{the power of}
That’s Child’s Play. Kids learn best in a play-based world. Why? Because … Play heals … Play teaches … Play connects … Play prepares … Play inspires. Play is the birthplace of the individual. Our region’s beyond-vibrant children’s museums have always been an essential staple of every parent’s PNW “play book” — rain or shine — and they are open and welcoming back adventure-hungry families. In our increasingly plugged-in world, these meccas of playful learning and socialization offer a time-tested, real-world antidote to the allure of screen time — and to the worrisome aftereffects of pandemic learning loss. Pop in for a playtime or make a day of it with a trip to a museum a bit farther from home. Plus, don’t miss your chance to enter the Power of Play Giveaway for your chance at winning fantastic prizes (see p. 49), including free admission to regional children’s museums and gift cards valued at $1,000.
LOOK!
“Play is important forever.”
— Putter Bert, president and CEO of KidsQuest Children’s Museum FA M I LY A D V E N T U R E / 4 1
Destination: 1
WASHINGTON
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W N P R U O Y MAP
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OREGON
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PLAY!
1 skagitchildrensmuseum.net
2 greentrike.org/visit
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hocm.org
4 imaginecm.org
5 kidimu.org
6 kidsquestmuseum.org
7 seattlechildrensmuseum.org
8 kid-time.org
IDAHO
9 cmidaho.org
10 fairbankschildrensmuseum.com
Keep going!
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Hands-on exhibits, camps and classes, special events and more!
Powering play for Pierce County
The Children’s Museum of Skagit County is a place where children learn through play and exploration in environments designed just for them. With more than 15,000 square feet of exhibit space, there is plenty for visitors of all ages to see and do. Camps and classes are offered during the spring, summer and winter. The Help Me Grow – Family Resource Center is available for families in need of basic household and infant items, such as diapers, formula and toiletries.
The Children’s Museum of Tacoma and the Children’s Museum at JBLM power play through Pay As You Will, a unique donation-based admission model that promotes access for everyone. Since 1985, the Children’s Museum of Tacoma has inspired children’s imaginations with imaginative handson playscapes, an art studio, and early learning programs. Opened in 2021, the Children’s Museum at JBLM is the first children’s museum on a military installation in the world.
Check the website for current operations, hours, ticketing information and more.
Both museums are powered by Greentrike, a nonprofit that advocates for and models equitable access to playful experiences for children, youth, and families.
• Hands-on Exhibits • Special Events • Preschool • Memberships • Parties and Field Trips • Museum Store • Camps and Classes • Scholarships available • Family Resource Center
• Pay As You Will, donation-based admission • Open Thursday through Sunday • Greentrike’s learning and enrichment programs for children, youth, and families include Preschool Powered by Play, Play to Learn, and Greentrike Camps.
greentrike.org/visit
skagitchildrensmuseum.net
432 Fashion Way, Burlington, WA 98233 360-757-8888 • info@skagitcm.org 4 4 / PA R E N T M A P. C O M
Children’s Museum of Tacoma: 1501 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, WA 98402 Children’s Museum at JBLM: 2275 Liggett Ave., Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA 98433
253-627-6031
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Visit the award-winning children’s museum on Olympia’s East Bay waterfront! Voted the Best of Western Washington by KING 5.
Imagine your summer fun expanding in our new building!
Explore 150 interactive exhibits, including a two-story Streamside Climber, the Ballcano water table, an Emergency! Gallery and an Airways Maze. Design & create in the Art Studio, tinker in the MakerSpace, and make and launch your own rockets! Experience a half-acre Outdoor Discovery Center as you climb on a real vintage schooner, dig for dinos, go bouldering on our beach, and sluice for hidden treasures. All Summer Long! • Summer Splash! Festival of Fun • Fire Rescue Spectacular • Visiting Animals • Awesome Artists • Spectacular Scientists • Special Events • Mud Pie Mondays• Rock Wall Climb
hocm.org
414 Jefferson St. N.E., Olympia, WA 98501 360-956-0818 • info@hocm.org
If you thought Imagine Children’s Museum was the best place to play before, you should see us now! Our recent 33,000-square-foot, three-story expansion means that there’s even more room for children to stretch their creativity, work out the wiggles and follow their imagination. New exhibits, studios and performance areas offer fresh opportunities for the whole family to learn through play before school starts again. Whether it’s a camp, playdate or family outing, we’re cool inside and sunny on our Rooftop Adventure for all-weather summer fun! • Summer camps registering now • Expanded art, culture and science programs • Memberships offer a year of free admission • Exclusive hours for children with special needs • Admission discounts for EBT families
imaginecm.org
1502 Wall St., Everett, WA 98201 425-258-1006 • reservations@imaginecm.org FA M I LY A D V E N T U R E / 4 5
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Family fun just steps from the Bainbridge Island ferry!
Discover the superpower of play at KidsQuest!
Kids Discovery Museum (KiDiMu) invites children and their families to learn and grow through experiential exhibits and activities centered around science, technology, engineering, art and math.
KidsQuest features more than 25 innovative exhibits packed full to the brim with hands-on play designed for children and their families. Pick apples in our Tot Orchard, funnel and splash in our water exhibit, or climb aboard a real-life semi truck cab! Make music memories or build with your imagination in our outside exhibit, Sticks + Stones. Plus, twice a day every weekday this summer KidsQuest is putting the POW back into play with FREE Camptivities! The world is your oyster, and KidsQuest Children’s Museum is your Pacific Northwest playground!
KiDiMu’s exhibits encourage imaginary play and scientific inquiry, focusing on early childhood education. Imagine and discover a world you can’t see in our Nano exhibit. Build giant sculptures with Blue Blocks. Become a veterinarian, store clerk or banker in the Our Town exhibit. Located in downtown Bainbridge Island, KiDiMu is just steps from the ferry, parks, restaurants and shops! • Art projects • Special events • Workshops • Summer camps • STEM kits and activity books • Cultural programming • Holiday celebrations
kidimu.org
301 Ravine Lane N.E., Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 206-855-4650 • learnmore@kidimu.org 4 6 / PA R E N T M A P. C O M
• Check our website for the most up-to-date hours. • Reservations are strongly encouraged. • Low Sensory Afternoons are offered every third Thursday, 3–5 p.m. • Discounted tickets are available to those in need.
kidsquestmuseum.org
1116 108th Ave. N.E., Bellevue, WA 98004 425-637-8100 • info@kidsquestmuseum.org
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Seattle Children’s Museum (now reopened!) promotes learning through play
New museum opening in Southern Oregon for summer fun
In the heart of Seattle, in the middle of the beautiful Seattle Center campus, the air is filled with excitement and laughter. Seattle Children’s Museum has reopened its doors for youth from birth to 10 (and their adults!) to engage in hands-on play, creative learning and discovery.
The Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon (previously known as Kid Time!) is opening its longawaited new location in June. Visit the beautiful Rogue River Valley and explore play in a whole new way.
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This 42-year-old gem shines brighter than ever with refreshed and new exhibits reflecting an intentional focus on art, literacy, role playing, and appreciation for the region’s natural and built environments. Plan your visit today. All are welcome. All are valued.
• The museum shop includes fun and educational gifts and books for kids. • Reservations are available for private parties. • Before you visit, check the museum’s website for hours and other info.
seattlechildrensmuseum.org
305 Harrison St., Seattle, WA 98109 206-441-1768 • Info@seattlechildrensmuseum.org
We offer dynamic interactive playscapes, instructed programs, an extensive makerspace, engaging information on regional heritage and much more. Whether your child is interested in driving an ambulance, climbing, singing, taking a photo with Sasquatch or launching paint from a catapult, we’ve got you covered! • Opening this summer • Brand-new exhibits • Outdoor playscape • Drop-in programs to attend (music, art, ninjas and so much more!) • Located right in the heart of Medford, Oregon
kid-time.org
413 West Main St., Medford, OR 97501 541-772-9922 • info@kid-time.org FA M I LY A D V E N T U R E / 47
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Let the adventure begin
Visit the farthest north children’s museum!
Welcome, explorers! The Children’s Museum of Idaho inspires and nurtures future explorers, innovators and critical thinkers through interactive play featuring hands-on exhibits and programs designed specifically for children ages 2–8.
• Fly a plane • Climb inside a rocket • Milk a cow • Steer a pirate ship • Shop at a grocery store • Visit a cave full of critters • Dig for dinosaur fossils • Make and bake a play pizza • Be a veterinarian and X-ray a dog … and so much more!
cmidaho.org
790 S. Progress Ave., Meridian, ID 83642 208-345-1920 • info@cmidaho.org 4 8 / PA R E N T M A P. C O M
The Fairbanks Children’s Museum provides a rich environment that stimulates children’s natural curiosity and creativity. Kids explore multisensory, hands-on, engaging and child-centered activities at FCM. Our interactive environment offers unique opportunities for discovery, invites free and joyful exploration, and encourages kids to engage and connect with the world around them.
• Create in the Imagineering Lab • Explore in the canopy tree climber • Crawl in the infant discovery area • Participate in art and science programs • Connect with our community
fairbankschildrensmuseum.com
302 Cushman St., Suite 101, Fairbanks, AK 99701 907-374-6873 • hello@fairbankschildrensmuseum.com
Power of Play Giveaway
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Family pass for up to five guests
Ten admission punch-card
Family fun membership
Membership for both museums
Family four-pack of tickets
Four visit passes for up to five guests
Experience the power of play Two family passes
Free daily admission for up to eight family members
Enter for a chance to win one of 10 museum admission prizes or one of three Amazon gift cards valued at up to $500.
ENTER NOW: Family four-pack of tickets
Family four-pack of tickets
ParentMap.com/museum