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!