Best Seattle-Area Outings With Preschoolers and Toddlers

My son regularly tries to scale the walls at home, so it’s a relief to take him to a playground or kid-friendly climbing gym that provides safe ways to reach for the sky.

Do tall rope structures inspire your little climber? Head to Montlake Playfield in Seattle, or Redmond’s Grass Lawn Park. Are bright colors more their style? Let kids practice risky play amid rainbows at Totem Lake Park in Kirkland or West Fenwick Park in Kent. Both of these playgrounds feature soft turf or poured rubber surfaces that cushion falls (just in case Spider-Man morphs back into Peter Parker).

Climbing gyms in Seattle are surprisingly welcoming to young children. We visited Seattle Bouldering Project’s Poplar location and loved the kid-focused area (there's one at the Fremont location, too!). Parental supervision is required, but there’s no age limit. Little ones can enjoy the brightly colored holds leading to forts and slides, while parents will appreciate the cushy crash pads beneath. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head to the nearby Chinatown–International District for a snack.

At the Dune Peninsula section of Point Defiance Park, climb the stairs. If that sounds boring, know that the descent will be epic.

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