Summer is here, at least unofficially. The last week or so, we've had exceptionally warm weather for this part of the world.
I thought it would be fun to brainstorm about all the fun things going on around Puget Sound. Some we'll participate in, some I'm just listing to help you plan your days.
1. Free movies. Regal theatres has free kids movies on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings starting on June 23rd. Mr. Bean's Holiday and Space Chimps are ones that my boys would probably enjoy. More info
here. My link is for Washington state but this is going on around the US.
2. Festivals. There is a festival going on every single weekend! Here is a
good list of those in the Seattle area. The Milk Carton derby at Green Lake is fun to watch. We love to hear the roar of the Blue Angels in August.
3. Target's
Wonderstage in Lynnwood. We have gone to this several times in previous years. Free entertainment at noon followed by free popsicles. Our favourite was Brothers From Different Mothers - a juggling act. You do need to get there early to get a good seat.
4. Petting farm at
Forest Park in Everett. My kids are getting a bit old for this (sniff, sniff) but I recommend it. It used to be free but I notice they are now asking for donations to help with the costs of upkeep. $1 per child is pretty reasonable! This is open weekends starting June 6th until the end of June and then weekdays until August 16th.
5. Spray parks. I just heard that the water has been turned on so that is great news.
Willis Tucker Park in suburban Snohomish is a great place to get wet (with guaranteed clean water) and has a fun playground, too.
6. Picking berries. We are a crazy fruit pickin' family. :) First come the strawberries which we used to pick from Beringer Farms in Marysville. They've now moved to Arlington so we're not sure if we'll drive that far this year. Second is raspberries which we like to pick in Monroe, followed by blueberries. A good resource for finding U-Pick farms is
Puget Fresh's website. Blackberries complete our summer and we like to find those in the wild, for free. :)
7. The fountain at the Seattle Center. I want to do this some day!
8. An oldie but a goodie - the Woodland Park Zoo. We were there last week and enjoyed seeing the new penguin exhibit.
9. Jetty Island - Everett. There is a free ferry ride to this 2 mile long island with shallow water surrounding. We haven't been yet but hope to go this summer.
10. Farmers markets - our favourite is the Edmonds one. My boys love the kettle corn and I love the jewelry and art, if they'll let me look at it! :)
11. Paddle boats on Green Lake - I don't want to forget to do this!
12. Vacation Bible School - we're going to 2 this year - our own church's and an "all the bells and whistles" one at a big church. :) I'll be teaching at our church's VBS. We still need teachers so I'm putting in a plug here for those of you who need to sign up. :) Daniel Henry is the director this year.
13. Summer reading programs. Last year both of my boys (then 3 and 4 1/2) participated in programs at 2 libraries - Sno-Isle and King County. They both completed the programs (with either me reading to them or reading independently) and received some cool prizes - a book, binoculars and tickets to see a minor league baseball game. I know that Barnes and Noble has a program but last year my son wasn't old enough.
14. Train rides. In the past, we've gone to Snoqualmie and ridden the
Snoqualmie Valley Railroad. This year we would like to go to the
Kitsap Steamers in Port Orchard. Another one I just heard of is the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad which looks fantastic but a wee bit too far of a drive. :)
Whew! That was a long list. We're getting a new blow up pool since a nasty raccoon destroyed our beautiful pool which we enjoyed last year. Hopefully it will come soon - the weather forecast is for 84, two days this week!