Getting out!

For new or even the most seasoned of parents, it can be challenging to get out of the house with your young kids.  It feels so overwhelming.  You have to pack up whatever supplies might be needed while you are out.  Diapers for each kid, wipes, a clean outfit for each kid, pacifiers, burp cloths, special toys or distractions, snacks, etc etc.  You have to somehow manage to get yourself ready while the baby... sleeps, plays, cries or all of the above?  And don't forget about the older kid who is... crying, playing, eating, misbehaving, jumping on the furniture, or all of the above?  Then you've got to load the kids into their car seats and get going.  Wait, hold up!   Baby spit up all over you so now you have to change your shirt.  Older kid is crying because now they are all alone in the car.  You get the idea.  It can be daunting and tiring and sometimes you'd rather just skip the fuss and stay home in your pajamas.  

But it's good to get out.  Usually.  And there are lots of places to go.  But if you are like me, sometimes you just have no idea where to go or what to do.  You need to get out, get some fresh air with the kids and pass the time with them in a new environment, but you don't know where to go.  You certainly can't meet your girlfriend for lunch downtown with your kids in tow.   But there are tons of places you can go and things you CAN do.   For my Seattle readers, here is my ever-expanding list of easy places you can get out with your children.  

Parks
Click on this link to see a comprehensive list of parks in Seattle with play areas and/or wading pools (or spray grounds) for kids.  If you want to search for other features, you can check out this page and select the things you are looking for.

If you are in West Seattle, I particularly like the Tot Lot in the Puget Ridge Neighborhood.  It's a playground built specifically for toddlers and the small park is completely fenced so your kids can run free.

Coffee shops
There are several coffee shops located throughout Seattle with play areas for kids.  Here's a list of some of them.  And for a few more, including places beyond Seattle, check out this page.    

Another personal favorite not listed on either of the above sites is Q cafe in Interbay.  It's central for meeting up with friends, the cafe space is huge, and the parents room has a door so you can shut yourself in with your kids and relax.  I admit that I helped create the parents room so it's a little self-serving to list it here!  But I do think the space is cool.  We included an adult table, a comfortable chair for nursing and magazines for browsing, plus all the fun stuff for your kids (coloring, magna doodles, puppets, cars, books, you name it).  The space is cleaned everyday and there is hand sanitizer and anti-bacterial wipes on a high shelf for parents to use if needed.  

Indoor Play Areas
The rainy months make it tough to get outdoors with your little ones.  I am a weekly visitor to the Toddler Indoor Play Areas at the Seattle neighborhood community centers.  Check out this page to find one near you.  The community centers basically just open up their gymnasium and fill it with all manner of toys for infants-5 years.  Tricycles, cars, slides, bounce areas, you name it.  Your little one can run around, try new things, interact with other kids while you watch from the sidelines.  And most of them have mats where you can hang with your baby and entertain them with toys while your older one runs wild.   The cost is $2/visit.  You can buy a punch card for 12 visits for $20.  Here's a picture of Gryffin last week at one of the Toddler Gyms.  

Those are the rounds I make on a regular basis that are easy and cheap, if not free.  If you've got some money to spend, here are some other local options, depending on the age of your kids.   All of these prices might vary so be sure to check the actual sites for current prices.  Most offer discounts for grandparents, military, groups, etc.

• Seattle Aquarium - Adults $17, Kids $11, 3 & under are free
• Children's Museum - $7.50 for adults and kids, infants under 1 are free.  Yearly membership for the family an excellent deal.  
• Woodland Park Zoo - prices vary depending on season
• Museum of Flight - Kids 4 & under are free, Adults $15
• Seattle YMCA - one of my favorites.  Monthly fee based on your family.  You get 1.5 hours of free childcare per day while you work out and/or relax in the steam room, hot tub, etc.  We are currently at the Y about 4-5 per week. 

And this is just scratching the surface.  If you've got a favorite haunt with your kids, leave it in the comment section and I'll add it to the list.