5 things to do
„ Subscribe to the Romp newsletter seattleschild.com/newsletter
Cures for the winter blahs
Right under your nose!
Seattle Pinball Museum One of the best ways to play vintage pinball in Seattle isn’t at an arcade or a bar, but at a museum. (Yes, this is certainly a louder variety of museum.) And it’s back and open once again: Players 7 and older can come by and flipper to their hearts’ content on 50 machines. Adults: $20. Kids (7-12) and seniors: $17. — Jillian O’Connor 508 Maynard Ave S., Seattle, seattlepinballmuseum.com
Rainy, cold and wet weather can have families staying in with kids, clamoring for some active fun. Keep everyone busy with these five ideas to help beat winter boredom.
»Romp
1 Camp inside! Pull out sheets and pillows, make a fort and set up camp in the living room. Get flashlights and grab a mattress from your kid’s bedroom. Sleep in front of the imaginary campfire! Tell stories. Bake up s’mores as a special camping treat.
Things to do with kids
2
Turn on your favorite tunes! A dance party will get all the wiggles out. Teach your child to do classic moves like the monkey or the sprinkler.
3
Slip on your socks and slide around! On bare wood floors, pretend to be ice skaters or (safely) chase each other around the house. Bonus: Your floors will be squeaky-clean.
4
Serenity and Ryan Ulsberger with Elliott, 4, and Eva, 2, enjoy the Family Nature Experience at Tacoma Nature Center, led by a preschool teacher naturalist.
Bundle up and head outside
Wintry adventures With guided activities, kids can make maple syrup, try out snowshoes, and learn a lot about nature by N A T A S H A D I L L I N G E R / photos by J O S H U A H U S T O N
Let’s face it. Getting out of the house in the middle of winter is a little more challenging. It’s chilly, it’s dark and someone always seems to be missing a mitten.
If your family has had one too many cozy days on the couch this season, you can capture some motivation from the experienced hosts of local guided activities and opt for an outdoor adventure.
Yes, especially when it’s raining! Examine fallen leaves, jump in puddles, stick your tongue out and catch a raindrop. Bring along hot chocolate and a snack.
Tacoma Nature Center Family Nature Experience You don’t have to drive for hours to have guided outdoor fun. Enjoy a private winter family walk and learn all about plant and animal adaptations to the seasons. (An optional indoor Turtle Time add-on is available). When: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Select Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE >
5 Make a sensory bin! Fill an empty bin with rice or beans. Add toy cars, trucks, scoops and bowls. Pour, sift and sort the materials for hours of tactile play. — Jasmin Thankachen
J a nua r y / Fe br ua r y 2 0 2 2
S E AT T L E ’ S C H I L D
9
