The first thing you might want to know before you head to the Kraken Community Iceplex is this: What, exactly, is a Kraken? Don’t be embarrassed. There are a lot of us out here who had to look it up when Seattle’s uber-popular ice hockey team got its name.
A definition for the uninitiated (thank you, Wikipedia):
The Kraken (/ˈkrɑːkən/): a legendary sea monster of enormous size said to appear off the coasts of Norway. . . the first [description of] the Kraken was an octopus of tremendous size that had a reputation for pulling down ships.
If that doesn’t describe the spunky professional hockey team that operates out of Kraken Community Iceplex in north Seattle, I don’t know what does. The facility is well-named, too – it is, indeed, a place for the whole family and whole community of greater Seattle to play and celebrate.
What can you do at the facility? Glad you asked. Below are answers to all your pressing questions about Kraken Community Iceplex.
What’s at the Iceplex that might interest my family?
The Iceplex encompasses 172,000 square feet and includes three ice rinks, each meeting the NHL standard of 200 feet long by 85 feet wide. The facility has 32 Bar & Grill, a Starbucks coffee shop and a Kraken Team Store and is home to the Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Medical Pavilion.
Can we see any players there?
Yes. Kraken practices that are open to the public are free to attend. Fans watch from the Starbucks Rink, which accommodates up to 600 spectators. Practice dates and times can change or be canceled, so check the practice viewing schedule before you go. Seating is first come, first served.
Watch a Kraken game while skating. Photo courtesy Kraken Community Iceplex.
When can we skate as a family or let the kids skate?
Public skate sessions are offered over lunch hours, weekends and evenings. Times change, so always review the public and drop-in skating calendar before you go. Select “Public Skate” to narrow down the Iceplex’s busy calendar. All ages and skill levels are welcome, and helmets are highly recommended.
What does it cost to attend a public skating session?
As of fall 2026, public skating admission is $16.29 plus tax. Children age 3 and younger skate free. Skate rentals cost $6.33 plus tax, and skate aids are $9.95 plus tax. A 10-session public skate punch pass costs $146.62 plus tax, while a 10-session matinee punch pass costs $128.90 plus tax. Because rates can change, check the Public Skating page before heading out.
Everyone participating in activities at the Iceplex needs an active DaySmart account. Registration sales are final, although some activities may be rescheduled up to 24 hours in advance.
Skate under the green lights for St. Patrick’s Day. Photo courtesy Kraken Community Iceplex.
Are there times when I can skate with my young kids?
Yes, welcome to Tot Play Hour, an hour of fun on the ice with your littlest Kraken. Balls and piles of snow are set out for open play. Kids and adults can rent skates and skate-aid seals or wear sneakers or boots on the ice. Helmets are recommended and parent supervision is required.
Admission is $14.95 plus tax per adult, while children age 6 and younger are free. Skate rentals cost $6.33 plus tax and skate-aid rentals are $9.95 plus tax.
Tot Play Hour dates vary. Find upcoming sessions on the Iceplex Public & Drop-In Calendar by selecting “Other” under the activity menu.
Tot Play Hour at the Iceplex. Photo courtesy Kraken Community Iceplex.
I have a child with special needs and/or sensory issues. Can I still bring them to the Iceplex?
Yes. If your child finds the noise or stimulation of the rink overwhelming, ask at Guest Services for one of the Iceplex’s loaner sensory bags. Available to borrow at no cost with personal collateral, the bags contain fidget tools, noise-canceling headphones, feeling thermometer cards and weighted lap pads. When space is available, the Iceplex may also designate a locker room as a quiet Sensory Room.
The Iceplex also offers occasional Sensory-Friendly Public Skates with limited attendance, softened lighting and minimal noise. Admission is currently $10.85 plus tax, with children age 3 and younger admitted free. Check the Public Skating page for upcoming sessions.
What about skate aids and accessibility?
The Iceplex has skate aids, including large plastic seal-shaped aids and walkers that help new skaters stay upright. They are available for rent on a first-come, first-served basis and must be rented at check-in.
Wheelchairs are allowed on the ice during public skating. The Iceplex recommends adding a brightly colored attachment to make a wheelchair more visible to other skaters. All locker rooms are wheelchair accessible, and the Starbucks Rink has designated wheelchair viewing areas along the bleachers.
The Smartsheet Rink has clear panels in the player benches to allow sled hockey players to see the ice from the bench.
Are animals allowed?
Service animals are allowed. Other pets are not permitted in the facility.
What’s the Sea Patrol?
The Sea Patrol is the Seattle Kraken’s kids club, in partnership with Delta Dental of Washington. Young Kraken fans age 12 and younger can get access to special events, sweepstakes, contests and more. Register online for free.
Can we hold my kid’s birthday party at the Iceplex?
You certainly can, for a fee. Kraken Community Iceplex offers birthday party packages that combine a pizza party with a public skate session.
As of fall 2026, the Pizza Party & Public Skate Package costs $435 for 10 children, including the birthday child, with a maximum of 14 kids. Here are the basics:
- A 45-minute pizza party in a semi-private party room followed by a public skate session.
- Admission and skate rentals for the 10 party kids.
- Three cheese or pepperoni pizzas, assorted Pepsi sodas and water for the 10 party kids. Gluten- and dairy-free pizza options are available.
- A Kraken knit beanie for the birthday kid.
- Kraken water bottles and a future public skate pass for each party kid.
- Up to four additional party kids may be added for $35 each.
Dessert is not included, but families may bring their own. Additional pizza and other add-ons are available. Check the Iceplex’s birthday party page for current prices, availability and booking information, and review the cancellation policy before booking.
Want to rent a whole rink? That’s possible, too. The Iceplex offers private ice rentals as well as other event spaces. Contact the Iceplex events team if a family reunion on the ice sounds like fun to you and yours.
What times are parties scheduled?
Current party times are:
- Fridays: Pizza party from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m., followed by skating beginning at 6 p.m.
- Saturdays: Pizza party from 2:15 to 3 p.m., followed by skating beginning at 3:05 p.m.; or pizza party from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m., followed by skating beginning at 6:15 p.m.
- Sundays: Pizza party from 12:15 to 1 p.m., followed by skating beginning at 1 p.m.; or pizza party from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m., followed by skating beginning at 4:15 p.m.
Schedules can change, so confirm the time when booking.
Tell me about 8-week Learn to Skate programs.
Kraken Skating Academy offers eight-week Learn to Skate sessions for kids and adults. Youth Learn to Skate classes are 30 minutes long, and rental skates are included with class registration. Helmets are mandatory.
For the 2026-27 season, youth programs include:
- Cuttlefish #1-4: Co-ed, ages 3-6.
- Bigfin #1-2: Co-ed, ages 7-17.
- Bigfin #3-6: Co-ed, ages 5-17.
- Power Skating #1-2: Co-ed, ages 5-17.
No previous skating experience is required for beginners. As of the 2026-27 season, an eight-week youth Learn to Skate session costs $248, or $31 per class. The more advanced Emerald Edge program costs $444 for an eight-week session. A $25 annual Kraken Skating Academy Learn to Skate membership is also required.
Schedules and registration windows vary by session. See the Youth Learn to Skate page for current openings and dates.
Does the Iceplex offer summer camps?
Yes. Kraken Skating Academy offers seasonal camps and clinics, although schedules, programs and prices vary from year to year. Check the Iceplex skating pages for the upcoming summer schedule and registration information.
What gear does my kid need for Learn to Skate?
Helmets are mandatory for all Learn to Skate classes. Hockey, bike, ski or skateboard helmets are acceptable. Rental skates are available and are included with Learn to Skate class registration. Gloves or mittens, thin socks and warm clothes that are easy to move in are recommended. Layers are best, and the Iceplex recommends skipping jeans.
I think visiting would make a cool school field trip. Is that possible?
Yes. The Iceplex welcomes preschool, elementary, middle school, high school and college groups for field trips and day-camp outings. Students can participate in an hour of open skating, with skate rentals included, and groups may be able to add a 30-minute skating lesson or coordinate their visit with a Seattle Kraken practice.
As of fall 2026, weekday field trips cost $11 per person, with a minimum $450-per-hour rental fee. Weekend field trips cost $18.50 per person, with a minimum $740-per-hour rental fee. Pizza can be added to a group visit.
Check the field trip page for current pricing and booking information.
What might kids learn on a classroom or homeschool field trip?
The Iceplex offers a selection of 30- to 40-minute STEM-based hands-on learning activities, with materials, prep work and teaching notes available on request for teachers to use at school before or after a field trip.
What do the curriculum materials for educators look like?
The Kraken offers educational resources that use hockey to get kids moving and explore subjects ranging from science and math to social justice.
The Kraken Floorball program provides a PE curriculum aligned with SHAPE America national standards and introduces students to hockey through floorball. Equipment sets may be provided to qualifying schools and community organizations.
The Lessons from Willie program focuses on Willie O’Ree, who became the first Black player in the NHL. The educator materials use his experiences to explore racism, social justice and overcoming adversity.
The Future Goals education program uses hockey to help students explore real-world applications of science and math, including scientific thinking and data analysis.
What other activities or programs will my family find at Kraken Community Iceplex?
The Iceplex offers something for just about every age and skill level. Along with public skating, Learn to Skate, hockey and figure skating programs and birthday parties, you’ll find:
- Free viewing of select Seattle Kraken practices
- Adult Learn to Skate programs
- Adult Learn to Play hockey programs
- Youth hockey programs and leagues
- Adult hockey leagues
- Drop-in hockey, Stick & Puck and freestyle skating sessions
- 32 Bar & Grill, a family-friendly, hockey-centric sports restaurant overlooking the ice
- The Kraken Team Store
What is the Kraken Community Iceplex doing to ensure equitable access?
One Roof Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Seattle Kraken and Climate Pledge Arena. Its work includes increasing access to hockey and ice sports for young people who have historically faced barriers to participation. Financial assistance is available for a number of youth programs at Kraken Community Iceplex.
Oh, yeah! How do we get there?
Kraken Community Iceplex is located at 10601 5th Ave. NE in Seattle.
Car: Take Exit 173 from I-5. Complimentary Iceplex parking is available in designated Northgate Station lots 1, 2 and 3 and on the upper level of Lot 9. Parking is also available in the lot on the east side of the facility. Scan the QR code posted in the parking lot to register your vehicle. Because parking instructions can change as Northgate is redeveloped, check the Iceplex’s Getting Here page before your visit, particularly if you expect to park for more than three hours.
Rail: Take Sound Transit Link light rail to Northgate Station. The station entrance nearest the Iceplex is on the west side near the Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Medical Pavilion.
Bus: King County Metro buses also serve the Northgate Transit Center.
Bike: Bike racks are available outside the facility’s east entrance.
** This article was originally published in 2024 and has been updated to reflect 2026 prices and information
