Bring your toddler on an adventure of books and the outdoors! Toddler Tales & Trails starts with story time in the upstairs classroom, followed by a guided nature walk in the park. The walk has a difficulty level of easy and is less than one mile in length. Because this walk is on unpaved ground, stroller access is difficult. Toddler Tales & Trails occurs regularly every other Saturday (July 11 and 25). Date: 07/11/2009 - 07/25/2009 Time: Every other Saturday 11 a.m.-noon
Location:Seward Park Environmental and Audubon Center, Seattle | Map It Ages: Ages 1.5-5 Cost: $2-$4, ages 4 and under free
Event Info: 206-652-2444 | Web site | email
Toddler Tales & Trails
Bring your toddler on an adventure of books and the outdoors! Toddler Tales & Trails starts with story time in the upstairs classroom, followed by a guided nature walk in the park. The walk has a difficulty level of easy and is less than one mile in length. Because this walk is on unpaved ground, stroller access is difficult. Toddler Tales & Trails occurs regularly every other Saturday (Aug. 8 and 22). Date: 08/08/2009 - 08/22/2009 Time: Every other Saturday 11 a.m.-noon
Location:Seward Park Environmental and Audubon Center, Seattle | Map It Ages: Ages 1.5-5 Cost: $2-$4, ages 4 and under free
Event Info: 206-652-2444 | Web site | email
Exhibitions
Kewpie Turns 100!
The Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art is celebrating Kewpie's 100th birthday with a special exhibit featuring everything Kewpie. The museum store will stock books about Kewpie and its creator, Rose O'Neill. Date: 04/15/2009 - 08/08/2009 Time: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 1-5 p.m. Location:Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art, Bellevue | Map It Ages: All ages Cost: $5-$8 Event Info: 425-455-1116 | Web site | email
A Few of My Favorite Things
Submitted by Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art
This exhibit features some of Rosalie Whyel’s favorites from her collection, most of which have never been shown at the museum before. A wide range of items -- dolls, books, clothing, miniatures and more -- will be on display in the changing gallery. Rosalie will also unveil a new acquisition to museum members during the private gallery opening the evening of May 29 and at the public opening on May 30 at 10 a.m.. Date: 05/30/2009 - 10/25/2009 Time: Mondays-Saturdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sundays 1-5 p.m. Location:Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art, Bellevue | Map It Ages: All ages Cost: $8, seniors $7, ages 5 and up $5, ages 4 and under free Event Info: 425-455-1116 | Web site | email
Dale Chihuly: The Laguna Murano Chandelier
Chihuly's masterful five-piece installation, in collaboration with Italian glass artists Lino Tagliapietra and Pino Signoretto, showcases a 1,500 square foot chandelier modeling a lagoon crawling with sea creatures and plant life. Date: 09/14/2008 - 09/30/2009 Time: During Museum hours Location:Museum of Glass, Tacoma | Map It Ages: All ages Cost: Free with Museum admission Event Info: 253-284-4750 | Web site
Festivals and Fairs
"Disney's A Christmas Carol" Train Tour
A free behind-the-scenes look at the magic, the spectacle and cutting-edge technology of the all-new motion picture, Disney's A Christmas Carol. Catch a sneak peek of the film and take a look in our state-of the-art Digital 3-D Theater. Original artifacts from the Charles Dickens Museum in London will be on hand. See concept art, models, costumes, carolers, snow and much more! Held at King Street Station, Seattle. Date: 07/03/2009 - 07/05/2009 Time: Friday-Saturday 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
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Location: 303 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA 98104 | Map It Ages: All ages Cost: Free Event Info: 818-567-5524 | Web site
Pacific Northwest Black Community Festival
The festival in Judkins Park includes music, food and arts and crafts for the kids. Date: 07/03/2009 - 07/05/2009 Time: Friday-Sunday noon-9 p.m. Location: 2150 S. Norman St., Seattle, WA 98144 | Map It Ages: All ages Cost: Free admission Event Info:Web site
Fourth of July Weekend Farm Celebration
Celebrate the Fourth of July weekend at lovely South 47 with storytelling, wagon rides and farm animals on view, plus seasonal fruits and veggies you can pick yourself or buy from the farm stand. On Saturday, wear your most patriotic costume for a costume contest (judging at 1 p.m.); on Sunday, kids can take part in a scavenger hunt at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. Date: 07/04/2009 - 07/05/2009 Time: Saturday, Sunday 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Location:South 47 Farm, Redmond | Map It Ages: All ages Cost: Free admission; crop prices vary Event Info: 425-869-9777 | Web site
Lake Union Wooden Boat Festival
The 33rd annual Fourth of July weekend waterfront festival celebrates maritime culture with toy boat building, boat rides and races, food, stories, music, model boat-sailing and many other activities designed to foster appreciation for classic wooden boats. It's a ton of fun, but take the bus or your bikes -- parking will be difficult. Date: 07/04/2009 - 07/05/2009 Time: Saturday, Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Location:Center for Wooden Boats, Seattle | Map It Ages: All ages Cost: Free Event Info: 206-382-2628 | Web site
Pioneer Square Fire Festival
Families can enjoy a variety of activities including the Firefighter Combat Challenge, a kids' area where children can dress up like firefighters and run through an inflatable obstacle course), and an antique fire truck display by the Last Resort Fire Department. Occidental Square, Occidental Avenue South and South Main Street. Date: 07/10/2009 - 07/11/2009 Time: Friday, Saturday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Ages: All ages Cost: Free Event Info: 206-652-5027
7th Annual Vashon Island Lavender Tour
Submitted by Dee Simon
Celebrate the outdoors and the joy of lavender at Fox Farm on Vashon! Live music, Northwest food enhanced by lavender and a relaxing atmosphere make this a fun weekend destination. Workshops include how to make a lavender wreath, cooking with lavender, and discover the many uses of lavender in the home and more. Children will have fun with face painting and crafts. Purchase plants for your home garden, wander the fields and pick your own fresh cut lavender. Northwest artists display their work. Visitors arriving on bicycles will get a safe place to lock-up and a free gift. Proceeds benefit Sustainable Vashon to encourage solar energy use. Date: 07/11/2009 - 07/12/2009 Time: Saturday, Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Location: 17232 107th Ave. S.W., Vashon Island, WA 98070 | Map It Ages: All ages Cost: $5, children free Event Info: 206- 408-7126 | Web site | email
Bon Odori Japanese Festival
Submitted by Merilee Tanbara
Join the Tacoma Buddhist Temple for Bon Odori, an outdoor festival celebrating Japanese culture. Features Japanese folk dancers in traditional kimono attire, Taiko drum performances and a memorial with floating candles in a Japanese garden. Delicious Japanese cuisine as well: teriyaki, sno-cones, somen noodles, barazushi, Spam musubi and more! Date: 07/11/2009 Time: 5-9 p.m. Location: 1717 S. Fawcett Ave., Tacoma, WA 98402 | Map It Ages: All ages Cost: Free Event Info: 253-627-1417 | Web site | email
Family Day: Spring Spectacular
Join Tlingit artist and storyteller Miranda Belarde-Lewis for a reading from her book, "Meet Lydia: A Native Girl from Southeast Alaska," and make a family crest regalia. Native American violinist, storyteller and poet Swil Kanim performs at 1 p.m., and the Northern Star Dancers perform at 3 p.m. Museum admission is free today. Date: 07/11/2009 Time: 1-4 p.m. Location:Museum of Glass, Tacoma | Map It Ages: All ages Cost: Free Event Info: 866-4MU-SEUM | Web site
Mercer Island Summer Celebration
Mercer Island's Seafair celebration includes a fireworks party at Luther Burbank Park on Saturday night (about 10:15 p.m.), plus a street fair , entertainment, and activities at Town Center and Mercerdale Park. Kids' fun includes performances by Carter Family Marionettes, magician Steffan Soule and Valentine's Performing Pigs, and arts and crafts. Festivities kick off Saturday with a parade at 10 a.m.; Sunday gets started with a pancake breakfast, 8 a.m.-noon, near the Recycle Center. Click on the link for a full schedule. Date: 07/11/2009 - 07/12/2009 Time: Saturday 8 a.m.-10:30p.m., Sunday 8 a.m.-5:15 p.m.
Ages: All ages Cost: Most events free Event Info:Web site
Viking Days
The museum's annual celebration of all things Nordic includes a Swedish pancake breakfast ($6-$10, Saturday, Sunday 9 a.m.-noon) , traditional Nordic foods, music and dance, a Viking encampment (with battle re-enactments), and more. Date: 07/11/2009 - 07/12/2009 Time: Saturday, Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Location:Nordic Heritage Museum, Seattle | Map It Ages: All ages Cost: Free admission to festival and museum Event Info: 206-789-5707 | Web site
Wildlife Festival
Submitted by Kim Young
Don't miss the third annual Wildlife Festival, featuring live bands and entertainment, food, children's activities, balloon artists, face-painting, story-tellers, vendors and conservation organizations and much, much more! Limited overnight camping is available for $25 (four-person site) -- reserve your spot now online. Date: 07/11/2009 Time: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Location:Wolf Haven International, Tenino | Map It Ages: All ages Cost: Free admission. Sanctuary tours $5. Event Info: 800-448-WOLF, Ext. 217 | Web site | email
Auburn's ArtRageous: Artists in Action Arts Fair
Submitted by maija mcknight
Experience art through artist-led demonstrations and hands-on activities! Visitors of all ages can interact with professional artists presenting demonstrations in a variety of art media, from painting to woodworking, and offering related hands-on activities. Art will also be offered for sale. While the festival is focused on fine arts, ArtRageous is also a family friendly event. In addition to the various hands-on art activities, attendees can take advantage of lunch items and ice cream sundaes for sale, face painting, all with the Les Gove Spray Park within easy reach. Date: 07/25/2009 Time: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Location:Les Gove Park, Auburn | Map It Ages: All ages Cost: Free Event Info: 253-931-3043 | Web site | email
Bainbridge Bluegrass Festival and Family Fun Fair
A one-day family music festival and fundraiser for the historic Transmitter Building in the park. Enjoy bluegrass music and a family fun fair that includes children's games, merchant booths and a bonus stage with special music for children. The park also has a walking trail, duck pond and the popular KidsUp! Playground. Located at Battle Point Park, 11299 Arrow Point Drive N.E., Bainbridge Island. Date: 07/25/2009 Time: Noon-8 p.m. Ages: All ages Cost: Families $15 Event Info:Web site
In the Spirit: Contemporary Northwest Native Arts Market & Festival
In conjunction with the In The Spirit exhibit, local tribes gather to provide a sampling of arts and crafts, dancing, storytelling and more. Watch demos of traditional artwork like weaving, carving and beading. Date: 08/08/2009 - 08/09/2009 Time: Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday noon-5 p.m. Location:Washington State History Museum, Tacoma | Map It Ages: All ages Cost: Free Event Info: 253-272-3500 | Web site
Fishermen's Fall Festival
Submitted by Terri Hutyler
The 21st Annual Fishermen’s Fall Festival is a free event celebrating our local fishing fleet. All proceeds directly benefit the Seattle Fishermen’s Memorial and their efforts to honor the local fishing community and their families. The Fishermen’s Fall Festival will feature industry-related exhibits and competitions, fundraising salmon barbecue, children’s activities including an appearance by J.P. Patches, and musical entertainment. Date: 09/26/2009 Time: 11 a.m.-dusk Location: Fishermen's Terminal, 1900 W. Nickerson, Seattle, WA 98119 | Map It Ages: All ages Cost: Free Event Info: 206-283-4665 | Web site | email
Films
Click! Family Flicks
Submitted by Rachel Marecle
Cable T.V. and The Grand Cinema are proud to present Shrek (Jul. 18) and Willa Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (Aug. 15) for free to the first 100 guests. Date: 07/18/2009 - 08/15/2009 Time: Third Saturdays 10 a.m. Location: 606 S. Fawcett, Tacoma, WA 98446 | Map It Ages: All Cost: Free Event Info: 253-572-6062 | Web site | email
Get Moving
Covington Public and Family Swim
Take a dip at open swim or come for family time (Saturdays and Sundays, from noon-1 p.m; admission for the entire family is $8.25 for non-residents or $7.50 for residents). Date: 02/23/2009 - 12/31/2009 Time: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays noon-1 p.m.; Tuesdays, Thursdays noon-1 p.m. and 7-8 p.m.; Saturdays noon-3 p.m.; Sundays noon-2 p.m. Location: 18230 S.E. 240th St., Covington, WA 98042 | Map It Ages: All ages Cost: Residents $2.25; non-residents $2.50; ages 4 and under free Event Info: 425-413-POOL | Web site
Canoe Mercer Slough
See Mercer Slough Nature Park from low on the water, and find out how this wetland ecosystem works. It's a four-mile paddle that begins and ends at Enatai Beach Park in Bellevue. Call Mercer Slough EEC to register. Date: 05/02/2009 - 09/26/2009 Time: Saturdays 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Location:Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center, Bellevue | Map It Ages: Ages 5 and up Cost: $12, non-residents $14 Event Info: 425-452-2565 | Web site
Camel Rides!
Camels! All summer long, visitors can climb on the backs of Ruby, Duma or Mojave, dromedaries from Australia (one is a dromedary/bactrian mix), for a ride. Up to three guests can ride on one camel. Date: 06/20/2009 - 09/01/2009 Time: Daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Location:Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, Tacoma | Map It Ages: All ages Cost: Admission plus $5/person Event Info: 253-404-3805 | Web site
Outdoor Open Swim
It's open swim time at outdoor Peter Kirk Pool! The pool warns that "unscheduled facility closures can occur with limited notice" -- so call ahead before showing up. 340 Kirkland Ave., Kirkland. Date: 06/21/2009 - 08/16/2009 Time: Daily 12:30-2 p.m., 2:10-3:40 p.m.; Mondays, Wednesdays 7:30-8:30 p.m.; Fridays-Sundays 3:50-5:20 p.m. Location:Peter Kirk Pool, Kirkland | Map It Ages: All ages Cost: $3 Event Info: 425-587-3335 | Web site
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