Plant and Flower Subscriptions That Go (So) Beyond the Usual

by Kate CartiaApril 15, 2024

Instead of your go-to Mother’s Day flowers, give mom something that’ll last longer than a few days. And no, we’re not talking mugs or pictures (although moms love those, too). Plant and flower subscriptions are a great way to remind her how amazing she is again and again. Flowers and plants will give the house some life, and there are options out there for everyone from a beginning gardener to a plant lady pro.

To help you decide which is perfect for your mother figure, check out our curated list of plants and blooms ready for delivery. There are options with different degrees of care, so even if the mom in your life doesn’t have the quintessential green thumb, she can still easily keep them looking their best. And bonus! Many of these Mother’s Day flowers and plants come with pretty pots and planters, so she won’t even need to repot them later.

The Bouqs Co. Subscription

The Bouqs Co. is a go-to for us, thanks to their stunning blooms that stay fresher longer because they're shipped directly from eco-friendly farms. With The Bouqs Co. subscription, mom gets a bouquet of gorgeous flowers every month, and you can customize your plan to bet fit her (and you never pay for shipping on subscriptions, saving you $25 off the bat!).

The Bouqs Co. Subscription (Starting at $44.00/mo + Free Shipping)—Buy Here!

Lively Root Plant Subscription

You can't go wrong with a plant subscription from Lively Root. Mom doesn't even have to have an especially green thumb to love this one either. Select from different subscription options like the Easy Care Plant Subscription, Pet-Friendly Plant Subscription, and more. Every 3 months, a new plant arrives with care instructions, so she can enjoy their new greens easily.

Lively Root Plant Subscription ($129.00+)—Buy Here!

Plant In The Box Indoor Houseplant Subscription

assortment of house plants against a light pink background — Plant In The Box

Each box from Plant In The Box includes a small to medium-sized plant, virtual care card, and free shipping with their 'Arrive Safe Guarantee.' Choose from 3 subscription options: the Bloomer Box with easy to care for houseplants, the Fur-Friendly Box for households with curious pets, and the Majestic Marvels Box for those who like rare finds!

Plant In The Box Indoor Houseplant Subscription (Starting at $25.00/mo)—Buy Here!

Rooted Baby Mystery Jungle Box

Good things come in small packages? With the Baby Mystery Jungle Box from Rooted, that's absolutely true. These adorable little baby plants are extra-small, so they're great for the office, window ledge, or other small spaces!

Rooted Baby Mystery Jungle Box ($30.00)—Buy Here!

Gardenuity The Herb Garden Subscription

The Herb Garden Subscription from Gardenuity comes with a hand stitched grow bag, custom blended soil, and nutrients, plus three seasons of fully-rooted plants. Mom gets 3 seasonal deliveries, creating a year of herb harvesting! And not to worry; Gardenuity analyzes your location and customizes an assortment of herbs specific to your climate.

Gardenuity The Herb Garden Subscription ($162.00)—Buy Here!

The Sill Plant Subscription

The Sill's plants are sourced from local growers to ensure their quality and to support family-owned businesses (we sure do love that!). They also guarantee your plants arrive in happy, healthy condition, or they replace them for free. Your subscription includes a curated plant, a chic ceramic planter, and instructions. Pick from a 3 or 6 month subscription gift, and from 3 different box options: Easy-Care, Orchids, or Pet Friendly.

The Sill Plant Subscription ($55.00+/mo.)—Buy Here!

Farmgirl Flowers Flower Subscription

Farmgirl Flowers offers a flower subscription service for their signature gorgeous burlap-wrapped flower bouquets and David Austin roses arrangements. Choose from weekly, biweekly, or monthly. When you “Make It A Recurring Delivery", you can select your delivery start and date and how often you’d like your flower subscription to deliver!

Farmgirl Flowers Flower Subscription (Starting at $59.00)—Buy Here!

Horti Plant Subscription Box

The Horti Plant Subscription Box is created to take you through different layers of plant care! Not only do recipients get beautiful plants monthly, but you actually learn how to take care of them, so you'll become a better plant parent. Every level of plant-care experience is covered here!

Horti Plant Subscription Box (Starting at $28.00)—Buy Here!

FLOWERBX Flower Subscription

It's hard not to drool over FLOWERBX's offerings. Their subscriptions include options for weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly deliveries of their beautiful flowers—including Snapdragons, Avalanche Roses, Dutch Tulips, Peonies, and so many more—so mom's Instagram will be a whole garden of flower pics (who could blame her?).

FLOWERBX Flower Subscription ($85.00+)—Buy Here!

Bloomsy Flower Subscription

Seasonal, sustainably sourced bouquets sent from Bloomsy's eco-friendly farms straight to mom's door. Just choose your size and subscription type—including Tropical, Hydrangea, Roses, and more!—and they take care of the rest. Monthly, weekly, and exclusive plans are all available!

Bloomsy Flower Subscription ($54.99+)—Buy Here!

All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our shopping editors.

If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.

All images courtesy of retailers.

What Is Leap Year? February 29th Explained Just for Kids

by Christal Y.January 15, 2024

Here’s an easy way to explain the extra day to your kid

“What is leap year?” If you’ve heard that recently, and you’re wondering how to explain to your kiddos why there’s one extra day every four years, we’ve got easy answers. It’s simple (especially if they know how to count): Leap Year is all about keeping the calendar in sync with how long it takes Planet Earth to completely orbit the sun. And fun fact: It takes more than 365 days.

The earth takes almost six more hours to make its way around the sun. Add up those extra hours, and every four years, there’s an extra day on the calendar, which is where February 29th comes from.

The story of Leap Year goes way back to Julius Caesar, who added an extra day to February (this was the last month of the year in Roman times) over 2,000 years ago. However, his math wasn’t precise, and it wasn’t corrected until the Georgian calendar, which has a mathematical formula that keeps leap years in check. Yep, that means not every four years is necessarily a leap year! In layman’s terms, if the year is divisible by 100 but not 400, it’s not a leap year (e.g. 1900).

What does this mean if we didn’t have Leap Year? Well, dates would slowly shift, and eventually, the seasons would be way off. That could mean celebrating the 4th of July in the dead of winter!

And remember, while people born in February might be Leap Year babies, they can still celebrate on February 28th or March 1st!

Here Are All the Free National Park Days in 2024

by Kate LowethJanuary 1, 2024

There’s a new addition to this list of fee-free national parks days

As we navigate a crazy winter season, the thought of a getaway in 2024 sounds pretty magical. Once the dust has settled, heading to a national park is an awesome way to enjoy the great outdoors, especially when it’s free! Get your kids set up with the Junior Ranger booklet in your park of choice and see what the whole family can learn about these amazing areas of the country.

The National Park Service has just announced the list of days when all national park will waive their admission fees. New for 2024, Juneteenth National Independence Day (June 19) has been added as a national parks fee-free day. Juneteenth was signed into law as a national holiday on June 17, 2021, commemorating the abolition of slavery in the United States.

“National parks are places that awaken senses, inspire curiosity, encourage reflection, and foster joy,” National Park Service Director Chuck  Sams said. “The entrance fee-free days expand opportunities for people to visit their national parks and experience the beauty and history of our country.”

When can you get into the National Parks without paying?

family in yosemite national park — *istock*

The 2024 free admission for everyone days include:

Mon., Jan. 15: Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday
Sat., Apr. 20: First day of National Park Week
New for 2024: Wed., June 19: Juneteenth National Independence Day
Fri., Aug. 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
Sat., Sep. 28: National Public Lands Day
Mon., Nov. 11: Veterans Day

With more than 400 parks across the country, there are plenty of options to choose from. Whether you’re planning a fall foray, a winter getaway, a spring fling, or a summer trip, you can find a free admission day for every season.

Even though admission is free on these special days, other paid activities are not. You may need to pay amenity or user fees where applicable. These fees include the cost of activities, such as camping, as well as boat launches, transportation, or touring fees.

If the six annual free days don’t fit your schedule, some of the national parks are fee-free every day of the year (or at least every day they’re open). Some of the most notable entrance fee-free parks include:

Great Smoky Mountains National Park (North Carolina and Tennessee)
Biscayne National Park (Florida)
North Cascades National Park (Washington)
Great Basin National Park (Nevada)
Lake Clark National Park and Preserve (Alaska)

Got a fourth grader? You can grab a free pass to the national parks for their entire fourth-grade year. This includes visits to places like Alcatraz, Yellowstone, the Great Smoky Mountains, and more. The Every Kids Outdoors program is an excellent way to teach your kids about the national parks and get everyone out in the fresh air at the same time.

Fall Back: How to Survive the Time Change with Your Kids

by Felissa AllardOctober 13, 2023

Make the best of shorter days when the time change arrives

Pre-kid, you never really thought about Daylight Saving Time (what’s an hour here or there?). But kids can make this seasonal change a challenge. With the end of Daylight Saving coming up soon (Sunday, November 5), falling back means it’s super dark, super early. Before you set your clocks back an hour, read on for some tips and tricks for keeping that precious, tenuous sleep/wake routine in place.

Bit by bit. You can try moving their bedtime back for a few days leading to the time change. This will help set your kids’ little clocks before the big day so it won’t be a total shock. Consider arming them with a cute (and practical) alarm clock to help make the transition a bit easier. Care.com recommends 15 minutes for babies, 20 minutes for toddlers ages 1 and over, and 30 minutes for school-aged kids.

Be consistent. If sleep time comes later, that means waking up time will, too. If you’re letting time creep up a few days before, do the same with wake-up time, breakfast, lunch, dinner, etc. Their entire day from top to bottom should feel the same, even if you’re adjusting and fudging with timing. They shouldn’t even notice a change, especially if they’re too young to tell time.

Use light and dark to your advantage. Since light and darkness influence our kids’ internal clocks, give them plenty of outdoor time during the day so it’s a bit easier to stay up later at night. Once it’s time to start winding down for that later bedtime, make sure their room is nice and dark.

Eat Later It can be tricky when your family is used to their routine, but if you can bump dinner a bit later each night, it will help your kids’ internal clocks. Be sure to offer toddlers their afternoon snack a little later, too, and adjust your baby’s feeding schedule if possible.

Ignore it. Not the best strategy for some, but if you keep chugging along, so will they. Just switch everything on the day of, and move on. Kids are resilient. But try to keep their routine (mostly) intact.

Be realistic. Your child may not even notice a slight change or they may go bonkers. But it’s important to remember to listen to them, understand why they’re upset, and work from there. Children are all so different—who knows how they’ll each react or even how one will react from year to year!

Be sympathetic. Remember to put yourself in your kids’ shoes and stay calm if they’re a hot mess for a few days. By staying calm, you’ll help kids adjust to fall daylight savings in no time.

When your kids have adjusted to the time change, make sure to capture all their cutest moments—and share them with your family and friends near and far—with the Tinybeans app. The secure platform puts parents in total control of who sees and interacts with photos and videos of their kids.

The Skull Truth: Day of the Dead Facts for Kids

by Amber GuetebierOctober 10, 2023

The days following Halloween mark a celebration of skeletal proportions: Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead

Celebrated throughout the Americas, Dia de los Muertos originated in Mexico, and kids will recognize the iconic sugar skull as a symbol. Your town or neighborhood may host a celebration, but not everyone knows the meaning behind it. Teach your kids about this uplifting celebration of life with these Day of the Dead facts.

Days & Day of the Dead Facts

The Day of the Dead holiday is actually two days, held consecutively: Nov. 1 is marked as a day to honor lost children, as well as any lost or forgotten souls. Nov. 2, Day of the Dead official, honors all lost ancestors and loved ones. The week preceding (and sometimes longer) is spent in preparation for the big night which often culminates in a procession to the town cemetery or a central place where altars have been erected. Families gather together and spend hours making floral arrangements, baking food and sweets for the dead, and decorating. Altars are built at home, on graves, and in many community parks and schoolyards. It's no accident that this all takes place during the time of year when nights grow longer. It is believed that during these two days, the veil between the world of the living and dead is thinner and so it's easier for the dead to arrive. Not unlike the original story behind Halloween.

Day of the Dead Facts: A Dead Man’s Party

The idea is not as somber as it may at first sound: in fact, many believe the dead would be insulted by sadness! The tradition of celebrating the life of those who have died is invoked with colorful costumes and masks, parades, parties, and more. At the center of it all is the ofrenda, or offering to the dead. The altars can be simple or elaborate (usually more elaborate) but almost always contain flowers, favorite foods of the dead, including the traditional pan de muerto, photographs, and small relics or objects of the dead (a favorite necklace or pen, for example), sugar skulls and candles.

Here's an interesting Day of the Dead fact: Sugar skulls, in spite of how delicious they look, are generally not consumed (more than one toddler has tried them). Made from a mixture of meringue/powdered egg whites, white sugar, and a little bit of water, they are formed into the shapes of skulls by hand. You can also buy awesome molds (and all the supplies you need, plus great tutorials) here.

How to Make an Ofrenda for Dia de los Muertos

You can make your own family altar with the kids. Gather up a picture or pictures of someone you have lost, and place them on a table or shelf. Have the kids help you arrange some flowers, or head out into the yard or a park to find a few things for the offering: acorns, beautiful leaves, and a pretty stone. Make some cookies and leave one for your loved one. Light a candle. It's an easy and beautiful way to remember someone and teach your kids the story behind Day of the Dead.

All photos by the author were taken during Day of the Dead in Michoacán, Mexico.

Dear Day Camp, Enough with the Crazy Hat Days

By sara fisher

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

July 7, 2023

Dear Day Camp, Hi. I want to say right off the bat that we are cool. I like and need you. Because you take my complicated, sensitive kid every day, and then she comes home later, and she did things, and she was safe and happy. You must be doing something right.

But I have a request. Please, please be a true partner to working parents and stop with the crazy hat days. Or, more realistically, go crazy with crazy hat days and any other silly accessories—I’ll even donate that questionable furry purple stole thing that keeps falling on me when I try to get stuff out of the top of my closet—but please don’t make it another to-do for me.

Because no matter how many e-mail reminders you send during the days leading up to these cute spirit activities, it is a mathematical certainty that some of us just won’t be able to get it done and our children will be left out, wondering why their parents overlooked them. For all the articles about the invisible mental load, this one is not invisible at all, and it needs to be addressed.

Crazy hat day is “hey, let’s see if moms can handle another thing” day. Well, today I couldn’t. And I don’t need to see the sad photos to know that many other moms (and dads) couldn’t, either.

Today wasn’t a surprise. I knew crazy hat day was today. At least three days ago, I saw the e-mail pop up as I was responding to the latest midday text from a caregiver in between meetings at work, asking about someone’s eczema cream or where the velcro shoes were. I knew somewhere in my brain that my 5-year-old would go to camp today, and if she didn’t have a crazy hat packed in her bag, she would arrive and feel slighted and left out when all the other kids produced their lovingly packed crazy hats. And I still couldn’t get it done.

Not because I didn’t want to. But because my brain, and my partner’s brain, simply ran out of RAM to keep it on the to-do list. Or maybe we simply ran out of time. As two practicing attorneys with two children, every single day is an exercise in triage, all day, at work and at home. It is difficult to even find the time to register for camp—which we rely on as a critical piece of our childcare in the summer months.

And then to get the health records in. And label the clothes. And find a way to ensure that no one goes into camp without sunblock on. None of these tasks, individually, seems too daunting. But for parents who work literally around the clock, they are collectively oppressive. We get them done (just barely and only because my husband is aces) because if you want camp, you get the vaccine records in—that is non-negotiable for safety. No issue there.

But what about all the extra stuff. Why is that on me/us? (I am lucky, I think, that my partner even feels responsible for these extra assignments—I suspect most mothers are on their own. There’s definitely data on that.)

The point is, we pay good money to have our children loved and safely cared for during the day. And then we do all the things to make sure they can attend. And then we set up the system for the various supplies and accouterments to go with them in the camp routine and for someone to be home when they get off the bus and all that jazz.

Is it too much to ask not to be handed nearly daily extra assignments that are ultimately just more opportunities for us to drop the ball? Because we will. I will.

Sure, I could have spent some of the two whole hours I had free on Sunday locating or shopping for a “crazy” hat. But those are the only two hours I had to actually spend time with my babies whom I love and try hard not to disappoint when I can avoid it. I chose to use that time to bathe them, make them terrible grilled cheese (you use butter on the inside and outside, right?), and do bedtime with them—which is only even an option for me two days per week.

However, in choosing to spend the time that way, I was also, subconsciously, making a choice to screw my kid at camp today. And that just sucks.

Unfortunately, disappointing my children is part and parcel of my existence as a working mother. I often have to do other things when they want (and need) my attention and love. Work things. Things that are necessary for our livelihood.

But it doesn’t make sense that I am paying others to manufacture more opportunities for disappointments. I have gotten very good at letting my children down all on my own—and for free. I want—no, I need—the others in the village I have constructed to help me rear my children to minimize those opportunities for sadness and let-downs, not add to them.

Please don’t get me wrong. I am not down on camp. I loved it as a child, and I get why they do all these fun spirit things. My kids are enjoying their experiences at camp, and I am sincerely grateful for the peace of mind it affords me to know that my kids are safe and happy when I cannot be with them because we have a mortgage.

But few things are as crushing to a mother, who is killing herself to pay the bills and also find some time to actually sit with her children and love them in person, as seeing a photo of her daughter watching quietly from the side while the other kids revel in front of the camera with their crazy hats.

When I saw it posted on social media, I wanted to run out of my office and drive to camp and hug her and explain to her that she isn’t an oversight. That I don’t not care about sending her to camp with the right stuff. I care so much.

Please, camp. Help me not fail at this one. I’m not asking you to cancel crazy hat day or whatever other crazy days are coming up that require supplies. It looks like great fun for the kids whose mothers (and fathers) managed to get it together.

But I am asking you to understand that I got home after 1 a.m. last night, and I didn’t see my children this morning, either. And under the current setup, I simply don’t stand a chance.

My household cannot take on any more things, and we need you to be a real partner in our children’s happiness, not working against us (knowingly or not).

And if that means we pay a little more for camp and you take that cash and send out a counselor to buy whatever colored shirts or armbands you need to stick in a closet somewhere so that I never have to see that look on my daughter’s face in a camp photo again, I will gladly do so.

I’ll make the same plea to my kids’ teachers in September, too. I’m happy to contribute extra up front—I hereby authorize you to spend all of it on trips and party snacks to avoid breaking my child’s soul and my heart at 2 p.m. on a random Tuesday.

Also, while I’m focused on this. Please put me down now for all of the 8:15 p.m. parent-teacher conference slots and know that Grandma is coming to all the parties at 11:15 a.m. Sounds funny but she’s really coming to all of those. I may not even meet you this year. And not because I don’t want to.

💔

The full version of this post was originally published on @mamasaidf.

sara fisher

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Sara is an attorney and mother of two (plus one shorthair) in New York.

Every Gift and Act of Kindness Makes a Difference for These Kids

by Jamie AderskiDecember 1, 2022

Are you looking for a way to make a positive impact and give back this season? Spread some holiday cheer to the kids and families of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® by participating in their third annual St. Jude Joy Drive.

Since it opened on Feb. 4, 1962, St. Jude has helped countless families. So much so, that treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% when they first opened their doors to more than 80% today.

To further its lifesaving mission, St. Jude shares the breakthroughs it makes freely, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. With assistance from generous donors, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food.

While St. Jude has made great strides, there is still more to be done to find a cure for childhood cancer and other catastrophic diseases—and that’s where you come in! Read on to learn more about how to spread holiday cheer for a good cause (and have fun while doing it)!

Spread some holiday cheer to the kids and families of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital by participating in their third annual St. Jude Joy Drive. Visit their site to learn more and participate.

St. Jude patient Connor, who is diagnosed with medulloblastoma, pictured with his mother Brooke and father Christopher.

Throughout December, St. Jude is hosting the St. Jude Joy Drive—a social media-driven campaign that highlights St. Jude supporters through heartwarming and inspirational storytelling of why they continue to give to St. Jude.

To join them, share what brings you joy over the holidays on your social media account. To participate, simply post a video about what makes you light up during the festive season and why you donate and support St. Jude. Be sure to tag @stjudela, who will share it on their social media during the month of December. You can include your favorite traditions, activities, things to eat and drink, or a favorite memory.

Invite your friends, family and followers to share what they love about the holidays, and to give a suggested donation of $10, or whatever they can donate to St. Jude.

Spreading joy is an easy way to bring some holiday magic to families and children who are spending their holidays at the hospital. Help share the joy of the holidays from your heart with the kids of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital by participating in the St. Jude Joy Drive and make a lasting difference!

Happy Holidays!

2022 Christmas Shipping Deadlines for USPS, FedEx, UPS & More

by Amber GuetebierNovember 28, 2022

Want to get the details on the UPS holiday shipping deadlines? We have answers

You’ve picked out the cutest things for your favorite preschoolers, grade school kids, and tweens, but you’re going to want to make sure they arrive on time. You can probably still expect delays due to supply chain and worker shortages this year, so try to get some of your shopping (and shipping) done early. And remember to be kind to your delivery drivers! They are doing their best. Here are this year’s Christmas shipping deadlines from FedEx, USPS, UPS, and your other go-to retailers.

USPS Holiday Shipping Deadlines

christmas shipping deadlines for the USPS — USPS

USPS Retail Ground Service: Dec. 17

First-Class Mail, including greeting cards: Dec. 17

First-Class Packages (up to 15.99 oz.): Dec. 17

Priority Mail Service: Dec. 19

Priority Mail Express Service: Dec. 23

Click here for more details on shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, international shipping deadlines as well as shipping to any Army Post Office, Fleet Post Office/Diplomatic Post Office addresses.*

FedEx Christmas Shipping Deadlines

FedEx Express®

FedEx Same Day®: Dec. 23

2Day and 2Day AM: Dec. 21

FedEx Express Saver®: Dec. 20

FedEx 1Day® Freight: Dec. 22

FedEx 2Day® Freight: Dec. 21

FedEx 3Day® Freight: Dec. 20

FedEx Ground®

FedEx Ground® Contiguous US: Dec. 14

FedEx Ground® Alaska and Hawaii: Dec. 14

FedEx Ground® Economy: Dec. 8

FedEx Freight®

FedEx Freight® Priority: Dec. 14

FedEx Freight® Economy: Dec. 8

FedEx Freight® Direct: Dec. 14

International, Canada, and Mexico, and Puerto Rico: Click here for 2022 deadlines.

UPS Holiday Shipping Deadlines

UPS® Ground: Check the website for a quote.

UPS 3 Day Select®: Dec. 20

UPS 2nd Day Air®: Dec. 21

UPS Next Day Air®: Dec. 22

For more about UPS holiday shipping deadlines this year, click here.

Walmart Christmas Shipping Deadlines

Free Two-Day Delivery (for Walmart+ Members): Order eligible items until Dec. 22

Standard (paid) Delivery: Dec. 20

Free Next-Day Delivery (for Walmart+ Members): Dec. 22

In-store Pickup: Order by Dec. 23 at 4 p.m. local time for in-store pickup on Dec. 24.

Curbside pickup and local delivery: Slots are available to book through Dec. 24, pending availability. Check with your local store.

Target Shipping Deadlines

2-Day Shipping (Free for Target RedCard members or with a $35 or more purchase)- Dec. 22

Same-Day Delivery (via Shipt)- Dec 23

In-store Pickup: Order by Dec. 23 at 4 p.m. local time for in-store pickup on Dec. 24.

Curbside pickup and local delivery: Slots are available to book through Dec. 24, pending availability. Check with your local store.

Related: How to Thank Your Mail Carrier

15 Places Where Kids Can Play on Non-School Days

by Kathryn MuellerOctober 12, 2022

Our guide to kid-friendly things to do in Seattle is here to help when you need a last-minute plan

Are you in search of activities to keep your kids entertained when they’re not in school ? We’ve rounded up the best places around Seattle to get their wiggles out. Pull out these kid-friendly things to do in Seattle whether you need playdates for little tikes or destinations for those school in-service days that pop up on the calendar when you least expect them. Whatever the reason, you’ll want to bookmark this list. Here are 15 kid-friendly places guaranteed to delight your little one and (hopefully) help bounce, climb, jump, run, paint, or skate away your kiddo’s boundless energy.

The Museum of Flight

Are you ready for takeoff? The Museum of Flight will have your aviation enthusiast taking to the skies with joy. There are more than 175 aircraft and spacecraft to explore. Did you know The Museum of Flight is the largest independent, non-profit air and space museum in the world? With interactive experiences and educational galleries, kids will learn about the history of flight while also getting up close to planes of all shapes and sizes. Test out your piloting skills in a cockpit or walk through a 737–there’s no boarding pass required to step foot on these planes. After you’ve toured the expansive museum, stop at the café to refuel.

9404 E. Marginal Way S.
Seattle
Online: museumofflight.org

Kids Quest Children’s Museum

KidsQuest Children’s Museum offers an abundance of STEAM-based, hands-on learning opportunities. Geared toward kids ages birth to 10 years old, the museum is full of activities that will keep kids engaged at every twist and turn. Each exhibit gives children the opportunity to work on new skills, from gross motor to problem solving, engineering and more–opportunities are limitless. Climb a two-story work of art, explore machines, including a blue big rig, play make-believe at the mercantile, or get wet in an exhibit all about water. There is so much to explore!

1116 108th Ave. N.E.
Bellevue, WA
Online: kidsquestmuseum.org

Glazed and Amazed

Tucked away in the quaint downtown corridor of Edmonds, is a cute pottery shop with shelves of figurines waiting to be painted. Glazed and Amazed provides the perfect space for your little ones to unleash their artistic talents. The family-friendly studio has hundreds of pottery options available–from unicorns to dragons, mugs to jewelry boxes–choosing a canvas is half the fun. They offer paints of all hues and arrays as well, even glittered and speckled paints, to help bring your creation to life. The process is easy. Choose your pottery, pick your paints, create your art, and leave it with them. Glazed and Amazed does all the hard work. They clean up when you're done, and fire the pottery in their kiln. In five days, your masterpiece will be ready for pickup. All you have to do is decide where in your house you’ll display your work of art.

Insider Tip: Would you rather paint at home? They also have paint-to-go kits to add some creativity and fun to your day.

514 Main St.
Edmonds, WA
Online: glazedandamazed.com

Woodland Park Zoo

Lions and tigers and bears–oh, my! Find your favorite animals at the Woodland Park Zoo–rain or shine. The expansive 92-acre zoo features different natural habitats ranging from the African Savanna to the Northern Trail. Discover all the Zoo has to offer by exploring the many meandering trails around the spacious enclosures. Don’t miss out on Zoomazium, an indoor facility geared toward kiddos 8 years old and younger, that features fun, interactive, nature-themed areas devoted to play and learning. Inside, you’ll find a gigantic 20-foot climbing tree (with a slide), caves, and a rope bridge. Zoomazium is a wonderful place to let your imagination run wild.

Good to Know: The Historic Carousel will be closed for annual maintenance Oct. 17-28, and the Butterfly Garden exhibit is closed for the season.

5500 Phinney Ave. N.
Seattle
Online: zoo.org

Flatstick Pub - South Lake Union

Flatstick Pub located in South Lake Union is a hole in one. The family-friendly mini golf course and restaurant is a fun, colorful environment to cultivate a child’s love of golf. The 9-hole course centers around a giant sasquatch who takes center stage. Each hole has various obstacles and elevation changes, so be prepared for a challenge. After you’ve worked up an appetite shooting for par, head over to the restaurant to enjoy a delicious meal. There is an abundance of children’s games to pick from while you wait for food. Our favorite is Candy Land. At Flatstick, fun and food await.

Insider Tip: Flatstick is 21 and over after 7 p.m.

609 Westlake Ave. N.
Seattle, WA
Online: flatstickpub.com

Imagine Children’s Museum

The newly expanded Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett is full of engaging, interactive exhibits that will have tots so enthralled they won’t want to leave–literally. (Please don't blame us if they want to play all day.) Kids can climb and explore a towering, sprawling tree house, hop aboard a transit bus, milk a cow, pretend to be a train conductor, or dig for dinosaurs. The outdoor rooftop space is truly unique, featuring 9,149-square-feet of adventure. Kiddos will love climbing, crawling, running, and jumping on the massive play structure.

Insider Tip: If you plan to spend less than 90 minutes at the museum (which honestly might be hard with so much fun to discover inside the museum), you can opt for free parking on the street.

1502 Wall St.
Everett, WA
Online: imaginecm.org

Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium

Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium lets animal adventurers explore the wonders of wildlife. Exhibits include the Arctic Tundra, Red Wolf Woods, Rocky Shores, Asian Forest Sanctuary and more. You can meet zookeepers, have animal encounters, gently touch sea creatures at the Tidal Touch Zone, feed goats, or you could spend the day playing on one of the many playgrounds. There’s so much to do, see, climb, and discover. One of our favorite new additions is the Little Explorers Nature Play Garden. The immersive play garden is designed to cultivate a sense of excitement and appreciation for nature.

5400 N. Pearl St.
Tacoma, WA
Online: pdza.org

Mini Mountain

a boy stands at the top of an indoor training ski mountain wearing skis and boots — Kathryn Mueller

Want to learn to ski or snowboard? You don’t need snow at Mini Mountain. If you’re looking for an out of the box activity, check out this indoor mountain. Mini Mountain Indoor Ski Center has been teaching generations of families to ski since opening in 1983. Learn to carve some turns from the comfort of an indoor facility, and gain confidence before hitting the slopes. Kiddos as young as 18 months can earn some turns.

1900 132nd Ave. N.E., Suite A3
Bellevue, WA
Online: minimountain.com

Seattle Gymnastics Academy

Flip, turn, roll, bounce, and climb around a gym designated for little ones for a whole hour. Seattle Gymnastics Academy gives kids 5 and under a place to play in a space just for them. With three different locations in Seattle (and another coming soon to Burien), you can find a gym near you. Gymnasts can use equipment like a Tumbl Trak, foam pits, trampolines, and balance beams. The indoor playground helps kids get energy out while also honing their gross motor skills.

Insider Tip: Indoor playground times vary by location, so check the website to see what's offered (and when) at the location near you.

Locations in Ballard, Lake City and Columbia City

Online: seattlegymnastics.com

Seattle Aquarium

The Seattle Aquarium brings a beautiful teeming world under the sea to your fingertips. From wading tide pools where little ones can gently touch sea stars to the deep, dark depths of the ocean, the aquarium helps little ones uncover their inner marine biologist and allows you to "sea" it all. Don’t miss the playful sea otters or the harbor seals. You can also immerse yourself in the Puget Sound without getting wet—through a short tunnel you’ll enter a one-of-a-kind undersea dome with a 360-degree view into a 400,000-gallon habitat. It’s an exciting and unique way to view the waters of the Puget Sound.

Insider Tip: Purchase tickets online in advance to save.

Pier 59
1483 Alaskan Way
Seattle
Online: seattleaquarium.org

Flying Squirrel

Flying Squirrel Trampoline Park has activities and attractions for all ages. Jump on trampolines, explore tunnels suspended in air, bounce on inflatables, scale tall climbing walls or play a round of high-tech mini golf. Also available at the activity center is a café to recharge once your little jumper has bounced their energy out. Toddler Time is now available during all operating hours for children 6 and under for only $14 for one hour of jump time.

Insider Tip: Packages for toddlers and family punch cards are available so you can save cash.

1325 S.E. Everett Mall Way, Suite A
Everett, WA
Online: flyingsquirrelsports.us

Pacific Science Center

Located in the heart of Seattle, the Pacific Science Center will ignite your child’s curiosity. The mission of the Pacific Science Center is to fuel a passion for discovery, experimentation and critical thinking, and each exhibit does just that. Surround yourself with hundreds of beautiful butterflies in a tropical habitat, explore the outer most reaches of the universe, walk with dinosaurs or step into the Laser Dome, and experience a brilliant, immersive laser show.

Insider Tip: Looking to extend your playdate? Check out the playground at Seattle Center. Located in the plaza between the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) and Seattle Center Armory, the Artists at Play playground is a wonderful, imaginative place to place for kids of all ages.

200 2nd Ave. N.
Seattle
Online: pacificsciencecenter.org

Arena Sports – Magnuson

Bounce your way into the inflatable FunZone! At Arena Sports, kids can run, jump, bounce and slide to their heart’s content. Each location offers a variety of kid-friendly activities for kids ages 18 months old to 12 years old. Kiddos love the Magnuson location because of the giant inflatables, but all the locations provide epic playtimes your little ones won’t forget.

Locations in Issaquah, Magnuson, Mill Creek, Redmond and SODO
Online: arenasports.net

Kraken Community Iceplex

Skate where the Seattle Kraken skate! Public skates are available throughout the week. You don’t have to be an NHL hopeful to glide around the rink–public skating is open to all ages and abilities. Hop on the ice during lunch, or plan an afternoon skate date with friends. Looking for the best time to take your skating tike? Every Friday (from 10:30-11:30 a.m.), little skaters can hit the ice and enjoy open play at the Kraken Community Iceplex. Rent skates and aid seals (or join the fun in sneakers and boots) and spend an hour on the ice. Balls and piles of snow are provided. Helmets are recommended and parent supervision is required. After you skate, head up to the Starbucks on the second floor for a hot chocolate or grab lunch at 32 Bar and Grill. The 5,000-square-foot pub and grill gives lunch goers expansive views of Starbucks Rink where the Kraken practice and the Smartsheet Rink.

10601 5th Ave. N.E.
Seattle
Online: krakencommunityiceplex.com

Pike Place Market

It’s fun to be a tourist in Seattle. Especially when you and the kids head to Pike Place Market during the weekday. Beat the crowds and snap some truly Insta-worthy pictures. The bustling streets, beautiful bouquets of flowers, decadent donuts, and fresh produce break up the monotony of the typical go-to parks and neighborhood destinations. Making a trek downtown makes for a fun day of sightseeing. Our suggestion? Stop at Daily Dozen (one of our favorite donut shops) and then pick up the biggest, brightest bundle of flowers you can carry. Strolling through the iconic market and exploring all its hidden artisan treasures is an exciting way to spend a day.

85 Pike St.
Seattle
Online: pikeplacemarket.org

Your Guide to Free & Discount Days at Portland Museums Is Here

by Melissa PoulinSeptember 7, 2022

From trains and forests to science and art, these Portland museums offer educational experiences at the right price

Your child has already asked you a million questions today, and you’re ready for a break. Why not let a museum take over with answers to everything they’d ever want to know about history, science, and art? We’re happy to report Portland families can celebrate curiosity and encourage a lifetime of learning at the city’s many excellent museums without breaking the bank. How? Simply, mark your calendars for free and discount days at these popular family destinations.

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These Portland Museums Are Free Every Day

Oregon Historical Society

You don't need to wait for special free and discount museum days here because The Oregon Historical Society is free year-round for Multnomah County residents (with proof of residency). The museum also offers free admission to families with EBT cards, active duty military personnel through the Blue Star program, and kids 5 and under.

This spot features three floors of rare documents, artifacts and permanent, and traveling exhibits. You and your family can check out permanent exhibits like History Hub, designed to help families explore the topic of diversity in Oregon through interactive objects and pictures. Current exhibits for 2022 include "The Immigrant Story," a narrative and photographic exploration of Asian American experiences, and "A Century of Wonder," documenting the beauty and diversity of Oregon's 254 state parks in celebration of their 100th birthday.

1200 S.W. Park Ave.
Portland
Online: ohs.org

Hoyt Arboretum

Every day is a free day at this outdoor museum, accessible year-round, and home to more than 2,000 species of trees and shrubs from six continents spread over 190 ridge-top acres. A one-mile stroller-suitable route and covered picnic areas make it family-friendly, with regular tours geared toward kids and families to further sweeten the deal. Free Pop-up Nature activities created by volunteer naturalists allow kids and families to engage with the arboretum on self-guided tours, and guided Tree Time! Preschool Walks are held at 10 a.m. on Mondays and Saturdays. For the low cost of $3 to $5 per child, preschoolers and their caregivers can learn about their natural surroundings on this tour that ends with a nature-themed craft. Looking for more family and youth programming? You can find it online.

4000 S.W. Fairview Blvd.
Portland
Online: hoytarboretum.org

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Oregon Rail Heritage Center

Just about every small child goes through a train phase, and this is the perfect place to take them. Located near the waterfront in the Brooklyn Roundhouse, this working facility houses three vintage steam locomotives, lovingly rebuilt and maintained by expert volunteers. You can take a tour of the Southern Pacific 4449; the Spokane, Portland & Seattle 700; and the Oregon Railway & Navigation 197, and maybe even watch repair work in progress. Plan your visit for a Saturday to take a ride along the Willamette River on the Oregon Pacific Railroad: Tickets are $14 for adults ($10 one selected Saturday a month) and $6 for kids. For young engineers with busy hands, there’s a train table with miniature trains to play with near the entrance.

Good to Know: Although this museum is free every day, donations are appreciated.

2250 S.E. Water Ave.
Portland
Online: orhf.org

Take Advantage of Free Days at Portland’s Best Family Museums

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Portland Art Museum

Editor's note: Free First Thursdays are on hold due to staffing issues but will begin again soon. Get updates online.

Free day: Always free for kids 17 & under and members. Check the calendar for free and discount museum days, such as Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day on September 17.

This sprawling museum offers delights for the senses, with galleries containing more than 42,000 objects. The permanent exhibit of modern art features many large paintings in bright colors that captivate young eyes, including several installations with neon and colored lights. A special exhibit open through mid-November features more than 60 pieces by local BIPOC photographers made during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests. And a rotating selection of visiting exhibits keeps things fresh, so you’ll always find something new to come back to. Pack paper and colored pencils and encourage older children to sketch what they see.

1219 S.W. Park Ave.
Portland
Online: portlandartmuseum.org

World Forestry Center

Editor's note: World Forestry Center reopened in June 2022, and isn't currently offering any regular free days yet.

Free day: Always free for kids 2 & under. Plus the Center will be participating in Smithsonian Magazine Free Museum Day on September 17.

A must-see for locals and tourists alike, the World Forestry Center Discovery Museum teaches visitors of all ages to see trees in a new light. With a focus on environmental sustainability and the essential role of trees and forests in our ecosystem, the museum brings Oregon’s long history of forestry to life with exhibits on how to plant, maintain, and protect forests. But it goes even further than that, teaching visitors how people manage and interact with trees and forests around the world. Spend your free and discount museum days on board a simulated jeep ride to tour the world (with stops in Siberia, China, South Africa, and Brazil) or check out the 10,000-pound petrified tree stump at an incredible 5 million years old.

4033 S.W. Canyon Rd.
Portland
Online: worldforestry.org

Enjoy Discounted Days at These Area Museums for Families & Kids

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Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)

Discount day: Admission is $2 per person the first Sunday of every month, along with discounts to the theater, planetarium, and submarine tours.

Discount day at OMSI is a popular choice with local families because this museum is perfect for the insatiably curious kid in all of us. Take preschoolers to the Science Playground, where sensory exhibits allow little ones to explore water and sand. Kids ages 4-8 can try their hand at windpower or make music at the Curium. Or head to one of several Innovation Stations to challenge older kids’ STEM design skills. Check the calendar for upcoming exhibits, such as James Cameron - Challenging the Deep, an immersive experience following the famous filmmaker's explorations and achievements in deep-ocean science. You can also take in a film in the Kendall Planetarium or step aboard a real submarine docked just outside in the Willamette.

1945 S.E. Water Ave.
Portland
Online: omsi.edu

Five Oaks Museum

Editor's note: As of publication, Five Oaks Museum is closed to the public; please check back for re-opening dates.

Free day: Family Free Mornings, 10 a.m.-1 p.m, second Saturdays each month (March-November)

Formerly the Washington County Museum, this historical museum showcases stories and objects from the Tualatin Valley. Tours, special programs, and ongoing learning activities geared toward families bring this place's history to life in a range of community voices, with a Guest Curator program that allows local people to design their own exhibits to tell their own stories. Exhibits like This IS Kalapuyan Land help children and adults to connect to the complex layering of local history and its interaction with the natural environment.

PCC Rock Creek Campus
17677 N.W. Springville Rd.
Portland
Online: fiveoaksmuseum.org

Good to Know: All it takes is a library card to check out a Discovery Pass through the Multnomah County Library system. This sweet set up lets families and community members take advantage of free admission to many of Portland’s museums and cultural institutions on a date that works with your schedule. It couldn’t be any easier.

The Bouqs Co. Subscription

Lively Root Plant Subscription

Plant In The Box Indoor Houseplant Subscription

Rooted Baby Mystery Jungle Box

Gardenuity The Herb Garden Subscription

The Sill Plant Subscription

Farmgirl Flowers Flower Subscription

Horti Plant Subscription Box

FLOWERBX Flower Subscription

Bloomsy Flower Subscription

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