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10 Things to Do With Kids Around Seattle the Last Days of Summer 2023

Great ideas to make the most of summer’s last weeks

Nancy Chaney
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10 Things to Do With Kids Around Seattle the Last Days of Summer 2023

Kids eat roasted marshmallows by their campfire while camping with their family summer fun
Photo:
Roasted marshmallows are an essential part of camping.

Sleep under the stars

Well ... you might prefer the coziness of your tent, but sleeping outside sounds pretty nice on a warm August night. If you don’t have a campsite reservation, check out our guide to camping on the fly. It highlights some great first-come-first-serve campgrounds around Washington, plus includes tips for your best chances of getting a site.

If you prefer the certainty of a reservation, check the State Parks reservation site for availability. Tip: Start checking Wednesday or Thursday if you’re looking for a weekend; people start canceling their weekend reservations and open sites pop up all the time. (If you’re trying to reserve for same-day arrival, note that you’ll need to call; online reservations are only accepted one or more days in advance of arrival).

You might also join a Facebook group called PNW camping reservations re-listings. People post reservations they can no longer use, and other people buy them! (If you’re posting a reservation for sale, just be sure to follow the posting instructions carefully.)

Or here’s a simpler idea — one that you can even opt out of if your kids are old enough or you can convince your partner to supervise — stage a backyard campout. This includes many of the fun aspects of camping and sleeping outdoors, but leaves several of the hassles behind.

Next adventure: roll it out

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