It’s already looking a lot like fall in Seattle and now that the Northwest sun is hiding behind rain clouds, the forecast calls for lots of indoor play with a chance of stir-crazy kids. Don’t worry Seattle parents – we’ve got you covered! Check out this list of 50 things to do with kids in Seattle this fall – no need to thank us for saving your sanity!
1. Pick up yummy fall vegetables at the year-round Seattle farmer’s markets, such as the rain or shine outdoor market in Ballard.
2. Book tickets to the theater for a rainy fall day. The Seattle Children’s Theater is playing an all-ages favorite, Harold and the Purple Crayon.
3. Take your little LEGO-lover to BrickCon at the Seattle Center – the coolest thing since LEGOLand!
4. Go on a hot chocolate taste testing tour of Seattle.
5. Early snow this fall? Bundle up and head into the mountains to go tubing.
6. Discover the best leaf-collecting parks in Seattle and then create some fall crafts!
7. Take a weekend trip to Portland and discover fun fall activities in a new city.
8. Venture outside of the city to do some apple picking.
9. Learn about Halloween in different cultures at the Bellevue Arts Museum’s Family Fall Festival (it’s free!).
10. Visit the Fall Festival at Swanson’s Nursery, including the tot-sized hay maze.
11. Take advantage of the free childcare at Nordstrom for some rainy day shopping.
12. Pretend it’s still summer at your local indoor swimming pool.
13. Take advantage of Northwest Trek Wildlife Park’s 40th birthday with $4 off every admission fee
14. Plan a movie night and watch It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
15. Check out the Kids’ Area and Chainsaw Pumpkin Carving Competition at the Fremont Oktoberfest
16. Keep the little ones up super late to go on an Owl & Bat Prowl at Seward Park
17. See what costumes the elephants are wearing this Halloween at Zoo Boo. (Kidding! Elephants don’t wear costumes! How silly!)
18. Bring bikes and scooters to ride through all of the leaves falling on the path at Green Lake.
19. Make reservations at the Salty’s Halloween Brunch – don’t forget your costumes!
20. Book a fun weekend at Suncadia Resort. (It’s only 90-minutes away!)
21. Watch pumpkins being launched across the sky at Jubilee Farm.
22. Go to Truck & Tractor Day at Fort Steilacoom Park.
23. Drive (or walk!) through the Arboretum to see the fall colors in all their glory.
24. Meet Jackie O’ Lantern at Wight’s Home & Garden in Lynnwood.
25. Woof! Bring your favorite pooch to FidoFEST at University Village.
26. Put on your raincoats and hit up one of these great rainy day playgrounds.
27. Take flashlights and your bravest face to Flashlight Night at Dr. Maze’s Farm.
28. Show the grey skies who’s boss by creating bright, beautiful music at the Soundbridge.
29. Bring your car-obsessed kiddo to the Seattle International Auto Show to check out the newest and coolest rides.
30. Take advantage of the cool indoor play space at Queen Anne’s Twirl Cafe.
31. Head north to the Everett Sausage Fest.
32. Go clam digging.
33. Visit the cool new exhibits at the Pacific Science Center including Puzzle Palooza and the Design Zone.
34. Enjoy this evening festival with s’mores and hot chocolate at Auburn’s S’more Than You Imagined.
35. Catch some fast-paced college soccer watching SPU play at Interbay Stadium.
36. Take a drive out Highway 2 towards Leavenworth to spot some fall foliage in our Evergreen State.
37. Check out Toddler Time at the Seattle Aquarium.
38. Book tickets on the Amtrak Cascades and take a little day-trip via the rails.
39. Get spooked at the Maris Farm Haunted Woods.
40. Celebrate the harvest at the Harvest Fair, put on by Seattle Tilth at Carkeek Park.
41. Grab lattes for mom and dad and hit the undercover play area and Barnes and Noble train table at University Village.
42. Build with LEGOs and DUPLOs at The Children’s Museum’s Near and Far exhibit.
43. Book a babysitter and plan a date night.
44. Drop in to Family Yoga at Village Yoga in Magnolia (just $5 per person!).
45. Ride the steam engine at Remlinger Farms.
46. Take the ferry to Bainbridge Island and go on the Bainbridge Gardens Pumpkin Walk.
47. Drive north to Skagit Valley to pick apples, pears, plums, pumpkins and winter squash.
48. Visit Seattle’s indoor farmer’s market on a drizzly day.
49. Learn your Washington State geography at The Farm at Swan’s Trail in Snohomish, the largest corn maze in the state.
50. Watch salmon spawning on the Cedar River.
-- Katie Kavulla
