Eek! Somehow August is flying by. Before you know it, you’ll be preparing to fall back into the school routine and those dreaded early morning tantrums. Before the lazy days of summer become just a distant memory, drop everything, get outside and pack in as much summer as you possibly can. Scroll down for 50 fun ideas to make your family’s last days of summer as memorable as the first.
photo: Kristina Moy
1. Plan an end-of-summer road trip and get in one last hurrah before school starts.
2. We’re psyched about bikes: ride the trails at Duthie Hill Bike Park, saddle up for Bicycle Sunday or ride the Burke-Gilman Trail.
3. Take a break from the heat and head indoors to check out a new museum. Psst! The Destination Moon: The Apollo 11 Mission exhibit at The Museum of Flight is in town until Sep. 2, 2019.
photo: James Emery via Flickr
4. Pet the pigs, sheep and goats at a nearby petting farm or zoo.
5. Take one last splash in a Seattle, Eastside or South Sound wading pool or spray park before they close after Labor Day.
6. Tacoma has several brand-new attractions you and your kids are going to love. Before school starts, plan to make a day of it in T-Town.
photo: Kristina Moy
7. Hike, swim and picnic around Rattlesnake Lake. Psst! Don’t forget your floaties.
8. Rent a cabin at one of these picturesque state parks or try yurt camping.
9. Explore the Center for Wooden Boats, Ballard Locks and Lake Union Park without spending a dime.
photo: Marcy Grantor
10. Take a ride to the top of the remodeled Space Needle and experience the world’s first revolving glass floor observation deck. It’s awesome!
11. Head to Agua Verde for lunch or dinner and reserve kayaks for a before or after meal paddle around the lake. Psst! Be sure to check out these 17 other places that offer kayak rentals for kids.
12. Pack a picnic lunch and find your end-of-summer zen at one of these botanical gardens.
photo: Allison Sutcliffe
13. Take your crew to Crystal Mountain Resort to ride the Mount Rainier Gondola, hike the trails, picnic under the snow-capped mountain peaks, play a round of disc golf and enjoy a tasty treat or meal on the Summit House Restaurant’s outdoor patio.
14. Dial up the sitter and give one of these new Seattle attractions a try with your sweetie!
15. Take your little monkeys to one of these active indoor spots to burn off the summer stir-crazies
photo: Kristina Moy
16. There’s plenty do along the Seattle waterfront—Seattle Aquarium, Ye Old Curiosity Shop, Miners Landing, The Seattle Great Wheel and Wings Over Washington.
17. Got a crew of pop culture fanatics? Plan a visit to Funko Headquarters in Everett or one of these other spots around the city for plenty of pop culture fun.
18. Seattle is full of cool fountains to explore. The best part? They’re totally free!
photo: Remlinger Farms
19. Ride the kiddie amusement park rides at Remlinger Farms. While you’re there, pet the farm animals, take a steam train ride, jump in the hay and enjoy plenty of old-fashioned farm fun.
21. Throw in the towels and head to Jetty Island, just a 30-minute drive north of Seattle, before it closes for the season.
photo: Kristina Moy
22. Grin and bear it, because the kids will love it: Wild Waves Theme & Water Park!
23. Two words: ice cream! Grab a scoop (or two!) at one of our favorite shops around the city.
24. Dig out your hiking poles and strap your sidekick into the carrier, the Naches Loop Trail is the everything bagel of family hikes. Psst! Clocking in around three miles means even mini hikers can make this trek.
photo: Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce
25. Take an easy summer day trip and pack in as much family time as you possibly can!
26. Satisfy your taste buds and take in some of the best views of Mount Rainier and Puget Sound from the downtown Seattle waterfront at The Fisherman’s Restaurant & Bar.
27. Grab your comfy chairs, blankets and movie snacks and settle in for a free or super cheap outdoor movie under the Seattle starry skies.
photo: Katie Cotterill
28. Head to Northwest Trek Wildlife Park to see the brand-new Eagle Passage exhibit and experience the park’s other fantastic attractions. Want to get up close and personal with the resident wildlife? Book a 90-minute Keeper Adventure Tour aboard a specially equipped four-wheel-drive jeep and get ready to blow your kids’ minds!
29. Channel your inner pirate aboard the Queen Anne’s Revenge—Seattle’s only full-time pirate ship cruise.
30. Need a break from the sun? Chill out at an indoor theater. The Regal Summer Movie Express is only $1 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays through the end of August.
photo: Kristina Moy
31. Head to the Henry Moses Aquatic Center to ride the lazy river and zip down the speedy water slides before it closes for the season.
32. Show your crew the silly side of Seattle at these spots not necessarily found in the tourist guidebooks.
33. Take your crew to Bumbershoot to experience great tunes from all music genres, urban craft vendors and interactive programming and activities for the whole family.
photo: Patrick Hagerty
34. End summer with a trip to the Washington State Fair. Psst! Be sure to get a bag of Fisher scones for the car ride home.
35. Break out water shoes and your sand buckets. Prime tide pool season is here!
36. Grab your little marine biologists and plan a trip to the Seattle Aquarium.
photo: Allison Sutcliffe
37. Point Ruston is now home to a brand-new 40-acre park and so much more. Head south for the day to check out this premier waterfront village.
38. Venture to the Pike Place Market for fresh fruits and veggies, live entertainment and family activities.
39. Grab your clubs and hit the links with your kid crew. The mini golf links that is!
40. Enjoy a free summer concert almost every day of the week.
photo: Heidi Baughman
41. Skate over to one of our favorite fishing holes perfect for pint-sized anglers.
42. Does your family love boating and camping? Why not combine the two and give boat camping a try at one of our favorite spots around the Sound.
43. Check out this awesome new park in downtown Bellevue. Psst! Don’t forget to pack the kids’ suits and beach towels.
photo: Kristina Moy
44. Experience a Rainiers game with your little sluggers.
45. See how many of our favorite parks and playgrounds you can visit before school starts. Ready, set, go!
46. Hop on a ferry and spend a night or two at the beautiful Alderbrook Resort & Spa. Paddle around Hood Canal in kayaks, swim in the huge indoor pool, rejuvenate at the spa and celebrate National S’mores Month with a complimentary evening roast around the waterfront fire pit. It’s the perfect place to celebrate the end of summer!
photo: Kristina Moy
47. Take your kids on an easy waterfall hike to an outstanding vista that promises post-worthy pics and memories that’ll last you through the rainy season.
48. Take the fam to one of our favorite bowling alleys that will have everyone shouting for strikes, spares and gutter balls!
49. This year’s Evergreen State Fair will feature tons of farm fun along with carnival rides, games and an awesome rodeo.
50. Dust off your skates and hit one of these retro-fun rinks that have stood the test of time.
—Kristina Moy
RELATED STORIES:
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Swing, Slide & Climb! Where to Find Seattle’s Best Parks & Playgrounds
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