Seattle Moms

Free Admission at Woodland Park Zoo for Winter Break

2009-12-23T13:27:00.000-08:00

The kids are all out of school for winter break. Now what to do?

Well, you're in luck. The Woodland Park Zoo is offering free admission to kids ages 12 with each paying adult every day until January 3 (except December 25). Just mention "Winter Fun" to get a child in free!

The Zoo has lots of fun events for the holiday season. Enjoy the Zoo's Winter Celebration, where each of the animals receive holiday-themed treats and toys, a program designed to enrich each animal's lives and keep them mentally stimulated.

While the forecast looks sunny for Seattle, the temperatures might require some inside time as well. Check out the Zoo's Zoomazium, a year-round, indoor play space designed for kids. Check out Famplosion.com to find times of specific activities held at the Zoomazium, such as the Nature Exchange.

Christmas Events for Families in Seattle

2009-12-18T16:12:00.000-08:00

Looking for some great things to do with your family in the Seattle area? Well, here are some of the great activities that we found.

Remember Where the Wild Things Are? Well, the renowned author Maurice Sendak helped create Seattle's one-of-a-kind Nutcracker performed by the Pacific Northwest Ballet at the Seattle Center's Marion Oliver McCaw Hall until December 30. Tchaikovsky's classic score will come to life in this wonderful Christmas tradition.

Join one of the thousands of people each year who participates in the annual Christmas Ship Festival. Be on shore with a bonfire and hot chocolate and listen to the concert broadcasted live from the flotilla of lit boats. Or splurge and join the crowd on the boats in the largest holiday floating parade in the world.

Take your family to see one of the many light displays, such as Bellevue Botanical Garden's Garden d'Lights, where thousands of light creations are "planted" every year and lit from 5:00 to 10:00. Or Renton's quirky Clam Lights at the Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park.
Light displays are also held at the Seattle Waterfront and Point Defiance Zoo.

Local Seattle Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes

2009-10-02T15:00:00.001-07:00

I was thinking of making a large all-inclusive list of the pumpkin patches and corn mazes in the area, but I found this one at Seattle's Child Magazine first! If you're looking to take your kids to a pumpkin patch this year, I recommend checking here for one near you.

The Great Book Trade

2009-08-20T07:55:00.000-07:00

Bellevue Library is sponsoring the "Great Book Trade" on Friday, August 21 at 10:00am. Kids can bring up to 5 books that they are tired of and trade them for 5 others. It's a great way to clean out your shelves, and maybe get rid of some books that you have read far to many times!

Free Wading Pools

2009-08-18T11:01:00.000-07:00

Have you looked at the weather forcast for this week? Warm temperatures are predicted again! Not as bad as that other week, but warm enough that you and the kids will probably be wanting to get out to the pool.

The city of Seattle has 14 free wading pools throughout the city that are perfect for the kids. A list of locations, hours, and information can be found here, or by calling the wading pool hotline at (206) 684-7796. Not only are they a great free resource, but they are also a way to save water! Instead of filling your own pools in your backyard or running the sprinklers for the kids, come share the water savings.

The pools are emptied and refilled daily, in accordance with state law. The pools are only open on sunny days when the temperature is forcast to be above 70 degrees. They will usually be half-filled, but on the busiest days they will be full.

Wading Pool Rules:

* Children under 10 years old must be supervised by a responsible adult.
* No "Bare Buns" - bathing suit attire required, babies must wear tight plastic pants or diapers designed for swimming.
* No food or drink; no glass containers.
* No spots - people with communicable diseases are not allowed in the pool.
* No fidos (dogs, cats, etc.)
* No bikes
* No running
* No water fights
* No drugs or alcohol

Free Passes to KidsQuest and Bellevue Arts

2009-08-03T11:42:00.000-07:00

I just found out that you can get free passes to Bellevue Arts Museum and KidsQuest Museum through the Bellevue Regional Library. For more information, look here. (Scroll down to the events that talk about Free Passes.)

The passes can be signed up for online—there is no need to visit the library itself!

Kids Bowl Free Every Day!

2009-07-23T17:51:00.000-07:00

Several bowling alleys in the Seattle area are offering free games of bowling (up to 2 a day) for any child. All you have to do is register here. The offer is open to all kids 15 and under at the alley I checked out.

You still have to pay to rent bowling shoes, but if you're planning on using this deal often, it might be worth it to find a pair of junior bowling shoes on ebay!

In order to accomodate parents and older children in your family that may like to bowl, the participating bowling centers are offering a Family Pass. The Family Pass provides the same great "2 games a day" package for up to 4 adult family members for a one-time payment from $23.95.

Jetty Island Opening Day Sandblast

2009-06-30T11:13:00.000-07:00

Looking for the perfect beach for your kids this summer? I just learned about Jetty Island in Everett, and I am thinking that it would be a great place to take the kids. Jetty Island is a man-made island 5 miles off of Everett, so that means that a visit not only includes the beach, but a free ferry ride as well!

Best of all, tomorrow, July 1, is the island's Opening Day Sandblast, and event complete with a flag raising, pirate landing, and a treasure hunt! And it's all free!

To find out more info about Jetty Park, see the website here. (The calendar of events is located to the right of the webpage.) The free Jetty ferry departs from the 10th Street Boat Launch and Marine Park, located at 10th Street and W. Marine View Drive. The ferry travels to and from the island at 30 minute intervals throughout the day. You can pick up your individual boarding passes at the kiosk located in the park. Donations are accepted.

(Almost) Free Summer Movies at Cinemark

2009-06-24T14:15:00.001-07:00

Just found out that Cinemark is also offering really cheap movies this summer, but only in Olympia. Click here for more information. If you live near Olympia, this might be perfect!

Helicopter Air Show at the Museum of Flight

2009-06-15T22:39:00.000-07:00

Head down to the east parking lot of the Museum of Flight this weekend to catch the American Heroes Helicopter Air Show. The event is free, and will include:

Helicopter displays, flyovers and tactical demonstrations
Interactive exhibits and hands-on family activities
Public safety and emergency preparedness displays
Helicopter rides
Live local entertainment
Public safety career fair
Concessions

The helicopters will begin arriving at 7:30pm. Come early to see them fly in. (If you have very young kids, the noise might scare them, so please use judgment in seeing them fly in early!)

Regal Entertainment Free Family Film Festival

2009-06-11T14:51:00.000-07:00

Who wants to go to the movies for FREE this summer? I guess the real question is, who wouldn't? Regal Cinemas is offering G and PG movies at 10:00 every Tuesday and Wednesday this summer for free. And good thing for you, there are lots of different locations where this is offered. The movies all look like fun, and with all that you'll be saving in movie tickets, you'll have to get some popcorn!

Click here for FREE movie times and locations.

Kayaking (Or Canoeing) Mercer Slough

2009-06-11T09:43:00.000-07:00

Mercer Slough in a Kayak

Recently, my husband and I rented a tandem kayak at Cascade Canoe and Kayak on Enatai Beach in Bellevue. Although we didn't take our little one with us, we thought it would be a great activity to do with kids. We saw one father the back of a tandem kayak with his son in front, or a canoe would fit a few more. Cascade also provides life jackets.

Enatai Beach is just a short paddle away from the Mercer Slough, a perfect fit for families because of it's calm water and abundant wildlife. If you have especially little ones or you would just like to take turns on the boat, Enatai has a sandy beach and picnic areas for the rest of the family to enjoy.

Find prices of rentals here.

The canoes that Cascade rents.

Directions to Enatai Beach
From 405, take the NE 4th St. exit, west. Turn left onto Bellevue Way. Turn right onto 108th Ave. S.E. The park is at the end of the street directly below I-90 freeway.

**Beware! In our canoe, we got quite wet! While a canoe would be less likely to splash, be prepared regardless. It was hot enough that we wished we had worn swimming suits.**

Animal Grossology at the Pacific Science Center

2009-06-08T16:54:00.000-07:00

"Oozing with disgusting science and interactive learning games, Animal Grossology contains solid science and introduces it in a way that makes kids giggle. You may think leeches are pretty gross but they're used after some surgeries to assist in the healing process. Did you know that cows are one of the gassiest animals on Earth? Learn why the dung beetle is nature's living pooper scooper and why scientists are studying slug and snail slime production for clues in treating cystic fibrosis."

(From PacSci.com)

A new exhibit, Animal Grossology, recently opened at the Pacific Science Center. While it's not my sort of thing, I know lots of preteen boys (and some girls too) who would love to learn about all things icky and gross. In fact, when the PacSci held the original exhibit, Grossology, hundreds of thousands of people visited.

You and the kids can try out interactive exhibits like Dung Ball Rally, the Slime Game, Chew Chew Express, and Stupor Fly. Also, check out the IMAX movie Animalopolis.

Animal Grossology is free with admission to the Pacific Science Center.

Seafair Fleet Week

2009-06-04T16:53:00.000-07:00

During Seafair's Fleet Week (held July 29 to August 2, 2009), some lucky people will get the chance to ride on some of the navy's ships through the Seafair Ship Rider program. Riders will be chosen randomly among the applications received. We can't find out exact details on which boats are coming for security reasons, but previous Seafair guest cruises have included destroyers, frigates, cutters and hospital ships.

The cruises will last from 6 to 8 hours, including embarking and disembarking, and include lunch and the chance to walk through passageways, climb ladders, tour the different decks, and get a real taste of life at sea as you cruise the Puget Sound. What a cool opportunity!

The cruises are only open to passengers age 8 and up, but this could be a once-in-a-lifetime adventure for you and your older kids. Find the applications and more information on Fleet Week cruises here.

Applications must be received by July 10, so get moving!

Jim Henson's Muppets at EMPSFM

2009-06-03T10:09:00.000-07:00

Have you checked out the Experience Music Project/Science Fiction Museum's new exhibit Jim Henson's Fantastic World? If not, make a date on your calendars for the EMPSFM Free First Thursday tomorrow from 5 to 8pm.

The exhibit features illustrations, tv and movie props, photos, and even real puppets from Jim Henson's collection. There is also a hands on puppet theatre where visitors can try out handling puppets themselves while the puppets perform music from the Muppet's repertoire.

The museum is usually crowded on it's free days, so get there early and head straight for the hands-on parts. Those usually are crowded first.

Find out more about the exhibit here.

Around the World in 80 Days

2009-06-02T08:52:00.000-07:00

I've been hearing great things about the play that's on at Taproot Theatre in Seattle right now. It's being called one of their best shows to date. Here's the synopsis.

Get ready for a madcap, cross-continental race against time packed with adventure, danger, suspense and love at Taproot Theatre Company with the regional premiere of Around the World in 80 Days. Jules Verne’s 19^th century novel comes to life before your eyes in Mark Brown’s wildly theatrical adaptation. A bet to travel around the world in 80 days is a fool’s venture in 1872, unless you happen to be named Phileas Fogg. Villainy, a damsel in distress and an array of transportation disasters are met with Victorian virtue and a precision pocket watch in Brown’s comic play that’s part James Bond, part Lord Peter Wimsey and pure fun.

I hear that it's quite fun, with 5 actors playing over 30 different characters. Better yet, it's pretty cheap. Tickets for those 25 and under are only $10, which is a steal for theatres in this area! Also, if you have a teenager who would be interested in going, they can sign up for Teen Tix on Taproot's website and get in for $5.

Find out more about the play here.

When: Friday, May 22, through Saturday, June 20

Bellevue Botanical Garden

2009-06-01T11:35:00.000-07:00

We visited the Bellevue Botanical Garden the other night to take advantage of the beautiful weather and the springtime blooms. There were kids running around the paths and the flowers and rhododendrons were out in their glory. Unfortunately, the mosquitoes were too, and if there is one thing that I hate, it is mosquitoes. We took a quick walk around the gardens, but I think we'll be coming back again when it is windy, or a little earlier in the day.

I particularly enjoyed the Yao Garden, and I've heard good things about the Perennial Border and the 1/3 mile loop trail (a good length for kids!). Next time we'll have to frequent those.

The garden is open dawn till dusk and is free. Check out the picnic area by the parking lot if you'd like to bring along dinner.

Directions here.

For links to other gardens in the area, look here.

Free Days at Seattle Museums

2009-04-29T11:55:00.000-07:00

Many museums in the Seattle area have free days for the public. Here's a comprehensive list of the museums and their scheduled free days.

*When I say 1st Thursday, it means the 1st Thursday of every month, etc.

Bellevue Art Museum—1st Friday
Burke Museum—1st Thursday
Children's Museum of Tacoma—1st Friday
Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum (EMPSFM)—1st Thursday 5-8pm
Frye Art Museum—Always free, but they do accept donations
Hands On Children's Museum (Olympia)—1st Friday
Henry Art Gallery—Thursdays
Imagine Children's Museum (Everett)—No free day, but Thursdays from 3:30-5:30pm are 1/2 off.
Kids Discovery (Bainbridge)—1st Thursday
KidsQuest (Bellevue)—Fridays 5-8pm
Klondike Gold Rush National Park—Always free.
Museum of Flight—1st Thursday
Museum of Glass (Tacoma)—3rd Thursday 5-8pm
Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI)—1st Thursday
Northwest African American Museum (NWAAM)—1st Thursday
Pacific Science Center—The PSC does not have free days listed on their website.
Seattle Art Museum (SAM)—1st Thursday, 1st Friday (for seniors), 2nd Friday 5-9pm (for teens)
Seattle Asian Art Museum (SAAM)—1st Thursday, 1st Saturday, 1st Friday (for seniors)
Seattle Children's Museum—The SCM does not have free days listed on their website.
Shoreline Historical Museum—4th Saturday 11am-3pm (creating projects)
Tacoma Art Museum—3rd Thursday 10am-8pm
Washington State History Museum (Tacoma)—Thursday evenings
Wing Luke Museum—1st Thursday, 3rd Saturday

If you are unable to go on the museum's free day, or the museum you would like to go to doesn't have a free day, keep in mind that many times a museum's membership packages are cheaper or close to the same price as paying for admission. Also, check your local Entertainment Book for special deals.

Frye Art Museum

2009-04-23T16:53:00.000-07:00

Are you interested in exposing the kids a bit of culture, but aren't sure about some of the admission prices at the local art museums?

Have you tried the Frye Art Museum?

The Frye is always free, and it's not so big that it would be overwhelming to the little folk. Located east of the I-5 in Seattle, its central location makes it easy to get to. Plus, you can even enroll the kids in a variety of summer art classes. Free tours are also always available, which makes so that you aren't left explaining to the kids why that funny [insert odd art image of choice] is in that picture.

I was able to see a German collection that is currently on display until April 26. I enjoyed it. There were quite a few pictures that I thought were beautiful, and the kids I saw on a field trip seemed to be enjoying the artwork as well. It was a surprisingly good collection for a smaller (and free!) museum

Find directions to the Frye here.

Cupcake Royale

2009-04-20T17:07:00.001-07:00

It's called the best cupcakes found in Seattle--reminiscent of the Magnolia Bakery in NYC. I must say they were fabulous. We tried a flat of 6 different kinds and they were all delicious. My personal favorite was the chocolate mint number (Oh! Heaven!)

With three locations in the Magnolia, West Seattle, and Ballard neighborhoods (and soon to be on Pike), there are plenty of options to try this wonderful treat, made from local, and often seasonal ingredients.

My vote . . . hurry on in.

Find Cupcake Royale info and locations here.

This Week's Events (4/20–4/26)

2009-04-20T16:40:00.000-07:00

Wednesday
Happy Earth Day! Do something with the kids for the Earth that you love!

Thursday
Henry Art Gallery—FREE day

Friday
KidsQuest Children's Museum—FREE evening, 5-8pmSeattle Symphony—Mother Goose Goes to the Symphony, for ages 0-5

Saturday
Seattle Art Museum—"Family Fun: Animal Adventures"
Bellevue Art Museum—"Paper Mobiles" $2
Lakeshore Learning Materials—"Mosaic Keepsake Box" craft FREE

Ongoing
Bellevue Youth Theatre—Tales of Beatrix Potter. Continues until 4/26Seattle Children's Theatre—"Goodnight Moon" Ages 4+, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays until June 7Skagit Valley Tulip Festival—From April 1 to April 30. Download the brochure for more information on events. Many events FREE.
Seattle Children's Museum—Curious George exhibit continues until May 10th.

This Week's Events (4/13–4/19)

2009-04-14T12:06:00.000-07:00

Tuesday
Imagine Children's Museum—Tuesday Tales

Wednesday
Lake Steven's High School—Disney's "Beauty and the Beast"???
Paramount Theatre—"CATS" April 15-19

Thursday
Henry Art Gallery—FREE day
Puyallup Fair Grounds—Puyallup Spring Fair, April 16-19
Tukwila Community Center—Family Bingo Night, $2
Seattle Children's Theatre—"A Tale of Two Cities" Ages 11+, Continues until April 12.

Friday
KidsQuest Children's Museum—FREE evening, 5-8pm
Seattle Center—Seattle Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival FREE, April 17-19
Bellevue Youth Theatre—Tales of Beatrix Potter

Saturday
Skagit Valley Gardens—Garden Party
Wing Luke Asian Museum—FREE day
Bellevue Art Museum—"Paper Mobiles" $2
Lakeshore Learning Materials—"Hug the Earth" craft FREE

Ongoing
Pacific Northwest Ballet—"Swan Lake" Until April 19Seattle Children's Theatre—"Goodnight Moon" Ages 4+, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays until June 7Skagit Valley Tulip Festival—From April 1 to April 30. Download the brochure for more information on events. Many events FREE.
Seattle Children's Museum—Curious George exhibit continues until May 10th.

Community Easter Egg Hunts

2009-04-07T22:12:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of Easter egg hunts in the area for kids and teens at city community centers. Rather than retype all of the information, I'm just going to refer you to a great article in the Seattle Times that has much of the information. Look here.

Many of the hunts are free. Check out the great teen flashlight hunts! I wish I had been able to go to such a thing when I was younger!

This Week's Events (4/6–4/12)

2009-04-06T11:17:00.000-07:00

Tuesday
Nordic Heritage Museum—Nordic Tales FREE
Seattle Central Library–Pacific Northwest Ballet's FREE Swan Lake Preview

Wednesday
KidsQuest Children's Museum—Arbor Day Celebration
Kirkland Performance Center—"The Reluctant Dragon" 7pm

Thursday
Henry Art Gallery—FREE day
Tukwila Community Center—Family Bingo Night, $2
Pacific Northwest Ballet—"Swan Lake" Until April 19
Seattle Children's Theatre—"A Tale of Two Cities" Ages 11+, Continues until April 12.
Seattle Children's Theatre—"Goodnight Moon" Ages 4+, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays until June 7

Friday
KidsQuest Children's Museum—FREE evening, 5-8pm

Saturday
IslandWood (Bainbridge)—"Enviropalooza!" FREE
Bellevue Art Museum—"Geometric Sculptures" $2
Lakeshore Learning Materials—"Springtime Flower Basket" craft FREE
Woodland Park Zoo—Easter for the Animals
Museum of Glass—Family Day: Hippity Hop! Crafts and entertainment. FREE for 5 years and under.

Sunday
Happy Easter! Find a local Easter egg hunt and join in the fun!

Ongoing
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival—From April 1 to April 30. Download the brochure for more information on events. Many events FREE.
Seattle Center—"Whirligig" Indoor carnival for kids. Until April 12. Free entertainment. Kids ride FREE on Thursdays. Rides are $7.50 all day, $4.50 for toddlers. LAST WEEK!
Seattle Children's Museum—Curious George exhibit continues until May 10th.

Fremont's Lenin

2009-04-04T11:31:00.001-07:00

Have you seen the statue of Lenin in Fremont? This statue is from the former country of Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia). Lewis Carpenter, a resident of Issaquah, Washington, was teaching English in the former Soviet block when he found the statue lying in a junkyard. Convinced this statue was a work of art and an artifact that should be saved, Carpenter mortgaged his home in order to bring the statue to Washington. In the midst of the uproar over bringing such a statue to Washington, Carpenter was killed in a car crash. His family has been trying to sell the statue since his death in 1994, but so far no takers. In the meantime, Fremont has been happy to keep the statue.

Current price: $250,000

Find the statue of Lenin here.

This Week's Events (3/30–4/5)

2009-03-31T09:17:00.000-07:00

Tuesday
Magnuson Community Center—Kids Carnival, 12:30-3pm, Tickets $.50 each

Wednesday
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival—From April 1 to April 30. Download the brochure for more information on events. Many events FREE.

Thursday
Issaquah KIDSTAGE—"Willy Wonka Jr." Ages 2-5. Plays Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Friday
Knutzen Family Theatre—"Hansel and Gretel" Friday and Saturday

Saturday
Tacoma YMCA—"Y Run for Kids" 1 mile, 1K, and Diaper Dash.
Bellevue Art Museum—"Geometric Sculptures"
Lakeshore Learning Materials—"Light Switch Cover" craft FREE
Imagine Children's Museum—"Hop into Spring Breakfast" Register by April 1.
Puyallup Fair Grounds—"Alpacapalooza!" FREE

Ongoing
Meydenbauer Center—"A Midsummer Night's Dream" Friday, Saturday, and Sundays through April 5.
Seattle Center—"Whirligig" Indoor carnival for kids. Until April 12. Free entertainment. Kids ride FREE on Thursdays. Rides are $7.50 all day, $4.50 for toddlers.
Tacoma Musical Playhouse—"Footloose" All ages Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until April 5.
Seattle Children's Museum—Curious George exhibit continues until May 10th.

This Week's Events (3/23–3/29)

2009-03-23T19:47:00.000-07:00

Wednesday
Everett Main Library—"Folk Tale Fun" from Tina Bixby's Puppet Theatre. FREE

Friday
Seattle Center—"Whirligig" Indoor carnival for kids. Until April 12. Free entertainment. Kids ride FREE on Thursdays. Rides are $7.50 all day, $4.50 for toddlers.
Seattle Center—FIRST Robotics Competition. Ages 5+. FREE
Meydenbauer Center—"A Midsummer Night's Dream" Friday, Saturday, and Sundays through April 5.

Saturday
Nordic Museum—"Breakfast at Pippi's" and Pippi Longstocking movie
Bellevue Art Museum—"Paper Carvings" Day
Lakeshore Learning Materials—"Royal Crown" craft FREE
Washington State Convention Center—Green Festival
Seattle Astronomical Society—"Star Parties" Come view the stars with the SAS.
Woodinville—"Celebrate Woodinville" Pancakes, parade, and children's activity lane. FREE

Ongoing
Studio East—"Into the Woods" ages 8. Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until March 29
Tacoma Musical Playhouse—"Footloose" All ages Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until April 5.
Seattle Children's Museum—Curious George exhibit continues until May 10th.

Happy Spring!

2009-03-20T14:35:00.000-07:00

Welcome to spring! We've made it! While spring doesn't promise perfect weather, it's promising to know that summer and all its splendor is coming to Seattle.

Aren't you excited for the Rhodies, Hydrangeas, and tulips to start blooming?

What is better in spring than to visit a beautiful garden? Seattle has many renound gardens, and many are available for free! Here are some of the gardens in the area. Click on the links for more information:

Bellevue Botanical Gardens (FREE)

Volunteer Park Conservatory (FREE)

W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory
Evergreen Arboretum (FREE)

Japanese Garden

Bradner Gardens Park (FREE)

Katie Black's Garden (FREE)

Kabota Garden (FREE)

Parsons Gardens (FREE)

Washington Park Arboretum (FREE)

Woodland Park Rose Garden (FREE)

And of course, if you happen to go up to Victoria, Butchart Gardens

Many of these gardens have tours available, although for some reservations are required.

Does anyone have any personal reviews of these gardens? As much as I would have liked, I haven't visited most of these.

This Week's Events (3/16–3/22)

2009-03-16T11:05:00.000-07:00

There aren't as many things going on at the beginning of the week. (What? Don't they know it's going to be rainy?) But have a good Patty's Day and begining of Spring!

Tuesday
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Imagine Children's Museum—Art Rocks "Rainbow Wishes"

Friday
First Day of Spring!
Seattle Children's Theatre—"A Tale of Two Cities" Ages 11+ until April 12.
Seattle Symphony—"Swing Me Up and Swing Me Down" symphony for ages 0 to 5.
Imagine Children's Museum—FREE Friday Night. Open until 9:00
Heavier Than Air Family Theatre Company—"Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" Ages 6+. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through March 29.

Saturday
Bellevue Art Museum—"Paper Carvings" Day
Lakeshore Learning Materials—"Colorful Kite" craft FREE
Knutzen Family Theatre—"Stone Soup and Other Stories"
Kirkland Performance Center—"Mark Nizer Comedy"
Pickering Farms—Health and Safety Fair. FREE health screenings, children's fingerprinting and more.
Kent-Meridian Performing Arts Center—"The Princess and the Pea" Ages 3-10

Ongoing
Bellevue Youth Theatre—"Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" until March 22
Studio East—"Into the Woods" ages 8. Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until March 29
Tacoma Musical Playhouse—"Footloose" All ages Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until April 5.
Northwest Puppet Center—"The Adventures of Sinbad" Every Saturday and Sunday until Mar. 22
Seattle Children's Museum—Curious George exhibit continues until May 10th.

The Museum of Flight

2009-03-11T16:01:00.000-07:00

The Great Gallery in the Museum of Flight

This past weekend we were able to go to the Museum of Flight, near the Boeing airfield just south of Seattle. Love it! We were disappointed that we didn't know what it included beforehand, because we didn't leave ourselves enough time. Did you know they have the first Air Force One jet, a 747, and a Concorde you can tour? We didn't—at least until we were reading the brochure after we left. We also missed the only Mars Viking lander on Earth—oops! We are already planning to go back on the museum's free day.

Honestly, this was one of the cooler museums I have been to, both because of it's size and depth of things to see. The Museum of Flight not only covers airplanes, but also space flight. The museum also had a lot of interesting simulators—including ones where you are an astronaut in space trying to capture the Hubble.

A cockpit you can climb in. It features a recording telling about the controls you are playing with.

Some of the exhibits in the museum:

The Great Gallery—(Shown in the top picture.) The huge glass gallery with 43 historic aircraft, from the Wright brothers on down.

The Boeing Red Barn—The first place Boeing manufactured aircraft. It takes you through the old processes of building a plane.

WWI and WWII exhibits—Features planes and stories from the men and women of the great wars. See planes like the Red Baron flew!

The Airpark—Tour the first Air Force One, Choncorde, and a Boeing 747 and 737. The Airpark is not always open, so check times. It closes at 3:30pm in the winter and 4:30pm in the summer.

Space Gallery—(Be sure to find the main one. There was also a smaller section about space in the Great Gallery.) Bring in the space shuttle fo a safe landing, land the lunar module on the moon, and climb inside a fill size replica of the Internation Space Sation's Destiny Research Laboratory.

The Tower—In a real tower that overlooks Boeing's test field, see what air traffic controllers do.

And the KIDS' FLIGHT ZONE—This area contains REAL planes with REAL parts for kids to discover. They even have a hot air balloon kids can ride to the ceiling and gliding simulators.

The Kids Flight Zone

Other Tips: Audioguides are available, but for/with kids, I wouldn't recommend it. On Saturdays and Sundays at 11:15 and 1:15, Bank of America puts on free, hands-on kids' workshop. You can find locations in the lobby of the museum.

The museum is free the first Thursday of every month, and unlike some museums in the area, it's large enough that there still should be enough room for everyone.

This Week's Events (3/9–3/15)

2009-03-09T14:50:00.000-07:00

Check out Saturday's events this week. Lots of Freebies!

Tuesday
Imagine Children's Museum—"Tuesday Tales"
Pacific Northwest Ballet and Seattle Central Library—Preview of "Broadway Festival" FREE

Thursday
Imagine Children's Museum—Art Rocks "Collage Creations"
Northwest African American Museum—FREE Museum visit

Friday
Bellevue Youth Theatre—"Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" Friday, Saturday, Sunday until March 22.
Studio East—"Into the Woods" ages 8. Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until March 29
Tacoma Musical Playhouse—"Footloose" All ages Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until April 5.

Saturday
Bellevue Art Museum—"String Art" Day
Lakeshore Learning Materials—"Leprechaun Wand" craft FREE
Seattle Center—Irish Festival (Saturday and Sunday) FREE
Downtown Seattle—St. Patrick's Day Parade, FREE, starts at Jefferson and 4th, ends at Seattle Center. Monorail is FREE noon–3pm.
Seattle Art Museum—Family Fun "If I Were President . . ." children 12 and under FREE with adult admission.
Seattle Children's Hospital—Health Fair, FREE tours, crafts, and teddy bear clinic. Ages 3–8.

Ongoing
Northwest Puppet Center—"The Adventures of Sinbad" Every Saturday and Sunday until Mar. 22
Paramount Theatre—"The Lion King" showing until March 15
Seattle Children's Museum—Curious George exhibit continues until May 10th.

This Week's Events (3/2–3/8)

2009-03-02T16:25:00.000-08:00

Tuesday
Nordic Museum—Nordic Stories of Finland and Iceland (for preschoolers)

Wednesday
Imagine Children's Museum—Play of "Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters"

Friday
Imagine Children's Museum—Art Rocks "Sand Art"
Bellevue Art Museum—FREE Friday

Saturday
Northwest Puppet Center—"The Adventures of Sinbad" Every Saturday and Sunday until Mar. 22
Bellevue Art Museum—String Art Day
Lakeshore Learning Materials—"Air, Land, and Sea Collage" craft FREE

Sunday
Everett Civic Auditorium—"The Phantom Tollbooth"

Ongoing
Paramount Theatre—"The Lion King" showing until March 15
Seattle Children's Theatre—"Pharaoh Serket and the Lost Stone of Fire" Until Mar. 7. Ages 8+.
Seattle Children's Museum—Curious George exhibit continues until May 10th.

To Cry or Not To Cry

2009-02-27T13:50:00.000-08:00

Question for all of you moms out there: How did you sleep-train your child? Did you use the "Cry-it-out" method or not? Do you have any hints for parents who are starting on this journey?

Also, if you'll notice, I've added a new link to famplosion.com. If you need more ideas of things to do than I offer here, that site is a great resource.

Oregon Coast

2009-02-26T09:53:00.001-08:00

Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach, Oregon

I've been out of commision here for a little while, but with good reason—I've been exploring one of the areas further afield! My husband, baby, and I were able to spend a wonderful extended weekend on the Oregon coast! It was a vacation I would highly recommend, and at only 4 hours from Seattle, it's a drive that is possible to do with kids in the backseat.

My husband and I rented a beach house a block away from the ocean. Since winter is the down season, we were able to negotiate a lower rate than normal. But even though it was winter, we got lucky. The weather was beautiful, despite a couple small rain showers.

Tillamook Cheese Factory, Tillamook, Oregon

One of the places we enjoyed visiting was the Tillamook Cheese Factory. If there was ever a place for kids, this is it. With all the choppers, conveyor belts, and packaging machines, if you have a little boy into machinery, he could spend a long time looking at this stuff! I think I spent long enough as it was. But the best part was definitely the tasting area—cheese, cheeseburgers, and fresh ice cream and waffle cones were the highlight of my trip.

Crabs!

If you're feeling a bit more adventurous, and you happen to be on the coast in the fall or winter, rent a boat and some crab pots. Although I'm guessing your kids might not touch or eat crab, who could resist seeing one of these? My husband's family used to do this every fall when he was growing up. Apparently fall is the better time to catch them, but we got a few this time of year as well.

Other great coast activities:

Ecola State Park: Beautiful views of Cannon Beach. We arrived in the late afternoon, and I don't know if I've ever seen a more beautiful beach scene in my life.

Seaside: The downtown of Seaside is a tourist's paradise. There are games centers for the kids, antique stores for the momma (you ought to see the pair of old earrings I bought), and all sorts of little shops, not to mention a beautiful beach. While some of the beaches had such large waves that I would be a little scared of letting my children wander very far into them, Seaside's seemed a bit tamer.

Various State Parks: Seriously, this area is teeming with them. And there are hikes galore to be found. I didn't get to go on those on this trip (I was walking the beach instead—do you blame me?) there are lots of options available for families. Also, if you are campers, there are also plenty of campsites.

Sitting on the beach: my favorite.

Be sure you teach your children about the ocean and water before attempting a beach vacation. The Oregon coast does have some perilous "sneaker waves" and rip tides because of the large waves that form here. Keep your traveling safe!

Looking over Cannon Beach

This Weeks Events (2/9–2/15)

2009-02-09T19:50:00.000-08:00

Tuesday
Imagine Children's Museum—Tuesday Tales

Wednesday
Imagine Children's Museum—Play of "Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters"
Paramount Theatre—"The Lion King" showing until March 15

Friday
Thistle Theatre—"The Magic Teakettle" at Sunset Hill Community Club (Everett) Continues until February 15.
Imagine Children's Museum—Art Rocks "3-D Heart Craft"

Saturday
Seattle City Center—Festival Sundiata: African-American Celebration FREE
Woodland Park Zoo—Valentine's Celebration
Everett Performance Center—Kidstage "Willy Wonka Jr."
Bellevue Art Museum—Paper Quilting Art Day
Imagine Children's Museum—"Kids Night Out"
Pacific Science Center—Valentine Sleepover
Everett PUD— "Goldilocks" by Storybook Theatre Also showing on the 15th.
Lakeshore Learning Materials—"Presidents' Day Hats" craft FREE

Sunday
Seattle Aquarium—Octopus Week Begins

Ongoing
Northwest Puppet Center—"Monkey Goes Fishing" Continues every Friday and Saturday until February 15.
Sprouts Children's Theatre—"Little Red Riding Hood" Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until February 22. For children grade-school aged and up, but see website for special performances for families with children under 4 years.
Seattle Children's Theatre—"Pharaoh Serket and the Lost Stone of Fire" Until Mar. 7. Ages 8+.
Seattle Children's Theatre—"Tomas and the Library Lady" (ages 7+). Continues until March 1.
Seattle Children's Museum—Curious George exhibit continues until May 10th.

Alki Beach

2009-02-05T16:15:00.001-08:00

Alki Beach in West Seattle

Most of the coastline on the Sound is rocky, but there is at least one place in Seattle where you can let your feet sink into the sand. You probably won't want them to, this time of the year, but it's just nice knowing it's possible.

Head out to Alki Beach in West Seattle to find the sand, a great boardwalk path, and a gorgeous view of the Seattle skyline. Alki Beach was actually the first place white settlers landed at when they got to Seattle. They named their settlement New York–Alki, or New York By-and-by, which showed their great hopes of what their city would turn out like. Maybe because of this, you can find a small replica of the Statue of Liberty on the beach.

The 2.5 mile boardwalk

The greatest feature for this time of the year is the 2.5 mile pathway that goes along the side of the beach—a great way to get out of the house this time of year, get some exercise, and still feel like you're getting to see something beautiful. Let the kids bring their bikes and scooters.

Also check out the Alki Point Lighthouse. It's still maintained by the Coast Guard. It opens at noon and is free to the public.

What a gorgeous view of Seattle!

In the summer, check back to enjoy the picnic sites, open fire pits, boat launch (for hand-carried boats), and bathhouse—in case you decide on taking a dip. If you're looking for a romantic evening without the kids, check out Salty's restaurant just off the beach. The views are spectacular!

Find directions to Alki Beach here.

Seattle Aquarium

2009-02-03T13:02:00.000-08:00

Last weekend, we decided to check out the Seattle Aquarium. We had never been there before, and were pleasantly surprised at how big this place was for being situated on a dock overhanging the Sound.

The Aquarium seemed to be designed for elementary-aged children, but my husband and I had a great time. They have touch pools full of starfish, anemones, and other sea animals that you can touch, displays of brightly colored pacific fish and coral, moon jellyfish, and even two enormous octopus—seriously one of the most interesting creatures I have ever seen up close. Octopus Week at the aquarium starts February 14th. Click here to find more information on this event.

Throughout the day, the aquarium holds feedings for the animals where a diver enters the tanks and feeds the fish bits of food. She talks to the kids as she does so, explaining which fish prefer which food, etc.

Scott Beale/Laughing Squid laughingsquid.com

In the largest tank (see photo above) you can find a variety of fish you would see if you went diving in the Sound, though I'm sure the aquarium's collection of fish are bigger and better fed than the average sampling. Their eel—bright blue and at least 6 feet long—circled the tank every few minutes, as did the similar-sized skate and sturgeon.

The aquarium has a large section that is partially outdoors as well, where you can view a salmon ladder, bird refuge, and an outdoor feeding of some seals. Make sure that you dress warmly on the day that you go, especially with young children. The section is protected from the rain, but not from the cold.

They also had activities for children, such as face painting and small wet suits to try on, on the day I visited.

Find directions to the Seattle Aquarium here.

This Week's Events (2/2–2/8)

2009-02-02T15:00:00.000-08:00

There are a lot of Museums holding their FREE day of the month this week.

Monday
Groundhog's Day

Tuesday
Pacific Science Center—"Science on Tap"
Imagine Children's Museum—"Art Rocks: Recycled Art Day" Continues until Wednesday.

Thursday
Seattle Asian Art Museum—FREE Thursday 10am–9pm
Museum of Flight—FREE Thursday 10am–9pm
Experience Music Project/Science Fiction Museum—FREE evening in the museums 5pm—8pm

Friday
Bellevue Art Museum—FREE Friday 10am–9pm
Sprouts Children's Theatre—"Little Red Riding Hood" Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until February 22. For children grade-school aged and up, but see website for special performances for families with children under 4 years.

Saturday
Northwest Puppet Center—"Monkey Goes Fishing" Continues every Friday and Saturday until February 15.
Pacific Northwest Ballet—"Pinocchio" Family matinées available Saturday and Sunday only.
Kid's Discovery Museum—"Zainy Rainy Forest" exhibit opens today.
Seattle Asian Art Museum—FREE Saturday for families 10am–5pm
Lakeshore Learning Materials—"Love Bug" craft FREE

Sunday
Center for Wooden Boats—FREE Public Sail on Lake Union

Ongoing
Seattle Children's Theatre—"Pharaoh Serket and the Lost Stone of Fire" Until Mar. 7. Ages 8+.
Seattle Children's Theatre—"Tomas and the Library Lady" (ages 7+). Continues until March 1.
Studio East—"A Little Princess" play opens. (ages 6+) Continues every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until February 8.
Seattle Children's Museum—Curious George exhibit continues until May 10th.

Seward Park

2009-01-29T11:33:00.000-08:00

Seward Park has 300 acres of forest, occupying all of a peninsula in Lake Washington. This park boasts beautiful old growth forests, and the best paved, flat, walking trail that I have found in Seattle. Unfortunately, when I visited, I forgot my camera! But one look at the location will give you an idea of how beautiful this park is.

Seward park has 2.4 mile trail on the outside of the park—paved, flat, and perfect for kids on bikes, scooters, or just for a walk around.

Look for wildlife along the way. There are eagles, turtles, frogs, ducks, and even some feral parrots! The visitor's center near the parking lot can give you additional information of what to look for.

The park also features a playground, tennis courts, and picnic areas, as well as an amphitheater for large events.

Snow Fun!

2009-01-28T06:00:00.000-08:00

When the weather is bad, head for the mountains! Be sure to check all sites for conditions and additional information.

Tubing & Snowshoeing
Summit Tubing Center at Snoqualmie: Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and Holidays, there is tubing going on! Pick from 10 to 12 groomed runs and a tow to help you back up the hill. Kids always cost $5 for a 2-hour session and price includes a tube. The Summit also offers guided snowshoeing, but the age limit (13+) prevents most kids from coming along.

Paradise Snowplay at Mt. Rainier: Sledding is permitted in designated areas. Bring your own soft sleds, inner tubes, or saucers. There is compressed air available for filling tubes. Tubing area is supervised by park rangers on weekends and holidays. Free, but $10 vehicle admission to Mt. Rainier is required. For adults and kids age 8+, try a ranger-guided snowshoe walk. Snowshoes are available to rent for $1.

Pacific Science Center's Family Snowshoe Expedition: For adults and children ages 8+. This is costly, but they take care of the snowshoes, guide you on the trail, and help kids look for signs of animal life. There is also a kids only version of the event and a Winter Survival 3-day camp for kids also located on this website.

There are designated areas for snowplay at Lake Wenatchee Sno-Park and Hyak Sno-Park. For more information, call (360) 902-8684 or e-mail winter@parks.wa.gov. There is a permit required for parking, but snowplay should be free.

Hurricane Ridge offers guided snowshoeing trips for $5 donation and allows sledding at two designated areas: Sunrise Family Snowplay Area for families and Small Children’s Snowplay Area for children age 8 and under. There is a $15 car entrance fee to the park.

Skiing
Local Skiing at Mt. Baker, The Summit at Snoqualmie, Crystal Mountain, Hurricane Ridge, and Stevens Pass. Check the individual websites for more information.

Tacoma Museum of Glass

2009-01-27T10:07:00.000-08:00

Tacoma Museum of Glass

What!?! Take my kids in a museum full of glass? Obviously this outing is for the older kids or a child who can take the responsibility of not touching the sculptures. But the museum seems to encourage families and children in the museum. They even hold field trips, so if your children are properly supervised and warned, they should be fine.

The Seattle area boasts one of the greatest concentrations of glass artists in the United States, and this museum shows off their works. Dale Chihuly, one of the most famous Seattle artists, is often featured here. Check with the museum at museumofglass.org to see what exhibits are showing when you go.

An artist in the Hot Shop

My favorite part of the museum was the Hot Shop, a large amphitheater where glass artists and their teams create their sculptures right in front of you. When we went, we were able to see an artist and his team create part of a sculpture that will sit outside the museum.

An enormous glass sculpture outside the museum.

The museum also holds a monthly contest for kids called the Kids Design Glass program. Children under the age of 12 can send in a drawing of what they would like to see created by the glass team. If chosen, the winning child and their family will be invited to the museum to see two of their creation made—one for the museum, and one for the child to keep!

The Tacoma Museum of Glass also holds a Family Day every second Saturday of each month (the next one would be Saturday, February 14) with activities for kids and adults scattered throughout the museum.

The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday in the Winter and 7 days a week in the Summer. Check here for their hours and admissions. Visit the museum for free on the third Thursday of each month from 5–8pm.

Find directions to the museum here.

This Week's Events (1/26–2/1)

2009-01-26T09:59:00.000-08:00

Wednesday
Imagine Children's Museum—"Let it Snow!" Day Camp (ages 3-6)

Friday
Seattle Children's Theatre—"Pharaoh Serket and the Lost Stone of Fire" Until Mar. 7. Ages 8+.

Saturday
Bellevue Art Museum—"Basket Weaving" $2 or FREE with paid admission
Kirkland Performance Center—"Goldilocks" A musical by Storybook Theatre Productions (ages 3–9). Also showing on the 1, 7, and 8. (This play will later be showing in Everett, Edmonds, Renton, and Seattle in February. Stay tuned for information of these events.)
Chinatown/International District—Lunar or Chinese New Year Celebration (FREE)
Snohomish Ground Frog Day— Yes! Really! See if the frog sees his shadow! (FREE)
Wing Luke Museum—50% off admission for the start of the Year of the Ox
Paramount Theatre—"Playhouse Disney Live! On Tour"
Comcast Arena at Everett—"X-treme International Ice Racing AMA Pro Tour" for your little motorcycle fans
Molbak's in Woodinville—Create your own Terrarium Kids Activity

Sunday
Comcast Arena at Everett—"Playhouse Disney Live! On Tour"

Ongoing
Seattle Children's Theatre—"Tomas and the Library Lady" (ages 7+). Continues until March 1.
Everett Performing Arts Center—"Beauty and the Beast" Continues until February 1.
Studio East—"A Little Princess" play opens. (ages 6+) Continues every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until February 8.
Children's Film Festival—Full-length feature films, shorts, animation, and even a pancake breakfast. Continues until February 1.
Seattle Children's Museum—Curious George exhibit continues until May 10th.
Northwest Puppet Center—"Wiley and the Hairy Man" continues Saturdays and Sundays until February 1.

Coal Creek Falls Hike

2009-01-23T06:19:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe that this picture was taken in the middle of last winter!

Just off I-90 on Exit 13 (Lakemont Boulevard), there is a wonderful little hike that is perfect for kids and perfect for winter. In fact, I believe it's better this time of year, as the moss is prolific in the cold weather and the bugs are not. The falls are also supposed to be more full between the months of January and February. This hike is 2.5 miles roundtrip, relatively flat, and actually has a bit of history around it!

The area of Coal Creek was once an old mining camp, known as Red Town. As you hike to the falls, you'll notice areas off the trail where the ground has slumped in. These areas were once underground mines, but as the ground has weakened, the weight of the soil has made the mines collapse. Your kids will enjoy imagining this area as a mine camp, far away from the city of Seattle. Make sure that you stay on the trail—some of these mines may not have fallen in and could be dangerous.

The falls are beautiful, and the kids will enjoy playing on the bridge nearby. If you're feeling adventurous, don't go back the way you came. Instead, continue on past the falls. The trail will eventually pass by Redtown Meadow, where the miners used to hold baseball games. The meadow is now reclaimed by natural grasses, shrubs, and vines, so the kids can't run around on it, but there are a couple of interesting signs explaining how the meadow was once used. If you do decide to take this route back, make sure you study the map at the trailhead before departing.

To find the falls, take Exit 13 of I-90 and drive south on Lakemont Boulevard until it becomes Newcastle-Coal Creek Road. Continue on until you see the a trailhead and parking lot on the left (eastern) side of the road. If you come to the Newcastle Golf Course, you've gone too far.

For a map to the Coal Creek Falls, look here.

Tips for Those Gray Seattle Days

2009-01-22T06:00:00.000-08:00

While the last few weeks have had their fair share of share of sunny days, the fog that has been sweeping through my side of Seattle has been reminding me of those gray, gray days that we often get here in Seattle. And how it sometimes affects my moods. Especially when they occur in the months of January and February.

I realize that for some people, seasonal depression is very much a chemical imbalance. For others, it just seems to be a mild, yet hated part of the winter. And although the weather forecast for the next week calls for partly cloudy days (i.e. some sun!), I often find that having a plan to keep myself from going crazy ahead of time is my best method of defense.

Here are some of my ideas for improving the moods of us all—including the kids!

Get out of the house! One of the wonderful things about Seattle is that our temperatures are pretty temperate in the wintertime. And even if it is often wet, there is usually some part of the day when the rains stops and you could go on a walk or visit a park.
Exercise. Even a work out video in your front room does wonders.
Eat better. Experts say that we crave junk food more in the winter because carbs often raise the levels of serotonin in in the brain. A better way to increase serotonin is to eat complex carbs (like rice and pasta) or simple carbs (like fruits and fruit juices). It's healthier and will provide a better peak in moods than junk food.
Wake up earlier and open your blinds as soon as you get up. Irregular sleep patterns add to depression.
Join a museum. There are some wonderful children's museums around Seattle that have events during the week—crafts for the kids, story times, and other fun things that could help keep your children occupied. Buying a season or yearly pass is often the best way to get the most for your money.
Go on a hike. While you can't usually go on a hike in the mountain, there are plenty of hikes closer by that you can go on if you bundle up.
Invite a friend over. And don't feel guilty about letting the kids go off and play while the two of you spend some time catching up. Sometimes a friendly face is the best medicine for lifting your spirits.
If you can't go outside, go shopping! At the very least, you'll be moving around, and the kids might enjoy the mall play place, if there is one.
Find a new project to work on in the house. Paint a room, start a quilt, organize a closet.

I'll work on covering some some of the specifics of these ideas in the coming months!

Thistle Theatre

2009-01-21T06:40:00.000-08:00

If you're like me, you want to raise your kids with an appreciation of the theatre, but most productions in the area seem to be a little costly for younger children, or too old in their subject matter, even if they are designed for kids. That's where Thistle Theatre comes in.

Thistle Theatre productions use Bunraku-style, handmade puppets, meaning the puppets are controlled by performers dressed in black onstage. The plays last 45 minutes (perfect for those little ones) and all their plays are appropriate for ages 3+. Tickets are $7.00 for kids and $9.00 for adults, and Thistle Theatre performs in three different locations—Sunset Hill Community Club in the Ballard area, Magnuson Park Theatre north of UW, and the Bellevue Youth Theatre.

Pictures borrowed from thistletheatre.org.

Fremont Troll

2009-01-20T06:02:00.000-08:00

If your kids haven't see this Seattle site yet, they are in for a big surprise.

Found under the Aurora Bridge (otherwise known as the George Washington Memorial Bridge) in Fremont is the biggest troll your kids will have ever seen. If they are at all familiar with the story "The Three Billy Goats Gruff," this giant figure will spark their imaginations. If they don't know that story, check it out from your local library before making a visit.

The troll has a real Volkswagon Beetle in his hand like it swiped it from the road. You are even allowed to climb on the statue, which might make it less scary for the kids.

Find directions here.

This Week's Events (1/19–1/25)

2009-01-19T12:49:00.000-08:00

Monday
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Tuesday
Imagine Children's Museum—Mini Day Camp (ages 2 1/2–6) "Winter Wonderland"
Kid's Discovery Museum—"Chinese Crafts"

Wednesday
Kid's Discovery Museum—"Creation Station"

Thursday
Imagine Children's Museum—"Art Rocks: Smorgasbord Art Day"
Kid's Discovery Museum—(FOR MOMS) "Feeding Your Toddler"

Friday
Studio East—"A Little Princess" play opens. (ages 6+) Continues every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until February 8.
Children's Film Festival begins. Full-length feature films, shorts, animation, and even a pancake breakfast. Continues until February 1.
Kid's Discovery Museum—"Winter Tale Comes Alive"

Saturday
Bellevue Art Museum—"Basket Weaving" $2 or FREE with paid admission and "Felt Sculpture Demonstration" (FREE)
Seattle Children's Museum—Curious George exhibit opens. Continues until May 10th.
Seattle Center—"Tết Festival: Vietnamese Lunar New Year" Continues until January 25. (FREE)
Kid's Discovery Museum—Arthur's World exhibit ends.
Pacific Science Center—"Family Snowshoe Adventure"

Ongoing
Seattle Children's Theatre—"Tomas and the Library Lady" (ages 7+). Continues until March 1.
Everett Performing Arts Center—"Beauty and the Beast" Continues until February 1.