Kristin’s Top Ten Activities for July!

It’s official…summer is here and we have a jam-packed schedule this year to show the kids why we live in the Pacific Northwest! My family has been in the summer mindset for a few weeks (months!?) already and are looking forward to the weather actually matching our state of mind. July for us means berry picking, kiddie pools, camping, beaching, and hiking. But it’s also nice to have some structured events/activities on the docket. I’ve included some weekday activities since school is out and some indoor activities if you need to beat the heat. With the 4th of July in the middle of the week this year, that means double the patriotic celebrations. Maybe I’ll see you at one of these fun July activities!

1. Red, White, and Zoo—July 1^st and 2^nd at the Woodland Park Zoo. I love a good trip to the zoo and especially love seeing festive treats in the exhibits. It usually means that the animals are a bit more active than usual and you get a good show. It’s a Fourth of July picnic as the zoo animals—orangutans, lemurs, pigs, gorillas and more—are treated to star-shaped popsicles, watermelons or corn on the cob in celebration of Red, White & Zoo. The treats are part of the zoo’s excellent animal care program to help enrich the lives of the zoo’s animals, promote natural animal behavior, keep animals mentally stimulated and engage visitors.
2. Seattle Fire Festival – July 8^th from 11am – 3pm at Bell Street Park in Seattle. “Wee-ooh, Wee-ooh’s” are one of my 2 year old’s obsessions and she soaks up any chance to get up close and personal to these giant red trucks. Plus, this is a great time of year with all of the fireworks to mix it up with fire safety! A family-friendly fire-themed event! Smokey Bear will be there for hugs and pictures, modern and old fire engines and fire trucks will be present. Seattle firefighters will have games for kids to play and Fire Station 2 will have an open house from 11 am to 1 pm.
3. Mercer Island Summer Celebration—July 8^th & 9^th from 10am-5pm. This festival is “out of this world!” with a fun space themed summer event.  Everyone in the fam will have a blast with robotics, drones, rockets, space exhibits, intergalactic visitors and more! Crafters, entertainers and vendors from all sectors of the galaxy will also be present. And there will be inflatables and activities for the youngest earthlings, plus a variety of specialty events such as a parade, car show, fireworks and boat rides.
4. Bubble Up at Pacific Place – Saturdays at 4pm and 6pm June 10^th – August 26^th. Bubbles!!! Our battery powered bubble machine brings hours of entertainment so I can only imagine the kid’s eyes lighting up with the entire atrium filled with bubbles! Bubble Up is a nightly show that will transform Pacific Place into a summer wonderland, as bubbles fill the center’s Atrium. The shows are choreographed to pop songs as thousands of bubbles are released on level one which will rise up to level 4,
5. Community Construction Zone Story Time at The Shoreline Library – Wednesday July 12th from 10:15am – 11am. These themed story times are always a hit. Plus, if any of you visited the Dozer Days festival last month, the kids are probably still talking about construction trucks! Push up your sleeves, grab your hard hat and get ready for fun with stories! Hear lively folktales from around the world mixed with music and creative movement.
6. 35^th Annual West Seattle Summer Fest – July 14^th – 16^th from 10am – 6pm. When I first moved to Seattle from Southern California, I landed on California Ave. and felt right at home. West Seattle has always held a special place in my heart and throws awesome family activities! I’m sure this one will not disappoint—with bounce house slides, face painting, and a Prince cover band, how could it? Summer Fest is fun for the whole family, there will be exciting rides, cool arts & crafts, and delicious treats that are sure to please everyone!
7. Day out with Thomas: The Friendship Tour 2017—July 14^th-16^th and 21^st-23^rd at the Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie. What is it about Thomas? The kids just love that old timey show about the little blue train! It’s a classic that brings me back to my own childhood. Now you can meet Thomas in the “flesh” on his railway tour. I hear Sir Topham Hatt will make an appearance as well! Based on The Railway Series of classic stories authored by a father who loved trains and wanted a shared experience with his son, Thomas & Friends™ is a rite of passage that inspires the imagination while teaching life lessons of friendship, exploration and cooperation.
8. Movies Galore…inside and outside! Regal is offering a great deal on family friendly move titles when you need an escape from the sun! Summer Movie Express at Regal Cinemas – Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10am for only $1. If you are looking for outdoor movie options, there are a few family friendly options around town for the summer. Free Outdoor Movies at Seattle Center – Saturdays this summer. July 29^th is the Princess Bride, a timeless classic. I love the late summer sunlight but that means these movies don’t kick off until 9pm. My kiddos are early to bed, but perhaps I’ll sneak out with some girlfriends for La La Land! Picnic on the gently sloping Mural Amphitheatre lawn, in front of a state-of-the-art 40-foot screen, with the Space Needle looming above. The series features popular movies, both classic and contemporary, appropriate for all-ages. Movies at the Mural is an outdoor cinema experience like no other! If you are a West Seattleite and want to stick closer to home, West Seattle Outdoor Movies kick off July 22^nd. Bring your blankets, chairs family & friends for the 13th year of the WS Outdoor Movies. All movies start at dusk and are FREE. Gates open at 6:30pm. Mercer Island also has a few options this summer for Movies in the Park and are featuring one of my faves (The Neverending Story!) on July 22^nd. Again, that kid bedtime is killing me! Fun activities and crafts related to the movie will begin an hour before show time. Flashlights, warm blankets, and chairs are encouraged. Refreshments sold on site.
9. Children’s Concert Series in Everett – Every Thursday at 10am – 11am starting July 26^th. We hit up two of these concerts last year—the classic Tim Noah and the oh so popular Caspar Babypants. Both kids had a blast! I definitely recommend bringing the suits and making a day of it. Also, get there early to claim a shady spot or lather on the sunscreen as it gets pretty toasty out there.  Pack a picnic, pull out your sunscreen and prepare your dance moves! Enjoy an hour of family-friendly performers at Thornton A Sullivan Park in Everett.
10. Garden Tots at Kruckeberg Botanic Gardens – Every Friday from 10am – 1pm in Shoreline. If you have a budding gardener, this is a great way to encourage that green thumb! My daughter is all about watering (not to say she always sticks to the plants), but hey, our driveway is really clean. Each week there is a simple plant activity, a themed garden exploration, and a craft project. It is $10 per family or free for KBGF Membership