Plan your LEGOLAND vacation or catch one of the LEGO exhibits coming to a city near you

Your LEGO-obsessed kids break new ground with their creative builds every day. Now it’s your turn! Push the LEGO boundaries with innovative travel ideas your kids are gonna love. From LEGOLAND’s newest location and a tricked-out LEGO house to traveling exhibits that inspire and awe, we’ve got 13 places LEGO fans of all ages need to experience during their lifetime.

LEGOLAND | CA, FL & NY

LEGOLAND

The first stop on any Brick Head’s bucket list is the most LEGO-ist place of all. Full immersion is how it’s done at LEGOLAND Florida, LEGOLAND California, and the newest addition LEGOLAND New York. Rides, water parks, and plenty of brick-tastic builds to explore and participate in are what these theme parks are all about. Add in LEGO-themed hotels and you’ve got a not-to-miss 24/7 experience. 

Online: legoland.com

LEGOLAND - Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Kristina Moy

If you really want to blow your little LEGO lover’s mind, head to LEGOLAND Dubai where you will find the biggest and best attractions from all other LEGOLAND theme parks from around the world. Let your kid's imagination soar in the six themed areas that cover everything from medieval dragons to underwater adventures. Experience over 40 interactive rides, shows and attractions, including LEGO models of the world's most iconic buildings inside the theme park’s first, fully covered MINILAND. Finish your visit off with a trip to the LEGOLAND Water Park where you can take on the Joker Soaker, build your very own LEGO raft, go on a splash safari or slip and slide your way down 20 different water slides and attractions. To learn more, check out our Insider's Guide to Dubai and Emirates’ abundance of family offerings.

Online: legoland.com/dubai

The LEGO House - Billund, Denmark

This totally original Denmark build brings new meaning to the phrase “brick house.” Constructed from over 25 million LEGO bricks, it commemorates the birth of a legend—LEGO (psst...Billund is LEGO's hometown!). Visitors can explore six Experience Zones when they make the pilgrimage, shop the LEGO store, bounce around the playgrounds, and explore the colorful rooftop spaces. Talk about house envy!

Online: legohouse.com/en-gb

LEGOLAND Holiday Village - Billund, Denmark

LEGOLAND Billund Resort

Book a sweet spot in Billund at the LEGOLAND Holiday Village to really blow your bitty brick lover's mind. Overnight in one of their Wilderness Barrels (think: Frodo's Hobbit House) surrounded by LEGO-built wild animals and decor. Or maybe you'd prefer a LEGO NINJAGO or Wild West-themed cabin for your night's stay? But if creature comforts are more your style, the Pirates' Inn Motel can't be beat. No matter which totally tricked out LEGO experience you choose, expect plenty of outdoor play space and family-friendly activities too!

Onlinelegoland.dk/legoland-holiday-village

BrickCon | Seattle, WA

Homan L. via Yelp

This is a LEGO celebration West Coasters won’t want to miss! It spans over two days in October and features thousands of models built by adult LEGO hobbyists. Each year offers a different theme that will surely leave lots of room for builders of all sizes to be inspired and create their own masterpieces in the expansive Building Zone. Brick Heads unite!

Online: brickcon.org

The Art of the Brick

Art of the Brick

Attorney-turned-LEGO artist, Nathan Sawaya, is taking his exquisite brick creations on the road, and families across the globe are invited to check it out. This unusual LEGO experience mixes fine art with bricks to create a playful, innovative experience that appeals to LEGO lovers of all ages. Just think of the inspiration you and your kids will find here! Check out the upcoming tour schedule to find out if the exhibition’s coming to your city.

Online: brickartist.com

FIRST LEGO League

nash1101 via flickr

If LEGO MINDSTORMS is your kid’s jam, being a participant or spectator at a FIRST LEGO League tourney is where you want to be. The name of the game here is STEM, challenging kids ages 4-16 to solve real-world problems and super cool missions. Three divisions help little learners develop their LEGO skills and build teamwork. 

Online: firstlegoleague.org/events

Brickfest Live!

And you thought your kid had a ton of LEGO. You don’t know the half of it until you’ve hit a Brickfest Live! event. Imagine a warehouse full of your favorite LEGO including new, rare and vintage sets. Plus photo ops, mosaic walls, a racing arena, mini golf (LEGO style), robotics and much more. A serious playground for LEGO fiends of any ages, find out if it’s headed your way this year.

Online: brickfestlive.com

LEGOLAND Discovery Center

Jim Sulley/newscast

They’re touted as the “ultimate indoor LEGO playground” but your kids know them as that “place with all the LEGO bricks.” And they want to go there...like yesterday. Each location has its own twist, but families can always count on being able to build and test LEGO race cars, explore architectural wonders in Miniland and meet and greets with your favorite LEGO characters. To see what the buzz is about, check out one of the US locations.

Online: lego.com/en-us/attractions/discoverycenter

The AWESOME EXHIBITION

Kate Loweth

If you want to see LEGO build of your favorite local landmarks, watch for the AWESOME EXHIBITION to come to a city near you. Recently it had residence in Seattle where you could see everything from the Space Needle to a massive orca to the Back to the Future Delorean. The massive creations in this exhibition are going to awe LEGO fans of all ages and there are even interactive LEGO building stations where you can make your own LEGO creation. 

Online: awesomeexhibition.com

Additional reporting by Allison Sutcliffe & Kristina Moy

Between the overcast skies and Omicron, things are pretty hygge around Seattle. So grab your coziest blanket, stoke the logs in the fireplace and settle in to read with your little bookworms. With everything from hot-off-the-presses titles by local authors to classic books you must read, our lit picks should get your family through these hunkered-down times without a hitch.

Books for Sports Fans

The Heart of the Storm

Little Bigfoot

We can’t wait for this picture book bio about everyone’s favorite Storm player—Sue Bird—to drop on March 1. It tells the origin story of this basketball superstar, from her early days in New York to the present, where she dominates in the WNBA. We always cheer for more Sue!

Pre-order it on amazon, $19

A Ticket to the Pennant: A Tale of Baseball in Seattle

Before the Mariners played in T-Moblie Park… or Safeco Field… or the Kingdome, they were the Seattle Rainiers and they played at Sicks Stadium. In this story, young Huey retraces his steps around Sicks Stadium in search of his lost ticket to the Rainier’s pennant game. And oldie but a goodie, it’s a captivating walk through Seattle’s past.

Find it on amazon, $18

I Can Play Too

books for seattle kids, seattle books
cammigranato21.com

She's an Olympic gold medalist, has a place in the Hockey Hall of Fame and scouts players for the Kraken. Now Cammi Granato can add "children's book author" to her impressive resume. Any time is a great time to read this story about young Mimi who wants to play ice hockey. But that's not something girls from her town do. Based on Granato's own inspiring life, this one's a winner. 

Find it online, $18

Books for Nature Lovers

The Birders

LIttle Bigfoot

Even city kids will appreciate this hot-off-the-presses whimsical story of an elderly man and his young neighbor who join forces to find an elusive snowy owl that lives in their neighborhood. Their friendship spans the generations, and the story is told with the keen eye (and goofy humor) that only dads seem to possess (the author is a father of two). Psst… this book pairs well with another of our favorites, Look at That Bird! 

Find it on amazon, $17

1-2-3 Salish Sea: A Pacific Northwest Counting Book

courtesy Sasquatch Books

This book by Olympia-based paper artist, Nikki McClure, hit bookshelves around this time last year. Perfect for tots, it counts sea creatures as friends every PNW kid will recognize. From one stubby squid exploring below to twenty clams that make a great octopus feast, kids won't just learn how to count with this book, they'll also learn about the local marine life that bring magic to our area.

Find it on amazon, $10

Bea’s Bees

seattle kids books

Maybe you’ve read this story at a local PopUp StoryWalk or heard author Katherine Pryor at a reading. It’s the story of a young girl, Bea, and her inspiring quest to save her neighborhood bees who have disappeared. Filled with fun bee facts and actionable ways kids can help bolster the bee population, this is a great read any time of year.

Find it on amazon, $17

Books for History Buffs

Galloping Gertie: The True Story of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge Collapse

If you’ve ever skipped the ferry and driven to the Olympic Peninsula instead, there’s a good chance you’ve crossed over the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Before your next road trip, sit down with the kids to read this new book that’s packed with scientific and historical facts about Gertie’s infamous collapse in 1940 (the same year she was built). Psst... you can see video of Gertie's collapse at the Harbor History Museum in Gig Harbor

Find it on amazon, $16

The Spirit of Springer: The Real-Life Rescue of an Orphaned Orca

This book by author Amanda Abler and illustrator Levi Hastings details the real-life rescue of Springer, a northern resident orca found swimming alone in Puget Sound in 2002. The book immerses kids in the thrilling details of the heroic rescue and even follows up with Springer in the present. The extras about Springer’s orca family tree and the state of our resident orcas found in the bonus pages are… well, a true bonus.

Find it on amazon, $11

New Kids’ Books by Seattle Authors

Sumo Counting & Sumo Opposites

seattle kids books

Whether you buy them as a pair or choose one over the other, we love these new board books by Seattle mom, Sinae Ishida. Kids learn about sumo culture alongside primer basics like counting and opposites. And the illustrations are beyond cute.

Find Sumo Counting on amazon, $9
Find Sumo Opposites on amazon, $10

You Might Be Special

seattle kids books

If you’ve got a special kid—and we know you do—they’ll love taking this quiz that doubles as a book. Written by local mom, Kerri Kokias, it includes mostly silly and a few serious questions that help kids answer the essential question. Hint: In doing so, they’ll figure out that while we’re all different, each of us is special in our own way.

Find it on amazon, $17

The Whale Child

This middle grade book by local brother/sister writing duo, Keith and Chenoa Egawa, is a must-read for any kiddo who is concerned about the health of our planet. It's the story of Shiny, a whale child who agrees to be turned into a human boy so he can warn people about the way carelessness and waste are endangering the Earth's oceans. Along the way, he meets Alex, a Coast Salish girl, who joins him and helps spread his message of hope and the importance of environmental stewardship.

Find it on amazon, $19

Forever Favorites

The Wheedle Books

seattle kids books

Every Seattle kid knows the red light atop the Space Needle is the Wheedle’s blinking nose. If they don’t they, it’s time to sit down with this original Seattle children’s book. Whether you read the book that started it all or the sequel that features a friend for the Wheedle, these books will build your kid’s city smarts.

Find The Wheedle on the Needle on amazon, $10

The Larry Gets Lost Books

seattle kids books

Written by local singer/songwriter, Eric Ode, we’re big fans on the Larry books. If Larry’s adventures around Seattle or his undersea escapades aren’t on your bookshelf, they should be. Both are written with Seattle kids in mind, as they’re full of city favorites discussing everything from the monorail and Pike Street Market to the ferries and Puget Sound creatures kids spy during low tide.

Find Larry Gets Lost in Seattle on amazon, $13

Goodnight Seattle

seattle kids books

This is an oldie but a goodie, and for toddlers who love exploring the Emerald City, it doesn’t get more “real” than this book. It features all the family-friendly spots kids love, like the Woodland Park Zoo, the Museum of Flight and the Seattle Aquarium. Is your copy as worn out as ours?

Find it on amazon, $10

—Allison Sutcliffe

RELATED STORIES:

Read This! 7 Awesome Northwest Kids’ Books

7 Great Independent Bookstores for Pint-Sized Bookworms

100 Things Every Seattle Kid Should Do at Least Once

Bravo! 11 Local Shows for Kids We Can’t Wait For

Trick-or-treating around Seattle is a go for this year! If you need a Seattle-themed costume idea that’s kid-approved, we’ve got some ideas that give a nod to Seattle. Get in the spirit with these hilariously fun Halloween costumes that fit right in in the Emerald City. Read on to find your perfect only-in-Seattle costume for your little monsters!

Seattle Kraken

labeshop.com

Whether yours wears a mask and carries a hockey stick or is cute and cuddly like this one, Kraken is the new black in Seattle. So unleash your creativity on this mythic Halloween creature costume as a way to show your support and excitement about Seattle's newest team. Go Kraken!

A Hydro Flask

Meredith Browand

Seattle VSCO kids aren't complete without their handy Hydro Flask (sksksk). So why not dress up baby as everybody's favorite quintessential accessory this Halloween? All it takes is a colorful onesie, a black cap and an eye for design to re-create this adorable costume everyone will be talking about!

Sasquatch

chasing-fireflies.com

Won't everyone be surprised when they see this elusive creature wandering the streets on October 31? Rumor has is he lives in the forests of the Cascades, so he's a total PNW original. Dress your little creatures up as Big Foot for a memorable night.

A Baby Orca

chasing-fireflies.com

The babies are here! Give our newest Seattle residents a shout-out with a super cute orca costume to celebrate their recent arrival. Your budding marine biologist will have a whale of a good time on Halloween night sporting this eye-catching costume.

Alaska Airlines Flight Attendant

Kristina Moy

These awesome attendants are hip to your kids. When you fly Alaska Airlines, they’re dropping by with coloring books, pins and trading cards before you’ve even had time to stow your overhead baggage. No wonder your little fliers dig them. Set your tot's sights on the skies this year.

A Washington State Ferry

Washington State Ferries' Twitter page

Because it’s the coolest form of public transportation around, it’s no surprise Seattle kiddos can’t get enough ferry love. Dress your little captain in his or her cardboard best, “decked” out with some green and white paint, to DIY this sea-worthy costume.

Upcycle Fashionista

Fort George G. Meade Public Affairs Office via flickr

Do you still have pandemic purge piles sitting around at your place? Why not turn your future donations into a creative Halloween costume your tot can wear to celebrate this year? All it takes is a creative mind and a bit of determination to fashion the coolest costume on the block.

A Rain Cloud

andreasnotebook.com

If there’s one thing Seattle kids know and love, it’s rain. They play in it, splash in it and have repeatedly soaked their pants going down countless rain-soaked slides over the years. So it’s only fitting that they should now dress up as it, for Halloween. Andrea’s Notebook has the deets on how you can put together this DIY costume that feels right at home in Seattle.

The Pink Elephant

via yelp

It may be retired, but the Pink Elephant lives forever in the hearts of Seattleites. Dress your sidekick up like the neon icon, the pink elephant, of car wash fame. All you need is a cute elephant costume and a watering can to draw oohs, ahhhs and some good laughs.

Macklemore

Ashley Johnson

Although Macklemore may have traded his faux fur for golf shirts and plaid shorts, this costume is always a hit. Take a trip to the thrift shop (you know the one) to dress up your sidekick as Seattle’s prodigal son this Halloween. Sort through granddad’s best to put together this simple DIY costume that, you guessed it, looks incredible!

The Gum Wall

It’s quite possibly our city’s grossest attraction. Maybe that’s why kids love it so much! Re-create the infamous gum wall with some cardboard, tons of gum (or tissue paper) and some creative know-how to make an impression (or leave one anyway) in the ‘hood this year.

A National Park Ranger

Tracy Swartout

With three amazing National Parks within a few hours’ drive of the city, it’s no wonder Seattle families spend so much time hiking, biking and skiing through them all year long. Let your Little’s national park love shine bright this Halloween by dressing him in a park ranger hat, badge and telltale khakis.

Caspar Babypants

babypantsmusic.com

Under normal circumstances, your kindie rocker follows him from library to library, farmer’s market to farmer’s market, and if he’s playing at Top Pot, don’t even get us started! It couldn’t be easier to pay homage to the man in the (baby) pants himself, Caspar, than to throw on a yellow t-shirt, black shorts and a tot-sized guitar (a ukulele works great!) this Halloween. Extra points if your Halloween half-pint can hum a few bars of his favorite Caspar tune along the way!

— Allison Sutcliffe

RELATED STORIES:

Oh My Gourd! Where to Pick the Perfect Pumpkin Near Seattle

13 Wicked-Cool Alternatives to Trick-or-Treating This Year

Get Lost: 10 Corn Mazes to Explore with Kids

22 Not-Too-Spooky Songs for Your Halloween Playlist

 

Check your freezers. Orca Bay Foods is recalling 4,450 pounds of Trader Joe’s brand Gluten Free Battered Halibut because it contains undeclared wheat and milk allergens. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to wheat and milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.

Trader Joe's brand Gluten Free Battered Halibut

Product was sold in Trader Joe’s stores in Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, and Wisconsin. 

Trader Joe’s brand Gluten Free Battered Halibut SKU 00503822 product is packed in 10 oz retail carton boxes. Recalled boxes are marked  “537312620 Best If Used By Nov 5, 2021” on the box end.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

Consumers who have purchased are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-932-ORCA, Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. PT.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: U.S. Food & Drug Administration

RELATED STORIES

Lean Cuisine Recalls Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens

Ford Recalls Additional Vehicles Due to Faulty Door Latches

Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation Recalls Chicken Breast Nugget Products

Seattle kids are easy to spot. They count harbor seals as friends and know how magical an orca sighting is, even if they’ve spotted them before. For kids missing the Sound, we’ve rounded up activities, virtual camps and live shows that are as engaging and as they are educational. Dive in!

272447 via pixabay

Attend a Virtual Marine Biology Camp

Tune in to Ocean Initiative’s virtual Marine Biology Camp on Mondays and Thursdays at 11 a.m. via Facebook or Instagram. Here, kids can hear from two local scientists (who are also parents) about whales, dolphins, sharks and other animals that call Puget Sound home. Send questions your kids have to the team ahead of time, or post them live during the convo. There’s always something interesting to learn or fun to do when you tune in.

 

Sing a Whale Song

...or rather listen to our resident orcas on the Killer Wale Tales website. There are three cool clips to tune in to, plus fact sheets and an activity book you can download, all dedicated to the pods that live in local waters.

Sit Down for Orca Story Time 

Invite your tots to listen to a whale of a tale live via Zoom, on April 24 and May 1 at 11 a.m. Rein from the Washington Environmental Council will share a different story each week for kids to enjoy.

 

Aquarium from Anywhere

Just because you can’t be there, doesn’t mean you can’t experience the Seattle Aquarium at home. Sift through the many coloring sheets, code breaker activities, virtual story times, marine science games and more to keep the kids engaged with this local fave. Psst… their livestream webcams are always a hit too.

courtesy Seattle Whale Tales

Stream a Live Marine Science Show

Set your calendars for live STEM workshops on Mondays and Thursdays at 2 p.m. via Facebook, thanks to Gig Harbor based Harbor WildWatch. With a focus on local wildlife and waters, these workshops give kids the chance to ask questions and participate in easy experiments and activities at home.

 

Explore the Burke’s Beaked Whale

If your kids miss the impressive beaked whale that hangs from the ceiling at the Burke, they can get a look behind the scenes and find out how it was prepped and hung. Follow up this exploration with the Burke’s whale activity packet and shark hat craft and you’ve got your afternoon planned.

Michael Dawes via flickr

Print Out Activity Sheets

Pull out a few of these activity sheets courtesy of the Orca Research Trust and your kids will be entertained for hours. They’ve got story telling prompts, fact sheets, word searches, paper crafts and more, all geared for young kids looking to learn and have fun.

 

Spot Ocean Wildlife

Turns out that with WiFi you can pretty much go anywhere these days. So why not try to spot orcas with OrcaLab’s livestream? The cameras give six different views of Hanson Island up in B.C., an orca hotspot and also the home of OrcaLab.

—Allison Sutcliffe

RELATED STORIES:

A Love Letter to Seattle: 13 Things We Can’t Wait to Do Again

7 Ways to Bring the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival to You

Read All About It: 10 New Books for Seattle Kids

Under Pressure: 10 At-Home Experiments that Harness Air

Here Comes the Pun: 206 Hilarious Jokes for Kids

 

featured photo: Susie L. via yelp

To some parents, the signs are obvious: falling grades, incomplete homework, and anxiety before tests can send a loud, clear signal that your child could use an extra push from a tutor.

Oftentimes, however, the need for a tutor may not be as apparent. Students with good grades, who are bright and curious and who excel at certain subjects may not seem like obvious candidates. But the reality is that kids of all interests, abilities, and academic performance levels can benefit from tutoring —not just those who are struggling.

Here are three unlikely students who may be able to take learning to a new level with the help of a tutor.

1. The Perfectionist: “Exceptional.” “Smart.” “Quick to learn.” Any parent would swell with pride to hear a teacher apply these words to their child. But although the early elementary school years may breeze by for superstar students, parents may notice concerning behaviors start to emerge later on. Kids who are praised for being “smart” and who are used to succeeding easily may come to interpret “smart” as being able to do things without effort. Over the years, perfectionist students begin to shy away from subjects that challenge them. Such students come to see mistakes as something to be ashamed of rather than a valuable chance to learn. Instead of pushing themselves to do better, perfectionists may start dismissing themselves as “just bad at science” or “too uncoordinated” for sports.

How can tutoring help your “perfectionist” child? One of the most valuable, long-term benefits tutoring can inspire in a child is a “growth mindset” — the recognition that you can improve your abilities if you set your mind to it. It is important to introduce this concept to your kid at an early age, so they learn to grow and stops comparing their academic success to others. Through tutoring, your student can discover that growth is possible and take charge of their own learning.

2. The “Gifted” Child: Is your student observant, curious, or prone to intense interests? Do they spend hours on a new hobby and think or talk of nothing else? Does your youngster bombard you with questions about the number of orca whales in Florida or why there are so many different languages in the world? Does she notice things that other children or even you yourself may overlook? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you might have a gifted child on your hands.

Gifted children can benefit from tutoring in a couple of ways. Bright and curious kids may not feel challenged by the curriculum supplied in schools. Not only can tutors provide more stimulating material, but they can help boost self-esteem by allowing students to flex their strengths. And for children with an interest or talent in a specific subject—such as art, music, or robotics—tutoring can help them channel their curiosity and build skills in that area.

3. The Underperformer: This can be a tricky child to recognize. Underperformers might earn good grades and appear to be functional students on the surface. However, underperforming kids may be coasting by without reaching their potential. Instead of challenging themselves, these students tend to do the minimum amount of work while avoiding participation, extra credit, or leadership opportunities.

If you suspect your kid may be an underperformer, tutoring can motivate your child by helping them set active goals. A tutor can help incorporate your student’s interests into a subject and encourage them to engage with and analyze the material they’re learning—as opposed to merely memorizing facts. In addition, a tutor can help identify and address distractions that could be contributing to underperformance.

Of course, these are only a handful of the many types of learners that may excel with the help of a tutor. Tutoring not only helps to boost grades and improve test scores, but it allows youngsters to build effective work habits, hone social and behavioral skills and practice self-paced, self-directed learning. And, perhaps most important of all, tutoring helps students develop a growth mindset: the confidence that they have the power to improve their abilities through hard work and determination.

Alexia Mezzini is the co-founder and COO of My Tutor Lab, an education technology company that connects students with verified tutors for one-on-one private sessions. Alexia is a highly sought-after speaker on topics of the supplemental education industry and building upon students’ tremendous knowledge and skills.

Dolphins are arguably some of the most intelligent animals in the world. They use tools, help their sick, play games and have a complex language all their own. Read on for 10 cool facts about these fascinating aquatic creatures.

photo: Sean MacEntee via flickr

1. Dolphins have been seen wrapping sea sponge around their long snouts to protect them from cuts while foraging for food. They even teach their young this tool-using technique. 

2. Each dolphin has its own signature whistle. They communicate using an exchange of clicks, whistles and squeaks. They can make up to 1000 clicking noises per second!

3. The Killer Whale (Orca) is actually a type of dolphin.

4. Dolphins use echolocation: they use sound to determine the distance and location of objects, food and one another. Some dolphins have excellent eyesight, but many, including the river dolphins, have poor sight and rely on echolocation to help them navigate and hunt.

5. The Amazon and Orinico Rivers are home to pink river dolphins. These are the largest freshwater dolphin in the world and really are pale pink in color.

6. The Hector dolphin, from New Zealand, adores games. They’ve been seen playing with seaweed and blowing bubbles.

7. Only half of the dolphin’s brain goes to sleep when asleep and the other half stays awake.

8. Baby and young dolphins rest, eat and sleep while the mother swims. The mother doesn’t stop swimming for the first several weeks of a newborn’s life, in order to keep the baby afloat. (So dolphin moms are sleep deprived too!)

9. Dolphins have been seen helping a sick or injured member of their pod to the surface of the water.

10. They breathe through nostrils on top of their heads, also known as blowholes. While time varies greatly from species to species and is dependent on the activity, the average dolphin needs to 8-12 breathes per minute if active, and about 3 when less so.

Know any cool facts about dolphins? Share with us in the comments below. 

—Amber Guetebier

Are you craving an escape from these cooler temperatures? Wondering when you’ll able to experience real, true summer? We hear you, Seattleites! Everyone deserves a moment (make that lots of moments) in the sun, so we’ve compiled a list of places where you might find yours. Catch your well-deserved rays while camping, exploring new places, or playing outside with the kiddos. Here’s hoping you’ll have a sun-filled time!

(Of course, sunshine is never a sure thing, so check weather forecasts before hitting the road.)

Head to the coastal sea town of Seabrook, WA. It’s the closest sandy beach on the Pacific Ocean (did somebody say sandcastles?) and a great place for bike riding and kite flying!

Find out why Lake Chelan (pictured) is called “nature’s playground.” There are tons of activities (on the lake and off) to wow the little ones and chances are the sun will greet you when you arrive.

Situated in the “rain shadow,” a frequently rain-free area, San Juan Island is the perfect sunny escape! Orca whale-watching season lasts from now until October 15, you can take any number of hikes (including one to a lighthouse), and there are all kinds of festivals going on all year round.

Intrigued by the San Juan Island area? You and the fam can enjoy a camping experience at Camp Orkila on Orcas Island, the largest of the San Juan Islands. There are several types of camps to chose from, including a Family Camp. Picture a sunset campfire that doesn’t involve chilly children. Yep, sounds good to us, too.

Sure, you might associate Suncadia with wintertime, but don’t write it off just yet. There are lots of reasons to visit this resort and every chance that you’ll catch some sun if you do! Hike, bike, fish, or boat with the family. The resort even has pre-arranged Family Programs.

Get in touch with the great outdoors as part of the Olympic Park Institute Family Program. The camp offers seven individual experiences for families to choose from and is located on the gorgeous Olympic Peninsula on Lake Crescent. Though the area’s climate can be affected by the nearby mountains and sea, summers are usually fair to warm.

Bend & Sunriver has over 300 sunny days a year. We feel like that’s enough incentive to visit, but if you need more: there are museums, hikes, and a swim center just waiting for you to enjoy. And, if your idea of a sunny vacation doesn’t exclude snow, you can always enjoy skiing and other “winter” activities.

Spend some time at one of the best kids’ camps in the Northwest, Camp Seymour. Family camps are offered throughout the year, with lots of different vacation and recreation activities. The camp is located in Gig Harbor, where the Cascade Range and the Olympic Mountains serve as barriers to easterly and northerly weather systems and the weather is usually ideal.

Make a day-trip out of a visit to the Camano Island/Stanwood area. Though the population swells during summer months, the area still has an isolated feel to it. Camano Island’s protected location (offered by Saratoga Passage to the west, Skagit Bay to the north, and Port Susan to the east) offers less chills and more sunny thrills.

—Abigail Matsumoto