Saturday, July 28 9:00 am to 1:00 pm in Westfield Southcenter’s South Parking Lot.
From buses to fire trucks, this FREE event has all the rigs kids want to climb on and explore. We’ll educate families on safety as we provide activities to help equip kids with the tools to make decisions in case of an emergency. Join the fun and hop in a bus, sit in a fire truck and honk some horns with us this summer! (Horns and sirens will be silent between 9:00 am and 10:00 am)
Thank you for your support!
Cover photo by JOSHUA HUSTON
Seattle’sChild
July-August 2018 // Issue
“Seattle is my town. I know this city inside and out… or so I thought until I had kids.”
Seattle’s Child is your guide to getting to know your city all over again. Finding things to do, places to eat, and how to get around — it’s a whole new ballgame with kids in tow. We’re interested in how parents make homes in a space-challenged urban environment, how families create community, and what parents are talking about. Seattle’s Child reflects real Puget Sound families and their broad range of parenting experiences.
ANN BERGMAN Publisher, Founder abergman@seattleschild.com
BOO DAVIS Art Director bdavis@seattleschild.com
SARAH RIVERA Managing Editor srivera@seattleschild.com
GO OUT! Find summer outings for your family with our complete online calendar of events. It’s mobile-friendly, constantly updated, and searchable by location, age and cost » seattleschild.com
BY JIAYING GRYGIEL
»What Parents Are Talking About
A smarter move
DETECTIVE COOKIE’S CHESS CLUB TEACHES KIDS ABOUT MAKING GOOD CHOICES ON AND OFF THE BOARD
“Playing chess, it was always strategy,” says Seattle teen Abdiaziz Dolal. “You’re thinking ahead, if it’s a good move or not. Life goes the same way, too.”
Dolal didn’t know anything about chess
until third or fourth grade, when his brother took him to Detective Cookie’s Urban Youth Chess Club at the Rainier Beach Library. He’s now a sophomore at Rainier Beach High School, and still plays
chess here and there.
“Chess puts my mind at ease,” Dolal says. “If I’m stressing, I got it on my phone, I got it everywhere.”
Seattle Police Detective Denise “Cookie” Bouldin, a youth specialist and liaison officer, started this chess club 12 years ago, with just three kids in Rainier Valley. “People told me it would never work,” she says. Now she runs a regular club on Tuesdays and Saturdays with a couple of dozen students, and teaches another 270 students at South Shore and Van Asselt
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE >
Det. Cookie’s chess club is open to everyone 7 years and older, no experience necessary.
What Parents Are Talking About
schools. The skills her students acquire in chess stand them well in life. “The whole thing is to get them to concentrate and not move so quickly,” says Det. Cookie, a 39year veteran of the Seattle Police Department. “A lot of times, the kids have a habit, they see something and they go for it. They gotta learn it could be a setup. Make the best move, not the quickest move.
“If you are quick to make a decision, you could lose your queen. In the real community, if you’re quick to be lured into something, to steal; if you’re too quick to do those, there’s going to be consequences. You might end up losing your life or going to jail.”
Dolal credits Det. Cookie with keeping him out of trouble. Growing up, she’d buy him food, pick him up, ask him how his day was, help him with homework. “She kind of raised me and my brother,” Dolal says. “She took care of us.”
Sound like a regular cop? She’s not. For starters, everyone knows her by her nickname; it’s even embroidered on her police uniform: “D. Cookie Bouldin.” (As a little girl, she had a fondness for cookies, especially oatmeal raisin.) Det. Cookie is the kind of cop who’ll stop to tickle a baby or shoot the breeze with some teens. Last week, Dolal ran into her at Domino’s, where she was handing out sticker badges to little kids.
“She’s always in a good mood,” Dolal says.
The first three years she ran the chess club, Det. Cookie didn’t know how to play.
She’d tried learning the game when she was 13, but hated it. “I just got frustrated,” she says. “Figured I wasn’t smart enough to play chess.” So every time she sat down to a game at her chess club, she’d mimic her opponent’s moves. And she always lost. One day, she overheard a 7-year-old tell another
kid, “Don’t worry, you’re going to win if you play Det. Cookie.” That lit a fire in her to improve her chess game.
Volunteer coach Larry Greenawalt lays out the principles of chess: The battle is at the center of the board, not the sides. Players who only move the side pieces will lose. In the opening 10 to 12 moves, players develop the pieces in order to attack their opponents’ weak points. The object is to capture the other player’s king. Don’t know a rook from a bishop? That’s OK: Greenawalt and other chess instructors can help.
Most Saturdays, the Cheng brothers play chess after their swim lesson at the Rainier Beach Community Center. Howard, 12, and Edward, 11, have gotten so good in the past year they can beat adults.
Playing chess has boosted academics for the Cheng kids, says mom May Cheng. It’s helped them focus, use critical thinking, formulate strategies — and it’s given them a safe place to go.
Det. Cookie was raised in the Chicago projects, where outside her family’s apartment door were people trying to get her to use drugs, sell drugs, get into prostitution. She had parents who kept her safe and were good role models.
Det. Cookie’s sitting a few seats over, dressed in her uniform, playing one of her regulars. Even though she’s absorbed in her game, she checks in with everyone who comes by. The atmosphere is casual, with kids popping in for a quick game or just saying hi. Chess might seem exclusively for the brainy set, but the way Det. Cookie runs the chess club, it’s a game everyone can enjoy.
by Jeff Lee, MD
Loves me like a rock
I got my stubbornness gene from my mom. She and I butted heads all through my childhood and well into my twenties. I don’t even remember what most of it was about. One of us would dig our heels in, the other would follow suit, and before you knew it there’d be steam coming out of our ears. My dad and my brothers used to just shake their heads and walk away, leaving us to battle it out.
Over the years, we both mellowed considerably. Once I had kids, I realized how hard it must have been for her, keeping four boys fed, sort of clean and mostly out of trouble. And when my teenage daughter proved just as pigheaded as I was, my karmic comeuppance was complete. Eventually, I saw my mom’s stubbornness as an unexpected blessing — a constant, consistent immovability that anchored my life like a giant hunk of bedrock.
Then, a few weeks ago, she sent me an email, and that bedrock crumbled.
Jeff, can you call me about a cough that’s bothering me?
To say my mom is stoic is like saying Mount Rainier is big. It’s accurate, but it doesn’t really capture the scale. She has an arthritic hip joint that’s bone-on-bone, but she won’t even take a Tylenol because she doesn’t like medicine. Complaining isn’t really her thing.
On the phone, she told me she was short of breath, and coughing up bloodtinged mucus.
“Mom,” I said, “you have to go see a doctor.”
“Sheesh, really?” she said. “Maybe it’ll just go away.”
“It could be serious. You need an exam and an X-ray.”
“Oh, that’s too much trouble. Couldn’t I just wait it out?”
We went on for half an hour, during which I argued, pestered, begged and cajoled, all the while wondering why she had
bothered to call me (not to mention put me through medical school) if she was going to ignore everything I said. In exasperation, I hung up and called my little brother, who lives near her. He listened to me rant for a while, then said he’d drive her to the emergency room. Even over the phone, I knew he was shaking his head.
It turns out my mom had developed severe congestive heart failure. One of her
To say my mom is stoic is like saying Mount Rainier is big. It’s accurate, but it doesn’t really capture the scale. She has an arthritic hip joint that’s bone-on-bone, but she won’t even take a Tylenol because she doesn’t like medicine. Complaining isn’t really her thing.
heart valves was so narrow and calcified it looked like the tip of a water pistol on an echocardiogram. The cardiologist offered two options: do nothing and lose her within the year, or replace the valve. It was a choice without real options, and I told her so. This time, she believed me.
My brothers and I took her to the hospital together. She was too short of breath to walk from the car, so we put her in a wheelchair. The planned procedure
Skagit County
Museum Passport
Get your passport to adventure!
Museums provide a unique opportunity to learn, explore, time-travel, and with the dozen museums in Skagit County, there are ample opportunities to travel from the shore to the foothills!
Visitors to Skagit Valley can pick up their passport at any of the museum locations, the City of Burlington Visitor Center/ Chamber of Commerce, area visitor centers & The Historic Lincoln Theatre.
Anacortes Museum :: WT Preston Sternwheel :: Maritime Heritage Center :: Children’s Museum of Skagit County :: Clear Lake Historical Association :: Concrete Heritage Museum :: Heritage Flight Museum :: Museum of Northwest Art :: Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum :: Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve :: Sedro Woolley Museum :: Skagit County Historical Museum
DadNextDoor
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
was a marvel of modern science — an artificial valve snipped from the lining of a cow’s heart, fused to a collapsible metal cage, and mounted on a catheter that could be inserted at her groin and snaked up into her heart.
In the pre-op room, we each kissed her on the forehead, squeezed her hand, and told her not to flirt with the doctor.
It’s hard to describe what it felt like keeping vigil in that hospital waiting room. My mother hadn’t been sick a day in her life.
visit SkagitChildrensMuseum.net
Funding provided by City of Burlington & Skagit County Lodging Tax Grants Eat, Sleep, Play! VisitBurlingtonWA.com VisitSkagitValley.com
The thought of losing her, even at 91, had never really crossed our minds. In that moment, I realized she’d given us the best gift a parent can give: a love so certain and solid we simply took it for granted.
„ Read all of Jeff Lee’s columns on seattleschild.com
A couple of hours later, the doctor pushed through the double doors, still wearing his surgical cap and blue scrubs.
“It went perfectly,” he said. “She’s in recovery. She’s doing great.”
An hour later, she was sitting up in bed, eating lunch. “When can I go home?” she said. “Do I really have to stay the night?”
A week later she called me to say she’d dismissed the home health nurse and physical therapist. “Too much trouble,” she said. “I’m fine.” This time I didn’t argue. I figured, after 91 years, she’s earned the right to call her own shots. Besides, it’s probably that damned stubbornness gene that keeps her alive.
After I hung up, I went for a run down by the lake. It was the first summer-like day of the year, and everyone was out in T-shirts and shorts, exposing their ghostly Seattleite skin. A snow-capped Mount Rainier was out in all its glory, too — glistening, and pale like a Microsoft programmer’s legs.
I stopped in my tracks and gazed at it, carefully taking in every glacier, ridge and crag as if I was seeing it for the first time.
After all, this is Seattle. The rain will be back, probably sooner rather than later. You have to enjoy the sun while you can.
Jeff Lee stays fed, sort of clean, and mostly out of trouble in Seattle.
SCREEN-FREE * SUMMER
Stop scrollin’ and get rollin’
AH, SUMMER! Don’t waste a second as sunshine pours down and schedules melt away. Give in to long days outside, exploring the city, the water, the woods. Hunker down with good books, good friends and family. Unplug, engage and make that “someday” plan happen today. Here’s a road map to making summer 2018 ambitiously fun.
by SARAH RIVERA with NICOLE SANTORA
photos by JOSHUA HUSTON
Sierra Lindenstein gets it into gear on Lake Washington Boulevard.
SCREEN-FREE SUMMER
SUNDAY, JULY 1
Little makers delight
Can-do creativity is on display at Urban Craft Uprising’s Summer Show, with booths that showcase some of the best, most creative crafts in the Northwest. A lot like a massive gift show, but for kids who like to shop and see, it’s fun
and inspiring. Afterward, head over to the exciting, climbing-oriented Artists at Play playground just west of MoPOP. Craft show: Seattle Center Exhibition Hall, 301 Mercer St., 11 am-5 pm. urbancraftuprising.com/summer-2018
MONDAY
JULY
Raid the recycle bin for (free) craft fuel
Build on the craft fair experience and get to making! Spread out a tablecloth and pull out the Cool Shot glue guns (they don’t get too hot) and make towers and bridges with whatever’s in the recycling bin. Take the Sunday papers and magazines and make clothes for dolls with Scotch tape and scissors. Maybe listen to an audio book or old radio show as the kids work.
TUESDAY, JULY 3
Hometown heroics
On the eve of the country’s birthday, head to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center (440 Fifth Ave. N) to learn about some issues one of the world’s most successful philanthropies is tackling. The current and highly interactive Countdown to Zero exhibit showcases global efforts to eradicate preventable diseases. There’s a daily tour at 2 pm, and groups of 10 or more can schedule their own tour. It’s just a few rooms, but packed with information, and an inspiring way to get kids thinking about global issues and what they can do to help others. Free, 10 am-5 pm. discovergates.org
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4
Daylight fun on the Fourth
With sunset at 9:08 pm and fireworks generally starting closer to 10, the Fourth can be a long day for families keen on fireworks. Not all the Independence Day action is after dark; there’s plenty to do around Seattle while the sun’s out. Check seattleschild.com for more. Summer Fourth at Gas Works Park will have food vendors and live entertainment. Kids can compete in pie-eating contests, sack races and more. Fireworks start at 10:20 pm.
Bellevue Family 4th starts at 9am with the Four on the 4th Dog Jog & Walk, a noncompetitive 4K. Bellevue Downtown Park’s celebration starts around 2 pm with a kid zone, food trucks, mascots and musical acts. Fireworks start at 10:05 pm with a synchronized live performance by the Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra. Museum of Flight’s Summer Family Fun has aviation and aerospace activities, stories and crafts, 10:30 am-3:30 pm. Kids 4 and under are free.
Kirkland’s children’s parade (11:30 am) followed by Community Parade, food, live music (5 pm) and fireworks (10:15 pm) off Marina Park in Downtown Kirkland.
Renton’s Fabulous Fourth of July ia at Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park. Volleyball tournament, kids’ activities, live entertainment and fireworks (10 pm).
SeaTac’s Fourth of July at Angle Lake Park. Kids’ activities (noon to 8 pm, $5), live music and fireworks (10 pm).
Tukwila’s Family Fourth at the Fort at Fort Dent Park. Kids’ activities, (4 pm), fireworks (10 pm).
Everett’s Yankee Doodle Dash is a race for the whole family. Choose your race: 5K, 10K, mile or kids’ dash (free). Fun starts at 8:30 am.
The 111st 4th of July in Edmonds starts with a 5K Beat the Brackett fun run and Baby Brackett 1K (10 am). Runners can get a beard to wear as they run! Later, a children’s parade, main parade, firefighters’ waterball competition, food, entertainment, Brackett’s Beard and Mustache Contest and fireworks (10 pm).
Clementine Houser with cousins Edie and Vera Friedman fold, roll, paste and cut.
THURSDAY, JULY 5
Animal kingdom
See wild animals! Woodland Park Zoo now has two greater one-horned rhinos, Taj and Glenn, and the darling young mountain gorilla Yola, just 2 ½ years old. Tonight, the zoo is open until 8:30 pm as part of the Evening Zoo program (evening hours on: July 9 and 26 and August 1, too). Today is also the Zoo for All program that seeks to make the zoo more enjoyable for children with sensory issues. Use one of the special maps that show the less crowded areas for children with sensory issues and join in the bring-your-own lunch at the North Meadow. There’s a free Woodland Park Zoo app with animal facts, daily activities and a GPS-enabled map. You could also head south to the Northwest Trek Wildlife Park
FRIDAY, JULY 6
Batter up!
Can you spot a future Mariner?
in Eatonville and see animals in a more natural setting. And there’s always a visit to a nearby animal sanctuary: Pig Peace Sanctuary in Stanwood, Wolf Haven in Tenino, Predators of the Heart in Anacortes or Precious Life Animal Sanctuary near Sequim. But don’t just drop by; most sanctuaries have limited public hours and require reservations, with even more limited hours for children. Wolf Haven has special visits on July 14 and 28 and August 11 and 25 for elementary-aged children and guardians for a shortened, 30-minute visit and a family activity. Zoos can be crowded, so try to come just as they open, during lunch or close to closing.
Check out the Mariners’ short-season Class A (about four levels below the majors) team, the Everett AquaSox, as they wrap up a series against Vancouver. In celebration of the 25th anniversary of The Sandlot, the first 400 fans get a free figurine based on the movie, given the Pop! treatment by Everett’s Funko. The stadium seats 3,000; a good crowd that isn’t overwhelming. Bring your mitts; at this level of play, the hitting is ahead of the pitching. milb.com/everett
SATURDAY, JULY 7
Micro-trip to Japan
The Tanabata Festival brings out the Japanophile in everyone. This annual family festival at the Seattle Japanese Garden offers bamboo sword demonstrations, origami making, tea, tanzaku (wishes or poems written on strips of paper and hung on bamboo poles) and entrancing taiko drum performances, which are as much fun to hear as to watch. It’s all amid the serenity of a 3.5acre park. Tours at 12:30 and 2 pm; tea ceremony tickets are extra. Regular garden admission for adults, but kids under 12 are free until 2 pm. Festival runs 10 am-3 pm. seattlejapanesegarden.org
SUNDAY 8 JULY
This Sunday and next, Lake Washington Boulevard from Seward Park to Mount Baker Beach will be without cars from 10 am-6 pm. If you don’t know the thrill of riding in the middle of the road, it’s a magical feeling unto itself. Make it festive! Tape some pinwheels onto the bike or wire a stuffy to the handlebars. More dates later this summer.
Sierra Lindenstein leads the pack on the road at Bicycle Sunday.
S.Y.S.: Save your sanity
MONDAY 9 JULY
Teach kids to do the dishes! Get out an apron and a chair, and set up your child at the kitchen sink. Stand by and help guide with how much soap to use (or you may be tasting soap at the next meal) and when to use the scouring pad. Kids really do want to help, but parents have to let them — even when it’s not really that much “help.” Little jobs show they’re an integral part of the family. Other introductory chores include putting silverware away, taking out garbage and recycling, making beds, sweeping and feeding pets.
TUESDAY, JULY 10
As part of the Shoreline Lunchtime Concert Series, experience the charismatic, contagious drumming of Arturo & the Rhythm Ambassadors at noon at Paramount Park (15300 8th Ave. NE in Shoreline). Later, young performers might try their own stuff at the first Tuesday night of Karaoke in the Park at Cromwell Park, also in Shoreline (18030 Meridian Ave. N.).
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11
The Music Under The Stars program sees a youth or pre-professional ensemble playing at 7:30 pm a few nights a week, followed by a live broadcast of the Seattle Symphony on 98.1 KING-FM, all at several local parks. Tonight, the show’s at Volunteer Park. More shows are at West Seattle’s Delridge Playfield, downtown’s Freeway Park and Columbia Park in Columbia City. Have an early dinner and take a cooler with ice cream bars, cut-up fruit and water. seattlechambermusic. org/music-under-the-stars
FINDS A CLAM.
TRIES ONE AT DINNER. PROGRESS.
MILESTONES, JUST A FEW MILES AWAY. Only two hours from Seattle, Semiahmoo is the perfect place to experience the moments with your kids that you live for. And with paddleboarding, art classes and pickleball, you can try something new, too. Visit Semiahmoo.com or call 360.318.2000.
Kyan Armijo has close encounters of the sudsy kind.
THURSDAY, JULY 12
Deane’s Children’s Park on Mercer Island awakens the Huck Finn in all of us with its unique Adventure Playground that gives kids tools and guidance (yes, staff is on hand) so they can build their own play structures. Kids 12 and older may play without a parent present if they have a signed permission slip. 1-4 pm. (Program runs Tuesdays-Thursdays; Sundays through August except July 15. Closed-toe shoes required. Mercer Island. mercergov.org
FLIGHT SCHOOL ACADEMY INCLUDES:
· Warm-up with stretching
· One-on-one coaching
· 5 minutes of flight time daily
· Additional shared flight time daily
· Live video debrief with instructor daily
If the kids aren’t ready for the Coast Starlight but love trains, splurge for the Day Out With Thomas at the Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie. It includes a 25-minute train ride aboard Thomas the Tank Engine, plus Thomas & Friends storytelling, arts and crafts, and even Sir Topham Hatt, the Controller of the Railway on the Island of Sodor. Tickets are $23; it’s recommended to buy in advance. Kids under 2 are free. The Thomas events are this weekend and next, July 2022, starting at 9 am with departures every 45 minutes. There’s a sensoryfriendly ride on July 22 at 9 am. Also check out their “preschool train rides” running throughout the year, or it’s free to just visit the Snoqualmie Depot and head into the valley for berry picking, too. trainmuseum.org/ thomas/Main.html
· Log book to track flight progression
· Snacks provided daily
· iFLY cinch bag, water bottle, and
· Weekly video and picture set PLUS PARENT PERKS:
· Complimentary WiFi · Designated workspaces
SCREEN-FREE SUMMER
SATURDAY, JULY 14
Low tide unmasks sea creatures
Neap tides are the lowest of low tides and a chance to explore tidal pools and shoreline mudflats. Beach naturalists from Seattle Aquarium will be at several local beaches (Carkeek Park, Golden Gardens, Lincoln Park, Richmond Beach, Saltwater State Park, Seahurst, South Alki) during this and other low tides to help people learn more about the plants and animals that live in the shallows. Before heading to the beach, read a tidepool guidebook such as Explore the Salish Sea or Life on Intertidal Rocks to give kids a sense of what they will find. Low tide today is at 12:28 pm, tomorrow, 1:15. To find when Aquarium naturalists are at which beaches, see: seattleschild. com/Your-Low-Tide-Guide
SUNDAY, JULY 15
Best of West Seattle Summer Fest
If the family is spoiling for a carnival fair, today’s the last day of the West Seattle Summer Fest, one of those neighborhood happenings that makes everyone think, “Boy, a lot of fun people live in West Seattle.” The Kid Zone is more than just some fenced-off bouncy house in view of the beer garden; it has Clowns Unlimited, face painting, bouncy houses, rides and activities. Don’t come with
an empty wallet! The all-day use pass is $18 per kid and rides are up to $5 a ride, 10 am to 5 pm. Outside the kids’ area, there’s music (Rat City Brass and The Hula Bees, to name two). Since you’re east of the Duwamish, stop by local institution Super Deli Mart for classic, old-school hoagies, including “The Cheesy British.” Order warmed, not toasted. wsjunction.org/summerfest
Meet Mr. Bunny Rabbit
MONDAY 16
JULY
Teach kids to tie a shoe! Don’t just pull out a shoe and practice; Go through the paces. Make a tie toy. Use unmatched laces, so it’s easier to see where to pull laces. Say the poem: Over, under, around and through. Meet Mr. Bunny Rabbit, pull and through. Not all kids are keen to learn, and some might not yet have the motor skills to manage. Just lay the groundwork! Let them invent their own fun knots. Maybe get a nautical knot book.
You never saw a sad unicorn
Grammy-nominated teacher trio band Recess Monkey, a perennial kid favorite, plays at 10 am as part of the Kirkland Kids Concerts at Juanita Beach Park. Juanita Beach is great for swimming, the beachy shore, the playground, the rentable kayaks, the pro-dog vibe and ample parking. Bring enough to make a day of it. Other concerts: The Not-Its! on July 24, Captain Awesome Sauce on July 31, Super Stolie on Aug. 7, Mister G on Aug. 14, Caspar Babypants on Aug. 21. kirklandsummerconcerts.weebly.com
THURSDAY, JULY 19
TUESDAY, JULY 17 A circus on a Thursday?!
WEDNESDAY
Back in the old days, Seattle was full of huge trees. While most of the biggest ones fell to loggers, there are still giants among the maples. The oldest tree in King County is the Coast Douglas Fir in Federal Way. Known as the West Hylebos Creek Giant, it’s estimated to be 430 years old, with a diameter of 22 feet and towering at 163 feet tall. Other large trees abound on Magnolia Bluff, in the Evergreen Washelli Cemetery, and at Leschi Park, Boeing Creek Park and the University of Washington. Find one of these massive trees to measure and start a tree survey of your own. Make a tree kit that includes a guide book, cotton string, tape measure, notebook and pencil. Write notes! Take pictures!
Snohomish’s Kla Ha Ya Days is both a circus and carnival. This is the first day of a four-day event that gathers more folks as the days pass. Try coming during the week for a more manageable fair experience, with a circus act and farmers market thrown in. The carnival rides and booths are open from 4-10 pm; Vuelta La Luna Circus performs at 4:30 and 7:30 pm; klahayadays.com/events/schedule. Or if you want to stay closer to home, head to Volunteer Park’s Picnic in the Park for live music, circus acrobats and food trucks, 6-8 pm. volunteerparktrust.org
FRIDAY, JULY 20
SATURDAY, JULY 21
You don’t need Dee Gordon’s wheels to run at Safeco
Powwows were taking place long before Seafair but are of a similar spirit: fun + community + summer. We once heard of a retired couple, both of whom had trouble walking, who went to a powwow in their regalia and wound up dancing for eight hours. This is the 31st annual Seafair powwow: more than 400 dancers and drummers will gather at this annual celebration of Native American culture. Friday is family night and admission is free. The two grand entries usually start around 6 and 7 pm. Spectators may join dancers during intertribal dances. Native dress is considered regalia, not a “costume.” Any large, stray feathers found should be left alone, but pointed out to staff. Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center at Discovery Park, 4-10 pm. How to find the age of a tree
1. Measure circumference of tree in inches 2. Divide by 3.14 (pi) to get diameter 3. Multiply by growth factor of tree species to find the tree’s age in years
The Goodwill Refuse To Abuse 5K at Safeco Field is a reason to put on your running shoes and head downtown for a 3.2-mile run. The event is both a fantastic tour and a fundraiser for a good cause: stopping domestic violence. The course around Safeco Field offers fantastic views, time on the field, and you can even pass through the bullpens. The route has ramps only — no stairs. Who wouldn’t sprint at the finish down the third-base line? refusetoabuse5k.org
Olympia Love measures a century-old red oak tree.
Water worlds
This year, for the first time since the recession of 2008, all Seattle Parks wading pools will be open, and five of the most popular — Green Lake, Magnuson, Lincoln, Van Asselt and Volunteer Park — will operate every day from 11 am to 8 pm. Other wading pools will have shorter hours and fewer days open, due to attendance figures and budgets. The wading pool and spray park hotline (206-684-7796) is updated daily by 9:30 am.
All Seattle sprayparks are open daily from 11 am to 8 pm.
Ballard Commons Spraypark
Through 9/3
Open daily, 11 am-8 pm
Beacon Hill Playground
Wading Pool Through 8/16
Open Wed and Thu, noon-7 pm
Beacon Mountain Spraypark Through 9/3
Open daily, 11 am-8 pm
Bitter Lake Playfield
Wading Pool Through 8/17
Open Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, noon-7 pm
Cal Anderson
Park Wading Pool
Through 8/19
Open Fri, Sat, Sun, noon-6:30 pm
3 Also not to be missed is the mountain fountain of cascading water.
Dahl Playfield
Wading Pool Through 8/16
Open Tue, Wed, Thu, noon-7 pm
Delridge Playfield
Wading Pool Through 8/19
Open Mon, Tue, Sun, noon-6:30 pm
East
Queen Anne Playground
Wading Pool Through 8/19
Open Mon, Tue, Sun, noon-7 pm
E.C. Hughes Playground
Wading Pool Through 8/17
Open Wed, Thu, Fri, noon-7 pm
Fountain of Creation, Seattle Center Daily, 10 am-10 pm
3 Between Northwest Rooms and KeyArena
Georgetown Playfield Spraypark Through 9/3
Open daily, 11 am-8 pm
Gilman Playground
Wading Pool Through 8/18
Open Fri and Sat, noon-7 pm
Green Lake Park
Wading Pool Through 9/3
Open daily, 11 am-8 pm
Hiawatha Playfield
Wading Pool Through 8/18
Open Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, noon-6:30 pm
Highland Park
Playground
Spraypark Through 9/3
Open daily, 11 am-8 pm
International Fountain, Seattle Center 10 am-10 pm
3 There are five fountain shows: Aaron Copland’s Billy the Kid, Duke Ellington, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, and Northwest rock and Seattle Center mixes.
John C. Little, Sr. Spraypark Through 9/3
Open daily, 11 am-8 pm
Judkins Spraypark Through 9/3
Open daily, 11 am-8 pm
Lake Union Spraypark Through 9/3
Open daily, 11 am-8 pm
Lincoln Park
Wading Pool Through 9/3
Open daily, 11 am-8 pm
Magnuson Park
Wading Pool Through 8/26
Open daily, 12:15 -6:30 pm
Miller Playfield Spraypark Through 9/3
Open daily, 11 am-8 pm
Northacres Spraypark Through 9/3
Open daily, 11 am-8 pm
Peppi’s Playground Wading Pool Through 8/14
Open Mon and Tue, noon-7 pm
Powell Barnett Wading Pool Through 8/19
Open Sat and Sun, noon-7 pm
Pratt Spraypark
Closed due to construction
Ravenna Wading Pool Through 8/18
Open Fri and Sat, noon-7 pm
Sandel Playground Wading Pool Through 8/15
Open Tue and Wed, noon-6:30 pm
Soundview Playfield
Wading Pool Through 8/19
Open Mon, Sat, Sun, noon-7 pm
South Park Playground
Wading Pool Through 8/16
Open Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, noon-7 pm
Van Asselt Playground
Wading Pool Through 9/3
Open daily, 11 am-8 pm
View Ridge Playfield
Wading Pool Through 8/19
Open Mon and Sun, noon-7 pm
Volunteer Park
Wading Pool Through 9/3
Open daily, 11 am-8 pm
Waterfall Garden Park, Pioneer Square
3 Not a wading pool or splash park, but such a neat place to sit near and enjoy the mist coming off the man-made waterfall.
Wallingford Playfield Wading Pool Through 8/17
Open Wed, Thu, Fri, noon-7 pm
Yesler Terrace Spraypark
Opening Aug. 24
Outside the city proper: North Lynnwood Neighborhood Park
“Dragon Park,” Lynnwood Daily, 11 am-7 pm
Hazel Miller Spray Park at Edmonds City Park Daily, 10 am-7 pm
Town Square Park Spray park, Burien Daily, 11 am-6 pm
Crossroads Water Spray Playground, Bellevue Daily, 11 am-7 pm
Water Playground at Forest Park, Everett Through 9/26 11 am-8 pm
3 Awesome for toddlers! Sprinkler Park Thursdays, Lee Johnson Field, Kirkland Thu only, 7/12-8/23, noon-3 pm
Harborside Fountain Park, Bremerton Daily, 8 am-dusk
3 Check seattleschild. com for even more listings and updates
Spray parks and wading pools are saviors on hot Seattle days.
MONDAY, JULY 23
Your own island
Have a private island experience! Take Everett’s Jetty Island Ferry out to a little jetty that sits just off the northwest shore of Everett, and enjoy a glorious stretch of sandy beach. Be prepared with food, water, sunscreen, change of clothes, and pack out everything you bring in. The only structure on the jetty is a porta-potty. Wait in the standby line, or make reservations for eight or more: 425-257-8304
TUESDAY, JULY 24
Dreamliner, anyone?
A sharp-eyed pilot can identify a 787 Dreamliner in the sky, with its curved, fuel-saving winglets. Boeing offers the only public tour of a commercial jet assembly plant in North America. Just a half-hour north of Seattle in Mukilteo, there’s the Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing factory tour where the 747s, 777s and Dreamliners are in the works. If kids aren’t into jets or don’t have the patience for a 90-minute tour, just stick with the Future of Flight.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25
Sand in your shorts
You have to hand it to Edmonds; this sand sculpture contest at Marina Beach is ideal for families and amateurs, not just the pro sand carvers down at Imperial Beach near San Diego. There’s a kids’ category, and winners in the past have been awarded a bucket of locally made candy. Bring buckets and shovels. The free contest starts at 10 am with judging at noon. If you get the bug, there’s another contest at Richmond Beach in Shoreline on Aug. 19.
Igniting the academic and creative potential of students with dyslexia and other language-based learning di erences.
SCREEN-FREE SUMMER
THURSDAY, JULY 26
Jewel on the lake
Kenmore’s Saint Edward State Park is a 316-acre jewel on the northeastern shore of Lake Washington. Once a Catholic seminary, it’s now home to Bastyr University. This park is incredible for a practically in-town mountain bike ride or trail run. Kids can play at the volunteer-built playground full of turrets. Take turns watching kids, while your better half hits the trails. After serious play, enjoy a picnic, dip in the lake, or even a quick meal from Bastyr’s dining commons (summer hours 8 am-2 pm).
Make it a summer of practical knowledge
FRIDAY 27 JULY
A lot of folks bemoan the fact that kids today don’t seem to have a lot of common knowhow. But here’s the deal: We have to teach them. So pick a topic that applies to your family. Like to bike? Teach bike repair! Like to boat? Study and take the Washington State Boater Exam online. Like to
have friends over? Teach kids to set and clear a formal table. Kids like breakfast? Teach ’em to make Grandma’s hotcakes. Just think of a few things that your kids need to know and tackle it today.
SATURDAY, JULY 28
Way, way more than yoga
Yoga isn’t the only cool culture export from India. For those who love Bollywood dancing and all things Vedic, Redmond’s Ananda Mela Festival is almost mandatory. Contests include dancing, cooking, chess, henna and rangoli with yes — kid categories. Also, dance performances including Nalini and the Blue Lotus Dancers (belly dancing, Bollywood), and From Within Academy, who do Bharatanatyam, a 2,000-year-old dance whose movements have specific meanings and purpose. There will be the standard bouncy house inflatables for kids, and cows, including the humped Gyr from Redmond’s Goloka Farm. anandamela.org
SUNDAY, JULY 29
Seward Park’s annual Pista sa Nayon (translated from Tagalog, “town festival”) is a one of the largest Filipino-American events in the country. Come see the arts and crafts, kids’ games and traditional dances, including Tinikling, a folk dance performed through tapping and sliding bamboo poles. When it’s chibog time, (slang for “eat”) try lumpia (egg rolls), bagoong and dinuguan — all well-suited (albeit spicy!) for a hot summer’s day.
MONDAY, JULY 30
Filipino town festival Executive parenting skills
You’re not quite halfway through summer, and kids and parents may be starting the slow dance of each driving the other crazy. A few tricks: 1. Play with kids. Don’t give them a toy or take them somewhere, but actually play with them for an extended period, without phones. Dance to music, build blocks, race cars, play catch, color a poster, play hide-and-seek. 2. Compliment good behavior. An ideal praise-to-criticism ratio, per the Harvard Business Review, is about six positive remarks to every critical one for optimal teamwork. If it feels like you’re talking too much, give a compliment with a look or thumbs-up. 3. Talk less. This actually works with everyone. More listening!
Slime time!
JULY
TUESDAY 31
Seattle’s Child fought it, too, but there’s no getting around slime-making. Kids love it — making it, playing with it — but it can get pricey and consume household items at an almost intolerable pace (“Where’s my shaving cream?!”)
How to make slime
Here’s ta go-to, no-fail recipe, courtesy of Elizabeth Hanson, 10, of Des Moines:
Elmer’s gel glue, 5 oz.
Contact lens solution
Baking soda
Container to mix in
Mixing utensil
Measuring spoons (½ tbsp., 1 tbsp., ¼ tbsp.)
Food coloring (optional)
Pour the entire bottle of glue into the container
Add ½ tbsp. of baking soda and mix
Add food coloring
Add 1 tbsp. of contact lens solution
Mix until mixture gets harder to mix and starts to form slime
Take the slime out and knead
If the slime is too sticky, add ¼ tbsp. of contact lens solution
Like chocolate chip cookies, everyone has their own recipe. The basic: white or gel glue (the basis), cornstarch or baking soda (the firming agent), saline solution (activator; gives it the rubbery feel), baby oil (optional; just a tad to ease handling) and food coloring (pizazz). Foam shaving cream will make fluffy slime; Borax will make stretchy slime. Highlighter ink will make glow-inthe-dark slime. Essential oils will give it a nice whiff. Glitter — a microplastic that destroys aquatic life — should stay deep in the drawer. Slime gets everywhere; You might consider a slime boundary — i.e., it doesn’t go into bedrooms.
For more slime recipes, see seattleschild.com
LARGER
Alexis Strickland makes the goo cool with her super slime fixings.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1
Taking play with food to a whole new level is the Zucchini 500, this week at Columbia City Farmers Market from 4-6 pm. Kids can make and decorate a farmer-grown zucchini into a car with wooden wheels (materials provided) and race against other zucchini cars.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 2
Darrington may not be the Woodstock of Washington… yet. The Summer Meltdown Festival has grown to a real destination event, featuring four days of jam bands, rock and electronic music. Most people who come camp in RVs and tents. Nearby is the north fork of the Stillaguamish River with swimming and wading spots, and is beach accessible from the festival. There’s a groovy Kids Village with hula hoops, bubbles, face painting, dress-up, derby car races, jewelry making and snow cones. summermeltdownfest.com
Loud and proud FRIDAY 3 AUG
Love it or hate it, it’s Seafair weekend. You’ve likely heard and maybe seen some of the U.S. Navy ‘s flight demonstration squad F/A-18 Hornets practicing their air show above Seattle. There’s also the Torchlight Parade (7:30 pm; go at least once!), and the hydro pits down at Genesee Park. Kids under 12 are $10; adults are more expensive if you choose to go into the festival. As for us? We’d pack a brunch hamper with a lot of drinks, hats, sunscreen and earplugs, and go for the morning and early afternoon. seafair.com
Creek Regional Park in South Taco ma is the opposite of Seafair. Soaring kites dance in the air nearly silently, their twists and stunts from a string tug and a gust of air. You can’t believe what can be tied to a string and hoisted into the air. The first 250 kids can make their own kites, while supplies last. Chambers boasts nearly 1,000 acres, with 2 miles of Sound shoreline, a creek, trails, and fantastic views. The action is at the Central Meadow, 10 am-3 pm. Fair warning: Dippin’ Dots and face-painting.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 5
Umoja means unity
Putting the soul in Seafair, Rainier Valley’s UmojaFest is one of the Seafair neighborhood celebrations that feel like a family reunion, with music, marketplace, food, drums and a basketball tournament. At Judkins Park, until 7 pm. umojafamilyfest.com
MONDAY
6 AUG
Easy pickings
Berry picking with children is easy, affordable and healthy. A lot of summer berries grow 3 feet off the ground, shoulder height for young pickers. Enjoy them as you go, or bring the harvest home to make cobblers, fruit leather, popsicles and more. Only pick ripe berries: Unlike tomatoes, once picked, berries do not ripen. Don’t wash berries until right before they’re to be eaten or added to a recipe; they’ll last longer.
Blackberry Native; those brambles are likely an invasive variety known as the Himalayan blackberry.
RIPENS: July-Sept.
FIND: Just try not to find! Sunny beach trails, Discovery Park
Blueberry
Washington state leads the nation in blueberries (116 million pounds last year).
RIPENS: July-Sept.
FIND: U-pick farms
TUESDAY, AUGUST 7
Bake it up
Huckleberry Blueberries’ wild cousin. Generally smaller and can be bright red, dark blue and purple.
RIPENS: Aug.-Sept.
FIND: Wild on a hike in the Cascades in elevations from 2,000 to 11,000 feet
Raspberry Washington state grew the most raspberries last year, as well.
RIPENS: June-Sept.
FIND: U-pick farms
Salal
Almost as common as blackberry. Grows wild and without the prickly brambles.
RIPENS: Aug.-Sept.
FIND: West Seattle’s Westcrest Park or Boeing Creek Park in Shoreline
What to do with all the berries? There’s the usual — pies and cobblers, breads, etc. You can mix into a slurry and freeze for ice pops, with layers of Greek yogurt
Serviceberry Juneberry, Saskatoon… There are lots of names for this small, versatile berry.
RIPENS: Late June-July
FIND: Used in landscaping. Easiest to find the spring flowers
to offset the sweetness. Make fruit leather. Another idea which is a great go-to breakfast, especially when you have house guests, is a clafoutis, essentially a big, airy pancake that’s baked with as little as half a cup to as much as three cups of berries. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and take breakfast outside.
SCREEN-FREE SUMMER
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8
Hike Seattle
You don’t need to head up Highway 2 for a hearty hike. There are about 30 hikes in the Seattle area, almost twice that if you count the Issaquah Alps. Among the many flat trails are Burien’s Indian Trail and Magnuson Park’s Frog Pond Trail. If it’s rainy, find a bigboughed cedar and take a break with a thermos of hot cocoa or tea with milk and honey. wta.org/go-outside/map
THURSDAY, AUGUST 9
Free! Gratis! Gratuit! Zìyóu!
Some museums aren’t part of Free First Fridays, because they always have free admission. Free museums are ideal with kids because you can go and not feel obliged to stay more than a half-hour, which is often plenty.
The Center for Wooden Boats, Frye Art Museum and Klondike Gold Rush Museum are great destinations.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 10
Pop! goes the anniversary
It’s more than old enough to be a parent itself: What better way to celebrate its birthday than a free party, with the moms and dads (and their kids) who’ve rocked out to its music over the past three decades?
Renowned Seattle record label Sub Pop turns 30 this year, and the two-day anniversary kicks off tonight with a free, all-ages concert (5 pm) at Seattle Center’s Mural Amphitheater featuring the Afghan Whigs. Tomorrow at West Seattle’s Alki Beach (noon10 pm), it’s SPF30, a free, allday festival with more than a dozen artists, from Beach House, Wolf Parade and the Fastbacks to Caspar Babypants and the Not-Its!. subpop.com
Take ’em to college
SATURDAY 11 AUG
The kids might be a little young for college, but nothing is so right as a university campus in summer. Download and print the maps at burkemuseum.org/visit/make-a-day-of-it. Go to the Quad with its 80-year-old cherry trees, or the gothicinspired Suzzallo Library. Have a snack at the Hub student union. If the day’s absolutely gorgeous you must get on the water, so head to the south side of Husky Stadium to the Waterfront Activities Center to rent canoes, kayaks or rowboats by the hour. There’s Northwest perfection in the shady halls of the Burke Museum (which will close as soon as a newer, larger Burke opens next year). This natural history museum is just right for younger kids, with exhibits featuring dinosaurs and Washington state geology, biology and archaeology. There’s also a small outdoor space that identifies 50 native plant species.
Read a classic SUNDAY 12 AUG
Pick a classic book to read aloud, and make time each evening to enjoy two chapters. Kids’ classics don’t get the love they did before tablet days, but they hold up. Not every child will like the same books their parents did, so don’t be offended if Black Beauty and the Rats of NIMH don’t do it for your brood. Check with your local librarian or the internet to be reminded of some spellbinding tales. And while we don’t really want to mention it, school is just around the corner, and a bit of reading would settle bedtimes.
Not too young: Leighton Fung enjoys a day on the UW campus.
MONDAY, AUGUST 13
You Don’tneed a tennis court
TUESDAY, AUGUST 14
Dinner picnic at Lake Union Park
Pack up the kids and head to South Lake Union just before rush hour. This park gets better every year: there’s a play structure, a splash park, MOHAI, the Center for Wooden Boats, a Native American canoe carver, a public dock, a model boat pond, restaurants and plenty of picnic grass. Summer Tuesday nights feature the Duck Dodge sailing race at 7 pm. The views can’t be beat. atlakeunionpark.org/map
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15
Go swimming!
Hit the beach! Get a cooler, friends, a shady something, shovels, swimsuits and head for the water. If sand isn’t your thing, try Colman Pool, the outdoor saltwater pool at Lincoln Park in West Seattle. Try some races with inventive strokes, or come up with a synchronized swimming routine, adding moves as you get the routine down.
Pick up a racquet — paddleball, badminton, tennis, pickleball, squash or even ping-pong. Head to the courts or go to a local school and draw squares on pavement with chalk, or hit balls against a wall. When hitting against a wall, stand behind kids and help shag balls. The best thing about racquet sports is the learning curve: kids improve massively! Teach kids to ‘speed clean’
Here’s the scenario: Friends are coming over for a casual summer barbecue, but your house is a mess. What do you do? Party cleaning is an old family tradition that involves every member of the household tidying as quickly and efficiently as possible. Step 1: Bathrooms. Put kids here with a nontoxic spray cleaner and have them wipe it up. Step 2: Stuff. Tackle familyroom clutter, clear bedroom floors and shut closet doors. Step 3: Clean. Sweep, vacuum or mop. Wipe off tables. The speed clean usually involves rocking out to music. You’re ready!
FRIDAY, AUGUST 17
Nothing’s cuter than a penguin on a scooter
Hometown “kindie rock” hero Caspar Babypants releases his 15th album, Keep it Real, today with a free, halfhour live concert at KEXP at 9:30 am. Expect silly lyrics and fun beats the whole family will enjoy. babypantsmusic.com
Parenting a child who is non-binary, transgender, or gender-diverse is a joy and a challenge. Join hundreds of other families navigating this terrain at the annual GENDER ODYSSEY conference in Seattle. For over 15 years, Gender Odyssey has brought families together for community, education, and support.
August 10 - 12, 2018 Seattle, WA State Convention Center
• Assessing Gender Identity in Youth
• Do I have to choose between God or Child?
• A Dad’s Place
• My kid has a crush! Now what?
• Puberty & Hormones
• Is my child too young to know?
• Teen Panel
• Know Your Rights
• Working with K-12 Schools
• How to talk to young kids about gender
• When transition is an optimal intervention
• Trans History
• Intersections of Positive Mental Health
• Is it a phase?
• Kids Camp (free)
• Scholarships available!
Kids under 13 are free. Siblings welcome!
NOW
SATURDAY, AUGUST 18
Costumes are a “yes” at Bothell’s Wizard Fest, featuring fantasy authors, wand-making, wizard entertainment and even a Quidditch Run (1 and 3 pm). Don’t put off attending this event. The Wizard Fest takes place at Bothell’s charming Country Village, once the Ericksen farm, an old-timey, wood-shingled, village-looking sort of mall that sadly will soon be almost 100 townhouses. 11 am-5 pm. countryvillagebothell.com/wizard-fest
SUNDAY, AUGUST 19
Mud and army crawls
The Subaru Kids Obstacle Challenge at Lake Sammamish State Park features an adventure course with nearly 2 miles of mud, water, ropes, and, well, obstacles — about 15 of them. Get ready for army crawls, mud, rope swings over water, and cargo-net climbing. There’s a competitive wave (8:30 am, kids 10 to 16) but the family waves (9 am-2 pm, kids 5 to 16) are every half-hour, with big kids going first. It’s pricey, from $42 and up. Pre-register; this popular event fills up. kidsobstaclechallenge.com/seattle
MONDAY, AUGUST 20
jump in a lake
Lake swimming is a summer pleasure that seems to put the universe back in place. Public swimming beaches in Seattle have lifeguards (none on duty before 11 am on weekdays; varying hours), (maybe) floating docks and diving boards, plus bathrooms. Just beyond Seattle, some favorite swimming holes: Luther Burbank Beach on Mercer Island (Groveland Beach is closed), Kennydale Beach, Renton; Bellevue’s Newcastle and Enatai beaches, Houghton and Waverly beaches in Kirkland. If the family is up for a bigger excursion, Cascade mountain lakes do not disappoint (the water is more on the icy side). Some favorites: Blue Lake off of Highway 20 is a 2-mile hike of gorgeous scenery, (4.4 miles round-trip), Rainy Lake (2 miles round-trip), Lake Ann (4 miles round-trip), and Lake Dorothy (3.6 miles round-trip).
TUESDAY, AUGUST 21
“Oh, I have to go through that pile” is a common refrain in many houses with growing children. Going through clothes is easier than you think, and you don’t have to thank them, Kondo style, or do a full-scale Swedish death clean. Make two piles, one to pass along and another to give to charity. Go drawer by drawer, taking out clothes and refolding as you go. You can box old favorites up and temporarily put them away, so that later, if someone asks where their raggedy unicorn T-shirt is, you still have it. If they stop asking, that stuff can go, too. Some clothes look too worn to be donated, but give anyway (shoes included!). Local charities that take used clothes sort their stuff and give washed-up textiles to Threadcycle, which bales materials that are either shipped out of country or converted into industrial rags, home insulation and the like. Now enjoy the empty space — freshly purged closets can make good reading nooks.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22
Pink Martini at the zoo
Sure, there’s plenty of free music around, but Pink Martini is a bona-fide-happening sort of band. The Portland group is described as a “little orchestra” whose vocalists can hold the room, or in this case the Woodland Park Zoo. The outdoor music concert is festival seating, and families can go as early as 4 pm to set up a blanket. Tickets are $42 per adult; kids 12 and under are free. zoo.org/zootunes
THURSDAY, AUGUST 23
breakfast for dinner
Changing things up around the house keeps them interesting and lays wide open ingrained habits and schedules. Not that it’s a bad thing, but a little variety keeps everyone’s perspectives fresh. Summer’s a great time to do breakfast for dinner. Make waffles with generous sides of fruit, or even your own fruit syrup. Or omelettes, with omelette bar offerings just like the hotels do. Eat outside, on trays on a blanket.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 24
Concerts at the Mural
Tonight, it’s the Moondoggies, Jo Passed and the Black Tones at the last of the free Concerts at the Mural series at the Seattle Center, starting at 5:30 pm. Seating is firstcome, first-serve, and the vibe is low-key. While this night isn’t exactly geared to kids, there’ll be plenty of families in attendance, because Seattle. Plus, music, especially challenging music, is good for young brains. Just moving to the music puts the ears and brain in harmony. Try to teach about the sounds the band makes, and which singer or instrument is making certain sounds. An easy way is to identify the low sounds when the bass player strums. If it rains, the show goes indoors to KEXP’s Gathering Space. Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St., 206-684-7200.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 25
It’s
entirely
a kid zone!
If you’ve ever heard little kids singing lyrics (“Now my bedsheets smell like you”) you’ll appreciate music made for little ears. Today, it’s Seattle’s first-ever Kidchella, a music festival for little kids featuring Seattle superstars of “kindie rock”: Caspar Babypants (10:15 am), Recess Monkey (11:15) and The Not-Its! (1 pm). Free to enter for kids under 18 (adults are $25). There are carnival games, face painting, flower crowns, trampoline, inflatables and food trucks. Magnuson Park Hangar 30, 10 am-2 pm.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 26
Spring-roll-eating contest?
Little Saigon is a few blocks east of Chinatown in the International District, near 12th Avenue and Jackson Street and home to the Little Saigon Festi-Roll, an annual celebration of the Vietnamese community in Seattle. Enjoy performances, demonstrations, inflatables and kids’ activities, and even pho and spring-rolleating contests and for kids — cream puffs! 11 am-7 pm. 1025 S. King St., Seattle. facebook.com/friendsoflittlesaigon
KidsQuest Children’s Museum
SCREEN-FREE SUMMER
MONDAY, AUGUST 27
Stroll memory lane
Remember when we said it was a screen-free summer? Well, here’s one idea that gives kids a directed task on the computer: Have them make a summer photobook. A lot can be done online, at Costco, Amazon, Mixbook, Apple or such. You could do it the old-fashioned way, printing photos and having kids assemble them into albums. Have kids caption pictures, date them and add details they remember. It’s fun to take some environmental photos, or shots of the house, the neighborhood, even cars. All those things change before we realize it.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 28
Famed golfer Arnold Palmer used to drink a half-lemonade, half-iced-tea drink as he hit the links. It’s a super summer drink that hits the spot on sunny days. First, make sun tea. Put 4 tea bags in a large pitcher or glass container to steep in the sun. Rooibos tastes the most like classic tea, but kids also like chamomile (very mild) and peppermint. After a couple of hours in direct sunlight, bring in your tea, discard tea bags, mix in equal part lemonade and serve over ice. Try a little putt-putt golf, maybe to Mike N Terry’s in Puyallup (cash only; call to make sure they’re open: 2:30 to dark, 253-841-1234), or Family Fun Centers (Tukwila and Edmonds, 10 am-9 pm).
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29
Let the immortal words of Wallace Shawn ring out at the outdoor screening of The Princess Bride, the last movie in the series at the BECU Movies@Marymoor. Bring a blanket and a few of the low beach chairs, a picnic, or tuck into some food truck fare. Admission is free for kids 5 and under; everyone else is $5. Parking is also $5. Movie night starts with a little bit of trivia.
Geek out!
THURSDAY
30 AUG
Have a early dinner and visit the Living Computers: Museum + Labs, just south of Safeco Field, for free and late Thursday hours (until 8 pm). The current show, Totally 80s Rewind, is a day in the life of an 1980s teenager, with its answering machines, Walkmans, overhead projectors and BASIC programming. There’s a re-creation of an authentic ’80s classroom, with a set so true you’ll think you landed in WarGames or Back to the Future. Show kids what the world was like before mobile phones; parents can be an authority on a part of history their children are just learning about. 2245 First Ave. S, Seattle, livingcomputers.org
Enjoy Bumbershoot
FRIDAY
A lot of people flee the city for what’s considered the last weekend of summer, but Bumbershoot is always a reason to stay in town. This urban arts festival over Labor Day weekend offers music, film, comedy, dance and art. It’s visual, it’s varied, it’s curated. Kids 8 and under are free with a paying adult. There will be children’s activities at the Maker’s Space near the Vera Project. bumbershoot.com
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
Kids 15 and under in Washington state don’t need a crabbing license to catch the amazingly delectable Dungeness crab, but they do need a Puget Sound crab endorsement that comes with a catch record ($8.75). Get a crab pot, about 100 feet of line, and bait — chicken parts or fish heads. Throw into the deepest part off a fishing pier and leave for at least 45 minutes. Seattle’s recreational crabbing season ends Sept. 3, so get ’em soaking. Parents can help haul up the rope, but the licensee needs to help crab. Tacoma and Vashon crabbing is closed this summer. wdfw.wa.gov
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
Alki and Golden Gardens allow bonfires in the metal pits, air quality permitting. It’s a great idea, but not unique; most bonfire hosts claim their pits early and save them all day. Just a few tips: Bring your own firewood; don’t burn driftwood or trash. Fires must be out by 10:30 pm. Douse with water, not sand. Bring long sticks for marshmallow roasting, water for rinsing sticky fingers, and chef tongs (trust us!).
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
Guess who’s in town? The Baltimore Orioles, and it’s an early 6:10 pm Mariners Value Game, one of about 25 games with special low prices on certain Sundays, weeknights and holidays. Bleacher and View Level seats are $15, and Main Level and Terrace Club seats are $30. As this issue goes to press, the Mariners are second in the American League West!
Museums are for KIDs!
What did the world look like before I was here? Who shares the earth with me?
How do things work? What does art say to me? Who do I want to become?
Museums tackle the big questions that young minds ask
Bellevue arts Museum
SCAVENGER HUNT
Don’t miss these five exciting treasures at Bellevue Arts Museum
La Catrina
This elegantly dressed skeleton is a popular icon for Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebrations. See her in José Guadalupe Posada and the Mexican Penny Press through August 19!
“Chroma Motion”
This colorful plywood sculpture by Andy Arkley is hard to miss! Find it on the Museum’s first floor. What shapes and colors can you find?
Summer fun
This highly unusual beach ball makes up part of a sculpture called Chance by famous New York artist Alex Katz. What do you love about summer?
Sculpture garden
Did you know that BAM has an outdoor sculpture garden? Head up the stairs to find this unusual view of surrounding downtown Bellevue.
Sequin art
This sculpture by Richard Barlow is made up of more than 22,000 sequins! See it alongside the artist’s solo exhibition Manifest through September 23.
What kids will love:
Hands-on activities! Imagination Stations located throughout the museum feature fun craft activities based on current BAM exhibitions. And with two to three rotating exhibitions on view at any one time, there’s always something new to see, explore and be inspired by.
MUSEUM info
Website: www.bellevuearts.org
What parents will love:
BAM is the perfect size to explore with kids. Big enough that it’s still an adventure, but not so large that you’ll feel like you need to rush to see everything. Plus free parking and lots of kid-friendly restaurants nearby.
Address: 510 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue, WA 98004
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday: 11 am to 5 pm, Free First Friday: 11 am to 8 pm
Admission: Discount & Adult: $12–$15, Family: $35, Members and kids under age 6: Free
Free/Discounted Museum Days: Free First Fridays & Student Wednesdays
Special Events for Families/Kids: Three annual Family Days
Summer Day Camps/Classes: www.visitbam.org/summer-camps-2018
With 11,000 square feet of space full of hands-on exhibits, kids will love the chance to explore science, technology, engineering, art and math concepts!
From the 3-D topographical map and Mighty Skagit River exhibit to the crane, the boat, the stage, the art studio and the new pop-up planetarium, it’s easy to spend the day learning through play. Kids also love the climbing structure, imagination blocks and giant checkers!
MUSEUM info
Website: www.SkagitChildrensMuseum.net
What parents will love:
Parents will love that the museum’s 11,000 square feet of exhibits are as much fun for adults as they are for kids! Sure, the Children’s Museum is geared toward kids and learning through play, but that’s not to say that grown-up kids can’t have fun too! Get in touch with your inner thespian, build a fort, let your kids lead the play and have a great time.
Address: Inside the Cascade Mall, 550 Cascade Mall Dr., Burlington, WA 98233
Hours: Sun noon-5pm, Mon-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Toddler Tuesday 8:30 am-10 am
Cost: $6.25/person, $5.75/Military & Senior, Free for children under 12 months of age
Free/Discounted Days: Community Free Day, 2nd Tuesday of the month
Special Events for Families: Full STEAM Ahead, Summer family nights, Planetarium shows, movie nights, Winter Wonderland. See our website!
Summer Day Camps/Classes: See our website!
Programs for Schools/Homeschoolers: Field trips welcome!
Family-Friendly Features: 11,000 square feet of exhibit space for kids of all ages to learn through hands-on play
More info: www.VisitSkagitValley.com
SCAVENGER HUNT
Don’t miss these five exciting treasures at the Children’s Museum of Skagit County
3D topo map
You’ll find these colors and curved lines in our River Exhibit area, but they don’t always look the same… they change with the terrain!
Boat porthole
When you’re cruising the high seas, you’ll peer out of these to see distant lands and sea creatures.
Crane controls
Lifting, placing, loading, moving: This piece of megaequipment can help you through your next construction project.
Imagination
blocks
It’s a fort! It’s a bridge! It’s a race-car track! It’s whatever you want it to be! Use these to build your own creation in our large play area.
Truck lights & switches
Compression brakes, check! Hydraulics, check!
Turn signals, check! Hop in and get your Bull Dog on the Big R, Lay the Hammer Down and look out for Bear!
hands on children's museum
SCAVENGER HUNT
Don’t miss these five exciting features at Hands On Children’s Museum
Undersea Crawl
Explore an “underwater” view of the cargo ship and check out sea life up close. Can you spot the giant octopus and friendly harbor seal?
MakeSpace
Tinker in the Makers studio where kids can use real tools to engineer and create! New activities every week.
Mud Kitchen
Measure, scoop and mix in our new outdoor kitchen, complete with real water pump and mud-pie-making supplies. Roll up your sleeves and dig into a mud pie!
Water Wall
Visit the Children’s Garden and experiment with water play! Pour and watch water flow through tubes, funnels and toys. Design your own pathway!
Eagle’s Nest
Climb to the second level and explore the life-sized eagle’s nest 70 feet in the air! Spot the giant eagle and come swirling down the stream slide.
What kids will love:
150 interactive exhibits including Art Studio & MakeSpace, two-story Climber and Stream Slide, Ballcano, Emergency! and more. In addition to the unique Outdoor Discovery Center, explore the Lighthouse Lookout, outdoor tinkering stations, and water play inside and out. Summer-long Summer Splash! event features themed adventures, performers, special guests and activities. Don’t miss Noon Year’s, Boo Bash, and Spring Break Weeks!
MUSEUM info
Website: www.hocm.org
What parents will love:
Washington’s award-winning museum on Olympia’s waterfront adjacent to WET Science Center and Plaza with a 250' interactive stream. Near downtown, Farmer’s Market and Percival Landing. Clean and beautiful facility with local, fresh foods in Café. First place winner of King 5’s Best of Western Washington for Kid-Friendly Fun!
Address: 414 Jefferson St. NE, Olympia, WA 98501
Hours: Mon-Sat: 10 am to 5 pm, Sun: 11 am to 5 pm
Cost: General admission (ages 2–64): $13.95, Seniors (65+): $11.95, Military/First responder/Foster (with valid ID): $11.95, Free for members
Free/Discounted Museum Days: First Friday Nights 5 to 9 pm Visit www.hocm.org for more!
Special Events for Families/Kids: Summer Splash! (June–Aug), Boo Bash (Oct), Noon Year’s (Dec. 31)
Summer Day Camps/Classes: Yes! www.hocm.org/summercamp
Afterschool/Weekend Classes: Yes! www.hocm.org/special-guests-activities/ Programs for Schools/Homeschoolers: Yes! www.hocm.org/field-trips/ Museum Café: Yes! www.hocm.org/cafe/
Kids will love exploring the unusual spaces and shapes of the museum and how art can be immersive and often interactive! Their imaginations will run wild as they are encouraged to sketch in the galleries and discover completely new ways of thinking about what art is and can be!
MUSEUM info
Website: www.henryart.org
What parents will love:
Parents will love the friendly staff who can answer questions about the art or point out the best places to snack or take a break with their kids. They’ll love unpacking big ideas alongside their kids and will discover multigenerational programs that can further the creative interests of the whole family!
Address: Henry Art Gallery, University of Washington, 15th Ave NE & NE 41st St., Seattle, WA 98195
Hours: Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun: 11 am to 4 pm, Thurs: 11 am to 9 pm, Mon, Tues: Closed. The Henry is closed on Independence Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Admission: FREE for Henry members, UW students, faculty and staff, students, and children, $10 General Admission, $6 Seniors (62+)
Discounted or Free Days: Museum entrance is free to everyone on Sundays. We are also free every First Thursday.
Family events: Held on select Sundays throughout the year, ArtVentures encourage families to play, learn and create alongside artists and creative facilitators.
Café: City Grind at the Henry is open Tues-Fri from 9 am to 4 pm and 11 am to 2 pm on the weekends. We serve coffee, sandwiches, salads, pastries and cookies.
SCAVENGER HUNT
Don’t miss these five exciting treasures at Henry Art Gallery Skyspace
This Skyspace is by James Turrell and is called Light Reign. You can see, feel, smell and hear the sky from inside! Take your time here and enjoy!
Carved quote
In our upstairs galleries, you’ll find several quotes carved into the walls of our original 1927 building. Find one. What does it say? What does it mean to you?
“Composition for 52 Keys”
How many different songs can one piano play? Find this piece near the entrance of the museum and immerse yourself in its seemingly magical music!
“in beauty it is restored”
Search the museum for the soft glow of this neon artwork. Spend some time watching it light up, then go dark. What does it make you think about?
“Racquel Leaned Back”
This artwork is a collage made up of many small pieces that combine to make one complete picture. How many different patterns can you find in this one collage? 2 3 4 5 1
A 2017 Arty Party participant interacts with a sample of a textured painting by artist Summer Wheat.
hilbulb cultural center and natural history preserve
SCAVENGER HUNT
Don’t miss these five exciting treasures at Hilbulb Cultural Center
Longhouse
Traditionally, longhouses were homes made from cedar planks that were used for gatherings and communal living. Today, Tulalip Tribes has one central longhouse that is still used for ceremonies.
Helmet
This helmet belonged to a tribal member who served in the Army during the Vietnam War. He had 600 hours of flying as a helicopter pilot.
Dentalium shells
Dentalium shells were used as currency and regalia. Mostly used for trade, these small, tubular mollusks were symbols of wealth and were commonly incorporated in traditional wear.
Teaching pole
Teaching poles were carvings that represented stories and the morals behind them. In the winter months, grandparents would tell stories to children in the longhouse.
Stone net weights
Stone net weights were used to weigh down nets for beach seining and fishing. These weights helped the net sink down to catch fish, or to anchor nets in place.
What kids will love:
Stories are given as gifts to make one more knowledgeable. Young people can immerse themselves in the stories, music, canoes, cedar and salmon interactive exhibits of the Tulalip people’s past and present at the cultural center.
MUSEUM info
Website: www.hibulbculturalcenter.org
What parents will love:
Our senior curator described the cultural center as the intellectual and cultural soul of the Tulalip people. The center incorporates history, language, science and art in the hands-on activities for a unique, enjoyable learning experience.
Address: Hibulb Cultural Center and Natural History Preserve, 6410 23rd AVE NE Tulalip, WA 98271, 360-716-2600
Hours: Monday: Closed, Tuesday-Friday 10 am-5 pm, Saturday-Sunday noon-5 pm. Free the 1st Thursday of each month, open until 8pm
Admission: Adult (18 and over): $10, Senior (50+): $7, Student (6-17): $6, Military & Veterans: $6, Child (5 and under): FREE, Family: $25 (2 adults and up to 4 children)
Special Events for Families: Yes
Summer Day Camps/Classes: Summer Tour programs offered.
Afterschool/Weekend Classes: Yes
Programs for Schools/Homeschoolers: Yes
Museum Café: No
Family-friendly features: Interactive exhibits, hands on activity options.
Kids Discovery Museum
What kids will love:
Young explorers will be thrilled to have grown-ups follow their lead at this museum of a “please touch” variety, with adventures awaiting them at every corner. They will feel inspired sailing imaginary seas aboard the Pirate Tree House, making friends in Our Town or experimenting with physics and… golf balls!
MUSEUM info
Website: www.kidimu.org
What parents will love:
Grown-ups will be thrilled to enjoy a carefree family adventure. Thanks to the museum’s layout, they will have no trouble keeping track of their explorers or keeping them engaged. With KiDiMu located in beautiful downtown Bainbridge, a short walk away from the ferry terminal, families can make a day of it!
Address: 301 Ravine Lane NE, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm; Sunday, noon to 4 pm
Admission: (Per Person) $8 General Admission; $7 Seniors/Grandparents & Military; FREE Members, Infants under 12 Months, Gold Star Families; Active Duty Military Families - Memorial Day through Labor Day
Free Days: FREE First Thursday of Each Month, KiDiMu Play Day & Walk (June), Smithsonian Museum Day Live (with free ticket; September)
Special Events for Families/Kids: Weekly programs and events for families, including: KiDiMu Play Day & Walk (first Saturday in June); Noon Year’s Eve (December 31); Sensory Sundays (autism & SPD support; fourth Sundays of the month; no program in May or December); KiDiMu in the Community (volunteering events for families with young children; spring, fall & winter)
KiDiMu Summer Camps: Half-Day Camps for Ages 3 1/2 to 6, July & August Programs for Schools/Homeschoolers: School Field Trips; Weekly Programs open to all families, including homeschoolers. Museum Café: No (Snacks available for sale) Gift Store: Yes
SCAVENGER HUNT
Don’t miss these five exciting treasures at Kids Discovery Museum (KiDiMu)
Outdoor Climbing Wall
Get ready for high adventure! Rain or shine, young explorers will have fun practicing motor skills and getting their wiggles out, as they conquer the Olympic Mountains range in KiDiMu’s outdoor space.
Giant Teeth
Smile! Practice oral hygiene with an oversized toothbrush, play doctor to get ready for your next checkup and discover other anatomy secrets in KiDiMu’s medical center.
Light Wall (aka Giant “Lite-Brite”)
Get in touch with your creativity and make an original design! Everybody’s favorite; toddlers are mesmerized, practicing color recognition, and parents have a blast getting transported back into childhood.
DISCOVERY
Videomicroscope
Bring some serious science fun into focus and get ready for “WOW” moments! From bugs to the back of your palm, explore fascinating macro mysteries at your fingertips.
Rocket Ship Collage
Get inspired to dream big as you spot this masterpiece created by artist Max Grover with KiDiMu kids. Be sure to explore more original art displayed throughout the museum!
kidsquest children's museum
SCAVENGER HUNT
Don’t miss these five exciting treasures at KidsQuest Children’s Museum
Mouse house
This tiny mouse house is an homage to the shadowboxes in KidsQuest’s original Factoria location. The discovery of this tiny delight brings joy to children and adults alike.
Magnifying glass
The giant magnifying glass guides you to one of our unique exhibit spaces and gives children an opportunity for reflection as they realize it is also a mirror.
Story Tree quote
Run your hand across this quote as you feel the words that fill the stories in our Story Tree. Take a moment and climb up to find a cozy spot to enjoy a book.
Toy in on the go
Once home to the Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art, KidsQuest has a number of display cases filled with the toys and dolls that once filled this entire building.
Climber vent
If you make it to the pinnacle of the museum’s Atrium Climber, take a look around for a special surprise. Small discoveries are sometimes found in the most unusual places.
What kids will love:
Kids will love that every corner of the museum offers new opportunities for hands-on play. They can drive a real truck, climb 2 1/2 stories, or get soaked in water. Looking for something new to do? Free activities are offered every day, from Inventor Hour to Storytime to Play with Paint.
MUSEUM info
Website: www.kidsquestmuseum.org
What parents will love:
Parents will love that their children are engaging in thought-provoking play. The day is made a little easier because beverages are allowed in lidded containers, and indoor snack spots allow for sitting and refueling kiddos without leaving the building. There are also adult-only events like Clay & Cocktails!
Address: 1116 108th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004
Adjacent to Bellevue Library and Ashwood Park
Hours: Mon. 9 am to 5 pm through August 27, Tue.-Thu.: 9 am to 5 pm, Fri.: 9 am to 8 pm, Sat.: 9 am to 5 pm, Sun.: noon to 5 pm
Cost: Single admission: $12.50, Members and children under 1: Free, Museums for All: $3
Special Events for Families/Kids: Parents’ Night Out, Parent workshops, Art & Science workshops, Low Sensory Evenings, Holiday events
Summer Day Camps/Classes: Summer camps for ages 3 to 3rd Grade, www.kidsquestmuseum.org/programs/summer-camp/; Early childhood classes for ages 0 to 5, www.kidsquestmuseum.org/programs/early-childhood-classes/ Afterschool/Weekend Classes: QuestClub Afterschool Science for ages 5 to 8 every Wednesday: www.kidsquestmuseum.org/programs/school-age-programs/ Programs for Schools: In-Museum Field Trips and Field Trips to Go, www.kidsquestmuseum.org/programs/field-trips/ Museum Café: Small snack selection available in the Museum Store
Living Computers: Museum + Labs
OVER
Programs for Schools: Various field trip options, special homeschool days, teacher professional development opportunities and more.
Parent & Kid-Friendly Features: FREE museum parking, tech store (museum shop) and café/eating area. Group reservations, private tours and venue rentals also available.
What kids will love:
What’s better than an arcade or a science center? Both experiences in one! Whether they’re tinkering with robots, playing retro video games, or experiencing computing history first hand, kids can play with nearly every object in the museum and have a blast while they learn about computers. Let their curiosity and creativity run wild as your kids discover technology at their fingertips.
MUSEUM info
Website: www.livingcomputers.org
What parents will love:
Imagine taking the kids someplace where parents can have fun too… Say hello to Living Computers! With free museum parking and great membership rates, parents won’t find a better place to connect with their kids over technology, history, and nostalgia. With a full schedule of workshops, programs, demos, and drop-in activities, Living Computers helps parents and kids beat the summer slump.
Address: 2245 1st Ave. S, Seattle; Located in Sodo just south of Safeco Field
Hours: Wednesday through Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm
Admission: General Admission $16; Children (up to age 5) Free; Discounted (Various) $14; Free for LCM+L Members. Public tours included with admission (11:15am, 1:15pm, & 3:15pm daily).
Free/Discounted Museum Days: Free First Thursdays from 5 pm to 8 pm. Access Program provides $1 admission and $10 memberships for those receiving government assistance. Visit livingcomputers.org for details.
Summer Day Camps/Classes: Rotating 2- to 3-hour workshops including a new pilot program with ChickTech Seattle for a monthly workshop series (June-Sept) for grades K through 8.
Special Events for Families/Kids: Living Computers holds some of the best programming in Puget Sound for geek families. Visit our calendar for upcoming events including our all ages TECHBOUND Fashion Show on July 7 or 80s movie series on Free First Thursdays (July-Sept).
SCAVENGER HUNT
Don’t miss these five exciting features at Living Computers: Museum + Labs
CHECK
Cubelets
Building a robot can be as easy with Cubelets! Whether you want yours to spin, light up, zip around or glow, you’ll have a blast constructing your own modular robot.
The
Bit Zone
Take a walk through the 80s and explore
The Bit Zone arcade! Featuring free tokens and unlimited plays, you’ll get a real #throwback experience inside our Totally 80s Rewind exhibit.
Chess vs. Computer
Are you smarter than a computer? Find out when you challenge a PDP-8 minicomputer to a game of chess. Those who triumph earn a polaroid in our winner’s Hall of Fame.
IBM 029
Keypunch
Way before cloud storage and USBs, computers used punch cards to store and process data. Experience these early days of computing firsthand and make your own souvenir punch card.
Oregon Trail
Grab your parents — we’re taking a journey across the Oregon Trail! In this beloved computer game, you’ll gather supplies, choose a path, and keep your fingers crossed that no one dies of dysentery.
Seattle Art Museum
SCAVENGER HUNT
Don’t miss these five exciting treasures at Seattle Art Museum
Chinese Camel
The Camels served as the greeting party for SAM’s original location in Volunteer Park at what is now the Asian Art Museum. Find these former museum doormen and say hello.
“Middle Fork”
Middle Fork was cast from a live 140-yearold western hemlock tree in the Cascade Mountains using thousands of pieces of reclaimed old-growth cedar. Now its branches hang above our visitors!
“Blue Princess”
Can you find a princess in the galleries? Akio Takamori’s Blue Princess was inspired by portraits from the 17th century Spanish court—talk about global influence!
MercedesBenz Coffin
At nine feet long, this replica of a Mercedes-Benz is a large coffin. Slide the top off and inside you would find an upholstered interior and a pillow.
“Funerary Portrait” Roman influence on Egyptian painting can be seen in this Egyptian Funerary Portrait. Parents, does this remind you of a certain ghost-busting actor?
What kids will love:
Art is larger than life at SAM! Our huge spaces allow for full-size tree sculptures, stone camels, a towering mouse, and much more. Kids and their adults can roam the galleries and then find one of the family-friendly spaces we keep stocked for making and playing during your visit.
MUSEUM info
Website: www.seattleartmuseum.org
Address: 1300 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98101
What parents will love:
SAM’s collection spans centuries and cultures, bringing a world of art to the whole family. Exhibitions include contemporary art and old masterworks. Check out our newly-opened Education Resource Center stocked with gallery activities for parents, educators, and caregivers to do with their kids! Learn more at visitsam.org/erc
Hours: Wed–Sun 10 am to 5 pm; Thu open until 9 pm; Open Mondays Memorial Day through Labor Day, 10 am to 5 pm
Cost: Kids 12 and under are always free
Free Days: The first Thursday of the month admission to collection galleries is free and prices for the special exhibition are 50% off.
Family Events: Family Field Day is Saturday July 21 at the Olympic Sculpture Park from 10 am to 2 pm. visitsam.org/summer
Weekend Classes: Join us on Sundays July 15–September 2 from 11 am to 1 pm at SAM for free, all-ages, drop-in art making inspired by the exhibition Double Exposure: Edward S. Curtis, Marianne Nicolson, Tracy Rector, Will Wilson Programs for Schools: Yes! www.visitsam.org/educators
Museum Café: Yes! www.tastesam.com
Family Friendly Features: SAM has multiple family-specific spaces both inside and outside our galleries. Come explore, play, and make art with us!
WING LUKE MUSEUM
What kids will love:
Kids have fun learning about Seattle history and Asian American culture by physically being in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District. The Historic Hotel Tour is a must-see with its living quarters of early Asian pioneers. From handson exhibits to neighborhood tours, kids are encouraged to explore to pique curiosity and activate senses.
MUSEUM info
Website: www.wingluke.org
What parents will love:
Give your kids an experience that opens their eyes to new cultures and perspectives in a way that textbooks can’t. Exhibits currently on display include the history of Asian Pacific American beverages, Bruce Lee, and a Sikh American superhero. The Museum also offers food and walking tours and is a great resource to help you navigate this historic neighborhood.
Address: 719 South King St. in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District
Hours: Tues-Sun, 10 am to 5 pm; open until 8 pm on first Thursdays of the month
Admission: $17 Adult, $15 Senior, $10 Youth, $12.50 Student, Free for child under 5 Free/Discounted Museum Days: First Thursdays of the Month
Special Events for Families/Kids: July 19, 2018 (JamFest)
Summer Day Camps/Classes: Yes: www.wingluke.org/summercamp
Programs for Schools/Homeschoolers: Yes: www.wingluke.org/ educator-resources
Museum Café: No, though there are designated areas where food can be eaten. Admission is an all-day pass with in and out privileges to encourage exploration and eating at nearby restaurants.
Parent & Kid-friendly Features: An interactive kid’s exhibit about aerospace and space exploration, “Blast Off to Beyond,” opens July 14
SCAVENGER HUNT
Don’t miss these five exciting treasures at the Wing Luke Museum Leis
This artist uses flowers and leaves to create beautiful leis as a way to feel connected to their homeland of Hawai’i. Sunga Sungka, regarded as the “game of the Philippines,” consists of a wooden board with holes as the game board and shells as the pieces.
Burlap coffee
sacks
Kalsada Coffee works with Filipino producers to bring specialty coffee to market and uses these burlap sacks to import coffee beans from the Philippines.
Gowns
A collection of wedding gowns from early immigrants: a Korean wedding hanbok, circa 1980s; a red Chinese silk two-piece, circa 1920s; and a white-andpurple Japanese silk kimono known as uchikake, circa 1980s.
Superhero costume
The original “Sikh Captain America” costume, worn by Sikh American cartoonist Vishavjit Singh, is used to educate people about Sikh Americans and confront hate.
