Being Savvy: Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers and kids in Seattle, WA

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Come On, Let the Sunshine In.

by Bethany Dunn

April 17, 2009

So many things to do this weekend in Seattle; so little time! My family is BOOKED UP this weekend: dance class, Little League, a family barbecue and two (count 'em TWO) children's birthday parties.

WHEW.

Hopefully your schedule has a little more wiggle room in it, so your family can enjoy all the awesome opportunities available this weekend.

(HINT. The sun in the forecast won't hurt either.

Hit up the Seattle Center to enjoy the Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival, from April 17-19. The event commemorates Japan’s gift of 1,000 blossoming cherry trees to Seattle in 1976 and features tea demonstrations, Japanese food and much more.

Do you "Do The Puyallup" every fall? Did you know they have a spring fair, too? Head south to gobble up some elephant ears and see some animals at the Puyallup Spring Fair.

On Saturday, YMCA's in the greater Seattle area are hosting a Healthy Kids Day. The event will provide information nutrition and education, as well as fun activities, including games and art.

Join the Earth Day celebration at the Climate Day for Kids at the Olympic Sculpture Park on Saturday. They'll learn about climate change and how their families can help reduce their carbon footprint. And since it's the art museum, there will also be opportunities to create art using recycled materials.

So, go on, get out there this weekend!  Read more...

Spring Break!

by Bethany Dunn

March 26, 2009

Next week is Spring Break for the Seattle School District and many of the other local school districts (including the one my kindergartner attends). My son and I will be hitting the road to visit family in Idaho (and, yes, I have Angie's recent post on traveling with kids bookmarked so I can use all her tips!).

Since this is our family's first experience of Spring Break as parents of school-aged children combined with the fact that my daughter's preschool doesn't take a week off, our expectations (especially for the kids) are especially low. But yours don't have to be! If you are not headed out of town to warmer weather (I'm jealous), there are still plenty of activities around town to keep your crew entertained.

Visit the Pacific Science Center to enjoy their annual Spring Fling from April 1-5. Included in the price of admission are visits from special animal guests, nature activities and even pony rides!

Want to keep learning? Then head to the Bellevue Arts Museum for FREE on Friday as part of their First Free Friday promotion.

Spring Break in Seattle means its Whirligig time! Just what is Whirligig? Well, it's a "wacky world of child size action"! The Center House is transformed with bouncy houses, slides and much more. There are also roaming clowns, face painting, and free entertainment. It runs for two weeks from March 27 through April 12. Want to miss the crowds? Plan on attending on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday.

Have a great Spring Break and stay safe!  Read more...

The Sun is Out, but the Snow May Be On Its Way.

by Bethany Dunn

March 05, 2009

Snow or no snow...spring is just around the corner - I can FEEL it. Here's some great ways to get through another week while waiting for spring to arrive.

This Friday is Free First Friday Concert night at Music Works Northwest (the non-profit community music school). This month will feature Linda Bailey and Klaus Liebetanz performing family-friendly flute duets. Admission is free.

Want something to do together as a family? The Bellevue Family YMCA is hosting a Family Fun Night on Friday from 6:00 - 8:00 pm - open to the public ($5 for non members). You and your children can enjoy craft projects, gymactivities and swimming.

Go celebrate Dr. Suess' 105th Birthday on Saturday at Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park from pm 9:00 - 11:00 am. There will be entertainment, crafts, stories, and, OF COURSE, green eggs and ham!

The City of Kent is hosting Kent Kids' Arts Day on Saturday at the Kent Commons. Artists will guide your little Picasso through a variety of hands-on art experiences. You can also take a brake from all the art and listen to live entertainment all day.

Not ready to give winter up yet? Hold on by enjoying Preschool Skate (Monday through Friday, 11:00am - 3:00 pm) at Castle Ice Arena - free is a great price!  Read more...

Things you must do with your children in Seattle before they grow up: Volume 8.

by Bethany Dunn

January 09, 2009

Going through our archives; it appears it's been quite awhile since we've added to our "things you must do with your preschooler in Seattle before they grow up". Uh, September to be exact ! We have had such a fun and active (and SNOWY) fall and winter, our daily posts have been consumed with current events. Time to play a little catch up - here's 36-40! 36. Ride the carousel at the  Read more...

Park Review: Olympic Sculpture Park.

by Bethany Dunn

November 25, 2008

The nine-acre Olympic Sculpture Park is located off Pier 70 in downtown Seattle and opened in January 2007. The creation of the park, which is certainly unique within the United State, was the brainchild of Mimi Gardner Gates (the Seattle Art Museum Director) and MarthaWyckoff (trustee of the Trust for Public Lands). While the park opened with hoopla and celebrations, I was reluctant to  Read more...

History Lesson: The Space Needle.

by Bethany Dunn

September 24, 2008

Seattle is known for a few things: rain, Frasier and the Space Needle. The two former icons are probably of little interest to your preschooler (well, apart from the puddles), and the latter is one that most can probably point out on your trips through the city of Seattle. So, just where did it COME from? The short story is this: the story of the Space Needle is the story of the Seattle Center,  Read more...

The weekend is coming, whether you like it or not.

by Bethany Dunn

September 18, 2008

The outstanding warm September weather continues; though they tell us rain should appear by the time Monday dawns. Take part of the weekend (I know it will take me a while) to find where you have hidden yourpreschooler's raincoat in preparation for next week's school and activity adventures. Because, remember, real northwesterners DON'T carry an umbrella. Well, once you locate the raincoat,  Read more...

Seattle weekend plans? CHECK.

by Bethany Dunn

August 21, 2008

We're heading out for one last hurrah this weekend - over to Idaho to visit family - before school starts and my son enters kindergarten (!!!). It will just be the kids and me in the car for about six hours (ONE WAY), so if you're hanging around Seattle this weekend, you're definitely getting the better end of the deal. Anyone want to meet for lunch in Othello at the Burger King around  Read more...

Bringing the Olympic spirit home to your preschooler.

by Bethany Dunn

August 20, 2008

I believe my own personal fascination with the Olympic Games (particularly the Summer Games) began in 1984; as I watched my hero, Mary LouRetton , win the first ever gold medal in women's gymnastics for the United States. I'm not sure if it was the flag themed leotard, her numerous perfect tens, or Bela Karolyi yelling from the sidelines; but, MAN, I was hooked. (Gosh, do you remember  Read more...

Top 5 places to see fish in Seattle.

by Bethany Dunn

August 19, 2008

Our water journey continues during the month of August here at Seattle Savvy Source. This month, we've examined the best beaches in all of (greater) Seattle and the best places to learn to swim . Now we'll venture further out: to the oceans and the seas. Where, oh, where might we see the creatures that fill our ocean and our many lakes? Here's the top five water-life experiences for you and  Read more...

What will you be doing this weekend? Here's your guide!

by Bethany Dunn

August 07, 2008

The summer weekends keep rolling ahead - one of the great things about living in the great Pacific Northwest is that summer (while late to start) really keeps going deep into August and September. And, lucky for us, that means many more weekends filled with fun summer activities. Here's your weekend guide. Picky eaters? Head to the Taste of Edmonds , where there is sure to be something to  Read more...

Gearing up for another summer weekend.

by Bethany Dunn

August 01, 2008

No worries, friends, Thursday's rain was just a minor blip on our screen as we look forward to the weekend. (Okay, okay, there's a small chance of rain on Friday, but I'll believe it when I see it.) I even took my own advice and let the kids splash away in the afternoon rain puddles. Got plans for the weekend? Here are some events to help fill your calendar. Judkins Park in Seattle will be  Read more...

How to get the most out of your ventures out around town.

by Bethany Dunn

July 28, 2008

Here at Seattle Savvy Source, we have this habit of sending you all over town and the greater Puget Sound region: to museums, festivals, events and your very own back yard. And, for the most part, you can just pack up your preschooler and be on your way. But could some of these activities be enhanced by a little pre-planning? With a little extra work on your part, you can make your next  Read more...

Gearing up for the weekend: are you ready?

by Bethany Dunn

July 17, 2008

I realize that I keep saying this OVER and OVER, but isn't this weather FANTASTIC? You can tell that we're deep into the month of July because there are so many events this weekend that are PERFECT for families with young children. So, take a look, there's sure to be something to please you and your preschooler. As for us, we'll be at the Shoreline Solar Fest - rumor has it, they'll get  Read more...

Hitting it out of the park (Safeco Field, that is) with your preschooler.

by Bethany Dunn

July 16, 2008

Now that you know the grand history of Safeco Field , let's get down to the business at hand: how to make the most of your visit to Safeco Field with your preschooler. My husband and I have been to the field a handful of times with our kids; this includes the time he took 9-month-old Bubba just long enough to get the Ichiro bobblehead , then came back outside to hand him over to me to  Read more...

Things you must do with your children in Seattle before they grow up, Vol. 3.

by Bethany Dunn

July 14, 2008

Our journey to develop a list of the 100 things you must do with your children in Seattle before they grow up continues here with 11-15. In volumes 1 and 2 , we covered everything from the Fremont Troll to the Daffodil Parade. What fun will greet you in this edition? Take a look: 11. See a Mariner's game first hand. They might not be in the run for the pennant this year, but Safeco Field has  Read more...

Layover Lifesavers: A Preschooler's Guide to the SeaTac Airport.

by Bethany Dunn

July 02, 2008

With the kids out of school for summer, it's the perfect time for travel. However, just like the high price of gas has upped the cost of most everything we purchase, it has also affected the airline industry. Ticket prices are higher; and you can expect your flights to be fuller and your in-flight time to be longer; all in the hope of saving some money for the airline. For travelers with  Read more...

Budding art critic: how to make the Seattle Art Museum come alive for your children.

by Bethany Dunn

June 02, 2008

You don't need to wait until your kids are school aged and reading to introduce them to art museums. There are great ways to enjoy the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) with children. The first step is to go to their website and click on "Kids & Families" under the "Programs" tab. There you will find a calender that lists all the children and family activities that are taking place at SAM.  Read more...

Things you must do with your children in Seattle before they grow up.

by Bethany Dunn

May 29, 2008

Since I grew up in Portland, I love that I am learning and exploring the Seattle area for the first time right along with my kids. There is always some attraction or activity to venture out to. In this series of posts, I'll be sharing my ideas on the 100 things to do in Seattle (and the greater Puget Sound region) with your children before they grow up in Seattle. Here are the first five  Read more...

The littlest Picasso: introducing fine art to your young children

by Bethany Dunn

May 15, 2008

When your children's art projects consist of finger paints and macaroni noodles, you may think they are too young to appreciate "real" art. But, actually, 2-4 years of age is a perfect time to do so. Even if you don't know anything about art (me!), you can help expand you and your children's knowledge at the same time. Visit your local library and check out children's art books . Some  Read more...

More of Our Favorite Activities and Things to Do in seattle

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Creatures & Critters:
Our Urban Jungle

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Do, Re, Mi! Places to Hear, Sing & Play a Tune

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Artistic Endeavors:
Our Favorite Art Venues

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Room to Run:
Run, Jump & Wiggle Outdoors

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Rainy & Quiet Days:
Cozy & Crazy Indoor Fun

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A Sense of History:
Our City's Stories

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Splash, Spray, Play! Local Spots to Get Wet

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The Most Fun in Life Is Free!

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The Best of... Our Top Can't-Live-Without Spots

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Angie McDonald, Bethany Dunn

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