A GUIDE TO ACTIVE INSIDE DROP-IN FUN
BOWLING
Tips
1. Very young kids can bowl if they can lift a 6-lb. ball.
2. Ask for kid aids: bumpers (barriers that keep the ball out of the gutter), lighter balls, or a ramp.
3. Cosmic (lights-out) bowling sessions are a big hit.
4. Many bowling alleys offer good deals on Sundays.
5. Check schedules carefully — league play often takes over on weekdays.
HUB Games –University of Washington
A 12-lane bowling alley at the HUB (student center) on the UW campus. Cosmic bowling and arcade games. Don’t like bowling shoes? They sell tennis shoe covers. Parking on campus is $5-7/hour weekdays, FREE Saturday noon through Sunday. The Metro bus goes on campus or visitors can take the light rail to Husky Stadium.
Cost: $5-$6/person/game; shoes are free
Kenmore Lanes
One of the largest bowling alleys “north of Reno and west of the Mississippi” with 50 lanes of bowling!
Cost: $6-$8/person/per game; Shoe rental: $4
Lynnwood Bowl and Skate
Offers 24 wooden bowling lanes connected to a 13,250 sq. ft. roller skating rink. Cosmic Bowling (with the lights out) Friday evening, and all day Saturday and Sunday.
Cost: $10/person/game including shoes, except Cosmic Bowling $42/lane/hour
Roxbury Lanes
Located in the White Center neighborhood of Seattle, offers daily drop-in sessions for families, 45 arcade games.
Cost: $15/person/game, up to four children bowl free with two paying adults
West Seattle Bowl
There are 32 lanes, it’s kid-friendly with bumpers, ball ramps, and a large selection of lightweight balls.
Cost: $33-$46/lane/hour, $21/lane Sat, Sun 9 a.m-11
a.m.; Shoe rentals: $5.50
Round1 Southcenter
There’s a bowling alley and giant arcade game center, ping pong, billiards and karaoke at this amusement center inside Southcenter Mall.
Cost: $27-$41.50/lane (6 people max per lane) or $8-10/ person; shoe rental $4.50
BOULDERING/ CLIMBING
Tips
1. Bouldering (vs climbing) suits little kids due to its lower height and no need for a rope.
2. All children must be supervised by an adult at all times.
3. Bouldering is a good activity for a family with a wide age range of kids — toddler and up.
Half Moon
Bouldering
This family-friendly gym in Greenwood in Seattle has a castle learning area designed so families can climb together.
REMINDER
Drop-in doesn’t mean drop-off! Parent or caretaker must stick around to supervise.
Cost: Single Day Pass $27/ages 24 and over, $22/ ages 4-23; free/3 and under, shoe rental: $6
Go bowling at glow-in-the-dark bowling lanes at Monster Mini Golf.
Seattle Bouldering Project
The Seattle Bouldering Project welcomes ages 4+ and all experience levels for drop-in bouldering, which is rock climbing without using ropes or harnesses, at all three locations: Fremont, Poplar/South Seattle, and University District. Willy Wonka-esque whimsical shapes on the walls invite even the youngest kids, new to bouldering, to jump right in.
Cost: Day Pass: $30/adult, $25/ages 14-20/$25, $20/13 and under
GOLF
Flatstick Pub
The indoor 9-hole mini golf course has elevation changes and moving kegs as obstacles. Also a 9-hole course of duffleboard (mix of mini golf and shuffleboard). Multiple locations: South Lake Union and Pioneer Square (Seattle), Redmond, and Kirkland.
Cost: $12/person for mini golf, $15/person includes duffleboard
Monster Mini Golf
A glow-in-the-dark mini golf course located in Factoria Square (Bellevue) and Mountlake Terrace, with 18 holes of wildly inventive monsters and creatures. Also a laser maze, bowling alley, and a gaming arcade.
Ages: All ages
Cost: $12/ little monster, $14/ big monster
Par1 Mini Golf
Located in Lincoln Square in Bellevue, Par1 Mini Golf has
BEFORE YOU GO
Schedules & rates change. Check websites for the latest info. Reservations & advance tickets are often available and a few require them.
Waiver forms may be required. Check to see if you can fill one out online before going.
Ages: All ages
Cost: $15/golfer
INDOOR PLAYSPACES
Seattle Parks and Recreation
Community Centers Toddler Gyms and Tot Rooms
Seattle Parks and Rec offers drop-in gym sessions and tot rooms during the school year for young kids (limited sessions in the summer) to socialize and play. At Toddler Gyms kids get to enjoy rambunctious play in a big space with big toys, balls, mats, and wheeled vehicles. In the Tot Rooms, kids can enjoy a quiet play place with toys and books. All kids must be accompanied by a caregiver 14 or older. All the community centers offer Toddler Gym and/or Tot Room at least twice a week. Sessions are 2-3 hours long with some in the morning and some in the afternoon.
Ages: Infant-5 years
Cost: FREE
BALLARD COMMUNITY CENTER (TODDLER GYM & TOT ROOM)
Mon, Weds, Fri, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
BITTER LAKE COMMUNITY CENTER (TODDLER GYM) Sun, Mon, Weds, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
GARFIELD COMMUNITY CENTER (TODDLER GYM) Mon, Weds, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
HIGH POINT COMMUNITY CENTER (TODDLER GYM) Tues, Thur, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
JEFFERSON COMMUNITY CENTER (TODDLER GYM) Tues, Thur, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
LOYAL HEIGHTS
COMMUNITY CENTER (TODDLER GYM) Tues, Thur, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
MAGNUSON COMMUNITY CENTER (TODDLER GYM) Weds, 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Sat, 12:30 pm-2:30 p.m.
MEADOWBROOK COMMUNITY CENTER (TODDLER GYM) Mon, Weds, Fri, noon-2:30 p.m.
MILLER COMMUNITY CENTER (TODDLER GYM) Tues, Thur, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
MONTLAKE COMMUNITY CENTER (TODDLER GYM) Mon, Fri, 10:15 a.m.-2 p.m.
NORTHGATE COMMUNITY CENTER (TODDLER GYM) Tues, Thur, 9:00 a.m.-11:30 p.m.
RAINIER COMMUNITY CENTER (TODDLER GYM) Mon, Weds, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
RAINIER BEACH COMMUNITY CENTER Mon, Thur, Fri, 9 a.m.-noon
RAVENNA-ECKSTEIN COMMUNITY CENTER (TODDLER GYM & TOT ROOM) Mon-Thur, 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
VAN ASSELT COMMUNITY CENTER (TODDLER GYM) Tues, Thur, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
YESLER COMMUNITY CENTER (TODDLER GYM) Mon, Weds, Fri, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Eastside Community Centers Indoor Playgrounds
At these Eastside Community Centers parents or caregivers can bring kids to play in a large multi-purpose room with toy cars, bikes, push and pull toys, climbing sculptures and slides, gym mats, and more. Adults must supervise at all times.
HIGHLAND COMMUNITY CENTER (BELLEVUE)
Ages: 7 years and under Hours: Weds, Fri, 9 a.m.-noon
Cost: $4/resident, $5/non-resident
ISSAQUAH COMMUNITY CENTER
Ages: 4 years and under Hours: Weds, Fri, 7 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Cost: $2/child
NORTH KIRKLAND COMMUNITY CENTER
Ages: 9 months-5 years
Hours: Weds, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Cost: $4/child
SOUTH BELLEVUE COMMUNITY CENTER
Ages: 5 and under
Hours: Mon, Weds, Fri, 10:30 a.m.-noon.
Cost: $4/resident, $5/non-resident
INDOOR PLAYGROUNDS & INFLATABLES
Arena Sports Inflatable FunZone
The Arena Sports Indoor Inflatable FunZone playgrounds offer a wide array of giant bounce houses where kids can bounce, slide, and jump. Socks are required. There are also family entertainment centers in Mill Creek and Issaquah with arcades and virtual reality games, ropes courses, climbing walls, classic bowling, laser tag, mini bowling, and more.
18 holes of imaginative fun.
Kids playing arcade games at Arena Sports.
PHOTO:
MAGNUSON PARK (SEATTLE)
Ages: 3-12 years
Cost: $12.75/child
SODO (SEATTLE)
Ages: 18 mos-12
Cost: $10/child
ISSAQUAH & MILL CREEK
Ages: 18 mos-12
Cost: $12.75/child
Discounted passes available
REDMOND
Ages: 18 mos-12
Cost: $12.75/child
Discounted passes available
Funtastic Playtorium
Large indoor playground for kids in three locations.
FACTORIA MALL & ALDERWOOD MALL
Ages: 10 and under
Cost: $12.99 Mon-Thur, $15.99 Fri-Sun, school holidays
TACOMA
Ages: 10 and under
Cost: $12.99 Mon-Thurs, $13.99 Fri-Sun, school holidays
Kidz Bounce
Kidz Bounce inflatable playground near Issaquah has drop-in times three times a week.
Ages: 1-10 years
Cost: $15/child
Kids Magic Lab
Kids Magic Lab in Redmond is a multi-sensory science and STEM enrichment lab and indoor playground. For children under 4, they offer a Sensory-Rich curriculum that includes music, yoga, art, and STEM activities.
Cost: $30/all-day pass
Packs of drop-in, one-hour open play passes available. One adult free.
Ages: 9 months-8 years
PlayDate SEA
A three-story, 8,000-square-
foot indoor playground located in South Lake Union with interactive dance floors, structures for climbing and crawling, and a special area for toddlers.
Ages: Infant-12 years
Cost: weekdays, $/all-day pass/child, weekends, $18/ all-day pass/child, under 1 year free with paying child
Pump it Up
Pump it Up in Lynnwood is a large indoor inflatable playground. There are pre-K jump sessions, all-ages kids jump sessions, and family jump sessions.
Cost: $10/child/80 minute sessions, $8/siblings, toddlers and adults free
The Sand Garden
A 1,400-sq-ft indoor sandbox in Issaquah where kids ages 0–10 can dig, build, and play rain or shine. It’s a sensory-rich, weather-proof space for creative play and family connection.
Cost: $22/child/per day, unlimited play, children under 1, $10/child 2 adults/family free on weekdays; weekends $5/adult
Ages: Open play open for children 10 and under
The Ridge
This indoor playground in Bothell is an enormous play structure with multiple stories, a Valo Climb Wall and racing slides. There’s also a toddler zone with an enclosed play structure, a water table, and sand table, and for older kids — laser tag. Drop-in daily.
Cost: $13/child/hour session
Ages: All ages
Seattle Gymnastics Academy
During the open gym drop-in sessions for ages infant to 5 years at Seattle Gymnastics Academy, little ones have access to most of the academy’s gymnastics equipment for climbing, swinging, jumping, and other active fun.
Cost: $10/child/one hour, babies under 1 free.
Wednesdays – $2/child with donation of two non-perishable food items for local food bank
Low-Sensory Playground: Drop-ins are available at some gyms
Parents Night Out: Available for ages 5-11 years old. A 3-hour Saturday night playtime for bigger kids to explore the gym and watch a movie while parents go out on a date. Cost varies by length of time and location.
Locations: Lake City, Ballard, Columbia City, Burien
Twinkle Land Play Cafe
At this indoor play center with a café in Bellevue you’ll find a playground equipped with climbing structures, slides, trampolines, and ball pits suitable for toddlers up to preteens and a games arcade.
Ages: 1-10
WiggleWorks
The two locations in Bellevue Crossroads Mall and Puyallup South Hill Mall are filled with soft, bright climbing sculptures, designed to give preschoolers and toddlers hours of active fun.
PUYALLUP
Cost: Mon-Thur, $11/child, Fri-Sun and holidays, $12/ child
The sandbox at The Sand Garden isn’t just for kids — parents can climb in, too.
PHOTO: BRITT THORSON
KidsQuest Children’s Museum is turning 20, and you’re invited to celebrate a season packed with creativity, curiosity, and community.
KidsQuest 20th Birthday Bash
Celebrate two decades of play with us!
FRI, DEC 12, 2025: 3–7pm
Sweet Seasonal Fun All December
Explore Sweet Celebrations, Weekend Playshops, and special winter hands-on experiences all month.
Weekend Playshop Plus: Sweet Science
Explore the chemistry of crystallization and the power of heat as you make your own sweet treat.
SAT, DEC 13, 2025: 2–4pm and SUN, DEC 14, 2025: 2–4pm
New Year’s Eve Countdown
Ring in the New Year at 10am, noon, 2pm & 4pm! DEC 31, 2025: 9:30am–5pm
Free & discounted tickets available*
20 years. 3 million visitors. Endless possibilities!
BELLEVUE
Cost: Weekdays $11.99/child, Weekends: $13.99. Must be under 48 inches tall.
SKATING: ROLLER & SKATEBOARDING
Tips
1. Kids should wear properly fitted, buckled helmets, wrist guards, elbow pads and knee pads.
2. Tell first-time roller skaters to bend knees, lean slightly forward, and start by walking, not rolling.
3. If available, pay extra to give beginners a skate mate (walker).
All Together Skatepark
The Seattle area’s only indoor skatepark in Wallingford covers 6,900 square feet of space, including ledges, manual pads, quarter pipes, banks, stairs, rails and a “vert” wall on which to shred. Helmets, skateboards and pads available.
Ages: All ages. Saturday from noon to 2 pm are open to ages 12 & under only.
Cost: $10 per person
Bitter Lake Community Center Family Skate
Seattle Parks and Rec presents Friday Night Family Skating Night at Bitterlake Community Center in north Seattle.
Ages: 5 years (or able to skate independently) and up
Cost: $6/person
El Centro Skate Rink
Located in Federal Way, the rink features a maple floor curved for speed and open skate sessions with Top 40 music.
Ages: All ages
Cost: $12 without skates, $14 with skates. Kids 5 and under free.
Lynnwood Bowl and Skate
Come spin around the largest maple roller skating rink in Washington, with a bowling alley, game arcade and full restaurant.
All ages skate sessions: Weds, $14/person, ThurSun, $17/person. Skatemates (walkers) available for additional $6, plus safety gear for all ages based on availability. Drop-in skate lessons: Sundays, 11 a.m.-noon. Open to all ages. $30/person Includes lesson, quad or inline skate rental, and all-day skate session after the lesson. No pre-registration required.
Southgate Roller Rink
The popular Southgate Roller Rink in the White Center neighborhood has skating games, activities and music to liven up the family skate sessions. Family skating available Fri-Sun. They also host roller derby matches! Cost: $13 (includes skates)
SKATING: ICE
Tips
1. Dress kids warmly, but not bulkily. Wear mittens or gloves, tights, leggings or pants.
2. Use helmets — bike helmets, skateboard helmets, ski helmets. Mom and Dad, if you are first-timers, you should wear a helmet, too. Knee pads are also a good idea for beginners.
3. Put your children’s skates
on in the lobby and show them what they will be doing before getting on the slippery stuff.
4. Renting a walker for beginners is very helpful.
Kraken Community Iceplex
Public ice skating sessions are available daily at Kraken Community Iceplex in Northgate. Special family-friendly features include a Tot play hour for the little ones (6 and under), themed skates and sensory-friendly skating sessions with fewer crowds. Hours vary. Check the Kraken Public Skate Calendar online for exact days/times. Cost: public skate, $17.50/ person, $10/skate aid rentals, $6.75/skate rentals
Sno-King Ice Arenas
The Sno-King Arenas are located in three locations — Kirkland, Renton, and Snoqualmie — and all offer public family skating sessions. They also have a ‘try hockey for free’ program for kids 4 to 17 — check the website for details. Hours vary by location.
Cost: $14-$15/ages 6 and older (skate rental: $5), $7/ ages 5 and under (includes skates), $7/walker rental
Kent Valley Ice Center
Kent Valley Ice Center welcomes skaters of all ages and abilities to join them for their public skate sessions. They have a great sound system,
blacklight skate sessions, and over a thousand pairs of rental skates on hand.
Cost: $18/general admission (4 and older), FREE for toddlers (3 and under), $5 skate rental, $2 helmet rental, $8/ walker rental
SWIMMING POOLS
Seattle Parks and Recreation Rainier
Beach Pool
In this amazing pool playland in south Seattle, there’s a giant slide, lazy river, spray feature, warm pool, lap pool, spa and sauna.
Cost: $8/adult, $6/youth (ages 1-17)
Lynnwood Recreation Center & Indoor Pool
There’s a warm pool (93 degrees), a recreation pool with a lazy river and lap pool, waterslides, a water play area with tipping water buckets and a family hot tub.
Cost: $7.50/ person per session, Under 2 years swim FREE
Mountlake Terrace Pool
REMINDER
Drop-in doesn’t mean drop-off! Parent or caretaker must stick around to supervise.
Mountlake Terrace’s pool has a lazy river and an entry that mimics a beach. There are three spray toys, water basketball hoops, and a variety of floats and water toys.
Cost: $8/adult, $6.75/youth ages 1-15, under 1 free
Snohomish Aquatic Center
In addition to the lap pool: a warm-water pool, a lazy river; a massive, enclosed waterslide; a spray-play section and two shallow areas for smaller kids (one that’s a zero-depth entry zone for tiny kids or folks with physical limitations). Best of all, there’s a FlowRider machine for simulated surfing. Kids 42 inches or taller can ride boogie boards and kids 52 inches
Seattle Parks & Recreation’s Rainier Beach Pool.
or taller can ride the standup board.
Cost: $9/ages 3 and older; under 3 free; 10-visit passes available; FlowRider: $17.50/ person/hour session
Seattle Public Pools
There are eight indoor public pools across the city. They all offer drop-in programs such as Family Swims and Pool Playland, as well as lessons. For more information, check the pool schedule.
Cost at all pools: $8/adult, $6/youth (1-17). Scholarship/ Financial Aid Discount Pricing- Pre-Qualified available
BALLARD POOL
Six swimming lanes, diving board, rope swing, slide and a warm-water pool.
EVANS POOL (GREEN LAKE)
Twenty-five foot lap pool, currently open but check their website for upcoming pool improvement construction schedule.
MADISON POOL (NORTH SEATTLE)
Six lanes, a teaching pool with shallow water for lessons and two diving boards, one at 1 meter and one at 3 meters.
MEADOWBROOK POOL (NORTH OF THE WEDGEWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD AND EAST OF LAKE CITY)
Six-lanes, 1-meter and 3-meter diving boards, rope swing, and sauna.
MEDGAR EVERS POOL (GARFIELD HIGH SCHOOL COMMUNITY CENTER)
Lap swim, pool play toys, recreation swim and more.
QUEEN ANNE POOL 25-yard, 6-lane pool.
SOUTHWEST POOL (WEST SEATTLE)
Six lanes and two diving boards, a 102-degree therapy pool, and a sauna.
EVERGREEN AQUATIC CENTER (WHITE CENTER)
Six-lane pool with family drop-in swims.
Eastside Public Pools
BELLEVUE AQUATIC CENTER
Features two pools, one for lap swimming and a warm-water pool for therapeutic use. The lap pool features a diving board and a 10-foot slide.
Ages: All ages
Cost: $7/ages 13 and older, $6/ages 12 and under
JULIUS BOEHM POOL (ISSAQUAH)
Has shallow and deep areas separated by a bulkhead, with recreational swims daily.
Ages: All ages
Cost: $5/ youth, $6 /adult
MARY WAYTE POOL (MERCER ISLAND)
Has shallow and deep areas separated by a bulkhead. There are lots of open and family swim hours available in the shallow pool.
Ages: All ages
Cost: $7.50/adult, $5.50/ youth, or 10-punch card
FEDERAL WAY
COMMUNITY CENTER POOL
Has a 25-yard, 6-lane leisure pool, lazy river, two-story slide, and diving boards.
CLASSES
Creative Dance Center
12577 Densmore Ave. N, Seattle 98133 creativedance.org
Leap into learning and fun at Creative Dance Center! Joy-filled classes for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, kids, teens, and adults include Creative Dance, Ballet, Modern, Hip Hop, Creative Music, and Adaptive BrainDance. Year-round programs and Summer Camps nurture creativity, confidence, and connection in a warm, welcoming environment.
Sunshine Music Together
Queen Anne, Magnolia, Green Lake, Capitol Hill & West Seattle sunshinemusictogether.com
Cost: $10/adult, $6/ages 1217, $3/ages 3-11, under 3 free.
TRAMPOLINES
Elevated Sportz Trampoline Park
Kids aged 3 and older can bounce on the trampoline courts while under-3 can enjoy the Kidz Adventure Zone, featuring a multi-level climbing castle with a ball pit.
Ages: 3 and older (12 and younger for play area, and 48 inches tall for ninja course)
Cost: $15-$29 per person depending on ticket type
Flying Squirrel Trampoline Park
At Flying Squirrel Trampoline Park in Everett, you’ll find trampolines in a safe environment, including a special toddler trampoline area, climbing walls, and a cafe.
Ages: All ages
Cost: ages 7 and older: $19/60 minutes, $24/90 minutes, $29/120 minutes. Ages 6 years and under: $14/60 minutes, $14/90 minutes, $25/120 minutes, in the toddler trampoline area.
Sunshine Music Together is an eight-time Award Winner for Best Music Program in Seattle! A joyful, innovative, internationally recognized music and movement program for children ages newborn to five years and the grown-ups who love them. Also offering Rhythm Kids classes for children aged 5–8 years! Join our musical community today.
EVENTS
City of Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation
222 Columbia St. NW, Olympia 98501 olyonice.com
Skate into Olympia’s winter magic through January 19, 2026. Experience Olympia’s favorite seasonal tradition at our pop-up ice rink. Glide under the lights, embrace the cozy vibes, and create memories that last long after the cold. Tickets and hours available at olyonice.com.
MUSEUMS
KidsQuest Children’s Museum
1116 108th Ave NE, Bellevue 98004 kidsquestmuseum.org
At KidsQuest Children’s Museum, play powers learning and joy for every child! As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we be-
Join a music class at Sunshine Music Together.
lieve discovery should be for all. From memberships and hands-on classes to camps, parties, and special events, we create a world where kids explore, imagine, and grow through playful experiences.
Seattle Art Museum
1300 First Avenue, Seattle 98101 seattleartmuseum.org
“Farm to Table” is on the menu at the Seattle Art Museum — and kids 14 and under are always free! Feast your eyes on over 50 Impressionist artworks by Monet, Renoir, Gauguin, and more that tell the story of iconic French food culture. Get tickets at SAM’s website.
Seattle Children’s Museum
305 Harrison St., Seattle 98109 SeattleChildrensMuseum.org
With 14,000 square feet of exhibits, your little one will find imaginative adventure around every corner. At SCM, families explore
through child-led play and engage in staff-led STEM, reading, and art programming. Additional learning opportunities include classes for children under 4, schoolbreak camps, and themed quarterly events.
PERFORMING ARTS
Seattle Children’s Theatre
201 Thomas Street, Seattle 98109 sct.org
When school is out, Drama School is in! At camps and classes in the Adrienne Dillard-Coons Drama School at Seattle Children’s Theatre, your child will find their spotlight through storytelling, role-playing, theatre games, imaginative play, and more. First-time campers to rising stars welcome. Register at sct.org.
Town Hall Seattle
1119 8th Ave, Seattle, 98101 townhallseattle.org
Town Hall Seattle inspires lifelong learning, discovery, and dialogue in a vibrant historic building in First Hill. From book talks to family concerts, Town Hall offers a unique mix of events produced by and for the community. Tickets to Town Hall-produced events are free for ages 22 & under!
STEM
Pacific Science Center
200 Sue Bird Court N, Seattle 98109 pacificsciencecenter.org
Venture out for a day of discovery at Pacific Science Center, located in Seattle Center. Learn about movement in our all-ages exhibits, befriend hundreds of butterflies in the Tropical Butterfly House, or catch a show at the Laser Dome, IMAX® The-
Rock Solid Science
120 West Dayton, Edmonds 98020 rocksolidscience.com
Visit the new Rock Solid Learning Lab — where geology truly rocks! Kids pan for gemstones, uncover fossils, and dig into Earth Science through immersive, handson fun. A great new place for birthdays, playdates, and family adventures, and an exciting destination for school field trips and group visits.
BEFORE YOU GO
Waiver forms may be required. Check to see if you can fill one out online before going. aters, or planetarium.
Schedules & rates change. Check websites for the latest info. Reservations & advance tickets are often available and a few require them.
