Looking for kid-friendly fun near the Eastside? From outdoor adventures to hands-on museums and creative art spaces, there’s no shortage of activities to keep your little crew busy all year long.
Let’s get to it.
Redmond Art Works
At Redmond Art Works on the Eastside, creativity buzzes all day long. They offer classes for kids as young as three, summer camps for restless little ones, and workshops that stretch to teens and adults. Everything takes place indoors, so random rain showers don’t put a damper on paint or clay. You’ll find painting sessions, ceramics lessons, and even wheel-throwing if you’re ready to spin some mud. All the tools, clay and paint are provided.
Professional artists lead every class, and they welcome all skill levels. Parents can team up with toddlers to make piece after piece or grab a family membership to craft alongside teens. There’s a teen mural project where older kids collaborate on big, bold artwork.
Open studio hours run most days, so no commitment is required if you prefer to drop by when the mood strikes. With this setup, it’s easy to swap the kitchen table for a real studio and dive into something new.
Village Theatre
When it comes to Village Theatre, the calendar is always packed with musicals, plays and workshops for all ages. School-year classes run about ten to sixteen weeks and cover dancing, acting or singing for kids from kindergarten all the way to age twenty. Summer camps range from quick one-week sessions to full-scale productions that rehearse every day. There’s also a variety of free workshops that let families explore the stage without a big commitment.
Most classes meet indoors in spots with official names like Hunt Family Theatre or Historic Train Depot. Sometimes they move things outside for Concerts on the Green or pop-up performances. Advanced campers have even taken on Les Mis and Chicago in previous summers.
Village Theatre welcomes everyone, whether it’s a brand-new drama kid or someone dreaming of Broadway. Tuition works on a sliding scale and there’s a sibling discount, so families don’t have to worry about a musical theatre budget blowing up. It really feels like a place where stage magic meets real life.
Bellevue Botanical Garden
Spread across 53 acres, Bellevue Botanical Garden feels like a personal green haven right in the city. Admission is free every day, so it’s easy to wander past manicured beds, through woodlands or along wetlands without opening your wallet. On Wednesdays and Fridays, the Discovery Garden welcomes little explorers ages two to five for drop-in science demos, crafts and sensory play. There’s also a preschool series with storytelling, simple art projects and a quick snack.
For older kids, they offer a birding class for seven to twelve-year-olds that focuses on identifying birds by sight and sound while walking the trails. The Children’s Garden invites everyone to plant seeds, dig in soil and learn about nature. In spring and fall, free family gardening hours let you drop in and help tidy up the beds or plant seasonal flowers.
If you’re up for a tiny thrill, the 150-foot suspension bridge swings gently over a ravine. And keep an eye out for a hidden Hobbit door built into a stone wall, it’s a secret pinch of magic among the foliage.
Marymoor Park
Marymoor Park in Redmond feels like the ultimate playground for all ages. Inside its 640 acres you’ll find two giant playgrounds, a rock-climbing wall and even a life-size train car that kids can explore. The toddler area has rubber ramps and soft surfacing that meet ADA standards, while older kids and teens can tackle climbing routes ranging from easy to palm-sweating.
The park is so vast you might lose a soccer team and find them near the cycling velodrome or wandering the 42-acre off-leash dog area. Everything is outdoors all year and no reservations are needed. The only fee is a one-dollar parking charge.
Safety features include soft rubber underfoot, fenced play zones and clear sightlines for parents. There isn’t a formal staff presence directing kids, so adult supervision is a must. With picnic spots, sports fields and plenty of open space, Marymoor Park has something for everyone, and then some.
Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery
Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery, or FISH, is a local nonprofit that’s all about salmon education and hands-on fun. In the aquarium room, you can join free drop-in scavenger hunts any day. Summer camps cover kids ages three to eleven and run for a whole week, with outdoor activities around raceways and tank viewing areas.
During the month-long Salmon Story Stroll, families follow a self-guided picture-book trail along hatchery paths. Local homeschoolers write the short stories that pop up on each sign, making each step feel fresh. Guided tours run year-round and include demonstrations like water-quality testing that never feel like homework.
Safety is a priority with paved paths, volunteers stationed along the route and easy drop-off for campers. Camp fees are budget-friendly and sliding-scale options and discounts help keep costs reasonable. A lot of programs are free or based on a suggested donation. The hatchery is ADA accessible, so no one has to worry about surprise hills or steps. FISH strikes a nice balance between outdoor exploration and salmon science.
Lake Sammamish State Park
If you’re after a park that does it all, Lake Sammamish State Park has you covered. There’s a sandy swimming beach where you can cool off, plenty of boat rentals along the shore, and volleyball and soccer fields that always draw a crowd. The trails wind through trees, perfect for that friend who just wants fresh air. And you can’t miss the all-access playground… It’s got a zip line, a climbing dome, every kind of swing, plus a bouncy rubber surface that’s wheelchair friendly.
The playground’s design celebrates local salmon and mining history with colorful mosaic art and interactive panels that make noise when kids poke them. The free Junior and Mini Ranger programs have park rangers leading fun weather-science sessions, badge ceremonies, and more, and adults join so nobody’s left out. If you’d rather snack and relax, Sunset Beach Café offers shaded tables and treats. Adaptive bikes are available at no cost through much of the summer too. Remember to grab a Discover Pass for parking, $10 a day or $30 a year, and you’re all set.
Wilmot Gateway Park
Wilmot Gateway Park feels like Woodinville’s backyard hangout. A huge open field invites everything from tag to those big group games you haven’t played since grade school, and the playground welcomes kids aged two through about twelve. There’s a covered pergola at the center loaded with picnic tables and electrical outlets for charging phones. Best part? It’s totally free, no reservations or secret handshake. Just drop in between 7 AM and 9 PM, weather permitting.
Accessibility is solid thanks to paved, barrier-free paths and ADA restrooms. The river trail runs right alongside, giving you a smooth paved route for biking, skating, or simply pushing a stroller. Since there’s no on-site staff, you keep an eye on your crew, but the equipment looks fresh and well maintained. There’s even a water bottle filler near the bathrooms so everyone can stay hydrated. It nails the basics of a community park and then adds little extras that make an afternoon there feel effortless.
Squak Mountain State Park Natural Area
When you want to get outside without signing up for a survival course, Squak Mountain State Park Natural Area is a great pick. It has a mix of trails for every energy level—from a quick ten-minute stroll to longer paths that are sure to work the legs. The park is friendly for families with kids around four to fourteen years old, so you usually won’t be weaving through intense mountain bikers. You’ll spot hikers and horseback riders instead, and you can hop onto the Pretzel Tree interpretive loop, which shares a field mouse story and drops little forest critter facts along the way.
There are picnic tables scattered around if you bring sandwiches, each fitting about six to eight people, though big groups might feel snug. Everything stays accessible with an ADA restroom and a level main trailhead. Paying is digital at the trailhead kiosk—either ten dollars for a day or go for the annual Discover Pass. The trails are well marked, and you’re responsible for yourself once you’re on the path, but emergency information posts give you peace of mind. If your crew likes history, check out the old Bullitt Fireplace, or try geocaching for a simple treasure hunt.
Cougar Mountain Zoo
At Cougar Mountain Zoo you can dive into interactive animal experiences that go way beyond a simple stroll around cages. The zoo is mostly outdoors, so bring a light jacket if it’s chilly, and there’s an indoor Wildlife Museum plus the Magnani Nature Gallery, which features impressive bronze animal sculptures. The keepers really lean into education with scheduled talks, up-close animal encounters, and track-identification adventures.
If you’re planning a field trip, they serve groups from preschoolers up through teens, with one adult chaperone required for every five kids. Admission isn’t like a city park fee, but you’re paying for trained zookeepers and docents who lead every activity. You can wander in anytime during open hours or reserve special tours, including their Living Classroom program for deeper dives into wildlife topics. And yes, they have a Tiger Tunnel where you can see big cats cross right above you. It’s a unique spot that blends casual visits with real behind-the-scenes learning all in one. Check hours and prices online before you go so you know what to expect.
KidsQuest Children’s Museum
In Bellevue, KidsQuest Children’s Museum is a go-to spot for families with energetic youngsters. This two-story, climate-controlled space runs programs for kids from birth up to about ten years old. You’ll find hands-on art stations, a mini science lab, and even a train area. The massive Climber is a big hit, something both new walkers and fearless preteens can tackle (with a few bumps along the way). The water gallery adds splashy fun that usually leaves everyone with a drip somewhere.
Inside you’ll also spot the Bellevue Mercantile exhibit and a real Big Rig cab that keeps imaginations rolling. For little ones under three, the Tot Orchard offers a quieter, scaled-down play zone. The museum is fully accessible and has lockers and stroller parking near the entrance. Daily schedules pack in workshops, storytimes, and even concerts, while special events like Low Sensory Evenings give families a gentler environment. It’s a place where kids can explore at their own pace, and parents can spot plenty of chances to learn and play together.
Twinkle Land Play Cafe
If you’re looking for a spot where kids can burn off energy without the mess at home, Twinkle Land Play Cafe in Bellevue does the trick. It’s fully indoors, climate-controlled and squeaky clean—so rainy days stop meaning chaos on your carpet. They’ve got climbing structures, slides, trampolines for ages one through ten, plus a ball pit that every kid will insist on revisiting.
There’s more than just bouncing around, too. An ever-changing DIY area features things like wish jars or fossil kits to switch up the usual glue-and-glitter routine. The arcade runs on “Twinkle Coins,” which the little ones love using on games you might sneak in a round of yourself.
Admission hovers around $32 per child and guardian pair, but that covers all-day play, real coffee, sandwiches and pastries. Staff keep an eye on everything, and party rooms make hosting a birthday easier—if you dare wrangle a crowd of sugar-fueled kids. With underground parking and solid safety measures, this is way more than your average sweaty jungle gym.
Arena Sports Redmond
When you need indoor family fun that goes beyond screen time, Arena Sports Redmond has you covered. They kick off soccer programs for kids as young as 18 months and keep going through U18 leagues. Coaches know their stuff, referees are legit, and they’re patient even with a dozen tiny speed demons darting across the field.
Soccer isn’t the only draw. The Inflatable FunZone is a hit, and there’s a climbing wall, mini golf, laser tag, plus a surprisingly good arcade. Day camps change up themes from Star Wars to video game characters, and Parents’ Night Out lets mom and dad grab an evening to themselves.
Drop-in rates run about $12–$15, with Parents’ Night Out at $65 per kid. Memberships and sibling discounts help too. Everything’s inside, so you just show up, let the staff handle the chaos, and watch the kids wear themselves out.
