Kids Cove at Bellevue Square – although it is in Bellevue instead of Seattle, this incredible play area is well worth the trip. Ideal for infants to preschoolers, it has numerous climbing structures (all well-padded) and a fun and playful theme throughout. It is a huge space that is walled in with seating all around the outside for parents, stroller parking and an unbelievable array of climbing structures and play equipment. There is a children’s barbershop next door and a Gymboree facing it. Combined with the fact that it is located in one of the nicest malls in the US, this place is a winner on all counts.
REI – located on the second floor, the original REI offers a huge indoor tree house/climbing gym complete with slide as well as some options for babies and toddlers.
Swanson's Nursery - This highend plant nursery offers lots of fun things to do with kids. Outside there is a chicken coop and playhouse while inside they have a Koi pond with Koi the size of salmon and seasonal activities including a maze made out of haystacks (Fall) and Santa's Reindeer which come to visit from November through December.
Family Works - offering free drop-in playgroups for infants, toddlers and preschoolers, this Wallingford non-profit offers free CPR and other parenting support classes as well. They even offer specialized playgroups for Spanish and Japanese speaking playgroups as well as one for children adopted from China.
Southcenter Mall Exploratorium - a large play space with a rainforest theme gives kids a great outlet on rainy days.
Redmond Town Center's Sensory Garden - ok, this one is outside but covered. This place is all about the rain and how it impacts are environment with lots of options for exploration ranging from musical instrucments on.
Alderwood Mall's Steven's Hospital Play Area - the mall offers a unique health themed 1,200 square foot play area.
Beacon Hill Library - offers a bilingual kaleidoscope play & learn group for children 2-5 years old on Wednesdays at 10 am.
Broadview Libary - offers a kaleidoscope play and learn group for children 18 months to 5 years old Wednesdays at 10:30 am.
Columbia Libary - 0ffers a spanish kaleidoscope play & learn group for children birth to 5 years old on Thursdays at 11:00 am.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
Free Story Times! (Updated Sept 2010)
Seattle offers a wide array of story times 6 days a week (Monday - Saturday) that are appropriate for babies and toddlers:
Land of Nod - University Village, Seattle – Thursdays @ 11:00 am
University Bookstore – Tuesdays and Saturdays @11:00 am
Tugboat Story time - The Center for Wooden Boats – the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of every month @ 11:00 am
Polly-Glot Tots – this language school offers free Spanish, French , Japanese and Mandarin story times in various locations once a month. Check out their website for times and locations.
Seattle Public Libraries –offering dozens of story times at their locations 6 days a week (yes – Saturday too!), Seattle public libraries offer baby, preschool, family and even toddler story times. In addition, the offer pajama story time and even story times in Vietnamese, Chinese and Spanish!
Soundbridge (Seattle Symphony) – the Seattle Symphony offers a musical story time every Monday at the Seattle Central Library at 10:30 am and at Benaroya Hall on Fridays at 1:30 pm.
Third Place Books – this wonderful used/new bookstore and Café in Ravenna offers a weekly story time on Saturdays at 11:00 am.
Mockingbird Books – this Greenlake bookstore and café offers story time 6 DAYS A WEEK!!! Yes that’s right folks! Monday through Saturday you can go to story time at 11:00 am at this charming bookstore.
Serendipity Café – although it’s named a café, they offer a full restaurant menu as well. This play café offers a weekly story time in Magnolia at 10 am on Tuesdays.
Little Book Worms Story Time - this new story time is located on the 2nd level of the Bravern Wednesdays at 11:00 am in Bellevue.
Izilla Toys - storytimes fluctuate so check out the website for upcoming times at this fun and highend toy store. In September 2010, their story times are Sept 13 & Sept 27th at their Wallingford branch from 10:30 am - 11:30 am; and Sept 21st at 10:30 am at their Capital Hill location.
Land of Nod - University Village, Seattle – Thursdays @ 11:00 am
University Bookstore – Tuesdays and Saturdays @11:00 am
Tugboat Story time - The Center for Wooden Boats – the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of every month @ 11:00 am
Polly-Glot Tots – this language school offers free Spanish, French , Japanese and Mandarin story times in various locations once a month. Check out their website for times and locations.
Seattle Public Libraries –offering dozens of story times at their locations 6 days a week (yes – Saturday too!), Seattle public libraries offer baby, preschool, family and even toddler story times. In addition, the offer pajama story time and even story times in Vietnamese, Chinese and Spanish!
Soundbridge (Seattle Symphony) – the Seattle Symphony offers a musical story time every Monday at the Seattle Central Library at 10:30 am and at Benaroya Hall on Fridays at 1:30 pm.
Third Place Books – this wonderful used/new bookstore and Café in Ravenna offers a weekly story time on Saturdays at 11:00 am.
Mockingbird Books – this Greenlake bookstore and café offers story time 6 DAYS A WEEK!!! Yes that’s right folks! Monday through Saturday you can go to story time at 11:00 am at this charming bookstore.
Serendipity Café – although it’s named a café, they offer a full restaurant menu as well. This play café offers a weekly story time in Magnolia at 10 am on Tuesdays.
Little Book Worms Story Time - this new story time is located on the 2nd level of the Bravern Wednesdays at 11:00 am in Bellevue.
Izilla Toys - storytimes fluctuate so check out the website for upcoming times at this fun and highend toy store. In September 2010, their story times are Sept 13 & Sept 27th at their Wallingford branch from 10:30 am - 11:30 am; and Sept 21st at 10:30 am at their Capital Hill location.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Wonderful Children's Consignment Stores in Seattle (Updated Sept 2010)
Offering a plethora of toys, clothes, maternity wear, baby gear and more; Seattle is awash with children's consignment stores offering great variety and value. These stores provide a true public service. While they make little to know money on the used goods, they offer a place for Seattleites to buy and sell everything you could every need for a baby and toddler. Don't miss them!
Sugarlump - The best way to describe this place is probably in terms of the deals I've gotten there. This is not the place to go for used books or toys (check out Me 'n Moms or Kids on 45th for those) but this is THE place to go to find beautiful boutique children's clothing. I personally have found things like a Burberry dress for $15, a D&G Baby snowsuit for $50 (originally over $300), Oilily pants for $10, Mulberry Bush Coveralls for $7. All looked brand new and were in mint condition. You will not be disappointed.
Kids on 45th - This store looks very small from the outside. So small, in fact, that for several months I drove past it on my way to Me 'n Moms because I couldn't imagine it could have that much inventory. I was wrong. This is the best used toy store I've found for used toys. While Me 'n Moms has a larger selection, this store has the best prices I've ever seen! They are very smart about the lay-out and offer a good number of toys. I found a wonderful large wooden play cube that looked brand new and retails for $80 for only $15 here. I have also bought my daughter shoes for $4-$6 that were in excellent condition and in brands like Stride-rite and Umi. They have a good selection of books as well which are also well priced 0.99 - $3.99. The front half of the store offers new toys so you have a wide array of things to choose from. Something that shouldn't be missed is the hair barrettes made by one of the employees here. They are georgeous, well made and really well priced (around $5).
Childish Things - Wow! Wow! Wow! This place has a large amount of clothing for babies-preschoolers. Everything is in immaculate condition. They are VERY choosy! I found many hard to find brands for my toddler including Deux Par Deux, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Laura Ashley, Hanna Andersson and more! The also have lots of gear from strollers to bath gear, bouncy chairs, jumperoos and lots and lots of baby toys. They also have some great books - although the books are a little more expensive than other used children's books (they are half off the cover price of the book).
Me 'n Mom - This store is amazing and serves such an important function in Seattle. The inventory changes daily. Their selection of toys is HUGE! It has been a huge cost saver for us with a baby/toddler. I have purchased so many beautiful wooden toys there for between $10-$15 (wooden riding toy, wooden croc push bench) and I've purchased lots of great baby toys for under $5-$10 that would be $30 or more at a toy store. They also have a good collection of used books. If you are looking for baby gear there is nothing you won't find here from slings to baby seats to high chairs to cribs to strollers. If you can think of it, you can find it here. They also offer a huge amount of children's clothing. The biggest piece of advice I'd give is give yourself at least an hour to browse this store!
Paron's Closet - a newbie to the consignment scene, this store is located in the Wallingford Shopping Center just down from Izilla Toys. It is the smallest of the stores listed here and tends to focus more on clothes than toys or gear. A nice find!
smallclothes - located in West Seattle, this store offering a surprising breadth of used goods along with locally produced items. You will not be disappointed by the wealth of choices here!
Sweet Pea's - located in Columbia City, this small consignment store offers a nice array of used clothes, shoes, stroller and gear. I don't have a website for them but they are located at: 4822 Rainier Ave, Seattle, WA (206) 722-1031.
Le Petit Shoppe - located in Laurelhurst, this store has prices a little higher than some of the others but that goes hand in hand with the quality of the merchandise. You can pick up a Hanna Andersson, Ralph Lauren and more along with goods from local merchants. I haven't found a website for them so here is their info: 3432 NE 45th St, Seattle, WA (206) 525-0619.
Retroactive Kids - Another Columbia City find, this small store offers both consigned and home-made clothes along with gently used toys and gear. The thing that really sets this store apart is its "Retro" offerings - running from clothing to toys. Their stock can be low illustrating just how popular this place is.
Alphabet Soup - Over half of this store's inventory is made up of used hardcover children's books. Their books are in beautiful condition - often virtually brand new. They have a wonderful selection that is constantly changing and updating. The prices are reasonable when compared to buying used books on Amazon or at other used book stores. There is such a large selection that you should give yourself plenty of time to look. It is divided up nicely inside into categories including "Caldecott winners, board books, books about holidays, books about your body, books about growing up, getting a little sibling, manners, etc." The store itself is very cute from the sign outside to the cozy feel inside.
Bootyland - this Capital Hill boutique sets itself apart by offering not only gently used children's clothes but also high quality vintage and locally made garments. If you are looking for unique but affordable ways to mix up your child's wardrobe, don't miss this spot.
Buggy - although it is a little difficult to find, this Madrona store (only two blocks from the Madrona playground) is beautifully laid out with lots of clothing, toys and even a play area.
Sugarlump - The best way to describe this place is probably in terms of the deals I've gotten there. This is not the place to go for used books or toys (check out Me 'n Moms or Kids on 45th for those) but this is THE place to go to find beautiful boutique children's clothing. I personally have found things like a Burberry dress for $15, a D&G Baby snowsuit for $50 (originally over $300), Oilily pants for $10, Mulberry Bush Coveralls for $7. All looked brand new and were in mint condition. You will not be disappointed.
Kids on 45th - This store looks very small from the outside. So small, in fact, that for several months I drove past it on my way to Me 'n Moms because I couldn't imagine it could have that much inventory. I was wrong. This is the best used toy store I've found for used toys. While Me 'n Moms has a larger selection, this store has the best prices I've ever seen! They are very smart about the lay-out and offer a good number of toys. I found a wonderful large wooden play cube that looked brand new and retails for $80 for only $15 here. I have also bought my daughter shoes for $4-$6 that were in excellent condition and in brands like Stride-rite and Umi. They have a good selection of books as well which are also well priced 0.99 - $3.99. The front half of the store offers new toys so you have a wide array of things to choose from. Something that shouldn't be missed is the hair barrettes made by one of the employees here. They are georgeous, well made and really well priced (around $5).
Childish Things - Wow! Wow! Wow! This place has a large amount of clothing for babies-preschoolers. Everything is in immaculate condition. They are VERY choosy! I found many hard to find brands for my toddler including Deux Par Deux, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Laura Ashley, Hanna Andersson and more! The also have lots of gear from strollers to bath gear, bouncy chairs, jumperoos and lots and lots of baby toys. They also have some great books - although the books are a little more expensive than other used children's books (they are half off the cover price of the book).
Me 'n Mom - This store is amazing and serves such an important function in Seattle. The inventory changes daily. Their selection of toys is HUGE! It has been a huge cost saver for us with a baby/toddler. I have purchased so many beautiful wooden toys there for between $10-$15 (wooden riding toy, wooden croc push bench) and I've purchased lots of great baby toys for under $5-$10 that would be $30 or more at a toy store. They also have a good collection of used books. If you are looking for baby gear there is nothing you won't find here from slings to baby seats to high chairs to cribs to strollers. If you can think of it, you can find it here. They also offer a huge amount of children's clothing. The biggest piece of advice I'd give is give yourself at least an hour to browse this store!
Paron's Closet - a newbie to the consignment scene, this store is located in the Wallingford Shopping Center just down from Izilla Toys. It is the smallest of the stores listed here and tends to focus more on clothes than toys or gear. A nice find!
smallclothes - located in West Seattle, this store offering a surprising breadth of used goods along with locally produced items. You will not be disappointed by the wealth of choices here!
Sweet Pea's - located in Columbia City, this small consignment store offers a nice array of used clothes, shoes, stroller and gear. I don't have a website for them but they are located at: 4822 Rainier Ave, Seattle, WA (206) 722-1031.
Le Petit Shoppe - located in Laurelhurst, this store has prices a little higher than some of the others but that goes hand in hand with the quality of the merchandise. You can pick up a Hanna Andersson, Ralph Lauren and more along with goods from local merchants. I haven't found a website for them so here is their info: 3432 NE 45th St, Seattle, WA (206) 525-0619.
Retroactive Kids - Another Columbia City find, this small store offers both consigned and home-made clothes along with gently used toys and gear. The thing that really sets this store apart is its "Retro" offerings - running from clothing to toys. Their stock can be low illustrating just how popular this place is.
Alphabet Soup - Over half of this store's inventory is made up of used hardcover children's books. Their books are in beautiful condition - often virtually brand new. They have a wonderful selection that is constantly changing and updating. The prices are reasonable when compared to buying used books on Amazon or at other used book stores. There is such a large selection that you should give yourself plenty of time to look. It is divided up nicely inside into categories including "Caldecott winners, board books, books about holidays, books about your body, books about growing up, getting a little sibling, manners, etc." The store itself is very cute from the sign outside to the cozy feel inside.
Bootyland - this Capital Hill boutique sets itself apart by offering not only gently used children's clothes but also high quality vintage and locally made garments. If you are looking for unique but affordable ways to mix up your child's wardrobe, don't miss this spot.
Buggy - although it is a little difficult to find, this Madrona store (only two blocks from the Madrona playground) is beautifully laid out with lots of clothing, toys and even a play area.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
What's Happening This Week for Babies & Toddlers (Aug 23-29, 2010)
The Mark Whitman Band (Music in the Park Series)
Magnolia Playfield
Wednesday, August 25th 6pm
These family friendly summer concerts are a great option for a weekday picnic and give children the option of playing at one of the most toddler friendly parks in Seattle.
Dizzy Bus Stop’s 1st Annual Carnival
Saturday, August 28th, 10am - 3pm
Entry fee is $0.50! For that kids can enjoy pony rides, a bouncy house, the tumblebus, a trampoline, clowns, games, face painting and more!
Big Day of Play at Magnuson Park
7400 Sand Point Way NE
Saturday, August 28th, 9:30 am – 5pm
Free! Options for little ones include learning about healthy foods and live music
Tracks & Trains Week at KidsQuest Museum
August 23rd – 28th
If your child is into trains, this is the place to be!
Dinner & a Show with the Brian Waite Band at KidsQuest Museum
Saturday, August 28th, 5:30 pm – 8 pm
Come listen to a fund children’s band and enjoy pizza and lemonade. The cost is $10 plus $3 for food & drink.
Magnolia Playfield
Wednesday, August 25th 6pm
These family friendly summer concerts are a great option for a weekday picnic and give children the option of playing at one of the most toddler friendly parks in Seattle.
Dizzy Bus Stop’s 1st Annual Carnival
Saturday, August 28th, 10am - 3pm
Entry fee is $0.50! For that kids can enjoy pony rides, a bouncy house, the tumblebus, a trampoline, clowns, games, face painting and more!
Big Day of Play at Magnuson Park
7400 Sand Point Way NE
Saturday, August 28th, 9:30 am – 5pm
Free! Options for little ones include learning about healthy foods and live music
Tracks & Trains Week at KidsQuest Museum
August 23rd – 28th
If your child is into trains, this is the place to be!
Dinner & a Show with the Brian Waite Band at KidsQuest Museum
Saturday, August 28th, 5:30 pm – 8 pm
Come listen to a fund children’s band and enjoy pizza and lemonade. The cost is $10 plus $3 for food & drink.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Favorite Playgrounds for Babies & Toddlers
There are soooo many great playgrounds in Seattle but not all are really ideal for babies and toddlers. Parks with baby swings and/or smaller toddler-size climbing apparatuses can be challenging to find. Unfortunately Seattle Park's webpage doesn't indicate which parks are best for the two and under crowd so I wanted to post a list of the parks I've found so far:
East Queen Anne Playfield - a cozy neighborhood playfield with a wonderful wading pool that is just the right size for toddlers and infants. There are benches all around the wading area so you can sit and watch your children play. There is also plenty of shade in summer in the water area but the play equipment can get pretty hot.
West Queen Anne Playfield - this park offers both a full sized play area with slides and climbing areas as well as a separate toddler sized one. There is a sandbox, baby and regular swings and a merry-go-round. The ground is soft and bouncy so it is a very safe place for new walkers. This park was recently remodeled and is an exceptional spot to come with babies and toddlers.
Magnolia Playground - Located in one of the safest areas in Seattle, this park offers endless options for babies and toddlers, ranging from toddler sized play equipment, regular sized play equipment, baby & toddler swings, spinning chairs, a sandbox and more. In summer it is not unusual for different children's performers to give free concerts in the park.
Green Lake Playground - this very popular park offers lots of options for toddlers, babies and older children and is close to the community center which offers an indoor play room for infants as well. It offers climbing structures, swings, and a wading pool with views of the lake. Set alongside of beautiful Green Lake, this park is very popular and can get a little crowded. However, with lovely walks around Green Lake, an nearby indoor play area, tons of coffee shops and ice cream parlors and great people watching, this is a great playground to keep both children and parents entertained.
Madison Park Playground - What's not to love about a playground with a zip line, tons of slides that are easily accessible by toddlers (it's amazing how many playgrounds make getting to the slides necessitate walking across ropeways or worse) and lots of play gyms. Located along Lake Washington on a gentle hill by numerous shops and restaurants, you can take a lovely walk to the beach, check out the latest fashions at one of the many baby boutiques or simply enjoy the stunning views of Lake Washington and Mt. Rainier.
Ella Bailey Park - hidden in the middle of a neighborhood, this park offers breathtaking views of Seattle that give Kerry Park a run of its money. It is a great spot for a picnic and while it lacks swings, it offers great play equipment for both older children and toddlers.
Webster Playground - located in Sunset Hill (Ballard), this park offers swings, climbing structures, slides, and sand play.
Magnuson Park's Junior League Playground - with a 20,000 square foot playground, you can find climbing structures, a sandbox, slides, swings and more.
Wallingford Playfield - another park offering play structures for babies, toddlers and older children, this park offers rubber ground areas that are great for new walkers, slides, swings, a merry-go-round and a wading pool. My only hesitation with listing this park is the apparent increase in crime lately in and around the park.
There are a few parks I haven't gotten the chance to see yet. If anyone has any feedback on these or other parks good for the two and under crowd, please let me know: Montlake Playfield ("Tot Lot"); Rogers Playground (Eastlake);
East Queen Anne Playfield - a cozy neighborhood playfield with a wonderful wading pool that is just the right size for toddlers and infants. There are benches all around the wading area so you can sit and watch your children play. There is also plenty of shade in summer in the water area but the play equipment can get pretty hot.
West Queen Anne Playfield - this park offers both a full sized play area with slides and climbing areas as well as a separate toddler sized one. There is a sandbox, baby and regular swings and a merry-go-round. The ground is soft and bouncy so it is a very safe place for new walkers. This park was recently remodeled and is an exceptional spot to come with babies and toddlers.
Magnolia Playground - Located in one of the safest areas in Seattle, this park offers endless options for babies and toddlers, ranging from toddler sized play equipment, regular sized play equipment, baby & toddler swings, spinning chairs, a sandbox and more. In summer it is not unusual for different children's performers to give free concerts in the park.
Green Lake Playground - this very popular park offers lots of options for toddlers, babies and older children and is close to the community center which offers an indoor play room for infants as well. It offers climbing structures, swings, and a wading pool with views of the lake. Set alongside of beautiful Green Lake, this park is very popular and can get a little crowded. However, with lovely walks around Green Lake, an nearby indoor play area, tons of coffee shops and ice cream parlors and great people watching, this is a great playground to keep both children and parents entertained.
Madison Park Playground - What's not to love about a playground with a zip line, tons of slides that are easily accessible by toddlers (it's amazing how many playgrounds make getting to the slides necessitate walking across ropeways or worse) and lots of play gyms. Located along Lake Washington on a gentle hill by numerous shops and restaurants, you can take a lovely walk to the beach, check out the latest fashions at one of the many baby boutiques or simply enjoy the stunning views of Lake Washington and Mt. Rainier.
Ella Bailey Park - hidden in the middle of a neighborhood, this park offers breathtaking views of Seattle that give Kerry Park a run of its money. It is a great spot for a picnic and while it lacks swings, it offers great play equipment for both older children and toddlers.
Webster Playground - located in Sunset Hill (Ballard), this park offers swings, climbing structures, slides, and sand play.
Magnuson Park's Junior League Playground - with a 20,000 square foot playground, you can find climbing structures, a sandbox, slides, swings and more.
Wallingford Playfield - another park offering play structures for babies, toddlers and older children, this park offers rubber ground areas that are great for new walkers, slides, swings, a merry-go-round and a wading pool. My only hesitation with listing this park is the apparent increase in crime lately in and around the park.
There are a few parks I haven't gotten the chance to see yet. If anyone has any feedback on these or other parks good for the two and under crowd, please let me know: Montlake Playfield ("Tot Lot"); Rogers Playground (Eastlake);
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Private Deisgner Sample Websites for Parents
A relatively recent phenomena, private online shopping clubs offer both access to hard to find products as well as significant discounts on high quality products. I have found everything from an Italian line (that I’ve still not found anywhere else) to 40-70% discounts on everything from Tea to Melissa & Doug. The sales generally last between 36 to 60 hours and can introduce you to a wide variety of designers.
Private Designer Sample Shopping Websites
TheMiniSocial.com – this is my favorite. They offer samples of designer baby and maternity goods including Tea, Maclaren, Ciocilli, Melissa & Doug and more. The founders are two Moms from Los Angeles with backgrounds in the fashion industry. Everything on their website is the height of quality and they offer some amazing deals. They generally have 5 active sales at a time and the sales usually last a couple of days. As an example, today they have baby/toddler polo shirts by EGG for $17 that are regularly $38 and dresses by Cupcake & Pastries at $32 that are regularly $64.
HauteLook.com – with sales for Women, Men, Beauty, Home and Kids, they generally offer about 3 children’s sales at a time. As an example, today they are offering Men’s Diaper Bags by DadGear at $49 that are regularly $80 and toddler dresses by Hudson Threads at $30 that are regularly $83.
Gilt.com – this website offers designer sample sales for Women, Men, Home, and Children. Their children’s offerings are usually limited (1-3 designers at a time) but their quality is excellent. As an example, today they are offering Kicky Pants romper and blanket sets at $34 that are regularly $68.
Totsy.com - offering around 5 sales a day, Totsy's sales last 48-72 hours and are up to 70% off. Items tend to be focused on children 0-7 years of age. Today they have Lillebaby Carriers for $72 that are regularly $120 and onesies from Soy Babies Pukies for $7.20 that are normally $12.
Zulili.com – with the largest selection of sales, they offer approximately 17 designers at a time. Their sales last 72 hours and they have news sales every day. An example of their sales is dresses from La Fete for $29.99 that are regularly $58, Teutonia Car Seats for $129 that are regularly $225, and baby shoes by ShooFoo for $11.99 that are regularly $20.
RueLaLa.com - this website offers a mix of Home, Women, Men and Kids designers. They don’t always offer children’s products but they are worth checking out.
Groupon.com – for Seattle Moms, Groupon offers daily local sales which can be everything to $50 of food and drink from a local restaurant for $25 to entrance to the Seattle Challenge for $25 (when the value is $70).
Websites Offering Daily Deals on Baby and Children's Products
Babysteals.com & KidSteals.com– offers daily maternity, baby and kid products for sale at 50-80% off. Sales open at 9am and last until everything is gone. Today they had Boogaloo bottle packs at $9.99 that are regularly $20.
Mamabargains.com – sales are 40-80% off retail. They offer one deal at a time. When one sells out, another begins so there can be anything from 1 to 10 sales in a 24 hour period. Their products cover maternity to 10 years of age and you can follow them on Twitter or Facebook to stay up to date. As an example, today they offered Be Loved Maternity Bras for $12.50 that are regularly $25.
Oliviaplace.com – baby and children goods are 40-80% off. They offer several products at once. An example is today they offered a Tomat Organic Onesie for $10.80 that is regularly $27 and Weesqueak baby shoes for $10.98 that are regularly $21.95
KidsWoot.com – offering new deals every day at midnight Central Time, they offer one item at a time and when it’s gone, it’s gone. Today they offered Elenco Skin ‘n Bones Dinosaurs for $9.99 that can run around $31.
BabyHalfOff.com – New products are posted Monday-Saturday, at 8 am MST. Most products are focused at children under 10. Today they offered Bumkin Diaper Clutches at $10 that are regularly $20.
Private Designer Sample Shopping Websites
TheMiniSocial.com – this is my favorite. They offer samples of designer baby and maternity goods including Tea, Maclaren, Ciocilli, Melissa & Doug and more. The founders are two Moms from Los Angeles with backgrounds in the fashion industry. Everything on their website is the height of quality and they offer some amazing deals. They generally have 5 active sales at a time and the sales usually last a couple of days. As an example, today they have baby/toddler polo shirts by EGG for $17 that are regularly $38 and dresses by Cupcake & Pastries at $32 that are regularly $64.
HauteLook.com – with sales for Women, Men, Beauty, Home and Kids, they generally offer about 3 children’s sales at a time. As an example, today they are offering Men’s Diaper Bags by DadGear at $49 that are regularly $80 and toddler dresses by Hudson Threads at $30 that are regularly $83.
Gilt.com – this website offers designer sample sales for Women, Men, Home, and Children. Their children’s offerings are usually limited (1-3 designers at a time) but their quality is excellent. As an example, today they are offering Kicky Pants romper and blanket sets at $34 that are regularly $68.
Totsy.com - offering around 5 sales a day, Totsy's sales last 48-72 hours and are up to 70% off. Items tend to be focused on children 0-7 years of age. Today they have Lillebaby Carriers for $72 that are regularly $120 and onesies from Soy Babies Pukies for $7.20 that are normally $12.
Zulili.com – with the largest selection of sales, they offer approximately 17 designers at a time. Their sales last 72 hours and they have news sales every day. An example of their sales is dresses from La Fete for $29.99 that are regularly $58, Teutonia Car Seats for $129 that are regularly $225, and baby shoes by ShooFoo for $11.99 that are regularly $20.
RueLaLa.com - this website offers a mix of Home, Women, Men and Kids designers. They don’t always offer children’s products but they are worth checking out.
Groupon.com – for Seattle Moms, Groupon offers daily local sales which can be everything to $50 of food and drink from a local restaurant for $25 to entrance to the Seattle Challenge for $25 (when the value is $70).
Websites Offering Daily Deals on Baby and Children's Products
Babysteals.com & KidSteals.com– offers daily maternity, baby and kid products for sale at 50-80% off. Sales open at 9am and last until everything is gone. Today they had Boogaloo bottle packs at $9.99 that are regularly $20.
Mamabargains.com – sales are 40-80% off retail. They offer one deal at a time. When one sells out, another begins so there can be anything from 1 to 10 sales in a 24 hour period. Their products cover maternity to 10 years of age and you can follow them on Twitter or Facebook to stay up to date. As an example, today they offered Be Loved Maternity Bras for $12.50 that are regularly $25.
Oliviaplace.com – baby and children goods are 40-80% off. They offer several products at once. An example is today they offered a Tomat Organic Onesie for $10.80 that is regularly $27 and Weesqueak baby shoes for $10.98 that are regularly $21.95
KidsWoot.com – offering new deals every day at midnight Central Time, they offer one item at a time and when it’s gone, it’s gone. Today they offered Elenco Skin ‘n Bones Dinosaurs for $9.99 that can run around $31.
BabyHalfOff.com – New products are posted Monday-Saturday, at 8 am MST. Most products are focused at children under 10. Today they offered Bumkin Diaper Clutches at $10 that are regularly $20.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
The Diaper Bin Trials....Is There Any Way to Stop that Stinky Bin?
Whether you go with the Diaper Dekor, Diaper Genie II, the Diaper Champ or the $320 Vipp 15 Kitchen Bin, chances are – eventually – you’ll begin the battle of the diaper bin stench. For the first six months you’ll probably be sure you chose the perfect pail – no smell, no problem. Then you’ll move on to solid food and you’ll gradually notice that your “oh so fresh” pail isn’t quite so fresh anymore. Here is a list of great solutions I’ve picked up that hopefully will help you with your own diaper bin woes. As for myself, after 9 months of mighty battle, I surrendered today and bought a new pail.
Monday, August 9, 2010
What's Happening This Week?
Free Nancy Stewart Concert Wednesday, August 11th at Magnolia Playfield! Children's artist Nancy Stewart is throwing a free concert this Wednesday at 6 pm at Magnolia Playfield. This is a great chance for an evening summer picnic that will keep kids and parents entertained.
PEPSapalooza - this annual family music fest is sold out! If you are missing out on PEPSapalooza this year, on August 14, 2010 - remember it for next year and buy your tickets in advance. For those still looking for tickets on Ebay or Craig's List, there are lots of great acts performing including the Not-Its!, Ian Dobson's Pan Leggo, Eric Herman, Johnny Bregar and Recess Monkey.
Seattle Children's Museum Summer Outdoor Exhibit - the museum is offering a wonderful Summer "Lil' Green Thumbs" Exhibit! This fantastic outdoor exhibit lets your children learn all about urban gardening. Don't forget that Clifford the Red Dog Exhibit is Coming this Fall!
Tickets are on Sale for Nickelodeon's Storytime Live - Nickelodeon's Storytime Live is coming to Seattle in October and tickets are on sale now! Your littles ones can see Dora, the Backyardigans, Wonder Pets and Ni Hao Kai Lan live on October 22-24 at the Paramount Theater in Seattle. There are three shows a day (noon, 2pm and 5pm) so you should be able to find one to work around nap time.
Circus! Science Under the Blog Top - Pacific Science Center's "Circus Under the Big Top" Exhibit is running from June 12 - September 6, 2010.
How Much Do You Know About Washington's Child Rape and Molestation Laws?
Many of us were rattled in July 2010 when convicted child molester, John Cothern, was arrested in Queen Anne living only 500 feet from a school (in violation of Washington law). Although he was arrested for possession of child pornography, he admitted to having sex with 8 child victims. According to the Washington State Attorney General’s Office, 800 sex offenders are released into the community every year.
Many people are under the impression that child rape/molestation includes any improper physical contact between someone over the age of 18 with someone under the age of 18? Unfortunately this is not the rule and the laws are much more complicated than that. First degree child rape or molestation in Washington State involves the victimization of a child under 12! Second degree is under 14 but over 12 and 3rd degree under 16. A child under 18 but over 16 is protected by little more than a Sexual Misconduct law that is limited to being a Class C felony or Gross Misdemeanor depending on the count.
Here is a summary of Washington’s laws: RCW 9a.44 Sex Offenses. http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9a.44
Can Sex Offenders Live Near Parks or Schools?
In Washington State, high-risk offenders cannot live with 880 feet of a school or day care center.
Two great websites to check out are the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs http://ml.waspc.org/ and family watchdog http://www.familywatchdog.us/
Many people are under the impression that child rape/molestation includes any improper physical contact between someone over the age of 18 with someone under the age of 18? Unfortunately this is not the rule and the laws are much more complicated than that. First degree child rape or molestation in Washington State involves the victimization of a child under 12! Second degree is under 14 but over 12 and 3rd degree under 16. A child under 18 but over 16 is protected by little more than a Sexual Misconduct law that is limited to being a Class C felony or Gross Misdemeanor depending on the count.
Here is a summary of Washington’s laws: RCW 9a.44 Sex Offenses. http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9a.44
- 1st Degree Child Rape – Child is less than 12, not married to the perpetrator and the perpetrator is at least 24 months older than the victim. It’s a Class A felony. RCW 9a.44.073
- 2nd Degree Child Rape – Child is less than 14 but over 12, not married to the perpetrator and the perpetrator is at least 36 months older than the victim. It’s a Class A felony. RCW 9a.44.076
- 3rd Degree Child Rape – Child is less than 16 but over 14, not married to the perpetrator and the perpetrator is at least 48 months older than the victim. It’s a Class C felony. RCW 9a.44.079
- 1st Degree Child Molestation – Child is less than 12, not married to the perpetrator and the perpetrator is at least 24 months older than the victim. It’s a Class A felony. RCW 9a.44.083
- 2nd Degree Child Molestation – Child is less than 14 but over 12, not married to the perpetrator and the perpetrator is at least 36 months older than the victim. It’s a Class B felony. RCW 9a.44.086
- 3rd Degree Child Molestation - Child is less than 16 but over 14, not married to the perpetrator and the perpetrator is at least 48 months older than the victim. It’s a Class C felony. RCW 9a.44.089
- 1st Degree Sexual Misconduct – Sexual intercourse with a child over 16 but under 18, not married to the perpetrator and the perpetrator is at least 60 months older than the victim and is in some type of supervisory position. It also covers school employees having intercourse with an enrolled student who is over 16 but under 21 or a foster parent with a child over 16 but under 18. It’s a Class C felony. RCW 9a.44.093
- 2nd Degree Sexual Misconduct – Sexual contact with a child over 16 but under 18, not married to the perpetrator and the perpetrator is at least 60 months older than the victim and is in some type of supervisory position. It also covers school employees having intercourse with an enrolled student who is over 16 but under 21 or a foster parent with a child over 16 but under 18. It’s a gross misdemeanor. RCW 9a.44.096
Can Sex Offenders Live Near Parks or Schools?
In Washington State, high-risk offenders cannot live with 880 feet of a school or day care center.
Two great websites to check out are the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs http://ml.waspc.org/ and family watchdog http://www.familywatchdog.us/
Monday, August 2, 2010
Ice Cream! Ice Cream! Ice Cream!
What child doesn't love ice cream! Here is a list of some fun places to cool down from the summer heat and give your little ones a taste of one of the best treats on earth.
D’Ambrosio – many would argue that this shop serves up the most authentic gelato in Seattle. Offering Stracciatella, Pistachio, Nutella, Riccotta, Panna Cotta and more, this Ballard Gelateria brings exceptional attention to detail resulting in creamy and incredibly flavorful gelato. http://www.dambrosiogelato.com/
Bottega Italiana Gelato - with two locations in Seattle (Downtown and Green Lake) they offer a number of choices including Stracciatella and their own twist on Salted Carmel (theirs has chocolate chips!). The Green Lake location is just off the lake making it a nice spot to grab a scoop before enjoying a stroll. http://www.bottegaitaliana.com/
Gelatiamo - if you're looking for gelato made by hand daily from someone who studied in Italy, this is the place to go. The flavors rotate regularly and include Tiramisu, chocolate chip, pumpkin pie, and pistachio! http://www.gelatiamo.com/
Fainting Goat Gelato – located across and down the street from Molly Moons, this is my favorite ice cream parlor in Seattle. I personally think it is the closest thing you’ll find to gelato in Italy. The owner makes the gelato one small pan at a time by hand. They offer authentic flavors cluding Stracciatella (chocolate chip) and Nocciola (Hazelnut). In addition, they offer the creamiest sorbets I’ve ever tasted and unique flavors including a spicy Mexican chocolate, salted caramel and grapefruit. http://www.faintinggoatseattle.com/
Molly Moons – you can’t miss the two block line commonly flowing down the street from this small Wallingford ice cream parlor. Known for its unique flavors including salted caramel, honey lavender and bacon maple (yes I said “bacon”), they now also offer a mobile ice cream truck that travels throughout the city. http://www.mollymoonicecream.com/
Cold Stone Creamery – This nationwide chain has several locations in Seattle area. It gets its name from the cold stone that they use to blend their ice cream with various topping and fillings. Since you basically get to create whatever ice cream combination you want, it’s hard not to find something that will please everyone here. Best of all the offer child sized cones (3 oz)! http://www.coldstonecreamery.com/
Cocoa and Cream – this very cute ice cream parlor is located in downtown Magnolia. They sell Snoqualmie Gourmet ice cream which is locally made. The shop is cozy and has a nice play area in the back. The candy pink colors and friendly staff make it well worth the visit. http://www.cocoaandcream.net/
Scoup de Jour Ice Creamery – if you are looking for ice cream in downtown Madison Park, this is the place. They sell Olympic Mountain Ice Cream which is locally made. It gets very popular on warm sunny days with crowds visiting Madison Beach and enjoying the quaint neighborhood shops. They don't appear to have a website so here is their address: 4029 E Madison St, Seattle, WA (206) 325-9562.
Tutta Bella – Many Seattleites swear by the gelato at this Seattle pizzeria with locations in Columbia City, Wallingford, West Lake and Issaquah. They generally carry lemon, chocolate, vanilla and Nutella (YUM!) The fact that this is among the most kid friendly restaurants in the Seattle area just makes it even more worth a visit. http://www.tuttabellapizza.com/
The Scoop at Walt's - This very cute Sunset Hill ice cream shop offers Snoqualmie ice cream. The neighborhood ambience and incredibly friendly staff lend it a small town warmth that is hard to match. This is a great place to relax and enjoy the long summer days. It's located at 6410 32nd AVE NW, Seattle, WA (206) 782-3920.
Full Tilt - this Columbia City ice cream shop offers what is arguably the most unusual collection of homemade flavors in Seattle including lemon lavendar, prickly pear, Vietnamese cinnamin, and peanut butter & chocolate with bacon. They will also make you your own special flavor for private affairs. Another fun feature is the collection of arcade games they offer at the 1985 price of only 25 cents a game. http://fulltilticecream.com/full_tilt/Full_Tilt_Ice_Cream.html
Parfait Organic Artisan Ice Cream - you can find this ice cream truck in any of a multitude of Seattle neighborhoods, selling homemade ice cream made from scratch. Don't miss a chance to support this chef who is making an effort to offer something so original and fun as mobile top-notch ice cream! Join them on Twitter so you can make sure to catch them the next time they are in your neighborhood. http://parfaiticecream.com/
Old School Frozen Custard - Capital Hill sets itself apart by offering up some super nummy frozen custard, as opposed to ice cream. Although you only have 3 choices each day (chocolate, vanilla and a specialty flavor of the day) many argue that the simplicity of it actually sets it apart. You can follow them on Facebook to see their flavor of the day. They are located at 1316 Pike St, Seattle, WA (206) 324-2586.
Peaks Frozen Custard - the custard here is made every two hours or less in front of customers from local ingredients. Like Old School, they offer vanilla, chocolate and a flavor of the day. They were featured on the Food Network and are located half way between Green Lake and Ravenna. Thursdays are family game night! http://www.peaksfrozencustard.com/
Mae's Cafe Ice Cream Shoppe - if you are looking for ice cream in Phinney Ridge, this is the place to be! Offering Snoqualmie Gourmet ice cream, they make great sundaes, splits, milkshakes and floats. http://sys118.is2systems.com/sys/nl/ai.esp?cid=bb46baa3a5b0a57e3daf9b873aa65f37&iid=3937&taf=0&show=12250&slot=&show_related=
Blue Bird Homemade Ice Cream and Tea Room - not only does this Capital Hill parlor offer homemade ice cream but they also serve up some totally unique Seattle flavors like Elysian Stout, Theo Chocolate Chunk and Stumptown Coffee. http://bluebirdseattle.blogspot.com/2009/07/bluebirds-menu.html
D’Ambrosio – many would argue that this shop serves up the most authentic gelato in Seattle. Offering Stracciatella, Pistachio, Nutella, Riccotta, Panna Cotta and more, this Ballard Gelateria brings exceptional attention to detail resulting in creamy and incredibly flavorful gelato. http://www.dambrosiogelato.com/
Bottega Italiana Gelato - with two locations in Seattle (Downtown and Green Lake) they offer a number of choices including Stracciatella and their own twist on Salted Carmel (theirs has chocolate chips!). The Green Lake location is just off the lake making it a nice spot to grab a scoop before enjoying a stroll. http://www.bottegaitaliana.com/
Gelatiamo - if you're looking for gelato made by hand daily from someone who studied in Italy, this is the place to go. The flavors rotate regularly and include Tiramisu, chocolate chip, pumpkin pie, and pistachio! http://www.gelatiamo.com/
Fainting Goat Gelato – located across and down the street from Molly Moons, this is my favorite ice cream parlor in Seattle. I personally think it is the closest thing you’ll find to gelato in Italy. The owner makes the gelato one small pan at a time by hand. They offer authentic flavors cluding Stracciatella (chocolate chip) and Nocciola (Hazelnut). In addition, they offer the creamiest sorbets I’ve ever tasted and unique flavors including a spicy Mexican chocolate, salted caramel and grapefruit. http://www.faintinggoatseattle.com/
Molly Moons – you can’t miss the two block line commonly flowing down the street from this small Wallingford ice cream parlor. Known for its unique flavors including salted caramel, honey lavender and bacon maple (yes I said “bacon”), they now also offer a mobile ice cream truck that travels throughout the city. http://www.mollymoonicecream.com/
Cold Stone Creamery – This nationwide chain has several locations in Seattle area. It gets its name from the cold stone that they use to blend their ice cream with various topping and fillings. Since you basically get to create whatever ice cream combination you want, it’s hard not to find something that will please everyone here. Best of all the offer child sized cones (3 oz)! http://www.coldstonecreamery.com/
Cocoa and Cream – this very cute ice cream parlor is located in downtown Magnolia. They sell Snoqualmie Gourmet ice cream which is locally made. The shop is cozy and has a nice play area in the back. The candy pink colors and friendly staff make it well worth the visit. http://www.cocoaandcream.net/
Scoup de Jour Ice Creamery – if you are looking for ice cream in downtown Madison Park, this is the place. They sell Olympic Mountain Ice Cream which is locally made. It gets very popular on warm sunny days with crowds visiting Madison Beach and enjoying the quaint neighborhood shops. They don't appear to have a website so here is their address: 4029 E Madison St, Seattle, WA (206) 325-9562.
Tutta Bella – Many Seattleites swear by the gelato at this Seattle pizzeria with locations in Columbia City, Wallingford, West Lake and Issaquah. They generally carry lemon, chocolate, vanilla and Nutella (YUM!) The fact that this is among the most kid friendly restaurants in the Seattle area just makes it even more worth a visit. http://www.tuttabellapizza.com/
The Scoop at Walt's - This very cute Sunset Hill ice cream shop offers Snoqualmie ice cream. The neighborhood ambience and incredibly friendly staff lend it a small town warmth that is hard to match. This is a great place to relax and enjoy the long summer days. It's located at 6410 32nd AVE NW, Seattle, WA (206) 782-3920.
Full Tilt - this Columbia City ice cream shop offers what is arguably the most unusual collection of homemade flavors in Seattle including lemon lavendar, prickly pear, Vietnamese cinnamin, and peanut butter & chocolate with bacon. They will also make you your own special flavor for private affairs. Another fun feature is the collection of arcade games they offer at the 1985 price of only 25 cents a game. http://fulltilticecream.com/full_tilt/Full_Tilt_Ice_Cream.html
Parfait Organic Artisan Ice Cream - you can find this ice cream truck in any of a multitude of Seattle neighborhoods, selling homemade ice cream made from scratch. Don't miss a chance to support this chef who is making an effort to offer something so original and fun as mobile top-notch ice cream! Join them on Twitter so you can make sure to catch them the next time they are in your neighborhood. http://parfaiticecream.com/
Old School Frozen Custard - Capital Hill sets itself apart by offering up some super nummy frozen custard, as opposed to ice cream. Although you only have 3 choices each day (chocolate, vanilla and a specialty flavor of the day) many argue that the simplicity of it actually sets it apart. You can follow them on Facebook to see their flavor of the day. They are located at 1316 Pike St, Seattle, WA (206) 324-2586.
Peaks Frozen Custard - the custard here is made every two hours or less in front of customers from local ingredients. Like Old School, they offer vanilla, chocolate and a flavor of the day. They were featured on the Food Network and are located half way between Green Lake and Ravenna. Thursdays are family game night! http://www.peaksfrozencustard.com/
Mae's Cafe Ice Cream Shoppe - if you are looking for ice cream in Phinney Ridge, this is the place to be! Offering Snoqualmie Gourmet ice cream, they make great sundaes, splits, milkshakes and floats. http://sys118.is2systems.com/sys/nl/ai.esp?cid=bb46baa3a5b0a57e3daf9b873aa65f37&iid=3937&taf=0&show=12250&slot=&show_related=
Blue Bird Homemade Ice Cream and Tea Room - not only does this Capital Hill parlor offer homemade ice cream but they also serve up some totally unique Seattle flavors like Elysian Stout, Theo Chocolate Chunk and Stumptown Coffee. http://bluebirdseattle.blogspot.com/2009/07/bluebirds-menu.html
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Seattle's Play Cafes
Along with some of the best coffee in the country, Seattle's coffee houses also offer play areas for babies and toddlers which act as a great central meeting area for parenting groups. Here is a list of my favorites:
SEATTLE AND WEST SEATTLE CAFES
Serendipity Cafe - located in Magnolia this place is actually more than a coffee house, offering a full breakfast, lunch and dinner menu. They have a wonderful play area for children where your little ones can play while you enjoy your meal. http://www.serendipitymagnolia.com/
Firehouse Cafe - next door to the Gymboree in Ballard, this internet cafe offers a small play area where parents can rest before or after mommy 'n me class. I could not find a website for them so here is their info: 2622 NE Market St, Seattle, WA 98107, (206) 784-2911.
Mosaic Coffee House - you pay what you think your food or drink are worth at this unique Wallingford establishment located in the basement of a church. This play centric cafe is loved by both kids and parents. http://mosaiccoffeehouse.org/
Vios Cafe and Marketplace - in Capital Hill, patrons can enjoy either a cup of coffee or a Greek meal at the Vios Cafe which offers a large play area in the back. http://www.vioscafe.com/
Twirl Cafe - we are very excited to welcome this newcomer to Queen Anne which is expected to open late summer 2010. Make sure to join their site so you can get updates of their progress! http://www.vioscafe.com/
Coffe to a Tea with Sugar Rush Baking Company - I haven't had a chance to visit this coffeehouse yet but am planning to visit soon based on the recommendations I've received. They have a children's play area and apparently even offer mini cupcakes! http://www.sugarrushbakingcompany.com/
Cloud City Coffee - this Maple Leaf Community Coffeehouse offers a cozy atmosphere complete with good coffee, books, games and a children's play area. They also offer a nice menu ranging from breakfast burritos to BLT's. http://www.cloudcitycoffee.com/
EAST SIDE CAFES
Third Place Books - This Lake Forest Park new/used bookstore also contains the Honey Bear Cafe which is a Seattle staple. Coffee and other goods are on the second floor. http://www.thirdplacebooks.com/about
Tot Spot Cafe - This pay-to-play Woodinville play cafe offers a cozy home-like ambience along with staff couches for parents and plenty of toys for babies and little kids. For the cover charge they also provide and extra set of eyes (through staffers) watching over little ones as they play. http://www.totspotcafe.com/
Orange Blossom Society - another pay to play cafe, this time located inside a house in Redmond. They have lots of toys for the kids along with pastries, coffee and Wi-Fi for the adults. They also offer classes for kids in thing like yoga, art, movement, gardening, sign language and more! However, only the art and movement classes are for the under 3 crowd. http://www.orangeblossomsociety.com/class-descriptions.html
It is with a sad farewell that we say goodbye to the neighborhood play cafes that have closed this year including My Coffeehouse in Madison Park and Cafe O'Play in Univeristy Village.
SEATTLE AND WEST SEATTLE CAFES
Serendipity Cafe - located in Magnolia this place is actually more than a coffee house, offering a full breakfast, lunch and dinner menu. They have a wonderful play area for children where your little ones can play while you enjoy your meal. http://www.serendipitymagnolia.com/
Firehouse Cafe - next door to the Gymboree in Ballard, this internet cafe offers a small play area where parents can rest before or after mommy 'n me class. I could not find a website for them so here is their info: 2622 NE Market St, Seattle, WA 98107, (206) 784-2911.
Mosaic Coffee House - you pay what you think your food or drink are worth at this unique Wallingford establishment located in the basement of a church. This play centric cafe is loved by both kids and parents. http://mosaiccoffeehouse.org/
Vios Cafe and Marketplace - in Capital Hill, patrons can enjoy either a cup of coffee or a Greek meal at the Vios Cafe which offers a large play area in the back. http://www.vioscafe.com/
Twirl Cafe - we are very excited to welcome this newcomer to Queen Anne which is expected to open late summer 2010. Make sure to join their site so you can get updates of their progress! http://www.vioscafe.com/
Coffe to a Tea with Sugar Rush Baking Company - I haven't had a chance to visit this coffeehouse yet but am planning to visit soon based on the recommendations I've received. They have a children's play area and apparently even offer mini cupcakes! http://www.sugarrushbakingcompany.com/
Cloud City Coffee - this Maple Leaf Community Coffeehouse offers a cozy atmosphere complete with good coffee, books, games and a children's play area. They also offer a nice menu ranging from breakfast burritos to BLT's. http://www.cloudcitycoffee.com/
EAST SIDE CAFES
Third Place Books - This Lake Forest Park new/used bookstore also contains the Honey Bear Cafe which is a Seattle staple. Coffee and other goods are on the second floor. http://www.thirdplacebooks.com/about
Tot Spot Cafe - This pay-to-play Woodinville play cafe offers a cozy home-like ambience along with staff couches for parents and plenty of toys for babies and little kids. For the cover charge they also provide and extra set of eyes (through staffers) watching over little ones as they play. http://www.totspotcafe.com/
Orange Blossom Society - another pay to play cafe, this time located inside a house in Redmond. They have lots of toys for the kids along with pastries, coffee and Wi-Fi for the adults. They also offer classes for kids in thing like yoga, art, movement, gardening, sign language and more! However, only the art and movement classes are for the under 3 crowd. http://www.orangeblossomsociety.com/class-descriptions.html
It is with a sad farewell that we say goodbye to the neighborhood play cafes that have closed this year including My Coffeehouse in Madison Park and Cafe O'Play in Univeristy Village.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
What is the Safest Seattle Neighborhood for Kids?
It is nearly impossible to measure a neighborhood's true safety. The below chart attempts to do so by providing the number of violent and drug crimes per neighborhood since January 2010 as well as the number of sex offenders in each area.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Outdoor Pay to Play Options for Babies & Toddlers in Seattle
Woodland Park Zoo - Located near Green Lake, this lovely zoo offers excellent and well-kept exhibits covering the globe along with a family farm, indoor play area for children, and a petting zoo that is open during the spring and summer. They offer strollers to rent along with red wagons. The annual membership is very reasonable and well worth the price for the indoor play area alone! http://www.zoo.org/
Outback Christmas Tree and Kangaroo Farm - Come to Arlington to take a tour of this unique farm and its residents including kangaroos, wallabies, wallaroos, llamas, lemurs, alpaca, pygmy goats, peacocks, an ostrich, a miniature donkey, a parrot and an emu. Tours last 40 minutes and are $7 for children (2-12) and $8 for adults. There are 4 tours daily March - October, Wednesday through Sunday, and by appointment only November - February. http://www.christmastreesandroos.com/
Japanese Gardens - located in the Arboretum, the Japanese Gardens provide a lovely area to explore that is big enough to be interesting to adults but not so big as to be too big for little ones. A surprising numbers of toddlers visit the gardens, fascinated by the giant Koi and easy walking trails (you can buy bags of fish food on the grounds for $1). Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for 6-17, and free for 5 and under. http://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/parkspaces/japanesegarden.htm
Willows Edge Farm - this Bothell farm offers unique and rewarding experiences. You can take a family tour exploring this real working farm complete with horses, chickens, pigs and rabbits. On tours you may learn everything form how to brush a horse, to collecting farm eggs, feeding chickens and caring for rabbits. The entry fee is $5 for anyone 1 years old or older. Don't miss this one of a kind experience just outside of Seattle! http://www.willowsedgefarm.com/farm-tour.html
Cougar Mountain Zoo - this conservation focused zoo in Issaquah offers an award winning mountain lion exhibit. It also offers the largest Siberian reindeer herd in the country as well excellent Tiger and Macaw exhibits. An exciting option here are some of the "close encounter" tours you can take that let you get up and personal with Tigers, Reindeer, Cougars, Lemurs, Cranes, or Mule Deer. http://www.cougarmountainzoo.org/
Remlinger Farms - open May through October, Remlinger Farms offers 25 rides as well as a petting zoo, train ride, theater, restaurant and food booths. Kids can interact with ponies, goats, horses, pigs, cows, alpacas, sheep, bunnies and donkeys! http://www.remlingerfarms.com/index.htm
Northwestrek and Animal Park - this is a great place to get to know the native animals of the Northwest. With a focus on Northwest wildlife, this zoo also offers a tram tour through 435 acres of their free roaming area. It is a 55 mile drive from Seattle so plan naps accordingly. http://www.nwtrek.org/
Wolf Haven - with a mission of protecting and providing a sanctuary for wild wolves, Wolf Haven is located 77 miles outside of Seattle. They offer 45 minute guided tours and offer a unique opportunity to see wild wolves up close. One warning - if your child is deemed "disruptive" or upsetting to the animals, you will be asked to leave... http://www.wolfhaven.org/index.php
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Best Seattle Beaches for Babies & Toddlers
Discovery Beach - one of the best kept secrets among parents is that you can get a pass to drive down to the beach if you have a young child with you. There are only a couple of places to park so if you don't get here early you may have to wait for someone to return with the parking place. Just stop in at the main center to get your beach pass. The beach is a great place to explore tide pools and explore a rustic Washington beach. http://www.cityofseattle.net/Parks/environment/discovparkindex.htm
Madrona Beach - The perfect beach for the under 3 crowd! This small sandy beach on the lake offers tons of fun option for kids. There have faucets set up that create streams down the beach to the water. Little ones play in the stream creating dams, mud and more! This is also a great place to build a sandcastle and have a picnic while enjoying the georgous views. Definitely a must-see! http://www.cityofseattle.net/Parks/beach_detail.asp?id=370
Madison Park Beach - with several playgrounds nearby, this lovely beach offers wonderful views but can get very crowded on warm days. Located in lovely Madison Park, it is a great choice for a picnic or just a few hours of beach fun before heading out to one of the many yummy nearby restaurants. http://www.cityofseattle.net/Parks/beach_detail.asp?id=369
Alki Beach - you will think you are in California with its miles of beaches, rustic beachside restaurants and stores and playgrounds. There is a pathway running beside the beach that works well for stroller walks and there are plenty of hollowed out logs to sit on the beach while watching volleyball players. It's hard to compare the breathtaking view of the Sounds with ferries passing over, downtown Seattle in the background and the Olympic Mountain Range hanging in overhead. http://www.seattle.gov/parks/park_detail.asp?ID=445
Green Lake - with its wealth of other offerings, including playgrounds, boat rentals, playgrounds, and an indoor play area, Green Lake also offers a beach and wading pool for kids. If you can find parking, you won't regret spending your afternoon in this piece of paradise in Seattle. http://www.seattle.gov/parks/park_detail.asp?ID=307
Golden Gardens - another rustic Washington beach on the Sound, Golden Gardens is unique in that it also offers a venue for bonfires. Sometimes the crowd here can be a little rougher than the other parks I've listed able, so keep in mind the time of day before you head here or make sure you come in a group. http://www.seattle.gov/parks/park_detail.asp?ID=243
Magnuson Park Beach - located in Sand Point, this beach offers a nice enclosed swimming are for children in the summer. There is a very large fenced in dog park and separate dog beach which works well. You can also find one of the largest playgrounds in Seattle here! http://www.seattle.gov/Parks/beach_detail.asp?id=398
Seward Park Beach - offering a small sweet beach and playground, Seward Park has much to enjoy. Just beware of the goose poop and poison oak that is common here. I am not a huge fan of it for small children just because there are a lot of off leash dogs and while some are wonderful with children, it doesn't always make for the best mix. http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/Parks/beach_detail.asp?id=428
Madrona Beach - The perfect beach for the under 3 crowd! This small sandy beach on the lake offers tons of fun option for kids. There have faucets set up that create streams down the beach to the water. Little ones play in the stream creating dams, mud and more! This is also a great place to build a sandcastle and have a picnic while enjoying the georgous views. Definitely a must-see! http://www.cityofseattle.net/Parks/beach_detail.asp?id=370
Madison Park Beach - with several playgrounds nearby, this lovely beach offers wonderful views but can get very crowded on warm days. Located in lovely Madison Park, it is a great choice for a picnic or just a few hours of beach fun before heading out to one of the many yummy nearby restaurants. http://www.cityofseattle.net/Parks/beach_detail.asp?id=369
Alki Beach - you will think you are in California with its miles of beaches, rustic beachside restaurants and stores and playgrounds. There is a pathway running beside the beach that works well for stroller walks and there are plenty of hollowed out logs to sit on the beach while watching volleyball players. It's hard to compare the breathtaking view of the Sounds with ferries passing over, downtown Seattle in the background and the Olympic Mountain Range hanging in overhead. http://www.seattle.gov/parks/park_detail.asp?ID=445
Green Lake - with its wealth of other offerings, including playgrounds, boat rentals, playgrounds, and an indoor play area, Green Lake also offers a beach and wading pool for kids. If you can find parking, you won't regret spending your afternoon in this piece of paradise in Seattle. http://www.seattle.gov/parks/park_detail.asp?ID=307
Golden Gardens - another rustic Washington beach on the Sound, Golden Gardens is unique in that it also offers a venue for bonfires. Sometimes the crowd here can be a little rougher than the other parks I've listed able, so keep in mind the time of day before you head here or make sure you come in a group. http://www.seattle.gov/parks/park_detail.asp?ID=243
Magnuson Park Beach - located in Sand Point, this beach offers a nice enclosed swimming are for children in the summer. There is a very large fenced in dog park and separate dog beach which works well. You can also find one of the largest playgrounds in Seattle here! http://www.seattle.gov/Parks/beach_detail.asp?id=398
Seward Park Beach - offering a small sweet beach and playground, Seward Park has much to enjoy. Just beware of the goose poop and poison oak that is common here. I am not a huge fan of it for small children just because there are a lot of off leash dogs and while some are wonderful with children, it doesn't always make for the best mix. http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/Parks/beach_detail.asp?id=428
Free Outdoor Play Options for Babies and Toddlers in Seattle
Seattle offers up some great playgrounds and beaches for outdoor fun (which I've listed out in separate posts). Here are some other free outdoor fun ideas:
University Village Play Area - This play area is covered so it'll work on a warm and wet day as well. Located in between a toy store and several children's clothing stores, this play area offer baby and toddler friendly playground equipment along with a soft floor and three scoot and ride cars. The area is also totally fenced so you don't have to worry about your newbie walker racing away from you! University Village is a large outdoor shopping mall. The play area is located on the backside of the Borders bookstore. http://www.uvillage.com/
Kelsey Creek Farm - located in Bellevue, this farm offers lots of animals for little ones to ogle at including cows, pigs, goats, horses, chicken and ducks. There are also lots of trails and a children's park. http://www.cityofbellevue.org/kelsey_creek_park.htm
Green Lake - What's not to love about Green Lake? It offers a two and a half miles of a picturesque walk around it as well as playgrounds, a children's wading pool/mini beach, boat rentals, indoor play area and more! Especially popular with the stroller and very pregnant "want to give birth right now because I'm two weeks overdue" crowd, this place is a paradise for both children and adults. http://www.seattle.gov/parks/park_detail.asp?ID=307
Swanson's Nursery - most people come here for the plants but we often drop in the visit the giant koi in the indoor greenhouse as well as the chicks (not chickens) in the henhouse. It is a great chance for kids to get up and close to both. http://www.swansonsnursery.com/
Pike Place Market - Ok, yes it is tourist central but your little ones will love seeing all the colors and activity at this lively downtown market. I'd highly recommend a stroller to push through the tight crowds on your ways to see the flying fish and admire all the fresh fruits and vegetables as well as interesting goods for sale. http://www.pikeplacemarket.org/
Bryant Blueberry Farm - Come and have a picnic and this U-Pick and they-pick Blueberry farm in Arlington. Children can meet and feed ducks and goats as well as enjoy the farm's playground. http://www.bryantblueberries.com/Index.htm
University Village Play Area - This play area is covered so it'll work on a warm and wet day as well. Located in between a toy store and several children's clothing stores, this play area offer baby and toddler friendly playground equipment along with a soft floor and three scoot and ride cars. The area is also totally fenced so you don't have to worry about your newbie walker racing away from you! University Village is a large outdoor shopping mall. The play area is located on the backside of the Borders bookstore. http://www.uvillage.com/
Kelsey Creek Farm - located in Bellevue, this farm offers lots of animals for little ones to ogle at including cows, pigs, goats, horses, chicken and ducks. There are also lots of trails and a children's park. http://www.cityofbellevue.org/kelsey_creek_park.htm
Green Lake - What's not to love about Green Lake? It offers a two and a half miles of a picturesque walk around it as well as playgrounds, a children's wading pool/mini beach, boat rentals, indoor play area and more! Especially popular with the stroller and very pregnant "want to give birth right now because I'm two weeks overdue" crowd, this place is a paradise for both children and adults. http://www.seattle.gov/parks/park_detail.asp?ID=307
Swanson's Nursery - most people come here for the plants but we often drop in the visit the giant koi in the indoor greenhouse as well as the chicks (not chickens) in the henhouse. It is a great chance for kids to get up and close to both. http://www.swansonsnursery.com/
Pike Place Market - Ok, yes it is tourist central but your little ones will love seeing all the colors and activity at this lively downtown market. I'd highly recommend a stroller to push through the tight crowds on your ways to see the flying fish and admire all the fresh fruits and vegetables as well as interesting goods for sale. http://www.pikeplacemarket.org/
Bryant Blueberry Farm - Come and have a picnic and this U-Pick and they-pick Blueberry farm in Arlington. Children can meet and feed ducks and goats as well as enjoy the farm's playground. http://www.bryantblueberries.com/Index.htm
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Baby/Toddler Friendly Restaurants
It can be hard to find a restaurant that is not only baby friendly but where the staff also thinks about things like putting hot plates out of the reach of little hands or offers children's play areas. Here is a list of restaurants, some expected and some surprising, that are super baby/toddler friendly:
Perche' No Pasta & Vino - Child friendly central! This restaurant is charming on the outside and in. Three levels with an open kitchen, live piano and an open air deck. The staff is among the friendliest I've ever met. From the moment you arrive you are treated like family. Every child that comes gets a balloon - they actually keep a helium pump on location! The noise decibel is high enough to not feel self conscious with a riotous two year old but not so loud as to have trouble holding a conversation. The food itself is very good. They even cure their own meats and offer a homemade prosciutto. The also have a lovely patio on the side.
Judy Fu's Snappy Dragon - Great New York Style Chinese food in Seattle. You can get dishes here you just can't find elsewhere like home made dumplings in spicy peanut sauce, flaky green onion noodles, chicken in black bean sauce and hand shaven noodles. This place is also kid paradise. There are tons of children (almost every table has at least one) and the staff are very conscientious, placing hot dishes well out of the reach of toddlers. Finally, the restaurant has the feel of being in someones home with separate warm and cozy rooms, one with a fireplace.
Serendipity Cafe - this restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as a great play area for kids. You can actually sit at a table with a full lunch/dinner menu while your children play. It is a nicely laid out large space with lots of tables. They also offer a wonderful story time every week!!!
Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria - KID HEAVEN!!!! Whether they originally intended for it to be or not, this place is child heaven (which is GREAT for us!). Every time I've been there practically every table in the very large dining space has either an infant in a car seat, a baby in a high chair, or young children. The restaurant is large and looks like it can seat a lot of people. Parking is tough. They have a few spaces out front but mostly you are going to have to chance it on the street. They offer an excellent thin crust pizza as well as gelato.
Enza Cucina Siciliana - Authentic homemade Italian food in a kid friendly environment. We loved traveling through Italy with our toddler. Everyone was warm and welcoming and the food was out of this world. If you would like to eat gnocchi that is the same quality as what you'd get in Italy, come here. Everything from the bread on the table to the sauce is made from scratch by hand. The owner is equally authentic! Her charming Sicilian accent coupled with her energy - bustling from cooking the food in the open air kitchen to graciously making her patrons feel at home make this place a joy. The BEST feature of all is the children's play area complete with toy kitchen set, table & chairs, toys and books. You can sit at a table with cloth napkins while your little one plays beside you. What a treat!!!! If only more restaurants would follow Enza's lead and add an area like this!! They also offer a children's menu. Finally, from 11 am - 5 on they offer crepes including classics like nutella & banana.
Benihana - Talk about a kid-friendly atmosphere. Everything here is perfect for children. They offer a children's menu that turns into a chef hat, mock-cocktails for little ones, and a fun show performed by a chef who stands at the center of your communal table preparing the food. This would be a great place for a child's birthday party. The food is a very good value and includes an appetizer, soup, salad, vegetables, main courses, tea & desert all for one price. We got their Rocky special which was around $24 and their shrimp and steak combo which was around $26. They also offer a full sushi menu here. Make sure you have a reservation though as this place gets packed.
Wild Mountain Cafe - One of the most child friendly and charming restaurants in Seattle with a unique southern menu! We have been here for both breakfast and dinner. They are known for their eggs Benedict but have two pages of great options including tahini stuffed French toast and huevos rancheros. For dinner their honey glazed fried chicken is incredible and their catfish is the best in Seattle. This restaurant is extremely child friendly with almost all of the tables including a patron under 3 years old. The restaurant itself is located in a quaint historic house at the top of a long set of stairs. You dine at homey tables throughout the rooms on furniture as unique and classic as the home itself. The staff is warm and the music a unique blend of classic rock (think Journey and KISS). This is helpful when you have a young child as it raises the noise level a little. This is a great cozy restaurant.
Perche' No Pasta & Vino - Child friendly central! This restaurant is charming on the outside and in. Three levels with an open kitchen, live piano and an open air deck. The staff is among the friendliest I've ever met. From the moment you arrive you are treated like family. Every child that comes gets a balloon - they actually keep a helium pump on location! The noise decibel is high enough to not feel self conscious with a riotous two year old but not so loud as to have trouble holding a conversation. The food itself is very good. They even cure their own meats and offer a homemade prosciutto. The also have a lovely patio on the side.
Judy Fu's Snappy Dragon - Great New York Style Chinese food in Seattle. You can get dishes here you just can't find elsewhere like home made dumplings in spicy peanut sauce, flaky green onion noodles, chicken in black bean sauce and hand shaven noodles. This place is also kid paradise. There are tons of children (almost every table has at least one) and the staff are very conscientious, placing hot dishes well out of the reach of toddlers. Finally, the restaurant has the feel of being in someones home with separate warm and cozy rooms, one with a fireplace.
Serendipity Cafe - this restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as a great play area for kids. You can actually sit at a table with a full lunch/dinner menu while your children play. It is a nicely laid out large space with lots of tables. They also offer a wonderful story time every week!!!
Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria - KID HEAVEN!!!! Whether they originally intended for it to be or not, this place is child heaven (which is GREAT for us!). Every time I've been there practically every table in the very large dining space has either an infant in a car seat, a baby in a high chair, or young children. The restaurant is large and looks like it can seat a lot of people. Parking is tough. They have a few spaces out front but mostly you are going to have to chance it on the street. They offer an excellent thin crust pizza as well as gelato.
Enza Cucina Siciliana - Authentic homemade Italian food in a kid friendly environment. We loved traveling through Italy with our toddler. Everyone was warm and welcoming and the food was out of this world. If you would like to eat gnocchi that is the same quality as what you'd get in Italy, come here. Everything from the bread on the table to the sauce is made from scratch by hand. The owner is equally authentic! Her charming Sicilian accent coupled with her energy - bustling from cooking the food in the open air kitchen to graciously making her patrons feel at home make this place a joy. The BEST feature of all is the children's play area complete with toy kitchen set, table & chairs, toys and books. You can sit at a table with cloth napkins while your little one plays beside you. What a treat!!!! If only more restaurants would follow Enza's lead and add an area like this!! They also offer a children's menu. Finally, from 11 am - 5 on they offer crepes including classics like nutella & banana.
Benihana - Talk about a kid-friendly atmosphere. Everything here is perfect for children. They offer a children's menu that turns into a chef hat, mock-cocktails for little ones, and a fun show performed by a chef who stands at the center of your communal table preparing the food. This would be a great place for a child's birthday party. The food is a very good value and includes an appetizer, soup, salad, vegetables, main courses, tea & desert all for one price. We got their Rocky special which was around $24 and their shrimp and steak combo which was around $26. They also offer a full sushi menu here. Make sure you have a reservation though as this place gets packed.
Wild Mountain Cafe - One of the most child friendly and charming restaurants in Seattle with a unique southern menu! We have been here for both breakfast and dinner. They are known for their eggs Benedict but have two pages of great options including tahini stuffed French toast and huevos rancheros. For dinner their honey glazed fried chicken is incredible and their catfish is the best in Seattle. This restaurant is extremely child friendly with almost all of the tables including a patron under 3 years old. The restaurant itself is located in a quaint historic house at the top of a long set of stairs. You dine at homey tables throughout the rooms on furniture as unique and classic as the home itself. The staff is warm and the music a unique blend of classic rock (think Journey and KISS). This is helpful when you have a young child as it raises the noise level a little. This is a great cozy restaurant.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Indoor Pay to Play Options for Babies & Toddlers in Seattle
Zoomazium – the zoo is already a great place to visit with kids but the Zoomazium at Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo has an amazing indoor play area for rainy days. It has a baby/toddler area with toys drums, climbing areas, mirrors and lots of other great toys of little ones. Right next to it is a large rockery climbing area for bigger kids with a slide. It also offers an art and discovery area and a stage where the zoo offers daily creature features (where kids learn about different animals in person) as well as puppet shows. They hold daily dance parties as well handing out shakers and playing music encouraging children to dance and play. (per visit fee or annual membership). http://www.zoo.org/zoomazium
Seattle Children’s Museum – Wonderful, Wonderful, Wonderful!!! This place has been a life saver to us with a toddler. For one low yearly membership fee, you can attend mommy and me classes here 5 days a week, story time in an incredible fairytale like setting 3 days a week, incredible cultural exhibits, traveling exhibits, an entire grocery store where little ones can fill their shopping carts with all sorts of good and even check out (scan items) and use a credit card machine. There is also a wonderful stage area where children's can dress up and perform and small rooms dedicated to different countries of the world. The have an entire play area that is just for toddlers that includes climbing apparatuses and a long water play center - as well as smocks to keep your little ones dry. One of my favorite things is the art room. there are several stations where your children can paint and all the art supplies in the world to do everything from clay art to drawing. The museum is open 7 days a week giving working parents a great place to take their kids on the weekend. I can't recommend this place strongly enough. It takes several visits before you see everything this place has to offer! (per visit fee or annual membership). http://thechildrensmuseum.org/
Pacific Science Center - Great place to visit for Children of all Ages. They offer a HUGE toddler play area (600 square feet or more), floors and floors of educational and fun stations for older children, real animated dinosaurs, a planetarium (with special 15 minute shows for the under 3 crowd) a butterfly house where you are emerged in a wonderland of rare and beautiful butterflies in a tropical setting and an IMAX theater. I didn't go here for a considerable time because I was concerned it was better suited for older children. While it is, in fact, perfect for the 5-14 crowd it also has many wonderful options for the under 5 crowd. If you live in Seattle, consider the membership so you can visit as much as you want. We find that memberships at places like this, the zoo and the children's museum more than pay for themselves in a matter of months (per visit fee or annual membership). http://www.pacsci.org/
Seattle Art Museum – you might not think that an art museum is the best place to take a baby/toddler but the Seattle Art Museum stands out with play rooms on different floors where children can read, build structures, or explore many of the toys they have for sale downstairs in the museum shop (per visit fee or annual membership). http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/learn/youthfamily/default.asp
Seattle Community Centers – from Greenlake to Queen Anne, Seattle Community Centers offer a variety of play rooms for infants and toddlers as well as an open gym/play time a few days a week. ($2 a visit). http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/parks/centers.asp
Twirl Café – we are very excited that there will be a new play children’s play space opening up in our own Queen Anne this summer! From what we understand it will offer an open gym and classes. In addition, the play area will include a tree-house structure and upper classroom for active lay. http://mytwirl.blogspot.com/2010/07/twirl-press-release-july-8th-2010.html
Soundbridge (Seattle Symphony) - the Seattle Symphony offer Soundbridge where children can partake in musical storytelling, an instrument petting zoo, weekly play dates, learn about music and even conduct! Admission is free the first Monday of the month and after noon on Fridays. http://www.seattlesymphony.org/soundbridge/about/
Seattle Aquarium - this small aquarium is located on the Seattle Waterfront. There is a children's play area, a touching tank and various stations where children can do art projects. In the past it has also offered playgroups. http://www.seattleaquarium.org/netcommunity/page.aspx?pid=183
KidsQuest Children’s Museum – it never fails to amaze me the amount of imagination and magic that goes into children’s museums. Like the Seattle Children’s Museum, this counterpart across the lake offers an amazing setting for imagination and play for little ones. With tons for babies and older to climb and explore, admission on the first Friday of the month is FREE!!!! http://www.kidsquestmuseum.org/
Tot Spot Cafe - This pay-to-play Woodinville play cafe offers a cozy home-like ambience along with staff couches for parents and plenty of toys for babies and little kids. For the cover charge they also provide and extra set of eyes (through staffers) watching over little ones as they play. http://www.totspotcafe.com/
Orange Blossom Society - another pay to play cafe, this time located inside a house in Redmond. They have lots of toys for the kids along with pastries, coffee and Wi-Fi for the adults. They also offer classes for kids in thing like yoga, art, movement, gardening, sign language and more! However, only the art and movement classes are for the under 3 crowd. http://www.orangeblossomsociety.com/class-descriptions.html
Dizzy's Bus Stop - branching out from the Tumblebus, Dizzy is now offer a new drop in play facility in Bellevue. The cost is $7 for any child crawling and older and it's open Monday through Friday. http://www.dizzybus.com/
Seattle Children’s Museum – Wonderful, Wonderful, Wonderful!!! This place has been a life saver to us with a toddler. For one low yearly membership fee, you can attend mommy and me classes here 5 days a week, story time in an incredible fairytale like setting 3 days a week, incredible cultural exhibits, traveling exhibits, an entire grocery store where little ones can fill their shopping carts with all sorts of good and even check out (scan items) and use a credit card machine. There is also a wonderful stage area where children's can dress up and perform and small rooms dedicated to different countries of the world. The have an entire play area that is just for toddlers that includes climbing apparatuses and a long water play center - as well as smocks to keep your little ones dry. One of my favorite things is the art room. there are several stations where your children can paint and all the art supplies in the world to do everything from clay art to drawing. The museum is open 7 days a week giving working parents a great place to take their kids on the weekend. I can't recommend this place strongly enough. It takes several visits before you see everything this place has to offer! (per visit fee or annual membership). http://thechildrensmuseum.org/
Pacific Science Center - Great place to visit for Children of all Ages. They offer a HUGE toddler play area (600 square feet or more), floors and floors of educational and fun stations for older children, real animated dinosaurs, a planetarium (with special 15 minute shows for the under 3 crowd) a butterfly house where you are emerged in a wonderland of rare and beautiful butterflies in a tropical setting and an IMAX theater. I didn't go here for a considerable time because I was concerned it was better suited for older children. While it is, in fact, perfect for the 5-14 crowd it also has many wonderful options for the under 5 crowd. If you live in Seattle, consider the membership so you can visit as much as you want. We find that memberships at places like this, the zoo and the children's museum more than pay for themselves in a matter of months (per visit fee or annual membership). http://www.pacsci.org/
Seattle Art Museum – you might not think that an art museum is the best place to take a baby/toddler but the Seattle Art Museum stands out with play rooms on different floors where children can read, build structures, or explore many of the toys they have for sale downstairs in the museum shop (per visit fee or annual membership). http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/learn/youthfamily/default.asp
Seattle Community Centers – from Greenlake to Queen Anne, Seattle Community Centers offer a variety of play rooms for infants and toddlers as well as an open gym/play time a few days a week. ($2 a visit). http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/parks/centers.asp
Twirl Café – we are very excited that there will be a new play children’s play space opening up in our own Queen Anne this summer! From what we understand it will offer an open gym and classes. In addition, the play area will include a tree-house structure and upper classroom for active lay. http://mytwirl.blogspot.com/2010/07/twirl-press-release-july-8th-2010.html
Soundbridge (Seattle Symphony) - the Seattle Symphony offer Soundbridge where children can partake in musical storytelling, an instrument petting zoo, weekly play dates, learn about music and even conduct! Admission is free the first Monday of the month and after noon on Fridays. http://www.seattlesymphony.org/soundbridge/about/
Seattle Aquarium - this small aquarium is located on the Seattle Waterfront. There is a children's play area, a touching tank and various stations where children can do art projects. In the past it has also offered playgroups. http://www.seattleaquarium.org/netcommunity/page.aspx?pid=183
KidsQuest Children’s Museum – it never fails to amaze me the amount of imagination and magic that goes into children’s museums. Like the Seattle Children’s Museum, this counterpart across the lake offers an amazing setting for imagination and play for little ones. With tons for babies and older to climb and explore, admission on the first Friday of the month is FREE!!!! http://www.kidsquestmuseum.org/
Tot Spot Cafe - This pay-to-play Woodinville play cafe offers a cozy home-like ambience along with staff couches for parents and plenty of toys for babies and little kids. For the cover charge they also provide and extra set of eyes (through staffers) watching over little ones as they play. http://www.totspotcafe.com/
Orange Blossom Society - another pay to play cafe, this time located inside a house in Redmond. They have lots of toys for the kids along with pastries, coffee and Wi-Fi for the adults. They also offer classes for kids in thing like yoga, art, movement, gardening, sign language and more! However, only the art and movement classes are for the under 3 crowd. http://www.orangeblossomsociety.com/class-descriptions.html
Dizzy's Bus Stop - branching out from the Tumblebus, Dizzy is now offer a new drop in play facility in Bellevue. The cost is $7 for any child crawling and older and it's open Monday through Friday. http://www.dizzybus.com/
Free Indoor Play Areas in Seattle - Updated October 2010
Kids Cove at Bellevue Square – although it is in Bellevue instead of Seattle, this incredible play area is well worth the trip. Ideal for infants to preschoolers, it has numerous climbing structures (all well-padded) and a fun and playful theme throughout. It is a huge space that is walled in with seating all around the outside for parents, stroller parking and an unbelievable array of climbing structures and play equipment. There is a children’s barbershop next door and a Gymboree facing it. Combined with the fact that it is located in one of the nicest malls in the US, this place is a winner on all counts. http://www.bellevuesquare.com/whats_new.php
REI – located on the second floor, the original REI offers a huge indoor tree house/climbing gym complete with slide as well as some options for babies and toddlers. http://www.rei.com/stores/11
Swanson's Nursery - This highend plant nursery offers lots of fun things to do with kids. Outside there is a chicken coop and playhouse while inside they have a Koi pond with Koi the size of salmon and seasonal activities including a maze made out of haystacks (Fall) and Santa's Reindeer which come to visit from November through December.
Family Works - offering free drop-in playgroups for infants, toddlers and preschoolers, this Wallingford non-profit offers free CPR and other parenting support classes as well. They even offer specialized playgroups for Spanish and Japanese speaking playgroups as well as one for children adopted from China. http://www.familyworksseattle.org/events/on-going-playgroups-for-parents-and-children
Beacon Hill Library - offers a bilingual kaleidoscope play & learn group for children 2-5 years old on Wednesdays at 10 am.
Broadview Libary - offers a kaleidoscope play and learn group for children 18 months to 5 years old Wednesdays at 10:30 am.
Columbia Libary - 0ffers a spanish kaleidoscope play & learn group for children birth to 5 years old on Thursdays at 11:00 am.
REI – located on the second floor, the original REI offers a huge indoor tree house/climbing gym complete with slide as well as some options for babies and toddlers. http://www.rei.com/stores/11
Swanson's Nursery - This highend plant nursery offers lots of fun things to do with kids. Outside there is a chicken coop and playhouse while inside they have a Koi pond with Koi the size of salmon and seasonal activities including a maze made out of haystacks (Fall) and Santa's Reindeer which come to visit from November through December.
Family Works - offering free drop-in playgroups for infants, toddlers and preschoolers, this Wallingford non-profit offers free CPR and other parenting support classes as well. They even offer specialized playgroups for Spanish and Japanese speaking playgroups as well as one for children adopted from China. http://www.familyworksseattle.org/events/on-going-playgroups-for-parents-and-children
Beacon Hill Library - offers a bilingual kaleidoscope play & learn group for children 2-5 years old on Wednesdays at 10 am.
Broadview Libary - offers a kaleidoscope play and learn group for children 18 months to 5 years old Wednesdays at 10:30 am.
Columbia Libary - 0ffers a spanish kaleidoscope play & learn group for children birth to 5 years old on Thursdays at 11:00 am.
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