If you’re looking for things to do with kids in Seattle, Washington, you’ve come to the right place!
Seattle is chock-full of things to do, places to see, and foods to eat that kids can enjoy!
There are parks galore, animals, boat rides, and donuts—it’s all here! I have fond memories of visiting Seattle as a kid. The Pacific Science Center has always been a favourite, as was seeing animals at the Woodland Park Zoo.
Let’s discover a child-friendly Seattle together!
Child-Friendly Seattle Table of Contents
Top Things to Do with Kids in Seattle Washington
If you’re short on time and want to know what the top not-to-be-missed things to do with kids in Seattle are:
- Woodland Park Zoo
- Gum Wall in Pike Place Market
- A ferry ride to Bainbridge Island
I’ll get into more details on those as we go along!
PRO TRAVEL TIP: If you are looking to save some money, Calculated Traveller Mary swears by CityPASS®, which bundles entry into major tourist attractions at a significant discount off the regular admission price.
Of course, a discounted admission ticket package only works if you are interested in visiting the places included in the package. Luckily, the Seattle CityPASS® includes 5 must-see attractions, handpicked and packaged together at a 48% savings, with Seattle CityPASS® tickets. Spend less time planning and more time exploring. Visit the attractions at your own pace, in any order. Valid for 9 consecutive days, including the first day of use.
Includes: Space Needle, Seattle Aquarium
PLUS choose 3 of the following: Chihuly Garden and Glass, Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour, Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), Woodland Park Zoo, Pacific Science Center,
Popular Seattle Tourist Attractions
Space Needle
A trip to Seattle would only be complete with a ride to the top of the iconic Space Needle, built in 1962 for the World’s Fair.
Take an elevator trip up the 605-foot structure for 360-degree views of downtown Seattle, Mount Rainier, the Cascade Mountains, the Olympic Mountains, and Puget Sound.
Test your courage with tilting glass benches and the world’s only revolving glass floor!
Book your Space Needle tickets here!
Pike Place Market
Pike Place Market is an iconic Seattle landmark and one of the country’s oldest and largest public markets, having been operating since 1907.
With over 370 shopkeepers, vendors, and restaurants, there is much to see and do for a full day of fun.
Highlights include:
- Gumwall in Post Alley – visitors can admire, be horrified, or add to the collection of gum placed on the brick walls down Post Alley
- Pike Place Fish Market – wait for someone to buy a fish and watch the fishermen call out to each other and toss a whole fish back and forth
- The “original” Starbucks – technically not the first Starbucks, but close enough lines get long to get the exact macchiato you can get from any other corner Starbies
- Buskers – on any given day, there are a variety of entertainers performing musical and non-musical acts throughout the market
- Besides shopping and eating, there are food tours and shows to attend.
Woodland Park Zoo
Woodland Park Zoo covers 90 acres, meaning it can hold many animals!
A sampling of some of the amazing animals you can encounter here are:
- African lion
- Hippopotamus
- Giraffe
- Rhinos
- Red panda
- Malayan tiger
Attend programs like penguin feeding, animal keeper talks, storytime, tiger training, or orangutang training demonstrations.
During the winter months, they have a nighttime spectacular: WildLanterns. Stroll through the grounds admiring giant animal Chinese lantern-type displays, illuminated for a magical walk.
Fremont Troll
An iconic sculpture in Seattle is the Fremont Troll, which sits below the Aurora Bridge.
Built in 1990, The Troll stands 18 ft tall and is made of steel rebar, wire, and concrete. It clutches an actual VW Bug in its hand.
Kids will enjoy climbing to the top of this dusty troll, and parents will like the photo op.
Seattle Aquarium
Down on the waterfront of Seattle, the Seattle Aquarium offers hands-on marine experiences and conservation education for all ages.
There’s lots of marine life to observe here, like:
- Giant octopus
- Dogfish
- Puffins
- Eels
- Otters
- Seals
- Pufferfish
Sit in front of the 120,000-gallon Window on Washington Waters habitat, watch a diver presentation or sea puppet show, and feel sea creatures in the touch tank.
Seattle Great Wheel
The Seattle Great Wheel is an almost 175-foot-tall Ferris wheel on Pier 57, with enclosed gondolas to protect you from the rain! If you’re feeling fancy, upgrade to the private VIP cabin, which holds 2-4 people and has a stereo system and glass floor.
The ride makes three revolutions and can last 10-20 minutes, depending on the crowds.
The wheel is beautifully illuminated at night with over half a million LED lights that constantly change colours and designs, especially for special occasions or gamedays!
Wings Over Washington
Also at Pier 57 is the Wings Over Washington. Those familiar with the Disney ride Soarin’ will recognize this 10-15 minute experience.
You’ll sit on a moving chair in a “flying theatre” watching a video filmed using 5K cameras, MUSHROOM VR™, and a groundbreaking surround sound system.
Feel the wind, mist, and scents as you soar above Washington’s most iconic landmarks, including Mount Rainier, the Space Needle, Olympic National Park, and more!
For safety reasons, you must be 42″ tall to ride.
Seattle Donut Tour
There are many food tours in Seattle, but the most kid-friendly one is the Underground Donut Tour (no, it doesn’t go underground!).
You’ll walk around Seattle, stopping at different Belltown and Pike Place Market bakeries, trying different kinds of donuts, and learning a little about Seattle’s history.
In addition to donuts, a complimentary espresso drink of your choice is included, and little donut keepsakes are given out at the end of the tour.
Check Rates and Availability Here!
Seattle Monorail
The Seattle Monorail, built in 1962 for the Century 21 Exhibition World’s Fair to transport visitors from downtown to the Seattle Center, is an iconic city landmark.
The elevated track rides along Seattle streets for about a mile, carrying you past tall skyscrapers and historic buildings.
It is a relatively short, rickety ride of 3 minutes, but it entertains kids and saves your feet from extra walking if you come from the downtown area.
Seattle Underground Tour
A Seattle underground tour offers a unique glimpse into the city’s past, taking you through the historic underground passageways that were once part of the original ground level of Seattle before the city streets were elevated in the aftermath of the Great Seattle Fire of 1889.
Kids will find it spooky or cool to wander through the dark underground tunnels, but younger kids might find it boring. Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour keeps the tour lighthearted with corny dad jokes along the way. It is a little shorter for those with short attention spans.
Chocolate Tour
If your kid likes chocolate, as most do, you should consider taking a chocolate tour. Sum Good Tours offers a Seattle Chocolate tour, taking you on a sweet adventure through the city’s best chocolate spots.
Try 12 different chocolate samples from 8 different chocolatiers and learn a little of Seattle along the way!
Check Rates and Availability Here!
If you want to DIY a chocolate-themed tour, check out these Seattle chocolate companies:
- Rocky Mountain Chocolate
- Rey Amargo
- Chocolati
- Fran’s Chocolates
- Chocolat Vitale
- Intrigue Chocolate Company
- Seattle Chocolate
- Theo Chocolate
- Spinnaker Chocolate
- indi Chocolate
Northwest Troll Hunting
Unlike the stone-carved Fremont Troll, the Northwest Trolls are made of repurposed and recycled wood.
Danish artist Thomas Dambo installed five giant, whimsical trolls in the Seattle area, two of which are in Seattle proper. One is in Ballard, which is easily accessible on the sidewalk. The other is in West Seattle and requires a half-mile walking on a paved bike trail.
They are free to visit and are unique.
Seattle Museums
Pacific Science Center
Both educational and fun, the Pacific Science Center is a classic destination for kids to experience hands-on science and learn about biology, physics, chemistry, astronomy, and more.
Watch informative and entertaining shows in the planetarium, laser dome, and IMAX theatre.
Touch marine animals in a saltwater tide pool “petting zoo.”
I remember coming here as a child, and they still have a couple of the same exhibits from 30 years ago. Are they outdated? Maybe, but they’re nostalgic!
Seattle Children’s Museum
The Seattle Children’s Museum is for children up to 10 years old. With 14,000 square feet of space, kids can play, learn, and create for hours.
Create pieces of art in the Corner Workshop, learn about physics and gravity as you build streets for your toy car to ride, and play with air with a tube maze.
My favourite memory here as a child was the Neighborhood, where they had a whole town with toys and costumes to play pretend in, including a grocery market, post office, fire department, theatre, and more.
They also have reading programs and art/science classes to attend.
Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)
The Museum of Pop Culture, or MoPOP for short, has everything related to pop music, movies, and video games.
Jimi Hendrix or Nirvana fans will enjoy seeing the artists’ instruments, personal items, and interactive displays to learn more about these musicians.
If you like seeing costumes and props from classic movies, there are fantasy, sci-fi, and horror exhibits with pieces from movies like
- Wizard of Oz
- Lord of the Rings
- Princess Bride
- Raiders of the Lost Ark
- Empire Strikes Back
- Nightmare on Elm Street
- The Matrix
Also, spend some time learning about and playing with indie games.
Check the website for everchanging temporary exhibits as well.
Seattle Pinball Museum
The Seattle Pinball Museum is more of an arcade or a hands-on museum. It houses over 50 pinball machines ranging from vintage to new and everything in between.
Pay a one-time entry fee and have unlimited gameplay.
A good, rainy day family activity!
Children under seven years old are not permitted in the museum.
Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI)
The Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) is a history museum of the Pacific Northwest.
The museum’s eclectic collection includes over 4 million artifacts, photographs, and archival materials covering various topics, from the city’s maritime history to technological innovations to social movements.
One of the museum’s highlights is the Boeing B-1 float plane, the first commercial airplane built by Boeing, and the Rainier Brewing Company’s iconic 12-foot tall neon “R” sign.
When you check in, ask about Innovation and Exploration Packs so kids can have an interactive backpack filled with activity sheets and books to make their museum time more engaging!
Seattle Parks
Green Lake Park
Green Lake is a summertime favourite amongst Seattlites.
A flat paved path circumnavigates the lake for 2.8 miles, making it perfect for walking with strollers, biking, rollerblading, and running.
The Green Lake Boathouse has water rentals like kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, and pedal boats.
Designated swimming areas are on the lake’s east and west sides.
My favourite places for food in the area are Bongo’s for some Cuban cuisine and Kitanda for Brazilian cheese bread and coffee.
Gas Works Park
Gas Works Park is a public park covering about 20 acres on the north shore of Lake Union. It is known as the sole remaining coal gasification plant in the United States, giving the park its steampunk feel.
Some structures have been repurposed into play areas, picnic shelters, and viewpoints, offering unique views of the Seattle skyline and Lake Union.
Gas Works Park is a popular Seattle destination for both locals and tourists. It’s frequently used for recreational activities, such as picnics, kite flying, and watching Fourth of July fireworks. At night, you might meet some fire jugglers practicing on the lawn.
You might also recognize the park as a film location in the movie “10 Things I Hate About You”.
Discovery Park
Discovery Park is the city’s largest public park, spanning over 534 acres. It is situated on Magnolia Bluff, overlooking Puget Sound and the Olympic mountain range. It’s a great place to picnic, explore the beach, and burn off some energy.
The park sits on the historic grounds of Fort Lawton, which was initially established in the late 19th century as a United States Army post. Some of the fort’s original structures still stand within the park and are fun to explore and peek in the windows.
The South Beach Trail is 1.5 miles roundtrip and takes you to the beach for playing and to see the West Point Lighthouse, built in 1881.
Additionally, the park houses the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center, a hub for Native American cultural activities. The center is home to a permanent collection of Native art and rotating exhibits by Native artists.
Kerry Park
The iconic Seattle cityscape view that everyone recognizes is seen from Kerry Park in the Queen Anne neighbourhood. Kids may or may not be interested in visiting a park just for a view, but Molly Moons is a local ice cream shop only a few blocks away.
I suggest grabbing cones with your favourite flavours and walking over to Kerry Park to make the visit more special and memorable.
Seattle Art Museum Olympic Sculpture Park
The Seattle Art Museum Olympic Sculpture Park is a free outdoor museum that showcases modern and contemporary sculptures. The park spans about 9 acres, making it Seattle’s most prominent downtown green space, and there is plenty of space to let off some pent-up kid energy.
The park zig-zags down Broad St, ending at Pier 70 and the Elliot Bay Trail along the shoreline.
Get Active with the Kids
Volunteer Park Water Tower
One of my favourite hidden gems in Seattle is the Volunteer Park Water Tower. This 75-foot brick tower, built in 1906, resembles a wizard’s tower.
You can climb over 100+ steps up to the top for free. The observation deck is an open-air, covered area with a 360-degree view of Seattle, the Olympics, Bellevue, and the Cascades.
Getting good pictures is challenging because the windows are covered in chain-link fencing for safety, but it’s worth the climb.
Professional Sports Event
Seattle is home to many pro sports teams. If your family has a favourite sports team, see if there’s a game day when you visit. You can cheer on the home team or your favourite opposing team.
Seattle sports teams are:
- Seahawks – NFL
- Mariners – MBL
- Sounders – MLS
- Kraken – NHL
Sports fans can tour Climate Pledge Arena and visit behind the scenes.
Fun on the Water
Ferry Ride to Bainbridge Island
Washington State Ferries is the largest ferry system in the United States. It operates in Puget Sound and the Salish Sea. Ferries are used to access areas outside the city for a day trip or just to ride back and forth for fun.
You can walk or drive onto a ferry and ride it across the water for a few dollars, getting a panoramic view of the cityscape and nearby islands.
Kids will enjoy watching for fish, jellyfish, birds, seals, and sometimes even whales.
Ferry routes that depart out of Seattle are:
- Seattle-Bainbridge Island
- Seattle-Bremerton
- West Seattle-Vashon Island
- West Seattle-Southworth
Boat Tours
As Seattle is surrounded by water (Elliot Bay, Lake Union, and Lake Washington), you can find a boat tour to take like:
- Seattle Harbor Cruise – a narrated cruise on Elliot Bay, learning about Seattle’s historic waterfront and enjoying a panoramic city view
- Seattle Locks Cruise ONE WAY – take a boat ride from Elliot Bay to Lake Union (or vice versa) via the Ballard Locks
- Seattle Sailing Harbor Tour – experience a smooth ride on a beautiful sailboat while viewing the city from Elliot Bay.
Alki Beach
Alki Beach in West Seattle feels like a world away from the city, but in reality, it’s just across the water with views of downtown.
The locals’ summer hangout spot is along Alki Beach, where they can enjoy sunbathing, beachcombing, people-watching, and chilly swimming.
A 7.5-mile paved path runs along the coastline for walking or biking. In the summer, you can rent bicycles or even quadracycles.
There are plenty of restaurants near the water where you can find a bite to eat and even a few boutique shops.
If you don’t have a car to drive over, a water taxi transports walk-on visitors from downtown.
Ballard Locks and Fish Ladder
Boats travel from Puget Sound to Lake Union and Lake Washington via the Ballard Locks, the busiest U.S. locks and a popular tourist attraction.
If you like watching a bathtub filling up with water, this attraction is for you!
What I find interesting is being able to walk alongside the dam and look for salmon swimming up the fish ladder. Find the underground room with windows into the murky water and see if you can see a fish making its way between the salt and fresh waters.
The botanical gardens around the Ballard Locks are impressive. Their garden with grassy knolls is the perfect place for a picnic, and during the summer, live music entertains parkgoers.
Center for Wooden Boats
Located at the south end of Lake Union next to the MOHAI, the Center for Wooden Boats is a living museum dedicated to preserving, documenting, and celebrating the maritime heritage of the Pacific Northwest.
Walking through the maritime exhibits of wooden boats on display or the history of the Coast Guard through art inside the museum is free.
The real attraction is renting and paddling an authentic wooden boat on Lake Union. It’s a hands-on activity that allows you to interact with history.
Also, watch their calendar for toy boat-building days or story times.
Experience the Theatre
Seattle has a lot of great live theatre performances throughout the year, many of which are family-friendly.
- 5th Avenue Theatre – local professionals performing big-name plays and musicals
- Seattle Children’s Theatre – local productions geared specifically for children
- The Paramount – hosts travelling professional productions from Broadway.
Final Thoughts on Things to Do in Seattle, Washington with Kids
As you can see, Seattle has many kid-friendly activities, from fun troll hunting to educational museums and expansive parks.
Whether your family is drawn to the outdoors or the allure of city life, Seattle delivers an unforgettable experience that caters to every age, both young and old.
Guest Writer Tabitha has been helping people with travel since she was 3 years old. She became a travel agent for a few years before becoming a full-time travel blogger. Friends rely on her for road trip planning and are always asking her about unique places to visit. She currently lives in Washington State.
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