Few things are more challenging than a child with too much energy and nothing fun to do. Parents in Seattle are no stranger to this truth, especially this time of year, as temperatures drop and the rain sets in. Fortunately, the need for a rainy day recess has become a rather predictable part of living in this great city, so there is no shortage of indoor activities for kids in Seattle.
In terms of rainy day play, Seattle has just about everything you could possibly ask for. For instance, we have a number of kid-friendly coffee shops that give you the chance to relax with a latté while the little ones play. The various branches of the Seattle Public Library also host designated story times, which are a wonderful way for parents to meet and mingle with other parents who have children of a similar age.
These low-key activities are perfect if your child needs something intellectually stimulating, but if you’re looking for something a bit more energetic, we have just the thing. Below, we’ve compiled a list of a few indoor activities for kids in Seattle that promise to send you home with a delightfully exhausted (and much more compliant) child.
PlayHappy Café
4114 198th St SW #3, Lynnwood, WA 98036
For anyone who is not particularly familiar with the Seattle area, Lynnwood is a suburb located about 16 miles just north of the city. Among other things, it is home to PlayHappy Café, an absolute treat for kids on a rainy day and well worth the 20-minute drive. The business has been a recipient of the Red Tricycle award for Most Awesome Indoor Play Space for the Greater Seattle area, and it’s easy to see why.
PlayHappy Café is an upscale space that offers 2,000 square feet of indoor play. Inside, kids will find a bouncy house and other climbable play structures, ride-on toys, an entire town of play houses (including a firehouse and train station), costumes for role playing, and so much more. There is also a designated area for small babies, so parents have peace of mind knowing that their little crawlers won’t be trampled.
Ideal for ages 0-6. Parents can purchase one-day admission or discounted multi-visit passes.
Playdate SEA
1275 Mercer St., Seattle, WA 98109
Located in Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood, Playdate SEA is a relatively new addition to our community. Inside, the main attraction is a massive 3,000 square foot multi-level play structure consisting of slides, tunnels, and countless climbing opportunities.
Outside of the large main structure is a designated toddler area with fun age-appropriate activities, including wall puzzles and slides.
The entire space has been designed around an underwater theme, and parents will love how obvious it is that safety and sanitation are a top priority for the owners and staff of Playdate SEA. Parents will also appreciate their policy of granting one free admission on the last Wednesday of every month with the donation of two canned food items.
Recommended for kids up to 14 years of age, with special areas for toddlers under 4. Parents are always free, and kids’ admission ranges from $4-$12.
Arena Sports
4636 E. Marginal Way S., Seattle, WA 98134, plus two other satellite locations
Arena Sports hosts a variety of indoor activities. For something a bit more structured, check out their indoor soccer program for kids, “Lil’ Kickers”, geared toward children ages 18 months – 9 years old. They also have the Arena Sports School’s Out Day Camp (appropriate for ages 3-12), which focuses on skill-building activities that keep kids active and burn energy.
For drop-in fun, Arena Sports has an indoor inflatable playground, where kids between the ages of 18 months and 12 years can run, jump, and slide on massive inflatable play structures.
Parents’ admission is free with child entry. Child admission is $9 for non-members and $6 for members.
These three options are just the beginning. There are countless other indoor activities for kids in Seattle, and parents will be delighted to know that they are not at all difficult to locate. For additional rainy day activity ideas, keep an eye on the ParentMap Events Calendar and Seattle’s Child, both of which are updated regularly with a host of fun kid-friendly things to do throughout the greater Seattle area. Finally, if you’re looking for something to do around Seattle or the East Side with an infant or crawler on board, be sure to also check out ParentMap’s list of age-appropriate outings and activities for babies and toddlers.
No matter the age, there’s never a reason for children in Seattle to be bored. Our community is virtually overflowing with things to do and places to go.
