Best Seattle-Area Outings With Preschoolers and Toddlers
Photo:
Trekking the boardwalk at the Northwest Stream Center. Photo: Natasha Dillinger
Boardwalk stroll
One of the biggest obstacles for hiking with my preschooler on weekday mornings is distance, both the drive time and the trail length.
His little legs do well on flat boardwalks, however. Boardwalks are usually short, with minimal elevation gain, and they offer lots to see. We love spotting trout at the Northwest Stream Center in Everett (reservations recommended). We look for birds at North Creek Park in Bothell and the park-like West Hylebos Wetlands in Federal Way. Shadow Lake Nature Preserve, in Renton, features another fascinating boardwalk stroll (reservations required).
You might even try an urban hike — you don’t even need to leave the city. Perhaps one of these urban nature spaces is waiting just down the street from you.
Next up: Tots on wheels
