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.
Bubble Planet Immersive Experience
Families are invited to visit Bubble Planet, a spherical interactive experience that challenges your imagination, set to arrive in Bellevue this April. 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 April 18 – May 31, 2025. Open Daily except on Tuesdays.
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 the 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)
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 to get you started.
Get hiking
Spring hiking is finally here! Don’t miss the Free Entrance Day at National Parks on April 19 to celebration National Park Week! 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 five 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 .
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 2025 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 11 family friendly putt putt courses in and around Seattle. While the unpredictable weather can be a bummer in Seattle, we have included a few indoor mini golf options as well.
Hit the slopes for spring skiing
Crystal Mountain has decided to extend their ski season all the way through Memorial Day 2025! April 20 is the last day of 7 days a week operation, so this is your chance to make the trip and enjoy the snow in warmer weather during spring break. Mount Baker Ski Resort (north of Seattle) plans to stay open on weekends (Friday-Sunday) from April 14- 20. Here are 10 tips on skiing with your kids before heading up to the mountain for Spring break. Read more: The best ski areas you can drive to from Seattle.
Hotels with swimming pools
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.
Join an Easter egg hunt
This year, spring break ends on Easter weekend, which is the perfect opportunity to take the family to one of these Easter egg hunts, whether it’s an underwater egg hunt or a hunt on a farm. Some of the bigger events will offer family-friendly activities after the hunt, including pony rides, face painting, or crafts! Want to eat out for Easter? Here are some of our favorite Easter brunch spots in the Seattle area perfect for the whole family.
If your family is wanting to stay home on Easter and avoid the crowds, here are some tips on decorating and dying Easter eggs with kids.
Aquatic egg hunts?! Love! (Image courtesy Samena Club)
Spring fun runs
For those who want to stay active and get the little one’s energy out, we have a list of family friendly fun runs happening this spring that offer fun activities and race options for little kids. Some of the runs offer a free kids dash, and others will require to pay for the kids race.
Take a guided tour
Think tours are only for tourists? Not in Seattle! There 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.
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
- Join Emerald City Trapeze Arts for their evening circus, “The Protégé Show”, on April 11-12, which brings together gravity-defying performances, awe-inspiring aerials, and dazzling acrobatics to celebrate self-expression and artistry.
- Looking for a musical experience? Families are invited to watch “Shrek the Musical JR” presented by KIDSTAGE in Everett from April 4 through April 20, offering a pay what you will option on Saturday, April 12.
- Ballet fans, experience “Sleeping Beauty” in this dazzling dance and light show on Saturday, April 19. Classical ballet and modern technology combine to create an artistic masterpiece where dancers light up the stage with glittering routines and glow-in-the-dark costumes.
- Want to find more performances, read our spring performances in Seattle for families.
Watch cartoons or a movie
Take the kids and watch two hours of family cartoons at Central Cinema to get out of the house for spring break. The cartoons play every Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. Kid-friendly free cartoons and adult- and child-friendly snacks and drinks for sale.
Enjoy a movie and popcorn at these free movies in Seattle, including Green Lake Community Center’s free family movie night (April 16). Visit the Ballard Library Branch, for their FREE Wednesday Movie with popcorn included on April 16.
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 10-13 and April 17-20, with free admission for ages 0-18 on Thursdays.
Visit a farm or zoo
Check out baby goats, chicks, bunnies at one of these popular animal farms & petting zoos. Want something more exotic and an experience to remember? Head on over to the Reptile Zoo in Monroe, and experience Close Encounters with a variety of reptiles, including a two-headed turtle, an albino crocodile, snakes, and more. Scared of reptiles? 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 further north of Seattle, and visit the Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum in Everett, displaying the preservation of rare military aircraft, tanks and other military equipment. Admission is free for this museum. Another museum in Everett, Imagine Children’s Museum, will be offering their FREE Community Access Night (April 18) and Sensory Time in the morning (April 20).
- The Museum of Flight is offering the Space Shuttle Trainer Crew Compartment Experience, and exclusive, 1-hour experience takes you inside the Crew Compartment for an in-depth look at how astronauts lived and worked during their mission. Ages 12+. Saturday, April 19 and Sunday, April 20.
- Head down to the Washington State History Museum in Tacoma, and visit TOYTOPIA, an interactive journey through the history of toys. Highlights include a retro 80s arcade, lifesize dollhouse, LEGO play area/LEGO Wall and so much more. If you want to visit for free, make the trip on the third Thursday of the month, where admission is free from 3 to 8 p.m.
If you’re on a budget, you can still visit cool museums in Seattle through the SPL Museum Pass Program.
Visit the Titanic Exhibition
Due to popular demand, Titanic: The Exhibition has added new dates to stay in Seattle until the end of April, bringing with it a selection of original artifacts, including personal belongings, that tell touching stories of the ship’s passengers and crew. Read our review of the Titanic Exhibition and why you should visit with your kids!
