The cold, dark days of winter in Seattle can be challenging for families with young kids. Here are some of the things we have been enjoying and are planning to do this winter:
Sledding. Oh, how my kids love sledding! We typically pick a day (or two) each winter to go up to the pass. Last winter, the snow in February gave us plenty of opportunity to snow at the parks around our home too.
This also includes playing in the snow. Building forts, snowball fights, and making snow angels. Be sure to bring cocoa in a thermos to help warm up afterwards.
WildLights. Typically we visit the zoo in the afternoon, grab dinner near by, and then go back for the lights.
Winterfest. I had forgotten how much fun the Seattle Center can be. We recently became members of the Pacific Science Center, and have used the excuse to explore The Amory, The Space Needle, and the other attractions near by. Winterfest was a fun surprise on our last visit. There’s a model train and live entertainment, a sculpture walk and an ice skating rink. Best of all: it’s all free or low-cost!
Gingerbread houses. Our houses are not homemade or the cutest. Rather, I get premade kits from Target and we enjoy assembling and decorating, licking frosting and sampling candies as we go. It’s the messiest sugar high, but it’s so much fun.
Family swims. My kids love the water, and I love being in a warm pool when the weather outside is decidedly not summery. We love the Friday Night Recreation Swim at the Mountlake Terrace Pavillion.
What do you do to survive winter with kids?