5 things to do
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Valentine’s Day activities
Right under your nose!
Celebrating MLK in their own way Show up to hear youth express what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and work means to them through song, dance and spoken-word performances. This family-friendly, youth-organized event held the Sunday before MLK Day features food, videos, and a panel discussion. — Sydney Parker Sun., Jan 19, at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute from noon to 5 pm. FREE.
»Romp Things to do with kids
1 Baby’s first valentine Bring the babes (ages 0-2) to paint valentine keepsakes at Seattle ReCreative. The baby-made artworks make perfect gifts for grandparents and friends. Sat., Jan. 25, 12:30-2 pm. 8408 Greenwood Ave. N., $30.
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Octopus romance
Learn about the surprisingly complex love lives of the Seattle Aquarium’s local marine species and watch them dine on Valentine’s Day-themed treats. Fri., Feb. 14, 9:30 am-5 pm. 1483 Alaskan Way. Free with admission.
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Get your heart racing
Celebrate your love for the outdoors with a Valentine’s Day Kids Dash and Tike Trot at Green Lake! The race is open to kids ages 10 and under. Sat., Feb. 8. Race begins 9:10 am. Register at valentinesdaydash.com.
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Love at the Zoo
Outer Space’s 1,667 square feet takes kids’ playtime vertical.
Explore Outer Space New indoor play space blasts off in West Seattle, inviting young explorers of all abilities by D A N I E L L E H A Y D E N / photos by J O S H U A H U S T O N
When Caitlin Huertas searched for a fun place to take her two children in her West Seattle neighborhood, she had a tough time finding an inclusive play space designed with both kids’
and parents’ needs in mind. She decided to build her own. Outer Space, Huertas’ dream made manifest, is now open — but it took years to get to this point. From finding the right location and affordable rent, to challenges
with prospective landlords, the journey hasn’t been easy. But her hard work paid off: she finally found the ideal location right off of Alki Beach, one of Seattle’s most beloved destinations. The 1,677-square-foot space isn’t massive, but Huertas took advantage of the high ceiling with a three-level vertical play structure placed atop a soft, padded floor. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE >
J a nua r y / Fe br ua r y 2 0 2 0
Feel the love as animals at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium dine on Valentine’s Daythemed treats. Feb. 15 and 16, 9:30 am-4 pm, 5400 N. Pearl St., Tacoma. Free with admission.
5
Date night
Splurge on a Parent’s Night Out! Drop the kids off at the Pacific Science Center, where they’ll learn about local bird species and do hands-on activities while you enjoy a little alone time. Kids age K-5, 5:30-11 pm. 200 2nd Ave. N. $45; $35 for members.
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