Spring break is a short preview of the coming summer break – lots of free time for the kids and parents searching for activities to keep them busy. Some families are fortunate enough to take off for a trip for the whole week, while others are sticking around and taking advantage of all the fun opportunities available right here in the Puget Sound area.
Here are some of our favorite ideas for spring break fun for all ages – from last-minute overnight getaways to short outings around town.
Celebrate Earth Month
Join friends, family and the community at one of these Earth Day celebrations happening during the month of April to honor the planet! Or spend the day at home and make these Earth Day crafts at home.
Flower Power
Head to the Tulip Festival in Skagit Valley this month for dazzling flower colors. Enjoy the tulips, daffodils, food, flowers, and activities around town. Tip: Go on a weekday to avoid long lines and crowds.
Cherry blossom season is almost past its peak, but there’s still time to visit one of the many places to find cherry blossoms for pretty pictures and walks. Bring a picnic to give kids more time to explore. Also, a visit to the Bellevue Botanical Garden or any one of these hidden garden gems around Seattle will reveal sure signs that spring is in the air.
Nestled in north Seattle, Dunn Gardens is a true hidden gem. (Image: Joshua Huston / Seattle’s Child)
Gardening
Spring time is the perfect time to start planting and creating your garden! This can be a fun activity for the whole family, teaching the kiddos about gardening. Here are 5 kid-friendly crops for beginners to start planting for your garden! Here is a guide to starting your own vegetable garden.
Get Hiking
Spring hiking is finally here! Don’t miss the Free Entrance Day at WA Parks on April 22 to celebrate Earth Day! If you have little ones or kids who like shorter and paved walks, here are some trails for young hikers you don’t want to miss. Want a hike near the water, check out these 5 Seattle area family beach hikes. Or take a look at this excellent list of hikes you might not have heard about: Spring hikes that are easy and kid-friendly.
Bubble Planet Immersive Experience
Families are invited to visit Bubble Planet, a spherical interactive experience that challenges your imagination, a still relatively new attraction in Bellevue. In this multisensory experience, visitors will travel through fantastical, interactive landscapes and explore imaginary metaverses filled with unique optical illusions and stunning photo opportunities. Open daily except on Tuesdays.
Get Outside and Play
Slides, swings, monkey bars, zip lines — there are so many great play structures all over the greater Seattle area. Find a new playground to explore on the eastside or plan to visit these 10 themed playgrounds, including trains, outer space, and dragons.
Another way to get active outdoor fun is to visit the magnificent trolls around the PNW. Make visiting all five a Spring Break 2026 goal! You could also make a trip to the beach on a low tide day and search for cool creatures.
Go Mini Golfing
As spring begins, many outdoor mini golfing places will start opening up (some are weather-dependent). Here are family-friendly putt-putt courses in and around Seattle. While unpredictable weather can be a bummer in Seattle, we have included a few indoor mini-golf options as well.
Hotels with Swimming PoolsÂ
You don’t have to travel far to find a great place to get away from it all for spring break, and you don’t need more than one night to feel like you’ve all had a little vacation time. To cut out the long drive, consider one or two nights at a nearby hotel with a swimming pool. Our Guide to Family-Friendly Hotel Pools Around Seattle tells you not only which hotel pools – indoors and outdoors – are best for kids, but also what family fun opportunities you can find near each just in case you (if not your kids) don’t want to spend the whole time poolside. Also, if you care to add to the adventure, consider taking a bus and/or the light rail to your destination.
If you like the idea of pool time for the kids during spring break but want to skip the overnight at a hotel, check out our Guide to Seattle-area indoor public swimming pools.
Take a Guided Tour
Think tours are only for tourists? Not in Seattle! There is no better time to learn the fun facts, local lore, and regional delicacies that make Seattle special. Check out these guided Seattle tours your kids will love during spring break.
Farmers Market Fun
There are three year-round farmers markets happening during spring break that offer vendors, live buskers, produce and entertainment for the whole family. See the full list of markets that are happening in the Seattle area.
Pig races, animal shows, Motorsports Mayhem, and so much more at this spring fair located in Puyallup. The Washington State Spring Fair will be happening April 10-12 and April 17-19, with kids 5 and under free.
Train Ride to Bellingham
Take a day trip from Edmonds to Bellingham by train and experience spectacular water and forest views. Once you arrive, you will be in a historic town called Fairhaven, where you can have lunch and walk around, taking in the attractions.
Watch a Spring Performance
- Looking for a musical experience? Families are invited to watch “Grease” at Village Theater in Issaquah, running through May 3, 2026 or “Les Miserables” at Broadway at the Paramount in Seattle, from April 7-19, 2026.
- Ballet fans, experience “Giselle” from April 10-19.
Washington State Spring Fair
Pig races, animal shows, Motorsports Mayhem, and so much more at this spring fair located in Puyallup. The Washington State Spring Fair will be happening April 10-12 and April 17-19, with kids 5 and under free.
Visit a Farm or Zoo
Check out baby goats, chicks, bunnies at one of these popular animal farms &Â petting zoos. Want something more exotic? Take a trip to the Fall City Wallaby Ranch, where you can pet and interact with cute kangaroos and wallabies. Another great place for kids to view farm animals for free is Kelsey Creek Farm, located just minutes from downtown Bellevue.
Visit Kelsey Creek Farm every day and view their farm animals. (Image courtesy Kelsey Creek Farm)
Visit a Museum
- Take a trip farther north of Seattle and visit the Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum in Everett, which showcases rare military aircraft, tanks, and other military equipment. Admission is free to this museum.
- The Museum of Flight is offering the Space Shuttle Trainer Crew Compartment Experience, an exclusive, 1-hour experience that takes you inside the Crew Compartment for an in-depth look at how astronauts lived and worked during their mission. Ages 12+. Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19.
If you’re on a budget, you can still visit cool museums in Seattle through the SPL Museum Pass Program.
