Kristin’s Top Ten Activities For May!

Kristin’s youngest building an early appreciation of vintage airplanes at the Flying Heritage Collection.

Back by popular demand, our Director shares her Top 10 activity picks for getting out with the kiddos this upcoming month.

May is almost here; which means Cinco de Mayo celebrations, Boating Season opening day, Mother’s Day love, and Memorial Day three-day weekend! Among all of the local events and celebrations, here are a few of my favorite Puget Sound activities for the month—from carnival rides to tankers!

1. Cinco de Mayo Carnival – May 5^th-7^th at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds. The Zipper + Elephant Ears = family memories (or in my case messy flashbacks!). But I for one don’t intend to shelter my children from these slightly terrifying experiences, so bring on the rides! And why wait for summer? Carnival rides, farm animals, churros, yummy Mexican food (along with all of the nostalgic fair food we’ve grown to love) and more festivities will be open for the Spring Carnival. “Support the Evergreen Fair Foundation and the Monroe Chamber of Commerce by shopping at their vendor markets! Various food options will be available all three days. Check the schedule for event information.”
   
2. Boating Season Opening Day – May 6^th at 10a. Post up on the shores of Montlake Cut for this free event and then join for some family friendly festivities including a bouncy house and food trucks. “The University of Washington and Windermere Real Estate are excited to host the 31st annual Windermere Cup races to be held on Saturday, May 6, on Lake Washington.  The races are held as part of the celebration of Seattle’s Opening Day of Boating Season and are followed by the Seattle Yacht Club’s Opening Day Boat Parade. More than 800 rowers compete in this prestigious event, which culminates with the women’s and men’s Windermere Cup races.”
   
3. Koi Day at the Seattle Japanese Garden –Saturday, May 6th from 10a-1p. If your kiddos are anything like mine, the only enjoyable part about pediatrician visits is the mesmerizing fish tank in the lobby. This fun, fishy, activity can be paired with a stroll through the Arboretum. “The koi in the Seattle Japanese Garden are awake from their winter hibernation, and ready to eat. Join us for the first day of koi-feeding in 2017. We’ll have koi coloring sheets and free koi food.”
   
4. Free Weekend Rides at the GN & C Railway – Every weekend May through October from 10a-4p! If opening railway season last month piqued your kid’s interest (or the big kid in you!), head on over to the Great Northern & Cascade Railway Skykomish for free mini train rides on their 1/8 scale trains. “The Railway offers free train rides to the public as well as a railroad education program. We currently have over 2,700 feet of track. We are working on our second line and when completed we will have 4,000 feet of track.”
   
5. Mom & Me at the Zoo – Saturday, May 13^th from 9:30a-3p at the Woodland Park Zoo. Calling all Mama Bears…we get half off ticket entry for upcoming Mother’s Day, so let’s start the celebrations early with a zoo day! “Celebrate Mother’s Day with the 27th annual Mom & Me. Moms and families enjoy lots of fun activities on the North Meadow.”
   
6. ArtVentures at the Henry Art Gallery – Sunday, May 14^th from 1p-3:30p. The Henry Art Gallery at UW is free every Sunday and this special hands-on exhibit happens the 2^nd Sunday of every month. It allows for kiddos to get messy in the studio with the guidance of creative friends of the arts. My kids love mess and noise so this sounds like the perfect combination! “This month we’re listening to art and making sounds inspired by the textures and objects around us. Sound artists Amber Kai Morgan and Garrett Kelly show us how to create soundscape recordings with tools like voices, musical instruments, household and natural materials, digital sound files, and even an underwater microphone! At the end of this collaborative sound-making experience, we’ll have a completed sound file available for all participants to enjoy. No musical/sound art experience necessary to participate.”
   
7. Herb & Food Fair – Saturday, May 20^th from 10a-5p at Bastyr University in Kenmore. If you are raising little gardeners or want to encourage your tiny ones’ green thumbs, this is a nutritious, delicious, and educational festival. There will be some kid friendly activities including guided walks, live music, face painting, and games. “With gardens blooming and the campus forest buzzing with new life, it’s a great time to soak up spring colors and learn about the endless uses of plants. The theme for this year’s event is “Plant as Partners: grow, adapt, transform.”
   
8. Girls on the Run – Sunday, May 21^st at 9:30a in Renton. I am a personal fan of the GotR program—inspiring girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident! The 5k brings these girls together with community support to celebrate what they have learned in the program and be encouraged by their coaches and fans. It is a super inspirational event and a great excuse to get outside and exercise. “Support Girls on the Run of Puget Sound and girls in the community by signing up to participate in the Spring 5K as a Community Runner! Our 5K is an untimed, non-competitive, female empowerment event that is open to everyone; including families, walkers & strollers!”
   
9. Seattle Aquarium Beach Naturalist at your local Seattle park – May 25^th through May 29^th, varying times. My kiddos are obsessed with the beach and low tide is an exceptionally fun time to explore the shore. “Not only will you witness Puget Sound’s multitude of marine plants and animals, you’ll also see beach naturalists: advocates for these living wonders sharing their knowledge with beachgoers. Beach naturalists are local citizens who care about Puget Sound beaches and want to help protect them. More than 100 have volunteered to help people learn about and enjoy area shorelines.”
   
10. Tankfest NW – May 27^th from 9a-4p at the Flying Heritage Collection in Mukilteo. What a great Memorial Day celebration—honoring our active military and veterans through fierce family fun. “Hear the rumble and boom of vintage tanks and artillery at the Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum’s sixth annual Tankfest Northwest!  This family event features military vehicles and cannons, remote control tanks, food, and fun.  See amazing tanks, vehicles and more take to the arena in a fantastic display for the entire family.”