Free | All ages | The rally begins at 11 a.m. in the school (inside). The march starts at 12:30 pm from the school parking lot.
The Greater Everett MLK Community March and Rally | Monday, January 19 | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Everett Memorial Stadium | Free | All ages | Community Celebration March and Rally event. Beginning at the Everett Memorial Stadium, this march kicks off at 11 am.
Kraken Pregame at the Seattle Center (Photo courtesy: Seattle Center,Flickr).
Health Fair MLK Celebration | Monday, January 19, 2026 | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Crossroads Bellevue Shopping Center | Free | The event will feature local providers, vendors, and wellness organizations as well as live performances from local musicians and remarks from Bellevue leaders.
🌟 Kraken Pregame at the Armory | Monday, January 19 | 12 p.m. | Armory, Seattle Center | Free | All ages | Stop by to enjoy fan favorites, including a live DJ, a massive screen with top-shelf Kraken content, corn hole, floor hockey, face painting, Kraken photo ops, caricature artists, and more.
Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. | Monday, January 19, 2026 | 4 p.m. | Vashon Center For The Arts | Join Vashon Center for the Arts for a free screening of SELMA, the Oscar-nominated film directed by Ava DuVernay.
Seattle’s Child editorial assistant, Yulia Fiala, contributed to this article.
