Seattle's Child Explore 2026

2026

F REE

A Guide to

Field Trips and School Programs for Schools and Homeschoolers

2

S E AT T L E ’S C H I L D

Explore 20 2 6

Pa i d Adverti si n g S ecti on

Seattle’sChild

Explore 2026

Welcome to Explore, the Seattle’s Child guide to learning enrichment programs for school kids and homeschoolers in the Puget Sound region. If you are a school teacher looking for field trips or classroom visits, educating your child at home, or running an after-school program, preschool or daycare, we hope you’ll enjoy discovering the remarkable opportunities available in our community to broaden and enrich learning!

CARE

ROMP

DAD NEXT DOOR

RENFAIREING WITH KIDS!

GONE FISHING! JULY/AUGUST

MAKE IT A SAVE-THEPLANET SUMMER

FREE

TO A YOUR GUIDE LY CITY KID-FRIEND

2026

BOOK ty ER SUMM ER SUMM READING : FROM PICKS : FROM

Family Seattle’sChild

INCLUSION

LITTLE BIT THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER

2026

Readers' Favorites

oun

inside

AUTHORS & ILLUSTRA TORS LIBRARIA NS & BOOKSEL LERS

Your guide

to

just $12/year  seattleschild.com/subscribe

When you purchase a Keep Kids Safe license plate, you help keep children of all ages healthy and safe.

202 6

thin gs sho ps & to do, serv ices cam ps , & clas and mor ses e

KID TO KID

Sign up for

mail delivery

around the Puget Sou nd

INSIDE

MUSEUMS ARE FOR New places added KIDS regula

Malaika recommends “Pig the Pug”

R SEATTLESC

rly online at

HILD.COM

seatt lesch

ild.co m/dir

ector ies

“Seattle is my town. I know this city inside and out… or so I thought until I had kids.”

Order online from the Department of Licensing:

Seattle’s Child is your guide to getting to know your city all over again.

We’ve been providing useful information to parents since 1979. In addition to Explore, look for our bimonthly Seattle’s Child magazine as well as these special themed publications distributed free throughout the Puget Sound area: SummerTime: Directory of summer camps and classes Family Guide: Connecting families to their community School: Directory of independent schools Get Moving!: Guide to inside active fun

seattleschild.com ANN BERGMAN Publisher, Founder, abergman@ seattleschild.com JASMIN THANKACHEN Associate Publisher jasmin@ seattleschild.com KATHRYN HOLLOWAY Art Director ADVERTISING NOAH DRETSKE Account Executive noah@seattleschild.com YULIA FIALA Account Executive yulia@seattleschild.com FABIOLA LOPEZ Ad Production Coordinator fabiola@seattleschild.com

ONLINE seattleschild.com Facebook facebook.com/ seattleschild Twitter @SeaChildMag Instagram @seattleschildmag MAIL c/o Postal Plus 1211 E Denny Way Seattle, WA 98112 VOICE 206-441-0191 TO ADVERTISE advertise@ seattleschild.com STORY IDEAS editor@ seattleschild.com

Cover illustration: ISTOCK

P a id Adve r t is ing S e c t io n

E x p l o re 2 0 2 6

S E AT T L E ’ S C H I L D

3

LITTLE LEARNERS LEAD THE WAY

Each class is designed for caregiver participation!

Seattle Children’s Museum classes help kiddos ages 6 months - 4 years reach developmental milestones through hands-on S.T.E.A.M centered play.

Fall classes begin the week of September 14th Registration opens August 18th

Learning Comes to Life at Thomasson Family Farm

School Field Trips

H omeschool Day!

Bring your class for a guided educational adventure!

Limited Space - Sign up today!

Come learn at the farm at your own pace!

Get your tickets today!

Sept 27 - Oct 30

October 5th only

Must reserve spots online at ThomassonFarm.com 4

S E AT T L E ’S C H I L D

Ex plo re 2 0 26

Pa i d Adverti si n g S ecti o n

„ Find outings for your family with our huge online calendar of events: seattleschild.com

LOOKING FOR MORE ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES?

Visit our online directory to find new classes, camps and experiences added daily. It’s searchable by activity, organization, age of child and location » seattleschild.com/directories F I E L D T R I P S A N D E N R I C H M E N T O P P O R T U N I T I E S F O R E D U C AT O R S A N D H O M E S C H O O L E R S

Explore

Langley Whale Center 105 Anthes Ave., Langley 98260 360-221-7505 info@orcanetwork.org orcanetwork.org/langley-whale-center

A GUIDE TO FIELD TRIPS AND SCHOOL PROGRAMS FOR TEACHERS AND HOMESCHOOLING PARENTS

Animals................................................................5 Farms, Food & Nutrition............................6 Hands-on Discovery & Physical Fun.................................................7 History & Culture........................................ 10 Nature & Environmental Studies...... 10 Performing Arts............................................11 S.T.E.A.M............................................................13

ANIMALS Cougar Mountain Zoo

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

19525 SE 54th St., Issaquah 98027 425-392-6278 info@cougarmountainzoo.org cougarmountainzoo.org

11610 Trek Drive E, Eatonville 98328 360-832-6117 info@nwtrek.org nwtrek.org/visit/field-trips

The 10 “worlds” of Cougar Mountain Zoo include habitats for cougars, reindeer, cranes, macaws, emus, lemurs, alpacas, wallabies, tigers, and wolves. Schools can take guided tours of the zoo or schedule an Outreach Presentation.

Northwest Trek is home to more than 40 species of native Northwest animals.

Grizzlies, black bears, wolves, bobcats, lynx, cougars, owls, eagles, and wetland animals can be viewed in natural exhibits. Student field trips include a walking tour of the park.

i stoc k

Visual Arts........................................................14

The Langley Whale Center offers educational opportunities through our interactive exhibits and displays, where families can learn all about the marine mammals of the Salish Sea.

P a id Adve r t is ing S e c t io n

E x p l o re 2 0 2 6

S E AT T L E ’ S C H I L D

5

Get our best content

delivered to your inbox Sign up for our weekly newsletters covering the greater Seattle area.

» seattleschild.com/subscribe

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium 5400 N Pearl St., Tacoma 98407 253-404-3800, reserve@pdza.org pdza.org Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium has 367 species and more than 9,000 individual specimens from sea stars to elephants. They offer a variety of educational programs both in and out of the classroom including guided field trips, teacher resources, career discovery programs and more.

Seattle Aquarium 1483 Alaskan Way Pier 59, Seattle 98101 206-386-4300 contactus@seattleaquarium.org seattleaquarium.org/ explore-the-aquarium The Seattle Aquarium offers engaging marine education for students, educators, and families. School programs include field trips, hands-on classes, and teacher resources that connect learners with the marine life of the Salish Sea and inspire curiosity, conservation and care for our shared ocean.

Seattle Humane 13212 SE Eastgate Way, Bellevue 98005 425-373-5385, option 2 EducationServices@seattlehumane.org seattlehumane.org/ youth-school-programs Interested in connecting your students with humane education? Invite us for a classroom visit, schedule a field trip, or contact the Seattle Humane Education Services team to learn how to link your literacy, science, and social-emotional learning objectives to animal-themed lessons.

Title 1 schools: Ask about our sponsored educational programming!

Woodland Park Zoo 5500 Phinney Ave. N, Seattle 98103 206-548-2500 schools@zoo.org zoo.org/education Science education is at the core of WPZ’s vision of creating the next generation of conservation stewards. Their programs for educators and students include field trips, outreach programs, educator programs, teacher resources, and school and community partnerships.

FA R M S , F O O D & NUTRITION Beecher’s Foundation 1725 Westlake Ave. N, STE 200, Seattle 98109 206-209-5935 fooddetectives.org beechersfoundation.org Beecher’s Foundation helps students

6

S E AT T L E ’S C H I L D

Ex plo re 20 2 6

Pa i d Adverti si n g S ecti on

build skills to make informed food choices.

Its free Food Detectives program, designed for students in grades 3–5, uses a handson, 40-minute modular lesson to teach students how to examine food, understand nutrition, and become more thoughtful food consumers.

Hawthorn Farm 17340 NE 195th St., Woodinville 98072 hawthornfarm.org At Hawthorn Farm, we believe that children are happiest and healthiest when they play outside, are immersed in living communities of plants, animals, and humans, discover their food sources directly, and learn practical, hands-on skills from caring mentors and teachers. Children feel connected, capable, grateful, and fully alive when these are present. Hawthorn Farm offers gardening, carpentry, archery, and nature skills programs for all ages.

Jubilee Biodynamic Farm 229 W Snoqualmie River Road NE, Carnation 98014 jubileefarm@hotmail.com jubileefarm.org Jubilee offers September Harvest, October Pumpkin (pumpkin tours fill up fast), and spring tours customized to cover any farm-related activities.

Tilth Alliance 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N, Ste 100, Seattle 98103 tilthalliance.org

need opportunities to learn where their food and fiber originate. Fairtime Educational Tours offer observation and handson experience with farm animals and agriculture. The Traveling Farm visits schools for an entire day to provide an educational experience about agriculture and healthy food choices for grades 1 to 3.

HANDS-ON DISCOVERY & PHYSICAL FUN Challenge Island 206-790-8714 mmehta@challenge-island.com challenge-island.com/ greater-seattle/programs Challenge Island provides unique challenge-based programs designed to foster critical and creative thinking skills, problem-solving methodology, and core STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) principles in children ages 4-14. Each of their hundreds of challenges appeals to children’s natural curiosity and sparks their inherent imagination. They offer in-school field trips, enrichment programs, camps and more.

Children’s Museum of Skagit County 432 Fashion Way, Burlington 98233 360-757-8888 emily@skagitcm.org skagitchildrensmuseum.org

Tilth Alliance offers hands-on field trips and service-learning programs for Pre-K through grade 12. At its Children’s Learning Garden and Rainier Beach Urban Farm & Wetlands, students explore gardening, food systems, ecosystems, and environmental stewardship through experiential outdoor learning.

The museum provides an interactive learning environment to promote an understanding of the arts, science, and culture among families and educators in Skagit County. Explore the STEM-based Nano exhibit, real Tugboat and SemiTruck, Music and Art Studios, large motor space, and more in the 15,500-square-foot facility.

Thomasson Family Farm

Hands On Children’s Museum

38223 236th Ave. SE, Enumclaw 98022 360-802-0503 Tia@ThomassonFamilyFarm.com thomassonfarm.com

414 Jefferson St. N.E., Olympia 98501 360-956-0818 ext. 103 reservations@hocm.org hocm.org

Thomasson Family Farm’s educational field trips bring learning to life! Students explore farm animals, crops, agriculture, and more through hands-on activities and interactive learning stations. Enjoy a tractor ride, pick a field trip pumpkin, and discover where food comes from while making unforgettable farm memories!

NEW this fall: Homeschool Days! Enjoy the full field trip experience with the flexibility to explore and learn at your own pace.

Choose from several field trip workshops that connect to your curriculum and make learning exciting, interactive, and fun. Workshops include art bots, catapult construction, circuit scientists, and more.

Printable field trip guides are also available. The Arts & Parts Studio allows every student to take home a unique work of art.

Hands-On 2U brings the museum field trip to your school or organization.

Washington State Fair

Skydiving - Seattle

110 9th Ave. SW, Puyallup 98371 253-845-1771 info@thefair.com thefair.com/education Fewer families live on farms, so children

iFLY Indoor

349 Tukwila Pkwy., Tukwila 98188 206-244-4359 iflyworld.com/programs/stem-field-trips Students will get fired up about math and physics when they see it come to life in a

state-of-the-art wind tunnel. Our highly trained STEM educators guide students through an immersive, hands-on experience.

Imagine Children’s Museum 1502 Wall Street, Everett 98201 425-258-1006 Info@ImagineCM.org ImagineCM.org/field-trips Imagine field trips include three floors of hands-on exhibits, including learning opportunities inspired by the landscapes, wildlife, and industries of the Pacific Northwest. Groups may add an educator-led STEAM enrichment class. Can’t bring your class to us? Museum on the Go brings Imagine to schools, homeschool co-ops, and youth-serving organizations throughout the region.

Kids Discovery Museum (KiDiMu) 301 Ravine Lane, Bainbridge Island 98110 206-855-4650 hello@kidimu.org kidimu.org KiDiMu is home to a variety of hands-on installations that encourage sensory exploration and interactive play for the whole family. Through self-guided tours, young learners discover the wonders of physics through hands-on experiments, solve real-life math problems, try their hands at art projects, explore the various imaginary play areas and more.

KidsQuest Children’s Museum 1116 108th Ave. N.E., Bellevue 98004 425-637-8100 info@kidsquestmuseum.org kidsquestmuseum.org Ignite Curiosity at KidsQuest Children’s Museum! Step into a world where handson play sparks big discoveries. KidsQuest Children’s Museum offers immersive, educational adventures perfect for school field trips, club outings, and group visits.

Want us to bring the wonder to you? We also deliver interactive in-class programs, high-energy school science fairs and specialized homeschool workshops designed to inspire young minds.

Monster Mini Golf Bellevue 4080 Factoria Square Mall SE, Bellevue 98006 425-679-6265 bellevue@monsterminigolf.com monsterminigolf.com/bellevue Unleash the fun at our indoor family entertainment center. Dive into glow-in-thedark mini golf with fun monsters, conquer the bowling lanes, navigate the laser maze, and enjoy arcade games and VR adventures. The center is perfect for family outings and educational field trips — where learning and teamwork meet excitement!

Book your unforgettable adventure today.

P a id Adve r t is ing S e c t io n

E x p l o re 2 0 2 6

S E AT T L E ’ S C H I L D

7

S P ON SORED CON TEN T

»ToolBox

STEM lessons take off

The Museum of Flight works with school districts to bring STEM to life

Kent School District thirdgraders engaged in field trip experiences at the Museum in May 2026. Ted Huetter/ The Museum of Flight

by J U L I E H A N S O N

STEM education really comes to life when the classroom is a worldclass air and space museum with more than 100 aircraft and spacecraft, all kinds of hands-on experiences, and experts in a variety of subjects.

Elementary and middle-grade students learn about planets, design spacesuits, test parachutes, experiment with robotics, and much more.

It’s all free, and it all takes place during the school day, thanks to partnerships between The Museum of Flight and three South King County school districts.

Activities at the Museum are designed to fit seamlessly with the Kent, Highline, and Tukwila districts’ curriculum.

That’s probably not at the top of kids’ minds, though: They’ve got livelier things to do and more important things to learn. For some of them, it’s their first visit to a museum, for instance.

“They are welcome here” is a key message of the program, says Seth Margolis, The Museum of Flight’s director of education operations. “The Museum isn’t a place where you have to come in and be quiet and not touch things. They get to have an experience here that’s definitely high energy, high impact, high fun — and high learning, too.”

8

S E AT T L E ’S C H I L D

All of this fun and learning comes at no cost to participating districts.

The Museum and the school districts share a common goal of providing enriching experiences for learners.

The Museum, though, has more specialized resources to do this, so staffers work carefully with teachers to design activities that are engaging and meaningful and help students meet educational milestones.

Kent third-graders, for instance, learn about forces and interactions through a manufacturing design-build-fix project in which they create what they think will be the best parachute to safely transport their cargo (an egg) to Earth, then drop it from a Museum balcony, observe, and record the results of their experiment.

“They have a builder, they have a designer, and they have a tester, and they are documenting

Ex plo re 2 0 26

S p ons ored Cont ent

and tracking the data of successes and failures to help improve their design,” explains Rafael Gallardo, director of education programs and initiatives.

Tukwila third-graders design a “spacesuit” for a marshmallow astronaut, with the goal of protecting it from the vacuum of space.

Highline fifth-graders step inside the Museum’s inflatable portable planetarium for a vivid lesson in the scale and distance of planetary objects. All lessons and materials for the Highline School District are also available in Spanish and Vietnamese, the languages in which the district offers dual-language programs.

These are not quick, 90-minute field trips, either. Classes are at the Museum for three hours or more, doing several different things. While one group is busy with a hands-on learning activity, others will be exploring the galleries,

carrying exploration booklets that guide them to certain features.

“It’s great to see the school groups go around in our galleries and hear their excitement, talking among each other, running around to try to answer the questions in their booklets. It’s really fun,” says Julie Williams, director of marketing communications for the Museum.

Museum staff love welcoming kids who might not otherwise come to the Museum, and they relish the energy that young learners bring. Kids are a huge emphasis there.

“We have students that have grown up at the Museum,” Margolis says.

“We have students that have gone through our programs and come back as staff.”

Gallardo adds, “For us, it’s a huge win, exposing those students and providing the opportunity to experience all of the beautiful aircraft and

assets that the Museum has.”

The programs are all carefully thought out, too. “We work in advance with the teacher to make sure that programming fits their needs and the students’ needs,” Margolis explains. “We try to accommodate the range of experiences that the teachers would like the students to have.”

Sometimes it makes more sense to take the Museum on the road, as it were, and Tukwila schools are very close by: “For eighth grade, we’re going to go to them because we’re going to be working on some computer science and LEGO robotics and coding,” Gallardo explains.

This all fits perfectly with the Museum’s mission to serve its community by exposing people of all ages and from all backgrounds to information, experiences, and potential aerospace careers they might otherwise not have known about.

“It’s an opportunity for the museum to really be part of the community as opposed to just being in the community,” Gallardo says.

The Museum is looking to expand its educational partnerships to other districts, primarily in Seattle and South King County.

S P ON SORED BY

The Museum of Flight

Pacific Science Center

Seattle Children’s Museum

9404 East Marginal Way S., Seattle 98108 206-764-5700 education@museumofflight.org museumofflight.org/education

200 Sue Bird Court N, Seattle 98109 206-443-2925 edprograms@pacsci.org pacificsciencecenter.org/education

305 Harrison St., Seattle 98109 206-441-1768 info@seattlechildrensmuseum.org seattlechildrensmuseum.org

The Museum of Flight offers a wide variety of programs for students in grades K-12, from summer camps to high school- or college-credit-bearing programs. Each program delivers immersive, user-driven experiences around the subjects of aviation, space, and STEM. See the website for more details.

Pacific Science Center brings science to life no matter where you are. Field trips to our campus are fun, hands-on, and memorable for your learners. Digital Discovery Workshops work with your busy schedule.

And Science on Wheels brings immersive assemblies and pop-up exhibits directly into your classroom.

Seattle Children’s Museum offers handson field trips and group visits where students explore STEAM concepts through imaginative play, interactive exhibits, and daily programming. Enhance your visit with an optional Play Package featuring an SCM educator-led activity focused on science, math, or art, plus a take-home creation to extend learning beyond the Museum.

Rick Hartman’s School of Toy

Sound Experience

Next Step Archery 22313 70th Ave. W, Suite U1A, Mountlake Terrace 98043 425-977-2770 info@nextsteparchery.org nextsteparchery.org Next Step Archery is one of only a few archery training centers in the Seattle area. They host training events for a range of groups including Scout badge classes, youth organizations and homeschool programs. Their USA Archery-certified staff will help foster both enjoyment and skill of the sport. Next Step Archery is also a verified merit badge counselor.

info@schooloftoys.com schooloftoy.com

211 Seton Rd., Port Townsend 98368 360-379-0438 soundexp.org

Rick Hartman is a professional toy inventor and former teacher who brings curriculum-based toy-building workshops and assemblies to elementary and intermediate schools throughout the Pacific Northwest. Students build fun and surprising toys that fly, buzz, balance, and twirl, engaging young minds while demonstrating important concepts in science, math, history, and the arts.

Sound Experience offers hands-on day sails and multi-day voyages that inspire young people to become sailors and stewards. Students connect maritime history to today’s ocean issues: plankton’s role, microplastics, and everyday choices.

Aboard Adventuress, groups engage in active learning, discovering how community, nature, culture, and infrastructure intersect to shape healthy waterways.

every kid. every dream. every stage.

Explore theater classes for ages 5-20.

VillageTheatre.org/Classes

P a id Adve r t is ing S e c t io n

E x p l o re 2 0 2 6

S E AT T L E ’ S C H I L D

9

H I S T O R Y & C U LT U R E Burke Museum 4303 Memorial Way NE, Seattle 98195 206-543-5591 burkemuseum.org/education The Burke Museum offers hands-on field trips exploring natural history and culture. Burke Boxes bring museum collections into classrooms, providing real and replica objects, activities and resources for hands-on student learning.

Fort Nisqually Living History Museum 5519 Five Mile Dr., Tacoma 98407 253-404-3970 fortnisqually@tacomaparks.com metroparkstacoma.org/place/ fort-nisqually-living-history-museum Fort Nisqually is a living history museum where guides in period clothing demonstrate 1850s-era crafts and engage visitors in historic dialogue. Students can take guided tours of the fort, have a classroom visit by a time traveler dressed in period clothing, or explore the contents of a classroom case on loan from the museum.

Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum 5917 S 196th St., Kent 98032 206-764-9453 info@thunderboats.org ​thunderboats.ning.com/page/ victory-education-program The Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum is the nation’s only public museum dedicated solely to powerboat racing. The Victory Education Program is a rigorously researched, classroom-tested curriculum using the magic of racing to inspire students to pursue and excel in STEM education. The program is designed to encourage all children to envision themselves as potential engineers and problem solvers. Offering both classroom visits and field trips.

Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) 325 5th Ave. N, Seattle 98109 206-770-2700, info@mopop.org mopop.org Education is a key focus for MoPOP, a cultural institution designed to explore the creative process and promote critical thinking.

A school visit allows students to experience interactive exhibitions that highlight the nation’s musical culture and history, discover the role that imagination plays in fictional literature and films, explore the development and effects of technology, and learn the craft of making music.

National Nordic Museum 2655 NW Market St., Seattle 98107 206-789-5707 info@nordicmuseum.org nordicmuseum.org/school-programs The Nordic Heritage Museum honors the

10

S E AT T L E ’S C H I L D

Ex pl o re 2 0 26

legacy of Nordic immigrants in the Northwest. The museum invites school groups in grades 1-12 to visit the exhibits, either on guided or self-guided tours. Teacher Packets and Outreach Trunks are also available to teach about Nordic culture, music, dance, arts, history, Norse mythology and Vikings.

Pioneer Farm Museum & Ohop Indian Village 7716 Ohop Valley Road E., Eatonville 98328 360-832-6300 pioneerfarmmuseum.org/ group-tours-programs Pioneer Farm Museum & Ohop Indian Village offers hands-on educational programs exploring pioneer and Native American history. School groups can choose from experiences including the Pioneer Farm Tour, Native American Seasons Tour, Pioneer Folklore and Craft, Indian Heritage Trail, and overnight living-history programs.

N AT U R E & E N V I R O N M E N TA L STUDIES Academic Adventures 15510 Rosario Beach Road, Anacortes 98221 360-708-3286 andrew.rice@academicsandadventures.org academicsandadventures.org Academic Adventures is an inquiry focused Coastal Ecology and Marine Biology Field School based in Anacortes. Students participate in the scientific process and are surrounded by the specific habitats, organisms and ecosystems they are studying. Programs for grades K-12 include one-day field trips, multi-day field school, and naturalist programs.

Environmental Science Center Pre K-8

Liberty Park Building: 1101 Bronson Way N, Renton 98057 206-561-7633 programs@environmentalsciencecenter.org envsciencecenter.org The Environmental Science Center is a nonprofit organization offering experiential environmental education programs to inspire environmental stewardship actions and deepen our community’s relationship with the local environment. We offer field trip programs for students in grades 4 to 8, family programs, and outdoor exploration kits, all to explore the health of the Cedar River for salmon and people.

King County Wastewater Treatment Plants Plants in Renton, Woodinville and West Seattle 206-477-5371 kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/wasteservices/wastewater-treatment/education The Wastewater Treatment Division’s education programs provide informa-

Pa i d Adverti si n g S ecti o n

tion on treatment plants, clean water processes and technology, resource recovery, pollution prevention for homes and businesses, and Puget Sound health.

Learn where it all goes when you brush and flush. School tours for King County schools, grades 3 to 12, are available in Renton, Seattle, and Woodinville for all King County residents.

Marine Science and Technology Center 28203 Redondo Beach Drive S., Des Moines 98198 206-592-4000, mast@highline.edu mast.highline.edu The MaST Center is Highline College’s marine biology and aquarium facility. Located 4 miles south of campus at Redondo Beach and with easy access to a variety of nearby habitats, the 2,500-square-foot facility offers public space, a classroom, laboratories, offices, research areas with state-of-the-art equipment, and an aquarium. The Aquarium has over 250 native Puget Sound marine species.

Pacific Bonsai Museum 2515 S 336th St., Federal Way 98003 253-353-7345 info@pacificbonsaimuseum.org pacificbonsaimuseum.org Pacific Bonsai Museum offers free field trips for grades 3–12, guiding students through a world-class outdoor bonsai collection as Junior Bonsai Horticulturalists.

Choose an arts-based or STEM-focused path, complete with guided tours, adventure booklets, and standards-aligned lesson plans. Free for up to 30 students, with virtual and in-person options available.

Pacific Marine Research 9534 NE Shore Dr., Indianola WA 98342 206-601-8426 fieldtrips@marinescienceafloat.org marinescienceafloat.org ​ acific Marine Research is now offering P to bring the wonders of Puget Sound’s Marine life to your classroom. Plankton in the classroom presentations are available in the Fall and Spring. The program is directed toward 3rd grade through High School. Pat Maxwell, PMR’s plankton guy, will bring our video microscope, sampling equipment, and collected live samples of plankton to your group for a guided exploration of the abundance of marine life in a few drops of water.

Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve 10441 Bayview-Edison Road, Mount Vernon 98273 ecology.wa.gov/Water-Shorelines/ Shoreline-coastal-management/PadillaBay-reserve/Education-programs At low tide, Padilla Bay exposes miles of mudflats formed by sediment from the Skagit River. The area is a perfect habitat for a variety of estuarine plants

and animals, making it an excellent place for nature study. Programs are offered for grades pre-K to 12 and can include lectures, slideshows, videos, and handson lab and fieldwork. Facilities include exhibits and an aquarium. Programs are free, but donations are accepted.

glasshouses in the country. It shelters a tropical plant collection and provides a warm, quiet, beautiful refuge.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

410 Fourth Ave. N., Edmonds 98020 425-275-4485 edmondscenterforthearts.org/ learn-and-engage/school-programs/

education@epa.gov epa.gov/students Educators and K-12 students can access documents and resources about environmental topics such as climate change, conservation, recycling and much more.

The website also offers links to grants, professional development, educator workshops and conferences, homework resources, games, science fair projects and more.

Volunteer Park Conservatory 1400 E Galer St., Seattle 98112 206-322-4112 foc@volunteerparkconservatory.org volunteerparkconservatory.org The Conservatory, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is one of the few remaining original Victorian public

PERFORMING ARTS Edmonds Center for the Arts

Living Voices 3417 Evanston Ave. N #225 Seattle 98103 206-328-0798 livingvoices@livingvoices.org livingvoices.org

Each season, on its Main Stage, ECA presents Education Matinees for students from pre-K to high school. ECA also offers student workshops, teacher development, artist outreach, and more.

Living Voices presents powerful multimedia theatre programs that bring life to history. Each production combines solo performance with archival film to spark curiosity and empathy and to meet curriculum standards. Programs include journeys to Ellis Island, the World of Anne Frank, the American Revolution, the Klondike Gold Rush, and many more. For grades 3-12 and community audiences.

GreenStage

Pacific Northwest Ballet

206-748-1551 greenstage@greenstage.org greenstage.org/content/education

301 Mercer St., Seattle 98109 206-441-2435 pnbschool@pnb.org pnb.org/community/programs

As Seattle’s Shakespeare in the Park Company and Seattle’s longest-running Shakespeare Company, GreenStage is committed to presenting quality productions of classical theater in a manner that is accessible to all. Classroom Bard brings Shakespeare to the classroom with 45-minute versions of popular Shakespeare classics.

PNB’s Community Education programs offer opportunities for students and teachers to learn, see, and explore the art of dance. Each season, PNB offers several student matinees, some with open set changes and live music so students can witness the method behind the magic.

PNB also offers field trips, workshops, and

FIELD TRIPS

grades 3 – 12

Students become Junior Bonsai Horticulturalists as they explore world-class bonsai collection in our unique outdoor forest museum setting.

Choose Your Curriculum Focus: Arts-Based: Explore line, form, balance, and cultural traditions STEM-Focused: Investigate plant biology, growth patterns, and horticultural science

What’s Included: • Guided tour of 50+ bonsai • Adventure booklets with hands-on activities • Hands-on learning materials • Pre- and post-visit lesson plans

FREE! (donations appreciated!)

2515 S. 336th St | FEDERAL WAY, WA

for up to 30 students

(253) 353-7345

Virtual and in-person options available BOOK EARLY! info@pacificbonsaimuseum.org

PacificBonsaiMuseum.org

Standards Alignment: • Washington State Art Standards • Common Core Listening & Speaking • Next Generation Science Standards

P a id Adve r t is ing S e c t io n

E x p l o re 2 0 2 6

S E AT T L E ’ S C H I L D

11

more. See the community programs page for more details.

Seattle Children’s Theatre Adrienne Dillard‑Coons Drama School 201 Thomas Street, Seattle, WA 98109 206‑859‑4079 ext. 10137 dramaschool@sct.org sct.org/education-programs ADC Drama School offers joyful theatre classes and camps for young minds from toddlers to teens. Guided by professional teaching artists, our programs spark imagination, boost confidence, and nurture self-expression through fun, collaborative, and skill-building experiences.

Seattle Opera 363 Mercer St., Seattle 98109 206-389-7600 education@seattleopera.org seattleopera.org/classes-camps-clubs/ for-schools To make opera irresistible to young people, Seattle Opera’s Education department has tailored its education programs for grade-schoolers and middle schoolers.

Through its matinee shows and by bringing opera into school, students will see opera through immersive performances and learning.

Seattle Repertory Theatre 155 Mercer St., Seattle 98109 206-443-2210 seattlerep.org/education From discounted student matinees, playwriting programs and continuing education the Seattle Repertory Theatre fosters a love of performance and the arts for all ages.

Seattle Symphony Benaroya Hall: 200 University St., Seattle 98101 206-215-4700 seattlesymphony.org/ education-and-community/schools The Seattle Symphony offers a multitude of education programs for students and teachers to build and foster lifelong relationships with symphonic music. Seattle Symphony provides musical story times for toddlers, elementary workshops and Friday matinees for older students.

Seattle Theatre Group Paramount, Moore and Neptune theaters: 911 Pine St., Seattle 98101 206-682-1414 stgpresents.org/learn-engage/ for-students-educators STG’s Education Programs provide train-

ing and classes focused on personal and professional development for participants in schools, community centers, and STG theatres. These sessions and events aim to empower, enrich, and celebrate participants’ quality of life using the arts.

Stone Soup Theatre 1414 N. 42nd St., Seattle 98103 206-388-9212 stonesouptheatre.org/ school-outreach Stone Soup Theatre brings live theatre to young audiences through family-friendly productions, youth performances, and school programs. Its plays introduce children to classic and contemporary stories while giving young performers opportunities to build acting skills, confidence, and creativity. Performances and programs are offered throughout the year.

Studio East 10718 NE 68th St., Kirkland 98033 425-820-1800 info@studio-east.org studio-east.org/schools Studio East offers performing arts education programming for students age 4-19 through classes, camps and workshops in our home base in Kirkland, and at schools

where the pacific northwest

INSPIRES LEARNING!

a F ie l d T r ip s at Im

12

S E AT T L E ’S C H I L D

Explo re 2 0 26

Pa i d Adverti si n g S ecti o n

g in e

around the community. Check out StoryBook Theater as well for programs and performances for ages 3 to 10.

Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE 303 Front Street North, Issaquah 98027 2710 Wetmore Avenue, Everett 98201 425-392-1942 kidstage@villagetheatre.org villagetheatre.org/classes-camps We’re not just training performers.

We’re raising remarkable humans.

Whether your child dreams of Broadway or wants to speak more confidently in class, Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE will meet them where they are—and help them go further than they imagined.

S .T. E . A . M . iFLY Indoor

Skydiving - Seattle

349 Tukwila Pkwy., Tukwila 98188 206-244-4359 iflyworld.com/programs/ stem-field-trips Students will get fired up about math and physics when they see it come to life in a state-of-the-art wind tunnel.

Our highly trained STEM educators guide students through an immersive, hands-on experience.

Imagine Children’s Museum 1502 Wall Street, Everett 98201 425-258-1006 Info@ImagineCM.org ImagineCM.org/field-trips Imagine field trips include three floors of hands-on exhibits, including learning opportunities inspired by the landscapes, wildlife, and industries of the Pacific Northwest. Groups may add an educator-led STEAM enrichment class. Can’t bring your class to us? Museum on the Go brings Imagine to schools, homeschool co-ops, and youth-serving organizations throughout the region.

Your guide to a kid-friendly city

delivered to your inbox!

Subscribe to our free e-newsletters for family fun around the Puget Sound!

» seattleschild.com/subscribe

NOT JUST ANY OTHER DAY

KidsQuest Children’s Museum 1116 108th Ave. N.E., Bellevue 98004 425-637-8100 info@kidsquestmuseum.org kidsquestmuseum.org Ignite Curiosity at KidsQuest Children’s Museum! Step into a world where hands-on play sparks big discoveries.

KidsQuest Children’s Museum offers immersive, educational adventures perfect for school field trips, club outings, and group visits. Want us to bring the wonder to you? We also deliver interactive in-class programs, high-energy school science fairs, and specialized

Take a break from the ordinary and book a field trip, Science on Wheels visit, or Digital Discovery Workshop today.

Learn more at pacsci.org

P a id Adve r t is ing S e c t io n

E x p l o re 2 0 2 6

S E AT T L E ’ S C H I L D

13

v

homeschool workshops designed to inspire young minds.

The Museum of Flight 9404 East Marginal Way S., Seattle 98108 206-764-5700 education@museumofflight.org museumofflight.org/education The Museum of Flight offers a wide variety of programs for students in grades K-12, from summer camps to high school- or college-credit-bearing programs. Each program delivers immersive, user-driven experiences around the subjects of aviation, space, and STEM. See the website for more details.

Naval Undersea Museum 1 Garnett Way, Keyport 98345 360-396-4148 navalunderseamuseum.org/education The Naval Undersea Museum holds the country’s most comprehensive collection of U.S. Navy artifacts, documents and reference material related to torpedoes, mines, diving and salvage, submarine technology and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs).

Pacific Bonsai Museum 2515 S 336th St., Federal Way 98003 253-353-7345 info@pacificbonsaimuseum.org pacificbonsaimuseum.org Pacific Bonsai Museum offers free field trips for grades 3–12, guiding students through a world-class outdoor bonsai collection as Junior Bonsai Horticulturalists.

Choose an arts-based or STEM-focused path, complete with guided tours, adventure booklets, and standards-aligned lesson plans. Free for up to 30 students, with virtual and in-person options available.

Seattle Children’s Museum 305 Harrison St., Seattle 98109 206-441-1768 info@seattlechildrensmuseum.org seattlechildrensmuseum.org Seattle Children’s Museum offers handson field trips and group visits where students explore STEAM concepts through imaginative play, interactive exhibits, and daily programming. Enhance your visit with an optional Play Package featuring an SCM educator-led activity focused on science, math, or art, plus a take-home creation to extend learning beyond the Museum.

Seattle Humane 13212 SE Eastgate Way, Bellevue 98005 425-373-5385, option 2 EducationServices@seattlehumane.org seattlehumane.org/ youth-school-programs Interested in connecting your students

14

S E AT T L E ’S C H I L D

Explo re 20 2 6

with humane education? Invite us for a classroom visit, schedule a field trip, or contact the Seattle Humane Education Services team to learn how to link your literacy, science, and social-emotional learning objectives to animal-themed lessons.

Title 1 schools: Ask about our sponsored educational programming!

SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention 1312 Bay St., Bellingham 98225 360-738-3886 abby@sparkmuseum.org sparkmuseum.org/field-trips Bring your students to SPARK Museum — where discovery sparks imagination. Hands-on exhibits and electrifying demonstrations make science and history unforgettable. Perfect for grades 3–12, our field trips inspire curiosity, spark discussion, and connect classroom learning to real-world innovation in a way textbooks never can.

University of Washington Planetarium and Observatory UW Campus, Seattle 98195 astro.washington.edu/ uw-planetarium#group The astronomy department at UW has several outreach programs including their planetarium, observatory, mobile planetarium, astronomy curriculum and educator clearinghouse.

VISUAL ARTS Coyote Central: 2300 E. Cherry St., Seattle 98122 coyotecentral.org We provide the Studio Coyote experience for groups of youth from schools (public, private, or charter) as well as community-based organizations. These programs are often held during the daytime as part of the school curriculum and expose students to creative classes that they wouldn’t otherwise experience. Most often held at our Central District location, the mediums provided include Welding, Woodworking, Cooking, Photography, Acting, and more!

Chihuly Garden and Glass Seattle Center: 305 Harrison St., Seattle 98109 206-753-4940 groups@chihulygardenandglass.com chihulygardenandglass.com/ visit/plan-your-visit Providing a look at the inspiration and influences that inform the career of Dale Chihuly, the exhibition includes 12 viewing areas, including the centerpiece Glasshouse and the lush Garden. School groups are given discounted rates for admission and for tours.

Pa i d Adverti si n g S ecti on

Frye Art Museum 704 Terry Ave., Seattle 98104 206-622-9250 fryemuseum.org/school-educators Opened in 1952, the Frye Art Museum exhibits late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century European paintings and hosts notable exhibitions of works by internationally renowned and emerging artists.

School & Educator Programs at the Frye Art Museum provide engaging, meaningful, and accessible learning experiences for all students.

Schack Art Center 2921 Hoyt Ave., Everett 98201 425-309-7723 artsinfo@schack.org schack.org/learning-resources Schack’s K-12 education programs offer unique learning opportunities through accredited teacher workshops, art docent training for parents/volunteers, a lending library of Art Outreach Suitcases, an annual college scholarship, art competitions for middle and high school students, exhibition space, gallery field trips, and more. These programs enable students and teachers to develop a critical understanding of art and culture and their relationship to our own lives.

Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Asian Art Museum & Olympic Sculpture Park SAM Downtown: 1300 First Ave., Seattle Seattle Asian Art Museum: Volunteer Park, 1400 E Prospect St., Seattle Olympic Sculpture Park: 2901 Western Ave., Seattle 206-654-3100 schooltours@seattleartmuseum.org seattleartmuseum.org/ whats-on/programs/school-tours SAM offers programs at the museum’s three sites and in the classroom, designed to engage students of all ages in deep looking, critical thinking, and creative art making. These inspiring, adaptable programs build direct connections between works of art, classroom curriculum, and students’ own experiences and backgrounds. Guided tours, art workshops, classroom visits, teacher workshops, resources, and educator previews are all available to make art a part of every classroom.

Tacoma Art Museum 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma 98402 253-272-4258 education@tacomaartmuseum.org tacomaartmuseum.org/education Tacoma Art Museum offers a variety of tours, workshops and other resources for teachers and students. Museum tours explore current exhibitions, create studio art projects and incorporate curricular subjects such as language arts, social studies, math and science. Online curriculum guides, self-guided tours and professional development workshops are also available.

Be Inspired!

Spark your child’s passion in aviation and aerospace with The Museum of Flight!

The Museum offers several programs for learners from K-12 to explore STEM education in aviation and aerospace.

Your child will make new friends, build their confidence, fuel their passion, and have fun while doing it.

From summer camp to earning high school & college credit, explore our year-round programs today!

Learn more at museumofflight.org/Education

All our programs are low or no cost!