Imagine That

With 18,000 square feet of beautifully designed exhibits and play spaces, the Seattle Children’s Museum (305 Harrison St), which is on the lowest level of the Seattle Center’s historic Armory Building, is a must for kids up to age 10. One of the museum’s newest hits, Neighborhood Paws helps kids understand the workings of a veterinary office, while in Amazing Airways, they can learn about aerodynamics by seeing how scarves and balls flow through a maze of clear tubes. The Storytelling Circle’s fairytale theme features immersive illustrations from the Pacific Northwest–focused counting book 1,2,3, Salish Sea, and tots can clamor around the inside of a massive whale in Puget Sound–inspired Orca Cove.

The Pacific Science Center (200 Second Ave N) continues to wow young visitors with its interactive exhibits. This Seattle Center museum recently introduced an immersive maze that turns the journey of a drop of water into an adventure quest. Become a raindrop and fly down a zipline to a spinner that decides if you get sullied as storm runoff or saved by smart, eco-conscious choices. A new ticket option adds value by including the center’s famed laser shows with daytime admissions.

Burke Museum

On the University of Washington campus, the stunningly remodeled Burke Museum (4303 Memorial Way NE) contains 10,000 square feet of fascinating natural history and culture exhibits, from the state’s only authentic dinosaur fossils to a colorful collection of Pacific Northwest Native totem poles. This light-filled, modern building includes plenty of kid-focused areas, including one play space designed as a field camp with a tide pool and orca to climb on, and another as a canoe. There’s a dress-up area, touchable collections, and hands-on activities and crafts demonstrations at scheduled times.