Top 15 Free Things to Do with Kids in Seattle this summer

School is out for summer, hooray! With the change in daily routine, it is still important to keep kids busy and engaged. That is why we created a list of the top free things to do with kids this summer in Seattle! 

1. Get outside and ride a bike on the Burke-Gilman Trail or for you eastside folks the Sammamish River Trail!
2. Cool off in the 9,000-gallon International Fountain. Kiddos can play in the fountain bowl and venture right up to the smoother silver dome!
3. Visit Farrel-McWhirter Farm Park this unique park located in Redmond has a barn yard that has bunnies, chickens, goats, pigs, cows, and ponies.
4. Venture to Jetty Island for the day! Ferry service starts on July 5^th and goes through Labor Day. The ferry is FREE! We suggest bringing sunscreen, sand buckets, swim suits, water, snacks and a change of clothing!
5. Visit the Gum Wall in Post Alley at Pike Place Market. Just make sure to pack some extra gum and hand sanitizer for post gum stick. While you are at Pike Place, don’t miss the opportunity to watch and perhaps catch a salmon at Pike Place Fish Market!
6. Visit the Fremont Troll, kiddos love the troll who lives under the Aurora Bridge
7. Watch boats pass through The Ballard Locks! Visiting hours for the locks and surrounding garden is 7am – 9pm and admission is free! Make a day of your time in Ballard and check out the PlaySpace at the Ballard Church!
8. Looking for some free indoor fun, on a rainy day? Don’t miss the first Thursday every month, museums including MOHAI, Museum of Flight, Seattle Art Museum, Wing Luke Asian Museum and the Burke Museum, offer free admission. Times for free admission do vary by location, so check their websites before you go!
9. Visit Pine Lake Park in Sammamish! A hidden gem and a wonderful place for kiddos! There is ample parking, lifeguards during the summer and a playground!
10. Kids Bowl Free is a nationwide program where kids get to bowl two games for free every day during the summer at local participating bowling alleys. Each bowling alley has different bowling times and requirements, so be sure to read the information for the particular bowling alley you want to visit. Use of the form to fill out the registration form to register your kiddos/charges for free bowling! If bowling isn’t up your alley check out, Kids Skate Free, similar to the bowling program it is a free roller skating program that takes place all year around and is a great program for kiddos 10 and under! There are two local skating rinks that participate in this nationwide program (Lynwood Skate and Skate Tiffany’s in Puyallup).
11. Promote summer reading and get a free book! For those days that you are looking for a calmer activity The Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program is here to save the day! The program encourages school-aged children in grades 1-6 to read eight books of their own choosing to earn a free book! The program runs from May 16^th – September 5^th.
12. Check out “Village Playdays” each Tuesday from 10am – 11am at the University Village. Kiddos can enjoy free story time, crafts, and fun activities each week.
13. Stroll along almost any Seattle beach during low tide and see the shore come alive! Seattle Aquarium Beach Naturalists are trained volunteers who know their beaches and can help you enjoy the habitat without harming it. Find a low tide near you!
14. Looking for a way to beat the Seattle heat? Find a Seattle Parks and Recreation Wading Pool or Spray Park near you! The wading pools and spray parks are a great way to splash in the sun!
15. Get outside and enjoy a free concert or two! There are various concert series happening in parks throughout the Seattle area this summer! I would recommend checking out the City of Shoreline free lunchtime concert series, happening every Tuesday at 12pm the location changes every week so you can find a park near you! For those of you a little further north, check out the Children’s Concert Series in Everett at Thornton A Sullivan Park, concerts happen every Thursday from 10am – 11am starting July 26^th. Don’t worry, I didn’t forget about those of you that live on the eastside! Check out the Kirkland Summer Concert series, the kid focus concerts happen every Tuesday at 10am but there is also the opportunity for the entire family to attend the evening concerts, which happen every Thursday at 7pm. Finally, for those of you looking for a free outdoor concert that is not focused around children’s music but is tailored to all-ages check out Concerts at the Mural, presented by KEXP and the Seattle Center. Every Friday in August starting at 5:30pm.
16. Okay this one is not totally free but so worth sharing! For those rainy summer days, find a Regal Cinemas near you that is participating in Summer Movie Express. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10am, admission is only $1.