In Seattle, fun experiences abound year-round for kids of all ages, whether their personality tends more toward inside investigator or outdoor explorer.
courtesy Seattle Pinball Museum
INDOORS
The newly opened Ocean Pavilion at the Seattle Aquarium (1483 Alaskan Way) on the waterfront tells the story of how people and the ocean are inextricably linked, with sharks, rays, and dozens of species of coral. For more great storytelling, visit Seattle Children’s Theatre (201 W Thomas St), which presents highly engaging shows. This season, check out The Hula Hoopin’ Queen (Feb 13–March 9). Nearby at Climate Pledge Arena (334 First Ave N), cheer on the Seattle Kraken (National Hockey League) or the Seattle Storm (Women’s National Basketball Association).
For hands-on play, head south to the Chinatown-International District’s Seattle Pinball Museum (508 Maynard Ave S), where your admission fee gets those 7 and older unlimited turns at the vintage pinball machines. For a snack break, check out the food hall at Uwajimaya (600 Fifth Ave S), featuring teriyaki, poke, mochi doughnuts, and more. Or explore what it would be like to live in space at the special Home Beyond Earth exhibit, open through January 20, 2025, at The Museum of Flight (9404 E Marginal Way S) in Tukwila.
courtesy Woodland Park Zoo
OUTDOORS
Take advantage of winter weather by driving 90 minutes east of Seattle to the Summit at Snoqualmie (1001 Hwy 906, Snoqualmie Pass), where you can ski, snowboard, or glide down the snow-covered slopes at the tubing park. Back in the city, catch a game at Lumen Field (800 Occidental Ave S), home of the Seattle Reign FC (National Women’s Soccer League) and Seattle Sounders FC (Major League Soccer) and the site of some 2026 FIFA World Cup games! After a match, grab Caribbean-style sandwiches at Paseo SoDo (1760 First Ave S), which has a thoughtful kids’ menu for less adventurous eaters.
Set out on a quest to view the fanciful Northwest Trolls created by visionary Danish artist Thomas Dambo. Standing up to 20 feet tall, these imaginative sculptures have been created using recycled materials and are located in five locales in the metro area, including outside the National Nordic Museum (2812 NW Market St) in Ballard and at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) in West Seattle. Visit Woodland Park Zoo (5500 Phinney Ave N) in Phinney Ridge to see everything from gorillas and giraffes to penguins, river otters, and red pandas. Out in the wild, try your luck at spotting sea creatures on a whale-watching tour from FRS Clipper (2701 Alaskan Way), which leaves from Belltown’s Pier 69, or Puget Sound Express (459 Admiral Way, Edmonds), based just north of the city in Edmonds.
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