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Summer is sizzling and there is no shortage of free, fun, fabulous things to do before the school bell rings once more. In fact, there is such a bounty of activities, I couldn't resist adding a bonus event to our 25 free things to do in Seattle and the surrounding areas in August. So put your credit card away, gather the crew and head out to watch theater in the park, make amazing bubbles using science, hunt for gorgeous glass floats and much more.
Note: Some activities require preregistration and can fill up quickly.
1. Family Fun Entertainment Series: Mikey the Rad Scientist
Date and time: Friday, Aug. 2, 12:30–1:30 p.m.
Heritage Park in Renton is the place to be to go on a "Wild Adventure" with Mikey the Rad Scientist. His interactive musical performance about nature and animals will get your kids dancing (and learning too)!
2. Try Hockey Free
Date and time: Aug. 3, 4 and 11, 10–11 a.m.
Junior hockey fans between ages 4 and 17 can try out the sport for themselves at free Sno-King Ice Arena hockey clinics during August. Kids will learn the basics from coaches—no skating experience necessary. Sessions take place in Kirkland, Renton and Snoqualmie. Preregister.
3. Shakespeare in the Park: "All’s Well That Ends Well" by GreenStage
Date and time: Various dates and times, Aug. 2–17
Enjoy an abbreviated one-hour version of the comedy, "All's Well That Ends Well" at one of many Seattle parks and introduce your fam to the wit and humor of Shakespeare in this Backyard Bard production by GreenStage. This play is being performed through Aug. 17 so check the schedule for details.
4. West Seattle Glass Float Hunt
Date and time: Starting Thursday, Aug. 1, continuing through the first 2 weeks of August
Imagine finding a hand-blown glass float as you're exploring the streets, shops, businesses and parks of West Seattle. Get your crew on the trail of one of these beauties during the first two weeks of August and such treasure could be yours. No matter what the outcome, exploring this popular neighborhood is sure to be enjoyable. Happy hunting!
5. National Night Out
Date and time: Tuesday, Aug. 6, times vary
Join your community's law enforcement on National Night Out and get to know your neighbors while you enjoy food, fun activities, music and entertainment. We have found events happening in Mountlake Terrace, Bellevue, SeaTac, Snoqualmie and Tacoma. Or organize a party in your own neighborhood—in Seattle you can register your block and download materials to get started.
6. Kent Parks Math Fun Pop-up
Date and time: Wednesday, Aug. 7, 1–3 p.m.
Join Seattle Universal Math Museum at Merrill Meadows Park for outdoor play that involves math for all ages. There will be games, bubble wands and lots of interactive fun.
7. Kirkland's Sprinkler Park Thursdays
Date and time: Thursdays, Aug 1 and 8, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Beat the August heat and catch the last two Sprinkler Park Thursdays of the season at Peter Kirk Park's Lee Johnson Field. A variety of sprinklers will be set up for all ages to enjoy.
8. Plaza Pop-up: Bubble Festival
Date and time: Fridays, Aug. 9 and 23, noon–3 p.m.
Add science to bubble-blowing and you've got huge bubbles, a bubble you can hold, square bubbles and more. What could be more fun and fascinating? Find out by popping by the WET Science Center's East Bay Public Plaza for this outdoor Bubble Fest taking place twice in August.
9. Stories in the Park, Stories in the Dark
Date and Time: Saturday, Aug. 10, 7–9 p.m.
Gather at Olympia's Squaxin Park with storytellers from South Sound Story Guild for stories to stir the imagination, from folktales to funny tales. Arrive early for music and sing-alongs at 6:45 p.m. Those with the courage to brave the dark during the second hour will be treated to spine-tingling spooky stories. Bring your own chairs and flashlights.
10. Summer at SAM - Sundays at Olympic Sculpture Park
Date and time: Sundays, Aug. 4 and 11, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
There are activities for the whole family to enjoy at the Olympic Sculpture Park during Seattle Art Museum's Summer at SAM. Spend a Sunday doing yoga, making art, listening to live music from NW Folklife, touring the park with a guide and more.
11. Kids Club Entertainment at Allan Yorke Park
Date and time: Mondays, Aug. 5–19, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Catch the August lineup of Covington's kid-pleasing entertainment series at Allan Yorke Park, which features the hilariously catchy songs of Eric Herman and the Puppy Dogs on Aug. 5, indie favorites, Brian and his Good Buddies on Aug. 12, and wraps up Aug. 19 with the Reptileman and his cold-blooded friends.
12. Dancing ‘til Dusk
Date and time: Various dates through August 27
Grab your dancing shoes and make your way to one of the many Seattle parks where you can get a dance lesson, then show off your new moves to live music. Dancing 'til Dusk is happening throughout August at the Seattle waterfront, Downtown Seattle, Capitol Hill and more. Head to Ballard Commons on Aug. 13 for Louisiana Night featuring Zydeco and Cajun tunes.
13. LeMay - America's Car Museum Cruise-in
Date and time: Thursday, Aug. 15, 5–7 p.m.
Do you have a car enthusiast at home who would love to check out some cool rides? Motor to Tacoma's Lemay—America's Car Museum for its August Cruise-In where convertibles will be the center of attention, along with music and food trucks.
14. Backpack and Spaghetti Social
Date and time: Friday, Aug. 16, 5:30–7 p.m.
Parents, the first day of school is right around the corner! Gear up with free school supplies for kids ages 5–18 years and break bread with friends and neighbors at a spaghetti feast for all at the Bittler Lake Community Center in Seattle. Preregister.
15. Tukwila Hullabaloo
Date and time: Saturday, Aug. 17, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
The city of Tukwila launches its first annual Hullabaloo community celebration at Foster Memorial Park with yummy eats, arts and crafts vendors, and fun games for all ages.
16. Village Playdays
Date and time: Tuesdays through Sept. 3, 10–11 a.m.
There's something special going on every Tuesday for kids at Seattle's University Village. Head to the Village Green where tots can run around, make new friends and participate in a fun activity. On Aug. 20, race mini cars with Tesla. Grown-ups can cross a few items off their shopping list.
17. Village Fun Days
Date and time: Wednesdays through Aug. 21, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Catch a mid-week Village Fun Days performance for kids in August (not to be confused with the above Village Playdays, this Village is located in Kirkland's Totem Lake). May we suggest a lively science show from Alex Zerbe on August 21?
18. Sandlot Cinema
Date and time: Thursdays, Aug. 15 and 22, 6:30–10:30 p.m.
Pack up your blankets and chairs, it's outdoor movie time! Catch a showing of "Mamma Mia!" on Aug. 15 or "Migration" on Aug. 22 at Lynndale Park ballfield. Movies start at dusk, but turn up early for pre-show fun starting at 6:30 p.m. Can't make these dates? Not to fret, there is a bounty of free outdoor movies happening all over our region for every age, taste and mood throughout the month.
19. All Ages Beach Seine
Date and time: Fridays, Aug. 8 and 23, 2–3 p.m.
Join knowledgeable natural reserve staff at Bay View State Park beach and help pull a seine net through the eelgrass of Padilla Bay and find out what's swimming beneath the waves during this drop-in session. Be ready to get your feet wet!
20. Outside the Brick
Date and time: Saturday, Aug. 24, 1–4 p.m.
Join MOHAI for a day in Lake Union Park making art and unconventional builds with Lego bricks. Meet a Master Builder, incorporate Legos into printmaking, help create a Lego marble run and more.
21. StoryBook in the Park: "A Little Mermaid"
Date and time: Saturdays and Sundays, Aug. 4, 10–11, 17–18, 24–25
Plop down on a blanket to enjoy one of StoryBook Theater's free outdoor shows for families, “A Little Mermaid.” This classic tale with a twist designed for kids ages 3–10 is being performed at parks in Duvall, Bellevue, Redmond, Monroe, Edmonds, Kirkland and Lynnwood on weekend dates throughout August.
22. Touch-A-Truck and Traffic Garden
Date and time: Tuesday, Aug. 27, 4–7 p.m.
Big rig fans can get their fill of heavy machinery and emergency vehicles at Fife's Touch-A-Truck event where they can also check out the City's brand-new Traffic Garden. Learn about bicycle safety and rules of the road by cruising along this mini city complete with traffic signs, crosswalks and more. Bring your own bike or scooter or borrow one at Dacca Park.
23. Bothell Family & Youth Summer Entertainment
Date and time: Wednesdays, Aug. 7–28, 6–7 p.m.
Bothell introduces its new summer entertainment series for kids with free outdoor concerts and theater at Bothell Landing Park Amphitheater on Wednesdays throughout August. Show up for the oh-so-eye-catching props of String & Shadow Puppet Theater's "Or So It Would Seam: A Giant Puppet Fable for People of All Ages" on Aug. 28.
24. Flap & Explore: A Batty Adventure for All Ages
Date and time: Wednesday, Aug. 28, 6–9 p.m.
Go on a bat adventure and learn about these nocturnal creatures from local experts. First, kids can get crafty creating their own bat mobile at the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. Afterwards, families can embark on a bat walk and talk with educators from Bats Northwest and Woodland Park Zoo, observing bats at Pigeon Point Park. Preregister to attend one or both parts of this batty outing.
25: Native Indigenous Presentations at City Hall Park
Date and time: Select Tuesdays and Thursdays through Sept. 5, noon–1 p.m.
City Hall Park in Downtown Seattle is hosting a series of native Indigenous presentations throughout the summer on select Tuesdays and Thursdays showcasing storytelling, music, dances, art and more. Experience Blue Heron Canoe Family Songs and Dances on Aug. 13 or the works of Lummi Nation storyteller and violinist, Richard Swil Kanim Marshall on Aug. 29.
Bonus: Wonders of the Waterfront Tour
Date and time: Saturdays through Aug. 31, 10 a.m.–noon
Starting at Donkey Creek Park, take an all-ages walking tour of one of our region's most scenic spots, the Gig Harbor waterfront. Bask in the summer sun as Harbor WildWatch guides lead the way along the waterfront pointing out the stunning beauty, wildlife and natural history of the area.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in January 2024 and was most recently updated to include 25 exciting free things to do in Seattle for families in July by ParentMap’s family fun editor, Meredith Charaba. ParentMap’s calendar editor, Julie Dodobara, contributed to this article.
