Get wet at a spray park, go to the Odyssey Maritime Discovery Center, hop on a train, go geocaching, dine out on the waterfront and more.
#1. GET WET AT A SPRAY PARK
The original spray park in our area was the highly popular, musically synchronized International Fountain at the Seattle Center. But over the last 10 years, many more have sprung up all over the region. When you go, bring a change of clothes, towels, sandals with nonslippery soles for the kids, snacks and a book for yourself – it’s usually hard to pull the kids away. Here are some of the best:
Seattle
International Fountain (Seattle Center) – Built for the World’s Fair in 1962 and refurbished in 1995, the giant and very popular fountain is synchronized to music, has benches, grass and trees around it and sits northwest of the Center House – home to more than 20 take-out restaurants. Hours: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. daily. Ballard Commons Park (5701 22nd Ave. N.W., Seattle) – Opened with the park in 2005 as part of a neighborhood hub that includes the public library and the neighborhood center, the water feature offers a variety of sprays in both stationary and pop-up mode. Nearby is a skate park where little kids can marvel at big kids doing their tricks. Hours: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. late May through Labor Day.
Dr. Blanche Lavizzo Water Play Area at Pratt Park (1800 S. Main St., Seattle) –Featuring colorful African art, the water play area includes two water columns, a water cannon and fanciful animal sculptures that spray water. On the site is a bronze plaque with an image of Dr. Lavizzo, first medical director of the nearby Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic and a poem by Alice Walker. Hours: 10 a.m. - dusk. Meridian Playground (4649 Sunnyside Ave. N., Seattle) – On the west side of the grand old Good Shepherd Center in Wallingford, there’s a large and quiet oasis of green grass, fruit trees and a delightful playground. The water feature that’s part of the playground is deceptively simple – a pump that allows kids to send water into a sandbox – but the combination of water and sand is all it takes to entertain most little kids for hours. Keep your eyes open for the many bunnies that have decided to call the park home. Hours: 8 a.m. - dusk.
North
Rotary Centennial Water Playground (Forest Park, 802 E. Mukilteo, Everett) – Opened in 2007 inside Everett’s 197-acre, wooded gem of a city park, the water playground includes 16 interactive water features, a fountain shaped like a whale’s tale and a smaller water area for toddlers. There are benches and picnic tables nearby. While you’re there, don’t forget to visit the rabbits, ducks, pigs, goats and ponies at the little barnyard at the Animal Farm inside the park. If the weather is too chilly for the Water Playground, the Forest Park Swim Center has an indoor 25-yard lap pool and dive tank. Water Playground Hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. through Labor Day weekend, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in September.
East
Crossroads Water Spray Playground (1600 N.E. 10th St., Bellevue) – Opened in June of this year, the water play area includes a giant orca, a Loch Ness Monster, large climbing rocks and a sinking ship. It is designed for kids of all ages and abilities, with wheelchair accessibility. Hours: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
South
Rotary Spray Park at Les Gove Park (11th Street S.E. and Auburn Way South, Auburn) – The Auburn Rotary Club and City of Auburn are justifiably proud that they converted an old wading pool into this state-of-the-art water wonderland. Opened in 2006, there are water cannons, a spraying arch, ground-level water jets that spring out of colorful circles and overhead pipes in weird shapes, including Silly Shower, Water Worm and Daddy Long Leg. Hours: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. – Ann Bergman
#2. GO TO ODYSSEY MARITIME DISCOVERY CENTER
Add the Odyssey Maritime Discovery Center to your must-see list soon or you might miss out. The future of the interactive, nonprofit museum became a question mark earlier this year, when its lease was terminated by the Port of Seattle – a move taken to clear the museum’s longstanding rental debt off the port’s books. Under an agreement with the port, Odyssey will remain open at least through the end of the year, but will have to vie against other businesses that bid for its spot on Seattle’s Pier 66 on Alaskan Way.
Read a review in our Going Places: Parent Review section by Erika Lee, a Seattle mom who has lived here for five years, but only recently took her kids to the maritime museum. She calls it an “absolute gem” and hopes it remains open for good.
IF YOU GO
LOCATION: 2205 Alaskan Way, Pier 66, Seattle HOURS: Tuesday-Thursday, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.; CLOSED Mondays. Hours are subject to change. TICKETS: $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and children ages 5 to 18, $2 for children ages 2-4, FREE for children under 2. Group rates are available. Unlimited access for Odyssey members. Family memberships cost $60 a year. Rooms and party packages are available for birthday parties. Educator passes and AAA discounts are available.
There’s nothing like taking on a ride on an historic train to slow the pulse and enjoy the scenery. Our area has choo-choo opportunities north, south and east.
Ride in one of Lake Whatcom Railway's vintage passenger cars pulled by a diesel locomotive. Look at the train engine and ride an old handcar or work car. Noon Tuesdays and Saturdays (1.5 hour trips) through Aug. 30. $18, $9 ages 2-17, free younger than age 2, cash or check only. Reservations not needed. 360-595-2218. Wickersham, Wash. http://www.lakewhatcomrailway.com" target="_blank">www.lakewhatcomrailway.com.
Snoqualmie Valley Railroad’s scenic 65-minute round trip departs from Snoqualmie or North Bend Saturdays-Sundays through Sept. 1. See schedule online. A rare weekday run is offered Aug. 15. $10, $9 seniors, $7 ages 2-12, free younger than age 2. 38625 SE King St., Snoqualmie, or 205 McClellan St., North Bend. 425-888-3030. www.trainmuseum.org.
Get a feel for what life in the logging camps and woods of Western Washington was like before the 1950s. Camp 6 Logging Train Rides connect logging work sites with historic bunkhouses. Noon-6:30pm Saturdays-Sundays, departures every half hour. $4, $3 seniors, $2.50 ages 3-12, free ages 2 and younger and age 100 and older. Point Defiance Park, 5400 N Pearl St., Tacoma. 253-752-0047. www.camp-6-museum.org.
Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad takes visitors past the historic logging town of Mineral, across mountain trestles, then reverses direction at Divide, for an overall trip of 2 to 2.5 hours. 10:30am and 2pm Saturdays (steam locomotive), 2pm Sundays (steam locomotive) and selected Thursdays (diesel locomotive, 1.5-2 hour trip) through Sept. 14. $20, $18 seniors, $15 ages 4-12, free ages 3 and younger, reservations highly recommended. 349 Mineral Creek Rd., Mineral. 888-STEAM11 (783-2611). www.mrsr.com.
– Chris Stay
#4. GEOCACHE: SEARCH FOR TRAVEL BUGS Geocaching has caught on with families in recent years as a fun way to combine a high-tech treasure hunt, using a GPS device, with a day in the great outdoors. Bellevue’s Teen Project offers a fun opportunity to join the “sport.” About 200 students from four Bellevue high schools and the Ground Zero Teen Center have created small sculptures called “travel bugs” from recycled materials. Each bug has its own name, ID number and travel goal written on a tag. Geocachers help the bugs reach their travel goals by moving them from one secret location, or cache, to another – each cache bringing the bug closer to its goal.
Geocachers look online to find the coordinates of a bug’s current location, plus helpful hints for locating it. Using a GPS device, searchers travel to that location to find the bug, then move it to the next cache. They record the information online so the next geocacher knows where to locate the bug. That way, bugs get moved along until they reach their ultimate destination, Bellevue City Hall. Travel bugs that make it back to City Hall will be displayed as part of the Bellevue Sculpture Exhibition’s Teen Project. Some of the bugs will be recirculated; that is, when the bug’s goal is accomplished, it’ll be sent out again with a new goal.
Even if you don’t have access to a GPS device, you can still watch the progress of the bugs online as they make their way to the final goal. To see the Teen Project travel bugs, go to www.sculpturaltravelbugs.com. Learn all about geocaching and find other geocaches near your home at www.geocaching.com.
– Chris Stay
#5. DINE OUTSIDE ON THE WATERFRONT
Between the Montlake and Fremont Bridges, on the north shore of Portage Bay, Agua Verde Cafe and Paddle Club sits perched above a dock of kayaks. It’s a colorful place to enjoy a delicious meal of Mexican fare at very reasonable prices.
In the gray days of winter the small inside dining room is cozy, but in summertime, sit on the large outdoor deck to enjoy a front-seat view of the busy lake activity. Or if you worry that the kids will be restless, order your food at the take-out window and eat at the picnic tables on the waterfront. Unless you go early or late there’s usually a wait, but given the setting, time usually passes painlessly.
Every meal starts with organic tortilla chips and salsa. The menu has lots of yummy vegetarian options – cotija cheese tamales, burritos with sautéed yams, quesadillas with jack cheese and mango or jack cheese, spinach and mushrooms. Tacos are little and come three to a plate, just right for sharing. There’s a wide array of taco fillings on this restaurant’s fun, imaginative menu: grilled mahi-mahi, smoked salmon, spicy grilled catfish, fried cod in tempura-batter, sautéed natural steak, grilled Portobello mushrooms with tomatoes and chiles, plus the usual shredded chicken and pork. The side dishes are exceptional and several of them – cranberry slaw, pineapple-jicama salsa, whole pinto beans with cotija cheese – are well-suited to kids’ taste preferences.
Chances are you’ll be too full and content after you dine to want to rent a kayak, so if that is part of your plan, paddle first and then sit back, eat and enjoy the scene.
Anthony’s Beach Cafe in Edmonds has mastered the art of casual dining. From the sandy footprints on the wall and the swim suits indicating bathroom genders, to the colorful fish mobiles and the raucous open kitchen, the atmosphere is laid-back and unrushed.
Don’t worry about your kids raising a ruckus. As long as they’ve got decent restaurant manners, they won’t disturb the neighboring diners – the place is just too boisterous for that. If the kids do have trouble sitting still, take them outside.
Outdoor dining is available in warm weather, with heat lamps at the ready should it turn cool. Just beyond both the front and back doors are large sandboxes well stocked with toys for digging, perfect for distracting little diners. Puget Sound is just a few steps away, and there are usually amazing pleasure vessels to look at from the promenade.
The kids’ menu for ages 9 and younger features fish ‘n chips, prawns ‘n chips, pasta with red or white sauce and a grilled cheese with fries ($4.75 to $6.95). Dessert is a mini hot fudge sundae ($1.95).
LOCATION: 456 Admiral Way, Edmonds. HOURS: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, noon to 9 p.m. Sundays. Reservations are not needed, but on sunny days and weekends be prepared for a wait (another reason to be grateful for the sandboxes). 425-771-4400. http://www.anthonys.com" target="_blank">www.anthonys.com.
More Good Places to Eat Outside with Kids
Alki Crab and Fish Co. 1660 Harbor Ave. S.W., Seattle 206-938-0975
Take the Seattle Water Taxi (http://transit.metrokc.gov/tops/oto/water_taxi.html) from downtown Seattle and you’ll practically run into this charming little fish and chip joint when you get off the boat. Eat outside to fully enjoy the spectacular view of the Seattle skyline, and if you are lucky, the Olympic Mountains. The panko coating on the fish is nice and delicate, and if you are not in the mood for fish and chips, there are decent burgers, along with daily specials. Top it off with a cone made with Dreyer’s ice cream.
Anthony’s Bell Street Diner Fish Bar 2201 Alaskan Way, Pier 66, Seattle 206-448-6688
The mahi-mahi fish tacos or chowder are a good choice if you aren’t a fish and chips fan, but all the food on the menu, right down to the chocolate chip cookies, is exceptional. On the water side of the building there is small fountain to play in and picnic tables, plus most days during the summer you’ll find an enormous cruise ship moored at the pier.
Ivar’s Salmon House Fish Bar 401 N.E. Northlake Way, Seattle 206-632-0767
Grab fish and chips, chowder or – on the healthier side – alder-smoked salmon with cornbread and coleslaw, and take your food down to the large deck that sits in front of the restaurant. There is a constant parade of boats going by, seagulls begging for scraps and best of all, the University Bridge that spans the waterway between Lake Union and Portage Bay opens regularly for tall boats – a wondrous spectacle that will impress even the most fidgety young diner.
Ivar’s Fish Bar at Mukilteo Landing 710 Front St., Mukilteo 425-742-6180
Located right next to the Mukilteo ferry terminal for Whidbey Island, this is a good place to grab fish and chips or chowder and head to the beach to watch the ferries come and go, as well as to enjoy the fishing activity on the nearby pier. Better yet, walk on the ferry with your meal and enjoy the 20-minute ride to Whidbey. On the other side you can disembark and explore the beach or just stay on board and watch the cars getting off and on the boat.
#6. LEARN A NEW GAME: PLAY IT OUTSIDE
Former computer game-makers Scott Cooper and Brian Bennink opened their Blue Highway Games store because they want to encourage families to “unplug and reconnect” by turning off phones, computers, TVs and electronic games to play a board or card game together.
We asked them to recommend a few of their summer favorites:
Kubb by Old Time Games ($94.95)
Our favorite summer game is more than 1,000 years old and comes from the Vikings. Up to 12 people can play at once in a group horseshoe-style game. Pieces are all handcrafted out of wood, and it works equally well on grass, sand, or snow. This is a great game that different ages and abilities can all play together.
Chuck-O by Fundex ($89.95)
Here’s another game that works great for kids and adults. It’s very popular in the Midwest and is an easily portable, more forgiving variant of horseshoes using bean bags. Great fun for kids or adults, it can be set up in seconds and would be great in the front yard, picnics, or parks.
LCR by Koplow ($5.99)
LCR is a simple but engaging dice game that can be easily tucked in a pocket or purse, making it perfect for a picnic or beach. There’s a lot of luck in this one, so kids will have no trouble competing with adults.
Settlers Dice by Mayfair ($12)
There’s now a dice game based on the wildly successful Settlers of Catan board game. Roll special dice to gain wood, brick, wheat, or sheep that you use to build roads, cities and houses. Similar to Yahtzee, roll three times and try to create certain combinations. Simple strategy comes into play as building certain items opens up future possibilities.
Loot by Gamewright ($10.95)
Loot is a remarkably fun card game based on a pirate theme. It’s simple enough for kids, but demands enough strategy to keep adults interested, too.
Blue Highway Games offers regular Pokemon tournaments, board game nights and other events, in addition to an inventory of over 1,000 board and card games – none of which uses electricity. The store is at 2203 Queen Anne Ave. N. For more information, call 206-282-0540 or visit www.bluehighwaygames.com.
#7. GO FLY A KITE
The City of Long Beach, on the Washington coast, puts on a huge party every year called the Washington State International Kite Festival. Each day of the week-long celebration has its own theme (for instance, Thursday is “Handcrafted Kite Day,” while Sunday is “Family Fun Day.” The festival includes both indoor and outdoor kite flying, workshops, vendors, fireworks (9:45 p.m. Friday and 9:30 p.m. Saturday) and well-known kite flyers from around the world. Join the party, daily Aug. 18 through 24.
It’s free for spectators. Look for lodging suggestions, plus other information on the Long Beach Peninsula, at www.funbeach.com. The festival takes place on the Bolstad Avenue beach approach, boardwalk and beach in the city of Long Beach. 800-451-2542. For a detailed schedule, go to www.kitefestival.com.
Closer to home, there’s always Warren G. Magnuson Park (7400 Sand Point Way N.E.). With a wide-open grassy hilltop overlooking Lake Washington and a stellar view of Mount Rainier, it’s arguably Seattle’s most popular kite-flying spot. There’s also Gas Works Park, (3300 Meridian Ave. N.) where a kite shop on the north end of Lake Union boasts of having the city’s largest selection of kites, windsocks and unique toys. (Gasworks Park Kite Shop is at 3420 Stone Way N. and is open seven days a week. 206-633-4780.)
In Edmonds, Marina Beach Park (498 Admiral Way S.) is a popular place to fly a kite. Also in Snohomish County, Four Wind Kites (1911 Broadway, Everett, 425-339-9334) sells a wide variety of single-, stunt- and quad-line kites, as well as kit kites, wind wheels, and wind chimes.
BONUS: TAKE A BIKE RIDE
August offers four easy-going bicycling events suitable for kids.
BikeMania! This bicycle extravaganza includes rides in the Youth Bicycle Zone, a Bicycle Safety Rodeo, Tour de Magnuson, pro/am BMX riders performing tricks and a “boot camp” of obstacles, drills and challenges. The day is meant for all ages and skill levels. Bring any type of bike, or bikes and helmets are available to borrow. Noon to 3 p.m. August 5th. Free. Warren G. Magnuson Park, Hangar 30, 7400 Sand Point Way N.E., Seattle. 206-684-7026. www.seattle.gov/parks.
Bicycle Saturdays and Sundays. The four-mile stretch of Lake Washington Boulevard between Mount Baker Beach and Seward Park is closed to motorized traffic 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on August 9th and 17th. Ride your bike there and on the two-mile Seward Park loop. Free. 2521 Lake Park Dr. S., Seattle. 206-684-4075. www.cityofseattle.net/parks/Athletics/bikesatsun.htm.
Cycling Race. This day of bicycle racing includes, in addition to adult races, categories for juniors ages 10 and younger (noon) and ages 10 to 12 (12:20 p.m.). Register the day of the race, August 24th, starting at 8 a.m. Junior race fee is $10. Seward Park, 5902 Lake Washington Blvd. S., Seattle. See race details, including a course description, online at www.pazzovelo.com/events.
Tour de Muk. Ride your bike through scenic Mukilteo in this three-mile family fun ride on a level round-trip course. 6:45 a.m. registration, 7 to 9 a.m. safety clinic, 7 to 10 a.m. ride. Also offered is a “Tike and Bike” rally for ages 6 and younger (9 to 11 a.m., free). $25, $15 ages 12 and younger, $40 family of two, $60 family of three, $15 additional child, $5 more per person after Aug. 15. Rosehill Community Center, 304 Lincoln Ave., Mukilteo. 425-353-5516. www.mukilteofestival.org.
