Free Admission at Woodland Park Zoo for Winter Break

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

"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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.