The sun is shining, the days are long, and the urge for adventure is calling! Summer in Seattle offers a unique blend of outdoor activities and indoor escapes, perfect for keeping your kids cool and entertained.
About Me
Hi, I’m Mercae, the Seattle-based photographer behind Lilac & Ivy Photography. To know I seek inspiration between the pages of Pride and Prejudice while blaring Tchaikovsky is to know me. I create refined maternity and newborn portraits for nostalgic Seattle mothers who love the beautiful historic architecture of Seattle and vintage-inspired styling as much as I do.
I specialize in studio maternity and in home newborn sessions because you shouldn’t have to make the Herculean effort to drive for hours, pray for sunshine, hike into the mountains, or be forced to cancel for rain. Once you inquire, I’ll send you over a welcome guide and a link to schedule a phone call to plan our session and answer any lingering questions!
Seattle’s mild climate makes it ideal for water fun. Luckily, the city has a variety of free and budget-friendly options to keep your little ones splashing all summer long.
The list goes as follows:
- Sprayparks
- Wading Pools
- Lifeguarded Beaches
- Recommended Parks for Families
- Farmers Markets
- Free Outdoor Movies
- Free museum days
Sprayparks
Open daily, Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Several Seattle parks have water spray features where you and the kiddos can cool off. The Seattle City Parks Department will operate 11 spray parks this summer from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Spray parks are self-operating, with most on timers. Their operation is subject to change (due to weather or damage to the facilities). Follow the SPR Wading Pool Facebook page for daily updates.
These sprayparks will be open from 11 am to 8 pm each day of the week, unless thunder or lightning are present:
- Ballard Commons
- Beacon Mountain in Jefferson Park
- Georgetown Playfield
- Highland Park
- John C. Little Park
- Judkins Park (Lower)
- Lake Union Park
- Miller Community Center
- Northacres Park
- Pratt Park
- Yesler Terrace Park
*Spraypark and wading pool schedules are subject to change (due to weather or damage to the facilities).
Outdoor Pools
This summer’s outdoor pool season will kick off with preseason operations beginning May 9 at Mounger and Colman Pool. Both pools will commence full summer operations (7 days a week with full programming) in June.
- Preseason:
- Mounger Pool: May 9 – June 21 (7 days a week)
- Colman Pool: May 9 – June 7 (Weekends only)
- Main Season:
- Mounger Pool: June 22 – September 7
- Colman Pool: June 13 – August 30
- Postseason (Colman only): Weekends of September 6-7,13-14 and 19-20
Mounger Pool:
Lowery C. “Pop” Mounger Pool, at 2535 32nd Ave. W, begins preseason on May 9 and will be open daily for playland, lap swim, water exercise, recreational swim, and swim lessons. The pool’s main season runs June 22 through September 7 with daily operations. Full schedule available here.
Mounger Pool features two pools: The “big pool” has a 50-foot corkscrew slide, and the warmer, shallower “little pool” is great for relaxing and for teaching little ones.
Colman Pool:
Colman Pool, at 8603 Fauntleroy Way SW, begins preseason on May 9 and will be open on weekends for lap swim and recreational swim. The pool will operate daily for main season June 13 through August 30 with a full schedule including swim lessons. Following main season, Colman Pool will offer postseason weekend swims on September 6–7, 13–14, and 19–20. Full schedule available here.
Located along the shoreline of West Seattle’s Lincoln Park, the pool has a spectacular view of Puget Sound and features heated salt water!
Wading Pools
Season begins June 21, 2026. Schedules and days of week will vary by location.
The “Big 4” Wading Pools will be open 7 days a week, June 21-September 1:
- Green Lake Park
- Lincoln Park
- Van Asselt Community Center
- Volunteer Park
Wading pools are open with an attendant in season on sunny days when the temperature is forecast to be 70 degrees or above. In summer, please call the Wading Pool Hotline to verify hours and open/closed status the day of your visit: (206) 684-7796, or check the Wading Pool Facebook page for daily updates in summer.
Seattle Wading Pool Information
- Beacon Hill
- Address: 1902 13th Ave. S
- Area: CE
- Dates: June 25 – August 14
- Days: Wednesday, Thursday
- Hours: 12 PM – 7 PM
- Bitter Lake Community Center
- Address: 13035 Linden Ave. N
- Area: NW
- Dates: June 25 – August 15
- Days: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
- Hours: 12 PM – 7 PM
- Dahl Playfield
- Address: 7700 25th Ave. NE
- Area: NE
- Dates: June 24 – August 14
- Days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
- Hours: 12 PM – 7 PM
- Delridge Community Center
- Address: 4501 Delridge Way SW
- Area: SW
- Dates: June 25 – August 15
- Days: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
- Hours: 12 PM – 5:30 PM
- E Queen Anne Playground
- Address: 160 Howe Street
- Area: CW
- Dates: June 23 – August 17
- Days: Monday, Tuesday, Sunday
- Hours: 12 PM – 7 PM
- E.C. Hughes Playground
- Address: 2805 SW Holden St.
- Area: SW
- Dates: June 23 – August 17
- Days: Monday, Tuesday, Sunday
- Hours: 12 PM – 7 PM
- Gilman Playground
- Address: 923 NW 54th St.
- Area: NW
- Dates: June 27 – August 16
- Days: Friday, Saturday
- Hours: 12 PM – 6 PM
- Green Lake Park
- Address: N 73rd St. & W Green Lake Dr. N
- Area: NW
- Dates: June 21 – September 1
- Days: Daily
- Hours: 12 PM – 7 PM
- Hiawatha Community Center
- Address: 2700 California Ave. SW
- Area: SW
- Dates: June 26 – August 16
- Days: Thursday, Friday, Saturday
- Hours: 12 PM – 5:30 PM
- Lincoln Park
- Address: 8600 Fauntleroy Way SW
- Area: SW
- Dates: June 21 – September 1
- Days: Daily
- Hours: 12 PM – 7 PM
- Peppi’s Playground
- Address: 3233 E Spruce St.
- Area: CE
- Dates: June 23 – August 12
- Days: Monday, Tuesday
- Hours: 12 PM – 7 PM
- Powell Barnett Park
- Address: 352 Martin Luther King Way
- Area: CE
- Dates: June 25 – August 17
- Days: Wednesday – Sunday
- Hours: 12 PM – 7 PM
- Ravenna Park
- Address: 5520 Ravenna Ave. NE
- Area: NE
- Dates: June 27 – August 16
- Days: Friday, Saturday
- Hours: 12 PM – 7 PM
- Sandel Playground
- Address: 9053 1st Ave. NW
- Area: NW
- Dates: June 24 – August 13
- Days: Tuesday, Wednesday
- Hours: 12 PM – 6:30 PM
- Soundview Playfield
- Address: 1590 NW 90th St.
- Area: NW
- Dates: June 23 – August 17
- Days: Monday, Saturday, Sunday
- Hours: 12 PM – 7 PM
- Van Asselt Community Center
- Address: 2820 S Myrtle St.
- Area: SE
- Dates: June 21 – September 1
- Days: Daily
- Hours: 12 PM – 7 PM
- View Ridge Playfield
- Address: 4408 NE 70th St.
- Area: NE
- Dates: N/A
- Status: Closed in 2025
- Hours: N/A
- Volunteer Park
- Address: 1400 E Galer St.
- Area: CE
- Dates: June 21 – September 1
- Days: Daily
- Hours: 12 PM – 7 PM
- Wallingford Playfield
- Address: 4219 Wallingford Ave. N
- Area: NW
- Dates: June 26 – August 16
- Days: Thursday, Friday, Saturday
- Hours: 12 PM – 7 PM
2026 Summer Season Lifeguarded Beaches
May 23-August 23
- Madrona Beach, 853 Lake Washington Blvd
May 23-September 7
- West Green Lake Beach, 7312 W Green Lake Dr
June 27-September 7
- Matthews Beach Park, 5100 NE 93rd St
- Madison Beach, 1900 43rd Ave E
- Mount Baker Beach, 2521 Lake Park Dr S, Seattle, WA 98144
- Seward Park Beach, 5900 Lake Washington Blvd S
June 27-Aug 23
- Pritchard Island Beach, 8400 55th Ave S
- East Green Lake Beach, 7201 East Green Lake Dr N
- Magnuson Park, 7400 Sand Point Way NE
Hours
- Preseason (May 24-June 20):
- Weekdays | 2-7pm
- Weekends & Memorial Day | 11am-7pm
- Summer (June 21-Sept. 1):
- Weekdays | 12pm – 7pm
- Weekends & Holidays | 11am – 7pm
Hours
Preseason (May 23-June 26):
- Weekdays | 2-7 PM
- Weekends & Memorial Day | 11 AM-7 PM
Summer (June 27-September 7):
- Weekdays | Noon – 7 PM
- Weekends & Holidays | 11 AM – 7 PM
Free Beach Swimming Lessons: Swim lessons are offered for free at all lifeguarded beaches for ages 6-16. Sign-ups will be accepted via email between June 1 and June 26. After that, you can sign up in person at the beach anytime during our regular operating hours. Click here for details.
Free Beach Swimming Lessons Swim lessons are offered for free at all lifeguarded beaches for ages 6-16. Sign-ups will be accepted via email between Monday 6/2 and Friday 6/20. After that, you can sign up in person at the beach anytime during regular operating hours. Midday and evening sessions are listed below. Please limit to one session per child. The Seattle City Parks Department is happy to take drop-ins if space is available.
Lessons are weather-dependent and may be canceled for poor weather, or very hot weather when more lifeguard staff are needed for surveillance duty.
- Midday sessions: Monday-Friday, 12:15-12:45pm
- Session 1 – 6/30-7/11 (No class on 7/4)
- Session 2 – 7/14-7/25
- Session 3 – 7/28-8/8
- Session 4 – 8/11-8/22
- Evening sessions: Tuesday or Thursday, 5:30-6pm
- Tuesday Session – 7/1-8/19
- Thursday Session – 7/10-8/21
To sign up, please email parksaquatics@seattle.gov and include the following information.
- Child’s Name
- Child’s Age
- Parent’s Name
- Parent’s Phone Number
- Preferred sessions/locations
Children receiving free swim lessons from Swim Seattle at swimming pools may participate in beach swim lessons in addition to their lessons at the pool!
Best Seattle Parks for Families
Discovery Park
- Location: 3801 Discovery Dr PW, Seattle, WA 98199
- Hours: Open year-round, 6:00 am to dusk
Carkeek Park
- Location: 950 NW Carkeek Park Rd, Seattle, WA 98177
- Hours: Open year-round, sunrise to sunset
Seward Park
- Location: 5900 Lake Washington Blvd S, Seattle, WA 98118
- Hours: Open year-round, sunrise to sunset
Volunteer Park
- Location: 1240 15th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112
- Hours: Open year-round, sunrise to sunset
Green Lake Park
- Location: 7200 Wallingford Rd NE, Seattle, WA 98105
- Hours: Open year-round, sunrise to sunset
Meridian Playground
- Location: 6840 52nd Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105
- Hours: Open year-round, sunrise to sunset
Lakeridge Park
- Location: 7301 66th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115
- Hours: Open year-round, sunrise to sunset
Golden Gardens Park
- Location: 8000 Westward Shores Dr NW, Seattle, WA 98177
- Hours: Open year-round, sunrise to sunset
Fauntleroy Park
- Location: 5200 W Fauntleroy Way SW, Seattle, WA 98106
- Hours: Open year-round, sunrise to sunset
St. Edward State Park
- Location: 14404 Marine Dr, Kirkland, WA 98033
- Hours:
- Park grounds: Open year-round, sunrise to sunset
- Discovery Center: Wednesdays-Sundays, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Farmers Markets
Immerse yourselves in the sights, sounds, and tastes of summer at a local farmers market. Many markets offer kid-friendly activities like face painting or live music, making it a fun and educational outing for the whole family. Sample delicious local produce, let your kids pick out a fresh bouquet of flowers, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.
University District Farmers Market
- Location: University Way NE between 50th St. and 52nd St.
- Days and Times: Saturdays, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
West Seattle Farmers Market
- Location: California Ave SW between SW Junction St. and SW Alaska St.
- Days and Times: Sundays, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Capitol Hill Farmers Market
- Location: Broadway between E Pike St. and E Denny Way
- Days and Times:
- Sundays, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Tuesdays (starting June 18th), 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Columbia City Farmers Market
- Location: St. Louis Ave. between S. Alaska St. and Rainier Ave. S.
- Days and Times: Wednesdays (starting June 19th), opening date to be announced
Lake City Farmers Market
- Location: Lake City Way NE between 85th St. and 87th St.
- Days and Times: Thursdays (starting June 13th), opening date to be announced
Phinney Farmers Market
- Location: Phinney Ave N between N 65th St. and N 67th St.
- Days and Times: Fridays (starting June 7th), opening date to be announced
Magnolia Farmers Market
- Location: W. McGraw St. between 23rd Ave W and 24th Ave W.
- Days and Times: Saturdays (starting June 1st), opening date to be announced
Free Movie Nights:
“Movies at the Mural” is a free outdoor movie series held annually at Seattle Center’s Mural Amphitheatre. The confirmed movie lineup for Summer 2026 includes:
- Wonka | Jul 24
- The Princess Bride | Jul 31
- Hamilton | Aug 7
- Coco | Aug 14
- Masters of the Universe | Aug 21
Movies begin at dusk (about 9pm) Fridays in late July and August. Each feature is preceded by a short film by students at Cornish College for the Arts at Seattle University and alumni of the UW Professional & Continuing Education’s (PCE) Film & Video Production certificate program.
For more details, you can visit the Movies at the Mural page.
AND
Center City Cinema 2026
Bring your own blankets and lawn chairs to a dozen different parks across the city for 26 outdoor movie nights from Seattle Parks and Recreation’s Movies in the Park program.
On select nights in September at 6:30 p.m., the parks department will host a movie marathon of the “Hunger Games” across five parks.
- “The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” — Sept. 2 at Bill Wright Golf Course
- “The Hunger Games” — Sept. 9 at Gas Works Park
- “Catching Fire” Sept. 16 at Lincoln Park, Ballfield 3
- “Mockingjay — Part 1” — Sept. 23 at West Hill, Woodland Park (just north of the parking lot from North 50th Street)
- “Mockingjay — Part 2” — Sept. 24 at Magnuson Park, Hangar 30
KeyBank Movies at Marymoor Park
At this 22nd annual summer outdoor movie series, you can count on large screens, food trucks and entertainment.
- “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986) — July 8
- “Mama Mia” (2008) — July 15
- “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” (2017) — July 22
- “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” (2003) — July 29
- “Jurassic Park” (1993) — Aug. 5
- “Top Gun: Maverick” (2022) — Aug. 12
- “The Incredibles” (2004) — Aug. 18
- “The Princess Bride” (1987) — Aug. 26
Free Museum Days
Many museums in Seattle offer free admission days or discounted rates for families. Check their websites to plan your visit and expose your children to art, history, and science in a fun and engaging way.
Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI)
https://mohai.org/
- Location: 860 Terry Ave N
- Hours: Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Free First Thursday hours are 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- MOHAI’s permanent exhibits on Seattle’s history and maritime heritage are always captivating. Explore the Bezos Center for Innovation for free, while some special exhibits require additional tickets.
Museum of Flight
https://www.museumofflight.org/visit/hours-and-admission
- Location: 9404 E Marginal Way S, Tukwila
- Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; Free first Thursday hours 5:00 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Calling all aviation and space enthusiasts! The Museum of Flight offers a thrilling journey through aerospace history. Enjoy free admission from 5-9 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month. (Bonus: Parking is always free!)
Seattle Art Museum (SAM)
https://seattleartmuseum.org/
- Location: 1300 1st Ave
- Hours: Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday
- Free first-Thursday tickets grant access to the permanent collection and special exhibitions. SAM is always free for kids 14 and under, offers discounts for teens and students, and free admission for seniors on First Fridays.
Burke Museum
https://www.burkemuseum.org/
- Location: 4300 15th Ave. N.E. (UW campus)
- Hours: Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Delve into Washington’s rich history and culture through the Burke Museum’s new galleries and exhibits.
National Nordic Museum
https://nordicmuseum.org/
- Location: 2655 NW Market St., Ballard
- Hours: Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday
- Immerse yourself in 12,000 years of history at the National Nordic Museum. Free admission is offered on first Thursdays (last entry at 4 p.m.; ticket required). Explore the permanent galleries for free, with special exhibits accessible for a $5 ticket. Learn about the unique history of people from Scandinavian lands who settled in the Pacific Northwest.
Other Free Admission Days
- Seattle Asian Art Museum: Free admission on the last Friday of the month. Children 14 and under are free all the time. https://seattleartmuseum.org/visit/asian-art-museum
- Washington State History Museum, Tacoma: Free admission from 3 to 8 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. https://www.washingtonhistory.org/
- Henry Art Gallery: Free admission for educators, students, children, and UW staff. All others may enter with a donation of $0-20 (Open Saturday and Sunday only). https://henryart.org/
- Seattle Japanese Garden: Free admission on the first Thursday of each month. The usual admission charge is $8 for adults, $4 for seniors and kids 6-17; free for kids 5 and under. https://www.seattlejapanesegarden.org/location-and-hours
- Hibulb Cultural Center: Free admission on the first Thursday of each month; otherwise $10 for adults, $7 for seniors, $6 for students and military veterans, and free for kids under 5. There’s also a $25 family admission rate, and museum members and Tulalip tribal members get in for free. https://www.hibulbculturalcenter.org/
Free Fun Around Town:
Seattle offers a surprising abundance of free or almost-free activities to keep your kids entertained throughout the summer.
- Library Adventures: Local libraries are a treasure trove of summer fun! Story time sessions, educational workshops, and movie nights provide engaging activities that won’t break the bank. Many libraries also offer free passes to local museums and attractions, maximizing your summer adventures. Click here to check the story time calendar.
Remember:
Sun protection is crucial during Seattle’s sunny summer days. Pack sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses for your outdoor adventures. Don’t forget a refillable water bottle to keep everyone hydrated throughout the day.
With a little planning and creativity, you can create a summer filled with memorable experiences for your kids without breaking the bank. Get out there, explore Seattle’s hidden gems, and make the most of this beautiful season!
