Fun Things To Do With Kids In Seattle

Do you enjoy traveling with your family? We took a family trip to Seattle in the fall and enjoyed several fun kid-friendly activities for our young family. We used to live in the Seattle area so we skipped the tourist attractions this trip such as the Space Needle and Pikes Place Market and instead visited the destinations we knew would be the most fun for our kids. The weather was overcast and a bit rainy, so we had to do things that were mostly indoors. Here are 5 fun things to do with kids in Seattle that were engaging and memorable despite the typical overcast Seattle weather outdoors.

Seattle Woodland Park Zoo

Our first day in Seattle was actually fairly clear despite the mist and overcast clouds. It was the perfect day for going to the Seattle Woodland Park Zoo. Our family enjoyed regular visits to the zoo when we lived in Seattle and it was nice to take all of the kids back to visit the animals (we’ve added two kids to our family since we moved away!) My girls had lots of fun following each other though the zoo and spotting all the different animals. Because the weather was mild a lot of the animals were soaking up our attention outside of their normal hiding spots.

Alderwood Shopping Mall

Our next stop on our Seattle family adventure was to the Alderwood Shopping Mall in Lynwood, just north on Interstate 5. The Alderwood Mall has 158 retail stores including American Eagle, Apple, Lego store, Express, Sephora, Nordstrom, Bath & Body Works and Justice. Alderwood Mall is a great place for a family shopping trip or day out with girlfriends.

American Girl Store

My little girl of course had to stop by the American Girl Doll store, her first visit since she started playing with these classic dolls. The American Girl store is gorgeous, with so many displays for the BeForever dolls, American Girl of the year dolls, Truly Me dolls, and fun Wellie Wishers dolls. My daughter had lots of fun checking out the outfits for girls that allow girls to match their dolls.

Everything you see in the American Girl catalog is on display in the American Girl retail stores and some of the stations are even interactive so girls can play with various American Girl accessories. Along with a huge retail section, the American Girl store has a Doll Hair Salon and American Girl Bistro where you can treat your daughter to lunch. Daddy allowed our little girl to buy one thing, and guess what she picked out? My daughter choose a matching outfit with her WellieWishers doll!

Alderwood Candy Store

Of course while at the Alderwood Mall in Seattle we stopped by a darling candy store packed with self-serve goodies. My daughter had so much fun choosing a few special treats. The Lolli and Pops Candy Store has something for everyone! Colorful gummy bears arranged by color and sour gummy ropes were my daughter’s favorite candies. Her dad would go for the large assortment of dark chocolate treats. Any candy you can think of can probably be found in this fun vintage candy store.

My daughter had a hard time choosing exactly which treats she wanted, but she had a lot of candy options to choose from! I love the chalkboard inspired designs decorating the walls of this boutique candy store in the Seattle area Alderwood Mall. A candy store stop is an easy choice on our list of fun things to do with kids in Seattle!

Five Guys Burgers

Our next stop was at one of our favorite restaurants, Five Guys. They make amazing hamburgers and fresh french fries. Five Guys has also received lots of awards for their delicious menu filled with burgers and shakes. We wasted no time ordering a Five Guys milkshake and a round of delicious fast food for the whole family. I really don’t like fast food as a whole, but Five Guys is better categorized as gourmet fast food, or restaurant-style burgers that are fast to come to your table.

Even the baby approved of his delicious french fry. Of course he also approved of his American Girl sticker generously gifted to him by his sister.

Overall, we found lots of fun things to do with kids in Seattle! After a trip to the zoo, small shopping spree at the Seattle area Alderwood Mall, and break for dinner at the delicious Five Guys burger stop, we were happy and ready for our next adventure in another country: Canada!

Katie Wallace

Hi, I’m Katie! I live with my husband and 4 kids in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. I love Jesus, coffee, creative projects, photography, and traveling. I’ve previously worked as a web designer, journalist, and barista. I hope you enjoy our creative projects and family adventures!