Where to Give Your Kids a ’90s Summer in Greater Seattle

If you were a kid in the ’90s like me, our childhood summers were largely filled with simple but memorable pastimes: Slip ‘N Slides, Kool-Aid, plastic kiddie pools, freeze pops and unstructured outdoor play with neighbor friends. I also remember spending days swimming at the Samena pool, cheering on the Mariners with my dad and siblings, painting pottery, and having birthday parties at roller rinks.

To turn back the clock, I’ve rounded up 10 nostalgic summer adventures that will give your kids a taste of the ’90s.

Play Pokémon

Pokémon made its U.S. debut in the ’90s with the Nintendo games, Red and Blue, and the ever-popular Pokémon Trading Card Game. Has the craze hit your house yet? Some argue Pokémon has always been popular, while others think it made a strong comeback with the launch of the mobile game Pokémon Go in 2016. I’m definitely going to use Pokémon Go this summer to add some steps to our days!

My boys became interested in Pokémon cards around age 7 and the obsession has pulled my husband back in. Their shared interest has become a fun bonding experience for them, with some nostalgia for my husband. They pore over their Pokémon cards, study the Pokémon handbooks, trade their cards with friends and get super excited when we walk by a Pokémon vending machine at just the right time (the machines control the timing and release of cards).

We enjoy learning more and adding to our card collections by visiting Zulu’s Board Game Café in Bothell, DJ’s Sportscards in Renton, and Collector’s Corner NW in Bellevue. We have friends who regularly play at Uncle’s Games in Redmond Town Center. On Tuesday nights they have Pokémon open play where you can earn prizes for playing.

Locations:  
Zulu’s Board Game Café: 10234 Main St., Bothell 
DJ’s Sportscards: 1314 Union Ave. N.E., Renton 
Uncle’s Games: 7325 166th Ave. N.E., Suite F150, Redmond 
Collector’s Corner NW: 661 120th Ave. N.E., Suite B15, Bellevue

Cheer on the Mariners

I have core memories of my dad taking us to “bat night” at the Mariners. Promotion nights are an incentive to get there early for a chance to snag the limited number of giveaway items. This summer’s schedule of promotions has several nods to the ’90s, including a Hello Kitty clear crossbody bag (hello ’90s girls!) on May 15; Julio Rodriguez ’90s Jersey Night on May 30; and a ’90s pin day on May 31. Reminisce about cheering on Ken Griffey Jr., Randy Johnson and Edgar Martinez as you make your own core memories with your kids.

Location: T-Mobile Park: 1250 First Ave. S., Seattle

Paint your own pottery

Paint-your-own pottery studios gained popularity in the ’90s and are still fun for all ages. Select your premade bisqueware, paint it, and return to pick up your finished, glazed masterpiece. While there are many paint-your-own pottery studios in the area, some of the newest ones include Paint Kirkland at Kirkland Urban and Color Me Mine in The Landing in Renton. Bonus: Both are close to some of our favorite parks (Gene Coulon Park and Peter Kirk Park) for some post-painting play! Walk-ins are welcome.

Locations: 
Paint Kirkland: 425 Urban Plaza, Suite F245, Kirkland 
Color Me Mine: 827 N. 10th Pl., Suite D, Renton

Go wild with splatter paint

Gather your crew and head to Wicked Rae’s to experience the most liberating form of art: splatter paint! Spray, flick, splatter, squirt, throw or smash paint-filled balloons, all while creating your own unique canvas. My kids and I had a blast letting our creativity run wild at this unique studio.

This summer, Wicked Rae’s will offer six Totally Rad ’90s art experiences that build upon the splatter paint experience. Create a Nintendo canvas by adding stencils of your favorite ’90s characters, add paint to a skateboard deck, create a punk rock guitar, or relive the MTV music video days by creating your very own — complete with costumes and prop instruments.

Location: 3220 California Ave., Suite 128, Seattle

Watch an outdoor movie at a traditional drive-in movie theater

While there are many outdoor movie options in the Seattle area, there is something extra special about a true drive-in movie theatre. Make an adventure out of visiting Whidbey Island and then end your night at the Blue Fox Drive-In. Pre-movie fun includes more ’90s favorites: an arcade and go-karts. Their snack bar has you covered from popcorn to dinner and dessert (no outside food allowed).

Location: 1403 Monroe Landing Rd., Oak Harbor

Challenge your agility at Ninja Quest Adventures

Did you ever watch the ’90s action-sports competition show, “Nickelodeon Guts”? Its obstacle course competitions are similar to those on “American Ninja Warrior,” and this style of obstacle racing will officially join the 2028 Summer Olympics in the Modern Pentathlon. Watch some “Nickelodeon Guts” throwback episodes before testing your own skills on the Ninja Quest Adventures’ course.

Ninja Quest Adventures is a dedicated Ninja Warrior training facility in the Seattle area. By navigating obstacles, ninjas learn critical thinking and strengthen mobility, balance, agility, and focus. There are structured classes for mini ninjas as young as 3 years old, and open gyms welcome kids who are at least 6 years old.

My boys, ages 7 and 9, enjoyed exploring the different obstacles and left feeling proud that they conquered one of the Warped Walls (an “American Ninja Warrior” icon) after many practice attempts. They definitely left sweaty but eager to return! Obstacles and equipment are tweaked every two weeks to keep you on your toes.

Locations: 
5712 E. Lake Sammamish Pkwy., Issaquah 
507 N.E. Northgate Way, Seattle

Roller skate around the rink

Roller skating and roller blading were wildly popular in the ’90s. You can still get on four wheels at various rinks in the Seattle area, including the nonprofit Rock and Roll Roller Rink in Issaquah. This rink was founded by former Skate King and Skate Journeys skaters and is run by passionate volunteers.

Skating will be open throughout the summer, and the rink’s monthly schedule is announced on the 20th of the previous month. While the rink has been operating out of the Pickering Barn, they are hoping to secure their own building in Issaquah in the near future. Check their Facebook page for skate announcements.

Location: Pickering Barn, 1730 10th Ave. N.W., Issaquah; check online for location changes.

Play glow-in-the-dark mini golf and arcade games

What’s more ’90s than a game of mini golf under black lights and glow-in-the-dark décor? Monster Mini Golf in Bellevue is your one-stop shop for ’90s fun: indoor glow-in-the-dark mini golf, arcade games, a laser maze and mini bowling. See if you can recognize all of the nods to Seattle sprinkled throughout the murals surrounding the mini golf course.

Location: 4080 Factoria Square Mall S.E., Bellevue

Challenge friends to a laser tag battle

Along with arcades, laser tag also exploded in popularity in the ’90s and is still a common activity for birthday parties and family entertainment. Arena Sports has two laser tag arenas to choose from. The Issaquah location has a giant 4,200 square foot Pacific Northwest-themed arena and the Mill Creek location has a two-story Seattle-themed arena.

Locations:  
2115 N.W. Poplar Way, Issaquah 
13500 Bothell-Everett Hwy., Mill Creek

Grab a burger at Red Robin

Red Robin, with its Seattle origins, was always one of our favorite casual dining spots growing up in the ’90s. While I wouldn’t consider Red Robin “gourmet” these days, my kids enjoy the fun atmosphere and there’s nothing like the restaurant’s bottomless steak fries with signature seasoning (dip them in Campfire Sauce, thank me later).