February Play List Fun ways to celebrate the month of love

By Nancy Chaney

Check out many more happenings online at parentmap.com/calendar.

February is the bridge between the dead of winter and the verdant promise of spring, signaled by the first crocuses busting up through the cold ground to show their colors. Just like the crocuses, we’re busting out of the gray to celebrate Black History Month, make a date with our favorite people, spot some eagles and much more. Mark your calendar with these top events for family fun and learning time this month!

� February is Black History Month, an excellent time to visit Seattle’s recently reopened Northwest African American Museum (NAAM). Housed in the beautiful and historic Colman School building, NAAM showcases the history, art, voices and experiences of our local Black community. Open Wednesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for ages 4–18, and free for ages 3 and younger. facebook.com/NAAMNW

� It’s also the month of love, when Valentine’s Day prompts us to appreciate our romantic partner, if we have one. It’s also a good time to plan some one-on-one time with your kids. Check out our outing ideas for awesome and sweet dates for parents and kids. parentmap.com/vday

� Frolic in a winter wonderland before spring is upon us! Plan ahead to snag your spots on free guided snowshoe walks for families at various sites in the mountains. Locations include near Stevens Pass, near Snoqualmie Pass and at Mount Rainier. Walks take place Feb. 3–5, 10–12, 17–19 and 24–26. parentmap.com/snowshoe

� February offers a special enticement to make the jaunt to phenomenal Northwest Trek Wildlife Park in Eatonville. During Kids ’n’ Critters

Weekends, up to two kids ages 12 and younger enter the park for free with each paid adult admission. Applicable dates are Feb. 3–5, 10–12, 17–20

Highlighted Events for February

Feb. 4 |

Lunar New Year celebrations

Hing Hay Park and Seattle Asian Art Museum parentmap.com/lny and 24–26. Adult admission is $20–$25. parentmap.com/wildchild

� Dive into a whole different world of cinema with imaginative and thought-provoking feature films and shorts from around the globe. This year’s Children’s Film Festival Seattle offers in-person movie screenings at Northwest Film Forum and streaming from home as well. The festival runs Feb. 3–12. Showtimes, workshops and ticket prices TBA. parentmap.com/film-festival

� Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit with the community at local Lunar New Year fests. Gather at Hing Hay Park in Seattle’s Chinatown–International District (10 a.m.–3 p.m.) or at the Seattle Asian Art Museum in Volunteer Park (11 a.m.–2 p.m.) for thrilling lion dances, cultural activities and more. Saturday, Feb. 4. Free. parentmap.com/lny

� Hunt for bald eagles — and by “hunt,” of course, we mean look for and admire — where they gather in winter to feast on salmon. Head to Howard Miller Steelhead Park in the Skagit County town of Rockport to join a free guided nature walk, offered twice per day, Saturday–Sunday, Feb. 4–5 and 11–12. Call ahead (360-8537626) to reserve your spot. parentmap.com/eagles

� Mini Breaks dance classes are back! Local breakdancing legend Anna Banana Freeze welcomes tots ages 2–6 to learn super fun and authentic breakdancing moves. Sign up in advance for individual classes

Feb. 4–25 |

Saturdays

Fireside Storytime

Cedar River Watershed Education Center parentmap.com/fireside taking place Saturdays, Feb. 4, 11, 18 and 25 at The Beacon dance studio. Various class times. $20 per session. parentmap.com/mini-breaks

� Visit the fascinating Cedar River Watershed and gather ’round the fire for a story time with friends. No registration is needed, but show up early to snag a spot, and be sure to save some time to explore the grounds. Fireside Storytime takes place in the education center on Saturdays at 11 a.m., Feb. 4, 11, 18 and 25. Free. parentmap.com/fireside

� Who doesn’t want to be part of a happy couple? Tune in for this month’s ParentEd Talks event featuring author and researcher Pepper Schwartz, Ph.D., who will share secrets for putting some zest into your relationship. Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2–3 p.m. Free; preregister. parentmap.com/live

� Citizen science needs you every February! Rule the roost by tallying all the birds you see — from your yard, the park or any other locale — during one 15-minute time span, then log your findings with the Great Backyard Bird Count. Friday–Monday, Feb. 17–20. Free; preregister. parentmap.com/bird-count

� Follow Carmela through the streets of her neighborhood when she finally gets to join her brother to run errands as Seattle Children’s Theatre brings a beloved story to the stage in “Carmela Full of Wishes.” Best for ages 5 and older. Opening Feb. 17. Tickets $15–$45. sct.org

Feb. 7 |

Tuesday

ParentEd Talks event: “Built to Last: The Surprising Secrets of Happy Couples”

Online parentmap.com/live parentmap.com/rabbit

� The Year of the Rabbit has dawned. Join the South Sound community to celebrate Lunar New Year in person with games, activities, demos and live performances representing many Asia-Pacific countries and cultures. Samoa is the featured country this year. Saturday, Feb. 25, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Free.

� Explore a familiar Pacific Northwest landscape in a whole new light. Or should we say whole new dark? Gather on the beach to explore low-tide revelations at night with the help of a Seattle Aquarium beach naturalist. Bring your flashlight or headlamp and step lightly at this free, drop-in program Saturday, Feb. 18, 8–10 p.m. parentmap.com/beach-walk parentmap.com/kraken-kids ■ Nancy Chaney is ParentMap’s Out + About editor.

� Puck drop! It’s Kids’ Day with the Seattle Kraken as Matty, Eberle, McCann, Gruuuuuuu and all your favorite players take on the Toronto Maple Leafs. The first 5,000 kids through the door at Climate Pledge Arena earn the Kids’ Day giveaway of a team Rubik’s Cube. Purchase tickets through Ticketmaster for the game on Sunday, Feb. 26, at 4 p.m.

Feb. 26

Kraken Kids’ Night

Don’t miss this year’s Kraken Kids’ Game on Sunday, Feb. 26. Fun for the whole family and kids take home a free Kraken Rubik’s Cube. ticketmaster.com