Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in seattle, WA

Gardening WIth Your Preschooler

by Bethany Dunn

May 04, 2009

When it comes to things of nature, landscape and garden; I am a true novice. I barely know what common names are for plants, let alone their scientific plant names.

However, I generally know what I like and what I don't like; and can do an adequate enough job reading the plant descriptions to pick out what I need. And, thrn sometimes they thrive and sometimes they don't.

Either way, my children always want to help me find out. Your preschooler, too, is the prefect age get started in the garden - here's how.

Get child sized tools. More than just gloves to keep them (partially) clean, it helps to reinforce that we all need the right protections for certain jobs.

Let 'em help!  My kids always want to help; which, as you probably have guessed, is NOT always helpful. But we have a number of outdoor yard tasks they are great at - mostly those that we make fun. They like to "shoot hoops" with pine cones they find in the yard into the yard debris container and jump in leaf piles (oh wait, that last one's not that helpful).

If they are helping you plant, choose a few fast growing plants. Patience is not a always a virtue of preschoolers, this way you'll have something (quickly) to show for all your hard work.

Give them an area that's all theirs.  No reminding them not to dig up a flower here! Give them their own space where they can do no wrong.

No space for a garden? Think container gardening.  You won't need much - a big pot, some plants, and soil. The fun is still the same.

And remember, the real goal is to get out and spend time together; so get on out there!  Read more...

Seattle's year-round farmers' markets

by Angie McDonald

March 10, 2009

One of the things that's great about Seattle in March as opposed to, say, the frigid Midwest, is that you can find farmers' markets that are up and running. You won't get local berries or broccoli this time of year (you'll have to wait a few more months for those), but you can find root vegetables, artisan breads, meat, flowers and, in some cases, arts and crafts to fulfill your jones for locally-grown and made goodies. 

Farmers' markets are also a great way to expose your young 'uns to what's fresh and nearby. Good for Washington farmers and good for the earth too.

My kids love going to the Ballard Farmer's Market every Sunday, picking out produce we need for the week, indulging in a few honey sticks and noshing on hot dogs or pizza baked on the spot in an outdoor oven.

Give your kids a taste of what's local and just-picked by visiting these area markets.

Ballard Sunday Market, 10am to 3pm, year round. On Ballard Avenue.

The Fremont Market, Sundays 10am to 4pm, year round. On North 34th Street.

The University District Market, Saturdays, 9am to 2 pm, year round. On the corner of University Way and NE 50th.

The West Seattle Market, Saturdays, 10am to 2pm, year round. At California Ave. SW and SW Alaska.

And then, of course, there's the granddaddy market of them all (which isn't to say it's better, but bigger and more famous) Pike Place. Monday thru Saturday, 10am to 6pm and Sunday, 11am to 5pm. Year round.

Introduction to the Official State of Washington Flower.

by Bethany Dunn

November 14, 2008

After we married I moved into my husband's home in Des Moines (Washington, natch). Our property (just 7,200 square feet) held twenty-seven rhododendron plants. Let me repeat that: TWENTY-SEVEN RHODODENDRON PLANTS. I did a little bit of research on rhododendrons and quickly discovered the they are the official flower of the State of Washington, and apparently, our property held an official  Read more...

Warning! Another fantastic weekend ahead!

by Bethany Dunn

September 11, 2008

I'm happy to report that my family has settled into our new kindergarten and preschool routine. Both a plus and a minus of kindergarten is that my son comes home EXHAUSTED; not only is he not napping anymore, but the class schedule is much more grueling (if that can be said about the lesson plan for a five year old) than preschool was. So our night routine is basically: come home, make and  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...