ParentMap

An awesome new bilingual exhibit just opened at Seattle’s @pacsci, and it’s packed with hands-on activities that’ll get your whole family moving, learning and laughing! 🧠✨ Our Family Fun Editor, @mcharaba, recently visited the new “Brainy Bodies” exhibit and loved how the interactive features make STEM learning fun and engaging for all ages. Kids will love seeing their skeleton come to life on-screen by dancing in front of a camera, showing how their bodies move in real time. Next, they can hop on a stationary bike that powers an inflatable tube person, revealing how the brain-body feedback loop works. At the sound station, they’ll discover why their brain tunes in to certain sounds, like their name, while filtering out background noise. After exploring the fascinating connections between the brain and body, stick around for PacSci’s other fun attractions, like the Tropical Butterfly House and the immersive Planetarium. To plan your visit, click the 🔗 in bio for Meredith’s full guide! After exploring the fascinating connections between the brain and body, stick around for PacSci’s other fun attractions, like the Tropical Butterfly House and the immersive Planetarium. To plan your visit, click the 🔗 in bio for Meredith’s full guide! - 🎥 and ✍️: @mcharaba #kidscience #pacificsciencecenter #pnwkids #seattleparent #neuroscience

Hey North Sound families! A brand-new indoor play space and café just opened in Everett, Washington, and it’s absolutely adorable. 🐼 @littlepandasplaycafe is bursting with fun for kids and offers a perfect spot for parents to unwind. Our Family Fun Editor, @mcharaba, stopped by to get all the details so you can plan the ultimate cozy outing. With nine exciting attractions for kids ages 0–6 — like climbing walls, slides and imaginative play zones (including a mini supermarket) — your little one will stay entertained long enough for you to actually finish your coffee! Even the tiniest tots have options like sensory boards and a squishy mini slide! And the best part? The café! Indulge in flaky pastries and a warm cup of joe while the kiddos burn off all their energy. ☕🥐 For all the insider tips and to plan your visit, check out Meredith’s full guide 🔗’d in bio! - 🎥 and ✍️: @mcharaba #pnwkids #seattlekids #indoorplayground #pnwmom #seattlemom

We’ve rounded up the best ice-skating rinks across Seattle, the Eastside and Tacoma — from festive outdoor spots to cozy indoor arenas. These rinks promise frosty fun for everyone! ✨ Highlights include: 1️⃣ Bellevue Downtown Ice Rink, Bellevue: The Eastside’s largest holiday rink, with hot drinks and snacks to keep you warm! ☕️❄️ 🗓️: Nov. 15–Jan. 12 2️⃣ Ice Lights at Sprinker Recreation Center, Tacoma: Skate beneath 350,000 twinkling lights and a towering 20-foot Christmas tree. Ice bumper cars are currently sold out during Ice Lights but will be available for booking again year-round starting Jan. 4. 🎄✨ 🗓️: Nov. 29–Jan. 4 3️⃣ Lights & Ice, Tulalip: Located in Quil Ceda Village, this seasonal outdoor rink offers the chance to skate and meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus, Buddy the Elf and the Grinch on select dates.🎅🌟 🗓️: Nov. 23–Jan. 12 4️⃣ Kraken Community Iceplex, Seattle: Skate like the pros at the Kraken’s official practice rink! This year-round venue offers everything from public skating and lessons to family skate sessions and tot play hours. 🏒⛸️ 5️⃣ Kent Valley Ice Centre, Kent: This year-round rink offers all kinds of fun on the ice, including public ice-skating, learn-to-skate programs, youth hockey, stick-and-puck sessions and more! 🤩🙌🏻 To see our full list of 16 must-visit ice-skating rinks across Greater Seattle, click the 🔗 in bio! - 🎥: @devonmhammer #iceskating #icebumpercars #winterbreak #holidayfun #iceskatingrink

Get ready for a holiday adventure straight out of a winter wonderland! @enchantsea is back in Seattle, lighting up @tmobilepark with 80,000 square feet of twinkling lights, a magical interactive maze, ice skating, Santa photos and so much more. Our Family Fun Editor, @mcharaba, got the inside scoop on this festive extravaganza and had the best time with her daughter! 🎄❄️✨ Planning a visit to Enchant? Here’s what families need to know: Family four-pack tickets are available for a discounted rate, or enjoy a free kid ticket with adult admission on special kids nights, Dec. 3, 4 and 10 (while supplies last). Dress warmly, arrive during your timed ticket window and plan a few hours to explore everything. Leave strollers behind — they’re not allowed in the maze — and bring a baby carrier instead. All bags must be clear and under 12” x 12” x 6”. Activities with an extra fee include ice skating, ferris wheel rides, food and drinks, and shopping. For Meredith’s full guide to Enchant Christmas, click the 🔗 in bio! - 🎥 and ✍️: @mcharaba #enchantseattle #holidaylights #pnwchristmas #iceskating #seattlemom

Seattle’s dumpling game is strong — perfect for families and foodies alike! 🥟✨ From slurp-worthy soup dumplings to crispy golden potstickers, here’s where to find the best of them all. Highlights include: ➡️ @supremedumplings’ chicken and truffle soup dumplings ➡️ @dintaifungusa’s spicy shrimp and pork wontons ➡️ Momo King’s butter momos Whether you’re craving steamed, pan-fried, veggie-packed or spicy options, Greater Seattle has the perfect dumplings to satisfy every appetite! For the full scoop on where to find the best dumplings around Puget Sound, click the 🔗 in bio! - 🎥: @devonmhammer, @awsutcliffe and @mcharaba ✍🏻: @gemmadee2003 #seattlefoodie #seattledumpling #dumplings #seattlerestaurants #seattlemom

Traveling with kids just got a lot more fun! Did you know there’s a treasure trove of kid-friendly spots at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport? ✈️🤩 Seattle mom @mamabearintheair did a deep dive into everything @flysea has to offer for little travelers — from a kid-sized play zone in concourse A to the viral Swedish candy at Seattle’s ultimate candy store, @theconfectionery. Whether you’re waiting for a connecting flight or have time to burn before boarding, we’ve got the full scoop on all the best places to eat, play, shop and relax with your travel crew. For our full guide to SEA airport activities for families, click the 🔗 in bio! - 🎥 and ✍️: @mamabearintheair #flysea #seattleairport #travelingwithkids #traveltips #pnwmom

It’s not too late to roll back the phone-based childhood. In our ParentEd Talk kickoff with “The Anxious Generation” author @jonathanhaidt, Haidt shared four essential social norms that parents, educators and policymakers must come together to support in order to reclaim childhood. 1️⃣ No smartphones before high school 2️⃣ No social media before the age of 16 3️⃣ Phone-free schools 4️⃣ More independence, free play and responsibility in the real world Want to hear more from Haidt’s talk? Join ParentMap for our monthly ParentEd Talk webinars, featuring Q&As with 12 expert parenting speakers. Register for the series to access every live talk, plus receive the exclusive recording of Haidt’s October talk. Our November talks feature Dr. Alok Kanojia, cofounder of @healthygamer_gg, and Delaney Ruston, the filmmaker behind the groundbreaking @screenagersmovies documentaries. See the full lineup and get your season pass at ParentMapcom/talks (🔗 in bio!). - #jonathanhaidt #mentalhealth #podcastclips #parentingtips #webinar

An out-of-this-world exhibit has landed at Seattle’s @museumofflight, and it’s next-level cool! ! 🚀✨ The newly expanded “Home Beyond Earth” exhibit takes you on an epic journey through the past, present and future of space exploration. Our Family Fun Editor, @mcharaba, recently visited and got all the details on this extraterrestrial update. The exhibit features the brand-new TESSERAE Space Habitat Pavilion, where you can step inside a life-size space station module and see what living in space would be like! Plus, kids will love creating their own avatars and making fun choices about their lives in space — everything from jobs to hobbies. “Home Beyond Earth” runs through Jan. 20, but the TESSERAE module is only open until Jan. 12, 2025. 🪐 Planning a visit to The Museum of Flight? Click the link in bio for Meredith’s full review of the museum! - 🎥 and ✍️: @mcharaba #museumofflight #outerspace #pnwkids #pnwfamily #explorewashington

Lace up those hiking boots and get ready for all the fall feels! 🍁 These Puget Sound trails are dishing out some serious autumn colors and are perfect for the whole family. From vibrant national forests to cozy creekside paths, don’t skip this epic seasonal adventure. Our list includes: 1️⃣ Lake Ann, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest 2️⃣ Lord Hill Regional Park, Snohomish 3️⃣ Swan Creek Park, Tacoma 4️⃣ Cedar River Trail, Renton to Landsburg 5️⃣ Twin Falls, North Bend 6️⃣ Wright Park, Tacoma For the full list of the best kid-friendly fall hikes near Seattle, click the 🔗 in bio! - 🎥: @mcharaba, @devonmhammer and @kathryn_mueller #fallhikes #fallfoilage #visitseattle #pnwhikes #outdoorkids

A hidden-gem indoor play spot just landed in Bellevue, and it’s epic! 🎉🌈 @twinklelandplaycafe, tucked away in the Lake Hills neighborhood, is bringing next-level fun to the Eastside. Our Family Fun Editor, @mcharaba, stopped by recently and loved it — and we’ve got all the insider details you need. The playground includes a massive ball pit, giant slides, tunnels, trampolines and more for kids to get all their wiggles out. For little creators, the DIY zone offers craft options, like fossil dig kits, Lego-style bricks and magical wish jars. And if that’s not enough, the arcade is packed with the latest games, while the cafe serves up sweet treats including crepes, ice cream and milkshakes.🍨 Looking for more awesome indoor playgrounds in Greater Seattle? Check out our roundup of 25+ spots, 🔗 in bio! - 🎥: @mcharaba ✍🏻: @suitcasesinseattle and @mcharaba #pnwkids #seattlekids #indoorplayground #seattlemom #pnwmom

The wait is finally over! The brand-new Ocean Pavilion at the @seattleaquarium is now open, bringing the wonders of the Indo-Pacific and Coral Triangle to the PNW. 🐙🦈 Our Family Fun Editor, @mcharaba, got an exclusive first look at this aquatic wonderland, and she’s spilling all the exciting details! Dive into The Reef exhibit for an up-close encounter with Indo-Pacific sharks and spotted eagle rays, and take a thrilling journey through the Coral Reef Encounter tunnel, where you feel like you’ve been transported deep beneath the ocean. Together, the Pavilion showcases how all waters are interconnected and highlights the importance of protecting Earth’s one ocean. . 🌎 To see Meredith’s full review of the Ocean Pavilion, click the 🔗 in bio! - 🎥 and ✍️: @mcharaba #seattleaquarium #aquarium #oceanpavilion #exploreseattle #grandopening #seattleparents #seattlemom #marinelife

Seattle’s not just about rain, coffee, and tech — it’s also a haven for beer lovers and wine enthusiasts, and guess what? The kids are invited too! Unlike bars, which aren’t allowed to seat minors, breweries, cideries and wineries have no age restrictions (and they take full advantage of this). 🍺🌟 We’ve compiled a list of 10+ spots across greater Puget Sound where you can raise a glass to family time. From retro video game consoles at @locustcider to the awesome outdoor space at @drinkmillhaus in Eatonville, these kid-approved spots are guaranteed to serve up a good time. To see our full list, click the 🔗 in bio! - 🎥: @mcharaba , awsutcliffe and @devonmhammer ✍🏻: @kate.missi #seattlebreweries #seattlecider #seattlemom #seattlekids #outdoorkids #exploreseattle #seattlefoodie #pnwfamily