It’s that time of year again. You know, the one season that seems to stretch on forever with rain and gray. It’s dark, it’s wet, and we parents — not to mention the kids — start itching for a change of scenery.

Don’t despair! We’ve gathered 50 outings that are perfect for a rainy day. We hope will inspire you to try something new! Some are area standards; others are new kids on the activity block. And we couldn’t resist throwing in a couple of rainy day outings that are technically for grownups but include fun for the kiddos. (We love that.) Check out our calendar for much more indoor fun!

1. West Seattle Bowl in Seattle. Retro-cool colors, good interior design and recycled flooring bump these lanes up to luxe. On Sundays you can bowl at a special family price.

2. Mountlake Terrace pool and Lynwood Pool. Seattle residents: Yes, it’s worth the drive to the North End. Both pools have lazy rivers and water slides. And if you just want a short swim (perfect for toddlers) you can take advantage of Mountlake Terrace's $2 "Happy Hour" swims.

3. Alderwood Mall play area in Lynnwood. Another reason to head north: The kids’ area was upgraded in December 2007 and now sports shiny new play equipment. It’s free and open during mall hours.

4. Twirl Cafe in Seattle. Sit back and drink a latte (or sip a glass of wine on their "Whine Wednesdays") while your child enjoys open play time in the play room or space to run around in the upstairs multipurpose room. Twirl Cafe offers a full, kid-friendly cafe menu, supervised play times for when mama needs a break and monthly classes and activities.

5. Orange Blossom Society in Redmond. Housed in a three-story craftsman in downtown Redmond, Orange Blossom Society offers up a wide variety of activities for children and parents. Check their calendar for open play, yoga, tumbling, arts & crafts times and much more. Though you don't have to have one to get in the door, annual memberships feature low rates, discounts and unlimited open play.

6. Archie McPhee in Seattle. The emporium of odd -- which moved in June, 2009 from Ballard to Wallingford -- is just the place for a shot of winter silly — and the kids can take home weird toy treasures that won’t break the bank.

7. Tot Spot Cafe in Woodinville. Whether you're looking for some weekday open play or some weekend family fun, Tot Spot Cafe has got you covered! Enjoy a healthy meal in the cafe, half-priced rates for infants each Monday, playgroups, evening parent education classes and much more.

8. Discovery Village in Gig Harbor. Drop in for some hands-on learning fun, a kid-friendly cafe with healthy eats and five main play exhibits for various age groups. Discovery Village also offers weekly events, including story and art times.

9. Great Play in Redmond and Kenmore. Drizzle got you down? Work off that extra energy during open gym and other various physical classes offered. Programs are age-appropriate for children ages six months and up.

10. Uwajimaya in Seattle. A trip to the flagship Seattle store in the International District can be a cheap date or an all-out rainy day shopping trip. Snack on bubble tea and noodles; browse manga and Hello Kitty! doodads; and wander aisles stocked with a staggering selection of fruits, vegetables and snacks from Japan and other Asian countries.

11. Creation Station in Lynnwood. Drop by during open hours for a crafting session that uses castoff industrial doodads and whatsits. If you come with a group of five or more, reservations are a must.

12. Adventure Kids Playcare in Issaquah. Finish up your daily errands while your kids enjoy indoor activities such as air hockey, open play, arts & crafts, storytime, computer games, a karaoke stage (!), and oh, so much more. There's a special area for infants and toddlers; check the calendar for upcoming special events.

13. Kids ‘N’ Clay Pottery Studio in Lynnwood. During wet-clay open hours, kids can get their hands dirty and experiment with wheel throwing, hand building and painting.

14. Crossroads Play & Learn in Bellevue. Art, stories, games — lots of good stuff here for kids ages 2-5 and a caregiver during the free drop-in activity time near the Crossroads Bellevue stage. Wednesdays, 10-11:30 a.m.

15. Mosaic Coffeehouse in Wallingford. This unique community coffeehouse, housed in the basement of a church, offers good coffee and snacks, only charges you what you can afford, and offers a complete playroom outfitted with a train table, books, toys and more.

16. Vios in two Seattle locations: Vios -- a pair of Greek cafes in Ravenna and Capitol Hill -- has reached star status among Seattle parents, featuring super play areas, excellent coffee, snacks and food and an atmosphere that immediately puts families at ease. The Ravenna location is open early for coffee and breakfast and has the extra benefit of being housed in Third Place Books.

17. The Nest in Woodinville. Need to run some errands? Drop off the kiddos for some arts & crafts, music, movement and age-appropriate open play while you finish up your daily chores. Check the events calendar for featured daily activities and what's in store for your tot's play day.

18. Mockingbird Books in Seattle's Green Lake neighborhood. Mockingbird Books has an 11 a.m. story-time every day (except Sunday), train table, puzzles, a wonderful selection of books -- plus good coffee and adult books so you can sneak a few minutes of perusing in while your kids play.

Baby-friendly movies
Enjoy a first-run movie with people who won’t give you "The Look" if your baby starts to fuss:

19. Baby’s Day at the Movies in Kirkland. Plays every other Friday at 9:45 a.m. (doors at 9:15 a.m.) at Kirkland Park Place.

20. "Cry rooms" at three Landmark Theatre cinemas in Seattle. Show up early enough to grab the first-come, first-serve "cry room" seats at the Guild 45th, the Varsity or the Metro. And here's a handy blog post on how to game the Landmark phone system to figure out what's playing in each cry room. 

21. Lincoln Square Cinemas in Bellevue. Catch a Mother's Day film every Thursday at 10 a.m. with your baby! Bring your stroller and see new films with fellow infant mothers. All shows are presented with lowered sound and the lights a little brighter. Check the website for upcoming featured films.

Bounce Houses
Kids love ‘em because they get to go wild and crazy. We love ‘em because they deliver exhausted children. Bounce houses are big fun - especially on a rainy day. Click on the each link for the current schedule.

22. 3-2-1 Bounce in Bellevue and Everett. The bounce-house play space offers weekly playgroups and drop-in play sessions with activities including bounce houses, air hockey and physical activity.

23. Jump Planet in Bothell. Open play time at this bouncy emporium happens three times per week for kids of different ages.

24. Kidz Bounce in Issaquah. A large play area and many weekday drop-in times make this a popular destination for Eastside kids ages 2-10.

25. Arena Sports in Redmond and Seattle. At the Fun Zone Indoor Inflatable Playground kids can drop by and explore large inflatables, make new friends and bounce their hearts out.

26. Pump it Up in Kirkland and Lynnwood. Voted as the "Best place for a birthday party" in our "Best of 2010: Giggles, grub and gotta-haves" article last year, Pump it Up offers pop-in playtime Tuesday-Thursday and monthly special events for both children and families.

More Outings
27. Bellevue Skate King in Bellevue. The interior is a bit worn, and the floor isn’t the shiny maple found elsewhere, but we love this roller rink because it’s so kid-friendly. A DJ spins positive tunes during the 10-and-younger skate on Saturdays and family skates on Sundays (discounted admission). Saturday evenings feature disco music and lowered prices.

28. Castle Ice Arena in Renton. Hit the ice Monday-Friday during public skate with your tot! Check out the family skate specials and the calendar for special family-friendly events.

29. Seattle Bug Safari in Seattle. With over 50 different species of insects, spiders, millipedes and scorpions, there is much to excite your little critter lovers at the Seattle Bug Safari. Check the calendar before your visit -- reduced weekday hours are subject to change.

30. Julep Nail Parlor in Seattle. Sometimes a mama just needs a manicure. On Mommy Mondays at Julep Nail Parlor near University Village, you can relax and get your nails shined up while your kids get a “Junior Mint Julep” treatment, listen to stories and play with toys under the supervision of a child-care worker.

31. Space to Create in Seattle. This small, light-filled Ballard studio, located in a green-painted brick building in one of those funky Seattle business districts you’d never find if you didn’t know the name, offers open studio times for preschoolers and/or elementary-age kids.

32. Glazed & Amazed in Edmonds. Skip the rainy day boredom and try your hand at painting your own pottery with your little one. Check the calendar and monthly promotions for daily discounts and family-friendly activities.

33. Dizzy’s Bus Stop in Belleuve. The play space (decorated with a bright bus theme) hosts drop-off playtimes for children ages 18 months to 6 years. You get to run errands or go shopping, while your cooped-up darlings stretch their legs at Bus Stop & Go: up to three hours of play arts and crafts, snacks, stories and other kid fun. You can also stay with your kids in the Park & Play programs. The schedule changes monthly, so look online for up-to-date times and prices.

34. Blue Highway Games in Seattle. Drop by the quiet game shop on the top of Queen Anne any time during open hours and play a game or two (or three) from its extensive game library for all ages, from “Killer Bunnies” to “Apples to Apples, Jr.” The store hosts a Pokemon league and board-game nights, too. Free.

35. Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. Download a rainy day map so you can hit all of the zoo’s indoor exhibits if it pours. Don’t let the weather deter you from visiting; we love the zoo in the off season, when crowds dwindle and admission prices drop.

36. SyKart Indoor Racing Center in Tukwila. Got a speed racer on your hands? Children ages 8 and up will love taking a couple spins around the go-kart track with their friends or daring mama. Open Monday-Sunday, SyKart features a basic driving school course each weekend and a junior racing program for the kids who are more comfortable operating (and racing) a go-kart.

37. The Moonpaper Tent in Seattle. Drop in on a Tuesday or Wednesday for open studio activities such as story time, art, theatre play and fun adventures led by instructors. Wednesdays also feature drop-off play dates, where parents can step out to finish up their daily chores while their children enjoy plenty of rain-free fun.

38. Central Library in Seattle. Explore the Central Library's endless stacks, take in the view from the top floor or relax during a story time, Tuesday-Thursday mornings. There's much to love about the downtown Seattle library; even if you are just climbing the stairs to the top.

Museums kids love
39. Pacific Science Center in Seattle. When the cloud cover is thick, there’s nothing like getting an eyeful of the starry night sky in the Willard Planetarium. Daily shows are for kids ages 4 and older.

40. Bellevue Arts Museum in Bellevue. Plenty of monthly events including craft activities, demonstrations, family days, free student days, teen workshops and family movie nights at the museum.

41. The Burke Museum in Seattle. Wander through a hands-on exhibit that traces Washington state’s past natural history and check out the “oh wow” mastodon skeleton.

42. Seattle Aquarium in Seattle. Seals, tidepools, octupus-feeding, starfish-touching: The Aquarium is incredibly dependable as a source of indoor fun and learning for babies and older kids alike.

43. Museum of Flight in Seattle. Take a spin in a two-seat flight simulator or tour a real Concorde and other iconic aircraft in the Airpark.

44. Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma. Camels and otters and penguins, oh my! Skip the rain and spend the day with your favorite zoo critters. Check out the website for a variety of kid and family weekly programs that include activities such as art, science and learning about the zoo's animals.

45. The Children’s Museum, Seattle in Seattle. It’s worth the admission fee at The Children’s Museum, Seattle, just to hang out for awhile in the Imagination Studio. You’ll find well-organized, well-stocked art stations here: clay play, recycled-materials sculptures, metal embossing and other projects. Plus, pay-as-you-can for the last hour each day.

46. Children's Museum of Tacoma in Tacoma. Tacoma's kids' museum has a warm and modern new home, creative Playspaces, and an attractive pricing policy -- pay as you can on any day.

47. Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett. In the museum’s small-scale wildlife clinic, your future vet can care for “wild” stuffed animals, remove them from realistic looking kennels, and other cool doctor-type stuff.

48. KidsQuest Children’s Museum in Bellevue. KidsQuest offers several themed activity days per month — think “Penguin Day,” “Opposite Day” and “Chinese New Year” — during which visitors are treated to stories, crafts and fun facts.

49. Seattle Art Museum in Seattle. The museum’s entry hall features real cars, hung from the ceiling, that seem to be catapulting through the space. Don’t miss the Art Ladder, located in the south building, which features kid-friendly art installations. Another draw for families is the refurbished children’s play area, the Knudsen Family Room on the third floor. This quiet nook, with windows that look down on a busy streetscape, is beautifully designed and filled with outstanding play and educational materials for kids.

50. KiDiMu in Bainbridge Island. Beat the rain and take in a variety of hands-on learning exhibits, including the pirate tree house, art studio, science hall and totally tot activities. Open Tuesday-Sunday, KiDiMu also offers summer camps and monthly family-friendly events.

Kris Collingridge is ParentMap's Out and About editor.