27 Fun Family-Friendly Things to Do in Seattle with Kids
In addition to vibrant streets crowded with museums and stores of every description, Seattle is home to lovely green parks and forested areas.
Are you looking to organize a family vacation in this city?
Here is a selection of the best family-friendly activities in Seattle for a special visit to Emerald City!
- Pike Place Market
Why You’ve Got to Go
Start the first leg of the journey with a stroll through the city’s Pike Place Market.
It is the 33rd most popular tourist site in the United States and one of the state’s oldest public farmer’s markets.
What to Do
Taste international cuisine at restaurants while enjoying live music from nearby buskers.
After that, visit the stores for food, crafts, music, and magic to find memorabilia for everyone.
For
All age groups
- Space Needle
Why You’ve Got to Go
You can get a 360-degree panorama of Jet City from the top of the 184-meter-tall Space Needle.
With daily attendance of over 20,000, it’s a milestone you shouldn’t skip.
What to Do
Both parents and kids can board its elevators and ride to the top to get a fresh perspective of the city from 9,250 feet above the ground!
Additionally, you can walk on the world’s first and only rotating glass floor.
You must only remember to bring a carrier for your infant since strollers are not permitted inside.
For
All ages
- Seattle Children’s Museum
Why You’ve Got to Go
Fantastic works of art and inspiring displays may be found in the Children’s Museum.
But in addition to the exhibits, it’s also renowned for its 18,000-square-foot play area!
What to Do
Parents, take your kids to the art studio so they can create their masterpieces through painting and sculpture.
Once finished, proceed to the Play Space for slides and mini golf.
Then there are play spaces where students can act out scenarios like a fire station, a farm, the Alps, and other settings.
For
All ages
- Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
Why You’ve Got to Go
Parents, take your kids to the art studio so they can create their masterpieces through painting and sculpture.
Once finished, proceed to the Play Space for slides and mini golf.
Then there are play spaces where students can act out scenarios like a fire station, a farm, the Alps, and other settings.
What to Do
Take a seat on one of the area’s tourist boats and let your children play on the deck while you observe boat after boat pass by as the locks open and close.
Additionally, viewing windows in the hull allows you to see fish move through the amazing artificial path known as the Fish Ladder.
For
All ages
- Seattle Center Monorail
Why You’ve Got to Go
The Seattle Center Monorail is a well-known mode of transportation that can take you to the city’s numerous magnificent attractions.
Instead of trekking from one tourist attraction to another, ride this monorail in comfort and disembark at the destinations without breaking a sweat.
What to Do
Take a ride on Seattle’s popular monorail and specify that you want to be dropped off at famous locations like Seattle Center, the Space Needle, the Museum of Pop Culture, and many more tourist hotspots.
It’s a practical car that can quickly get you to downtown Seattle.
For
All ages
- Pacific Science Center
Why You’ve Got to Go
The Pacific Science Center is a center for entertainment and education.
Give your children the opportunity to learn about people, other lands, air, and sea species.
The planet, solar system, and galaxies would add to that.
What to Do
Children can attend kid-friendly events at the PSC, like Science In the City and Curiosity Expo, for compelling presentations and access to amazing spaces like the Planetarium and the IMAX Theater.
Finally, during PacSci At Night, you and your tweens may dance to pop music surrounded by LED lights.
For
All ages
- Museum Of Pop Culture
Why You’ve Got to Go
The Museum of Pop Culture is a hub for modern exhibitions focusing on showcasing what is fresh and important in popular culture today.
They also have fantastic playgrounds for kids and music venues for teenagers.
What to Do
Families may view breathtaking exhibitions on various well-known modern subjects, such as the Guitar Gallery, Heroes, And Villains: The Art Of The Disney Costume, The Minecraft Exhibition, and many others.
The studio-quality gear at Sound Lab will help you unleash your inner DJ.
For
All ages
- Washington State Ferries
Why You’ve Got to Go
Through the Washing State Ferries, you can take another ferry trip that you’ll wish to participate in.
The largest body of water near the city is Puget Sound, where families may enjoy delicious meals while sailing.
What to do
Plan a 35-minute sail to Lake Union, Bainbridge Island, and other destinations.
The entire family may travel to several ports while being welcomed by dolphins and, occasionally, porpoises and whales, which may appear while you’re on board!
For
Ages 6 years and above
- Museum Of Flight
Why You’ve Got to Go
The world’s largest private air and space museum is called The Museum Of Flight.
Real-size spacecraft and unusual airplanes that are all a part of aviation history are on display.
What to Do
In addition to the aviation tour, get inside the simulator and fly a plane over Seattle virtually!
Similarly, you can spend time in the aviation library, 3D theatre, and Wing’s Café, which serves meals with an aviation theme.
For
All ages
- Golden Age Collectables
Why You’ve Got to Go
Golden Age Collectibles, the oldest comic shop in the world, was established in 1961.
Row after row of classic comic books, including the first appearances of Superman and Batman from the 1930s and 1940s, and original superhero action figures, can be found here.
What to Do
You and your kids may get your hands on pop-culture items such as a massive collection of comic books, rare jewels, screenplays from comic-book-based movies, and many toys.
For
All ages
- Boeing Factory Tour Seattle
Why You’ve Got to Go
Dream liners 747, 767, 777, and 787 are built on this assembly line of aviation titans.
This edifice boasts the world’s largest volume.
Throughout their in-depth tour, you are guided through the complete manufacturing process of aeronautical machines.
What to Do
Kids and adults can learn how their technology operates by participating in the best tours they offer, such as the Assembly Line and SkyDeck tours.
The Virtual Tour and Gallery, which showcase Boeing’s past accomplishments and plans, are particularly noteworthy.
For
Under 4 feet tall, children are not permitted.
- Woodland Park Zoo
Why You’ve Got to Go
At the Woodland Park Zoo, a stunning animal refuge, your children may learn about the importance of wildlife conservation in an engaging, up-close-and-personal atmosphere.
What to Do
Schedule a tour of the Ambassador Animal’s Quarters, the Temperate and Tropical Forests, the Butterfly Garden, and their recreation of the African Savannah with the assistance of the zoo’s knowledgeable keepers for real-life interaction in the animal mentioned above kingdoms.
Take caution not to touch any animals unless your tour leader permits it!
For
All ages
- Seattle Aquarium
Why You’ve Got to Go
Visit Seattle Aquarium, a fantastic location with walls of huge tanks stuffed with a wide range of aquatic species.
Your little ones will enjoy seeing these sea creatures swim around while learning about marine species conservation from the group’s marine specialists.
What to Do
Explore the displays of underwater animals, then meet the live counterparts in the interior tanks or the outdoor ponds.
After a storytime with an ocean theme, there will be a tonne of kid-friendly activities, including water play and fish painting.
An adult must always accompany children under five during Toddler Time.
For
All ages
- Theo Chocolate Factory Tour
Why You’ve Got to Go
Enter Theo Chocolate, Seattle’s favorite chocolate producer.
Along with getting your fill of exquisitely flavored and presented truffles and chocolates, the factory opens its doors to visitors so they may see how their renowned confections are made from scratch.
What to Do
You may learn how they make their chocolate on the flagship store tour.
Additionally, you can enroll in their lessons to create and sculpt your desserts.
Families will still receive free samples no matter which path they take!
For
Ages 6 and above
- Chihuly Garden And Glass
Why You’ve Got to Go
The next stop on the schedule is a unique setting where the glasswork designs that are in emphasis are completely original works of art.
It is an exhibition of beautiful glass fixtures and sculptures by the artist in the spotlight, Dale Chihuly.
What to Do
Walk through the museum admiring the delicate yet stunning sculptures on show, sit beneath a roof of vibrant glass art, stroll through the outside garden, or have a closer look at the gallery’s centerpiece, a 100-foot-long artwork.
Yes, you are permitted to take as many images as you like.
Add some food to this by visiting the Collection’s Cafe.
For
All ages
- Seattle Art Museum (SAM)
Why You’ve Got to Go
The Seattle Art Museum features a collection of historical, ethnic group artworks, including Native American, African, American, Australian Aboriginal, and Islamic pieces.
They’ve also had notable exhibitions featuring Picasso’s artwork and collections with ties to King Tut.
What to Do
You can tour all three of SAM’s main facilities, the Art Museum, the Asian Art Museum, and the Olympic Structure Park.
You may be able to see the Infinity Mirrors if you arrive before September.
The Drop-In Studio, where your child may work with the help of the museum’s local artists to produce art, is the perfect place to let their creativity shine.
For
All ages
- The Seattle Great Wheel
Why You’ve Got to Go
The Seattle Great Wheel, a massive icon in the center of Emerald City, is a Ferris wheel that gives rides to the top so that you can look over the city and take in the above scene.
What to Do
If you prefer more private time with your partner and your kids, you can reserve their Glass Bottom VIP Cabin or Gondola in addition to riding in one of its carts and finishing the Ferris wheel ride.
Witness the Great Wheel’s 500,000 LED lights in a dazzling display at night.
For
All ages
- Olympic Sculpture Park
Why You’ve Got to Go
Consider the Olympic Sculpture Park to be an outdoor gallery.
It has lush grass, paved paths, and odd sculptures that border nature walks.
What to Do
Take a stroll along the easily accessible promenade that connects to Belltown or the nearby lakes.
Enter the PACC (Pacific Car And Foundry Company) Pavilion, where you can sit and see the beautiful interior decor and artwork.
Later, stop by Taste Cafe for a meal.
For
All ages
- Stone Gardens Seattle
Why You’ve Got to Go
Children and tourists can use the climbing wall at The Stone Gardens in Seattle.
It is a safe place for them to release their stored energy beneficially and healthily.
What to Do
One of the nicest features of this kid-friendly gym is the kid-safe climbing walls handled by their watchful safety personnel.
Kids can securely climb the 17,500-square-foot elevated surface as a result.
Additionally, they can try their hand at kid-safe bouldering and rope climbing in the Rope Climbing Room or the Back Boulder Room.
As a side note, all participants must sign a waiver before accessing the climbing sections.
For
Toddlers and above
- Giant Shoe Museum
Why You’ve Got to Go
The Huge Shoe Museum is a quirky destination in downtown Seattle that features giant shoes and uniquely made pairs that you won’t find in any shoe store or mall.
What to Do
Enjoy and be amused by these enormous shoes, which the clan may view through a stereoscope-style looking glass.
On this leg of your tour, avoid taking long hikes.
Simply place a coin in the slot, then watch the spectacle.
For
All ages
- Museum Of History And Industry
Why You’ve Got to Go
You can travel back in time at the Museum of History and Industry while learning about the intriguing past, varied cultures, and people of Puget Sound.
What to Do
Yes, it is a historical fact walk-through show.
However, they also offer other programs like Maritime Seattle, which includes interactive games on the subject, family activities like railroad construction, or kid-friendly games at the Kids-Struction Zone.
For
All ages
- Seattle Pinball Museum
Why You’ve Got to Go
A recreation area with pinball-themed arcade games is called the Seattle Pinball Museum.
A line of pinball machines runs from corner to corner of this mini-museum.
It’s a trip down memory lane to these games from the era of the 1960s.
What to Do
You can select to play for a set period or to reserve an endless time slot for nonstop pinball play.
For
Seven years of age and older
- Discovery Park
Why You’ve Got to Go
The Parks and Recreation Department of Seattle invites you to discover Discovery Park’s outstanding features.
Here is a place ideal for families, with plenty of trees, paved walkways, a body of water surrounding it, and a lighthouse at the park’s edge.
What to Do
Inquire at the visitor center to get a general idea of which paths to start.
For a nice hike on unsteady but secure ground, the majority prefer to use the Loop Trail.
Or you and your family can go along the beach, where you could get lucky and run into seals and cranes periodically congregating by the water’s edge.
For
All ages
- Living Computer Museum + Lab
Why You’ve Got to Go
Inform your children about the development of computers and various other well-known life-changing technological innovations.
What to Do
Observing the vintage equipment on the show is one of the nicest things to do at the Living Computer Museum.
That’s not all, though.
Enroll your children in classes where they will learn how to construct simple devices independently.
For
All ages
- Soundbridge – Seattle Symphony
Why You’ve Got to Go
Soundbridge will be a feast for the ears as you listen to symphonies by none other than the renowned Seattle Symphony, which will appeal to your family’s love of music.
What to Do
Attend shows and concerts at the spotless Octave 9.
On other days, your children can enroll in classes and programs where some of the top musicians in the nation can help them develop their musical abilities.
For
All ages
- Shug’s Soda Fountain And Ice Cream
Why You’ve Got to Go
On other days, your children can enroll in classes and programs where some of the top musicians in the nation can help them develop their musical abilities.
What to Do
Wait for your order while congregating around their tables, or place the family at the bar as you see the welcoming staff prepare homemade ice cream with your preferred toppings, of course.
For
12 months and over
- Seattle Center Armory Food Court
Why you’ve got to go
One of our favorite family-friendly destinations in Seattle is this.
After exploring Emerald City, eat delicious food and beverages at the Seattle Center Armory Food Court.
It is strategically located in the middle of downtown and hence easily accessible.
What to Do
The Seattle Center Armory Food Court is home to eateries that provide cuisines from various places, cultures, and local fare.
Choose from Big Foot Barbeque, Cool Guys Fry Bar, Kabab, Mod Pizza, Seattle Fudge, Wok, and more as you fill your bellies with delicious food!
For
All ages
