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
Afterschool Weekend Classes: www.visitbam.org/kids-family-events
Program for Schools/Homeschoolers: www.visitbam.org/school-tours
Parent & Kid-Friendly Features: Imagination Stations
Explore
Children's Museum of Skagit County
What kids will love:
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/
Parent & Kid-Friendly Features: Preschool, Birthday Parties, Private Events, Adult Event Series
Henry art Gallery
What kids will love:
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
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
Afterschool/Weekend Classes: Yes: www.wingluke.org/teen-programs
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.
