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19/ Poppin’ Places to Get Boba Grab a straw and sip around the Sound
Family Adventure
Summertime traditions, It's what we do best
Family Adventure Summer 2026
Inside FIFA World Cup 2026
Find yourself in the center of the action whether you need to eat, play or stay
Make game day at home a win with tasty bites for soccer fans of all ages
Alayne Sulkin
EDITORIAL
Kristen Russell
MANAGING EDITOR Allison Sutcliffe
CONTENT EDITOR Kari Hanson
FAMILY FUN EDITOR Meredith Charaba
CALENDAR EDITOR Julie Dodobara
CONTENT PRODUCTION
COORDINATOR
Onkarpreet Chatha
COPY EDITOR
Kari Hanson
CONTRIBUTORS
Kate Hagan Gallup, Kate Missine, Leighton Thomas, Krista Tsai
DIGITAL MARKETING
MARKETING DIRECTOR
Lindsey Carter
MARKETING
DESIGN SPECIALIST
Angela Goodwin
MARKETING
COMMUNICATIONS
SPECIALIST
Devon Hammer
SOCIAL MEDIA
SPECIALIST
Brooke Collins
ADVERTISING SALES + PARTNERSHIPS
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY
PARTNERSHIPS + ADVERTISING SALES
Jessica Collet
DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP SALES
Stephanie Kakon
SENIOR ADVERTISING AND PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER Ida Wicklund
EVENTS + COMMUNITY
PARTNERSHIPS SPECIALIST
Brenna McCown
ADVERTISING CLIENT SERVICES SPECIALIST
Mallory Dehbod
CLIENT SERVICES
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Bronwyn Jones
DIGITAL ADVERTISING + MARKETING SPECIALIST
Taryn Weiner
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
Tamryn Nell
ART + PRODUCTION
SENIOR DESIGNER
Amy Chinn
ADMINISTRATION
HEAD OF FINANCE + OPERATIONS
Carolyn Brendel
OPERATIONS ASSISTANT
Erika Widjaja
Photo courtesy Ben Van Houten/Seattle Mariners
Photo by Kate Hagan Gallup
Seattle FIFA World Cup 2026
Eat, Play, Stay!
A roadmap to your family-friendly plans on game days
By Leighton Thomas
In Seattle, summer already brings out the best of the city. We love the long evenings, waterfront energy and neighborhoods that reward wandering. During the FIFA World Cup 2026, that spirit will expand. The streets will fill with fans from around the world and the atmosphere will be one of celebration. Even everyday moments like grabbing lunch at Pike Place Market, riding the monorail or walking along the updated Seattle Waterfront will carry a bit more excitement.
For families, it’s a rare chance to experience something global in a way that still feels local.
Eat: Keep it simple, keep it close On match days near Lumen Field — known as Seattle Stadium during the tournament — food is about timing.
Seattle offers plenty of family-friendly restaurants worth working into your itinerary. Here are a few of my favorite spots:
• Din Tai Fung and Dough Zone are great options for dumpling-lovers and both offer multiple locations in the Greater Seattle area.
• Old Stove Brewing is located just outside Pike Place Market and offers waterfront views, craft brews and traditional pub food.
• Tutta Bella is a go-to spot for woodfired pizza and known by many as “the original kid-friendliest restaurant in Seattle.” It has multiple locations and even offers take-home ingredients.
• Portage Bay Cafe is known for its brunch, and with four locations around Seattle, it makes it a bit easier to secure a reservation. The “berry bar” is a local favorite.
Craving something sweet? Molly Moon’s for ice cream is another favorite even locals frequent, and it has a new location right outside the downtown ferry terminal. Shugs
Soda Fountain and Ice Cream is exactly what its name suggests and also shouldn’t be missed.
Stay: The difference you feel the next day
Where you stay matters more than you think. Areas closest to the stadium will stay active late into the night. That’s part of the atmosphere, but less ideal for ensuring your kids’ sound sleep.
Hotels near downtown Seattle that will keep you close to the action:
• If you want to swim: Fairmount Olympic, Westin Seattle, Sheraton Grand Seattle, Seattle Marriott Waterfront, Level Seattle – South Lake Union, Maxwell Hotel
• If you want a unique amenity: bunk beds at Palihotel Seattle, free bike rentals at Kimpton Palladian, TopGolf Swing Suite at Hotel 1000
• If you want budget-friendly: Mediterranean Inn, Hotel Five, The ART INN Seattle
• If you want to splurge: Inn at the Market, Lotte Hotel Seattle, Four Seasons Hotel Seattle, Populus Seattle
No matter where you stay, don’t underestimate the possibility of noise — this is a bring-your-own white noise situation.
Play: Let the Emerald City do the work
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will give you plenty of high-energy moments. Fan zones and large gatherings can be exciting, but they’re also a lot. Seattle has much to offer families
Seattle FIFA World Cup 2026
EAT, PLAY, STAY
continued from page 7 when they aren’t watching a game or need a break from the excitement that FIFA brings. Pick an area and explore! Here are a few ideas to try:
Seattle Waterfront and Downtown
• Explore the Seattle Aquarium, Great Wheel and stop to play at the Pier 58 playground.
• Head up to Pike Place Market for food tours, a donut tour and the iconic Gum Wall.
• Wander a bit further to view exhibits at the Seattle Art Museum, or relax in the expansive children’s section of the Seattle Public Library.
Seattle Center
• This area is a hub of family-friendly attractions. For ticketed experiences, enjoy the Space Needle, Pacific Science Center, Seattle Children’s Museum, the Chihuly Glass Museum and Museum of Pop Culture.
• Get out the wiggles at the incredible Artists at Play playground or splash in the stunning International Fountain.
South Lake Union
• Wander the C-ID for a DIY food walk tour. Visit the Wing Luke Museum, hike up the hill to Yesler Terrace Park for views and an excellent playground.
Getting around: Use public transportation
Getting around Seattle during the World Cup is much easier if you lean on public transit instead of trying to drive. The backbone is the Sounder Transit Light Rail, which runs from the airport through downtown with a stop near Lumen Field (Stadium or International District/Chinatown Stations). It’s the most reliable way to get in and out on match days. Buses fill in the gaps across neighborhoods, and the Seattle Streetcar can be useful for short hops in denser areas like South Lake Union. If you’re staying near the water or want a break from the crowds, the Washington State Ferries double as both transportation and an easy outing.
• Wander through The Center for Wooden Boats where you can rent a peapod boat for free, or explore the Museum of History and Industry.
• Watch the sea planes take off and land over Lake Union, putt a round at Flatstick Pub or stretch your legs at the pocket playground behind Daniel’s Broiler.
• Wade in the water or bring a paddleboard or kayak to the shallow beach outside MOHAI when the sun is out. There’s good sandcastle building here too.
Pioneer Square and Chinatown-International District
• These neighborhoods are rich with local history and culture.
• Visit the free Klondike Gold Rush Museum, learn about Seattle’s underground or test your skills at the pinball museum.
For most families, the simplest way to pay is by tapping a contactless credit card or loading an ORCA card (physical or mobile), which works across trains, buses and streetcars. You can order an ORCA card ahead via mail or pick it up in person at an office. The closest one to Lumen Field is located at 201 S. Jackson St., near Pioneer Square.
A practical rule: Give yourself extra time, travel outside peak pregame windows when you can, and aim for routes with fewer transfers. Once you’re on, the system is straightforward, and often much less stressful than sitting in traffic.
At the end of the day
You don’t need to keep up with the pace of the FIFA World Cup 2026 to enjoy it and Seattle. Pick a few things that matter, leave space around them and let the rest go. If your family is fed, rested and not rushing, the experience tends to take care of itself. ■
Leighton Thomas is a Kitsap-based mom of two. When she’s not adventuring with her kids, Leighton is a part-time education consultant and outdoor enthusiast.
Seattle FIFA World Cup 2026
Kid-Friendly Snacks for Your FIFA Watch Party
By Kari Hanson
This summer, the FIFA World Cup is coming to Seattle, and people are already making plans. Superfans may have managed to score tickets to a game (if that’s you, congrats!), but if not, you can join the other 6 billion people (yeah, you read that right) around the world who are expected to engage with the 2026 World Cup through TV, digital streaming, social media and FIFA platforms.
And what do all those media viewers need while they watch their favorite teams play? Snacks, of course! So if you are planning to host or attend a watch party for one of the six matches that will be played in Seattle (or one of the 98 played elsewhere) I’ve taken care of the snack planning for you.
Snack ideas for your FIFA watch party When planning your game-day spread, keep three simple things in mind:
• Keep it simple
• Keep it grab-able
• Include proteins
Fruits and veggies
Keep your snack table bright, colorful and healthy with a variety of fruits and veggies. They are quick and easy to prepare, and you can find a variety that is sure to please everyone. Here are some creative ideas for your fruit and veggie tray:
Orange slices. Slice up the quintessential soccer game sideline snacks. Arrange them on a tray if you are feeling fancy, throw down a gallon-sized ziplock bag full of slices if you are feeling nostalgic.
Put it on a stick. Why will kids eat anything on a stick? No one knows, yet, it is universally true. Keep the soccer theme going by grabbing a melon baller and putting colorful balls of watermelon, cantaloupe or honeydew on a skewer or toothpick. Easy to grab, healthy and tasty. The trifecta, achieved.
Team colors and local flavors. If you are cheering for a particular team, try incorporating their team colors or fruits from each country into your snack spread. The teams that are currently scheduled to play the six games in Seattle are the United States, Belgium, Australia, Qatar, Egypt and Iran. (It is
unclear if the Iranian team will come due to the war. At the time of publication FIFA has not made any official changes to the game schedule.) Here are a few fruits and veggies for each team:
Belgium
• Local fruits: pears, strawberries and apples
• Team colors: red, yellow, black
• Red: cherry tomatoes, red bell peppers
• Yellow: yellow bell peppers, corn, yellow squash
• Black: black olives
Australia
• Local fruits: Kakadu plum
• Team colors: green and gold
• Green: cucumber slices, snap peas, broccoli
• Gold/yellow: yellow bell peppers, corn, roasted sweet potatoes
Qatar
• Local fruits: dates (the national fruit)
• Team colors: maroon
• beets (serve as beet chips)
• red cabbage (served as a shredded cabbage slaw)
Seattle FIFA World Cup 2026
KID-FRIENDLY SNACKS FOR YOUR WATCH PARTY
continued from page 9
Egypt
• Local fruit: mangoes
• Team colors: red, white and black
• Red: tomatoes, red peppers, raspberries
• White: cauliflower, jicama
• Black: black olives
Iran
• Local fruit: pomegranates
• Team colors: green, white and red
• Green: cucumbers, green beans, sugar snap peas
• White: cauliflower, daikon radish
• Red: tomatoes, red apple slices, strawberries
Proteins
Fruits and veggies might be healthy and pretty, but unless you want your guests going from soccer fans to soccer hooligans, you’ll want to have some protein options too.
Soccer ball rolls and hummus. Hummus is a tried-and-true snack table fave. It’s easy and inexpensive to make, or you can buy it premade at almost any grocery store. It will go great with your teamcolored veggies, or be the perfect spread for these super cute soccer ball rolls.
I used a basic dough recipe that I’ve used for years, and a soccer ball cookie cutter. These are quick to make, and taste best when eaten relatively soon after baking. So whip up this simple dough and put your kids on cookiecutter duty!
Soccer ball bread dough
Ingredients
• 2 cups of flour
• 1 tablespoon of baking powder
• 5 tablespoons of butter
• ¾ cup milk
Instructions
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
• Combine the flour, baking powder and butter (I like to soften the butter in the microwave so it’s easier to mix together.).
• Pour in the milk and stir until just combined. The dough will be sticky, not smooth.
• Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, push it together a few times if needed.
• Sprinkle with flour and roll out until it’s about ¼-inch thick.
• Cut out soccer ball shapes with cookie cutter, place shapes on a baking sheet lined with parchment.
• Bake for 8–10 minutes until the bottoms are light brown.
Popcorn chicken or tofu bites. Perfectly poppable and crunchy popcorn
chicken or tofu bites are sure to be a hit with soccer fans of all ages. Fry the seasoned chicken or tofu bites in oil, bake them in the oven or toss them in the air fryer. Either way, you’ll get a tasty, crunchy treat that will help you keep your energy up as you scream, “Gooooal!”
Cheese. Vegetarians and picky eaters alike will sigh with relief at the sight of a good cheese platter at any gathering. Take out that soccer ball cookie cutter
and you’ll have an on-theme snack in no time. Make sure to have a selection of soft and hard, stinky and mild so everyone can find their perfect slice or wedge. Add a few boxes of crackers, sliced baguette or some of your soccer ball rolls and you are all set.
No-bake protein balls. These easy treats come together quickly, are perfectly sweet and delicious and packed with protein. Make up a few batches ahead of time and keep them in the freezer or fridge, and bring them out on game day as needed (chilling helps them keep their shape, but even when they are crumbly they are delish).
This is the recipe I use, which I got from my mom. You can get fancy and add other things (cranberries, nuts, etc.) but I like to keep it simple.
Ingredients
• 2 ½ cups oats
• 1 cup peanut butter
Photo by Kari Hanson
Seattle FIFA World Cup 2026
• ½ cup honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• 1 cup chocolate chips (or more, because when is 1 cup ever enough)
Instructions
• Combine all ingredients together.
• Chill in fridge for 30 minutes.
• Roll into tablespoon-sized balls, place on parchment.
• I like to keep these in the freezer, helps them keep their shape and they are really good cold.
Pig in a blanket. Easier to eat in a crowd than an actual hot dog, more filling than just a roll. The pig in a blanket hits that sweet (or should I say savory) snack spot. This is a great one to make using some quick cheat ingredients — premade croissant dough that comes in the can, which for some reason needs to explode to open (makes me jump every time). Simply separate the dough triangles, roll each one around a hotdog and pop them in the oven on a baking sheet (follow the instructions on the can, make sure to read them before it blows up). Making a vegetarian version could not be simpler: Use veggie hot dogs instead — that’s it. Make sure you have a few types of mustard, ketchup or other sauces on hand for dipping.
Sweet snacks
Soccer dirt cups. These require a little more prep, but it is a great opportunity to get the kids involved. And what kid doesn’t love to pretend to eat dirt! Start by filling a small clear plastic cup about two-thirds full of chocolate pudding. Sprinkle some crushed up Oreos on top, then add green-tinted shredded coconut to give the look of a turf soccer
pitch. Add a small round cookie or chocolate to stand in as the soccer ball. Pull these out at halftime for a fun distraction while you wait for the soccer action to resume.
Try making a dessert from one of the countries playing in the match you are watching. It’s a great way to expand your taste buds and encourage kids to try something new. Here is a dessert to try from each of the countries playing a World Cup match in Seattle:
Belgium: Known for their yummy dessert scene, try making some Liège waffles for your watch party. These chewy, sweet waffles are made from a dough enriched with sugar which caramelizes during cooking. They are sweet enough to eat plain, or sprinkle with powdered sugar for an extra dusting of yum.
Australia: Google, “popular kids dessert Australia” and you are sure to be met with Fairy Bread. The good news is, this treat is super simple to prepare. Simply put butter on slices of white bread and top with as many colorful sprinkles as humanly possible. Cut the slices diagonally to make triangles if you are
feeling fancy, and make sure you have a plan for the kids to run off their energy from the impending sugar explosion!
Qatar: Kunafa is a crunchy, buttery dessert made with shredded pastry layers that is popular throughout the Middle East. You can find many versions and varieties, sometimes stuffed with cheese, while other recipes fill it with a thick pudding or nut mixture. While this dessert is more involved than Fairy Bread, you can make the syrup and milk pudding ahead of time, which can be kept in the fridge for up to five days (the syrup will last for months), cutting down your game-day prep time.
Egypt: Zalabia are essentially doughnuts with honey and are famous in Egypt, especially during Ramadan. Made with just a few simple ingredients, crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, bite-sized zalabia is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Iran: Faloodeh is made with semi-frozen rice noodles with sweet and sour flavors and floral notes of rosewater, and is found in just about every ice cream shop in Iran. It is very refreshing on a hot afternoon, and is often served with saffron or pistachio ice cream or a lime wedge to squeeze onto the frozen noodles. It is also common to top your faloodeh with sour cherries and a drizzle of sour cherry syrup.
So set out the snacks, gather your crew and enjoy the cheers, the goals and the memories you’re creating together. ■
Kari Hanson is ParentMap’s content editor, and has been reporting on parenting issues for nearly four years.
@cierahudson (left) ©Cindy Richey Photography (middle)
Summer Rewind
Turn up the ’90s vibes with laser tag, splatter paint and classic burgers
By Krista Tsai
If you were a kid in the ’90s like me, our childhood summers were largely filled with simple but memorable pastimes: Slip ‘N Slides, Kool-Aid, plastic kiddie pools, freeze pops and unstructured outdoor play with neighbor friends. I also remember spending days swimming at the Samena pool, cheering on the Mariners with my dad and siblings, painting pottery, and having birthday parties at roller rinks.
To turn back the clock, I’ve rounded up 10 nostalgic summer adventures that will give the kids a taste of the ’90s.
Play Pokémon
Pokémon made its U.S. debut in the ’90s with the Nintendo games, Red and Blue, and the ever-popular Pokémon Trading Card Game. Has the craze hit your house yet? Some argue Pokémon has always been popular, while others think it made a strong comeback with the launch of the mobile game Pokémon Go in 2016. I’m definitely going to use
Pokémon Go this summer to add some steps to our days!
My boys became interested in Pokémon cards around age 7 and the obsession has pulled my husband back in. Their shared interest has become a fun bonding experience for them, with some nostalgia for my husband. They pore over their Pokémon cards, study the Pokémon handbooks, trade their cards with friends and get super excited when we walk by a Pokémon vending machine at just the right time (the machines control the timing and release of cards).
We enjoy learning more and adding to our card collections by visiting Zulu’s Board Game Café in Bothell, DJ’s Sportscards in Renton, and Collector’s Corner NW in Bellevue. We have friends
who regularly play at Uncle’s Games in Redmond Town Center. On Tuesday nights they have Pokémon open play where you can earn prizes for playing.
Cheer on the Mariners
I have core memories of my dad taking us to “bat night” at the Mariners. Promotion nights are an incentive to get there early for a chance to snag the limited number of giveaway items. This summer’s schedule of promotions has several nods to the ’90s, including a Hello Kitty clear crossbody bag (hello ’90s girls!) on May 15; Julio Rodriguez ’90s Jersey Night on May 30; and a ’90s pin day on May 31. Reminisce about cheering on Ken Griffey Jr., Randy Johnson and Edgar Martinez as you make your own core memories with your kids.
Photo courtesy Ben Van Houten/Seattle Mariners
B E CURIOUS .
Venture into space at Artemis Adventure with LEGO® Bricks at Seattle’s iconic Pacific Science Center.
Get your tickets at pacsci.org
SUMMER REWIND
continued from page 13
Paint your own pottery
Paint-your-own pottery studios gained popularity in the ’90s and are still fun for all ages. Select your premade bisqueware, paint it, and return to pick up your finished, glazed masterpiece. While there are many paint-yourown pottery studios in the area, some of the newest ones include Paint Kirkland at Kirkland Urban and Color Me Mine in The Landing in Renton. Bonus: Both are close to some of our favorite parks (Gene Coulon Park and Peter Kirk Park) for some post-painting play! Walk-ins are welcome.
Go wild with splatter paint
Gather your crew and head to Wicked Rae’s to experience the most liberating form of art: splatter paint! Spray, flick, splatter, squirt, throw or smash paint-filled balloons, all while creating your own unique canvas. My kids and I had a blast letting our creativity run wild at this unique studio.
This summer, Wicked Rae’s will offer six Totally Rad ’90s art experiences that build upon the splatter paint experience. Create a Nintendo canvas by adding stencils of your favorite ’90s characters, add paint to a skateboard deck, create a punk rock guitar, or relive the MTV music video days by creating your very own — complete with costumes and prop instruments.
Photo courtesy Wicked Rae’s Splatter Paint
Artemis Adventure with LEGO® Bricks is a traveling exhibition produced and toured internationally by Flying Fish and supported by Science World British Columbia.
Watch an outdoor movie at a traditional drive-in movie theater
While there are many outdoor movie options in the Seattle area, there is something extra special about a true drive-in movie theatre. Make an adventure out of visiting Whidbey Island and then end your night at the Blue Fox Drive-In. Pre-movie fun includes more ’90s favorites: an arcade and go-karts. Their snack bar has you covered from popcorn to dinner and dessert (no outside food allowed).
Challenge your agility at Ninja Quest Adventures
Did you ever watch the ’90s action-sports competition show, “Nickelodeon Guts”? Its obstacle course competitions are similar to those on “American Ninja Warrior,” and this style of obstacle racing will officially join the 2028 Summer Olympics in the Modern Pentathlon. Watch some “Nickelodeon Guts” throwback episodes before testing your own skills on the Ninja Quest Adventures’ course.
Ninja Quest Adventures is a dedicated Ninja Warrior training facility in the Seattle area. By navigating obstacles, ninjas learn critical thinking and strengthen mobility, balance, agility and focus. There are structured classes for mini ninjas as young as 3 years old, and open gyms welcome kids who are at least 6 years old.
My boys, ages 7 and 9, enjoyed exploring the different obstacles and left feeling proud that they conquered one of the Warped Walls (an “American Ninja Warrior” icon) after many practice attempts. They definitely left sweaty but eager to return! Obstacles and equipment are tweaked every two weeks to keep you on your toes.
Roller skate around the rink
Roller skating and roller blading were wildly popular in the ’90s. You can still get on four wheels at various rinks in the Seattle area, including the nonprofit Rock and Roll Roller Rink in Issaquah. This rink was founded by former Skate King and Skate Journeys skaters and is run by passionate volunteers.
Skating will be open throughout the summer, and the rink’s monthly schedule is announced on the 20th of the previous month. While the rink has been operating out of the Pickering Barn, they are hoping to secure their own building in Issaquah in the near future. Check their Facebook page for skate announcements.
SUMMER REWIND
continued from page 15
Play glow-in-the-dark mini golf and arcade games
What’s more ’90s than a game of mini golf under black lights and glow-in-the-dark décor? Monster Mini Golf in Bellevue is your one-stop shop for ’90s fun: indoor glow-in-the-dark mini golf, arcade games, a laser maze and mini bowling. See if you can recognize all of the nods to Seattle sprinkled throughout the murals surrounding the mini golf course.
Challenge friends to a laser tag battle
Along with arcades, laser tag also exploded in popularity in the ’90s and is still a common activity for birthday parties and family entertainment. Arena Sports has two laser tag arenas to choose from. The Issaquah location has a giant 4,200 square foot Pacific Northwest-themed arena and the Mill Creek location has a two-story Seattle-themed arena.
Grab a burger at
Red Robin
Red Robin, with its Seattle origins, was always one of our favorite casual dining spots growing up in the ’90s. While I wouldn’t consider Red Robin “gourmet” these days, my kids enjoy the fun atmosphere and there’s nothing like the restaurant’s bottomless steak fries with signature seasoning (dip them in Campfire Sauce, thank me later). ■
Krista Tsai is a Seattle-area mom of three. Since having her third child, she has taken a break from Clinical Social Work to stay home. She is determined to teach her children her love of biking, skiing and the beach.
WHENSCHOOL’SOUT, ADVENTURE IS ON AT KIDSQUEST!
Sparkcuriositywith25+hands-onexhibits— climbintoarealsemi-truck,explore outdoorplayspaces,andmakeasplashin theinteractivewaterroom.It’stheultimate summerdestinationforcuriouskids.
scan to discover the summer fun
What’s Poppin’
Grab a straw and get to sipping at these bubble tea spots
By Kate Missinei
It used to be soda floats or milkshakes, frozen yogurt or frappuccinos. Now, for the Gen Alphas in our midst, it’s boba. The delightfully refreshing Taiwanese drink has exploded in popularity all over the world, becoming our young generation’s go-to treat for after-school hangouts, family outings, BFF secrettrading or the occasional parental bribe. If the question “Can we go get boba?” is not heard at least weekly in your home, you must not have tweens or teens just yet!
Originating as a street-food offering in the 1980s, boba, or bubble tea, starts with a base of chilled tea brewed with milk or fruit flavors. Then it’s customized with toppings and additions — most common being the boba itself, made of tapioca pearls with a chewy, gummylike texture, to be slurped up through an extra-wide straw.
These days, newly sprouting shops are
constantly churning out fresh takes on the beverage, from inventive flavors and add-ins to creative concoctions served in playful form. I’ve sipped and slurped all over Greater Seattle to bring you the hottest must-try boba spots from around town.
Boba Up, Seattle
Nestled amidst the bustle of the University District, the friendly yellow mascot at Boba Up greets visitors for an interactive experience that’s more than just tea. The shop is the first of its kind in the Pacific Northwest to have a self-serve format, getting families in on the fun of concocting their own drink creation. “We created Boba Up to be more than a drink shop,” says owner Maya Lu, ”It’s an activity for families.”
Rows of tea fountains line the walls, along with all the toppings imaginable and sample stations to try before committing. Milk and caffeine-free fruit flavors for littles are on tap, or you can try the eye-catching Rainbow Drink with layers of brightly colored beverages. Hungry? Grab a bite of popcorn chicken or cream cheese wontons to munch.
The Moo Bar, Seattle
An honorable mention for some of the most Instagrammable offerings on my list goes to The Moo Bar in South Lake Union. This trendy shop brews up handcrafted teas with fresh blends sourced from across Asia. But what will get the excited squeals from the kids and has earned the spot viral fame is the presentation, including colorful corgi designs decorating the collectible glass bottles and edible pudding Labubus flashing toothy grins atop your tea. Expect to always find something novel on the rotating menu, from cookie butter and banana bread-flavored matcha to seasonal specialties like the highly hyped Dubai chocolate milk tea series.
Don’t Yell at Me, multiple locations With its tongue-in-cheek name (that your kids may adopt as a cheeky retort), this Taiwanese chain describes itself as a modern tea shop steeped (pun intended) in old-world tradition.
Photo courtesy The Moo Bar
BUBBLE TEA SPOTS
continued from page 19
Tea connoisseurs can appreciate their carefully selected brews like Old Master Formula jasmine or osmanthus oolong, along with novelties like milk tea flavored with rose or lavender petals, or topped with sea salt cream foam. The overall vibe will be better suited for the older tweens and teens, who will appreciate the sleek, gleaming-white interiors and Insta-worthy drinks like pink lychee or tiramisu flavored smoothies. Head to one of the three locations in the shopping and entertainment hubs of downtown Bellevue, The Village at Totem Lake in Kirkland, and Seattle’s University Avenue.
Rabbit Rabbit, Seattle
You’ll feel like you’ve tumbled down the rabbit hole in this aptly named Seattle Center shop, which feels like stepping into a scene straight from the pages of “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” Whimsical black and gold decor, checkered floors and a sweet white rabbit mascot create a storybook atmosphere that’s as fun as the drinks themselves (served with a cutesy cutout straw). Sweet-toothed youngsters will enjoy the milk tea topped with creamy caramel pudding or the brown sugar boba made with fresh strawberry milk. More grown-up taste buds will appreciate the signature Assam milk tea or the delicately flavored Kyoto matcha series.
Heytea, Seattle
This popular spot on a busy corner of South Lake Union began as a tiny shop in a small-town alley in China. It has grown into a place that delivers its tea as a moment of zen in an East-meets-West philosophy. Inside the modern light-filled shop, find a slew of unique fruit flavor combos and fun toppings like matcha jelly or fresh grapefruit pulp. Health-conscious parents can try the kale boost tea for a superfood kick. Then, walk over to Denny Park across the street to burn off some of the sugar rush!
BobaLust, multiple locations
This laid-back shop brews up SoCal-style boba at its eight locations across the Greater Seattle area. It has gained a reputation for crafting its signature teas, slushies and smoothies with all the creativity and exotic ingredient combos of a high-end mixologist. Rather than a standard milk and fruit tea menu, here you will find such enticing creations as a chocolate cream infused with raspberry Oreo.
signature topping is the hot honey boba, made
Pearls of wisdom
Make it your own. A great feature of most bubble tea menus is their customization: You can usually choose from several added sugar levels, down to completely unsweetened for a healthier option; along with ice levels and alternative or plantbased milk options in some places.
Check the caffeine content. Be aware that many of the tea-based drinks will contain caffeine; if that’s a concern, go for fruit-based or smoothie options. Some of the menu layouts can be confusing, so don’t hesitate to ask the staff about caffeine-free selections.
Keep it safe. Boba pearls are mega-fun to slurp up; but they can also present a choking hazard, especially for kiddos younger than 6. Exercise caution with younger kids, and always keep a close eye on your littles as they enjoy their drink to ensure safe fun for all!
with their trademark honey syrup. And pssst: I hear there’s also a secret menu to discover if you keep a close eye on their socials — a fun task for your savvy teens to flaunt their insider scoop!
Oasis
Tea Zone, Seattle and Renton
A lively vibe beckons at this popular tea cafe in the International District (there’s also a location inside the Renton Uwajimaya). The clubbing crowd may roll in way past bedtime for its advertised late-night boba runs, but during the day, families can enjoy the spacious, chill spot mostly to themselves. There is a lot of floor space and plentiful seating — often a rarity in the boba-shop world — and retro arcade games for some old-school family fun with your drinks. A huge menu lists tea flavors ranging from lychee to lavender, along with blended ice drinks, smoothies, and milkshakes made with Tillamook ice cream. Plus, nosh on a decent variety of food items, from popcorn chicken to rice bowls and egg rolls.
Mustache Milk Tea, Lynnwood and Shoreline
With two locations up north, Mustache Milk Tea has a
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continued from page 21 friendly neighborhood café feel with an inviting setting and a playful name and logo. Those looking for a sugary treat will have a field day here with dessert-centric drinks like Oreo cookie or cheesecake tea. Sip on a sugarcane juice for a refreshing hot-day treat. Those with more adventurous palates can try out one of the several avocado smoothies or a salted egg yolk milk. For a snack, grab a crispy coin-shaped pancake, stuffed with melty cheese or sausage.
Tea Talk Bubble Tea Cafe, Sammamish
We dwellers of the suburban depths of Sammamish aren’t spoiled with an abundance of dining options — or spaces for kids and teens to hang out. So when a new bubble tea shop sprang up in the local shopping plaza a few
years ago, the excitement was palpable. Since then, Tea Talk has become one of our favorite local haunts. The cozy space has plenty of comfy lounge seating for homework and a gab sesh, cuddly boba plushies, tabletop games, fun claw machines (my 10-year-old’s obsession) and of course, tasty tea drinks galore. A specialty is their classic fruit tea, loaded with fresh fruit slices. I adore the uber-cute smiling egg pancakes, which are easy to share and served in an egg carton. ■
Kate Missine is a Sammamish-based mom, shopping addict and lifestyle writer. Since 2015, she has been keeping Pacific Northwest parents up-to-date on all the coolest spots, eats and happenings around town.
Step Inside the Wacky World of Mike Bennett
Story and photos by Kate Hagan Gallup
Take a road trip to experience the art of Portland’s favorite joymaker
It started during the pandemic — not the art, the attention. At a time when everyone was separated, art provided an outlet for the community to come together (at a safe distance). Then Mike Bennett’s zoo-based animal yard signs began to attract so many onlookers that
his neighbors needed to control traffic. Bennett’s signature “Slow Down” signs then entered the landscape, featuring big-eyed sloths and whimsical snails, quickly becoming a local favorite. Cars started to slow down, but the demand for the art grew.
A community niche emerged where art, education and entertainment began to collide, or perhaps collage.
Popping up across Portland No longer a fit for a home-based
WACKY WORLD OF MIKE BENNETT
continued from page 25 project, the art expanded across Portland lawns and Instagram reels and soon commercial ventures. Wonderwood and the Wonderwood Cafe opened in 2022. Wonderwood’s initial run was a Rat King-themed sewer walkthrough with a café reminiscent of a family-friendly dungeon crawler’s inn. Wonderwood transformed into a 9-hole indoor mini golf course in 2024, which was rethemed this year in February. The café menu and services have expanded too. The St. Johns neighborhood favorite is also home to multiple pop-ups and seasonal events.
• Summer horse camps
• Riding lessons
• Birthday parties
• Trail rides by reservation for ages 3 yrs and up
• Large group gatherings
for a reservation at 360-424-7630. Mt. Vernon, WA
comeride.com
Washington readers might be familiar with The Oatmeal comics by Matthew Inman and events like Beat the Blerch. Bennett’s work has similar humor and live event comic interactions, but the laughs are geared more toward younger kids or world-weary adults who want to experience uncomplicated fun. The creations are drawn with a greater innocence and a vivid, zoology-based style with vibrant colors. The art is distinct, unassumingly joyful, and with the humility to mock itself as a cross-eyed goldfish.
However, Wonderwood only had room for so many animals, and Bennett had more creatures to create.
Drawing new experiences
Artistic collaborations with Bennett have appeared across Portland, such as the NBA Portland Trail Blazers, and the Portland Japanese Garden; plus media features from NPR to Atlas Obscura and The New York Times. My kid’s favorite collab was an animal-based scavenger hunt at the Oregon Zoo, and he wouldn’t let us leave until we’d found every creature.
Space for new experiences was a natural evolution, and Bennett opened the Portland Aquarium in summer 2025. Located in downtown Portland, this aquarium is filled with facts, but not with water or live sea creatures. Related aquarium extras like a new podcast and nearby seasonal pop-ups with live “snow” complement the downtown experience.
As community demand for art has increased, the Bennett team launched a maker space last winter, simply called Mike Bennett Studios. Currently open on weekends and for private rentals, this art studio helps inspire local families to make their own art and create their own community joy.
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WACKY WORLD OF MIKE BENNETT
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If you’re visiting Portland, you can check out all of them over the course of a weekend.
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Wonderwood Indoor Mini Golf
Indoor family attractions are a staple of the rainy Pacific Northwest. Wonderwood Mini Golf, a 9-hole family-friendly course, has been rethemed as the Alpha Bestiary with 26 new hand-drawn monsters and a new storyline. Reservations are not required, but it helps to check online for the current waitlist. There’s a large outdoor paved area between the two sites, and my kid still remembers this location as the “place where you walk right into a comic book.”
Cost: $12 per person; free for ages 3 and younger
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 1–8 p.m.; Friday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
Location: 7410 N. Chicago Ave., Portland, Oregon
Wonderwood Cafe & Restaurant
The café is next door to the mini golf location, and available for breakfast, lunch, dinner and ice cream. Vegan options are available, and seating is offered both inside and outside. We love the more interactive indoor elements, including the “trophy wall” with hand-drawn taxidermy such as jackalopes and alligators. Check the café page or social media for the latest on weekly events, including bingo and trivia. With a full menu that includes weekend brunch, my kid is still constantly drawn to the vegan “buttered” popcorn and the pastry case. Fortunately, the chicken tenders and fries on the kids menu are also a hit. Check out the Enchanted Elixirs menu for a customizable drink.
Hours: Monday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.–7 p.m.
Location: 8811 N. Lombard St., Portland, Oregon
The Portland Aquarium
Yes, it’s about fish, but maybe it isn’t about water. The Portland Aquarium is a multi-room walk-through exhibit with more than 100 hand-drawn aquatic creatures in illustrated and creatively lit biomes. Each admission comes with a 24-page field guide that combines Bennett’s illustrations with information from marine scientist Chanel Hason. The “special effects” (think lighting and interactive elements) were highly praised by my kid when visiting and he loved the scale of the larger
sea creatures like the sharks and whales, posing to take action photos along the way.
Pair your on-site experience with another collaboration from this team in “The Zooquarium Podcast” online, expanding your whimsy and creature knowledge.
The aquarium is a short walk from the seasonal Snow Day Village, which returns in November. This pop-up is a family favorite, because where else can you find a combination of snail plushies, live goats, and fake snow falling from the sky?
Cost: $14 for general admission; $10 for kids 12 and younger; free for kids 2 and younger
Hours: Wednesday–Friday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location: 603 S.W. Broadway, Portland, Oregon
Mike Bennett Studios
The newest addition to the magical cartoon world is the makerspace on Fremont Street. This space is still evolving,
and you can smell the sawdust and paint as new creations emerge and families begin to enjoy crafting experiences.
Bennett was painting Pokémon during my recent visit, where I toured the walls filled with all sorts of craft and creation supplies prepared for kids on the weekend. If you look through a window during closed work hours, you might find Bennett working on his next creature. Check online for classes, special events and private parties, as prices will vary.
Even when the studio is closed, you can visit Bennett’s “sidewalk joy spots” for swapping keychains, stickers and Pokémon cards. Or grab a free tennis ball from the dog library (for your four-legged friends to enjoy at the park across the street).
Hours: Saturday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Location: 707 N.E. Fremont St., Portland, Oregon
Bring the art home
Do you need to leave town with a packet of cryptid stickers?
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What about a magnet featuring the famous PDX Airport carpet? Perhaps you need a snail plushie to complete your collection. Each location offers a large variety of purchasable art on-site, or you can shop the Mike Bennett art collection online.
Make a weekend of it
Perhaps the most quintessentially Portland lodging venues are those operated by McMenamins. If you’ve visited the Anderson School in Bothell, you’ll see the same eclectic and colorful style carried throughout the many Portland locations. While not all lodgings are in an old school, expect every McMenamins to be in a differently shaped and often repurposed building. The chain restaurants typically offer solid kids menus and are known for the crispiest tater tots around. Lodgings and pools vary greatly, and some summer venues will have large concert crowds on event nights, so make sure to check for specifics before you book.
A family-forward alternative that’s just a short drive from Bennett’s artistic attractions is the new and evolving Vancouver Waterfront. Just minutes across the bridge from Portland, this area features extended walking trails and a waterfront view, including the Grant Street Pier. There’s a sandboxbased playground open yearround, and in the summer you’ll find the popular splash pad with the Headwaters Wall water feature showcasing the area’s river systems. The
lawn area near the splash pad is home to frequent summer movies, concerts and pop-up events.
For dining options, you’ll find a variety of food but family favorites include Ruse Brewing Crust Collective’s deep-dish pizzas and Grassa’s handmade pasta. For dessert, check out the quirky ice cream flavors at Salt & Straw or fill up your mug at the Yard Milkshake Bar.
Hotel Indigo Vancouver Downtown offers a clean and accessible stay that guarantees you a waterfront parking spot. The AC Hotel Vancouver Waterfront is another option within walking distance as part of the newer lodgings in this area. Both hotels offer good Wi-Fi and on-site restaurants (though neither has a hotel pool).
If you’d like a little more oldschool vibe, the Vancouver Hilton is a few blocks away downtown. Still only a short drive from the Portland Expo Center, this classic location features a pool and a hot tub. The Hilton is across the street from Esther Short Park, another popular summer festival spot that sits next to the year-round Vancouver Farmers Market. The park also includes a popular accessible playground and water feature. The park is within walking distance of multiple local restaurant favorites and a movie theater. ■
Kate Hagan Gallup is a mother to a little boy of her own, her most recent roles and digital skills help share her passion for parenting, ecoconsciousness and healthy living with a larger audience.
