10 Free Ways to Make the Most of Summer in Seattle

School is out for the summer! Camps, travel and entertainment can add up quickly, so I’ve come up with a list of 10 fun things to do all summer long that won’t drain your bank account. Actually, they won’t cost you a penny — from watching a pro soccer game to renting a boat, all of these options are free.

1. Play at the latest and greatest playgrounds

Cool off alongside Sasquatch at the newest splash pad in the area: Snoqualmie Community Park Splash Pad. Or head to Kirk Park in Issaquah, where parents of running toddlers can relax at the fully enclosed, updated playground. In Bellevue, the sweetest honeycomb-themed playground at Hidden Valley Park awaits kids who like to climb and swing. Gather your friends and head to Take-A-Break Park in Maple Valley, where you can fit four friends across the wide slide, climb on various ropes and ride an inclusive we-go-round.

For South Sound families, the updated inclusive Cirque Park playground is full of colorful climbers, slides, rope webs, a glider and more! Another great playground refresh is the Kiwanis Tot Lot #4 in Kent. It’s on the smaller side, but it features a unique piece of equipment that might be new to you: a Cliff Rider. Hang on to the handlebars as you push off to ride from one platform to the next, simulating a thrilling jump.

Lastly, we are all eagerly awaiting the larger-than-life marine-themed Pier 58 playground, opening July 25 in Seattle.

2. Dabble in the arts at Olympic Sculpture Park

Gather at Olympic Sculpture Park in Seattle for exposure to arts and culture through Summer at SAM. All ages are invited to enjoy live music, food trucks and art making on Thursday evenings. Sundays feature daytime movement classes, sculpture tours and various activities. Yoga, poetry, plein air paintings, making fairy trinkets, Zumba and a clothing swap are just some of the fun happenings on the docket! Summer at SAM starts on July 10 and ends on Aug. 10.

3. Boat on South Lake Union

The Center for Wooden Boats in South Lake Union offers free one-hour rentals of their peapod boats Wednesday through Sunday year-round. Boats hold up to four adults. As the Center for Wooden Boats transitions to a new online reservation system, boats are temporarily available by walk-up only, on a first-come, first-served basis. No experience is necessary. The Center for Wooden Boats also offers free toy boat building and story time programs.

4. Explore tide pools with the Beach Naturalists

Exploring tide pools is a quintessential Pacific Northwest summer activity, and what better way to do it than learn from the experts? Join the Beach Naturalists from Seattle Aquarium to explore and learn more about the creatures of the coast. Beach Naturalists have keen eyesight for marine life and are a wealth of knowledge, eager to share with you and your children. They’ll be stationed at 10 beaches this summer.

5. Visit state and national parks on Free Entry Days

Take advantage of free state park days (June 19, Aug. 9 and Sept. 27) and free national park days (June 19, Aug. 4 and Sept. 27).

Some favorites that can fit within a day-trip of the Seattle-area include: the beaches and playground at Lake Sammamish State Park, the beach at Deception Pass State Park, tide pool exploring at Saltwater State Park, the trails and playground at Saint Edward State Park, and the family-friendly Twin Falls hike at Olallie State Park. While harder to fit into one day, it’s not impossible to make a day trip hiking at one of the national parks: Mount Rainier, North Cascades or Olympic.

Once you pick your destination, check to see if the park offers a Junior Ranger program, where kids ages 4 and older can participate in engaging learning activities and earn a badge. Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial and the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in Seattle also have Junior Ranger programs.

Tip: Check the park website before driving to the parks for the latest information about potential closures due to funding changes. If you have a child in fourth grade, take advantage of the Every Kid Outdoors pass, which grants free access to national parks.

6. Sign up for Kids Bowl Free

Head to the bowling alley for free bowling every day, all summer long! Kids can bowl up to two free games a day with the Kids Bowl Free program at participating locations. Purchase a family pass (starting at $34.95) to add up to four adults to bowl for the entire season. Shoe rental is extra, so depending on how much bowling you plan to do, you may want to invest in your own shoes.

7. Join a summer reading program

Encourage summer reading (and avoid the “summer slide”) with the fun Summer Reading Program from King County Library System. Kids ages 17 and younger can participate by picking up the Curious Creatures welcome kit in person or by signing up online. As kids complete their reading goals, they can win prizes like Seattle Storm ticket vouchers, stadium bags, water bottles, and Red Robin “Burgers for Books” coupons. A limited number of Kobo Clara Color eReaders will also be given away in a prize drawing for those who complete their reading goals. What kids aren’t motivated by prizes? (Bonus: Adults can get in on the summer reading fun by participating in Book Bingo.)

Tip: For families in the South Sound, the Pierce County Library System Summer of Stories reading program offers many fun prizes. And every kid can earn a free personal pan pizza when they sign up for the Book It! program, using the newly launched app.

8. Cheer on the Sounders (for the first time)

If you’ve never been to a live soccer match for the Seattle Sounders FC, first-time fans can snag two free tickets with the First Match on Us program. Regular-season matches are eligible. Children younger than 3 who will sit on an adult’s lap do not require a ticket.

Kids age 5–12 can sign up for more perks by joining the free kids club, Sammy’s Squad. Your child will receive a Sammy’s Squad scarf when they join, as well as access to extra experiences throughout the year.

9. Sit back for an outdoor movie

Pack a picnic and enjoy a family-friendly outdoor movie on a big screen. You’re bound to find something for your family with the following options and showtimes:

• Bellevue’s Movies in the Park: Thursdays, July 31–Aug. 21, at Crossroads Park; Tuesdays, July 15–Aug. 19 at Bellevue Downtown Park
• Mural Amphitheatre, Seattle: Fridays, July 25– Aug. 22
• Center City Cinema at Seattle parks: Select Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at seven different parks
• Juanita Beach Park, Kirkland: July 12, 19 and 26

Movies typically begin around dusk, and spots like Crossroads Park and Bellevue Downtown Park have pre-movie entertainment and activities for families.

10. Get moving with Rec’n the Streets

Rec’n the Streets strengthens communities by bringing activities to engage and move directly to them. While programming runs year-round, you can find special events like Summer Nights Movies in the parks, game nights and dance nights throughout the summer. Rec’n the Streets strives to increase access to recreation for neighborhoods with health disparities. Interactive arts, games and other activities pop up in parks or small events throughout Seattle-area communities.