Strapped for ideas as to what to do with your kiddos when the weather is gray and rainy? Check out our indoor play picks for Seattle, the Eastside, North Seattle, and South Seattle.
Seattle
Play
Cornerstone Café: Take a break and drop your kids off to play with a variety of toys, musical instruments and a dollhouse. The space is operated by Families of Color, a local nonprofit. 5623 Rainier Ave. S., Seattle. focseattle.com/programs.html
Open: Monday to Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, 1 to 4:30 p.m.
Age: 0 to 6 years
Cost: $8 per child per hour, $6 per sibling per hour, $20 one-time registration fee
Food: No
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
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, plus occasional puppet shows. 1275 Mercer St., Seattle. 623-7529; playdatesea.com
Open: Sunday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Age: 0 to 14 years
Cost: $5-$15 per child
Food: Yes
Alcohol: Yes
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Lil' Bug Studio: Enjoy a climbing structure, play house, art activities, train table, reading nook and more. The littlest guests have an infant-play area just for them. Most Tuesdays have story time as well. 10007 13th Ave. SW, Seattle. 206-420-4319; lilbugstudio.com
Open: Sunday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Monday 12 noon – 5:30 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Closed Saturdays except for birthday parties.
Age: Geared toward babies, toddlers and preschoolers
Cost: Weekdays: $10 per child, under 6 months free; weekends: $10 for first child, $20 for 2 or more kids
Food: No
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: unknown
Lil’ Diggers Playtime: In Sandbox Sports’ huge indoor sandbox, kids can run free and dig around for treasure. The dump trucks, shovels and pails, balls and slides will keep your kiddos pleased as punch. 5955 Airport Way S., Seattle. 624-2899; sandboxsports.net/kids-sandbox
Open: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 9:30 to 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Age: 0 to 5 years
Cost: $7 per child per session
Food: No
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
OmTots Play Gym: This gym near Gas Works Park is a local favorite. Gymnastic rings, a balance beam, trampolines, kid-size tunnels, sling swings suspended from beams, a knotted gym rope for climbing and the biggest pile of cushions you’ve ever seen are there to entice your young child. Oh, and parents can use the equipment, too. 2210 N Pacific St., Seattle. 829-9969; omculture.com/#!omtots/cr6o
Open: Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to noon.
Age: 1 to 5 years
Cost: $10 per drop-in session; $80 for a 10-class pass
Food: No
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pinwheels Play Space: Kids will enjoy the train table, dress up area, ball pit and inflatable climbers at this White Center play gym. Parents will enjoy the drop off option! 9988 a5th Ave SW, Suite B, Seattle. 206-588-2593; pinwheelsplay.com
Open: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to noon
Age: 0 to 6 but older siblings are welcome
Cost: $7 drop in, $12/hr drop off (3 hour maximum), Three-Dollar Thursdays: play for only $3 when you bring a canned food donation for the White Center Food Bank.
Food: vending machines with healthy options
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: Yes
Wi-Fi: unknown
Zoomazium at Woodland Park Zoo: Explore a mountain cave, cross a rope bridge or climb a 20-foot tree at this interactive, nature-themed indoor play area at the zoo. 601 N 59th St., Seattle. 548-2520; zoo.org/zoomazium
Open: Daily 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Oct. 1 to April 30 (open later in spring and summer)
Age: 0 to 8 years
Cost: Free with zoo admission (kids 0-2 are free, 3-12 years are $8.75 low season and $11.75 high season)
Food: At nearby food court
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: No
Shop and play
University Village: Each Tuesday a participating Village store puts on a casual "Playdays" activity for kids. They range from seasonal crafts to pajama story times to educational playtime. A covered outdoor play area delights kids as well. 25th Ave. NE and NE 45th St., Seattle. 523-0622; uvillage.com/village-playdays
Open: Tuesday, 10 to 11 a.m.
Age: All
Cost: Free
Food: Varies; some Playdays hosted by restaurants or food vendors
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
REI: In addition to the 65-foot climbing wall, the flagship store has an adventure-themed play area with a treehouse and slide. 222 Yale Ave. N, Seattle. 223-1944; rei.com/stores/11
Open: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Age: 5 and up for climbing wall; up to 8 years for play area
Cost: Climbing starts at $25 for single-climb reservations for non-members; the play area is free
Food: Yes, occasional food cart outside the store
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Coffee
Mosaic: This Wallingford neighborhood café is home to the “Demitasse,” an entire room for kids with toys and books. Tuesdays are Parent and Family days, where Mosaic expands Demitasse to the entire coffee shop while hosting workshops and support groups for parents. 4401 2nd Ave. NE, Seattle. 567-3293; mosaiccoffeehouse.com
Open: Monday and Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Wednesday, 9 a.m. to noon. Parent and Family days: Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Age: All
Cost: Free
Food: Yes
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Serendipity: This Magnolia neighborhood hot spot sports a play space sectioned off from the rest of the café with a chalkboard wall, dollhouse, train table and a few other toys. 3222 W McGraw St., Seattle. 282-9866; serendipitycafeandlounge.com
Open: Monday through Friday ,7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Age: All
Cost: Food items starting at $7
Food: Yes
Alcohol: Yes, in lounge
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Vios Café (multiple locations): Great Greek food plus a fully enclosed little-kid mosh pit full of toys and books, with some of the dinner tables located ringside. Adjoining Third Place Books in Ravenna: 6504 20th Ave. NE, Seattle; 525-5701. Capitol Hill: 903 19th Ave. E, Seattle. 329-3236; vioscafe.com
Open: Capitol Hill: Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for lunch; Monday through Saturday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. for dinner; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for brunch.
Third Place Books: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for brunch
Age: Kid section aimed at toddler to 5 years
Cost: Free
Food: Yes
Alcohol: Yes at Third Place Books, no on Capitol Hill
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Family fun centers
GameWorks: Discover a variety of interactive games, simulators and attractions plus pool, darts, food and drinks. 1511 7th Ave., Seattle. 521-0952; gameworks.com
Open: Monday through Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Age: All; 18 and over after 10 p.m.
Cost: Varies; $20 for a three-hour gaming time card
Food: Yes
Alcohol: Yes
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Gymnastics / sports / bounce
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. 3500 Stone Way N, Seattle. 632-7090; alltogetherskatepark.com
Open: Monday, 2 to 5 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday, 2 to 9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon to 9 p.m. (noon to 2 p.m. under 11 years only)
Age: All
Cost: $10
Food: No
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
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Arena Sports Fun Zone Inflatable Playground (multiple locations): Kids can jump, hop and bounce on the space’s many inflatable structures. 7751 63rd Ave. NE, Magnuson Park, Seattle. 985-8990; arenasports.net/fun-zone-inflatable-playground
Open: Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., noon to 2 p.m., and 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Age: 18 months to 12 years
Cost: $6 per child for members, $9 for non-members; $50 for a 10-visit punch card. Parents are free.
Food: No
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
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. Kids love the enormous foam pit, trampolines and "Tumbl Trak" — a long, springy pathway that leads to a padded end. Ballard: 1415 NW 52nd St., 782-1496; Lake City/Shiveley Gym: 12535 26th Ave. NE, 362-7447; Columbia City: 5034 37th Ave. S; 708-7497. seattlegymnastics.com
Open: Lake City: Sunday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Ballard: Monday through Friday and Sunday, noon to 1 p.m.; Saturday, 12:45 to 1:45 p.m.
Columbia City: Monday through Friday, noon to 1 p.m. and 2:15 to 3:15 p.m.; Saturday, 12:45 to 1:45 p.m.
Age: 1 to 5 years
Cost: $6 per child per session; $4 for kids enrolled in SGA classes
Food: No
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Stone Gardens (multiple locations): Hour-long "pro-belay" programs are offered for the rock-climbing novice. Also, with a day pass, kids can do some bouldering (climbing without a rope). 2839 NW Market St., Seattle. 781-9828; stonegardens.com
Open: Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Age: 5 and up
Cost: $18 for adults, $15 under 13; $10 for shoe, harness, belay device and chalk bag rental
Food: No
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No; however, children over 14 can climb unsupervised
Wi-Fi: Yes
Vertical World: Topping the “coolness” category, venture to Vertical World in Magnolia and test your strength on the climbing wall. Families can drop in during open hours, any day of the week, and boulder (low-level climb up to 15 feet without ropes) as long as they like. 2330 W Commodore Way. 283-4497; verticalworld.com
Open: Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Age: All; climbing classes start at age 3
Cost: $17 per day for non-members; $14 for kids under 14; $5 for shoe rental and $3 for harness rental
Food: No
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Swim
Seattle Parks & Recreation Pools: There are eight indoor public pools across the city. Call for the current hours for family swim sessions. Ballard: 1471 NW 67th St., 684-4094; Madison: 13401 Meridian Ave. N 684-4979; Meadowbrook: 10515 35th Ave. NE, 684-4989; Medgar Evers: 500 23rd Ave., 684-4766; Rainier Beach: 8825 Rainier Ave. S, 386-1925; Southwest: 2801 SW Thistle St., 684-7440; seattle.gov/parks/aquatics/Pools/schedule/familyswim.htm
Open (summer months have additional hours): Ballard: Sunday, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.; Madison: Friday, 6 to 7 p.m.; Sunday, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.; Meadowbrook: Tuesday and Thursday, 7 to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.; Medgar Evers: Monday and Wednesday, 1 to 2 p.m.; Rainier Beach: Daily, 11 a.m. to noon (children 0 to 5 with a parent); Southwest: Friday, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., 7 to 8 p.m.; Sunday 2 to 3 p.m.
Age: All
Cost: $3.75 per child, $5.25 per adult
Food: Limited
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: At some locations
Safe N Sound Swimming: This popular swim school hosts fun swims daily for kids ages 5 to 12 and family swims on Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons. You must have a monthly membership to participate. 2040 Westlake Ave. N., Seattle. 285-9279; snsswim.com/activities
Open: Open swim: Monday, Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to noon; Monday and Friday, 2:15 to 4:15 p.m. and 6:15 to 7:15 p.m.; Family swim: Friday, 7 to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday, 1:30 to 5 p.m.
Age: All, plus fun swims for ages 5-12
Cost: Varies and requires a membership (starts at $39 monthly, plus $10 per visit for Family Swim)
Food: No
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Community centers
Twenty-two Seattle Parks & Recreation community centers are spread across the city and offer toddler gym sessions complete with toys, balls, trikes, scooters, push bikes and more. As of Winter 2017, all toddler play times are FREE to the public. seattle.gov/parks/children/play.htm
Age: 0 to 5 years
Cost: FREE
Food: Vending machines, but with healthy options
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Ballard Community Center: 6020 28th Ave. NW, 684-4093
Toddler Room: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday, 4 to 8 p.m.
Toddler Gym: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Belltown Community Center: 415 Bell St., 684-7245
Toddler Room: Monday and Wednesday, 3 to 8 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Bitter Lake Community Center: 13035 Linden Ave. N, 684-7524
Toddler Gym: Monday and Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Delridge Community Center: 4501 Delridge Way SW, 684-7423
Monday and Wednesday, 1 to 4 p.m.
Garfield Community Center: 2323 E Cherry St., 684-4788
Toddler Gym: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 10 a.m. to noon
Green Lake Community Center: 7201 E Green Lake Dr. N, 684-0780
Toddler Room: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Hiawatha Community Center: 2700 California Ave. SW, 684-7441
Monday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
High Point Community Center: 6920 34th Ave. SW, 684-7422
Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Jefferson Community Center: 3801 Beacon Ave. S, 684-7481
Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Laurelhurst Community Center: 4554 NE 41st St., 684-7529
Toddler Room: Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. to noon
Loyal Heights Community Center: 2101 NW 77th St., 684-4052
Toddler Gym: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Magnolia Community Center: 2550 34th Ave. W, 386-4235
Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Magnuson Community Center: 7110 62nd Ave. NE, 684-7026
Toddler Rooms: Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Toddler Gym: 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Meadowbrook Community Center: 10517 35th Ave. NE, 684-7522
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 1 to 4 p.m.
Miller Community Center: 330 19th Ave. E, 684-4753
Toddler Room: Monday through Friday, 4 to 8:30 pm
Northgate Community Center: 10510 5th Ave. NE, 386-4283
Toddler Gym: Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Friday, 9 to 11 a.m. for 3 and under
Queen Anne Community Center: 1901 1st Ave. W, 386-4240
Toddler Room: Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Toddler Gym: Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Rainier Community Center: 4600 38th Ave. S, 386-1919
Wednesday and select Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Rainier Beach Community Center: 8825 Rainier Ave. S, 386-1925
Monday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center: 6535 Ravenna Ave. NE, 684-7534
Monday and Friday, 12:45 to 8:15 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday, 2:45 to 8:15 p.m., Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.
South Park Community Center: 8319 8th Ave. S, 684-7451
Thursday, 1 to 3 p.m.
Yesler Community Center: 917 E Yesler Way, 386-1245
Toddler Gym: Monday and Wednesday, 1 to 3 p.m.
Eastside
Play
HappyNest Play Centers: HappyNest has an enclosed space with sensory toys for babies; a toddler area with balls, climbing toys and riding cars; and a preschool section with gym equipment, blocks, a car and train table and dress-up costumes. 16701 Cleveland St., Redmond. 425-558-0800; happynestplaycenters.com
Open: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Age: 0 to 6 years
Cost: $10 per child, $6 siblings
Food: Yes
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
WiggleWorks: This vibrantly colored gym space feels like a trip inside the game Candy Land. The soft-play features include slides, bouncy areas and swings to help your child get their wiggles out. Babies can play, too, sectioned off from older children. Pay for the day (re-entry included), so there’s no need to keep an eye on the clock. Crossroads Mall, 15600 NE 8th St., Suite F15, Bellevue. 425-641-2186; wiggleworkskids.com
Open: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Age: Kids under 48 inches
Cost: $10 per child, $8 for siblings, free for children younger than 1
Food: No
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Shop and play
Bellevue Square Kids' Cove: This children's play area is on the third floor of the mall, with plenty of room for stroller parking and food and drink nearby. Recently refurbished, Kids' Cove brought back the well-loved tugboat and ferryboat of years past and added a skiff, sandcastle and lighthouse to the mix, all enclosed inside a short wall. Northeast 8th St. and Bellevue Way, Bellevue. 425-646-3660; bellevuesquare.com
Open: Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Age: All
Cost: Free
Food: Yes
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Crossroads Bellevue: Drop-in "Play & Learn" sessions with songs, stories, art and games at the Market Stage. 15600 NE 8th St., Bellevue. 425-644-1111; crossroadsbellevue.com
Open: Wednesday, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Age: 2 to 5 years
Cost: Free
Food: No
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Family fun centers
Chuck E. Cheese's (multiple locations): There are games, rides, prizes, food and entertainment. 2239 148th Ave. NE, Bellevue; 425-746-5000. chuckecheese.com
Open: Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Age: All
Cost: Free admission, games priced variably
Food: Yes
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: At some locations
Gymnastics / sports / bounce
3-2-1 Bounce: Kids can jump to their hearts’ content on numerous inflatable play toys, plus they can shoot hoops and play air hockey and foosball. 13434 NE 16th St., #110, Bellevue. 425-378-0321; 321bounce.com
Open: Monday and Tuesday, 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. (session 1) or 10:45 a.m. to noon (session 2).
Age: 2 years and up
Cost: $6 per child, free for parents
Food: No
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: No
Arena Sports Fun Zone Inflatables (multiple locations): Kids can jump, hop and bounce on the space’s many inflatable structures. 9040 Willows Road, Redmond; 425-885-4881. 2115 NW Poplar Way, Issaquah. 425-270-2030; arenasports.net
Open: Issaquah: Monday, 4 to 8 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 4 to 8 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 4 to 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. with 30-minute closures throughout the day. Redmond: Tuesday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Age: 18 months to 12 years
Cost: $6 per child for members, $9 for non-members; $50 for a 10-visit punch card. Parents are free.
Food: No
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Great Play (multiple locations): Develop motor and sports skills in an interactive arena. For members, there are open gym times for kids on weekdays, which are separated by age group. 16510 Cleveland St., Suite N, Redmond. 425-885-3800; greatplay.com/locations/redmond/
Open: Monday, 3:30 to 4:20 p.m.; Tuesday, 2 to 2:50 p.m.; Thursday, 12:30 to 1:20 p.m.
Age: 0 to 5½ years
Cost: 4-week packages begin at $85
Food: No
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: No
Kidz Bounce: This inflatable playground just outside of Issaquah offers big, bouncy structures where kids can drop in and get jumping while parents recharge. 8178 304th Ave. SE, Issaquah. 425-222-5439; kidzbounce.com
Open: Tuesday through Thursday, 9:30 to 11 a.m., 12:30 to 2 p.m.; Thursday, 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Age: 2 to 10 years
Cost: $7 per child
Food: No
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pump It Up (multiple locations): Little ones can bounce on their many inflatable toys, including an obstacle course and giant slide. 11605 NE 116th St., Kirkland. 425-820-2297; pumpitupparty.com
Open: Tuesday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to noon
Age: 0 to 6 years
Cost: $7 per child
Food: No
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: Yes (supervision in the inflatable area)
Wi-Fi: No
SkyMania Trampolines: CLOSED as of April 2017 A huge warehouse with vast floors and walls made of trampolines. What more could a kid ask for? If you have a little one, take them to “Toddler Time,” Tuesday through Thursday from 10 to 11:30 a.m., for $5. 11801 NE 116th St., Kirkland. 425-825-7599; skymaniatrampolines.com
Open: Tuesday through Thursday, 2 to 8 p.m.; Friday, noon to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Age: All
Cost: $9-$21, depending on how long you jump
Food: Yes
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Stone Gardens (multiple locations): Hour-long "pro-belay" programs are offered for the rock-climbing novice. Also, with a day pass, kids can do some bouldering (climbing without a rope). 15600 NE 8th St., Bellevue; 425-644-2445. stonegardens.com
Open: Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Age: 5 and up
Cost: $18 for adults, $15 under 13; $10 for shoe, harness, belay device, and chalk bag rental.
Food: No
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No; however, children over 14 can climb unsupervised
Wi-Fi: Yes
Vertical World (multiple locations): Families can drop in during open hours, any day of the week, and boulder (low-level climb up to 15 feet without ropes), or get certified to belay. 15036 B NE 95th St., Redmond. 425-881-8826; verticalworld.com
Open: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Age: All; climbing classes start at 3 years
Cost: $16 for non-members, $14 under 14; $144 for a 10-visit punch card; $72 for a month-long pass.
Food: No
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Swim
Bellevue Aquatic Center: Two pools, including a divine warm spring pool (91 degrees) used for therapy but also open to the public several times a week. 601 143rd Ave. NE, Bellevue. 425-452-4444; ci.bellevue.wa.us/aquatic_center.htm.
Open: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 9 to 11:30 a.m.; 7 to 8 p.m.; Monday and Wednesday, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 4 to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Age: All
Cost: $5.75 for kids under 12
Food: No
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No; however, children over 12 may swim unsupervised
Wi-Fi: Yes
Community centers
For community centers on the Eastside, check out myparksandrecreation.com/pages/brochures.aspx
North
Play
PlayHappy Café: The options abound with a play town with a theater, fire station and more, a bouncy house, climbing structures, riding cars and even an area safe for smaller kids inside a white picket fence. 4114 198th St. SW, Suite 3, Lynnwood. 425-582-7007; playhappycafe.com
Open: Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Age: 0 to 6 years
Cost: $9 for first child, $6 for siblings and crawlers
Food: Yes
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
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PlayHappy Café |
The Nest: This spot is one of the few venues that let you drop your kids off for a few hours of play. Kids can choose from blocks and cars, dress up and a pretend kitchen, an active room with mats and other options. 17530 132nd Ave. NE, Suite B, Woodinville. 425-415-6378; thenestkids.com
Open: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, 4 to 10 p.m.; Sunday by reservation
Age: 2 to 6 years (with some options for older kids)
Cost: $9.95 per hour for first child; $5.95 per hour for each additional child; annual family registration fee of $30.
Food: Yes
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
Shop and play
Alderwood Mall: Kids will enjoy the enclosed play area with soft, climbable ocean animals and a ferry boat. 3000 184th St. SW, Lynnwood. 425-771-1211; alderwoodmall.com
Open: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Age: All
Cost: Free
Food: Yes
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: No
Town Center at Lake Forest Park: The commons at this location provides a kids' area with play kitchen and train table, a gigantic chess board and other games, and Wednesday morning "Playtime" sessions with activities for children 5 and younger. 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park. 367-0484; towncenteratlakeforest.com
Open: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.
Age: All
Cost: Free
Food: Yes
Alcohol: Yes
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Unknown
Coffee
Village Bean: This fabulous kid-friendly coffee shop has an eclectic set of toys including a play kitchen, books, train table and puzzles. The café has menu includes "healthy with indulgences" to satisfy parents and children. 720 238th St. SE, Bothell. 425-481-7900; thevillagebeanbothell.com
Open: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Age: All
Cost: Varies
Food: Yes
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Family fun centers
Chuck E. Cheese's (multiple locations): There are games, rides, prizes, food and entertainment. 3717 196th St #100, Lynnwood. 425-771-1195; chuckecheese.com
Open: Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Age: All
Cost: Free admission, games priced variably
Food: Yes
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: at some locations
Family Fun Center: Indoor attractions include laser tag, a roller coaster simulator, video games and bumper cars. There is a special play area with slides and tunnels for little ones, too.7212 220th SW, Edmonds. 425-774-4263; fun-center.com
Open: Monday through Thursday, noon to 8 p.m.; Friday, noon to 11 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Age: All; however, some rides have height restrictions of 40 inches
Cost: Games start at $3
Food: Yes
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Gymnastics / sports / bounce
Elevated Sportz: It's the biggest indoor play structure in Washington, with a 10,000-square-foot trampoline jump area and foam pit (ages 3 and older), plus a 6,500-square-foot multi-level “Kidz Adventure” play structure for children younger than 12 (think McDonald’s Playland on steroids). Parents can jump and play, or relax with coffee and free Wi-Fi. Get discounted rates during “Hoppy Hour” from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 18311 Bothell-Everett Hwy., Bothell. 425-949-4488; elevatedsportz.com
Open: Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Age: 3 and up for trampolines; 0 to 8 years for the Kidz Adventure play structure
Cost: $11 per hour; $15 (weekdays) or $17 (weekends) for 90 minutes’ admission to both trampolines and Kidz Adventure
Food: Yes
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No, but kids over 12 can play unsupervised
Wi-Fi: Yes
GYMagine Gymnastics: GYMagine offers 45-minute sessions of open play in a padded gymnastics environment. 3616 South Road #B3, Mukilteo. 425-513-8700; gymagine.com
Open: Monday through Friday, 9:15 to 10 a.m. and 10:15 to 11 a.m.
Age: 18 months to 6 years
Cost: $6
Food: No
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pump It Up (multiple locations): Little ones can bounce on their many inflatable toys, including an obstacle course and giant slide. 18027 Highway 99, Lynnwood. 425-774-2297; pumpitupparty.com
Open: Tuesday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to noon
Age: 0 to 6 years
Cost: $7
Food: No
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: Yes (supervision in the inflatable area)
Wi-Fi: No
Vertical World (multiple locations): Families can drop in during open hours, any day of the week, and boulder (low-level climb up to 15 feet without ropes), or get certified to belay. 2820 Rucker Ave., Everett. 425-258-3431; verticalworld.com
Open: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, noon to 9:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Age: All
Cost: $16, $14 under 13; $5 for shoe rental, $3 for harness, belay device, or chalk bag.
Food: No
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Swim
Lynnwood Recreation Center: Choose between water slides, lazy river, warm therapy pool, family hot tub and an aquatic playground with water cannons and a giant bucket that periodically dumps water. 18900 44th Ave. W, Lynnwood. 425-670-5732; ci.lynnwood.wa.us/PlayLynnwood/RecCenter.htm
Open: Monday through Friday, 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.
Age: All
Cost: Free under 2; $4.25 2 to 12 years; $4.75 13 to 17 years; $5.25 adults
Food: Yes
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes, in lobby area
Mountlake Terrace Recreation Pavilion: Little ones will love the “leisure pool” with its shallow play area and geysers, or drift down the lazy river. 5303 228th St. SW, Mountlake Terrace. 425-776-9173; cityofmlt.com/cityServices/recreation/indoorPool/indoorPool.htm
Open: Monday and Wednesday, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday, 6 a.m. to 7:15 p.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Age: All (leisure pool for 0 to 6 years)
Cost: Free under 1; $4.25 1 to 15 years; $5.25 adults
Food: Limited
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Snohomish Aquatic Center: A watery wonderland with water slides, a play area, a super-warm pool, shallow pools and even a surf machine for boogie boarding and standup boards. 516 Maple Ave., Snohomish. 360-568-8030; snohomishaquatic.com
Open: Monday and Wednesday, 7 to 8:45 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 3:15 to 5 p.m.; Friday, 1 to 2:45 p.m., 3 to 4:45 p.m., 5 to 6:45 p.m., 7 to 8:45 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 1:45 p.m., 2 to 3:45 p.m., and 4 to 5:45 p.m.
Age: All
Cost: Kids under 2 free, 2 to 6 years $4.50, 7 to 18 years $5; Adults $5.50
Food: Yes
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Community Centers
Spartan Recreation Center Indoor Playground: The enormous gym is full of pop-up cars, riding toys, foam blocks and mats for climbing, slides, low basketball hoops and bouncy balls, and even a giant parachute. 202 NE 185th St., Shoreline. 801-2600; cityofshoreline.com/parks
Open: Monday through Friday, 9:30 to 11:30 am
Age: 1 to 5 years
Cost: $2
Food: No
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes, in lobby
In the north end, Edmonds (reczone.org), Shoreline (cityofshoreline.com/parks) and Mountlake Terrace (cityofmlt.com/cityServices/recreation/recreation.htm) have indoor playgrounds. For Snohomish County parks and recreation programs, visit snohomish.org/index.php?page_id=407
South
Shop and play
IKEA: Kids can explore the supervised playroom, Småland, while their parents shop (for up to one hour). The playroom features a ball pit, slides, books and toys, and a special theater for watching cartoons. 601 SW 41st St., Renton. 425-656-2980; ikea.com/us/en/store/seattle
Open: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7:45 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Age: Between 37 (3-foot-1) and 54 inches (4-foot-6) in height
Cost: Free
Food: Yes, at IKEA restaurant
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
The Outlet Collection, Seattle: This mega shopping center sports an arcade, kiddie rides, carousel, climbing wall and a Pacific Northwest-themed soft play area. 1101 Outlet Collection Way, Auburn. 253-833-9500; outletcollectionseattle.com
Open: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Age: All
Cost: Free
Food: Yes
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Westfield Southcenter Kids' Play Space: Experience a rainforest-themed play area where kids can climb on soft play structures, explore the colorful space with animal and nature motifs, or work on large, interactive puzzles. Two nearby family lounges, equipped with large restrooms, plasma screens, games, comfortable seating and private nursing stalls, offer a quiet respite. 2800 Southcenter Mall, Tukwila (on the first level near JCPenney). 246-0423; westfield.com/southcenter
Open: Daily 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Age: All
Cost: Free
Food: Yes
Alcohol: Yes
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Family fun centers
Charlie's Safari: Indoor safari-themed fun center offers mini golf, laser tag, a bouncing pit, play structures, an arcade and a restaurant. 5400 Martin Way E, Suite J, Lacey. 360-292-1600; charliessafari.com
Open: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Age: All (variable play spaces for kids 1 to 4, and 5 and up)
Cost: Starting at $6.95; unlimited wristband costs $21.95
Food: Yes
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Family Fun Center: If you’re hankering for a place that will please all the members of your clan, look no further. On a rainy day, kids will enjoy indoor attractions such as laser tag, a roller coaster simulator, video games and bumper cars. The four-level “Kidopolis” with slides and tunnels is a treat for little ones. 7300 Fun Center Way, Tukwila. 425-228-7300; fun-center.com/public/tukwila
Open: Daily, varies by month
Age: All
Cost: Games start at $3
Food: Yes
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Odyssey 1: Check out their jungle gym, laser tag arena and game center. 2310 W Mildred, #110, Tacoma. 253-566-3231; odyssey-1.com
Open: Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Age: up to 10 for jungle gym; 7 and over for laser tag
Cost: $5.95 for 2 and over; $1.95 for under 2 (free with admission for one child over 2); parents free
Food: Yes
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Gymnastics / sports / bounce
Black Hills Gymnastics: Open gym for preschoolers is offered on Friday mornings with supervision from trained staff. 7961A 29th Ave. NE, Lacey. 360-413-9855; blackhillsgym.com
Open: Friday, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Saturday, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Age: 0 to 5 years Fridays, 6 to 17 years Saturdays
Cost: $7
Food: No
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
Metropolitan Gymnastics: The gym offers open play for all ages on the equipment. 6822 S 190th St., Kent. 425-282-5010; metropolitangym.com
Open: Wednesday through Friday, 2 to 4 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 2 p.m.
Age: All
Cost: $9/hour and $11/ two hours for members; $11/hour and $13/ two hours for non-members
Food: No
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Unknown
Pump It Up (multiple locations): Little ones can bounce on their many inflatable toys, including an obstacle course and giant slide. 3610 S Pine St., Suite A, Tacoma. 253-754-7971; pumpitupparty.com
Open: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to noon, 4 to 6 p.m.
Age: All
Cost: $8 per child per 2-hour session
Food: No
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: Yes (supervision in the inflatable area)
Wi-Fi: No
The Jungle Gym: An open gym with a tumble track trampoline, foam shape obstacle courses, bars, beams, trapeze, rings, climbing wall, zip line and much more.. 15220 2nd Ave. SW, Burien. 248-3547; junglegymfun.com
Open: Tuesday, 4 to 5 p.m.; Wednesday, 11:15 am to 12:15 p.m., 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.; Thursday, 4 to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 12:45 to 1:45 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 1 p.m.
Age: 6 months to 12 years
Cost: $8 non-members, $5 members
Food: Yes, at Kids Night Out (2nd and last Friday of the month)
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: Yes, for kids over 3 years
Wi-Fi: Yes
Swim
Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center: Swim in an Olympic-size pool at the aquatic center built for the Seattle Goodwill Games in 1990 and now used extensively for competition. The pool has several afternoon family swims and nighttime public swims. 650 SW Campus Drive, Federal Way. 477-4444; kingcounty.gov/recreation/parks/pools.aspx
Open: Family swim: Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; public swim: Monday through Friday, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Age: All
Cost: $3.25
Food: No
Alcohol: No
Drop-off: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Community centers
In the south end, visit ci.kent.wa.us/content.aspx?id=1256 for information on Kent's indoor playground, auburnwa.gov/things_to_do/recreation.htm to learn about the indoor playground in Auburn, and metroparkstacoma.org/community-centers to find out more about Tacoma community centers.
List compiled by Lisa Stiffler, Taryn Zier, and AnnaLise Bender-Brown.
