Seattle Kids Things to Do: 50 Winter Activities for Children in Seattle

Hello, winter! It’s nice to see you again. There’s something about this time of year that makes parents’ start to twitch a bit – trips to the park to run off some energy aren’t as easy in the often cold and rainy weather and all our kids are still coming off of the holiday high, meaning that they need some ideas for winter survival. Here are 50 winter activities in Seattle for kids and families that will help everyone survive with a smile on their face!

1. Venture out of your own neighborhood to check out one of the other awesome Seattle Public Libraries.

2. Choose your own rainy day adventure with these 9 options that guarantee you’ll have a fun day indoors.

3. Burn off some of that winter energy with a day running around Seattle’s biggest indoor playground.

4. Warm up those little hands with Seattle’s best hot chocolate.

5. Don your imaginary conductor’s cap and push around a locomotive at a train table station.

6. Go on a bakery tour of Mighty-O Donuts and snack on some vegan treats you won’t feel guilty about.

7. Pick out a new cookbook and create a delicious menu with your little chefs.

8. Get out of the house and learn about Seattle history with a visit to MOHAI.

9. Head to your local library or bookstore to snuggle up and catch a drop-in story time.

10. Before you head out for these fun winter activities, throw a meal in the crockpot to eat when you get home

11. Book a sitter for these dark early winter evenings and plan a date night.

12. Be reminded that spring is just around the corner with a visit to see all the pretty flowers at Pike Place Market.

13. Just because it’s winter, doesn’t mean you can’t go swimming – check out these indoor pools in Seattle

14. Have a snow day without ever having to leave the house.

15. Go shopping with your kiddos in tow-you don’t even have to hire a sitter. These shops have plenty of options for entertaining your little ones while you browse.

16. Thank goodness for indoor ice skating rinks in our (kinda) temperate climate – check out some of these near Seattle to lace up your skates.

17. Take the entire family out to one of Seattle’s kid-friendly breweries to warm up with a fresh pint.

18. Try some of these DIY activities on days when its just too wet to go outside, and enjoy a few hours of fun with your kids.

19. Bookstores have come a long way from dim lighting and old leather chairs. Check out some local spots with story times, cafes, and play areas.

20. On one of Seattle’s beautiful cold, clear winter days, bundle up and head to the top of the Space Needle and check out the view with the tourists – can you spot your own house?

21. Experience some high-flying action at Seattle’s indoor trampoline parks.

22. Starting to feel cooped up at home? Try these 11 great ways to beat the potential cabin fever.

23. Mom dates are the new bro-mances. Book one with your favorite mom-friend ASAP.

24. Play tourist for the day on a tour of Seattle via double-decker bus (it’s enclosed on top to stay warm and dry!).

25. Catch the newest high-flying show from Cirque du Soleil–Amaluna.

26. No plans this winter weekend? Take them to the movies! Don’t worry, we’ll help you survive.

27. Don’t let the winter blues get you down, grab a fun book and enjoy some reading time with your kiddo.

28. They’re pretending Seattle is in the tropics at The Seattle Aquarium this winter – ukulele players included.

29. Head to an indoor garden that’s far from your typical garden variety plants.

30. Jump in the car and head south to Portland for some winter fun in a new city.

31. Take off your shoes and squish your toes in the sand at Sandbox Sports.

32. There’s no better time for comfort food than when the weather is chilly – here are some family-friendly spots to try.

33. Put down the Wiimotes and iPads and check out some toys that don’t require any batteries.

34. Warm up with some exciting pinball action and a gooey slice of cheese pizza at this lively family-friendly attraction.

35. A perfect indoor activity on a rainy winter Seattle day is bowling! Here are some family-friendly alleys to try for a strike.

36. Check Single Shard out the latest at the Seattle Children’s Theatre – this winter, they’re performing A Single Shard, perfect for the school-aged kids.

37. Think ahead to summer by trading that too-small bike for a bigger version at the Seattle Bike Swap on Sunday, February 10th (kids are free!).

38. Winter = snow! At least in the mountains… Head to one of the local passes for sledding, skiing and tubing fun.

39. For some outdoor fun, head to the Locks in Ballard to see the Steelhead heading upstream to spawn.

40. A winter wonderland and only 90-minutes away, Suncadia is quite magical this time of year!

41. Head to the sweetest party spot on the Eastside and enjoy some confectionery creations.

42. Find your neighborhood community center’s toddler playtime for some cheap, easy rainy day fun.

43. With so many of their exhibits indoors, The Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium is perfect for wintertime animal fun.

44. Jump, climb, slide, and play until your little ones tucker out at Elevated Sportz.

45. Just as winter is coming to an end, the whales start to arrive in Puget Sound. Take your family out to see these magical beauties during their short winter-time visit.

46. The penguins at Woodland Park Zoo love the winter! Come help feed them their lunch… if you don’t mind some smelly fish.

47. A little flour, a little sugar, a lot of fun: the perfect recipe for some winter baking.

48. For little airplane-lovers who are going winter stir-crazy, book a tour at the Boeing Museum in Everett and see where those planes are made (Psst! There’s a minimum height to go on the tour!).