Our 2012 Family Guide to Summer Fun
Filed under: Outings and activities Family travel Family fun
Summer family fun!
Bring the heat! We've rounded up a selection of must-read info and resources for your summertime pleasure. Read on for ways to save $$, find some fun, and create very happy little campers!
Arts and festivals
2012 guide to outdoor arts: Concerts, theater, and film throughout the Sound, and most won't cost you a penny.
2012 summer festival calendar: A dizzying array of local festivals that celebrate every corner of our quirky Northwest culture.
Affordable adventures
Summer mini-adventures from A to Z: A glossary of doable family outings with an agenda that’s fit for small fry, from outdoor art to Jetty Island to zoos and beyond.
12 summer adventures on the Eastside: From a new ravine adventure at Bellevue Botanical Garden to kidsbowlfree.com.
17 summer adventures on the South sound: Outdoor swimming, free summer concerts, miniature golf, letterboxing and more.
Summer fun on Jetty Island: Just a quick (and free!) ferry ride from downtown Everett is a two-mile-long gem of a beach.
Destination Edmonds: Five ways to explore our charming ferry town.
Destination Bellevue: A culturally rich, and really fun family destination.
Adventure Playground program: Kids build forts and tree houses with real tools.
Cheap thrills: Dozens of strategies for saving money this summer.
Outdoor fun
7 parks to discover in Seattle: Wonderful, lesser-known park finds.
U-pick berry picking: Nothing says summer like fresh-picked strawberries, raspberries, blueberries.
Family bike-riding basics: Our guide to a safe, wheely fun adventure.
Water play
Super spray parks: Our top picks for a splashing good time.
7 tips for fun beachcombing: Head to the beach on minus-tide days for low-tide learning.
Swimming how-tos: Helping your child take the plunge.
Water safety for young kids: How to keep 'em safe and you relaxed.
Let's go hiking and camping!
Car camping 101: All you need to know to get started, plus, the region's most kid-friendly campgrounds.
The foodie guide to great campground cuisine, plus the foodie's camp kitchen packing list.
Great summer hikes with kids: Two no-fail destinations, plus great summer hikes to wet destinations.
Family backpacking 101: How to play your first wilderness adventure
Summer eats
15 cool homemade treats for kids
All about camp
Summer camps. More than 250 camps listed, of all kinds and varieties.
Summer camp survival guide: Tons of resources and articles.
Overnight camp guide: Ready, set, camp! Is your child ready?
Summer learning
Avoid the summer reading slump
Keep summer learning fun: Four strategies to combine fun and play.
Great adventure books for summer: Swashbuckling and high seas
And more
Summertime boredom busters: A round-up of affordable fun toys that will keep your tots busy all summer long.
Guided tours: Fun and education summer fun, from candy to the Capitol.