Rainy Day Fun: Top Seattle-Area Indoor Playgrounds for Kids of All Ages!
If you’re like me, raising kids in the Seattle area, you know firsthand how challenging it can be to keep kids entertained during the rainy winter (and spring, and summer, and fall) months. But fear not! Seattle is home to some terrific indoor playgrounds and kid-friendly spots to get all those wiggles out on rainy days.
Since getting kids out the door could be an Olympic sport! The worst thing is going to all that effort for no reward. This list includes places I’ve taken my kids to spend a few hours when the weather outside is dreary. It’s also got indoor play places I wish I’d known about when my kids were little.
Leave your umbrellas at home (true Seattlites don’t use them anyway) and head inside for a day of adventure and exploration!
Indoor Playgrounds North of Seattle
Imagine Children's Museum
This family-friendly museum, in Everett, is perfect for kids who love to learn and play. With interactive exhibits and hands-on activities, kids can explore science, art, and history. My kids LOVED the huge train tables and water play areas (bring an extra shirt).The museum is best suited for kids ages 0-10 and is open from 10am to 5pm, Tuesday through Sunday. Visit their website at imaginecm.org for more information.
Elevated Sports
Tucked in the back of an industrial park off the Bothell-Everett Hwy, Elevated Sports is an indoor trampoline park that's perfect for kids ages 5 and up. I appreciate the separate play area for little kids. They have a variety of trampolines, things to climb, a foam pit and a basketball dunk zone. Their hours vary depending on the day. Check out their website for more information.
Bellevue / East Side Indoor Play Places
KidsQuest Children's Museum
This museum, located in Bellevue, is a great place for kids to learn through play. With hands-on exhibits and interactive activities, kids can explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math. The museum is best suited for kids ages 0-10 and is open from 9am to 5pm, seven days a week. Visit their website at kidsquestmuseum.org for more information.
Funtastic Playtorium
Located in Factoria, Lynnwood, and Tacoma, Funtastic Playtorium is an indoor playground that's great for kids ages 1-12. They have a large play structure, a toddler play area, and even a mini golf course. Their hours vary by day and location. Check out their website for more information.
Pump It Up
Located in Kirkland and Lynnwood, Pump It Up is an indoor playground that's just right for toddlers to elementary age kids. They have a variety of inflatables, including bounce houses and obstacle courses. Their hours vary by location, so check out their website for more information.
Seattle spots for indoor fun on rainy days
Pacific Science Center
If you haven’t made a trip to the Seattle Science Center put this on your must-do list! I loved visiting as a kid and now my kids love it too. This science museum is great for kids of all ages and offers hands-on exhibits, live demonstrations, and an IMAX theater. The laser shows are a major highlight! The center is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Website: www.pacificsciencecenter.org
Downtown Seattle Public Library
This public library in Seattle is a great place for kids to learn and explore. It’s also a very unique spot to have a family photo session! You can follow the walkway up four floors and back down again. Its giant sloping windows are as cool from the inside as they are outside. Sure there are books (so many books!), but it’s a fantastic building to explore. The library is best suited for kids of all ages and is open from 10am to 6pm, Monday through Thursday, and 10am to 5pm, Friday and Saturday. Visit spl.org for more information.
Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)
This museum is perfect for kids ages 8 and up and features exhibits on popular culture, including music, film, and science fiction. They have a few visiting exhibits per year. We had fun stepping into the Minecraft universe a few years ago. Check out their website to see what’s currently on display. The museum is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Website: www.mopop.org
Washington State Ferry Ride
This is a uniquely Seattle way to be indoors and outdoors at the same time! Take a ferry ride from Seattle to Bainbridge Island or Bremerton for an out of the ordinary exciting experience. Even on a rainy day a ferry ride offers panoramic views of the Puget Sound, Seattle skyline, and the Olympic Mountains. Kids can explore the ferry and learn about marine transportation. The ferry is a great activity for kids of all ages and operates daily. Pssst! It’s another supremely Seattle location for family photos. Visit the Washington State Ferries website at wsdot.wa.gov for more information.
The Museum of Flight
Located in Seattle at Boeing Field, this unique museum offers kids the chance to learn about the history of aviation and space flight. Now that my kids are older this is one of my favorite indoor spots to spend a rainy day. The museum's Connections Program (free for kids and their grownup) allows kids to participate in hands-on STEM activities in a fun and engaging way. My kids like the full size planes (and flying car!) in the giant main room. The Museum of Flight is best suited for kids of all ages and is open from 10am to 5pm, daily. Visit their website at museumofflight.org for more information.
Inside Playgrounds South of Seattle
iFLY Indoor Skydiving
This indoor skydiving facility in Tukwila is perfect for kids who love adventure and excitement. iFLY offers a safe and controlled environment for kids to experience the thrill of skydiving. It is best suited for kids ages 3 and up and is open from 10am to 10pm, seven days a week. Visit their website at iflyworld.com for more information.
Sky Tykes at the iFly Indoor Skydiving
This indoor skydiving experience is suitable for kids as young as 3 and offers a unique and thrilling activity for kids and families. The iFly Indoor Skydiving facility is open daily from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Website: www.iflyworld.com/seattle
The Jungle Gym
The Jungle Gym , in Burien, is an indoor playground that's great for kids ages 1-10. They have a large play structure, a toddler play area, and even a mini rock climbing wall. They offer limited open gym times daily. Check out their website for open gym hours.
Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park
This indoor trampoline park in Tukwila is a great place for kids to jump and play. With a variety of activities, including trampoline dodgeball, basketball, and more, kids can stay active and have fun. The park is best suited for kids ages 5 and up and is open from 9am to 9pm, seven days a week. Visit their website at skyzone.com for more information.
Defy
Almost every surface bounces! This indoor trampoline and adventure park in Tukwila and Tacoma is perfect for kids who love action and excitement. It’s also perfect for parents (me) who like to sit on couches and use wi-fi. With trampolines, ninja courses, and more, kids can stay active and have a blast. Defy is best suited for kids ages 5 and up and is open from 10am to 9pm, seven days a week. Visit their website at defy.com for more information.
Bullwinkle's Family Fun Center
This indoor family entertainment center in Tukwila is fun for kids elementary age and up. It’s essentially an amusement park with a couple small rides, mini golf, laser tag, and an arcade, and a bowling alley. Kids can stay entertained for hours - or until they run out of game credits. Bullwinkle's is open from 10am to 9pm, seven days a week. Visit their website at bullwinkles.com for more information.
Safari Playland
Safari Playland in South Center Mall in Tukwila and The Outlet Collection Mall in Auburn, is an indoor playground that's great for younger kids. They have a large play structure, a toddler play area, and even a mini zip line. Their hours and admission prices are on their website.
I hope this list leads to some fun experiences for you and your kids, even on the rainiest of days. In the Seattle area we’ve got many options for indoor playgrounds and kid-friendly places to explore. You’ve probably got a few ideas too, don’t be shy, let me know your favorite places to spend rainy days.