When it comes to the best places to eat in Seattle, you can never go wrong with sushi. Because even the pickiest kids can’t help but love the bite-sized rolls, conveyer belts and small plates that make sushi an irresistible culinary adventure. Here’s where to take the fam the next time a fresh fish craving hits.

Kura Sushi

Kura Sushi

If prizes are your thing...
...Kura Sushi's ingenious incentive system makes dinner time easy for families. The most entertaining dinner you've had in a long time, it doesn't get better than earning prizes while you eat. Your kids will love grabbing plates from the revolving sushi bar and finishing them off in no time flat. With each set of five plates devoured, a short anime film plays at the table. And when 15 are down, you get a prize. Parents will love that plates are just $2.95 each and that these savory, authentic dishes are made with healthy, high-quality ingredients.

266 116th Ave.
Bellevue, WA
360-822-9333
Online: kurasushi.com

Shiro's Sushi

courtesy Shiro's Sushi

If you want an unusual take...
...Shiro's Sushi's new sushi burgers should be on your list. An easy sell for kids, these faux burgers are held together by two rice "buns" and feature traditional flavor combos like smoked salmon and smelt in The Classic and tempura shrimp and avocado in another. With four "burgers" to choose from, you can't go wrong. They even have a vegan option for those craving plant-based dinner.

2401 2nd Ave.
Seattle, WA
206-443-9844
Online: shiros.com

Julia L. via yelp

If you miss Blue C Sushi…
… put a trip to Tengu Sushi on your list. Like Blue C, they serve sushi on a conveyer belt that runs around the sushi bar. Plates are priced based on color, making it easy for your kids and you can grab fresh rolls for as little as $1.50 a plate. You’ll also find tender teriyaki dishes, bento boxes, tempura and Gyoza if you want to branch out.

311 N.E. Thornton Pl.
Seattle, WA
206-525-9999
Online: tengusushi.com

I Love Sushi via yelp

If you want an outdoor patio...
I Love Sushi is the place for your crew. They’ve got a great patio with a view and clear partitions, so you can feel safe while you eat. The patio is first come, first serve, and off hours are your best bet for getting a seat, especially when wiggle worms are involved. Shared plates are how they roll here, and we agree they make a great option for family style dining. Parents will also dig the variety of veggie rolls available. Always an easy and healthy option for kids!

1001 Fairview Ave. N.
Seattle, WA
206-625-9604
Online: ilovesushiseattle.com

Mona M. via yelp

If you want something a little different…
… Japonessa Sushi Cocina is the place you’ll find it. A long-time local fave, this spot mixes traditional Japanese sushi with a Latin flair. Expect to find saucy rolls like the Mexican Ninja and Scorpio Sting alongside the usual suspects. You’ll find lots of habanero, jalapeno and spicy chili aioli that add extra zing to these rolls, so watch out when you order for the kids.

1400 1st Ave.
Seattle, WA
206-971-7979

Lincoln Square
500 Bellevue Way N.E., Ste. 130
Bellevue, WA
425-454-1585

Online: japonessa.com

Vivan F. via yelp

If you want to save some dough…
Sushi Me is a great place to eat on the cheap. This Eastside eatery makes going out to dinner easy. Not only will your kids flip for the conveyer belt sushi that lets them snag dinner as it rolls by, but you’ll love the prices. Maki rolls stay under $5, while the specialty rolls cap at $6. Add in delish ramen and you’ve got yourself a spot you can hit any time with the kids in tow.

1299 156th Ave. N.E.
Bellevue, WA
425-9800
Online: sushimebellevue.com

Mashiko Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar via yelp

If sustainable seafood is your thing…
then look no further than Mashiko. You’ll find this restaurant, that’s as committed to reducing their carbon footprint as they are to serving creative, fresh sushi options, in the heart of West Seattle at the Junction. We love the wit they bring to their menu—who can resist ordering a Hoard the Hand Sanitizer or Social Distancing roll?—and the variety you’ll find here too.

4725 California Ave. S.W.
Seattle, WA
206-935-4339
Online: mashikorestaurant.com

Fuji Sushi via yelp

If you want to dine with friends…
…head to Fuji Sushi in the heart of the International District. They’ve got lots of space and an extensive menu so everyone in your group can find something they love. Detour from sushi and try a bento box if you dare. Otherwise, you can count on familiar specialty rolls, standard rolls and a whole lot of apps that cater to your pickier eaters.

520 S. Main St.
Seattle, WA
206-624-1201
Online: fujisushiseattle.com

Mandi N. via yelp

If date night is what you’re craving…
make a reservation at Sushi Kashiba at the Pike Street Market. This upscale sushi restaurant is a hot spot for sushi fanatics who come from far and wide to enjoy the creative cuisine of three-time James Beard Award winner, Chef Kashiba. You can dine in the courtyard on a late summer evening or find an intimate table inside. Choose from hot or cold a-la carte items or choose a signature set dinner that’s perfect for two.

86 Pine St., Ste. 1
Seattle, WA
206-441-8844
Online: sushikashiba.com

—Allison Sutcliffe

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We all know that our kids don’t stop moving, like, ever. It’s in their nature to move as much as possible, especially in their younger years. You see it every day when you tell them to go get their shoes (for the millionth time) and they decide to literally spin all the way to their room and back. No? Just my kid? Let’s move on then.

Whether your child is an active little jumping bean or a cuddly couch potato, movement is essential to their development. But even more important than just general movement is movement with intention! If you’ve been following our homeschool preschool journey, you know that we have been incorporating Fun-damental Movement Time into our school days (if you want to catch up, click here). All caught up? Awesome! Below are a few FAQs to help you gain a few nuggets of information on Fundamental Movement and how important it is for your little ones!

What is Fundamental Movement?

Fundamental movement covers a wide range of skills that contribute to the physical literacy of the child. What is physical literacy you may ask? Physical literacy is defined as the ability to move with competence and confidence in a wide variety of physical activities in multiple environments that benefit the healthy development of the whole person.

So in other words, physical literacy is not only moving but moving well. Fundamental movements are the foundational blocks of physical literacy. These blocks generally begin their development around ages 3-5. Totally makes sense as to why these little friends are wiggle worms, no? While these terms may seem daunting, these movements are easily identifiable but not often practiced in your child’s day-to-day.

For example, during school, our kiddos have been practicing walking backward, something I honestly didn’t make my son intentionaly do before. I thought, “Well, he’ll just figure it out, I guess?” I hadn’t really given it much thought! As it turns out, walking backward works a child’s spatial awareness. Spatial awareness, in turn, contributes to more complex functions, such as navigating successfully through an environment (airports, concerts, theme parks) and driving. Even sooner than that, functions such as dressing also involve spatial awareness. That’s just one example of the many skills children have to work to develop. Other major fundamental movements include:

  • balancing
  • running
  • jumping
  • catching
  • hopping
  • throwing
  • galloping
  • skipping
  • leaping
  • kicking

Why is Fundamental Movement important?

Children who are physically literate will thrive. When children are confident in the way they move, that confidence is evident in other aspects of their life as well. They will be more willing to try new things or to make new friends all on their own. Fundamental Movement also promotes a healthy lifest‌yle. When children have developed fundamental movements, they excel in physical activity. It doesn’t seem a chore to have to move, on the contrary, it makes them feel good. The earlier children create healthy, active habits, the more likely they are to continue these positive habits into adulthood. It’s amazing how much the growth of a child involves movement. Success with fundamental movements directly contributes to the well-being of the “whole child.”

How can I get my child moving with intention?

As a parent, I’ve had to pay more attention to how my son moves and give opportunities to practice fundamental movements. We’re lucky to have Dustin of Phoenix Holistic, who is super knowledgeable, curating our Fun-damental Movement Time with our kiddos. Some of the skills we have been working on at school as well as at home are walking/hopping backward, jumping from a crouched position with hands overheads, and standing/hopping on one foot.

Model the Movement: Remember, these things don’t necessarily come naturally to children so you’re going to have to show them what it looks like to do any of these movements.

Provide Support: Quite literally, lend a hand to your little one. Chances are, if these movements are fairly new to your kiddo, they’re going to have a hard time starting out. It’s like learning how to workout with the correct form before adding any type of added resistance. They need to be able to feel comfortable in what they are telling their muscles to do and that may require a bit of hand-holding at the beginning.

Make it Fun: Our unofficial motto over here is “Learning Through Play.” Children learn so much better when they’re playing! I recently had the opportunity to take a million trips to the bathroom every day with my 3-year-old as we were potty training and we were both over it about 2 days into it. So we decided to bear crawl to the bathroom, and frog hop to the bathroom, and tiptoe to the bathroom, you get the idea. During school, the kiddos were pretending to be seeds and crouched down, and as they grew they popped up! Be on the lookout for any time your kid can practice these skills through play!

This post originally appeared on https://sonoranstylemama.wordpress.com/.

Janeth Harrison is a Mexican born Arizonan raised mother of a beautiful baby boy. She is a 3rd grade teacher and lives in the West Valley of the Phoenix metropolitan area along with her husband, Daniel and two dogs, Axl and Hexum.

Not able to make that multigenerational family vacation happen this year? With COVID 19 on the rise and travel restrictions and recommendations changing daily, it’s no surprise to anyone that our elderly grandparent population may be most at risk. That doesn’t change the fact that kids will be disappointed. Here are some ways to help kids stay connected to their grandparents and other relatives when travel isn’t possible.

Create a Video Montage

Tribute

Grandparents won't miss out on a thing when you use a service like Tribute.co to capture daily special moments. The platform is now being offered for free, and is a simple way to stay connected to loved ones from afar. Invite other family to submit videos through Tribute, then arrange the clips and add effects using the simple tools. When you're done, you'll get a high quality video to send to grandparents in jiffy.

Video Calls

Grandy

From subscription services like Grandy, designed to help grandparents use technology to stay connected to their grandchildren, or the popular Amazon Echo or Facebook Portal, or just Skype, adding video to calls can help kids feel more connected to the person on the other end of the line. Grandparents can make silly faces, see artwork or read bedtime stories

For babies and toddlers, consider meal time or snack time to make a video call. Wiggle worms tend to sit still while they’re eating, plus they are occupied and strapped in.

For older kids, prepare a couple of things they want to show and tell with grandparents. A few good jokes, an accomplishment at school.

Routine can be helpful. Having a set scheduled time to talk to G&G is great for some kids, as it gives them something to look forward to, but it’s not a necessity. Sometimes spontaneous calls are the most fun.

The calls don’t always have to be about the weather or school. You can use the time for “lessons” if your grandparent wants to show your kiddos how to bake, build, play piano or draw. 

Play "I spy" with the grandparents. Or 20 questions. 

Know when to wrap it up. If you’ve got a toddler this will be more obvious. For older kids, setting a time limit can help keep them engaged during the call. 

Remind grandparents that there is sometimes a video delay and remind kids that grandparents might need a repeat or louder volume. 

If the grandparents can’t do video calls for whatever reason, much of the above can apply to a phone call, i.e. telling jokes, reading stories, recalling something that happened that day in school. It’s always good to bear in mind that an abstract disembodied voice won't hold a toddler’s attention for very long, so prep the grandparents to tell a story or similar. 

Create a community online.

parent apps
Tinybeans

The Tinybeans app is an easy and safe way to have a social network that is completely private and super easy to use. You can add grandparents to the account, they download the app, and can easily see any images you share. You can also print photo books and gifts in a snap via Chatbooks

Play a game online that is kid and grandparent friendly, like Scrabble, Words with Friends or something similar where you take turns either in real time or at your own pace. Bonus if there’s a place for the Grands to leave little messages via chat. 

Have the grands record themselves reading a book or buy a recordable book and have one of the grandparents (or both!) record it. 

Cards & Letters

Ylanite Koppens via Pexels

f your kiddos can make little cards and notes, sending something along for a special occasion or even just because, helps kids think about their grandparents in a positive way. Did your kid do their first masterpiece in colored pencil? Make a photocopy and drop it in an envelope. Kids don’t have to create custom art each time. Just sending something that shows progress and a child’s world view can be something to share (or talk about on the next video chat). 

Start a story together. Have your parents start a paragraph or two of a story and mail it to your child. Your kids can add the next two paragraphs, and send back. 

Send postcards from your hometown. It doesn’t always have to be a letter or package. Sometimes dropping a postcard from your favorite park or a place your kiddo loves with just a short-sweet note is a fast and easy way to let people know you care. Buy the pre-stamped kind or load up on postcards stamps to make it even easier to be spontaneous with your correspondence. Try Postcardly for taking it from online to in-hand.

—Amber Guetebier

featured image: iStock

 

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Your busy family is often short on time. But that doesn’t mean you can’t crank out memorable moments, even if they’re brief. So the next time your crew has half an hour to spare, bust out one of these quick activities everyone can play.

photo: Shannon via Flickr

1. Get slimed. It’s ooey. It’s gooey. It’s the science trend of the moment. And if your budding chemist hasn’t hopped on this train, now’s the time. Find out how to make slimes of all sorts (we’re talking fluffy, glitter, clear and more) at Little Bins For Little Hands, and then get mixing. Our tip? Purchase the ingredients ahead of time, and pull ‘em out when you’ve got 30 minutes to spare.

2. Steal the stuffie. You’ve got to be quick on your (tip) toes to nab the stuffed animal in this game. To set it up, start off with one player seated, her back toward the others, and a prized stuffie placed behind her. Once she’s set, it’s time to make a sneaky attempt to grab the prize. If the seated player hears anyone approaching, she turns around and sends everyone back to the beginning. But if no one’s there, she trades places with another player and becomes part of the approaching pack. If anyone’s finally able to reach the stuffed animal, she or he wins and takes a turn standing guard.

photo: Allison Sutcliffe

3. Spin a yarn. Your creative kiddo doesn’t need to be a master storyteller to spin a tale or two—the plot of this story is in the bag. To start, collect three to six random objects from around the house, and throw them in a bag. Any item will work, so have fun selecting silly, odd and even everyday objects. Then, let your Little weave a riveting narrative that incorporates each of the objects from the bag into the story. This one’s best for grade schoolers who’ll totally be up to the creative, zany challenge.

4. Find the missing pair. The brilliance of this matching game is in its simplicity. All you need to play is a bunch of shoes (including the ones your kidlet’s got on) and a blindfold. Gather the shoes in a pile, and then throw only one of your sidekick’s shoes on top. Put the blindfold on, mix the shoes up a bit, and have her search out the missing match. Here’s the kicker—sibs or parents can give her guidance by shouting out directions (like “dig deeper, or one more to your left”) as she rifles through the pile. It doesn’t get easier than that!

photo: Official Bicycle Cards’ Facebook

5. Cut the deck. With half an hour to spare, you’ve got just enough time to pull out a trusty deck of cards and play a few rounds of kindie faves like Go Fish, War or Slapjack. Turn play time into a “best of” match so these quick five-minute games go the distance.

6. Head out on a hunt. This no-plan-needed scavenger hunt’s simplicity will put a smile on your face. Parents can pull it out at a moment’s notice, and every time you play it’s different. When your crew is ready, simply pick a category and a quantity (“find four triangles” or “find five objects that start with an ‘a’”) and then send them on their way. They’ll be searching out colors, shapes, letters or numbers on each run! Psst … it’s even better when sibs or friends set the search parameters.

photo: John Brooks via Flickr

7. Follow the leader. Let your silly sidekick bust out his best moves for this old school game. To play, your leader needs to strut his stuff (think: walking backward, taking bunny hops or dance walking) as he leads sibs, friends or parents through the house or around the yard until he’s back at his starting spot. Now it’s time for someone else to take a turn. Your preschooler won’t want to get off of this train!

8. Set up a sumo-wrestling match. Got pillows? Then your wiggly worms are ready to bump, bop and be bowled over during a sibling sumo wrestling match. Allison at All for the Boys has the hook up you need to make it happen.

photo: andrechinn via Flickr

9. Hop to it. Inside or out, pillow sack races never get old. So hit the linen closet and set your kids hopping around the house or in a backyard relay. Even if they’re flying solo, wiggle worms can partake. Time them as they bounce from start to finish, with the goal of getting a new P.R. each time. And, they’re off!

10. Stop, hammer time. Setting up a hammer busy bag, designed by Sue at One Time Through is a total cinch. And your tool-loving tot will have a blast hammering out her name, numbers and ABC’s when she’s on the lookout for a fast activity.

Do you think you’ll try one of these? Have another 30-minute activity to add? Leave it in a comment.

— Allison Sutcliffe

Trying to keep track of your wiggle worms and all the stuff they have to bring while traveling is no easy feat; it’s a given that treasured items may go missing (FYI: airplanes and cars love to eat LEGOs). This year, keep your losses at a minimum, and try stocking up on gear that travels well. Flip through the album below to sneak a peek at 10 magnificent magnetic toys that’ll stick around long enough to get from Point A to Point B.

Patterns on the Go

Pattern and puzzle lovers will stay occupied for hours with an Imagination Patterns Kit. Self-contained in a sturdy carrying case with rope handle, it opens up to a dry erase board, 42 colored, magnetic pieces and 50 full-color puzzle cards varying in difficulty. Kids can either use the cards, or their own imagination to create patterns and pictures and the magnetic pieces will limit the amount of time you spend digging under the seat for that last building block. Ages 3 and up.

Available at Mindware.com, $34.95.

What’s your favorite toy to take on a family trip? Share with us in a Comment below.

— Gabby Cullen

Her first fan jersey was a onesie, and she’s been playing catch with her oversized mitt since she started walking. Now you’re ready to take your little slugger out to the ball game, take her out with the crowds. Besides the peanuts and Cracker Jacks, stadiums have tons to offer their littlest fans. From Ferris wheels and mini golf, to coaching clinics and hands-on skills zones, we’ve loaded the bases with major league stadiums that’ve hit a grand slam when it comes to family perks. Flip through to see if your home team made the list!

Camden Yards – Baltimore, Md

Taking a time out with the tot lot at an Orioles game is a cinch with the Kids’ Corner, just off the C Gate. Here, wiggle worms can bounce around in the moon bounce, try to score big at skee-ball, and pose with oversized Oriole bird bobble-heads so parents can snap post-worthy pics of their tiny fan. This is also the spot where families can stop and snack a bit, amid a sea of black and orange. Psst…one of the reasons we dig Camden Yards is because it's totally cool for families to bring their own food into the park. This moola-saving feature means you can invest in team paraphernalia for your sidekick to remember the winning day!

All Star Play: Parents get to share in the Oriole love with sweet game day giveaways like infinity scarves and newsboys caps on Mother’s and Father’s Day.

photo: Todd Olszewski/Baltimore Orioles

What’s your favorite baseball stadium for the family? Have you been to any of these? Tell us about it in a comment!

—Allison Sutcliffe

Shy, slow and cute, sloths remind us of our little munchkins on a school morning. Along with their unique appearance, these amazing creatures are full of patience, joy, respect and tenderness. We rounded up the cutest videos for Sloth Day, so grab your mini-me and watch the videos below. Which sloth is most like your kiddo?

Bath time is just sloth speak for “Going to the spa.”

This is the only pajama party you need (and want) to be invited to.

When it comes to getting dressed, our wiggle worms could learn a thing or two about going with the flow from this tiny sloth.

Curious about what kind of sound sloths make? This video will delight you.

Chewbacca the Sloth represents all moms after the kids have gone to bed.

Want to help out with the conservation of sloths? Visit AIUNAU, a non-profit foundation that works to protect and rehabilitate wildlife. Click here to learn more.

— Christal Yuen

Just when we thought Grand Park couldn’t possibly get any better, they opened a whimsical new playground that looks as though it was plucked right out of a Dr. Seuss book. For families who already adore the Grand Park’s crazy popular “splash pad” at the historic fountain, this magical play space is giving us one more reason to fall in love with downtown all over again.

photo credit: Grand Park

You’ll find the playground at the southeast end of Grand Park between Broadway and Spring Streets.  The new million dollar playground encourages pint-sized Angelenos to romp, explore and use their vivid imaginations to create fantastical adventures.

Rios Clementi Hale Studios (the original architect of Grand Park) designed the space to be truly one-of-a-kind, like nothing else you can find in the city. And it is.  Among the many highlights your wiggle worms can expect to enjoy are a custom 20 ft. high treehouse with a tall roller slide and a 12 ft. tube slide, along with three tiers of platforms tucked inside the climber. The soaring tower gives tots a realistic sense of what it’s like to climb a tree. With loads of ways for little ones to peer out, the treehouse offers a “kids-eye-view” of the sprawling park and breathtaking cityscape.

photo credit: Grand Park via facebook

The floor of the playground is a super soft surface that resembles a forest floor with gigantic leaf shapes in colors inspired by nature. It also includes seven berms that range from 1ft. to 4 ft. tall with some featuring groovy extras like rock-climbing handles, a rope climber and tunnel that babes can scamper through. Down the road, outdoor musical instruments will be added to the area so little ones can create some jamz of their own while they play. (Your neighbors at home thank you for that.)

photo credit: Grand Park via facebook

Gorgeous sycamore trees have also been placed around the playground and will ultimately grow together to create a continuous shade canopy – something LA parents will no doubt appreciate, during toasty summer months. Big leaves posted along the fence surrounding the playground feature the words “Let’s Play” translated into 24 of the languages you can hear in Los Angeles County. Just in case you needed a reminder or what an awesome and diverse city we live in.

Additionally, the playground (like the rest of Grand Park) is totally ADA accessible encouraging kiddos of all abilities to get out and join in the fun.

Hours: The playground maintains the same hours as Grand Park: 5:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Parking: While guests are welcome to park in Lot 10 on N. Broadway between First Street and Temple, we strongly encourage families to take the Metro Red/Purple Line to the Civic Center/Grand Park stop. It’s tons easier & cheaper (parking is $3/15 minutes or $10 on weekends and $20 on weekdays- ouch!) and gives rugrats a thrill.

200 N. Grand Ave.
Downtown Los Angeles
(Playground is on southeast end between Broadway & Spring)
Phone: 213-972-8080
Online: grandparkla.org

photo credit: Grand Park via facebook

–Jennifer O’Brien

What truly unique playgrounds have you discovered in your hood? We’re always on the lookout for special new spots to uncover and share. Give us a shout in the comments section.

 

 

Every parent can relate this time of year. You’re frantically trying to hunt down that perfect gift, squeeze in a Santa visit, and bake Pinterest quality cookies, all while trying to create magical memories your kids will remember for a lifetime. Just thinking about it can be exhausting. But one visit to Warm Beach Camp’s The Lights of Christmas will take that last item (and more) off your holiday to-do list. Read on for the inside scoop on this cant-miss holiday extravaganza.

photo: Angela Alanis

Lights, Lights, and more Lights!
With over one million lights covering every tree, cabin, and gingerbread man, walking into The Lights of Christmas may be the next best thing to walking into the North Pole. Eyes will be twinkling as you take in Santa’s elves and sugar plums, scenic mountains, even a lighthouse scene. As you wander to the sounds of holiday music, you may even start to think you’ve walked into one of those wonderfully cheesy Hallmark Christmas movies we’re all secretly obsessed with this time of year.

Don’t have the energy to fight another big holiday crowd? The lights at Warm Beach are spread over 15 acres so even at peak times there’s plenty of room for a stroller or to safely let your toddler explore a few feet ahead.

photo: Angela Alanis

Other Activities to Do and See 
If the amazing spectacle of lights isn’t enough to thoroughly hypnotize your little ones, take a ride on the Polar Express train or chat with Bruce the Spruce, the talking Christmas tree. Stop and take a picture with Frosty who is often seen strolling by, cruise by the petting farm, go on a pony ride or take in a holiday show (or two) at one of five entertainment stages . If you want to achieve the elusive “two birds with one stone,” Santa Claus will be on site just awaiting to hear the minis wish lists. And if you still have some holiday shopping to do, be sure to stop by the Toy Shop, Joyland Ornament Shop and gift shops. Psst! If all these activities make you hungry, follow the heavenly smell of fresh homemade donuts that will make any kid wait patiently in line for a sugary bite (OK, maybe Warm Beach can’t perform a Christmas miracle, but the donuts are really good and well worth the wait).

photo: Angela Alanis

5 Course Meal or Dessert Matinee? It IS a Wonderful Life!
For families with kiddos 8 and older, head over to the Cedar Lodge for the Holiday Dinner Theatre. Relax and enjoy a 5-course meal, while watching the “radio version” of It’s a Wonderful Life live on stage. If you don’t think your little wiggle worms can make it through the four-hour dinner theatre, try the Dessert Matinee on Sundays, which goes just over two hours. Make your reservations online, and be sure to book early!

photo: Angela Alanis

Know Before You Go
1. Bundle up! With the exception of food and performances, expect to spend the majority of your time outside. Even if it doesn’t feel too chilly at first, it will after an hour or two of walking around.

2. Hit the ATM before you go. The Camp accepts credit/debit cards at the gate, but cash is preferred at the many of the cafés and concession stands inside. Good to know: There is an ATM on site, so if you forget to stop at the bank you won’t have to be tortured by the sweet smell of the donuts.

3. Leave your heels at home. Aside from a quick ride on the Polar Express, you’ll be exploring the 15 acres on foot so throw on your most comfortable walking shoes. Tree roots have also pushed their way up into some of the sidewalks so keep an eye out.

4. You can stay the night! Not ready to head back to reality so soon? Warm Beach Camp has numerous cabins and holiday-themed lodges you can reserve for the night. Check their website for more info or to reserve your space. But book early, as space is limited.

5. If you don’t encounter traffic, the trip will take you approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes from Seattle. Pack some snacks, crank up the holiday tunes and make the most of the drive north.

photo: The Lights of Christmas Facebook page 

The Lights of Christmas
Warm Beach Camp & Conference Center
20800 Marine Dr.
Stanwood, Wa 98292
Online: warmbeach.com/lights-of-christmas

Dates
December 4-7, 11-14, 18-23, 26-30, 2014
Gates open at 5 p.m.; festival closes at 10 p.m.

Cost
$15/adults (13 and older); $10/youth (4-12); 3 and under Free. Discounts are available for seniors and military. Purchase tickets at the gate or online.

Pay What You Can Nights: The folks at Warm Beach don’t want anyone to be left out of their “holiday dream-come-true.” If you can’t afford the full price of admission, plan your visit for one of the Pay What You Can Nights and do just that. Your bill will reflect the regular price, however you only pay what you can afford, with no minimum payment required. Pay What You Can is available December 4, 11, 29, and 30, 2014.

Parking
Free parking is available on site, watch for the attendants to direct you.

photo: Angela Alanis

Will you be attending The Lights of Christmas this year? Let us know about your experience in a comment below.

— Angela Alanis