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Hit up spots like LeMay – America's Car Museum with your kids before they turn 13 for discounted admission and other perks. Photo: Tonya Strickland
Attention parents of the 12-and-younger crowd — if you’re anything like me, you’re still in denial that those once-tiny humans of yours are growing up faster than the small-scale train circling South Kitsap Regional Park. To hang on to that last thread of “official childhood,” I’ve crafted a bucket list of places to squeeze in before my kids turn 13 and age out of certain play spots, restaurant deals and admission promos for littles.
Note: While our lovely daughter is about to turn 12, our 9-year-old son is still happily camped out in the childhood zone for at least another year or two, keeping these preteen perks in our itinerary for a while. I decided to make the list now anyway. For science. Or, you know, at least for funsies.
In fact, we already had our first brush with my daughter aging out of child pricing last February. Imagine our surprise when a one-day ticket to Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California, came in just two categories: children ages 3 to 9 … and everyone else. Yep — the Happiest Place on Earth considers kids to be adults at the tender age of 10! Well, at least they do when it comes to admission prices.
Back at home here in Washington, we’re ready to take a look at all the things little and big kids just gotta do before they turn 13. So much so, I’ll begin by practicing our new 2026 mantra: “While our kids are still ‘age 12 and younger,’ my family would like to …”
Try all the coolest big kid playgrounds
One of my biggest, well, big-kid worries (at least in terms of playtime) is that my kids are going to age out of playgrounds soon — and we haven’t even hit all the cool ones yet! For example, we’ve never been to:
- The Artists at Play playground in Seattle. This Seattle Center playground not only looks showy but it reportedly sports one of the tallest climbing structures in North America. I mean, we just have to go there, right!? Kids can scale rope ladders, navigate up a massive climbing net and traverse narrow rope passageways to reach the tippy top of two giant tube slides for a thrilling trip back down.
- Emma Yule Park in Everett. This northside spot is a “wow-worthy playground” featuring swings, an obstacle course, a climbing wall, a spiral slide, a pretend storefront and something called a TriRunner. I don’t know what that is just yet, but I can’t wait to find out. Plus, the shade structures are shaped like rainbow butterflies?! Gah.
- Sunset Neighborhood Park in Renton. Meanwhile, this mountain of neon orange ropey-climby-ness at Renton’s Sunset Neighborhood Park looks nothing short of spectacular. Its designers say the main attraction, an entire pyramid of interlocking climbing nets, stands 30 feet tall. I don’t know if I’m impressed or terrified of these mega giant crab pots for kids, but I’m down to find out.
Parent tip: Have you noticed the playground age designation sign for kids ages 5–12 and wondered if the playground police come and ticket your 13-year-old using the monkey bars? As it turns out, the answer is no. Those age range signs are not ominous warnings, but rather dictated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, taking into consideration the height, weight and skill level typical of children in that age range. Once kids drift further into the outer margins of the posted range, the risk isn’t “breaking the rules,” it’s breaking the equipment — or themselves. But, like all things in parenting, you know your kids best.
Find at least one indoor playground for preteens
I think this goal is possible at Bremerton’s Ahoy Kitsap Playland because the kids had a birthday here and I know its cutoff for playing is age 12. But almost everywhere else I checked that offers an indoor, soft-structured playground (the types with padding, slides and ballpits) cut off admission at age 10 or 11.
Ahoy Kitsap Playland, Bremerton
This is an indoor playground for babies to 12-year-olds. There’s a toddler area for kids age 5 and younger and a three-story jungle gym for those as old as 12. But there’s also a cafe, snack bar and virtual reality gaming area for big kids to teens.
Arena Sports Issaquah
The Inflatable FunZone at Arena Sports in Issaquah is open to kids ages 18 months to 10 years old. It has bouncy houses, slides and obstacle courses. My daughter has already aged out of it, but there are other activities here outside of the inflatable variety that big kids can get into: an arcade and virtual reality games, laser tag, escape rooms, sports simulators and a restaurant. There are Inflatable FunZones at the center’s other Puget Sound locations in Mill Creek and Redmond.
Funtastic Playtorium, multiple locations
These mall-based indoor play places are set up inside a retail space and are offered to kids ages 1–10. Kids can explore multilevel climbing structures with obstacles and slides. There are also toddler areas designed for kids ages 3 and younger. Locations are in Bellevue, Lynnwood and Tacoma.
Småland, IKEA Renton
This supervised play area is free for shoppers and is located inside the IKEA Renton store. Admission isn’t based on children’s age, but their height. Kids must be between 37 inches and 54 inches tall to participate. I already did the conversion and my 4-foot-9 daughter is 57 inches tall, which is already 3 inches too big to play. Bummer. Kids within the height range can play for 30 minutes while parents shop, or up to 60 minutes total for IKEA Family reward card members. Småland offers active play equipment, a quiet rest area, a place to watch a G-rated film, and a creative space for coloring and crafts. Småland in Renton is open Friday–Monday.
Get a mani in the Tween Lounge at Sharkey’s
My daughter has until age 14 to waltz right into Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids (likely with an appointment). This salon franchise, with nearby locations in Seattle, Shoreline, Bellevue and Auburn, pampers babies to big kids and early teens with a host of kids cuts and manicure services. From cartoon-watching to gaming stations, and chairs shaped like animals and vehicles, the services here are paired with the perks your kids will love. Some locations even have a Tween Lounge for mini spa days.
Order off all the kids menus, please
My daughter has one more year to get her free scoop of gelato at Fondi Pizzeria in Gig Harbor (and its new Fondi Pizzeria Proctor location in Tacoma’s Proctor District), which offers three meal specials for its youngest patrons. The BamBini meal from Gig Harbor’s kids menu is marked for ages 12 and younger. It costs $6.95 and includes a choice of a personal cheese or pepperoni pizza; grilled cheese panini; or pasta with red sauce; a fountain soda; and, everyone’s fave – a scoop of gelato from the counter.
IHOP’s “Just for Kids” menu specifies its selections are just for guests age 12 and younger — a real treat since many of the kid-only specialty foods are missing from the adult menu, such as the:
- Famous IHOP Happy Face Pancake featuring a chocolate or buttermilk pancake with a whipped topping, chocolate chip smile and strawberry eyes. (This creation has been an IHOP staple since the 1980s and ‘90s).
- Jr. Cupcake Pancake that’s not only topped with icing and whipped cream — but is filled with rainbow sprinkles.
Bonus: This is something we almost never get to do, but I’m hereby committing to take both our kids to a designated time and place where a “kids eat free” offer exists:
- Denny’s: The concept of “kids eat free” is so synonymous with Denny’s diner-style restaurants that it’s even on the company’s FAQ section. Kids eat free with an adult entrée purchase of $6 or more, every Tuesday, 4–10 p.m. Check with your local Denny’s — there are locations in SeaTac, Burien, Kent, Auburn, Seattle, Fife and Tacoma.
- The Wing Dome: Guests 12 and younger get a free kids meal at Wing Dome with the purchase of one adult entrée every Tuesday. Nearby locations to check are in Seattle and Kirkland.
Find all the price breaks for children’s tickets
These places top the list for discounted kids admission.
Seattle Great Wheel, Seattle
When my daughter is 12, she’ll already be too old for kid pricing to take in the views of Elliott Bay aboard the Seattle Great Wheel at Miner’s Landing. Children cost $18 to ride, per person, if they’re between 3–11 years old. Guests ages 12–63 qualify as adults, $23 per person. Then senior pricing kicks in at $21 for ages 65 and older. (Children 2 and younger are free.)
Salish Sea Boat Tours, Seattle
The same pricing structure goes for another Miner’s Landing attraction on Seattle’s Pier 57: the Salish Sea Boat Tours. The one-hour catamaran cruise charges $35 for adults ages 12–64; $32 for seniors 65 and older, and $25 for kids ages 3–11. Guests age 2 and younger ride free.
Seattle Aquarium, Seattle
The kid discount at Seattle Aquarium kicks in for ages 4–12. (Specific figures vary according to what experiences you want.) Guests age 3 and younger are free.
Monster Mini Golf, Bellevue
Ticket prices here are based on something a little different. Instead of age, the cost of admission is set by the … type of monster you are! Kids who have not yet reached 4 feet tall (aka who are less than 48 inches) qualify as “little monsters,” while everyone else pays the “big monster” rate. My daughter is about 57 inches tall, so it appears she’s our big monster. Roar!
LeMay – America’s Car Museum, Tacoma
My daughter can get into the car museum at a discount while she’s 12 years old. Youth tickets cost $17.50 for kids ages 5–12 (and children 4 and younger are free). Adults ages 13 to 64 pay $24.50 to get in; while seniors 65 and older and military pay $22.50.
AMC Theatres, various locations
A child ticket at AMC is for ages 2–12, but there is special pricing for students ages 13 and older with a valid student ID at the following locations around the Sound: AMC Alderwood Mall 16 in Lynnwood; AMC Factoria 8 in Bellevue; AMC Kent Station 14; AMC Lakewood Mall 12; AMC Oak Tree 6 and AMC Pacific Place 11, both in Seattle; AMC Southcenter 16 in Tukwila; and AMC Woodinville 12.
Explore more children’s museums
These fantastic children’s museums are worth a visit before the clock strikes midnight on my daughter’s 13th birthday.
Children’s Museum of Skagit County, Burlington
This self-guided facility is for children ages 1–12 and their parents or caregivers. (Bonus: The website also says children through age 17 are welcome to join their family for a visit.)
Hands On Children’s Museum, Olympia
Good news: The Hands On Children’s Museum invites kiddos all the way up to age 17 to play at its facilities! General admission for children ages 18 months to 17 years is $18.95 per person; $18.95 for adults ages 18–64 years old; $17.95 for seniors age 65 and older; and free for babies ages 17 months and younger.
Fish all the places in Washington without a state license
My daughter gets bonus time on this rule! Kids age 15 and younger don’t need a fishing license in Washington state. All licensing rules kick in at age 16 with varied pricing based on what you’re looking to catch.
Help our kids become National Park Junior Rangers
My daughter can still become a Junior Ranger until she turns 15 … but really, she can earn the standing at any age. (Wait … does that mean I can become a Junior Ranger at age 42?!)
The national park program is designed for kids ages 5–14, but the designation is available to all ages, officials said. The program offers activity booklets in various topics like space and archeology, with challenges that can lead to earning a certificate, badge or patch. Confirm what types of Junior Ranger programs are available at the park you wish to visit.
Washington state has three big national parks to explore: Mount Rainier National Park, North Cascades National Park and Olympic National Park.
Nab some kids club swag
The R City Kids Club for Rainiers fans age 12 and younger offers a ballpark experience at Tacoma’s Cheney Stadium, where kids get tickets, prizes and exclusive swag. That said, information for the 2026 season has not yet been released — so fingers crossed, not much is changing.
Book age-specific kid classes and events
Kids Workshops at The Home Depot offer free hands-on skill-building projects for kids ages 5–12 at participating stores. Parents can register their kids online each month. There are plenty of local store locations to choose from.
DIY-U kids workshops at Lowe’s offer a similar setup but for kids ages 4 and older. Participants build cool take-home projects right in the store. To snag a spot, parents first need to join the free MyLowe’s Rewards program online, check out the class calendar and then register their kid for a spot. In 2020, Lowe’s capped these workshops at age 11, but the retailer’s marketing materials have since dropped a mention of an upper age, while parents on Reddit and Facebook say even their teens like to participate. Lowe’s has many locations throughout the region, too.
Divide and conquer with a night out
Hubby and I can dash off on a date while the kids play at a kids night out.
Pearl Street Family YMCA, Tacoma
This Kids Night Out offers children ages 6–10 an evening of games, crafting, and snacks or meals at the YMCA’s Pearl Street center. The monthly event — co-run by local teens in the Y’s Teen Leadership Development program — costs $43 for members and $48 for non-members for the first child you register, with sibling discounts for additional participants.
Parents’ Day or Night Out, YMCA of Greater Seattle
This event is designed for younger kids ages 6 weeks to 9 years at locations in King County and parts of south Snohomish County. The program is open to YMCA members for $45 per child or $65 per child for the general public. It offers theme-based STEM and art projects, active play, group games, and snacks or meals.
Northshore Gymnastics Center, Woodinville
This spot’s Parents’ Night Out comes with entertainment and child care for kids ages 4–13. The cost is $95 per child and enrollment at the gym isn’t required. The session includes open play, pizza, crafts and a movie.
See ya out there!
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