Things to Do with Kids in Seattle

Located on the lower level of the Armory at Seattle Center, this hands-on museum features interactive exhibits for kids from infants to age 8. Highlights include global village play areas, a construction zone, and art studios. Children under 1 are free. A 6% revitalization fee is added to all tickets.

A massive science museum on the Seattle Center campus with hundreds of interactive exhibits, a planetarium, laser dome shows, butterfly house, and rotating special exhibitions. All general admission tickets include unlimited planetarium and daytime laser dome shows. Uses plan-ahead pricing so ticket prices vary by date. Toddlers are free.

A 92-acre zoo with award-winning naturalistic habitats for over 300 animal species including grizzly bears, penguins, snow leopards, and gorillas. Features a nature play area, carousel, and seasonal butterfly garden. Ticket prices vary by day — book online for the best rate. Children under 2 are always free.

One of the largest air and space museums in the world, with over 175 aircraft and spacecraft including a Concorde, Air Force One, and space shuttle trainer. Features a kid-friendly aviation pavilion and flight simulators. Children 4 and under are free. Free admission on first Thursdays from 5-9pm.

Located on Pier 59 on the Seattle waterfront, the aquarium features Pacific Northwest marine life including sea otters, harbor seals, octopus, and jellyfish. Touch pools let kids interact with tide pool creatures. The Ocean Pavilion expansion added tropical reef and shark exhibits. Kids 3 and under are free. Prices vary by day and time.

A free, sensory-rich playground at Seattle Center with separate play areas for ages 2-5 and 5-12. Features musical instruments, climbing structures, a 30-foot climbing tower, and artistic elements designed to engage all senses. Fully accessible for kids of all abilities. Open year-round.

A beloved free water feature at Seattle Center where kids can run through powerful, unpredictable water jets shooting from a large dome. Originally built for the 1962 World's Fair and rebuilt in 1995. On warm days the fountain bowl is packed with children. The surrounding lawn is perfect for picnics. Open year-round, water jets run seasonally.

The architecturally stunning Central Library by Rem Koolhaas has a dedicated children's floor with free storytime sessions, craft programs, and STEM activities. Weekly story times for ages 0-5 include Spanish-language sessions. All programs are free. The building itself is worth visiting — kids love the bright-red escalator spiral and the mixing chamber.

Washington state's natural history museum on the UW campus, with dinosaur fossils, live butterfly exhibits, Pacific Northwest cultural artifacts, and visible research labs where kids can watch scientists at work. The open-concept building lets visitors see behind the scenes. Children 3 and under are free. Free admission on first Thursdays.

A 175-foot Ferris wheel on Pier 57 with fully enclosed, climate-controlled gondolas offering views of Elliott Bay, the Olympic Mountains, and the Seattle skyline. Each ride is about 15 minutes with three full rotations. A glass-bottom VIP gondola is available for an extra charge. Children under 3 ride free.

Seattle's largest park at 534 acres features a renovated playground with separate areas for ages 2-5 and 5-12, a zip line, cargo net climbing structures, and nature trails leading to a historic lighthouse and beach. The playground is fully accessible. Easy trails are suitable for strollers, and ranger-led nature walks run on weekends.

A hands-on children's museum in downtown Bellevue designed for ages 0-8. Features a kid-sized grocery store, waterways exhibit, construction zone, art studio, and toddler-specific play areas. Friday evenings stay open until 7pm. Children under 1 are free. Discounted admission available through King County Library System museum pass program.