Photo:
Credit: Alberto Casetta, Unsplash
It’s still the dead of winter, but at least we are gaining a few more precious minutes of daylight with each passing day. Spring is on the horizon! Sure, the weather is sodden, but suit up and get out there — kids don’t melt! We’ve rounded up a selection of favorite ideas for a fantastically fun February, rain or shine.
Celebrate the month of love with a Valentine’s stroll around Lake Sammamish State Park. Swoon over love poems displayed on a designated path through the park. Register early for a chance to win a gift from local shop Boehm’s Candies! Feb. 1–18.
Snow doesn’t have to be the center of attention for all winter adventures. A beautiful hike offers plenty of reasons to get out in the fresh winter air, including less crowded trails and more wildlife sightings.
Join ParentMap as we tap the brilliant minds of parenting experts for you, our community. Preregister and tune in for free virtual parent education opportunities, including talks on adopting healthy habits for the new year, raising screen-smart kids and the history of racism in America. Feb. 3, 9, 18 and 24.
Travel the globe from home as University of Washington students from around the world showcase their cultures at this year’s virtual CulturalFest International Expo. View online Feb. 10–20.
New playground alert! Take advantage of a break in the clouds or suit up in rain gear to explore the brand-new, all-abilities playground set on the shores of Lake Washington at Juanita Beach Park.
Learn the discipline of parkour with Living Room Ninjas in a virtual ParentMap play session led by Kong Academy. Zap those winter wiggles by having the kids practice the basics of parkour using items found around the house. Thursday, Feb. 11, 3:30 p.m. Free; preregister.
Join The Museum of Flight online for an out-of-this-world preview of Perseverance, the NASA rover that is set to land on Mars later this month. Thursday, Feb. 11, 6 p.m. Free.
Nudge the kids outside no matter the weather with the lure of rainy-day backyard adventures. Put junk to good use to construct a vertical water wall, have a hootenanny, play in the mud, find critters and more.
Contribute to actual scientific study! Tally the birds you see in at least one 15-minute time span from anywhere in the world during the Great Backyard Bird Count. Friday–Monday, Feb. 12–15. Free; preregister.
Welcome the Year of the Ox with a traditional Lunar New Year lion dance and celebration by viewing it online with the Wing Luke Museum. Saturday, Feb. 13, 1–5 p.m. (Explore more ways to celebrate and learn about the Lunar New Year here.)
If the bird count gets you hooked on community science, check out other ways for families to participate in citizen science and support real scientific discovery.
Shower love on your dearest ones with a handmade card this Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14. The whole fam will have heart eyes over these easy, DIY card ideas for kids.
Play hometown tourist with a splurge-worthy trip to see Seattle from above. The Space Needle is open daily for visits with timed ticketing, and kids ages 4 and younger visit for free.
Take advantage of a bit more daylight and get moving with tots in strollers or on scooters along these scenic South Sound–area paths that are perfect for families.
Take your kids and your sweet tooth on a global tour right in town. Check out one (or more!) of these kid-friendly Seattle-area bakeries, each paired with a nearby play spot where the kids can run off their inevitable sugar high. And if you need another reason for indulging, small businesses really need our love right now.
