Family-Friendly Adventures in Seattle

It’s a common dilemma. How do you organize a stimulating family-friendly trip to a US city that will satisfy activity-hungry children but also be interesting enough for accompanying adults? The short answer: visit Seattle.

Seattle is where glass orbs and second-hand chewing gum pass as intergenerational art, and squabbling families can find common ground in museums dedicated to pinball and pop culture.

Is Seattle Good for Kids?

Seattle will entertain, pacify, and often educate your energetic kids without their even realizing it. The city is well set-up for small visitors, but watch out for Seattle’s ultra-steep hills if you’re pushing a stroller or have kids on scooters. Bathrooms in larger stores and venues will usually have changing tables. Kids often qualify for discounted metro bus and ferry fares.

Best Things to Do in Seattle with Kids

Some of Seattle’s kid-friendly attractions are obvious, such as a children’s theater and a zoo. Others are more serendipitous: don’t miss the pinball museum or the exciting urban theater of Pike Place Market.

Seattle Center

The Seattle Center has the most concentrated stash of kid-friendly activities, including the professional Seattle Children’s Theater and the Children’s Museum, which is great for under 10s. In the summer, balloon-twisters, singers, and dancers entertain the crowds alfresco. Aside from the interesting and educational permanent displays, the Pacific Science Center has some excellent touring exhibits, which have included Harry Potter movie memorabilia and King Tutankhamun’s jewels. In the Museum of Pop Culture, you could fill an afternoon in the Sound Lab, where adults and kids can requisition drum kits, guitars, and keyboards, and even form their own band for the special “On Stage” feature.

Space Needle

To satisfy all tastes, hit the Space Needle, where speedy elevators zip visitors to the top of the iconic tower that adorns practically every Seattle postcard. This streamlined, modern-before-its-time tower built for the 1962 World’s Fair has been the city’s defining symbol for more than 50 years. The needle anchors the Seattle Center and draws more than one million annual visitors to its flying saucer-like observation deck. Kids will be suitably entertained by the multitude of push-button devices at the summit, including powerful telescopes.

Chihuly Garden and Glass

Reinforcing Seattle’s position as a leading city of the arts, the exquisite Chihuly Garden and Glass showcases the life and work of dynamic local sculptor Dale Chihuly. It’s possibly the finest collection of curated glass art you’ll ever see, and Chihuly uses his playful imagination to cut seamlessly across age boundaries. Wander through Chihuly’s creative designs in a suite of interconnected dark and light rooms before being deposited in an airy glass atrium and – finally – a landscaped garden in the shadow of the Space Needle. Glassblowing demonstrations are a highlight.

Woodland Park Zoo

Woodland Park Zoo is considered one of the best zoos in the USA, hosting 300 species, including snow leopards, lions, and tigers. It was one of the first in the country to free animals from their restrictive cages in favor of ecosystem enclosures, where creatures from similar environments share large spaces designed to replicate their natural surroundings. Feature exhibits include a tropical rainforest, two gorilla exhibits, an African savanna, and an Indian rhino reserve.

Seattle Aquarium

Situated on Pier 59 in an attractive wooden building, the Seattle Aquarium is a handy distraction for families with itchy-footed kids. The entry lobby instantly impresses with a giant fish-filled tank called “Window on Washington Waters,” and the aquarium houses harbor seals and resident sea and river otters, which float comically on their backs. An underwater dome on the lower level provides a glimpse of the kind of fish that inhabit Puget Sound, and the daily diver show is the best of the aquarium’s live events. For kids, there are plenty of hands-on exhibits, including a pool where they can stroke starfish and caress sea urchins.

Seattle Pinball Museum

For families with an affinity for retro fun, the Seattle Pinball Museum is a fantastic gaming experience in the International District. This museum features machines from 1960s retro to 2020s futuristic, allowing visitors to enjoy unlimited games on everything from a 1963-vintage Gottlieb to a 2012 AC/DC-themed Stern. It’s a delightful spot for kids and parents alike, providing an engaging experience for all ages.

Pike Place Market

A cavalcade of noise, smells, personalities, and urban theater sprinkled liberally around a waterside strip, Pike Place Market is Seattle in a bottle. This market, in operation since 1907, serves as a wonderfully local experience that reflects the city’s unique spirit. Incidental market entertainment includes fish throwers who lob salmon back and forth, while often amusing buskers entertain passing crowds. The market highlights a diverse mix of local vendors and offers an array of food options that kids and adults alike will enjoy.

Gum Wall

Seattle’s famous gum wall is a communal art project in which visitors can contribute by sticking their chewed gum on this quirky tribute to creativity. This colorful and fragrant wall is a popular selfie spot and a fun experience for families visiting the city.

Olympic Sculpture Park

Olympic Sculpture Park, an ingenious feat of urban planning, is an official offshoot of the Seattle Art Museum and showcases over 20 sculptures that can be admired in this green space, ideal for leisurely strolls and outdoor exploration.

Alki Beach

Alki Beach presents a different vibe from the rest of Seattle. On a sunny day, this 2-mile stretch of sand is perfect for building sandcastles and indulging in seaside pleasures. With a bike path, volleyball courts, and beach fire rings, it’s an excellent destination for family fun.

Where to Eat with Kids in Seattle

Most restaurants in Seattle are kid-friendly. The only places where you’re likely to see “No Minors” signs are pubs or dive bars. Pike Place Market presents a wide selection of cheap, delicious food and is a fun spot for families to gather. Everyone, from kids to adults, often finds joy in the mac ‘n’ cheese from Beecher’s Handmade Cheese or the flaky pastries at Piroshky Piroshky.

Belltown’s La Vita é Bella is another family-friendly Italian trattoria, while Top Pot Hand-Forged Doughnuts is a must-visit for a sweet treat, preferably enjoyed at breakfast. For a delightful post-aquarium lunch, Ivar’s Acres of Clams offers great fish and chips, though be wary of the hungry seagulls!

This article was originally published in December 2014 and updated in 2021.