Updated July 2008

It’s that time of year again. You know, the one season that seems to stretch on forever. 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 33 outings that 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 outings that are technically for grownups but include fun for the kiddos. (We love that.)

1. West Seattle Bowl  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: $30 for two hours, shoe rentals for as many as six people, and a pitcher of soda. 206-932-3731, www.westseattlebowl.com

2. Mountlake Terrace pool  Seattle residents: Yes, it’s worth the drive to the North End. During open swim, kids can float down the gently moving lazy river, while tots hang out and play with the toys in the shallow leisure pool. $2.75-$4.50 (price break for residents). Schedule: 425-776-9173. www.ci.mountlake-terrace.wa.us

3. Alderwood Mall play area  The kids’ area was upgraded in December 2007 and now sports shiny new play equipment. It’s free and open during mall hours. 425-771-1121, www.alderwoodmall.com

4. Baby Power  Sparkling clean, colorful and full of large-motor-skill play equipment: Visit the Everett music and exercise center gym for a drop-in indoor play time (ages 1-6, $6/hour) or a gym plus craft session (ages 2-6, $8/hour). Visit www.babypower.com/everett or call 425-267-9100 for current drop-in times.

5. Archie McPhee  The Ballard emporium of odd 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. (Psst . . . there’s free parking.) 206-297-0240, www.mcphee.com

6. Uwajimaya  A trip to the flagship Seattle store in the International District can be a cheap date or an all-out 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. 206-624-6248, www.uwajimaya.com

7. Creation Station  Drop by the Lynnwood store 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. $5.95/person for two hours. 425-775-7959, www.creationstationinc.com

8. Kids ‘N’ Clay Pottery Studio  During wet-clay open hours, kids can get their hands dirty and experiment with wheel throwing, hand building and painting. $27 for two balls of clay. Monthly schedule: 425-673-CLAY, www.kidsnclay.com/lynnwood

9. Crossroads Play & Learn  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. www.crossroadsbellevue.com

Baby-friendly movies

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

10. Baby’s Day at the Movies plays every other Friday at 9:45 a.m. (doors at 9:15 a.m.) at Kirkland Park Place, $7, 2 and younger free, 425-827-9000, www.kirklandparkplace.com

11. Cry Baby Tuesdays: Independent movie house Columbia City Cinemas sets aside all Tuesday shows before 6 p.m. for parents and their little ones. $6. 206-721-3156, www.columbiacitycinema.com


More Outings

CLOSED 12. Urban Monkeys  On Fridays, drop by for an open gym — located in an airy space that’s oh so urban — that includes a bouncy house (11:30 a.m.-6 p.m.)! Parents supervise their kids, but if you go with backup, you can take turns getting an in-house massage while the kiddos play. For other open gym times, schedule tweaks, check www.urbanwellth.com, 206-262-9282.

13. Woodland Park Zoo  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. Visit www.zoo.org and point to “Admission Prices” from the center menu to find the map.

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.

14. 3-2-1 Bounce  The bounce-house play space — with locations in Bellevue and Everett — offers two drop-in play sessions per location. It’s $6 per child for ages 2 and older, and parents play for free. www.321bounce.com

15. Jump Planet  Open play time at this Bothell bouncy emporium happens three times per week for kids of different ages, $6 for first child, $5 for second. www.jump-planet.com

16. Kidz Bounce  A large play area and Monday-Thursday drop-in times make this a popular destination for Eastside kids ages 2-10. $6, parents and ages 2 and younger free. www.kidzbounce.com

17. Arena Sports  At the Fun Zone Indoor Inflatable Playground — with locations in Redmond, Magnuson Park and SoDo in Seattle — kids can drop by and explore large inflatables. $7/child for non-members, $5/child members www.arenasports.net


More Outings

18. Hush Baby story time  The swank Redmond children’s and maternity boutique (lattes and cookies for shoppers are on the house) hosts a unique, free story time every week. Seattle-based Moonpaper Tent brings in costumes and props for an interactive story time that overflows with Eastside moms and kids. Thursdays, 11 a.m. 425-558-3835, www.hushbabyredmond.com

19. Bellevue Skate King  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. Check prices, schedule: www.bellevueskateking.homestead.com, 425-641-2047.

20. The Spotted Cow  Hang out at this indie ice cream shop with a coffee or cone, fire up the laptop (free WiFi)  and relax for a few in the separate family area outfitted with a puppet theater, toys and books. In the new store, the play area is surrounded by a half-wall for more privacy. Two Mill Creek locations: Thomas Lake Center, 3414 132nd St. S.E. (425-337-8194); new store at Mill Creek Town Center, Bothell-Everett Highway and 153rd St. S.E. (425-357-9464). www.spottedcow.net

UPDATED 21. Scratch Patch  It’s the first store of its kind in the nation. Walk into Scratch Patch new, expanded digs near Green Lake, and notice that there are polished stones in all colors nearly covering the floor. Sit among the stones, dig through them and fish out what catches your eye, and repeat until you fill up a bag. Anyone who’s seen a child collecting pebbles at the beach will understand the appeal of this store — just supervise the tinies so they don’t try to swallow a mouthful of minerals. You don’t pay for the type of stones you’ve picked, only for as many as you can stuff into your chosen bag size (medium $8, large $15, two pound bag $25). The store sells stone identification cards that include a picture and region of origin, so kids can enjoy the beauty of the tumbled treasures — and know their proper names, too. Note: The store now charges a $2 admission fee to visitors who want to come in and play among the stones without buying a bag. If you buy a bag of stones, the admission fee is included in the price. Parents accompanying their kids also pay the fee. 206-523-6164, http://scratchpatchusa.com

22. Julep Nail Parlor  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. Call for costs and an appointment: 206-985-6644, or visit www.myjulep.com.

23. Space to Create  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 drop-in preschool craft times on Mondays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to noon (no session on Jan. 3). $12. 206-784-0401, www.spacetocreate.net

24. Dizzy’s Bus Stop  The play space (decorated with a bright bus theme and open since last summer in Bellevue) 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. One child $10, two children $18, three $25. 425-564-TBUS, www.dizzys-tumblebus.com/contactus.htm

25. Blue Highway Games  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. 206-282-0540, http://bluehighwaygames.com

Museums

26. Pacific Science Center  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. Check the schedule at www.pacsci.org/planetarium, 206-443-2920.

27. The Burke Museum  Wander through a hands-on exhibit that traces Washington state’s past natural history and check out the “oh wow” mastodon skeleton. 206-543-7907, www.washington.edu/burkemuseum

28. Seattle Aquarium Haven’t checked out the impressive, freshly opened Neah Bay-based exhibit, “Windows on Washington Waters,” yet? Now’s the time. 206-386-4300, www.seattleaquarium.org

29. Museum of Flight  Take a spin in a two-seat flight simulator ($8) or tour a real Concorde and other iconic aircraft in the Airpark. 206 -764-5720, www.museumofflight.org

30. The Children’s Museum, 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. 206-441-1768, www.thechildrensmuseum.org

31. Imagine Children’s Museum  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. 425-258-1006, http://imaginecm.org

32. KidsQuest Children’s Museum  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. Schedule: www.kidsquestmuseum.org/activities.php.

33. Seattle Art Museum  The museum’s new 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. 206-654-3100, www.seattleartmuseum.org.