31 Affordable Spring (and Spring Break) Adventures for Seattle Families

Looking for ideas for exploring our fickle Puget Sound spring during spring break or beyond? Here are 18 ideas  — some rainproof, some not. Also see our our calendar for more spring fun, and it's not too late to book a spring break camp! Do something spring-break special 1. Bounce at the Whirligig

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Camping Planner: Book Now to Get the Best Washington State Campsites This Summer

Remember the spontaneous camping trip? You’d wake up, have a yearning for fresh mountain air, pack the gear into the trunk and just go. The problem is, if you attempt that on a summer Saturday nowadays you might be going a lot further than you’d planned, stopping to check each and every campground f

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6 Winter Wildlife Adventures for Seattle-Area Kids and Families

When January arrives, many families flock north to the Skagit River to see wintering populations of bald eagles. But, while magnificent, the eagles are just the start of the opportunities to see native Washington wildlife in the winter. Here are six other adventures you can enjoy from January to May

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8 Tips for Teaching Kids to Skate

It's winter break -- prime time for bringing little ones for their first spin in an ice rink, either one of the holiday rinks or one of the indoor rinks that operate year-round (see our list for where to go). But what's your strategy for helping them learn without breaking your back? Here are some

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Where We Loved to Play in 2012: Favorite Outings for Seattle Kids and Families

1. Jetty Island, Everett We want more of these: The park, indoor play space, beach, pool that you can visit over and over again kids and never get bored. So in search, of new best-kept secrets, we asked Facebook readers about the gems they discovered in 2012. The most-cited, not surprisingly, was

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Top Places to Go Sledding for Seattle-Area Kids and Families

It's raining in town, which means there's snow in the mountains! Here are four great places to enjoy the simple pleasures of  sliding down a hill. (See also our guides on skiing and snowshoeing,) And if you have other sledding tips, please post below in comments or email emurray@parentmap.com. 1. H

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Get Out and Explore: How to Grow an Adventurous Eater, Part 3

This is the third article in a series; see also: Cooking with Kids, Create a Kids’ Tasting Menu and Get Into Ethnic Food. Another technique for building adventurous eaters is to try to get out more and explore the world of food with them. Keep your eyes open for opportunities to try different foods

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Fall Family Travel Guide

  Get Outta Town!You don’t have to break into your child’s piggy bank to be able to get away this fall. With some planning, you can take advantage of some of western Washington’s most unusual, interesting, beautiful, and affordable (see our rustic retreats article) travel options. From low-key lea

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