The staff member had tears in her eyes as she welcomed the first group of kids into the museum. Starting April 2nd, after two years of pandemic closure, the doors of Seattle’s Children’s Museum are once again open for our smallest community members to play, explore, and learn.
Tents and pretend fires help the imagination run wild at the Seattle Children’s Museum.
Imagination play: vehicles and costumes
The Seattle Children’s Museum is a mecca for imagination play. Station to station children can explore different professions and characters. My kids jumped from exhibit to exhibit, checking out all of the different pieces to try out and explore. They loved “driving” all the vehicles; loading packages in the back of the postal van; washing, drying, and grooming pets; and trying on eyeglass frames. They peeked through windows; took a bus trip (their destination? Colorado); wore fire hats and postal messenger bags; and put on life jackets for their sailing trip.
Play doctor to the adorable stuffed animals at the newest exhibit.
New vet exhibit
Brand new to the Seattle Children’s Museum is a veterinary office exhibit, Neighborhood Paws. With an x-ray light, sink (no running water, but a movable faucet), and hair drying station, kids can interact with the animals, and pretend to examine, bathe, and dry their furry friends.
Books that teach children about diversity and native american stories are on display.
Reading room
Beautiful new art fills the reading room walls with images of Pacific Northwest plants and animals. As they read, kids are surrounded by images from local author and artist Nikki McClure’s book, 1, 2, 3 Salish Sea: A Pacific Northwest Counting Book.
Dress up is a popular form of free play. The glass frames help children pretend to be different people.
More exhibits to come
In addition to a kid-sized Metro bus, building blocks, and some Sounder-themed interactive displays, the transit room will soon feature a Seattle-themed train table. Kids will be able to move trains from SeaTac throughout Seattle, noting local spots from their community.
Life-size packages and vehicles are a treat to explore at the museum.
My little ones spent the longest time at the post office. Dozens of packages filled the shelves behind the counter, and my toddlers moved back and forth between the postal van and the post office. They pushed buttons on the cash register, loaded up the van with packages, and drove the van. At home nearly every day, they see either our mail deliverer or other delivery drivers out and about, driving or walking up and down our street, delivering mail and packages. This is the beauty of playing at the Seattle Children’s Museum – kids can pretend and explore and imagine in spaces and exhibits just their size.
Logistics:
- Seattle Children’s museum is located at: 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109 (on the lowest floor of the Armory)
- Hours: Friday – Sunday 10 AM- 5 PM in April (summer schedule will be longer, museum will update soon)
- Reservations are required for entry, but you don’t pay until you arrive at the museum
- Babies (under 1) are free; children and adults aged 2-65 are $12; and guests over 65 are $10.
- The website has a helpful FAQ section, with information about the current mask policy and safety information.
Published April 6, 2022.
For more museum openings check out the new garden at Point Defiance Zoo
Visit Life in One Cubic Foot at the Burke Museum
