Looking
for places to go with your new baby? We've compiled a list of
baby-friendly locations that parents can enjoy with their new arrival,
with a special focus on indoor spots for the fall and winter months.
And in the interest of sibling harmony, we have also included places
that older children can enjoy as well.
Please note that these
listings are not inclusive. Many area libraries and community centers
offer a variety of indoor events for babies and siblings of all ages.
For more ideas, visit ParentMap online, searchable calendar.
Disco dancing
Once a month, starting in November, Seattle nightclub Heaven is transformed into a childproof disco as toddlers, preschoolers
and parents let loose for some post-naptime, pre-dinner fun. Baby Loves
Disco is an afternoon dance party featuring real music spun and mixed
by real DJs who blend classic disco tunes from the '70s and '80s,
guaranteed to get those little booties moving and grooving. The fun
spills out from all corners of the club: Bubble machines, baskets of
instruments, a chill-out room (with tents, books and puzzles),
diaper-changing stations, a full spread of healthy snacks (for parents
and kids) and dancing. (And yes, the bar will be open for mommy and
daddy.) Tickets are $12 per walking adult
or child. Heaven is located at 172 S. Washington St., Seattle. For current dates and tickets, visit the website.
Movie theaters
The Olympia Film Society
offers "Babies are Okay Sunday Matinees" every Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at
the Capitol Theater, 206 E. 5th Ave., Olympia (free parking and
wheelchair accessible). All films feature baby-friendly volume and
lighting, and there's even a quiet room in the mezzanine with comfy
couches. Note that film content may not be
suitable for younger children, and the theater asks that parents take
their baby's dirty diapers with them when they leave. Visit the website for schedule and film descriptions.
Kid gyms
Gymboree
offers classes for ages birth to 5 that include active play, art and
music featuring seven levels of learning. Family and mixed-age classes
are available. There are six Puget Sound Gymboree locations. For more
information and to find the one closest to you, visit
My Gym
features classes that incorporate music, dance, games, gymnastics and
sports for ages 3 months to 9 years. Parent-participation classes are
also offered. Located in Bellevue at 900 160th Ave. N.E., one block
east of Crossroads Shopping Center. Call 425-451-1393 or visit
Urban Monkeys
offers classes, camps and a supervised open gym for kids ages 12 months
to 7 years. While kids play, parents can visit the "Oasis," which
features Internet access, the latest magazines, a café and a spa.
Located at 1124 Harrison St., Seattle. Call 206-262-9282, or visit
Performing arts
The Seattle Children's Theater
offers two theaters, each equipped with a quiet room. Located at 201 Thomas St.,
Seattle. For current show times and ticket prices, call 206-441-3322.
The Village Theater
features live theater performances of Broadway classics and Village
originals. Two family rooms are available and are required for families
with children under age 4. Babes-in-arms are not permitted in the main
house. Located at 303
Front St. N., Issaquah. Call 425-392-2202.
Family yoga
8 Limbs Yoga Center
has a variety of classes for the whole family including postnatal yoga
(also called "mom and baby") where babies and dads are also welcome;
kids yoga, which mixes games and songs with the yoga postures; and teen
yoga for ages 11-18. Three Seattle locations.
Swim with baby
The Mountlake Terrace Community Center features Terrace Tots classes for ages 3 and under. The pool
is located at 5303 228th St. S.W., Mountlake Terrace. Call 425-776-9173.
The Bellevue Aquatic Center offers Parent/Tot classes for ages 5 months to 3 years. The pool is located at 601 143rd Ave. N.E. Call 425-452-4444.
Seattle Parks and Recreation operates eight indoor pools, and all of them feature Mom and Tot classes for ages 6 months to 4 years.
Indoor playspaces
The Green Lake Community Center
located at Green Lake Park offers a large, popular Toddler Play Center. Drop-in rate is
$2 and parental supervision is required. Located at 7201 E. Green Lake
Dr. N., Seattle. For more information on seasonal hours, call
206-684-0780.
Bellevue Square
features two unsupervised play areas, each with a large plush boat. The
ferry boat play area is located on level 2, near JC Penny. The tug boat
play area is on level 1 near Eddie Bauer. Bellevue Square is located on
Bellevue Way in downtown Bellevue.
North Kirkland Community Center offers an indoor playground for toddlers, with a drop-in rate of $2. Located at 12421 103rd Ave. N.E., Kirkland. 425-587-3350.
Baby-friendly
museum playspaces
The Children's Museum Seattle
is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays (and until 6 p.m. weekends) in the
Seattle Center complex at 305 Harrison St. A recently renovated tot playspace features an "under the sea" theme. Call 206-441-1768.
Zoomazium,
Woodland Park Zoo's new nature-themed indoor exhibit features a quiet nook for nursing moms and a fenced tot playspace both in and out of doors. The zoo is
located at 750 N. 50th St., Seattle.
The Pacific Science Center
is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays (and until 6 p.m. weekends) at 200 2nd Ave. N., Seattle. A large tot and toddler area has a popular waterplay feature, there's a quiet room for nursing and plenty of toys to climb on and in. Call 406-443-3631.
The Imagine Children's Museum
is located at 1502 Wall St., Everett. Hours vary and it is closed
Mondays. Strollers are not permitted inside. Baby carriers are OK and
are also available to borrow. Call 425-258-1006.
KidsQuest Children's Museum
is inside the Factoria Mall on Factoria Boulevard Southeast in
Bellevue. Museum hours vary and it is closed Mondays. Admission is $6
and children under 1 are free. Call 425-637-8100.
The Children's Museum of Tacoma
is open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays noon to 5 p.m.
Admission is $5 and children under 1 are free. Located at 963 Broadway,
Tacoma. Call 253-627-6031.
Have a favorite place you like to take your baby that is not listed here? Email your suggestion to editor@parentmap.com for possible inclusion in an upcoming issue of BabyMap.
Originally published in the February, 2007 print edition of ParentMap.
