Creating Family Traditions From Irene Wagner Inside this issue ...

The Great Indoors for Seattle Toddlers
Excerpt taken from Kali Sakai’s blog post on her blog “Evidently”
To live in Seattle, is to accept that it rains a lot and going outside nine months of the year requires bundling up and/
or precautions to keep dry. As an adult, you can go one way or the other: become an outdoor-loving mossback or
just embrace your inner-hermit and take refuge inside. I am the latter at heart which clearly disappoints my hikingfiend
of a father.
But with kids, you don't want to be an extreme of one or the other. However, the weather is beginning to turn so
that means caregivers of small children have to load up their arsenal of potential places to take stir-crazy kids.
Here are my favorite indoor destinations for Toddlers (in random order):
Third Place Commons (Lake Forest Park): I wrote up a profile on this place on Red Tricycle earlier this year. Food Court, play area,
bookstore, super cool community space with a unique vibe. And a photo booth.
Nurturing Pathways (Phinney Ridge): We have done this dance and movement class for 3-4 sessions and love the connections between
movement and brain development that the instructor discusses as we do fun, interesting activities. I suggest the class at Phinney Ridge taught
by Christine, the founder.
Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center (Ravenna): Great indoor tot play room that is big with lots of cars, trikes, toys and things to do plus a
fantastic outdoor play area if the weather's nice. Tot room has a schedule and costs $2/kid to enter.
Twirl Cafe (Queen Anne): Pay-to-play space with food. A good option when not wanting to stay central to the city.
Vios Cafe (Capitol Hill): Greek Restaurant and one of the best indoor play areas I've ever seen in an eatery.
Mosaic Coffeehouse (Wallingford): In the basement of a church with it's own separate entrance. Large, well-equipped play area. Food/drink
is a pay-what-you-want set up.
Children's Museum (Queen Anne): We have never been personally but we know plenty of parents who love this place.
Woodland Park Zoo/Zoomazium (Phinney Ridge): The zoo plus an indoor play area dedicated to smaller kids with lots of programs, activities
and live presentations with animals.
Kids Quest Museum (Factoria): We made the trek to the Eastside for this. A little spendy but totally worth it. So much to do and see--very
unique. Get there early.
Shoreline Library Storytime (Shoreline): Definitely a drive but it is hands down the best story time we've been to. Songs, interaction, take
home papers with letter of the day, music. And it's FREE.
Central Market (Shoreline): They have mini-carts that the kids can push. A fun, interesting place to roam around in with live crab & lobster
tanks, a huge salad bar and hot lunch options. While you're there, pick up groceries or stuff for dinner. Two-fer!
Seattle Aquarium (Waterfront): We received a membership as a gift and we make the most of it. They have a program called Toddler
Time that does activities just for kids under 5 years.
Om Kids Play Gym (Wallingford): This has been recommended to us but we have yet to go. Looks like a playspace with things and instructors
to interact with. Have heard from two sources that it's pretty cool.
Issaquah Community Center (Issaquah): Toddler (1-3 years) indoor playground (8am-Noon weekdays) with lots of trikes, cars and active toys
for $2/kid.
Additional activities include, but are not limited to:
- Gymboree & Little Gym
- Community Centers (pools, music, signing, dance, sports, gymnastics, open gym time, seasonal activities) http://www.seattle.gov/parks/
centers.asp
- Parent & Baby Yoga: example - http://www.seattleholisticcenter.com/
- Stroller Strides
- Seattle Public Library Story Times
- The Seattle Art Museum
- Jamtown Music Center (first class is free)