23 Things to Do with Kids in WASHINGTON (Fun & Memorable)
Known for its strong art, culture, and coffee-drinking culture, Washington State is also the home base of global organizations.
Beyond being the home of companies such as Microsoft and Amazon, it has a lot of interesting locations where kids can create memories around.
You would also find these sites and activities engaging too.
There is a lot that is cool about Washington State (aside from the fact that it’s the largest apple-producing State in the U.S.).
From fair-filled parks to hands-on activities and museums filled with beautiful, shiny objects: these locations will probably get your kids thinking you’re the coolest parent/guardian ever.
Things to Do with Kids in Washington DC, Washington
1. Go sight-seeing at the Lincoln Memorial
If anything, the Lincoln Memorial ranks as the number one thing to see in Washington, DC.
This memorial has many attractions, especially the sculpture of Abraham Lincoln.
History meets culture in this monument dedicated to Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States.
The architect, Daniel Chester French, built it to mimic the Temple of Zeus at Olympia in Greece. In the memorial, the sculpture of the former President sits on a throne-like chair facing the memorial reflecting pool.
The statue spans 19 feet wide and stretches 19 feet high.
Your kid really can’t say he has been to Washington DC without a picture at this landmark.
One tip when visiting is to go early in the mornings or later in the evenings when the crowds are easier to deal with.
Address: 2 Lincoln Memorial Cir NW, Washington, DC 20002, U.S.A.
2. Enjoy space technology at National Air and Space Museum.
You might not fly to the moon for a visit, but you can see a spacesuit that made it there.
Cool right?
The spacesuit that belonged to Neil Armstrong, the first astronaut who made it to the moon, is displayed at the museum.
But that’s not it!
Aircrafts, along with spacecrafts, are up for display!
The 1903 Wright Flyer is another thing you and your kids can catch at the museum.
This flier was the first successfully controlled plane or flying machine built by the Wright brothers.
The museum offers flight simulators and Virtual Reality that you can pay for.
There is a planetarium, a building with moving images of the sky.
If you have kids who love planes, space, and flight history, this one’s for you.
And guess what? Entries are free!
However, visits are timed and require reservations.
Address: Independence Ave SW 600 Independence Ave SW, Washington DC, DC 20560
3. Visit the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Fun fact: The movie Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian was filmed here.
On your entry into the museum, you meet a massive elephant in the Lobby.
There is a laboratory where kids can make their scientific discoveries.
From dinosaur bone casts to a butterfly pavilion and gem displays, this museum will have you and your kids begging to return.
The second floor has a Human Origins exhibit showing how humans evolved, which your kids are going to love.
But that’s not all; a giant T-Rex is biting into the crest of a triceratops right in the museum.
The main attraction of the crystal and gem collection is the Hope Diamond—the largest multifaceted blue diamond in the world.
Worn by Kings and nobles long gone, rumors and stories have it that this same diamond is cursed.
Do you think they are true?
Check it out for yourself.
Admission is also free, and the museum is open all seven days of the week except December 25th.
Address: The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
4. Learn about the culture at the National Museum of African American History and Culture
You and your kids would likely not go through this museum in one day.
The good news is that admission is free, so you can return as many times as you’d want!
This museum offers many engaging displays through which kids of all ages can learn about black history.
The experience proves immersive enough for kids who can’t read yet though they might need some explanation.
However, be prepared for serious questions.
Wear comfortable shoes because there will be a lot of walking around this ten-story building.
Wheelchairs are also available at the main entrance.
The museum displays artifacts dated from pre-slavery to present times.
The lower floors exhibit the history of slavery from as early as 1400, while the upper floors cover African American culture.
Address: 1400 Constitution Ave NW, Washington DC, DC 20560-0007
Things to Do with Kids in Washington, MO, Washington
1. Experience the Iron Spike Model Trains Museum
The Children’s Train experience is a place where kids can interact with wooden trains.
This public charity museum preserves railroad history and models of railroads.
If you want a hands-on experience for your kids, three rooms have more than enough displays. Displays of train models, small-scale geography, and the rich history they can learn from also while being entertained.
The model boards have detailed scenery, mountains, villages, and more, which trains can move through.
If your kid has a model train that needs repairs, they offer repairs too.
With their modelers, the Iron Spike Model Trains Museum guarantees you can find something new every time you visit.
Be sure to make your reservations 24 hours ahead of time, and a group payment option is available for a family of four.
Address: 1498 High St, Washington, MO 63090, U.S.A.
2. Enjoy outdoor living at Purina Farms.
Field trip time!
Purina Farms will be a delight if your kids love canines and farm animals.
At Purina Farms, you can enjoy live performances and wagon rides.
Their unique event calendar lists fascinating shows that run from three days to a week.
Have you ever been to a birthday paw-ty?
Purina Farms offer children an outdoor birthday party experience, and you want to take advantage of this.
A paw-ty for your kid would include:
- A V.I.P. wagon ride.
- A cow-milking demonstration.
- A chance for the birthday kid to milk a cow.
You could also bring your dog along for your family field trip.
However, it would be best to vaccinate your pet, who must be at least four months old.
If your kids love to see performing animals or want to learn how to be more responsible pet owners, Purina Farms might be the place to be.
Address: 500 William Danforth Way, Gray Summit, MO 63039-1155
Things to Do with Kids in Olympia, Washington
1. Bike riding at Yelm-Rainier-Tenino Trail
Be sure to carry along water bottles to quench your thirst and helmets for a safety check.
This former railroad is sure to lead to many fun moments for you and your family.
Now a paved bike trail, it is open for bike rides all year round.
If you and your kids would rather have an equestrian ride, the track has a path for horse riding that runs parallel.
Restrooms are available, and so are official parking lots–although they are located at the beginning of each trail.
These trailheads also have picnic tables.
This is one trip that would have kids, dogs, and lots of bikers.
In Yelm-Rainier-Tenino Trail is the Pizzeria La Gitana, which guarantees to feel like a trip to Italy.
They offer wood-fired authentic Italian pizza and crayons for kids to color while the pizza bakes.
Address: The trail starts close to Yelm City Hall, at 1st Street and Railway Road S.E., then passes through the Town and terminates at Tenino City Park.
2. Explore arts and crafts at Shipwreck beads.
Have you heard that beading encourages social skills and cooperation among kids?
Under supervision, toddlers can improve their motor skills through simple activities such as beading.
If you’d love to get started with an excellent activity for your kids, beading is a great place to start. Shipwreck Beads is also the place to begin to get your beads, as they boast of being the world’s most extensive collection of beads.
From India glass beads to Terra-intensive seed beads to Fire Polished beads–there are more than enough textures your kids can get hands-on with.
Thirty-plus aisles of beads might be overwhelming, but the store has a map and knowledgeable salespeople to help you and your kids around.
The store is also wheelchair friendly.
Shipwreck is enormous, so plan ample time for you and your kids to find what you love.
Address: 8535 Commerce Place Dr NE Suite A Lacey, WA 98516 1-800-950-4232
Read more about things to do in NY with kids
3. Go bird watching at Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
Your kids get the chance to view birds in their natural habitat here.
The center offers discovery packs with activities for kids in grades 3 through 6.
Nisqually Refuge exists to protect wildlife and does so.
However, the kind of animals you see is dependent on the time of year you and your kids visit.
Because some wildlife, such as birds and fish, migrate seasonally.
Fishing is not permitted at all at the Refuge Center, though.
Spring and fall are the best times for you to bring your kids to see the birds at the Refuge. Summer months are quieter because the birds are nesting.
At least 250 species have been recorded at the Refuge, so remember to bring your binoculars!
Approximately 10,000 students and teachers visit the Refuge Center annually.
Planning a field trip for the kids is one of the best ways to give them a rich experience.
Address: 100 Brown Farm Rd NE, Olympia, WA 98516, U.S.A.
4. Take incredible photos at Olympia’s murals.
Downtown Olympia has murals that are sure to make your kids’ imagination fly.
A walk downtown Olympia could involve some storytelling.
The streets of Downtown Olympia are lined with several murals, which are unique in their way.
Some are very abstract, and others are actually beautiful images.
One example is the superhero wall with any superhero you can imagine; Wonder Woman, The Hulk, Silver Surfer, and even Spiderman.
The futuristic city is one other mural with a vast painted sun and a flock of birds flying across a city.
The Great Wave off Kanagawa is a giant wave you could almost imagine saying ‘hello.’
Art helps children process their world and encourages creativity, which inspires problem-solving.
Take your kids for a walk in Downtown Olympia and enjoy the stories that come out of it.
Address: Downtown Olympia, Washington
Read more about things to do in Florida State with kids
Things to Do with Kids in Lacey Washington, Washington
1. Experience the Huntamer Park
This park hosts a night market and an outdoor performance stage.
Events are held here almost every weekend.
So, whether you’re a visitor or a local, Huntamer will have something for you all year round. Your kids can go swing dancing at the park on Tuesdays.
Close to the stage are two outdoor climbing rocks for children.
The park has picnic tables and other picnic options.
It is very dog friendly too.
The Lacey S.T.E.M. fair for children of all ages holds at the park, too, and admission is free. Displays, demonstrations, and activities are available for children to get hands-on.
From the alternative energy fair to the Lacey in Tune concert series, you wouldn’t want your kids to miss this park, especially in the fall and summertime.
Address: 618 Woodland Square Loop SE Lacey, Washington 98503
2. Relax at the Woodland Creek Community Park
You can have a fantastic family day at the park with its fourteen-hole disc course, play equipment, and unsheltered picnic tables.
The natural trails give way for dog walking, though the dogs have to be on a leash.
You can rent a sheltered picnic table or event area with your kids.
Reservations have to be made to use these for half a day or a full day.
Enjoy a barbecue at the freestanding grills.
Then cool off at their swimming pools on a hot afternoon.
You can fish in Woodland Park, and fishing is a great way to build confidence in your kids and bond with them.
The park hosts a number of community events and recreation, and the greenery is a lovely sight to see.
Address: 6729 Pacific Ave SE, Lacey, WA 98503-1350
Things to Do with Kids in Washington, PA, Washington
1. Enjoy homemade foot at the Spring House
On this dairy farm, your kids can taste homemade food outside of the home.
Healthy meals are prepared by hand and without a shared recipe.
The cookies and cakes are made from scratch with their milk too.
At the farm, you can watch the milking machines too.
Springhouse has events all year round that kids can easily enjoy, such as breakfast with Santa, Easter egg hunt, teddy bear tea party, strawberry festivals, and more.
When you arrive, you and your kids are taken on a dairy farm tour and then given a free ice cream cone!
The incredible ice creamy concoctions will surely become a favorite for your kids.
The tour offers live music, a bus ride around the farm, and even a calf feeding itself.
Address: 1531 Route 136 Washington, PA 15301
2. Watch sports activities at the Wild Things Park
Did someone say themed kids’ night?
And the entry for the themed kids’ night is free!
Formerly CONSOL energy park, this baseball park offers itself as a place to hold events, sporting activities, and festivals.
Widely known as the home for the wild things baseball team, this 3200-seater multi-purpose baseball stadium is home to many sports activities.
It has a picnic area and fireworks on Friday nights.
Then a circus the kids can enjoy too!
Most significantly, you can buy tickets to baseball games if your kids are sports fans.
The minor league ballpark is also a great place for your family and kids.
However, luxury suites are available for reservation,
The park is accessible to people with disabilities.
It has a wheelchair-accessible entrance along with a wheelchair-accessible car park.
Address: 1 Washington Federal Way, Washington, PA 15301, United States
Things to Do with Kids in Seattle, Washington
1. Dive back in time with dinosaur displays at the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture.
It doesn’t get any better than floating whale skeletons.
The Burke is also known for its impressive collection of T-Rex Skulls.
It houses many skeletal artifacts and is located on the University of Washington campus.
With its vast windows, visitors can see behind the scenes where scientists are actively researching.
These window panes also give visitors a chance to see artifacts that are archived but which aren’t on display.
Children who visit could speak with the scientists in the preservation and research facilities to ask all the questions they want.
Kids who are three and below can get into the museum for free.
The first Thursday of each month is also free for everyone.
It’s an all-around experience, even for your tastebuds.
While you and your kids are there, the Rez Cafe offers a rare opportunity to try out Native American food.
So, what are you waiting for?
Address: 4300 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105
2. Soar high with the Space Needle
Don’t look down!
A rotating glass paneled floor in a 600 feet structure will get your kids talking for days to come.
Seattle’s space needle will blow their minds away if your kids don’t mind heights.
There, you can have a 360-degree view of the city, and there’s no limit to the time you can spend at the top.
Just a heads up, though, an average of twenty thousand people visit the Space Needle daily.
So, you want to purchase tickets ahead of time.
Going at dusk can be beautiful too if you go during Christmas when there are lots of lights in the city.
There is also a revolving restaurant that you can book ahead to eat or buy snacks, drinks, and ice cream for your kids.
Address: 400 Broad St, Seattle, WA 98109, U.S.A.
3. Experience art in nature at the Chihuly Garden and Glass
From indoor galleries to glass-blown sculptures in gardens, the Chihuly Garden is a feast for the eyes.
Where art meets nature, and some say the works of art look like something from a sci-fi movie.
Even the glass sculptures lit up at night will bring you in awe.
The museum also details in the film how the artist made certain sculptures and live demos of how blown glass is made.
There’s a sea life exhibit your kids will be sure to enjoy, along with a gift shop and a cafe where you can buy pizza for your kids if they get hungry.
You could also buy tickets to the glass museum at the bottom of the space needle.
Whether you go at night, on a sunny day, or when it’s raining, you and your kids can’t go wrong with a visit to the Chihuly.
Address: 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109, U.S.A.
4. Go on a Washington State Ferry
This might be ideal for older kids, but ferries are a great way to take in scenic views of Seattle.
More preferred than cars, ferries are a means to commute for locals to places such as Bainbridge Island and San Juan Island.
Bainbridge Island has shops, restaurants, and activities you and your kids can visit.
Most of the Island’s activities are free, such as a visit to Lytle Beach or Battlepoint Park.
The Ferries serve as a way to sight-see visitors and tourists.
Mega-ferries have multiple docks; some recommend getting your tickets days in advance.
You can do this online through their site.
Although the ferries run all year round, when taking your kids, plan for scheduled shifts just in case something comes up.
Address: 2901 3rd Ave, Seattle, WA
Things to Do with Kids in Vancouver, Washington
1. Take a walk through history at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
Whether you’re hosting a birthday party or bringing your pet, this is an excellent location for events of all kinds.
More than two million artifacts have been recovered from the site since the mid-1900s.
It’s also a great place to learn history with your kids.
There’s a ranger’s tour, an opportunity to see exhibits, and tours of historical museums–some for free.
You can also roleplay with your kids and enjoy the scavenger hunts.
The roleplay doesn’t end there.
Volunteers take on various personalities and work in different buildings, such as the famous blacksmith (a personal favorite of visitors), the commander, garden carers, and others.
The site gives a peek at what it’s like to live in the 1800s featuring tours of older homes, wide open lawns, and historical vegetable gardens.
Address: 612 E Reserve St, Vancouver, WA 98661, U.S.A.
2. Go on a game adventure at ParadigmQ
’60 minutes.
Seven unique escape rooms.
Are you ready?
At paradigmQ, you and your kids can play a themed game in an escape room.
Each escape room allows two to six players to solve puzzles that range in difficulty levels and have unique storylines.
Games include Sasquatch on Site (a bigfoot-themed mystery), the fright before Christmas (Christmas meets Halloween in this one), and Murder on the Express (an investigative thriller).
Some games have a virtual version and can be played online between two to four players.
But brace yourself; these are more than simple puzzles you can just put together.
Although there is a staff member named the ‘Game Master’ who gives appropriate clues at points during the game.
Depending on the age of your kids, you can call ahead to ask which ones are easier, to begin with before you book an escape room.
Address: 14415 SE Mill Plain Blvd Suite 104B, Vancouver, WA 98684, U.S.A.
Things to Do with Kids in Spokane Washington, Washington
1. Go outdoor skating at Riverfront Park
An outdoor area covered with an ice rink will make your kids have a fantastic time.
You can go rollerblading with your kids in the warmer months at the park.
The park features falls where you can take a 15-minute gondola ride over.
There’s also a trail you can go bike riding or jogging on.
If you have a dog, you can also bring them for a walk!
Though a couple of activities require fees, kids have many opportunities to have self-directed play.
The park offers electric scooters and bikes you can rent.
It gets even better with an I.M.A.X. theater and amusement rides kids can have fun at.
If you don’t plan to spend a cent, you plan for a picnic and still have a fantastic time with your kids.
Address: 507 N Howard St, Spokane, WA 99201, U.S.A
2. Create learning experiences at Mobius Discovery Center.
What do we get when S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) meets Art?
Mobius calls it STEAM.
It provides STEAM kits for each kid at a pocket-friendly fee which they and their families can do at home together.
The center is a non-profit that affords children of all ages a learning adventure through hands-on projects.
This experience drives critical thinking and problem-solving through experiential learning.
Every item at the center is intentional, and knowledge-based and will drive interaction with the kids.
If you also want a birthday party for your kids, Mobius organizes birthday parties for kids if it’s something you would like for yours.
The center is open Wednesday through Sunday and is close to Riverfront Park.
When you bring kids over, they’ll be so engaged they won’t want to leave.
Address:331 N Post St Spokane, WA 99201
3. Go fruit picking at Green Bluff
If your kids love to get hands-on, green bluff will be a haven.
Your kids can pick flowers, vegetables, fresh fruits, and even orchards.
However, farms on the Green Bluff are independently owned, which means more variety for you and your kids.
One farm displays arts and goods in partnership with local artists.
Another has a pizzeria and offers birthday parties–if your kid wants a farm party.
This farm, in particular, presents local cuisines from food trucks with local musicians.
Green Bluff has events during Easter and other times during the year which your family can attend together.
Did we mention you can find the perfect Christmas tree here too?
A field trip to Green Bluff is guaranteed to be far from boring for your kids, even if it’s just sightseeing the scenic views of Mount Spokane.
Address: Green Bluff, Washington 99021, USA