My Favorite Spring/Summer Spots
When the sun comes out in Seattle, check out these
Lewis Creek Park in Bellevue (Lakemont area)
This park is great for kids and for parents. It has two large play areas, one for smaller toddlers and one for bigger kids. It also has a nice 1/2 mile loop for running, jogging, or strolling. Get there early and you might spot some wildlife.
Insider Tip: Every saturday at 2 p.m., join the rangers for a walk through the park for an hour and learn about the natural world, exploring the park's diversity of wildlife and plants. Bring your dog, your kids of any age (strollers ok), and be prepared to go outside. Dress for the weather. Walks are free and pre-registration isn't required.
Insider Tip 2: On the first saturday of every month at 9 a.m., let a naturalist help you identify our feathered friends. Bellevue Birding is free and pre-registration is not required.
Kelsey Creek Park (&Farm) in Bellevue
Love Barnyard animals? Take the kids for a stroll in the park and visit some of old McDonald's friends between the hours of 9:30 to 3:30 daily. Get up close and personal with the horses, pigs, cows, goats, and chickens. The park also has a large play area for the kids, that's perfect for little toddlers, and many park benches and picnic tables great for sunny days.
Don't miss the Sheep Sheering event on On April 25th starting at 11 a.m. It' s a really fun event for kids to watch the sheep being shorn of their winter coats; there' s also spinning demonstrations, children's crafts, tractor rides, pony rides, and much more. Entrance is free, but you may have to spend a few bucks on the food and activities.
King County Libraries: Free Story Times
Every day of the week (except sunday), there's a free story time at a library nearby. There are a story time for every age (including for babies) and a lot of times siblings of any age can tag along too. There are even story times in mandarin, spanish, and other languages. Make sure to check if registration is required before you go; some of the busy ones require it.
Toddler Playtime @ the Community Centers
Community Center Playtime
The local community centers provide a great service: playtime for toddlers. They basically open up the gym and let you use a bunch of toddler toys like little cars and bikes and balls. I went to the Crossroads playtime and it was fun and very cheap. It varies a bit each place, but basically, you need to help pull out the toys and put them away. It is a good way to get some exercise and try new toys on a rainy day.
Crossroads Community Center , 16000 N.E. 10th St., Bellevue, (425) 452-4874. 9-11:30 a.m., Monday through Friday, $3.
Highland Community Center , 14224 N.E. Bel-Red Road, Bellevue, (425) 452-7686. 9-11:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, $3.
North Bellevue Community Center , 4063 148th Ave. N.E., Bellevue, (425) 452-7681. Noon-5 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, $3.
South Bellevue Community Center , 14509 S.E. Newport Way, Bellevue, (425) 452-4240. 10 a.m.-noon Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and 12:30-2:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, $3.
Best Websites for Families on Seattle & the Eastside
Here are some other sites that you might find useful. Although I try to capture the best outing for toddlers on SeaTots, these other sites are useful if you have older kids, or if you're looking for places to shop, or if want to meet other parents.
Red Tricyle: www.redtricycle.com
Ruby Slipper Guide: www.rubislipperguide.com
Parentmap
Seattle Child
