Family Fun, from A to Z

Looking for fun, simple ways to keep your kids learning and laughing? We've gathered fun ideas for each letter of the alphabet to spark curiosity, creativity, and connection. There's no need to travel far! Your next adventure is just around the corner.

A – Apple Picking or Apple Pie Baking
Visit a local orchard like Bob’s Corn & Pumpkin Farm in Snohomish to pick your own apples, or grab some from a local market and bake a cozy apple pie together.

B – Beach Day
Head to Golden Gardens, Alki Beach, or Richmond Beach Saltwater Park for sandcastles, tide pools, and driftwood forts.

C – Chalk the Sidewalk
Bring out the sidewalk chalk and turn your driveway into an alphabet obstacle course or art gallery.

D – Discovery Park Adventure
Explore Seattle’s largest park—Discovery Park—with trails, a hidden lighthouse, and room to roam.

E – Evergreen Tree Hunt
Washington is the Evergreen State! Walk through Carkeek Park or Seward Park and count how many different evergreen trees you can spot.

F – Ferry Ride
Hop on a Washington State Ferry to Bainbridge Island or Vashon Island and enjoy the breeze and breathtaking views.

G – Garden Scavenger Hunt
Wander the Bellevue Botanical Garden or your neighborhood looking for things that start with different letters.

H – Hike to a Waterfall
Take a family-friendly hike to Twin Falls or Snoqualmie Falls and enjoy the wonder of Washington’s waterfalls.

I – Ice Cream Taste Test
Sample local favorites from Husky Deli, Molly Moon’s, Salt & Straw, or Full Tilt Ice Cream and vote on your favorite flavor.

J – Jump in Puddles
When the Seattle rain hits, gear up and head outside for some joyful jumping in puddles.

K – Kite Flying at Gas Works
Gas Works Park is a perfect spot to run, roll down hills, and fly a kite on a windy day.

L – Library Alphabet Hunt
Visit your local King County Library or Seattle Public Library, and challenge your child to find a book for each letter of the alphabet.

M – Museum Visit
Check out the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI), the Seattle Children’s Museum, or the Museum of Flight, all of which are perfect for hands-on learning.  Bonus: Many Seattle-area museums offer free admission on the first Thursday of each month!

N – Nature Collage
Gather leaves, pinecones, and petals during a walk and create a collage or nature letter art.

O – Outdoor Obstacle Course
Set up a backyard or park obstacle course—jump over sticks, crawl under benches, balance on a log, etc.

P – Pike Place Market Scavenger Hunt
Search for a fish toss, fresh flowers, musicians, and the famous gum wall at Pike Place Market.

Q – Quiet Reading Picnic
Pack books and snacks, find a shady spot at Volunteer Park or Juanita Bay, and enjoy storytime outdoors.

R – Ride the Light Rail
Ride the Link Light Rail to explore a new neighborhood! How many letters can you find on station signs? Kids under 18 ride free!

S – Seattle Center Playground
Let loose at the Artists at Play playground near the Space Needle—it’s big, beautiful, and perfect for all ages.

T – Train Spotting at King Street Station
Watch the trains come and go from King Street Station and pretend you're headed on an epic journey.

U – Underwater Viewing at the Aquarium
Visit the Seattle Aquarium and get up close with sea stars, anemones, and fish in the underwater dome.

V – Volunteer Together
Pick up litter in a neighborhood park or bring food donations to a local food bank—teach kids that kindness starts young.

W – Woodland Park Zoo Adventure
Visit animals from A to Z (Anteaters to Zebras!) at the Woodland Park Zoo.

X – X Marks the Spot Nature Treasure Hunt
Make a treasure map and hide “alphabet treasures” (like small toys or flashcards) in the backyard or park.

Y – YMCA Recreational Swim or Playtime
Join in a Recreational Swim session or swing by Kids Zone at your local YMCA!

Z – Zany Dress-Up Parade
Raid the costume bin, create a silly outfit, and host a backyard or living room parade with music and flair.