May Day, Play Day

FAMILY FUN May Play List

15 fun ways to frolic and learn as a fam this month

By Devon Hammer

Spring is in full swing and it comes with so many fresh opportunities for family fun. Festivals and celebrations abound this season — taking place on screens as well as in person. We’re getting in on the act by planting some suggestions for celebrating moms, going old-school with kids at the drive-in, learning with two of our ParentEd Talks and more. Here’s our bouquet of ideas to make your May delightful.

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

1. Jam out with the kids at Edmonds Center for the Arts’ Kidstock! concert, in virtual form this year. Seattle’s own Ben Hunter and Joe Seamons perform, showcasing their folk-style music and amazing storytelling. Saturday, May 1, 10:30–11:30 a.m. Free. parentmap.com/kidstock

2. Travel back in time at Camlann Medieval Village in Carnation. Join in traditional games and activities practiced in medieval times. Saturday–Sunday, May 1–2, noon–5 p.m. $8–$10; ages 5 and younger free. parentmap.com/mayday

3. Celebrate the season of new beginnings at Maris Farms’ Baby Animals and Blooms Days fest. Snap seasonal photos by the tulip fields, purchase goodies at the farm market and visit animals. For those who can’t stand still, check out the ropes course, zip lines, tube slides and more. Saturday–Sunday, May 1–2 and 8–9, 11 a.m.–7 p.m. $16 adults; $14 children; purchase tickets online. parentmap.com/blooms

Baby animals at Maris Farms

4. Make your dino enthusiast’s day with a special visit to Woodland Park Zoo’s brandnew Dinosaur Discovery exhibit.

Editor’s note: Please remember to wear a mask when coming within 6 feet of anyone outside of your immediate household and follow all advisories related to safe recreating outdoors (parentmap.com/stay-safe).

Highlighted Events for May

May 1 | Saturday Kidstock! @Home

Online parentmap.com/kidstock May 1–2, 8–9 | Saturday–Sunday

Baby Animals and Blooms Days

Maris Farm, Buckley, Washington parentmap.com/blooms May 13 | Thursday ParentEd Talk: The 80/80 Marriage: Shifting From Fairness to Radical Generosity

Online parentmap.com/live

Imagine you live during prehistoric times as you walk among 20 life-size dinosaurs. Opens May 1. Entry requires zoo admission plus a $4–$5 special exhibit fee; book online at zoo.org.

5. Hop on your bike and start pedaling, because May is Bike Everywhere Month! May 5 is Bike to School Day, and May 21 is Bike Everywhere Day. But you don’t need to wait for a special occasion: Pump up those tires and ride around the block, to the park or to school today and every day.

6. Celebrate Mother’s Day at Lakewold Gardens’ MayFest. Book a tour with a docent or join a rhododendron scavenger hunt Friday or Saturday. On Sunday, treat Mom to live music and a special dessert. Friday–Sunday, May 7–9, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. $5–$10; ages 5 and younger free; additional fees for tours, Mother’s Day gift boxes and concert tickets. parentmap.com/mayfest

7. Frolic with fairies, gnomes and elves at an Enchanted Forest Party at Frontier Park Lodge in Graham. Come dressed as your favorite magical character and meet a real fairy, tour the fairy forest and more. Saturday, May 8, noon–3 p.m.; preregister (cost TBA). parentmap.com/enchanted 8. Moms, we’re already the masterminds who keep our families afloat. This past year, we’ve shouldered some extra-heavy burdens. For Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 9), drop this hint and wait for your crew to show their appreciation and love in the form of something homemade and delicious. parentmap.com/mom-recipes (See more merry Mother’s Day fun ideas on p. 17.)

9. Drive-in movies are continuing to enjoy their pandemic day in the sun (or dark?); don’t miss this special kind of family fun. Snag a ticket for your carload at Marymoor Park’s spring drive-in series. Tuesday–Thursday through May 20. $30 per car; book online. parentmap.com/movies-in-may

10. After a yearlong hiatus, open play sessions are back at the phenomenal Seattle Children’s PlayGarden. This inclusive park invites kids of all abilities to play while a staff member facilitates and leads the kids in a seasonal activity. Wednesdays, 3–7 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Free; no registration required. parentmap.com/playgarden

11. Join in this year’s Kodomo no Hi, also known as Children’s Day, at home. Celebrate Japanese and Japanese American cultural traditions with videos released each Sunday in May; there are also accompanying free downloads of kids’ activities. New videos posted Sundays, May 2–30; activities available anytime. parentmap.com/kodomo

12. Block out an hour on your calendar to join ParentMap for a ParentEd Talk with the authors of “The 80/80 Marriage: A New Model for a Happier, Stronger Marriage.” Learn about shifting your mindset from a 50/50 marriage to one based on radical generosity. Thursday, May 13, 7 p.m. Free; preregister. parentmap.com/live

13. Parents (and kids) need their sleep! In this ParentEd Talk, we welcome back renowned pediatrician Dr. Harvey Karp to share his tips and tricks to help babies and toddlers sleep better — so that moms and dads can, too. Plus, enter for a chance to win a SNOO smart bassinet created by Dr. Karp. Wednesday, May 19, 1 p.m. Free; preregister. parentmap.com/live

14. Participate in a 3K or 5K fun run with your dog at Auburn’s Game Farm Park during Auburn’s Dog Trot, with staggered start times 9 a.m.–noon. You can also do the dog trot on your own! Saturday, May 22. $18–$23; preregister. apm.activecommunities.com

15. Celebrating its 50th year, the iconic Northwest Folklife Festival takes place virtually this year over Memorial Day weekend. Join to watch performances showcasing a huge array of talents, with some curated especially for kids. Friday–Monday, May 28–31, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Free. parentmap.com/folklife ■

The garden truck at Seattle Children’s PlayGarden. Photo by JiaYing Grygiel

Devon Hammer is ParentMap’s Out + About editorial assistant and a mother of two.