Free Indoor and Covered Play Areas (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.

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.