Best Seattle-Area Outings With Preschoolers and Toddlers
Photo:
Catching a ride on the West Seattle Water Taxi. Photo: Natasha Dillinger
Set sail
My son loves watching the white wake behind a ferry, or dipping his fingertips in a lake alongside a boat. There’s something about water that seems to exert a strong pull on toddlers. (Life jackets are a must, for just that reason.)
For an easy cruise in the South Lake Union area, head to The Center for Wooden Boats for a free one-hour peapod boat rental. (Life jackets are provided.) These little rowboats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. They’re a manageable size, and you can stick to the center’s lagoon if Lake Union feels too choppy. After your boat ride, watch the seaplanes take off, and play at the small playground behind Daniel’s Broiler.
If you’d prefer to let someone else take the helm, opt for a 15-minute ride across Elliott Bay on the West Seattle Water Taxi. The terminal and boat are wheelchair- and stroller-friendly, and you can pay with your ORCA Card (youth ages 18 and younger ride free). We like to schedule our trip a little before lunchtime — we play on the small beach at Seacrest Park and eat lunch on Marination Ma Kai’s patio before hopping on a return trip.
