Seattle's Child

Your guide to a kid-friendly city

spring fun

Visit a new park or return to an old favorite. (iStock photo)

Spring fun: 8 family activities to celebrate the beginning of spring

Grab the kids and celebrate the new season!

Time for spring fun!

And while we are still in a pandemic and all of the sadness and limitations that brings, the longer days and blooming flowers are definitely a sign of hope.

Here are some ideas for celebrating the new season.

(Always keep in mind masking, social distancing and hand washing. Be safe!)

Go on a picnic

It doesn’t matter where you go or what you eat, getting outside and to a lawn, beach or picnic table will make those PB&Js special. We’ve got ideas for great places, menus and activities, but let me say again: Just take some food (drive-thru, anyone?) and have a nice time! Double points: Have your picnic at Picnic Point park in Edmonds. We know one family who loved their excursion there.

 

Go to a new park, playground or beach for spring fun

Some ideas:

New playgrounds at 2 parks in Renton

New, all-abilities play structure at Juanita Beach in Kirkland

Six of Seattle’s nicest small playgrounds

The best Seattle parks for whatever you are looking for

 

Go on an adventure!

We put our heads together and came up with 27 Seattle-area outings that go nicely with beloved children’s books. And have you heard about the gnome homes on Bainbridge Island?

 

Enjoy nature

Have your kids become amateur bird watchers. It’s easy and can even be done from inside. When you’re outside, get to know some of the roly-poly and many-legged creatures you’ll find in the yard.

 

Grow something

Start a vegetable garden — or at least think about it! Kids are a natural at gardening if you give them the right task and the right amount of guidance.

5 kid-friendly crops to plant in the spring

Guide to container gardening with kids

 

 

Visit a garden

We recently checked out eight botanical gardens around the area. Here’s what makes each one a fun and special destination. There’s also the ever-popular Bellevue Botanical Garden, which we recently checked out with some enthusiastic young explorers.

 

Spring cleaning

Don’t laugh. It’s a great idea, especially for those spring days that call out for an indoor activity:

Plan more spring fun

Many of our favorite activities and attractions require timed tickets these days, so we have to plan ahead. Sit down with your calendar (and maybe the weather forecast) and think about visiting the Puyallup Spring Fair, the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival or planning an Easter-time farm visit or egg hunt.

This story was first published in March 2021. 

About the Author

Julie Hanson

Julie Hanson is a longtime journalist, South King County resident and mom to a 15-year-old girl.