The start of the school year may be just around the corner, but wouldn’t you rather spend your time celebrating the end of summer instead of getting ready for fall? That’s why we’ve pulled together 18 fantastic Labor Day events and family activities taking place over the long weekend. Here’s where to eke out a few more summer memories with your kids.

Exciting Labor Day Weekend Activities in Seattle for Families

Hamilton cast gathers around Hamilton at a performance
Joan Marcus

See Hamilton

You know you want to be in the room where this happens. There's still time to catch the phenomenal traveling production of everyone's favorite Broadway musical, Hamilton, before it leaves on September 11. It tells the story of America from a different perspective, using hip-hop, rap and traditional musical elements to create a truly engaging production with total kid-appeal. This production makes history accessible to kids, young and old, and seeing the show live is well worth it (no matter how many times your little fans have seen it on Disney+). The pacing of the show is exciting enough to keep even the antsiest kids glued to their seats and fighting the urge to sing along to their favorite numbers. Kids will love seeing King George saunter onto the stage and play to the audience as only an English King can. And who can resist Hercules Mulligan's charm or the Marquis de Lafayette's snark and wit? Hint: no one. While Hamilton is definitely the star of this show, kids will be drawn to the Schuyler sisters, bold women who are way ahead of their time. 

Insider Tip: Don't forget to grab a cushion for your kids when you get there. That little boost helps to ensure they see the whole show, no matter who's sitting in front of them.

Paramount Theatre
911 Pine St.
Seattle
Event details

kids ride the train at the washington state fair over labor day weekend activities in seattle
Washington State Fair

Party Big at the Fair

The Washington State Fair is back for another season of rides, games, and all the fair food your tummy can handle over Labor Day weekend. This year, we know the kids won't want to miss the exciting (and totally new) Expedition: Dinosaurs exhibit. Ten animatronic dinosaurs are the stars of this show, that also features interactive displays and a chance for kids to dig for fossils. Also new this year is the a look back at the Fair's 120-year history, and the Biggest Little Show—miniature animals we're sure your minis will fall for. Don't forget to take a spin on the expanded SillyVille train before taking in all the sights and sounds of SillyVille with your tots. 

As for amazing Fair food, you'll want to sink your teeth into some quirky new finds at the Extreme Carnival Eats booth. It's the place to be if you've ever wondered what a donut burger or Korean mozzarella sticks taste like. You'll also be able to enjoy Glow Tea and Raspados Del Sur as part of this year's food lineup.

Insider Tip: Labor Day weekend is a great time to visit the Fair because kids are free (Sep. 3-5) thanks to BECU.

Washington State Fairgrounds
110 9th Ave. S.W.
Puyallup, WA
Event details

Spy Salmon

The Ballard Locks is where this you'll find this educational program hosted by the Seattle Aquarium. It's a chance for your curious kids to learn about the spawning salmon making their way back upstream with the help of an aquarium volunteer naturalist.

Ballard Locks
3015 N.W. 54th St.
Seattle
Event details

Related: One Fish, Two Fish: 11 Places to Catch This Year's Salmon Run

 

Have Fun at the Pier

This family activity is all about plankton and fish prints. Kids will work alongside Seattle Aquarium experts to gather water from the Sound and then see what they can find when they put the droplets under a microscope (hint: we'll bet there's some plankton in there). Learn lots and make art too. We couldn't think of a better way to kick off the long Labor Day weekend.

Pier 62
1951 Alaskan Way
Seattle
Event details

Katie Cotterill/Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

Celebrate the End of Summer

Chill out at this Labor Day weekend event that's all about making sure the animals at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium enjoy icy treats and summery enrichments. In addition to special meals, families can learn during Keeper Chats, take in a show at the Wild Wonders Outdoor Theater, explore the new nature play garden, and if the kids aren't tired yet, splash at the lily pad before calling it a day.

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
5400 N. Pearl St.
Tacoma, WA
Event details

Related: 10 Gorgeous Places to Find Inspiration for Your Garden

 

Have a Wild Weekend

We've got two words for you: feeding frenzy. You won't want to miss this action-packed Labor Day weekend event at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park where badgers, cougars, porcupines, black bears, and wolves devour their favorite foods while you watch. Finish off the meal...err...the experience with playtime at Kids' Trek, one of the best nature playgrounds this side of the Cascades.

Northwest Trek
11610 Trek Dr. E.
Eatonville, WA
Event details

Related: Your Guide to Northwest Trek's Can't-Miss Exhibits & Attractions

Two kids ride swings at the Evergreen State Fair over Labor Day weekend in Seattle
Evergreen State Fair

Find Rides & Rodeos

This year The Show Must Go On at the Evergreen State Fair. And if you haven't been to check out this family favorite yet, Labor Day weekend is your last chance to ride all the rides and eat all the food. But you and the kids can also check out the All-Star Dog Stunt Show, play farmer for a day, have fun at the Goat's Playground, watch the Aztec Indian Dancers, and even see what it really takes to be a lumberjack.

Evergreen State Fairgrounds
14405 179th Ave. S.E.
Monroe, WA
Event details

Related: Best of the Fests! Your Guide to Seattle's Returning Fall Festivals

 

Run, Rock & Roll

St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Washington is back over Labor Day Weekend, and it's a great race for families even if you're not quite up to the half-marathon distance. Starting and ending at the Bellevue Downtown Park, runners and walkers alike will take on an action-packed course filled with music, stunning skyline views, and the spirit of the Pacific Northwest. We're big fans of the Kids Rock Race for little athletes.

Downtown Bellevue Park
10201 N.E. 4th St.
Bellevue, WA
Event details

Head to the Blackberry Festival

Take the fast ferry to Bremerton to enjoy the city's annual Bremerton Blackberry Festival. It's back for 2022 and will feature the same blackberry treats it always does, plus outdoor music, art demos, and fun activities that will really make it feel like summer's never gonna end. Don't forget to check out the super cool splash pad (on the other side of the ferry) where submarine sculptures erupt with water every few minutes. It's pretty much the coolest splash pad in town.

Bremerton Boardwalk Marina
Bremerton, WA
Event details

a surfer in the wave pool at slidewaters in Lake Chelan with the lake and mountains in the background over Labor Day weekend
courtesy Slidewaters

Watch an International Surf Competition

Surf's up at Lakeside Surf in Lake Chelan. Hit the road over your Labor Day weekend and enjoy the last weekend of summer at this hot spot that overlooks the lake and the mountains. Lakeside, home to the world's largest stationary wave, is hosting the Continental Surf Cup. It's a chance for you and the kids to see Team USA take on Team Europe as they battle it out on the water. Thirty-two surfers will compete over two days (Sep. 3 & 4) in both individual and group surfs to see who will take home the big prize (and serious bragging rights) and claim victory for their country.

Find out more: lakesidesurf.com

Related: Your Guide to a Lake Chelan Weekend Getaway with Kids

More Ways to Play Over Labor Day Weekend in Seattle

Allison Sutcliffe

Take one last trip to Jetty Island before the ferry closes for the season. It's the easy beach getaway everyone needs, and we'll take the quick, two-minute ferry ride over boarding a plane any day.

Dust off your bikes, blades, trailers, and training wheels and enjoy a car-free ride along Lake Washington Boulevard, between Seward Park and Mount Baker Beach. This popular program comes to a close September 19, so ride while you can.

Labor Day is the final day to see the masterworks of Ansel Adams on display at MOHAI. Once you've taken in the beauty of his photography, stop by the Kid-struction zone for a little playtime with the tots.

Nothing says three day weekend quite like a last-minute, late summer road trip. We've got ideas. You've got the time. What's not to love?

Labor Day weekend is all about finding adventures around the city. Why not seek out the Eastside's coolest water feature—the natural waterslides at Denny Creek

Get out on the Sound and get to know Seattle from a whole new perspective when you hitch a ride on one of our favorite local boat excursions.

Hop aboard an antique train when you ride through the Upper Snoqualmie Valley. This special weekend train ride pays tribute to America's workers, the perfect Labor Day event.

Go to the movies on National Cinema Day (September 3) for just $3 per ticket. Major chains like AMC and Regal Cinemas, along with college campus theaters and some smaller independent theaters, are set to participate. Check the website to find a participating theater near you. 

Advertisement
phone-icon-vector
Your daily dose of joy and connection
Get the Tinybeans app