Seattle’s Child “The Perfect Summer Day Issue” July/August 2023

»What Parents Are Talking About

A

Hiring the neighbor kid

by ELIZABETH SHARPE / photograph by JOSHUA HUSTON

In 2014, my husband and I adopted a year-and-a-half-old rescue named Simba. But I felt guilty leaving this little bundle of poodle cuteness by himself for hours while I was at work. Then one day I recognized a teenager mowing a neighbor’s lawn, so I asked him if he wanted to make

some more cash.

Jackson fed and walked Simba every day after school for a couple of years until he left for college. Since then, we’ve hired other neighborhood kids, like Mercy Guirnalda, who started working for us when she was in 8th grade. Now she’s a junior in high school.

With Mercy, we get a triple win. Our dog adores her. He gets food, water, a walk, and a poo. And we benefit from this truly genuine connection with Mercy and her family. How to find kids interested in work

I simply asked neighborhood kids if they wanted a job. But another way to find help is to answer ads posted by young people. I’ve passed handmade signs posted around

Elizabeth Sharpe hires Mercy Guirnalda, a kid from the neighborhood, to walk her dog Simba.

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«What Parents Are Talking About

the block and seen advertisements on Nextdoor, a social networking service for neighborhoods, where neighbors ages 13 and older can let neighbors know they are available for work.

That’s what Ada Braxton and Niko Rodriguez, both 14, did.

After Ada got her CPR license last year, she started babysitting for family friends, then branched out to other families using Nextdoor. Niko, who uses they/their pronouns, offers house cleaning, yard work, dog walking, and dog and cat sitting and visits.

Gaining confidence with a real job

Working for someone else builds confidence, and my husband is a great mentor. He treats the kids we hire like adults, complete with a probation period, a training plan, and a contract.

In the contract, we all agree on the days and hours. Mercy uses the calendar posted on our refrigerator to track her time. There’s the payment schedule — every two weeks — and the wage. Mercy started off at $10, with an option to earn an extra $5 for longer walks. This year she got a $2 raise.

The contract also spells out expectations. For example, if Mercy can’t come because of a conflict, she notifies us as soon as possible. In case of an emergency, she calls us and the veterinary clinic. And we’re on the hook to pay her regular wage, regardless of her walking Simba or not, if we don’t give her adequate notice of a schedule change.

Getting savvy with savings

We pay Mercy by check, and she uses her bank’s mobile app to deposit the money. Ada and Niko opt for cash or use

their parents' Venmo or PayPal, mobile payment services that require users to be 18 years or older. Their parents transfer the funds to the kids’ bank accounts.

When the three Irvine siblings took care of Simba, their parents helped them open bank accounts because minors younger than 18 can’t typically open accounts by themselves. Through the bank’s app, they could keep track of their spending and saving.

The sibs, Sophia, Elliott, and Preston Irvine, saved some of their hard-earned money for a trampoline. Ada is saving 20 percent of her earnings for a high school graduation trip to Europe, while Niko is saving for a car. Mercy doesn’t want to have to rely on her parents to buy the things she wants, and she is also saving up for college.

Building references and community

It may sound like these jobs are just about the money. But that’s only part of it. A responsible reputation pays off in other gigs, another line on the resume, and a professional reference. We referred Mercy to a couple next door who needed a cat-sitter. She also lists her work on her resume. And Sophia Irvine used my husband as a reference for a job she took in a restaurant.

And here’s the even bigger thing. I believe the best part of hiring neighborhood kids has been strengthening the community where we live.

We’re more than just a friendly face on the street. Our families know each other, we trust each other, and we’re supporting each other. Mercy’s taking care of Simba, and that means she’s taking care of us, too. In turn, we can give her some money and a little more confidence so she’s one step closer to what she wants. For our neck of the Emerald City woods, I’d call that pretty near creating a perfect world, one neighborhood kid and a side job at a time.

» Dad Next Door

A little encouragement from across the fence

by JEFF LEE, MD

Ready in the bullpen

Well, another Mother's Day and Father's Day have come and gone. They’re just Hallmark holidays — we try our best to honor them, but they’re never very satisfying.

Mothers usually get breakfast in bed or taken out to brunch, and maybe earrings or a bracelet. Fathers used to get neckties, but no one wears those anymore, so now it’s just a card that makes fart noises and a random power tool. I’ve always thought that having Father's Day a month after Mother's Day was emblematic of its status as an afterthought.

“Oh sh$@, it’s Father’s Day already? We’d better stop by Home Depot on the way home.”

If you’re ambitious, you can take the whole family out to a ballgame, but your youngest kid will likely get bored and cranky by the third inning, and your oldest will eat too much cotton candy and spew pink and blue vomit all over your “World’s Best Dad” T-shirt.

This year, Pippa and I took Jess out for a Mother's Day dinner, and asked her to regale us with the story of Pippa’s birth. Like all birth stories, it was unique in every detail, and universal at the same time. I was struck by the sheer physicality of it: the overwhelming contractions, the exhaustion, the uncontrollable urge to push, and the flood of euphoria when she lifted infant Pippa to her breast. Even though I was present at the birth of my daughter Maddie — and actually delivered her with my own hands — my memories of that day are etched more into my mind than my body.

If you’re a dad like me, you’re probably in awe of the bonds that our children forge with their mothers. Sometimes we feel like second-string ball players — working hard on our games, deeply invested in our teams, living and dying with every play, but never the first to step on the field. Mothers have a nine-month head start in the major leagues, nurturing and protecting a growing life with their very flesh and blood. How can we compete with that?

Of course, that intense bond can have drawbacks. Sometimes, when Jess and Pippa butt heads, I’m reminded that there’s no parent-child relationship as loaded as the one between mothers and daughters. When two beings are hardwired for social connection, they have

to navigate the path from complete dependency to complete individuation amid the constant threat of suffocation, abandonment or betrayal. When those bullets start flying, I’m all too happy to stay out of the line of fire.

Still, I can’t help but be a little bit envious. No one becomes a parent to sit on the bench. The other day, though, I read an article that shifted my perspective. It was about microchimerism.

A chimera is a creature that contains parts of more than one individual. Think Egyptian sphinxes, or maybe Harry Potter’s hippogryph. Microchimerism is more amazing because it actually exists: Women who have carried a fetus retain some of that fetus’s cells in their body, perhaps for the rest of their lives. It’s only a small fraction of the total, but because we have about 100 trillion cells there can be tens of millions of fetal cells in the mother’s body for years.

There are intriguing clues about what those cells are doing. Most of them are fetal stem cells, with the ability to morph into specialized cells under the right conditions. These cells tend to migrate to parts of the mother’s body that have been damaged, and require healing. It’s been documented in the mother’s heart, which goes through an enormous amount of stress during pregnancy and labor. In mice, fetal cells have been found congregating in the mother’s heart after birth, and appear to help with its recovery and repair.

Reading that was kind of a mic-drop moment for me. You mean mothers literally carry living pieces of our children in their hearts? Sometimes you just have to step back and let your ace do her thing. Welcome to the big leagues.

So when Father's Day rolls around again, don’t get discouraged if you aren’t the starting pitcher. Stand ready in the bullpen, keep your arm warm, and wait for your number to be called — because it will be. At some point, the starter will lose her control, or start to wear down, or just get batted around the yard. At any moment, you might have to climb that mound and take the ball in your hand.

You’re not second-string. You’re the closer.

ABOUT OUR COLUMNIST

Jeff Lee is running out of room for his power tools in Seattle, WA.

»ToolBox

What every parent needs to have on hand

Is it allergies or a sinus infection?

How to tell the difference

by DR. SUSANNA BLOCK

It’s warmer and we’re outside more, hopefully playing in the grass or getting our hands dirty in the garden. We’re also still dealing with the tail of cold and flu (and COVID) season. When your little one has a lingering runny, dripping or stuffy nose, you might wonder: Is it springtime allergies or sinus infection?

It can be hard to tell a sinus infection (sinusitis) and environmental allergies (allergic rhinitis) apart. The treatment is different so it’s important to determine which one is making your child (and you) suffer through spring. I’ll walk you through it.

Let’s talk about sinusitis: What it is. What it isn’t.

What are sinuses?

Sinuses are air-filled spaces behind your cheekbones, forehead and eyes. The tissue lining of the sinus makes mucous, which keeps your nose moist and protects against irritants. This is the way it is supposed to work. Unfortunately, occasionally the sinuses become plugged up and infected. This is called acute sinusitis.

In the perfect world the sinuses protect you by trapping and getting rid of dust, pollen and allergens. Certain conditions cause swelling and blockage of the sinuses which then puts you at risk for developing a secondary bacterial infection or sinus infection, including:

3The common cold or any respiratory viral infection

3Allergic rhinitis (nasal allergies)

3Smoke exposure

3Deviated septum (asymmetry in the nasal cavity)

3Nasal polyps (small growths in the nasal cavity)

By far, the first two are the most common and give us the most headaches.

What is an acute sinus infection?

Acute sinusitis typically is preceded by a cold or nasal allergies. With acute sinusitis, instead of getting better, symptoms worsen. Common symptoms include facial pain, fevers, a bad taste in the back of the throat, bad breath and a stuffy nose. Additionally, children with sinusitis also just feel crummy because they are fighting an infection. Occasionally children are diagnosed with “chronic sinusitis,” which also has symptoms of

facial pain, pressure, fever and fatigue but lasts longer than 12 weeks. What are nasal allergies?

Allergies occur when your immune system treats something harmless, like pollen or dust, as if it were a harmful germ or virus. The body has an inflammatory response which leads to red itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing and nasal congestion. If the symptoms are primarily nasal congestion, facial pain, sneezing, cough and post nasal drip, it is called “allergic rhinitis” or nasal allergies.

Clues that the stuffy nose is from allergies rather than sinusitis are:

3Seasonal symptoms, i.e., symptoms that show up at the same time every year

3Itchy, watery eyes or itchy skin

3Post nasal drip down the back of the throat

3A dry, hacking cough or wheezing

3Spasmodic sneezing and clear, watery nasal discharge

3No fever

It can also be helpful to look for triggers. Clearly if your child starts sneezing as soon as they play in the grass or Fido walks into the room, it’s a hint that it’s allergies! Sinus infection: Can you treat it at home?

Sometimes sinusitis resolves on its own as the immune system jumps in to fight the infection. You can try the following things at home:

3Breathing in humidified air (steam from a shower, a humidifier with water only).

3Warm, wet towels on the face to reduce facial pressure.

3Pain medication such as ibuprofen or

acetaminophen to help ease the discomfort.

3Saline nose spray. This is a salt and distilled water nasal spray which can help clear out mucous.

3Nasal irrigation with saline and distilled water. Use of neti pots or a syringe may help, but it is very important to only use distilled water and to rinse the device and air dry before using again.

Sinus infection: When to see a provider

Sometimes sinus infections need more than home treatment. If there is no improvement in symptoms with home treatment after a few days or if your child is getting worse, it is important to be seen by your provider. Not only is sinusitis miserable, if it is not treated appropriately the infection can spread. Your provider may offer the following:

3Decongestants, often as nasal sprays, are helpful in decreasing the inflammation and lowering the amount of mucous in sinuses.

3Nasal steroids to decrease swelling in the nose.

Editor’s note: In the Pacific Northwest, tree pollen allergies are most prevalent from February to April, grass pollen allergies from May to July, and weed pollen allergies in August and September.

ABOUT OUR COLUMNIST

Dr. Susanna Block, MD, MPH, is a pediatrician with Kaiser Permanente in Seattle and lives with her family in Queen Anne.

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PerFeCT SUmmer

by CHERYL MURFIN / portraits by JOSHUA HUSTON

"Boredom" was my mother's favorite summer word. "Boredom," she liked to say, “leads to creativity.”

We didn't have money for activities, but we looked forward to being “bored” all summer long. My mother would make a big breakfast, pack our lunches, and send us out the door with three rules: 1) don't come home until suppertime unless someone is bleeding or crying, 2) be respectful to everyone, and 3) help at least one person. She expected a report on the latter.

One perfect summer day on the way to 2nd grade, we ate our blackberry pancakes (my pick) and then my friends and I raced our bikes around our neighborhood before putting on a made-up show for our siblings. Eventually, we wandered to

JulY

Saturday, July 1

Take your seat at the Detective Cookie Chess Club

It doesn’t matter if you’ve never played before. This is where you learn and where you make friends. Det. Cookie Bouldin launched this popular club nearly 17 years ago and was honored when the Det. Cookie Chess Park, located at 5025 S. Barton Place in Seattle, was unveiled in 2022. The chess club meets Saturdays from noon to 2 p.m. at Rainier Beach Community Center. Ages 7 and older.

One more for today: Head over to Seward Park to celebrate International Reggae Day with a Seattle Peace Concert. It’s music and fun from noon to 6 p.m. More concerts will take place all over the city throughout summer. Details at 3 seapeace.org

Sunday, July 2

What does a beaver house look like?

Find out by visiting the Beaver Lodge Sanctuary, located at 37th Ave. E and E McGilvra St. in Madison Park. You’ll find this woodsy water sanctuary at the end of a short, semi-hidden gravel path, shoehorned between a couple of classic homes and a golf course. Look for piles of crisscrossed logs, groomed branches, and other signs of an active beaver dam, as well as other wildlife. The first one who spots the dam gets to choose what’s for dinner!

the small farm behind our Renton housing complex and asked if we could help. The farmer — Mrs. Wilson — pointed us to her overladen blueberry bushes. When she dropped by after dinner with a bronze-crusted blueberry pie, I began to comprehend my mother's wisdom: unplanned hours are the heart of summer, respect builds community, and kindness — more often than not — begets kindness. Summer fun doesn’t have to cost a lot — or anything at all.

In the following pages you’ll find a free activity for every day of summer. And you’ll hear from a mayor, a very popular musician, a detective, a farmer, a beloved children’s author, a library leader, and two children’s advocates about the perfect summer day that cost them nothing but time and creativity.

Fourth of july

Monday, July 3

Play on Pier 62 on the Seattle Waterfront

There is often a game of pickup soccer happening on the pier’s high-quality mini-soccer field and kids are welcome to jump in. Don’t forget protective gear and you may want to bring your own soccer ball to play among yourselves if no game is on. When the kids are tuckered out, move on over to the cornhole game and giant chess or checkers boards. Pier 62 will be a center of free this sum-

mer. For the full list go to 3 waterfront parkseattle.org

Tuesday, July 4

Celebrate the nation’s independence

Pull on your red, white, and blues and head out to your city’s local fireworks show tonight. On the Eastside, the largest display will be in Bellevue and feature free live music, entertainment, food trucks, and plenty of children’s activities. In Seattle, Seafair will host this year’s rockets’ red

SUmmer daYS...

&

glare with the best viewing at three different locations: Gas Works Park, South Lake Union Park, and Lake Union. Are your children sensitive to fireworks noise or not into crowds? Bring the party home! Make the silly hats, set up a scavenger hunt (See July 24), and end the night with oven-baked smores and a fireworks broadcast. If you watch the east coast celebration, you’ll all be in bed by 10 p.m. Find all the 4th of July celebrations in the area at Seattleschild.com/calendar/

Wednesday, July 5

Go for a row!

Center for Wooden Boats offers free boat “rentals,” Wednesday through Sunday on the south end of Lake Union. Paddle out for your free hour to get a close look at maritime Seattle. It's a popular activity that fills up fast — register early. Life jackets are provided and required.

cwb.org/rent

One more for today: What’s a Sound Journey Meditation? Find out today at Pier 62 with instructor Mary Ann Stancel. This 30-minute guided meditation uses words, singing bowls and other sound instruments to help adults and kids 7 and older relax, unwind, destress, release negative energy and harness love and peace in the body. Try something new tonight at 7:15 p.m.

Thursday, July 6

Celebrate Mexican culture

Watch Folklore Mexicano Tonantzin this evening at Pier 62. The performances in this set are all about celebrating Mexican traditions and passing them on to new generations. Folklore Mexicano Tonantzin’s goal is to connect kids to the culture through folklore. Performances run

66 Wa Y S To Fill Them

5 to 7 p.m. Go early and settle in for a colorful experience.

One more for today: Visit the Museum of History and Industry. We know, we know, they just got out of a big school building! But this big building is super cool on a hot day, with lots of room to roam and wonderful, interactive history. The first Thursday of the month is free entrance day at several Seattle museums, including MOHAI. Let them create in the Kids-Struction Zone for kids ages 2-7. Other first Thursday free days include the Museum of Flight, Seattle Art Museum, Burke Museum, and National Nordic Museum.

Friday, July 7

Take a Seattle Free Walking Tour

Think you know this city? Think again. The tour leaders at the Seattle

Folklore mexicano tonantzin

Free Walking Tour have collected all sorts of interesting historical tidbits and stories which make their walking tours fun for the whole family. There are several tours to choose from, including the flagship Seattle 101, the Old Cemetery Tour and an insider’s tour of Pike Place Market. Tips welcome! 3 walk-seattle.com

Saturday, July 8

Picnic at Woodland Park Zoo Rose Garden

This pesticide-free garden is located at the southeast end of the zoo and is a feast for the senses. The smell of blooming roses fills the air from late May through August on this 2.5-acre swath. Can your kids guess how many varieties of roses are planted here? (A: There are 3,000 roses representing more than 200 varieties.) Pull out the picnic basket for a lunch or dinner meal and let their noses roam while you lie back and relax. The garden is open from 7:30 a.m. until dusk every day of the year.

One more for today: Seattle Outdoor Theater Festival takes place today starting at noon and tomorrow (July 9) at Volunteer Park. Two days of free theater in the park are brought to you and your family by numerous local theater companies. Speaking of free outdoor theater, be sure to check the line-up at 3 Greenstage. org, which will offer hilarious fan favorite “Comedy of Errors” and the spellbinding fairy tale “Cymbeline”

this summer as part of the troupe’s Shakespeare in the Park series.

Sunday, July 9

Watch boats float, learn about salmon and listen to music at the Ballard Locks

Throughout the summer, boats move in and out of Lake Union from Puget Sound. The Ballard Locks are where all that action happens as the locks work to keep fresh water and salt water separated. Explore the new visitor’s center and museum (open Wednesday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.), take a guided tour of the locks to learn how salmon use them during their migration, and watch the boats rise and fall between gates. Each summer, the Carl S. English Botanical Garden adjacent to the locks holds a series of free concerts. The Centerpiece Jazz Band plays today at 2 p.m. Check out the whole summer line-up at 3 ballardlocks.org/freesummer-concerts.html

Monday, July 10

Day trip it to Kelsey Creek Farm in Bellevue

You don’t have to go far to have a real farm adventure. Kelsey Creek Community Park and Kelsey Creek Farm sit on 150 acres of forest, meadows, and wetlands in the heart

Kelsey Creek Farm

of Bellevue. Visit the farm’s historic barns and popular petting yard, then hike park trails, hit the playground, and picnic on a grassy knoll to get the most out of this fun, free, and very full day.

Tuesday, July 11

Hunt for gnomes!

Maple Valley’s half-mile Gnome Trail, located in the Rock Creek Natural Area, is a perfect outing for a summer day. The canopy of trees provides some sun protection and, no matter how many times you go, kids are destined to meet a new gnome along the path. Be on the lookout for a 3-foot-tall gnome named George, the largest on this walk. Check out our article “Gnomes’ sweet home: A Visit to Maple Valley” at 3Seattleschild.com.

Wednesday, July 12

Make the rounds to themed playgrounds

Have an aspiring astronaut in the family or someone who loves trains? Maybe a kid who likes to play board games? Fuel their passions at a themed playground today. Zip down the line at Wilburton Park in Bellevue, climb the Jupiter structure at space-themed North Kirkland Community Park, and knock one out of the park at Shoreline’s baseball playground at Shoreview Park. Hop square to square at the colorful Chutes and Ladders-inspired West Fenwick Park in Kent. Check out “10 fun, themed playgrounds in the Seattle area to explore” at 3Seattleschild.com.

Thursday, July 13

Head to Jamfest 2023 in the International District

All are invited to enjoy a summer evening of fun and connection in the historic Canton and Maynard Alleys. JamFest features live music, games, cabaret performers, and food and craft vendors in the alleys outside Wing Luke Museum, 719 S King St. in Seattle. Donation. 5-8 p.m.

Even more music for today: Head over to Volunteer Park for the first of six free Summer Series at the Amphitheater concerts between now and August 17. Shows are Thursday evenings 6:00-8:30 p.m. Bring a picnic, your blanket and let the music wash over you all. Tonight’s show features Khu.éex’ with Preston Singletary and Show Brazil! To see the whole summer line-up go to 3 volunteerparktrust. org/summer-series-2023

Friday, July 14

Join the fun as Festival Sundiata presents the Black Arts Fest

For the next three days, the arts fest will take center stage at the Armory Food & Event Hall, Mural Amphitheater, and Fisher Pavilion Rooftop in Seattle Center. Connect to the stories of African American heritage and experience through an entertainment-packed weekend featuring hip hop, dance, gospel, visual arts, soul food, exhibits and a marketplace. For a list of all summer Festal events, search for Seattle Festal.

Saturday, July 15

Visit the Amazon Spheres

According to their designers, those odd glass orbs in downtown Seattle were “created to reconnect people to nature through biophilic design and provide a space to take in the positive effects of exposure to nature, like increasing creativity and reducing mental fatigue.” But for kids, they are just plain interesting. Who wouldn’t want to see what’s inside the mysterious structures? Book your 1-hour free visit for a time slot on the first or third Saturday of the month, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Sunday, July 16

Bicycle Weekend — get out and ride!

In case you missed the news, this whole weekend is Bicycle Weekend, a Seattle tradition during which a several-mile portion of

Lake Washington Boulevard is closed to motorized vehicles, 10 a.m. Saturday to 6 p.m. Sunday. Seattle Parks and Recreation invites everyone in the community to bike, jog or stroll along the boulevard between the Seward Park entrance and Mount Baker Park’s beach today. The next Bicycle Weekends are scheduled for August 19-20 and 26-27 and September 2-3 and 16-17. For more info go to 3 parkways. seattle.gov and search for Bicycle Weekends.

Monday, July 17

Take a Sound Bath

Introduce the kids to a new kind of bath — one that resonates inside the body. St. Mark’s Cathedral offers a free sound bath on the third Monday of the month. What is it, you ask? A sound bath is a meditative experience “bathing” the audience in sound waves produced by various instruments — gongs, singing bowls, percussion, chimes, rattles, tuning forks, and the human voice. Bring a blanket and yoga mat and invite these healing sounds to wash over the whole family. Register online before you go. Best for kids able to sit or lie silently for an hour.

Tuesday, July 18

Take a story walk

A walk, a story, time in nature, and a little literary adventure — what’s not to like about a story walk? The non-profit group PopUp StoryWalk integrates children’s stories (some by local authors) into popular trail walks in and around East King County. Check out the Pretzel Tree Trail, a permanent story walk installation

in Issaquah. Learn where and when new stories will be displayed at 3 facebook.com/popupstorywalk/ popupstorywalk.org

One more for today: Pier 62’s skate park is back this summer. Kids ages 7 and older are invited to roll over to the pier from 3-6 p.m. to free skate, or come early for free skateboarding clinics, courtesy of Skate Like A Girl. Another free skate session will take place August 15, 3-6 p.m.

Wednesday, July 19

Plawk! Plog! Get out and go!

Yes, these are real words. Plawking or plogging is the simple act of

Amazon spheres story walk

taking a walk or a jog and picking up trash along the way — all part of the effort to keep neighborhoods beautiful. The pastime, which originated in Sweden, is great exercise and a wonderful way to get to know a neighborhood. Grab your walking sticks, tie trash bags to your waists and plawk the litter from your street or local park. 3 Plogging.org

More ways to plawk: Grab a group of friends and spend a few hours beautifying Alki Beach through the Block Drop program. It’s fun for the family and great for the environment. The program supplies buckets, vests and pick-sticks and collects the garbage you gather; your group provides the environmental preservation spirit. Go online to plan a Block Drop. Once you’re done, the beach is yours to enjoy!

Thursday, July 20

Take the stairs all around town Stairs have several benefits: they take you to new places, tucker out antsy kids, and provide a heart-pumping workout for parents. We call that a win-win-win! With more than 650 publicly accessible stairways in Seattle, there’s plenty of adventure to be found in every neighborhood. You may want to save the longest staircase in Seattle — 388-step Howe Street Stair — for very determined older kids. Check out “5 Seattle stair walks that are fun (and worth the work) with kids” at 3Seattleschild.com.

Friday, July 21

Go on a city or neighborhood art walk

Every month, local artists and small

businesses get together to put on city or neighborhood art walks. Art walks are a great, free opportunity to see, learn about, be inspired by, and support artists right where you live. It’s a nationwide craze, but the very first art walk in the U.S. happened in Pioneer Square in 1981. Today, head out to the University District Art Walk. For the full list of Seattle’s 16 neighborhood art walks and when they are, go to 3 seattle. gov/arts/experience/art-walks. But check ahead to make sure each walk is happening as scheduled.

Other monthly walks in the greater Puget Sound area include Edmonds Art Walk (3rd Thursdays), Everett Art Walk (3rd Thursdays), and the Bellevue Art Walk, a self-guided tour that can be taken at any time. Looking for other art walks with kids? Check out “5 short, fun Eastside walks to take with kids” at 3Seattleschild.com.

Saturday, July 22

Take a free tour of Kubota Gardens

This is your chance to see the “hidden jewel of Rainier Beach.” These lush gardens offer more than beautiful plants in the Japanese tradition. On 20 acres, there are 11 ponds, two red bridges, 140 varieties of maple tree and 30 varieties of hydrangea. It’s the perfect place for a quiet game of hide-and-seek, to marvel at the shapes of bonsai, and to partake in a picnic. Reservations are required for garden tours, which begin at the kiosk adjacent to the parking lot. Every 4th Saturday at 10 a.m.

Sunday, July 23

Jump in at a free swimming beach

There are many options for swimming in the greater Seattle area and several where lifeguards help to keep swimmers safe. In Seattle, Madrona Park Beach, Matthews Beach Park, West Green Lake Beach and Madison Park Beach, are just a few of the 12 swimming beaches overseen by Seattle Parks and Recreation. (NOTE: Magnuson, east Green Lake and Seward Park beaches will remain closed this summer due to lack of lifeguards).

On the Eastside, here are some great bets: Lake Sammamish State Park in Issaquah, Juanita Beach Park and Houghton Beach Park both in Kirkland, Idylwood Beach Park in Redmond, and Meydenbauer Bay Park in Bellevue. On the south end, Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park is the spot.

Monday, July 24

Go on a DIY scavenger hunt

It takes a little planning, but a scavenger hunt is a wonderful way to spend some hours, particularly

A perfect summer day... for a future farmer and social justice advocate

GeneraTions Growing together

by FRIENDLY VANG-JOHNSON

Aperfect summer day for me would be bridging space and time to somehow connect my daughters with the great-grandmother they never got to know.

We would first spend the morning at the farmers’ market watching and learning from my grandmother as she expertly negotiated the price of her leeks, basil, and parsley with the chefs who always arrived at her stand early to get the best produce.

We would watch as she brokered a deal with limited English, full of pride.

We would help fetch a bucket of water so she could rinse off her vegetables, produce so freshly harvested they still had too much dirt on them to be deemed presentable to customers.

We’d buy her a couple of doughnuts and a cup of coffee with cream and two sugars, her only indulgence as the hardworking matriarch.

We would help her close up shop and take her produce back home, then eat a traditional Hmong meal of white rice, boiled squash, and quick stir-fry with a spicy chili sauce on the side, chock full of cilantro, garlic, and fish sauce, before commuting to the farm to tend to the fields before the sunset.

We would race against the dusk to harvest zucchinis before they got too large for customers’ preferences, pluck armfuls of

corn cobs off the stalks, and carefully hunt for hidden baby tomatoes hiding in the upright staked vines.

Grandma would be exhausted as we closed the door to our minivan and drove home, but she would still take time to tell us an old folk story about tigers living in the jungles of Laos. My girls would be riveted but not scared. The stars would come out, and Grandma would say sternly:

“Go to bed! You’ve got to get up early tomorrow to help me.”

That would be the end of a perfect summer day.

Friendly manages Friendly Hmong Farms, leveraging her 20+ years of experience in social justice work. Her understanding of the intersection between food sovereignty, land reparations, and racial justice was shaped by a childhood growing up in the Frogtown neighborhood, farming in the summers, and at the markets with her mom and grandmothers in Minnesota.

How to cook your brother

NINA LADEN

in a large city park or on a school playground in the summer months. Step 1) A parent or adult goes to a site and identifies 10 things that children should hunt for (an old log, a green swing, and so on). Tie as many ribbons to each item as represents kids participating. Step 2) Send kids out to find those 10 things. When they find one, they claim a ribbon. Step 3) The first one to find all items wins — then goes out and helps the others. As each child finds the last item on the list, the group of helpers grows. Celebrate afterward with homemade awards or a treat.

Tuesday, July 25

It’s SEA-ttle!

Take in the tide pools!

Check the tide pool charts and head out to find amazing Puget Sound creatures usually visible only at low tide. There’s a lot to look for: crabs, sea stars, Gunnell fish, anemones, barnacles and more can be found at Marina Beach Park in Edmonds or on the beaches at Discovery Park below Magnolia or Golden Gardens Park in North Seattle. Remember to use a gentle two-finger touch to explore sea creatures. Check out “Your guide to exploring Seattle-ar

This is a true story about my pesky brother and me. It takes place in 1969 when we lived in Rego Park, Queens, New York. In the summer we went to Martha’s Vineyard, an island near Massachusetts where our artist parents had friends.

While our parents are busy arguing about everything, I put myself in charge because I am older. This means that I know what’s best. I am the chef of my life and my brother is an ingredient. Here is my recipe for a good summer:

1. Load up the van that you named “Chug-a Boom” and call dibs on the mattress so your brother gets the crowded back seat.

2. Call out the names of each state you see on license plates until you get to the car ferry. Play “cards” with the numbers and letters. You win with an “A” for ace.

3. Pet every dog on the ferry and try to feed the seagulls. Talk to strangers, not your brother.

4. When you get to the cottage, tell your brother to build a fort outside so you can pick the best bed.

5. Go to the docks to see the fishing boats. Think about pushing your brother off the dock, but you know he can’t swim, even though he is a Pisces.

6. Visit the live lobsters in the tanks at Poole’s market. Help pick out the lobsters: one for mom; one for dad; one for yours truly. Oh, and one for you know who.

7. Back at the cottage, put the lobsters in the bathtub and name them. Yours has a cool name, Ringo. Your brother calls his Fluffy.

8. Have lobster races. Ringo wins by a claw!

9. When mom says she has to cook the lobsters, put on a protest. Your

ea beaches at low tide” at 3Seattleschild.com.

Wednesday, July 26

Build driftwood forts in Lincoln Park

Strange structures are popping up along the beaches of beautiful Lincoln Park in West Seattle. Each week a new teepee or art structure rises up from the wood-strewn beach on the west side of the park. Find the park at 8011 Fauntleroy Way SW, then follow the sidewalk at the south end down to the beach. Or make it a forest adventure first, winding your way through the Lincoln Park woodlands and down several long staircase paths to the water.

Thursday, July 27

Go fishing!

The statewide 2023 Trout Derby

brother doesn’t know why you are protesting, but he will do whatever you say.

10. Say you’re sorry to the lobsters, then help put out the crackers and bowls, and tie the lobster bibs while the lobsters cook and the butter melts. Pick the best seat at the table -- the one that has the nicest plate and glass.

11. Eat very slowly, carefully dissecting your lobster, while watching your brother eat super fast as he makes a big mess. Think about dissecting your brother -- what makes him so strange?

12. Play with the lobster claws until mom puts all the shells in a pot to make a soup for later. Your brother licks his claws. Tell mom they are now poison and she can’t use them.

13. Go to the beach to look for shells. Give your brother the broken ones. See? You are a nice sister.

14. Your brother forgets to put on sunscreen and turns into a lobster. Good thing you like lobster. But when you touch him he starts to cry.

15. Put your brother in the bathtub and help mom put gel on his burn. Tell him it is butter.

16. Kiss your lobster-brother good night and tell him you will eat him tomorrow.

17. Just kidding. Tell him you love him even if he is a pain and gives wet kisses.

18. Dream of what you will cook up next. Repeat every summer.

Nina Laden lives, writes and illustrates her children’s works on Washington’s Lummi Island. She has authored and/or illustrated more than 20 beloved children’s books. Learn more about her at ninaladen.com. Nina dedicated this story to “David, who loves his big Sis".

and under fish for free, while adults and youth 15 and older must purchase a fishing permit ($11.35/ day). Go to a King County lake participating in the derby (Cottage Lake, Green Lake, Lake Margaret, Langlois Lake, Pine Lake, Steel Lake, Wilderness Lake), drop in your line, and if you catch a trout with a blue tag, keep the tag. To claim your prize, log onto the state wildlife department’s webpage, enter the tag number, the lake you caught it in, the date it was caught, and your contact information.

Friday, July 28

See an outdoor movie

Settle in for an outdoor Movie at the Mural at Seattle Center tonight for a screening of “The Princess Bride.” This beloved classic, blending comedy, adventure, romance and fantasy, celebrates its 35th anniversary this year. It's a staple

includes “Clueless” on August 4, and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” on August 25 and several other film classics. For a complete line-up of outdoor movies go to "Family-Friendly Outdoor Movies" at 3Seattleschild.com.

Saturday, July 29

Hit the Bellevue Art Museum

(BAM) Arts Fair

Expose your kids to the creative minds and energies of hundreds of artists during the largest arts-andcrafts festival in the Northwest. Expect hands-on art projects, games and art gallery activities for kids ages 3-10. Free entrance at BAM. The whole family will enjoy the BAMboozle Stage featuring local music just for kids. Bring your sidewalk chalk to add creations along NE 6th Street (outside Bellevue Arts Museum). Today and tomorrow 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Bellevue Arts Museum. Learn more at 3 bellevuearts.org/artsfair

Sunday, July 30

Squeeze some lemons

There’s that old saying that is handy when things don’t go the way kids want them to: “When life hands

bellevue art museum arts fair

you lemons, make lemonade.” Sometimes, however, making lemonade is just a fun way to spend a summer day — and perhaps make a little money for a special treat or a favorite cause. Pull out old boxes, duct tape and markers to help your crew fashion a lemonade stand, then squeeze those lemons, take your spot on a lawn chair and let your little entrepreneurs work the pitch. This free activity has some start-up costs, but with luck they’ll be recouped in vigorous sales!

Monday, July 31

Pet the animals

Visit the petting zoo at Redmond’s Farrell-McWhirter Park. It’s one thing to see animals. It’s quite another (and a lot more fun for most kids) to touch them. Today you’re in for a hands-on experience with chickens, bunnies, pigs, horses and more. The farm at Farrell McWhirter offers kid-friendly classes about animals, their behaviors and their habitats. Check out “Best family farms and petting zoos around Seattle” at 3Seattleschild.com.

AUGUST

Tuesday, August 1

Take a Night Out with neighbors

Learn about public safety during block parties and other activities at tonight’s citywide Night Out event. Neighborhood gatherings and street closures are sponsored by the Seattle Police Department Crime Prevention program. Night Out, an annual nationwide celebration, is designed to heighten crime prevention awareness, get communities involved in anti-crime efforts and unite neighbors in watching out for one another. Learn more at 3 seattle.gov/police/crimeprevention/night-out

Wednesday, August 2

Go birding at the Center for Urban

Horticulture

Located at 3501 N.E. 41st in Seattle, the University of Washington’s Center for Urban Horticulture is an excellent spot to

A worlD of fun at our neighborhooD playgrounD

by DETECTIVE COOKIE BOULDIN

Asa child, I always looked forward to summertime and getting to play outside. The cold Chicago winter was gone and the sun kissed my face the moment I stepped out, blessing me to enjoy the day. Nothing compared to the beauty of being outside and all the fun things I would do on a summer day.

My parents, Gabriel and Fannie, produced seven wonderful children. We always had each other and our friends and never expected our parents to take us to activities that would cost money — with seven kids, that could get expensive. Our outside activities didn’t cost a thing. The clothesline became my jump rope; “Double Dutch” was my favorite. Two people on each end turned two ropes. I would hop inside the ropes and start jumping, crisscrossing my feet and turning around, never missing a beat as the ropes turned faster and faster. Even now, the Seattle Double Dutch Divas in Seattle yell for me to join them — and I do, in my full Seattle Police uniform.

After jumping rope, I might find myself playing patty-cakes to the song of “Miss Mary Mack, Mack, Mack” or jacks, marbles, and paddle ball with my siblings and friends. Best of all, I loved going to our small playground — which was full of fun on a summer day. I loved to climb to the top of the “monkey bars” and hang upside down. On the swings, my friends and I would pump our legs until we got so high we could almost touch the sky. We loved the merry-go-round — we would push it hard, jump on and others would

keep pushing it ‘round and ‘round, faster and faster. We were so dizzy when we got off and could hardly stand up. So we’d jump back on and do it again! After that, we’d play tag, hide-and-go-seek or Simon Says.

My siblings were very athletic, and I did what my brothers did. One summer, they climbed to the rooftop of our school building, Ulysses S. Grant Elementary School. I followed them. Once on top, they jumped off — and wanted me to follow them! They landed safely but when it was my turn, a sudden fear kicked in. Still, I couldn’t let my brothers know I was afraid. It was a scorching summer day — I could feel the sweat on the tip of my nose. I looked at my waiting brothers. I looked at the spot where I wanted to land. I gathered my strength and I jumped. I safely landed on the ground and back up we went. It was like we were Superheroes.

We all knew what it meant when the streetlights came on: it was time to run home. This was our curfew warning. The playground emptied with kids all rushing home. Playing and running home is how we got our exercise — and we enjoyed every bit of it. Play was free and it was in our neighborhood. I couldn’t wait for the next day to get out and start again.

Seattle Police Det. Cookie Bouldin established Det. Cookie Chess Club 17 years ago as a way to engage with the kids and build community. The club (for ages 7 and older) meets every Saturday, noon-2 p.m. at Rainier Beach Community Center.

get a good look at numerous bird species. The small ponds within the center’s Union Bay Natural Area are popular spots for shorebirds, while passerines are known to hang out among the willows. An osprey family nests on the platform at the water’s edge and sightings of red-winged blackbirds and blue herons are common. A kiosk on the east side of the Natural Area provides a weekly list of birds observed there. Search for “Common Birds of Seattle Field Guide for Youth” from Seattle Audubon, print it out and make note of the birds you find. Or, even easier, download the new Birda app at 3 birda.org

Thursday, August 3

Visit the Seattle Japanese Garden

This 3.5-acre urban oasis in the Lake Washington Arboretum is one of the gems of the city and a celebration of Japanese artistry and presence in this region. Admission is free on the first Thursday of each month. Hours vary with the season, so check before you go.

One more for today: Check out dinosaur bones. The Burke Museum is home to the only real dinosaur fossils on display in Washington state (including one of the best-preserved T. rex skulls in the world)! Experience the wonder of Puget Sound through the unique wildlife and living cultures that call the Salish Sea home in the new We Are Puget Sound exhibit. But there’s much more to the Burke, which offers free entrance on the first Thursday of the month.

Friday, August 4

Join the parade at Magnolia Summerfest

Designed specifically with kids and families in mind, Magnolia Summerfest runs in tandem with Seafair Weekend. But rather than Seafair hydroplanes, visitors to this fest get to: view a pet fashion and costume contest, dive into free kids’ crafts and games, boogie to live music, spread out for an outdoor movie, and bop in the bounce houses. The event includes toy boat building and races, food trucks and other points of interest for kids of all ages. And the crown jewel? That’s tomorrow! The annual Kids Parade prefaces the spectacular Magnolia Seafair Parade. Encourage your kids to reinvent themselves entirely or dress up as their favorite characters, animals or entities. Then show up at 9:45 a.m. at the corner of 34th Avenue West and West Raye Street in Magnolia to join the parade. The kids’ march starts Saturday at 10 a.m., followed by the larger Magnolia

magnolia Seafair parade

Seafair Parade at 10:30 a.m.

One more for today: Check out the Incredible Idioms event in Renton’s Liberty Park. A show that will include professional magic, comedy and all sorts of fun begins at 11:30 a.m.

Saturday, August 5

Stargaze with real astronomers

After spending a full and free day at the Magnolia Summerfest (and joining the kids’ parade at 10 a.m. today! See Au gust 4.), pack up the family and join experienced astronomers from the Seattle Astronomical Society (SAS) at Paramount School in Shoreline tonight.

SAS members will share their telescopes and binoculars to give kids and parents a stunning view of the night sky. The moon is near its “third quarter” phase tonight which makes the Shoreline skies particularly dark and favorable for stargazing at 9 p.m. For more information, go to 3 seattleastro.org

Speaking of stargazing, the Jacobson Observatory at the University of Washington opens its telescope to the public on the first and third Tuesday evenings, April through September, rain or shine. Doors open between 8 and 9 p.m.

One more for today: Blue Angels fly-by. The prestigious and always exciting Navy precision flying team will be visible in the skies over the Seattle area several times over the weekend. Usually, they practice Thursday and Friday before Seafair weekend,

A perfect summer day... for a future detective and community builder

between 3-4 p.m. Today and tomorrow the flight crew will do their main performances over Lake Washington, 3:30-4:30 p.m. each day.

Sunday, August 6

Get their toes wet –and possibly the rest of them, too!

Wading pools and spray parks are a summertime must for parents with young children — and older ones, too. Shallow, bordered and usually within toddling distance of a playground, the pools are a perfect solution to a hot afternoon. Spray parks can be a little more rambunctious, as the cool flow flies in all directions. There are dozens of wading pools in and around Seattle and at least 15 Seattle-area spray parks. Seattle Parks and Rec’s Facebook page is your go-to for updated information regarding parks with water play features. On the Eastside, check out these great wet spots: Crossroads Park, Redmond Town Center / Downtown Park, Grass Lawn Park, Bellevue Downtown Park (Inspiration Playground). Also, see “15 Seattle-area spray parks to cool off in this summer” at 3Seattleschild.com.

Monday, August 7

Put on a show in the park (or backyard)

Lots of grandparents remember doing this back in the OLD days. Gather some friends, make up a play or plan a talent show, cobble some costumes together from around the house, invite parents, grandparents, siblings, and neighbors and stage your show. Need a stage? Lay washable blankets or sheets on the ground to map out your space. Need lighting? Designate one or two people as the lighting crew and hand them flashlights so they can spotlight the actors. Don’t forget the cue cards! Need play ideas? Check out the article “Put on a Show! How to Turn Your Backyard Into a Theater” by our colleagues at PDX Parent in Portland, OR.

Tuesday, August 8

Show a little blackberry love

Today’s the day to get out to your local park and pick! Make a pie or jam or simply rinse them off for a tasty summer treat. Not sure where to go? These parks are often overrun with bushes: Discovery Park in Magnolia, all along Burke Gilman Trail, and in Bridle State Park between Kirkland and

PARADE: COURTESY OF LYDIA BREWER PHOTOGRAPHY

ExploDing hotDogs anD 'Scream Face'

by CHRIS BALLEW

My brother Tim and I were best friends with our neighbors, Steve and Dave. From the moment we woke up, we couldn’t wait to hang out with them.

The day would start with a giant bowl of cereal, and if it were a Saturday, we would watch cartoons on the blackand-white television. Tim and I would go down to Steve and Dave’s house for a while and climb the trees in their backyard or swing from a swing in their basement. If you timed the swing just right, you could fly through the air and land on the big dentist chair they had down there for some strange reason.

Steve and Dave had hotdogs which were a big no-no in our house, so we would microwave a hotdog and watch it explode. Then we would move outside and ride our bikes all over the neighborhood, looking for adventure.

There was a dog (we called it Scream Face) on the street parallel to ours who would yell at us every time we went by. Then we would ride

our bikes down to the public beach and swim in the cool waters of Lake Washington.

In a perfect world, we would cross paths with the ice cream truck at that point and get our favorite treats. Eventually, we’d end up back at our house playing football in the yard. We would dive for catches and slide on the grass while feeling the day slip away. We would play outside until no amount of squinting would reveal the football, and finally, we would hear the familiar birdsong of our mother telling us it was time to come in and get ready for bed.

Exhausted from all the fun and exercise, we would fall asleep instantly.

Chris Ballew (aka Caspar Babypants) isn’t just any children’s music star. Babies stop crying when his music plays in the car. Toddlers rush the stage when he performs a live concert. Ballew was the lead singer of popular band The Presidents of the United States. Is it possible your child has never heard Casper Babypants? Fix that! Go to babypantsmusic.com.

A perfect summer day... for a future Casper Babypants

seattle art museum

Redmond. You’re also likely to find them at the Beacon Hill Food Forest, along most of Magnuson Park’s trails, and in Seward Park and Carkeek Park in Seattle, and in Hamlin Park and along the Interurban bike trail in Shoreline. Check out “Blackberries: All You Need to Know to Pick Your Own” at 3Seattleschild.com.

Wednesday, August 9

Go out and geocache!

A great family activity, geocaching uses a phone app and Global Positioning System technology to lead players on a worldwide hunt for specially placed containers, called “geocaches” or “caches.” Once you find the cache, you log it, leave it and start navigating toward another container. There are literally hundreds of caches all around Puget Sound. It’s hours and hours of free fun and all explained at 3 geocaching.com. Remember geocache treasures are for everyone. Leaving what you find for the next player keeps it fun.

Thursday, August 10

Play bocce ball

Visit Les Gove Park in Auburn where all ages are invited to participate in free bocce instruction at the park’s Bocce Courts. They happen every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:00-6:00 p.m., mid-April through mid-October, weather-permitting. Come learn a fun and challenging game. The adjoining Discovery Playground is a little climbers paradise and includes an ADA swing and the park's spray feature will cool everyone off.

One more for today: Have an artistic evening on SAM. You don’t have to go inside the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) to enjoy great art. Head to the Olympic Sculpture Park tonight from 6-8 p.m. for Summer at SAM. Today’s line-up: Seattle-born multidisciplinary and versatile artist Bimbo Hypnosis (Suquamish) and musician there's more (Pawnee). And the whole family is invited to join artist Marie Baeta in creating a collaborative artwork interpreting the view from PACCAR Pavilion using pavilion windows as a natural grid. All ages

Navos is open and accepting new intakes for our school-aged program serving youth ages 5 – 18 years old with Medicaid insurance. We offer telehealth and in-person services at our Lake Burien campus, focusing on social and emotional development and mental health needs. Our Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health team also has openings for young children 0 – 5 years old with Medicaid who live within the city of Burien. Contact us for more information or to schedule an intake at 206-248-8226.

the gum wall

welcome. For other Summer at SAM events, go to 3 seattleartmuseum. org/summer#

Friday, August 11

Practice rock climbing

Practice walls can be found all around the greater-Seattle, but remember for safety’s sake an adult should always be present when kids are trying to scramble. A few to check out: Schurman Rock located in West Seattle’s camp long is open to the public when not being used for classes or events. You’ll find a sizable climbing wall at Les Gove Park in Auburn — a 30 foot climber with three lead routes and eight belay sta tions. Or check out the free outdoor wall at Marymoor Park in Redmond. Saturday, August 12

Douse yourselves at the Seattle Center International Foundation

It’s the mothership of hot weather spray parks. Bring towels, lots of food and sunscreen, a blanket to get comfy on, and some books and spend the afternoon running in and out of the slapping streams of water. The fountain sits on a cement foundation surrounded by a velodrome; consider knee and elbow pads for younger kids.

One more for today: Celebrate 50 years of Hip Hop at Pier 62 today with 206 Zulu, Coolout Network, Dope Culture, Onath the Block, and KEXP. The party, which runs from noon to 8 p.m., will shine a light on

beach walk with a naturalist in Edmonds. All ages are welcome for low tide at the Edmonds Marine Sanctuary with a Discovery Programs ranger-naturalist. Learn about the plants and animals that live in the marine sanctuary and how you can safely interact with them while protecting their habitat. Programs run rain or shine so be sure to wear waterproof boots and dress for the weather. Walk starts at the Olympic Beach Visitor Station at the base of the Edmonds Fishing Pier, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Laze around and read! King County Library System, Seattle Public and others challenge kids to take the summer reading challenge. The goal? Read for 20 minutes each day between June 1 and August 31. Read anything you want, listen to someone else read or listen to an audiobook — it all counts in the challenge. What if today, your lenge? Read for a whole two hours! Do those 120 minutes all in one sitting or break them into six 20-minute sessions. Siblings? Ask the older to read to the younger. Not sure what to read? Head to your local library where librarians are full of ideas.

Take ’em to the gum wall

It’s gross, it’s gooey, it’s sticky. All good things to a curious kid. You’ll find The Gum Wall at 1428 Post Alley, below Pike Place Market. Many an artist, tourist and Seattleite have spit on these walls. Bring some gum, chew it up and be a part of this relic. No matter how many times they scrape it off, it just keeps coming back. After making your deposit, stroll through the market. You don’t need to buy anything to have a good time. Take selfies by the brass pig, watch the fish fly,

oddities, and learn how cheese is made at Beechers Cheese.

Wednesday, August 16

Take a seat at board game night

Playing Ticket to Ride or Candy Land on the living room floor might seem simplistic, but in the big list of summer activities (with more than a month of summer still to go), a low-key game day might be just the breather you need. Equally important, games help your kids practice their math, language and strategy skills. So dust off the classic games from your childhood for a dose of nostalgia or visit Meeples Games in West Seattle for the board game night (Thursdays, 6:30-10 p.m.). Queen Anne’s Blue Highway Games offers an all-age game night on Fridays.

Thursday, August 17

Set up an obstacle course!

Pillows, blankets, chairs, tables, old tires, a long flat board, backyard or playground equipment — a lot of things just sitting around the house or lost in the garage could be used for an obstacle course. Invite friends, have each bring one item to add to the course, and then set it all up in the backyard or a nearby park. Kids go through the course one at a time, timed on every try. The goal is to beat your first time by your third time through.

A perfect summer day... for a future Seattle mayor

A baseball game to remember

by MAYOR BRUCE HARRELL

Growing up in the Central District, I spent summers enjoying Seattle’s parks. As a student at T.T. Minor all the way through Garfield, from Powell Barnett to Pratt Park, playfields were a home away from home. Park programming and community investments in the form of time and mentorship put me on track for success. Later, as an adult, I brought those same lessons to South Seattle kids and my own children as a volunteer coach.

One afternoon, when I was about 10 years old, I recall playing left field in a baseball game at Miller Park. My brother and I were on the same team, and my cousin was on the other side up to bat — our family must have taken up half the bleachers. With the crack of the bat, my cousin hit what was surely a home run — until it connected with my glove!

The reaction from the crowd, also known as my aunt, uncle, and parents, was something else. That one out — an impressive leaping grab, if I do say so myself — sparked a back-and-forth that began in the bleachers and didn’t end until everyone went home after dinner. My aunt and uncle said I should have dropped the ball so my cousin could have hit a home run — however, my loyalty was to my brother not my cousin, of course! That day brought us closer together — in competition and conversation, in bond and banter.

On many perfect summer days, Seattle parks offer a place to play sports, grow, and give back to our community — timeless activities available to all this summer. As mayor, it’s my honor to ensure our world-class public parks are places of adventure and exercise, outdoor classrooms, and welcoming safe havens. I encourage everyone to make the most of their summer spending some perfect days at our Seattle Parks.

Mayor Bruce Harrell served briefly as acting mayor in 2017 and was elected the 57th mayor of Seattle in 2021. The Mayor has made housing, transportation, climate change, public safety and police reform, and reducing gun violence his priorities in office and has instituted programs to encourage community stewardship and volunteerism.

BLACK BOX

WRITTEN BY SEATTLE MOM and author Chelsey Glasson, Black Box is a cautionary tale about pregnancy discrimination and a call to action. Glasson shares her path from feeling like a grateful and proud tech worker, to spending her breaks crying as a vulnerable outcast, to filing a lawsuit against one of the world’s biggest tech giants. Readers will walk away with a better understanding of how to navigate workplace discrimination and harassment and the changes that need to happen to make the path to holding employers accountable more accessible.

One more for today: Outdoor Movie at Green Lake Community Center. Bring blankets, picnic baskets, and non-alcoholic beverages. Best for ages 5 and older. The movie starts at 8:30 p.m. and will be shown on the east side of the building by the arch. Family-friendly film TBA.

Friday, August 18

Find famous statues all around Seattle

A car or a bus pass will help with today’s lofty goal for school-age kids and their adult carers. Your mission: Find Chief Seattle (2701 5th Ave.), George Washington (at 4060 George Washington Lane NE on the UW campus), the Statue of Liberty (on Alki Beach in West Seattle), Vladimir Lenin (in Fremont at 3526 Fremont Place N), Jimmie Hendrix (doing his thing on Capital Hill at 1604 Broadway), a young girl with a string of paper cranes (located at NE 40th St.) and one very large troll (N 36th St. at Troll Ave. N). As you come to each statue, offer your kids a quick history lesson. Who are they? Why are they here? What’s the story?

And yet another option:

Lusio Lights, an immersive light festival, is happening at Auburn’s Mary Olson Farm tonight and tomorrow night from 7 to 11 p.m. The event combines nature and creativity, with awe-inspiring light art pieces by local artists nestled in

every nook and cranny of the farm and music spun by local DJs.

Saturday, August 19

Check out a very cool aquarium

The MaST Center (that’s Marine Science and Technology Center), an aquarium and a working laboratory for Highline College in Des Moines, is open to the public 10 a.m.2 p.m. Saturdays. This 3,000-gallon aquarium is literally on Puget Sound, located on a pier at Redondo Beach. Two large touch tanks, more than 250 native Puget Sound marine species and several surprises await your family.

One more for today: Check out the

chomp! festival

CHOMP! festival at Redmond’s Marymoor Park. It’s a free outdoor celebration of local food, live music, and green living, and a chance to play, learn about sustainable living, and meet local farmers. Last year’s event offered all sorts of family fun, from tree climbing to animal visits, a scavenger hunt, zucchini races, and more. For this year’s line-up, visit 3 chomplocal.org

Sunday, August 20

Go on a mural walk

A 2-mile walk around the Wallingford neighborhood will lead you to eight murals that include some cool animals, The Beatles, one big brain and a whole lot of color. The Seattle Times article “String together 8 great murals on this short walk through Wallingford” provides the map and what to look for. Since you’re there,

expand your walk to Green Lake, where you can lie on the grass, go fishing or check out the popular Green Lake Community Center.

One more for mural lovers: The kid-beloved, playful, brightly colored murals created by Ryan Henry Ward (aka the artist Henry) blanket Seattle. How about a citywide Henry hunt? Just Google “Henry mural map” to see the locations of more than 25 murals. Or head to Ballard where several Henrys live using The Seattle Times article “Find 7 Henry murals on this 5-mile walk through Ballard” as your guide.

Monday, August 21

Visit a lighthouse today

In Seattle, the West Point Lighthouse in Discovery Park is a popular spot. You can drive down and park near this lighthouse, but walking is a lot more fun. Park in the south lot and walk the one mile down to the beach. Alki Point Lighthouse is operated by the US Coast Guard and offers free tours Sunday afternoons between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend. Tours run from 1-3:45 p.m. No reservations are needed. Further afield, Browns Point Lighthouse in Tacoma offers free tours on Saturdays, 1-4

carefree with a mother's unDiviDeD attention

by DR. STEPHAN BLANFORD

My father was twice called to leave our family to fight in the Vietnam War, and as his eldest child, I was encouraged to grow up maybe a little faster than I was ready for.

Helping out my mom, I’d prepare breakfast or make sure my baby brother was dressed. The added responsibility didn’t feel too daunting, and my 8-yearold brain somehow connected my additional service with the hoped-for return of my dad, safe and sound. The dads of too many of my classmates didn’t make it back to their families.

My perfect summer day occurred whenever my mom arranged care for my three siblings, treating me to an outing where I could engage in age-appropriate activities with her undivided attention. A drive through an unknown part of town or a walk through the woods or a stop at a roadside food stand — the details didn’t matter.

What did matter was our conversations and the opportunity to be a carefree boy for a couple of hours. I often think about the challenges that children face in our complex world and hope their parents are allowing them to be children.

Dr. Stephan Blanford is the executive director of Children’s Alliance. The alliance is a statewide, nonpartisan child advocacy organization that partners with families, lawmakers, community leaders, service providers and policy experts to develop antiracist policy solutions that improve the lives of Washington kids and build a better shared future for all of us.

It’s so much more than a gift!

Washington State Heirloom Birth Certificate

A portion of the proceeds from each birth certificate benefits the Children’s Trust Fund of Washington, administered by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families Strengthening Families Program.

• This official birth certificate is personally signed by the Governor and State Registrar.

• Certificate is 8 1/2 x 11 and includes the name, date and place of birth, as well as the name and birthplace of the parent(s).

• Frameable keepsake.

• For each $45 purchase of an Heirloom Birth Certificate, $20 is tax deductible.

To find out more information on Children’s Trust and child abuse prevention in Washington State visit: www.dcyf.wa.gov/about/governmentcommunity/community-engagement or visit the Department of Health to order your own Heirloom Birth Certificate.

A perfect summer day... for a future statewide children's champion

A perfect summer day... for a Seattle Public Library champion

A ferry riDe, a Dip anD a loaD of booKs

by CARMEN BENDIXEN

Ever wondered what a perfect summer day is for a highly intelligent and curious 8-year-old? For my niece Isabella, many years ago, it was a day exploring in the big city. She lived with her parents over on the Kitsap Peninsula, and by that time, we had the weekend pick-up down to a science.

We would ride the ferry over to Seattle from Bremerton (kids younger than 18 ride free!), where both the people — and wildlife-watching were more entertaining than anything on a screen. Then we would make our way to my apartment in North Seattle, where we would change into our swimsuits and walk a couple of blocks to the wading pool at Green Lake. There were at least a few other kids to splash around with. Isabella would easily make friends, chatting with other kids about how well they could swim, which books they brought to the park, and did they have any dogs.

When we’d had enough sun or had run out of books to read at the park, we would head to the Green Lake Branch of The Seattle Public Library. Isabella would look for books in the children’s section that she hadn’t read yet, and I would scan the New Fiction shelves to see if there was something I absolutely needed to read that day. We would each choose our books and then debate whether we should also venture to the Greenwood Branch to see what they had on their shelves.

On this particular day, in my memory, we were very excited to dive into our new books and made our way to a shady spot. Once home, we might have raided the freezer for some ice cream.

That day, and many others like it, is the way I like to remember summers with Isabella when she was younger. Now 19, Isabella is soon coming over to visit for a long weekend, and the activity she’s most looking forward to? Taking a stack of books down to Green Lake, dipping our toes in the water, and reading in the sunshine. Some things never change!

Carmen Bendixen works in transportation and was appointed to the Library Board by Mayor Jenny Durkan in April 2020, and became the president of the Board of Trustees in 2022. She was a member of the Friends of The Seattle Public Library board of trustees and helped lead advocacy efforts during the 2012 and 2019 Library Levy campaigns. Her favorite book from 5th grade was the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg, she says that still holds up today.

p.m. The thing about lighthouses is that there is nearly always a beach nearby. So bring your beach gear, skip rocks, build forts, and make it a day.

Tuesday, August 22

Host a food drive in your neighborhood

A food drive is something that your whole family can be involved in and a great way for kids to give back. Many organizations even provide resources such as printable flyers and food-collection containers to help your drive succeed. Here are just a few of the organizations that you can partner with for a family food drive: Food Lifeline, Northwest Harvest, Emergency Feeding Program of Seattle and King County and Hopelink. Find a central place to put a large collection box, make and post flyers in your neighborhood, call on friends and neighbors to give, and perhaps even ask your local grocery store if you can set up a donation box there. For more ideas for kids to give back check out the article “Doing good together: Ideas for volunteering as a family” at 3Seattleschild.com.

Wednesday, August 23

Plant a free garden

If visiting all those gardens has you inspired, you can plant your own: King County seed library lets anyone take the seeds they need for free and requests that you let at least some of what you grow go to seed to help restock supplies. There are locations in Phinney Ridge, Northeast Seattle and Snoqualmie.

Thursday, August 24

Check out one of Seattle’s truly unique stores

Ye Olde Curiosity Shop, located along Downtown Seattle’s waterfront, dates back to 1899. It’s most famous for displaying two human mummies, plus a whole lot of weird and rare items — two-headed taxidermied animals, shrunken human heads, carved grains of rice, historical items and lots more. You don’t need to buy anything to enjoy this Seattle relic, the fun is in the browsing.

Friday, August 25

Visit the Seattle PlayGarden for kids with disabilities

Do you have someone in your family — adult or child — who has a disability?

The truly magical Seattle PlayGarden is a public park located at 1745 24th Ave. S. in Seattle. Designed especially for children with disabilities, it’s also a great place for parents with disabilities who want to spend park time with a child. All are welcome in the park, but park staff requests able-bodied children and adults remain mindful and respectful of the park’s intention to serve disabled kids. Check out “Seattle PlayGarden: A magical place for kids with disabilities” at 3Seattleschild.com.

Saturday, August 26

Spend the day exploring Edmonds

Leave the big city for small-town fun in Edmonds. Head to the beaches just off the ferry terminal or take a walk south from there to enjoy sever al beach parks along the way.

The free model train room at Edmonds Historical Museum is well worth a visit as is a walk-through of Edmonds Marsh, teeming with wildlife year-round.

Saturday is also Edmonds Market day, a great place to grab a snack! Check out “A Walk-on Ferry Ride from Edmonds and Crepes” at 3Seattleschild.com.

Sunday, August 27

Teach your little one to ride a bike

It’s a right of passage and sure to make for a lot of free summer fun in the future. Not sure how to get them rolling on their own or where best to practice riding in the greater Seattle area?

Check out “Teach a child to ride a bike using these 4 steps” at 3Seattleschild.com.

More biking for today: It’s another Seattle Bicycle Weekend (See July 16)! Give them more practice along Lake Washington Boulevard, which will be closed to traffic to make room for cyclists and walkers all day. For more information, visit 3 parkways.seattle.gov

Monday, August 28

Make art and do a gallery show

Pull out the art supplies — pens, paper, glue, paint, whatever you can find. Then send the kids outside to collect bits of nature that they might add to their artwork. Challenge each child to make three different pieces of art and let them while away the hours. Make it an event by inviting friends and asking them to bring their supplies to the table. When all the pieces are complete, put them up around the house or lay them out along the sidewalk for people to see as they walk by. Be sure to include the child’s name and age in this gallery show. Need ideas? For a more structured, easy art-mak-

ing event where each child does the same project, check out the 3WeAreTeachers.com article “31 of Our Favorite Easy Art Projects for Kids.”

Tuesday, August 29

Bite into the last Hotdog Tuesday

It’s the last free Hotdog Tuesday of the summer at Ballard Community Center. Spend the evening enjoying hot dogs, fruits and beverages and playing games like corn hole, Nerf axe throwing, horse shoes, and croquet. There will be crafts for kids and other fun surprises. 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Wednesday, August 30

Watch the workings of the Port of Seattle with your transportation-loving kids

Is there a child in your house who lives for big rigs, ships, construction machinery and pretty much all things wheels and transportation? Spend today visiting Jack Perry Memorial Park on the Seattle Waterfront before heading over to Jack Block Park in West Seattle for great views of a port in action. The two parks are the anchors of The Port of Seattle’s self-guided tour, which takes visitors through parts (Terminals 5, 18, 30 and 4) of the sixth-largest port in the country. Print or upload the guide and take it along; it offers a wealth of information on port activity, capacity and more. Binoculars or a long-lens camera will help focus on details. Note: Jack Block is on Harbor Avenue SW. If you drive north on this road, you’ll see many more trucks, cranes and construction vehicles. For a treat, head to the historic Luna Park Cafe to enjoy a “perfect” milkshake. Download 3 portseattle.org/sites/ default/files/2017-12/Walking_Tour_1.pdf

SepTember

Friday, September 1

Take a cool rock hike at Hansen Creek Attention rockhounds! Gather your shovel, sifter, flashlight, and a jar for gems and head

A perfect summer day... for a future playground hero

Tower Hill

by LIZ BULLARD

Growing up as the seventh of nine children meant there was always someone to play with. But that didn’t stop my Mom and Dad from including all the neighborhood kids on our weekly trips to the lake. You could fit a lot of kids in the car when seat belts were nowhere in sight.

Climbing into two Wagoneers (“Big Red” and “Big Blue”), barefoot, wearing only swimsuits, we traveled the country roads from South Bend, IN, across the state line into Michigan, through the town of Three Oaks. We called out the names of the streets: “Ash, “Beech, Buckeye, Cedar!”

Knowing that just a few more miles down the road was Warren Dunes State Park. We piled out of the car, hopping and skipping along the burning hot pavement in the parking lot. Staying on the yellow-painted lines helped. We raced to the top of the gigantic dune, Tower Hill.

Our feet would sink into the hot, golden soft sand. We climbed and crawled up, slipped back down and climbed again until we crested the top, where the sand was refreshingly cool. We lingered for a while cooling our toasted feet, but not for long.

You could see the blue water of Lake Michigan down below and it beckoned us. We ran, leaped, and rolled down the hill, picking up speed and laughing all the way. We spent the rest of the day riding the waves, splashing along the shore, building elaborate towers and moats and searching for crinoids in the pebbles.

Heading home, we were tired, sun-kissed, happy, quiet, and very hungry. Dinner would come together as Dad grilled hamburgers, a few of us would shuck a couple of dozen ears of fresh-picked corn and one of us would mix up fluffy shortcakes from the “Joy Of Cooking.” As dusk set in, we would search for fireflies and finally, as night fell, we would drag our tired, dirty bodies up to bed. The perfect day: barefoot, swimsuit all day, sand, waves, treasures collected and farm fresh food at its peak of freshness.

Elizabeth Bullard is the executive director of Seattle PlayGarden and also the visionary behind and founder of the PlayGarden. She has worked with children and families in the Seattle area since 1985 and enjoys working and playing alongside PlayGardeners of all ages.

to Hansen Creek, a 1.4-mile out-andback trail near North Bend. You won’t have to go very far along the trail to see why families enjoy hunting for crystals and other stones at this spot. There are gems everywhere. Look closely for quartz crystals hidden around fallen logs and the roots of trees. Dig down to see what’s below the surface. Focus on one spot, then hike farther up the hill and look for your next claim. Learn more at ington/hansen-creek-trail Saturday, September 2

Paint rocks and pass on a little joy

For the last few years, painted rocks have been popping up all over Puget Sound as a sign of beau ty and community connection. Join the pack! flat palm-sized or smaller rocks. Paint a design or write an encouraging word or quotation on each rock using acrylic paint or permanent markers. Step 3) hood and deposit them in gardens and public spots so that others can see them and be uplifted.

Sunday, September 3

Climb a tree — or several trees

We know, we know. There’s danger in climbing trees. On the other hand, we’re getting to the end of summer and it’s a child’s summer right of passage. You yourself likely climbed at least one tree as a child. So find a big, branchy one, stay near your climbers to help prevent a fall and let them enjoy this summer classic. Have a perfect climbing tree in your yard or nearby? Throw down an old sheet, drag out a mattress or futon, and place it below as

discovery park loop

an added precaution. Search for Wiki How: How to Climb a Tree for great preparation advice (with illustrations) and safety tips.

Monday, September 4

Head into the forest for a REAL hike

Give them a real hike today – perhaps one that is more than a mile but less than 5. For young kids the 2.8 Discovin Seattle’s Magnolia neighborhood is a good challenge, wandering through beautiful forests and meadows by a beach. Lighthouse included! Stop half way for a leisureCheck out our article “7 kids that are easy and kid-friendly” Seattleschild.com.

Tuesday, September 5

Almost back-to-school “do nothing” day

You’ve hiked, you’ve biked, you’ve played, you’ve danced. You’ve visited tide pools and petting zoos and museums. Instead of cramming in one more end-of-summer event or activity, how about just hanging out as a family today and perhaps engaging in or starting a new back-to-school tra dition? Spaghetti dinner anyone? Followed by a first day fashion show, then early into jammies — parents, too. Finally, settle onto the couch for a low-stress family flick before hitting the hay early. Tomorrow’s a big day.

Museums are for K IDs!

What did the world look like before I was here?

Who shares the earth with me? How do things work?

Bellevue Arts Museum

MUSEUM info

Website: www.bellevuearts.org

Address: 510 Bellevue Way N.E., Bellevue, WA 98004

Hours: Wednesday-Sunday: 11 am - 5 pm

Admission: Adult - $15; Youth (age 7-17) - $8; Senior (age 65+)/Student/Military - $12; Family - $35; TeenTix - $5; Children under 6 - Free; BAM members - Free

Free/Discounted Days: Students are invited to visit BAM for free every 2nd Sunday of the month. Available the first weekend of every month, all Bank of America bankcard holders and employees receive free admission. Use your King County Library System (KCLS) library card to get free passes to local museums. If you are 13-19 years old, join TeenTix and gain admission for only $5—every day.

Special Events: KIDS FAIR on July 28-30. Join us for a fun weekend of art projects, games and gallery activities. All are welcome, but most stations are best suited for ages 3-10. Admission is FREE. Kids Fair is sponsored by PNC.

Summer Camps: Register at bellevuearts.org/summercamps

Parent/Kid friendly features: ‘Imagination station’ in the museum is a dedicated space for kids to imagine, draw and read.

What kids will love:

Interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, and engaging displays that cater to their curiosity and imagination. Additionally, we often offer special programs and events specifically designed for kids, making the experience even more enjoyable for young visitors.

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery center

MUSEUM info

Website: www.discovergates.org

Address: 440 5th Ave. N. Seattle, WA 98119

Hours: Memorial Day – Labor Day: Wed – Sat. 10 am – 5 pm & Fall-Spring: Thur. – Sat. 10 am – 5 pm

Cost: Free

Free/Discounted Museum Days: Every day is free

Special Events: Stroller tours offered Thursdays all summer from 11 am – 12 pm

Summer Day Camps/Classes: Teen Week Workshops July 17-27

Afterschool/Weekend Classes: Youth Ambassador Program offered for grades 9 – 12

Programs for Schools/Homeschoolers: In-person and virtual tours and workshops offered year-round

Museum Café: No, but there are a lot of options across the street at Seattle Center.

Family-Friendly Features: Hands-on activities and exhibitions for all ages. Dedicated quiet space for nursing parents or for young visitors to take a break during their day of exploring.

What kids will love:

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center is an interactive experience for all ages. Kids can explore exhibitions, create their own innovations, and draw and share causes they care about.

What parents will love:

Unique opportunity for families to bond over shared learning, stimulating curiosity and fostering a deeper appreciation for culture and knowledge.

What parents will love:

The exhibition, Designing Motherhood on view through December 30, explores the arc of human reproduction through the lens of art and design, including the cycle of menstruation, reproduction, pregnancy, post-partum, baby care and beyond.

Children’s Museum of Skagit County

MUSEUM info

Website: www.SkagitChildrensMuseum.net

Address: 432 Fashion Way, Burlington, WA 98233

Hours: Check our website for current information

Admission: Infants under 12 months: Free; Children 12 months or older and adults: $8.75/person; Military/Seniors (65 years old): $7.75/person; Museum’s For All: $3.00/person, up to 4 people (EBT, WIC, CHIP, Provider One, Apple Health, or Foster Panter cards. Proof of eligibility will be required);

Field Trip Admission (Must call in advance to schedule and for details): $3 per child, adults free

Free/Discounted Days: Check our website for current information

Special Events: Check our website for current information

Summer Camps:

www.SkagitChildrensMuseum.net/education/camps

After school: Check our website for current information

Parent/Kid friendly features: Interactive exhibits and activities for kids of all ages to learn through hands-on play. Celebrations and events throughout the year. Museum Explorers Preschool. Museum store. Memberships available.

COVID-19: Check our website for current information

Hands On Children’s museum

Website: www.hocm.org

Address: 414 Jefferson St. N.E. Olympia, WA 98501

Hours: Monday-Saturday: 9am – 5pm; Sunday: 10am – 5pm

Cost: General Admission (18 mo–64 years) $16.95, Seniors (65+) $15.95, Military $14.95 (with valid ID), FREE for members

Free/Discounted Museum Days: On the First Friday of the month, 4 – 8pm, admission is just $1. Access Admission is available every day. The first 2 guests are FREE / each additional $3 (with EBT, P-EBT, CHIP, Provider One, WIC, or Apple Health card and ID), sponsored by WSECU

Special Events: Summer Splash: June–Aug., Boo Bash: October, Noon Years: December 31, Ice Adventures: January, Spring Break: April

Summer Camps: www.hocm.org/events-programs/camps/summer-camps-2023/

After-School/Weekend Classes: Inspired Chefs Program www.hocm.org/events-programs/events/inspired-chefs-program/

Family-Friendly Features: Preschool, Sensory Friendly Hour Sundays, Sensory Friendly Room Saturdays

Museum Café: Yes

What kids will love:

A real tug boat, semi-truck, crane and so much more to explore in the Main Street exhibits: Café, Dental Office, Doctor’s Office, Bank, Design Studio, Grocery Store and Construction Site. Create in the Art Studio, discover the Reading Room, Toddler Farmyard, Barn, STEAM Lane, Theatre Stage, Music Studio and Train exhibits.

What parents will love:

The exhibits are as much fun for adults as they are for children! The museum offers opportunities and resources for parents to engage with their children and learn more about the community, in an atmosphere that feels welcoming and relaxed. Exhibits are filled with components that inspire curiosity, exploration and fun!

What kids will love:

Over 150 exciting exhibits in 10 beautiful galleries. A half-acre outdoor play area, year-round activities, guests, and special events. Don’t miss Summer Splash! Festival of Fun with animal encounters, visiting artist, and special activities June – Aug.

What parents will love:

Washington’s award-winning museum on Olympia’s waterfront. East Bay Plaza with a 250’ interactive stream. Near downtown, Farmer’s Market and Percival Landing. Clean and beautiful. Fresh foods in the Play Day Café. We've also been featured in several Blippi videos.

PHOTO © BILLY HUSTACE PHOTOGRAPHY

hibulb cultural center and natural history preserve

SCAVENGER HUNT

Don’t miss these five exciting treasures at the Hibulb Cultural Center Longhouse

Traditionally, longhouses were homes made from cedar planks that were used for gatherings and communal living. Today, Tulalip Tribes has one central longhouse that is still used for ceremonies.

Point Elliott Treaty

The Point Elliott Treaty of 1855 is a living document that protects the rights and culture of the Tulalip Tribes. The signing of the Treaty is one of the most pivotal points in Tulalip history.

Dentalium shells

Dentalium shells were used as currency and regalia. Mostly used for trade, these small, tubular mollusks were symbols of wealth and were commonly incorporated in traditional wear.

Teaching pole

Teaching poles were carvings that represented stories and the morals behind them. In the winter months, grandparents would tell stories to children in the longhouse.

Stone net weights

Stone net weights were used to weigh down nets for beach seining and fishing. These weights helped the net sink down to catch fish, or to anchor nets in place.

What kids will love:

Stories are given as gifts to make one more knowledgeable. Young people can immerse themselves in the stories, music, canoes, cedar and salmon interactive exhibits of the Tulalip people’s past and present at the cultural center.

MUSEUM info

Website: www.hibulbculturalcenter.org

What parents will love:

Our senior curator described the cultural center as the intellectual and cultural soul of the Tulalip people. The center incorporates history, language, science and art in the hands-on activities for a unique, enjoyable learning experience.

Address: Hibulb Cultural Center and Natural History Preserve, 6410 23rd Ave. N.E. Tulalip, WA 98271, 360-716-2600

Hours: Monday: Closed, Tuesday–Friday 10am–5pm, Saturday–Sunday noon–5pm Free the 1st Thursday of each month, open 10am–5pm on those days

Admission: Adult (18 and over): $10, Senior (50+): $7, Student (6-17): $6, Military & Veterans: $6, Child (5 and under): FREE, Family: $25 (2 adults and up to 4 children)

Special Events for Families: Yes

Summer Day Camps/Classes: Tour programs offered

Afterschool/Weekend Classes: Yes

Programs for Schools/Homeschoolers: Yes

Family-friendly features: Interactive exhibits, hands-on activity options

CHECK THEM OFF AS YOU FIND EACH ONE!

Kids Discovery Museum

SCAVENGER HUNT

Don’t miss these five exciting treasures at the Kids

Discovery Museum

Pixelization

Images are made up of thousands of pixels. Come explore and create with our giant pin wall.

Creation Station

This exhibit has all the tools to help create anything you can imagine.

Women in STEM

Come be inspired by the female scientists that work in the science and technology fields. Our Town Shop at the grocery store, count money at the bank & heal the animals at the vet. The town is open to all.

What kids will love:

KiDiMu provides a range of exhibits for all learners. Budding scientists explore the Nature Telescope, Pixelization pin wall, the Nano and Women in STEM exhibits. Creativity lovers can tinker in the Creation Station, Light Wall and Art Studio, while imaginative kids play in the Our Town exhibit.

MUSEUM info

Website: www.kidimu.org

What parents will love:

KiDiMu is located in the heart of downtown Winslow, next to restaurants, shops and wineries. Parents enjoy exploring the exhibits and playing on the light wall. The museum is continuously monitored to be safe and clean. There is an outdoor area for fresh air and getting the wiggles out.

Address: 301 Ravine Lane N.E., Bainbridge Island, WA 98110

Hours: Summer Hours: Mon - Thu 1 - 5 pm, Fri - Sun 9 am - 4 pm

Cost: Members FREE, Infants (under 12 months) FREE, Adults and Children $9, Grandparents and Seniors $8, Military $8, Museums for All $3

Free/Discounted Museum Days: Every First Friday of the month is Pay-What-You-Will Special Events: First Friday Art Walk, Halloween at KiDiMu, Gingerbread House Making, Noon-Year’s Eve, Fam Jam & several community events listed on our website.

Summer Camps: www.kidimu.org/summercamps

After-School/Weekend Classes: Art & Build After School

Programs for Schools/Homeschoolers: KiDiMu Preschool, Nature Walks at Bloedel

Family-Friendly Features: Daily pop-up or science activities. Birthday Parties/ After-Hour Events.

Museum Café: No

Light Wall

Kids and adults can spend hours here creating patterns and images with the bright light pegs.

CHECK THEM OFF AS YOU FIND EACH ONE!

KidsQuest Children's Museum

UPCOMING EVENTS

KidsQuest Summer Nights

Families can explore the Museum after-hours during KidsQuest Summer Nights! New themes, fun activities and special guests each week! Fridays & Saturdays starting July 7.

Camptivities

Make summer memories with camp-themed activities FREE with admission or membership, weekdays from June 20th – August 25th. Spark the fire of creativity through play!

What kids will love:

Playing, exploring and learning in every inch of the place! Hop aboard a real truck, climb 25 feet in the air or help out in a grocery store! Kids can paint, draw or build before heading up to the Story Tree to engage their imaginations and develop their reading skills.

MUSEUM info

Website: www.KidsQuestMuseum.org

What parents will love:

Watching their children engage in thought-provoking, independent-play or joining them in the fun! KidsQuest encourages all guests to keep on playing and exploring! Create something new out of recycled materials in our Recycle Rebuild lab or watch your tiny tot explore safely in our Tot Orchard.

Address: 1116 108th Ave. N.E., Bellevue, WA 98004 Adjacent to the Bellevue Library and Ashwood Park

Hours: With extended hours this summer, check our website for more details!

Cost: Ticket reservations are required for all visitors, including Museum members. Members: FREE, Children Under 1: FREE, Children over 1: $14, Adult Ticket: $14.

Free/Discounted Museum Days: Discounts are available every day!

Visit www.KidsQuestMuseum.org/about-us/access-discounted-tickets for more information.

Special Events: KidsQuest Summer Nights, Camptivities, and more!

www.KidsQuestMuseum.org/programs/special_events_for_all_ages/ Pre-School Classes: www.KidsQuestMuseum.org/programs/preschool/ After-School/Weekend Classes: www.kidsquestmuseum.org/programs/school-age-programs-2/ Programs for Schools/Homeschoolers: www.kidsquestmuseum.org/programs/school-age-programs-2/#3

KidsQuest Bees & Worms

Watch bees and worms up close! Learn more about our tiny neighbors and why they are so important to our habitat!

Family-Friendly Features: Take a reminder of the Museum home with you from the KidsQuest Museum Store. Low-sensory programming on the third Thursday of every month and low-sensory kits are available for usage on site anytime. Book an onsite birthday party or reserve for a private event with only your friends and family.

Covid-19: Check our website for updates: www.kidsquestmuseum.org

Harbor History Museum

MUSEUM info

Website: www.harborhistorymuseum.org

Address: 4121 Harborview Dr., Gig Harbor, WA 98332

Hours: Wednesday – Friday 11am – 4pm, Saturday 11am – 5pm

Cost: Admission is complimentary

Free/Discounted Museum Days: Wednesday - Saturday

Special Events: I Spy Exhibit

Summer Day Camps/Classes: No

Afterschool/Weekend Classes: No

Programs for Schools/Homeschoolers: www.harborhistorymuseum.org/programs-exhibits#/pse

Museum Café: Nearby cafés and parks

Family-Friendly Features: This family-friendly exhibit is for the kid in all of us.

MOHAI

MUSEUM info

Address: 860 Terry Ave., Seattle, WA 98109

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Summer Extended Hours: Thursdays, July and August, 10 am–8 pm

What kids will love:

Kids will delight in solving the riddles to find the hidden objects in the Teeny Tiny Can You Find Me exhibit and in the Boat of Castaway Treasures. There is also a super fun toy cabinet to explore!

What parents will love:

Inspired by the much-loved I SPY books, we decided to apply the idea to our own museum collection. From tools to shoes, hats, toys and pins, you’ll have flashback Thursday every day!

Cost: Admission is free from 5-8 pm on first Thursdays to MOHAI’s regular galleries. Admission to select special exhibits is included with regular MOHAI admission of $22 for adults, $18 for seniors (65 and above); $17 for students and military (with ID); free for children 14 and under (when accompanied by an adult) and MOHAI members. As part of the Museums For All program, low-income families can visit MOHAI for a minimal fee of $2 per person with the presentation of an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card.

Special Ongoing Programs for Families: Join MOHAI as we tinker, experiment and create our way through history. Explore in the Idea Lab in the Bezos Center for Innovation or at home using templates and videos. Activities change every other month.

Programs for Schools/Homeschoolers: MOHAI’s wide range of handson educational programs make local history come alive for students at every grade level. Diverse offerings include on-site museum field trips and off-site Portable Museum rentals, with scholarship funding support available for those who qualify. Details at www.mohai.org/education/

Gourmondo at MOHAI Café: Whether you are visiting the museum or strolling around Lake Union Park, you are invited to stop in for a bite at Gourmondo at MOHAI. Situated alongside the historic ships wharf and just steps from the water, this bright and sunny spot offers unbeatable views of the park and Lake Union. Open 10 am – 5 pm daily. First Thursdays of the month 10 am-8 pm.

What kids will love:

Create, collaborate, and explore at the Bezos Center for Innovation. Young visitors can tinker and solve real-world problems in the Idea Lab and use Exploration and Innovation Packs to discover history in fun, hands-on ways.

What parents will love:

MOHAI’s big open floor plan allows kids to get their wiggles out as they explore. Hands-on interactives supplement in-depth exhibit content to entertain everyone in the family.

The Museum of Flight

UPCOMING EVENTS

Art+Flight Exhibition

Now Open

What kids will love:

Kids will love seeing the tons of colorful eye-candy that’s up, down and all around. They will have fun flying simulators that go upside down. They will love crafting art you can’t buy anywhere, and they will love having fun doing all these things with their parents.

MUSEUM info

Website: www.museumofflight.org

Community Mural Project

July 22

In celebration of Art+Flight, help us paint a mural on the side of the Museum. Enjoy music, food trucks and more! All ages.

What parents will love:

Parents will love the free parking and expansive indoor spaces. They will also enjoy being part of their children’s excitement as they discover the colorful, magical, mysterious, and huge world of aviation and space. And most of all, they will love making memories that last forever.

Address: 9404 East Marginal Way S., Tukwila, WA 98108

Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM; 7 days a week

Cost: $18-$26 (Kids 4 and under are FREE!)

Free/Discounted Museum Days: Free First Thursdays - First Thursday of every month admission is FREE from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Blue Star Museums

Special Events: Art+Flight Community Mural Project (July 22), Jet Blast Bash (August 5-6), Spacesuit Design Challenge (Fashion Show is August 19)

Summer Day Camps/Classes: Yes; summer 2023 is full

After-School/Weekend Classes: Yes; Weekend Family Workshops

Programs for Schools/Homeschoolers: Yes; museumofflight.org/Education

Museum Café: Yes

Family-Friendly Features: Art+Flight Exhibit, Art+Flight Zone kid play area, Weekend Family Workshops

Spacesuit Design Challenge

Aug. 19

Art+Flight features sculpture, painting, photography, murals, and new media to enhance our perceptions and remind us of the awe and joy of flight through art.

Participants design, draw and build an original, handmade spacesuit and wearable by the designer, to be judged in a Top 20 Fashion Show.

National nordic museum

MUSEUM info

Website: www.nordicmuseum.org

Address: 2655 NW Market St., Seattle, WA 98107

Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 10am - 5pm

Cost: $20 Adults, $10 Youth (ages 5-18), Free Child (0-4)

Free/Discounted Museum Days: First Thursdays Free

Special Events: Nordic Stories on First Thursdays (preschool)

Summer Day Camps/Classes: Yes nordicmuseum.org/calendar/kids

Afterschool/Weekend Classes: Yes nordicmuseum.org/calendar/kids

Programs for Schools/Homeschoolers: Yes nordicmuseum.org/school-programs

Museum Café: Yes

Family-Friendly Features: Interactive displays

What kids will love:

Check out the free Nordic Explorers Backpack from the front desk for fun activities to teach you, and any adults with you, more about the Museum. Don’t forget to solve the labyrinth outside!

Northwest Railway Museum

MUSEUM info

Website: www.TrainMuseum.org

Address: Railway History Campus:  9320 Stone Quarry Road, Snoqualmie, WA 98065

Historic Snoqualmie Depot:  38625 S.E. King Street, Snoqualmie, WA 98065

Hours: 10am - 5pm

Cost: Free-$40, depending on event. Proud participant of Museums for All and King Co. Library System free and reduced admission programs.

Special Events: Steam Train weekends, Day Out With Thomas, Halloween Train, and Santa Train.

Summer Day Camps/Classes: No

Afterschool/Weekend Classes: No

Programs for Schools/Homeschoolers: Fun field trip options for all learners. Visit trainmuseum.org or email  info@trainmuseum.org for details.

Museum Café: No

Family-Friendly Features: Explore train cars, locomotives, exhibits, children’s play area and more! Ride the Rails to experience the Museum’s working historic railway.

What kids will love:

Trains! Train rides, model trains, Snoqualmie depot has a climbaboard train car too. Go inside a real caboose at the Train Shed exhibit hall.

What parents will love:

Inside and outside spaces with plenty to see and do. Family memberships include free admission to over 1,100 participating institutions in the North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association for two adults and their children.

What parents will love:

Trains! A train ride that includes a stop to view the Snoqualmie River from the top of Snoqualmie Falls; The history of how the railway changed EVERYTHING!

PHOTO COURTESY OF M BARCHI

Rocky Reach Discovery Center

SCAVENGER HUNT

Don’t

these five exciting treasures at the Rocky Reach Discovery Center

Fish

What kids will love:

Look a live salmon in the eye; steer a steamship through the Columbia River rapids; get your hands on salmon innards; run, jump and play in shady Rocky Reach Park

MUSEUM info

Fish

What parents will love:

Safe, go-at-your-own-pace

“edu-tainment” - we make the magic of hydropower fun! Easy parking and in/out from Hwy 97A.

Website: www.chelanpud.org/learning-center/rocky-reach-discovery-center facebook.com/VisitRockyReach; IG @VisitRockyReach

Address: 5000 State Hwy. 97A, Wenatchee, WA 98801

Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m

Cost: FREE - A public power benefit. Rocky Reach Dam is owned by the people of Chelan County.

Free/Discounted Museum Days: Every day

Special Events: Wenatchee Valley Salmon Festival: Sept. 23, 2023

First

Summer Camps: Yes. There are still spaces remaining in our Summer Science classes! From magnets to moving water to circuits and gravity, kids will get hands-on learning about hydroelectricity. Call 509-661-8437 to learn more and register. More info at:

K-1st Grade: fb.me/e/ssruJ5Sw2

2nd-3rd Grade: fb.me/e/x9ojD71c

After-School/Weekend Classes: Yes

Hydropower

Programs for Schools/Homeschoolers: We offer a variety of hands-on, interactive STEM educational field trips for school and homeschool groups, designed to inspire and challenge students of all ages. Students pre-K through Grade 12 can steer a sternwheeler through the Rock Island Rapids, experience energy transfer through “Hydro Know How” interactive models, journey through Columbia River Native American history, look inside and outside a salmon, travel the historical path of electricity in the Pacific Northwest, and so much more! We also offer a variety of special science presentations with science curriculum alignment on a variety of topics including Centrifugal and Centripetal Energy, Open and Closed Circuits, Electromagnetic Spectrum, Center of Gravity, PSI and Hydrostatic Pressure, External and Internal Fish Anatomy, Columbia River History, Magnetic Energy, career pathways explorations, and more. Call us to book your field trip today.

Family-Friendly Features: Four floors of free(!) hands-on fun, acres of beautifully landscaped park and playground

Museum Café: Yes. Rocky Reach Café: Enjoy breakfast, lunch or a freshly-baked treat for purchase. Open Tuesday - Saturday 9:30am – 2pm.

Steamboat Captain

Steer a steamship through a treacherous stretch of the Columbia River rapids

Seattle Children’s MuseuM

SCAVENGER HUNT

Don’t miss these five exciting treasures at the Seattle Children’s Museum

Attend a Special Program

Slither with the Reptile Lady, enjoy stories told by Drag Queens, craft with a community leader or set sail with Pirates. Full event schedule online.

Befriend a Good Book

Cozy up in the Raindrop Reading Room inspired by the authentic illustrations of Nikki McClure’s 1-2-3 Salish Sea. Explore seasonally curated books and live story times.

Create with Cardboard Tools

Go beyond the box in the Corner Workshop with Makedo cardboard tools. Plan, build and engineer your wildest dreams all out of cardboard and recycled materials.

Pave Your Own Way in Twist & Turns

Set your wheels in motion as you explore cause and effect and trial and error, creating your own courses for cars, balls and gears.

Explore a Seattle Neighborhood

Cuddle four-legged friends, produce a theater show, stock market shelves, sort packages and deliver mail, captain the fire station, and earn your doctor’s white coat.

What kids will love:

Kids can explore cause and effect in STEAM-based exhibits, cozy up for a story in the Puget Sound themed Raindrop Reading Room, trek through the mountains on our interactive nature walks, craft in the corner workshop, and interact with exhibits that instill confidence while encouraging dress-up, selfexpression and hands-on role-play.

MUSEUM info

Website: www.seattlechildrensmuseum.org

What parents will love:

Your admission includes re-entry allowing you to explore nearby attractions, including the neighboring playground, and return to the museum at your convenience. We offer complimentary sensory kits, a nursing room, rotating staffled programming, and immersive exhibits that have all been refreshed and retouched to keep your child engaged in role-play and exploration.

Address: Seattle Center Armory Building | 305 Harrison St., Seattle, WA 98109

Hours: 10am-5pm 7 days a week reducing to Wednesday – Sunday seasonally

Cost: $13 per person, $11 seniors, members and infants under 1 free, $3 per person with EBT or similar

Special Events: Rotating seasonal programs and special events offered. View full lineup at www.seattlechildrensmuseum.org/programs/ Summer Camps: Yes; seattlechildrensmuseum.org/camp/ Programs for Schools/Homeschoolers: Yes www.seattlechildrensmuseum.org/visit/fieldtrips/ Family-Friendly Features: 18,000 sq. ft. of play-space welcoming all to explore the great outdoors, Seattle neighborhoods, STEAM-based activities, games, crafts and special rotating programs.

Museum Café: Yes, there is a food court located upstairs on the Armory Building’s 2nd Floor.

CHECK THEM OFF AS YOU FIND EACH ONE!

Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe Museum

MUSEUM info

Website: www.shoalwaterbay-nsn.gov/programs/museum/

Address: 4115 State Route 105, Tokeland, WA 98590

Hours: Open Tuesday- Saturday 9 am–5 pm, Closed daily 12pm-1 pm for lunch

Cost: Free

Family-Friendly Features: Shoalwater Bay Museum organizes exhibits and cultural events to engage with our culture.

What kids will love:

Kids and parents alike will enjoy our displays from archeology to modern representations of the tribe as well as our selection of books in the library. We also have a gift shop with items ranging from kids native coloring books, clothing for youth and adults, tribal gifts and art.

SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention

MUSEUM info

Website: www.sparkmuseum.org

Address: 1312 Bay St., Bellingham, WA 98225

Hours: 11:00 am- 5:00 pm Wednesday – Sunday; MegaZapper Show, Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30

Cost: General Admission - $6 for children (12 and under); $10 for adults; $5 additional for MegagZapper show

Free/Discounted Museum Days: Library passes are available from the local library

Special Events: Keep an eye on the website and sign up for our monthly newsletter!

Summer Day Camps/Classes: Yes

Programs for Schools/Homeschoolers: www.sparkmuseum.org/education/field-trips/

Family-Friendly Features: Hands-on, interactive science and history exhibits

On Site Café: No

What parents will love:

In addition to being a museum for the tribe we are also the tribe’s library and a Timberland Regional Library Affiliate.

What kids will love:

Kids will love the many hands-on interactive exhibits throughout the museum, as well as our docents who help make the collection come to life and leave you feeling inspired.

What parents will love:

Parents will love that this museum is designed for both kids and parents!

Exhibits are meant to educate, entertain and inspire visitors of all ages, not just the littles.

Whatcom Museum

Family Interactive Gallery (FIG)

MUSEUM info

Website: www.whatcommuseum.org

Address: 250 Flora Street, Bellingham, WA 98225

Hours: Wednesday – Saturday, 10am – 5pm, Sunday, noon – 5pm

Cost: $10 general, $8 youth (6-17)/student/senior/military,

$5 child (2-5), under 2 free

Free/Discounted Museum Days: $5 FIG-only visits

Wednesday-Saturday, 10am-Noon

Special Events: FIG Studio art activities, Thursday story time, STEAM Saturdays, and Saturdays with the Symphony Summer Day Camps/Classes: www.whatcommuseum.org/learn/camps/

Afterschool/Weekend Classes: Check our web calendar at www.whatcommuseum.org/calendar/

Programs for Schools/Homeschoolers: www.whatcommuseum.org/learn/school-tours-and-workshops/

Museum Café: Yes

Family-Friendly Features: Learn through play activity stations and an art studio meant for adult-child interaction inside the FIG. Admission includes art and history galleries in this 2-building campus, offering kid-friendly interactives.

wing luke Museum

Website: www.wingluke.org

Address: 719 S. King St., Seattle, WA 98104

Hours: Wednesday - Monday; 10am - 5pm

Cost: $17 Adult, $15 Senior (62+), $12.50 Students (13-18), $10 Children (5-12), Free for child under 5, Free for up to 5 individuals with EBT card

Special Events: JamFest (July), Hai! Japantown (August), Holiday Craft Fair, Lunar New Year

Summer Day Camps/Classes: Yes

www.wingluke.org/summercamp

Afterschool/Weekend Classes: Yes

www.wingluke.org/youth

Programs for Schools/Homeschoolers: Yes

www.wingluke.org/education

Museum Café: No

Family-Friendly Features: Activity stations throughout the museum and our KidPLACE gallery give kids a hands-on way to explore exhibit themes and exercise their own creative expression.

What kids will love:

Activity stations include a climbable fire lookout, building zone, farm-totable area, costumes, interactive sensory light activities, art studio, toddler area, and music area. STEAM Saturday science experiments are a favorite!

What parents will love:

The FIG is designed for adults and children to have fun together. By offering self-directed exploration, the FIG provides educational opportunities in many critical areas, including science, technology, art, innovation, problem-solving, and social experiences.

What kids will love:

Kids of any age will love the chance to get outside and experience the sights, sounds and flavors of Asian and Pacific Islander cultures. Our tours are highly interactive and cater to all types of curiosity and interests.

What parents will love:

Guided walking tours like Hometown Chinatown offer a rich personal connection to stories, cultures and communities of the ChinatownInternational District in ways that textbooks can’t. Spend a beautiful summer afternoon on an unforgettable family adventure!