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Every Family’s Northwest Bucket List

A month-by-month guide to the best Seattle, Bellevue and South Sound events with kids

Author Elisa Murray
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Published on: January 03, 2024

Every Family’s Northwest Bucket List

A young boy in a brown toggle coat poses in front of a field of gorgeous tulips during the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival held in April every year
Photo:
Amazing photo ops await at the annual Tulip Festival. Credit: JiaYing Grygiel

April

  • Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. Visiting Skagit Valley’s Technicolor fields during the month of April is also a chance to tour some of the small-town gems in the valley, from LaConner to Bow.
  • The Daffodil Festival. South Sound communities celebrate spring with a gorgeous street parade that moves through Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner and Orting all in one day. 
  • Sheep shearing at Kelsey Creek Farm. Every April, Bellevue’s urban farm invites families to watch sheep be shorn, and to enjoy spinning demonstrations, pony rides, tractor rides and more. 
  • Japanese Cherry Blossom & Cultural Festival. Admire the cherry blossoms in hot spots such as the University of Washington’s Quad. Follow that up by celebrating Seattle’s Japanese heritage and the change of the seasons at this annual Festál event at Seattle Center.
  • Washington State Spring Fair. This more low-key version of the September extravaganza features rides, entertainment, activities and animals at the Washington State Fairgrounds. 
  • Independent Bookstore Day. What could be more Northwest than this celebration of our best bookstores? During this event, held on the last Saturday of April, participating bookstores offer activities, deals and an incentive to visit as many of the stores as possible in one day. But really, any day is a great day to visit an awesome independent bookstore!

May

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