Winter is upon us. Amidst the ordinary routines of everyday life, against the backdrop of media blasts reporting violence in large cities and small towns, the political rhetoric and infighting, and the latest technological toys...the holiday season is once again here, heralded by darkening days and wind chilling … [Read more...] about Something to think about in this season of wanting
Our guides
25 books to read aloud with family during the holiday season
Here are our suggestions for books to read aloud with family over the winter break. We've proposed a wide range of themes, including Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa stories. Some Christmas books offer Christian stories and others are secular holiday stories, tales about winter, and folktales from cultural … [Read more...] about 25 books to read aloud with family during the holiday season
Christmas videos to put you in a holiday mood
Here are some of our favorite Christmas videos sure to put you in a holiday mood, including renditions of the Hallelujah Chorus and Santa Claus is coming to town. Hallelujah Chorus by 5th Graders in Quinhagak, Alaska This charming version of the Hallelujah Chorus by the village of Quinhagak in Alaska took the … [Read more...] about Christmas videos to put you in a holiday mood
Free Winterfest activities at Seattle Center
Seattle Center is the scene for Winterfest--five weeks of free and affordable family activities and holiday-inspired fun. The festivities begin the day after Thanksgiving and go until New Year's Eve. The Seattle Center grounds are open 365 days a year. The Armory, Fisher Plaza and other buildings are closed only on … [Read more...] about Free Winterfest activities at Seattle Center
Guidelines for a safe Halloween in 2021
Many traditional Halloween celebrations and activities happen in groups, from neighborhood trick-or-treating to indoor community festivals to corn mazes and haunted houses. Data from the CDC shows that holiday gatherings over this summer resulted in a spike in COVID-19 cases about 10 days after Memorial Day, … [Read more...] about Guidelines for a safe Halloween in 2021
Seattle-Tacoma trick or treat map 2021
Use the following Google Trick or Treat map to find homes that are safely participating in trick-or-treating. This is a community-sourced project and anyone can add a location to this map. Therefore, these locations have not been verified or background checked. Use caution and proceed at your own risk. (See our … [Read more...] about Seattle-Tacoma trick or treat map 2021
Best Halloween DIY candy chutes from around the country
Starting in 2020, to trick or treat safely many households came up with clever ways to deliver Halloween candy to revelers in the neighborhood. Some houses simply placed treats on a table on the porch, in the driveway or yard, or some other location where trick-or-treaters can help themselves to candy. Of course, … [Read more...] about Best Halloween DIY candy chutes from around the country
100+ fun, cheap ideas for Halloween costumes
If you are looking for cheap and easy Halloween costume ideas, you've come to the right place. We've got the lowdown on Halloween costumes you can pull together from stuff you have around the house. Our super easy costume ideas use every day clothes and include accessories and makeup to complete the look. … [Read more...] about 100+ fun, cheap ideas for Halloween costumes
Scary (and not-so-scary) movies for a Halloween night at home
The following list of horror movies and thrillers, plus some adorable light-hearted children's films are available through streaming services (such as Prime, Vudu, Fandango, and others), to rent (or buy) from other sources such as Redbox, or borrow from the library. We've grouped them in order by scare-o-meter … [Read more...] about Scary (and not-so-scary) movies for a Halloween night at home
All the corn mazes (scary and friendly) in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area
The following list of Seattle-Tacoma metro area corn mazes are popular Halloween outings for many families and an alternative "haunt" for thrill-seekers. It you are looking for haunted houses and spooky tours, check out our big list of Halloween haunted houses and spooky tours. Some corn mazes are scary. Haunted … [Read more...] about All the corn mazes (scary and friendly) in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area
Where to find u-pick pumpkin patches and farm stands
Below, we provide links to pumpkin patches and farm stands selling picked pumpkins in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area around the Puget Sound region. Some pumpkin patches are working farms, where you might be able to enjoy related activities, such as take a hay ride out into the field or make your way through a corn … [Read more...] about Where to find u-pick pumpkin patches and farm stands
Free and cheap Halloween events around Puget Sound
Our list of free and cheap Halloween events includes fun things to do for kids, families, teens, and adults in Seattle and around the Puget Sound region. From daytime family fun to night time adult entertainment, there's a little something for everyone. History of Halloween traditions The meaning of … [Read more...] about Free and cheap Halloween events around Puget Sound
2021 Thriller lessons and worldwide dance
Performed in over 150 cities throughout 30 countries, Thrill The World (TTW) is an annual worldwide simultaneous dance of Michael Jackson's “Thriller" for world records and charity. Seattle and Redmond Thrillers join Thriller groups in other nations to perform at the same exact time each year. All official Thrill … [Read more...] about 2021 Thriller lessons and worldwide dance
Ultimate guide to zoos, aquariums & wildlife parks
Who doesn’t love a good family trip to see—even pet and feed—your favorite animals? Luckily, there are a variety of different zoos and aquariums in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area. The following list includes zoos, aquariums, animal farms, and wildlife parks that you can visit in the Puget Sound region. Keep in … [Read more...] about Ultimate guide to zoos, aquariums & wildlife parks
Our big list of live & virtual music shows & concerts
All music venues closed for live performances in 2020. Many offered virtual content. In summer 2021, many will begin to return to live performance. Find a calendar of upcoming music performances--live or virtual, in the calendar at the end of this list. The events include concerts, music festivals, sing-alongs, and … [Read more...] about Our big list of live & virtual music shows & concerts
Our big list of public gardens and garden tours
Listed below are arboretums and botanical gardens* in cities throughout the Puget Sound region. Most gardens specialize in one or more aspects of Pacific Northwest native plants. A few offer non-native varieties and some have exotic specimens from far flung corners of the globe. These public gardens are regularly … [Read more...] about Our big list of public gardens and garden tours
Our big list of film festivals and special movie screenings
Seattle is one of the top cities worldwide (easily in the top 100) for "cinemability", which is a measure of our ability to support movie goers. Cinemability includes issues such as ticket price, available movie titles, and the number of movie screens, cinema multiplexes, independent movie houses, and film … [Read more...] about Our big list of film festivals and special movie screenings
Free summer meals for kids in the Puget Sound region
Listed below are places where kids can get free meals during summer 2021. Most programs begin the week of June 28 and are open to children up to age 18. We'll update the list if more information becomes available. Or check with your local school, community center, or church. Auburn School District summer food … [Read more...] about Free summer meals for kids in the Puget Sound region
Our big list of historic performing arts theatres
Seattle is home to many historic theatres built in the early 1900s. These were silent movie palaces and vaudeville stages in their day. Today, the theatres listed here have been restored to the original luster and re-purposed as performing arts venues featuring music, dance, comedy, stage plays, musicals, spoken word, … [Read more...] about Our big list of historic performing arts theatres
Our big list of annual food festivals
Food festivals abound in the Puget Sound region. These popular events showcase food in Seattle as well as across agriculturally rich Washington State. All are well-established annual food festivals. Except where noted, they have free admission. Food and beverage (adult or otherwise) is, of course, extra. Current and … [Read more...] about Our big list of annual food festivals
Our big list of Home & Garden shows
Home shows offer a day of leisurely shopping, where you can compare home and garden improvement needs, or compile a dream list of future home building ideas or remodeling projects. Home & garden shows have all the experts in one place for anything you may need for the home or garden. Home remodeling experts and … [Read more...] about Our big list of Home & Garden shows
Our big list of music festivals in Washington State
Listed below are the annual music festivals in Seattle and across Washington State. We focus on music festival events with free or cheap (<$15) admission, but include popular music festivals with higher price admission so you can plan when to splurge. Our list of music festivals includes all genres, from rock, … [Read more...] about Our big list of music festivals in Washington State
93 Free attractions around the Puget Sound region
These are some of the Seattle-Tacoma metro area's best attractions. For any of these activities, you can easily spend an hour or two—and some the better part of a day. Best of all, they’re free and many are available year-around. Ballard Locks, officially named Hiram M. Chittenden Locks connects the (fresh) waters … [Read more...] about 93 Free attractions around the Puget Sound region
Family loaner backpack for Arboretum adventures
Washington Park Arboretum holds a world class collection of woody plants that can be explored independently, as well as through tours, classes, and activities hosted at the site. All parts of the Washington Park Arboretum (except the Japanese Garden), are open to the public and are free of charge. The Arboretum … [Read more...] about Family loaner backpack for Arboretum adventures
152 summer things to do for kids and families
Here's our list of free and cheap things to do in summer for kids, teens, and families in Seattle and the Puget Sound region. You'll find outdoor and indoor activities, free tours, DIY toys, cheap food, and fun getaways around Washington State. From beaches and biking to bowling and backyard games, we've got enough fun … [Read more...] about 152 summer things to do for kids and families
