Spring flowers and the return of the sun are just two reasons to head to one of Seattle’s best picnic spots with the kids. The best part about these parks is that they serve up a side of fun with whatever goodies you’ve got packed in your picnic basket. Playgrounds, walking trails and bike paths are all on the menu at these places. So the next time you need to wear the kids out before bedtime (and the sun is shinning), head to one of these scenic and peaceful spots.

Jack Block Park

Although locals know this West Seattle park, it's considered a well-kept secret by those in the know. Its grassy lawns and tables are both perfect spots to set up your summer picnic, and the secluded beach will keep the kids busy skipping rocks and keeping track of the containers being loaded and offloaded in the distance. The play area is intriguing to say the least, and it makes a great launching point for a family bike ride. You can ride all the way from Jack Block to Lincoln Park without much interruption, although Salty's is a great stopping point for tots and just-learned riders.

2130 Harbor Ave. S.W.
Seattle, WA

Ella Bailey Park

Magnolia is where you'll find this expansive grassy park that offers visitors some of the best views in the city. You can't beat eating lunch (or an early dinner) at this local favorite on a sunny Seattle day. It's another spot where kids can hit the playground and bike or scoot their little hearts out for some post-picnic play. Don't forget your sunscreen!

2601 W. Smith St.
Seattle, WA

Trees are in bloom at Alan Larkins Park in Seattle, a great picnic spot
Wikimedia Commons

Alvin Larkins Park

Nestled in Madrona’s business district, Alvin Larkins Park provides a relaxing spot for the community. It features benches set along a path that winds through the park, and it's landscaped with maple, pine and fir trees. Its expansive grassy area is perfect for picnicking or playing. Don’t forget to bring a frisbee!

1504 34th Ave.
Seattle, WA 98122

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Greenwood Park

Ballard’s Greenwood Park is the epitome of a community park and has recently grown to the size of an entire city block. In addition to plenty of space to picnic, families will enjoy a sports court, P-Patch garden, large trees and wide walkways (bike riding anyone?) when you visit. We're crossing our fingers that the recently added “game garden,” featuring tetherball, ping pong and cornhole will open in the near future, but until then, enjoy the wide open spaces on a warm summer day.

8905 Fremont Ave. N.
Seattle, WA 98103

Kids play in the field at Meridian Playground after a family picnic
Seattle Parks/Laurel Mercury

Meridian Playground

Before you set up a picnic inside the big purple gazebo at Wallingford’s Meridian Park, take the kids to tour the Seattle Tilth Children’s Garden that borders the park. There the kiddos can roam through Sweet Cicely and fennel plants and check out strawberry bushes, too. Talk about healthy eating inspiration!

4649 Sunnyside Ave. N.
Seattle, WA 98103

kids are riding bikes after enjoying this picnic spot in Seattle
Seattle Parks/TIA International

Westcrest Park

Westcrest Park is Seattle’s seventh largest park, filled with sprawling spaces and gorgeous views. It provides a flat open meadow, a short walking path and an off-leash dog area that makes this a great spot to bring your fur babies to. Traipse through a vast network of forest trails featuring large Douglas fir, red cedar, maples and madrone trees. Don’t miss the view platform that offers panoramic views of Seattle's downtown skyline. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Mount Baker!

9000 8th Ave. SW
Seattle, WA 98106

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Cedar Park

Cedar Park sits adjacent to Cedar Park Elementary and is a favorite of neighborhood families. While the playground is closed, kiddos can bring scooters or balance bikes to ride around the paved walking path that encircles the expansive lawn, great for running and exploring. There's also a basketball court where you can challenge your kids to a game of HORSE or one-on-one. Score!

3737 N.E. 135th St.
Seattle, WA 98125

A family enjoying a summer picnic spot in Seattle at sunset
Seattle Parks/TIA International

Sunset Hill Park

Over 100 years ago, two families gifted the city of Seattle 2-plus acres of land and Sunset Hill Park was born. Located in west Ballard, Sunset Hill Park sits atop a bluff so the unobstructed views of the Olympics and Puget Sound are magnificent. Walk down the path and take in breathtaking views from new vantage points. Bring a blank for the grass or snag a picnic table to enjoy dinner with a view.

7531 34th Ave. N.
Seattle, WA 98117

One of Seattle's best picnic spots is Genesse Park along Lake Washington
Seattle Parks/TIA International

Genesee Park and Playfield

Close to the heart of Columbia City, Genesee Park bumps up against breezy Lake Washington. The green space features a gazebo for picnicking, bike trails and an off-leash dog area, too. This park provides the picture-perfect setting, you provide the fixings for your family picnic here.

4316 S. Genesee St.
Seattle, WA 98118

Families on the playground at Maple Leaf Park, one of Seattle's best picnic spots
Allison Sutcliffe

Maple Leaf Reservoir Park

When it comes to city parks, we can't get enough of the Maple Leaf Playground and not just because it's got lots of grass for picnicking and running around. You won't want to miss Noah’s Butterfly Garden, a sweet spot at the far end of the park, featuring a gazebo and sandbox. Plus, the loop trail that circles the park is a great spot for tots to bring bikes, trikes and scooters.

1020 N.E. 82nd St.
Seattle, WA 98115

Dahl Playfield in Seattle is a best picnic spot and playground
Seattle Parks/Laurel Mercury

Dahl Playfield

Located between Ravenna and Wedgwood, Dahl Playfield is a hidden gem in the northeast pocket of the city. You'll find plenty of room for the kids to roam and the artfully arranged rocks hollowed into half moons are perfect for crawling and sitting. Don't forget the skate park; it's great for those on two or four wheels.

7700 25th Ave. N.E.
Seattle, WA 98115

— Abbey McGee, Kristina Moy & Sara Billups

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If you’ve never been to FIGMENT NYC (especially with a kid), we’re jealous. This weekend-long, whimsical and slightly madcap art explosion with a populist and sustainable bent has been taking over Governors Island since 2007. (It’s now spread to 12 cities in three countries on two continents.) FIGMENT NYC officially bills itself as a “free, annual celebration of participatory art and culture,” but the bottom line is, it’s a fun and stimulating way to spend a summer day from start to finish. Here’s what you can expect this year (both this weekend and all summer long) and the scoop on doing FIGMENT NYC 2015.

Ferry photo: FIGMENT NYC/Bill Kennedy

Getting There

Governors Island is one of those New York locales that seems far away and mysterious until you go there — at which point you say, “Wow, this is really cool.” Since it is an island, you (obviously) take a boat there, the Governor’s Island Ferry, which means the day even starts out fun with a quick boat ride.

During FIGMENT NYC weekend, visitors taking the 10 a.m., 11 a.m., or 11:30 a.m. ferries from Manhattan and the 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. ferries from Brooklyn ride free. Children under 12 ride the ferry free at all times, and adults can purchase $2 round-trip tickets online or at the dock for afternoon ferries. More info on taking the ferry can be found here. (Note: You can also bring bikes on the boat or rent ones when you get to the island.)

Treehouse photo: Alex Taferner/Figment NYC

What is FIGMENT NYC?

FIGMENT is all about getting art out of white-walled galleries and staid museums and inviting people to be a part of it. Visitors are encourages to touch, climb and taste art, as well as dance with it, talk with it, play with it and learn from it. Organizers of FIGMENT NYC promise “sculpture, street theater, costuming, inflatable art, dance, performance art, installations, social experiments, mobile art, workshops, games, arts & crafts, bands, DJs” — and more. So, you know, something for everyone. (You can see a full list of participants here.)

 Aqua Attack photo: Jason Eppink via Flickr

FIGMENT NYC Weekend Highlights, June 6 & 7

Dozens and dozens of artists are participating in the FIGMENT NYC event this year. Highlights of the FIGMENT NYC weekend program include “Aqua Attack”, an imaginary Japanese game show in which players dress up and battle using super-soaked plush toys while standing in kiddie pools; “We’d Like to Teach the World to Belly Dance”,  an improvised dance performance by Belly Dance Company Manhattan Tribal (they’ll also be giving lessons), and presentations by the group Guerilla Science, which  mixes art, science and play in games, quizzes, experiments and more. Another cool project which also happens to educate about pollution and ecological conservation: “The Stockpile of Beneficial Mudballs.” The piece enlists participants to throw dry bioremediation mudballs — which organically help prevent toxins from entering the food chain —  into the river.

2014 installation photo: Anthony Collins/FIGMENT

FIGMENT NYC All Summer Long

Installations and interactive sculptures are always a big part of the festival, both literally and figuratively, and many stick around to be enjoyed all summer long. Benjamin Jones’ technicolor celebration of sustainability “TreeHouse” returns for a fifth year, and will itself be filled with art pieces in areas such as the balcony, lookout, and gazebo.

Two over-sized pieces were selected to make up this year’s “City of Dreams” pavilions: Billion Oyster Pavillion by BanG Studio and Organic Growth from Izaskun Chinchilla Architects. Other sculptures include a giant structure of interlocking picnic tables and a huge trippy green couch.

FIGMENT NYC also features a free, artist-designed mini-golf course every year; the theme of 2015’s course is “Transportation” and the holes will explore the history or transportation, as well its environmental and economic impacts.

Mini-golf photo: Scott Lynch/FIGMENT

The Basic Info

FIGEMENT NYC Weekend will take place on Governors Island June 6 & 7 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It’s free and open to the public. Food is for sale on site, although you’re also encouraged to bring a picnic.

Summer-long FIGMENT installations will be on site from June 6 to September 25 and be accessible any time Governors Island is open to the public. The Sculpture Program will be installed on the Governors Island Parade Grounds.

FIGMENT NYC 2015
Free
Governors Island
Online: newyork.figmentproject.org

Governors Island Ferry online: govisland.com

Have you ever attended FIGMENT? Tell us about your visit in the comments below!

—Mimi O’Connor

Tell your kids you’re headed to Sea Ranch, and they might envision a SpongeBob SquarePants circus of sorts, full of seahorse cowboys and underwater rodeos. But a visit to Sea Ranch will be one of the most restful sojourns you’ll ever take as a family.

Sonoma County’s Sea Ranch was a pioneering eco-community, began in the late 60’s and early 70’s. The connection between the landscape and the architecture is masterful and certainly contributes to the serenity of the place. The sometimes simple, sometimes elaborate wood-frame structures were inspired by the local ranches and are designed to cope with the weather while meshing with the topography.

How to get there: One hundred miles north of San Francisco, the drive takes a good three hours if you take time to gawk at the coastline. Stop in Bodega Bay for fish and chips or clam chowder for lunch to break up the drive. Fair warning: it’s not a great trip for those who get easily car sick.

Where to stay: The well-equipped rental houses, many of which have hot tubs with a view of the ocean (take a dip with morning coffee in tow before the kids wake up). Prices on rentals range from about $200-$500 a night depending on location, size and amenities. It is a perfect venue for family reunions, romantic getaways or multi-family trips.

What to bring: Bikes, yoga mats, board games, books, food, baking projects, and lots of reading material.

What to see: If you are game there is plenty to do around Sea Ranch. Hikes, kayaking, golf, breweries and wineries and a lighthouse in Point Arena can fill out your relaxing days walking along the coast. You may catch some migrating whales and many seals hang out on the rocks so bring your binoculars. You might try making a driftwood fort on the beach and hanging out inside it.

Eateries: Bodega Bay offers some great seafood options like chowder in a bread bowl or a full elegant meal. A big surprise is Sizzling Tandoor; the crowds get there early and it is quite an anachronism to find such popular Indian fare in the small town of Jenner. Bones Road House in Gualala is a biker spot and you can get ribs, chicken or other BBQ meals. The ambiance keeps the kids riveted, and there is lots of local color.

Bonus: There is an elegant pool that is kept heated year-round. The dry sauna makes the pool all the more enticing, particularly after an invigorating bike ride against the wind.

How to dress: Always dress for blustery winter weather, a hat, gloves and a windbreaker are de-rigueur. Sunscreen is a must but it doesn’t help against windburn. Make sure you have solid walking shoes.

Online: here for home rentals and here for the lodge.

—Darya Mead