Seattle Inside Activities for Kids
PLAY: WEST SEATTLE
West Seattle Church of Nazarene: Open play is available on Tuesdays & Thursdays for caregivers to bring their children for an afternoon of indoor activities. Contact Pastor Mattson (shaunmattson@gmail.com) for more details.
Where: West Seattle Church of Nazarene: 4201 SW Juneau St Seattle, WA 98136
When: Tuesday and Thursdays, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Ages: 5 and under
Cost: Free
Food: You may bring your own food
Drop-off: No
SKATE: NORTHGATE
Kraken Community Iceplex: Public ice skating sessions are available daily at Kraken Community Iceplex. 10601 5th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98125, https://www.krakencommunityiceplex.com/public-skating/
Hours: Hours vary. Check the Kraken Public Skate Calendar for exact days/times.
Ages: Open to all ages and skating levels.
Food: Yes
Drop-Off: Yes
PLAY: SOUTH LAKE UNION
PlayDate SEA: An 8,000-square-foot indoor playground with an attached café serving pizza, smoothies and other bites. It features dance floors and structures for climbing and crawling. 1275 Mercer St., Seattle, WA, 98109. 623-7529; playdatesea.com
Hours: Open daily 11 am to 7 pm
Ages: 0 to 14 years
Cost: $14 an hour per child; $18 per child for all day; Adults are free
Food: Yes
Drop-off: No, except for preschool classes
Wi-Fi: Yes
PLAY: PHINNEY RIDGE
Zoomazium at Woodland Park Zoo: Combine a visit to the zoo with a fun playtime inside at the Zoomazium. Explore a mountain cave, cross a rope bridge, stage puppet shows, climb a 20-foot tree at this interactive, nature-themed indoor play area at the zoo. 601 N 59th St., Seattle WA 98103. 206-548-2520; zoo.org/zoomazium
Hours: Daily 9:30 am to 3 pm daily except closed Tuesdays
Ages: 0 to 8 years
Cost: Free with zoo admission (kids 0-2 are free, Summer Admission: kids 3-12 are $12.25; 13 and up, $19.95)
Food: At the nearby food court
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: No
ART AND GAMES: BALLARD
Mox Boarding House (multiple locations): Games reign supreme at Mox Boarding House. Games can be checked out for free from a lending library and taken for a test drive in the café. There are daily events offered, such as Board Game Night and Pokémon League. 5105 Leary Ave. NW, Seattle WA 98107. 206-523-9605; moxboardinghouse.com/seattle
Hours: Monday-Thursday 11 am to 10 pm, Friday 11 am to midnight, Saturday 10 am to midnight, Sunday 10 am to 10 pm
Ages: All
Cost: Free games while dining
Food: Yes
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
ART AND GAMES: CHINATOWN
Seattle Pinball Museum: Part museum, part art gallery, and all arcade, Seattle Pinball Museum houses more than 50 vintage arcade games. Kids have to be older than 7 to play (it is not a place intended for young kids). For big pinball fans, the flat-rate admission/unlimited gameplay makes for a good afternoon outing. 508 Maynard Ave. S, Seattle WA 98104. 206-623-0759; seattlepinballmuseum.com
Hours: Sunday, Monday, Friday, Saturday, Noon-6 pm
Ages: 7 and up
Cost: Ages ages 7 to 12, $17; Adults, $20
Food: Yes
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: No
MUSEUM: UNIVERSITY DISTRICT
Burke Museum: Located on the University of Washington campus, this natural history museum boasts a whopping 16 million artifacts. The dinosaur exhibit is a favorite for children — it features the first dinosaur fossil ever discovered in Washington. 4303 Memorial Way NE, Seattle, WA. 206-543-7907; burkemuseum.org
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10 am to 5 pm
Ages: All
Cost: Ages 4-17, $14; Student (non-UW), $14; Senior (62+), $20; Adults, $22. Ages 3 and under are free; UW students, faculty, staff and retirees are free; the first Thursday of each month is free;
Food: Yes
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: No
MUSEUM: SEATTLE CENTER
MoPop: This pop culture museum will appeal to both parents and school-age children. In addition to exploring current exhibits, they can record their own music in the interactive Sound Lab, try out 20 kid-friendly video games and play with shadow puppets. 325 5th Ave. N, Seattle,WA. 206-770-2700; empmuseum.org
Hours: Daily 10 am to 5 pm except Wednesdays
Ages: All
Cost: Prices are lower for planned ahead visits online; Ranges from around $25 to $35 depending on the time slot
Food: Yes
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
MUSEUM: SEATTLE CENTER
Pacific Science Center: This Seattle institution has educated and entertained all ages since it opened at the Century 21 World’s Fair in 1952. It is filled with hands-on exhibits that kids will love, including a science-themed playground, a saltwater tide pool, a butterfly garden and an Imax movie theater. There’s a special area just for tots, where they can engage in experiments designed specifically for the smallest scientists. 200 2nd Ave. N, Seattle WA 98109. 206-443-2001; pacificsciencecenter.org
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday 10 am to 5 pm
Ages: 3 and older
Cost: $17.95 to $19.95 for youth (3-17), $22.95 to $27.95 for adults (18-64), $21.95 to $25.95 for seniors (65+)
Food: Yes
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
MUSEUM: FIRST HILL
Frye Art Museum: Specializing in 19th- and 20th-century American and European art, the Frye offers storytelling and art activities for children between the ages of 2 and 5 on the first Friday of each month. Storytellers from Seattle Children’s Theatre provide a dramatic narrative, followed by a session where art educators from the Frye help kids create art based on the story’s themes. 704 Terry Ave., Seattle. 206-622-9250; fryemuseum.org
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday 11 am to 5 pm
Ages: All
Cost: Free
Food: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
MUSEUM: SOUTH LAKE UNION
MOHAI (Museum of History and Industry): Explore Seattle history from the city’s founding to the present day. Be sure to snag an Exploration Pack when you enter the museum — it includes dress-up items, a museum scavenger hunt and other interactive activities. 860 Terry Ave N, Seattle WA 98109. 206-324-1126; mohai.org
Hours: Daily 10 am to 5 pm
Ages: All
Cost: Free for kids 0-14, $17 for students and military, $18 for seniors (65+), $22 for adults
Food: Yes
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
MUSEUM: SOUTH PARK
Museum of Flight: The museum features everything from the first Boeing 747 to the original Air Force One — but children will really love the Kid’s Flight Zone, a permanent exhibit where they can use simulators and test their piloting skills. 9404 E. Marginal Way S, Seattle, WA 98108. 206-764-5700; museumofflight.org
Hours: Daily 10 am to 5 pm
Ages: All
Cost:Infants to age 4 are free, $18 for 5 to 17 years, $22 for seniors (65+), $26 for adults. FREE 5 pm to 9 pm on the first Thursday of every month
Food: Yes
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
MUSEUM/AQUARIUM: WATERFRONT
Seattle Aquarium: The waterfront aquarium is open (despite major construction on a total makeover of the waterfront area) and features a tank showcasing a wall of Northwest sea life, adorable otters and touch tanks. Toddler Time is free with aquarium admission. Children 5 and under can dress up like sea creatures, paint and play with ocean-themed toys. 1483 Alaskan Way, Seattle WA 98101. 206-386-4300; seattleaquarium.org
Hours: Daily 9:30 am to 6 pm, check online for dates for Toddler Time
Ages: All
Cost: ages 4 – 12, $18.20 to $26.70 ; Ages 13 and older, $25.95 to $37.95; , Infant to 3 years free,
Food: Yes
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: No
MUSEUM: DOWNTOWN
Seattle Art Museum: With three spacious floors filled with art from all over the world, SAM has plenty for kids to view. Need a break from the art scene, head to the Knutson Family Room where there’s an opportunity to view a digital interactive connected to American Art: The Stories We Carry. 1300 1st Ave., Seattle WA 98101. 206-654-3100; seattleartmuseum.org
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday 10 am to 5 pm
Ages: All
Cost: 0 to 14 are free, $19.99 for teens 15 to 19 and students, $29.99 for adults; $24.99 for military and seniors (65+), free admission on the first Thursday of each month
Food: Yes
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
MUSEUM: SEATTLE CENTER
Seattle Children’s Museum: Leave plenty of time to explore this 22,000-thousand-square-foot play space with a make-believe theater, animal hospital, and grocery store, an interactive mountain exhibit, a separate area for toddlers, and a cozy reading area. Daily educational programs are available and are free with the cost of admission. Located in the lower level of the Armory Building at Seattle Center, 206-441-1768; thechildrensmuseum.org
Hours: Sunday – Saturday: 10 am-5 pm except closed Tuesdays
Masked up Mornings
Effective Wednesday, April 3 2023, Masked up Mornings will take place on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. On these days masks are required until noon for people ages 3 and up. Masks optional at other times.
Cost: Ages age 1-17, $13, Ages 18 – 65, $13, Over 65 $11, Under 1 free
Ages: 0 to 10 years
Food: Yes (upstairs – not in the museum except party rooms)
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
SKATE: WALLINGFORD
All Together Skatepark: The city’s only indoor skatepark is home to 6,900 square feet of space, including ledges, manual pads, quarter pipes, banks, stairs, rails and a “vert” wall on which to shred. Skateboards, helmets and pads are provided. Lessons available. Very kid-friendly. 3500 Stone Way N, Seattle WA 98103. 206-413-5528; alltogetherskatepark.com
Hours: Closed Mon. Open skate sessions: Tues, Weds, Fri 5 – 8 pm; Thurs 5 – 7 pm, Sat 2 – 8 pm, Sun 2 – 5 pm
Ages: All
Cost: $10
Food: No
Drop-off: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
PLAY: NORTHEAST SEATTLE
Arenas Sports Inflatable FunZone at Magnuson: Kids run, jump, and slide to fun in the indoor playground with multiple bounce houses. 7751 63rd Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115, Arenas Sports at Magnuson
Note: Kids must wear socks and parents need to register kids.
Hours: Check the website. Special hours during school breaks.
Ages: Kids ages 18 months to 12 years
Cost: Members – $10+tax per child/visit, Non-members – $12+tax per child/visit
PLAY: GYMNASTICS PLAYTIME
Seattle Gymnastics Academy’s Indoor Playground (multiple locations): During open sessions, children have access to most of the academy’s gymnastics equipment for climbing, swinging, jumping, and hula-hooping! Space is limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Drop-in or secure your spot in advance by pre-registering. Entry fees will be processed at check-in. seattlegymnastics.com
Locations: Ballard | Burien | Columbia City | Lake City
Hours: Check HERE to see hours at each location .
Ages: Infant – 5 years
Cost: Cost is $10 per child. Babies under 12 months are FREE
BOWL: WEST SEATTLE
West Seattle Bowl: Each of the 32 lanes at West Seattle Bowl has bumpers available for kids. Add this to their ball ramps (to assist with getting the ball down the lane) and a large selection of lightweight balls, and kids will be ready to take on a day of bowling. Forget socks? The sock vending machine has you covered. 4505 39th Ave. SW, Seattle WA 98116. 206-932-3731; wsbowl.com
Hours: Check the website
Ages: All
Cost: Beginning at $25 per lane, $4.75 shoe rental
Food: Yes
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
PLAY: SOUTH SEATTLE
Defy Seattle: With locations in Tukwila and Tacoma, this is the space where you’ll want to jump out all that kid energy. Trampolines, obstacle courses and jump challenges will keep your kiddo busy for hours.
Hours: Check the website
Ages: All ages – an adult must accompany kids under 6
Cost: $27.00-$35.99 with options to purchase a membership
Food: Yes, no food from he outside can be brought in
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
SWIM: SEATTLE
Seattle Parks & Recreation Pools Family Swims: There are eight indoor public pools across the city. They all offer drop-in programs such as Family Swims and Pool Playland, as well as lessons. Ballard: 1471 NW 67th St., 684-4094, Evans: 7201 East Green Lake Dr N, 684-4961, Madison: 13401 Meridian Ave. N, 684-4979; Meadowbrook: 10515 35th Ave. NE, 684-4989; Medger Evers: 500 23rd Ave, Seattle, WA 98122, 684-4766; Queen Anne: 1920 1st Ave. W, 386-4282; Rainier Beach: 8825 Rainier Ave. S, 386-1925; Southwest: 2801 SW Thistle St., 684-7440; seattle.gov/parks/pools
Cost: Ages 1-17 years $4.50; Ages 18 – 64 years $6.50; Ages 65 years & older, Children under one year free.
Scholarship/Financial Aid Discount Pricing- Pre-Qualified* $2.50
Check the pool for hours and details about programs
Adjacent to Ballard High School. Features a 25-yard indoor pool with water slide, low dive, rope swing and warm water spa.
Evans (Green Lake)
A 25-yard indoor lap pool on the east shore of Green Lake, with sauna. Same building as the community center.
A 25-yard indoor pool in the Haller Lake/Bitter Lake neighborhood of NE Seattle, with a shallow section and two diving boards.
Just east of Lake City Way in NE Seattle, this 25-yard indoor pool features a rope swing, high dive, water fitness equipment, and sauna.
Next to Garfield Community Center, this 25-yard indoor pool features a rope swing, low diving board, and separate shallow section. and sauna.
On top of Queen Anne Hill, this 25-yard indoor pool has built-in steps for easy entry, a high and low diving board, rope swing and a small sauna.
2 indoor pools: one w/ huge slide, spray features, lazy river, vortex and gradual entry. The other is a 25-yard lap pool w/ diving board. Sauna/hot tub onsite.
A 25-yard indoor pool in the Roxhill neighborhood of West Seattle. High and low diving boards, spa & sauna, and complimentary exercise machines.
PLAY: SEATTLE
Community Centers Tot Gyms and Playrooms: Seattle Parks and Recreation Community Centers across the city offer toddler gym sessions complete with toys, balls, trikes, scooters, push bikes, and more. seattle.gov/parks/children/play.htm
Locations: Check HERE for community center locations and hours
Ages: Infant to 5 years
Cost: FREE
Food: No
Drop-Off: No
UPDATED January 2024, but hours and offerings change, so check the websites for the latest info before going!
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