8 Fun (and COVID-Safe) Activities for Kids in West Seattle This Summer

The summer of 2021 will be a unique one, no question. After missing all our favorite summer activities last year, the wide world—West Seattle included—should start returning to some semblance of normal in the coming weeks and months. With the prospect of a summer beyond quarantine, you and your kids are probably champing at the bit to find some fun outside the house. Your family may already have a long list of things you’ve been aching to do since last spring, but in case you don’t—or want a few more suggestions—here are our top picks for things to do with kids in West Seattle this summer.

1. Alki Beach

A day at the beach is one of the first things that comes to mind when most people hear a phrase like “summer fun.” And here in West Seattle, a wonderful day of sun, sand, and surf is right around the corner.  Beautiful Alki Beach stretches from 64th Place SW to Duwamish Head on Elliott Bay and offers all the usual means of enjoyment on the seashore. Swim, stroll, sunbathe, or bring your kayak and enjoy the cool, blue waters of Puget Sound. They even have beach volleyball courts if you want to get some games in with the family, though you’ll have to reserve them ahead of time.

2. Alki Point Lighthouse

Looking for something a little less sandy and a little more historical? Or maybe something to do with the kids as part of your beach day? Then check out the Alki Point Lighthouse right by the beach. Located on the spot where a local man supposedly hung the first lantern to warn ships of the shoals in the late 1800s, this functioning, automated lighthouse is open to the public. Tours, provided by members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, are currently unavailable, though that may change as the summer goes on, so check their website if you’re interested. But it’s still a lovely spot with great views the whole family can take in.

3. Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center

So the lighthouse is a great spot to consider the post-colonial history of West Seattle, but what about the history of the area prior to that? You and your kids might enjoy the fascinating history of the Native Americans who lived at the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center site for generations. While the events calendar for this important institution is blank for the foreseeable future, you and the kids can enjoy the museum—maybe with a stop at the gift shop—and learn the fascinating history of the people who’ve lived in West Seattle since before the Ice Age.

4. Farmers Market

There are endless wonderful things about being a parent, but trying to get your kids to eat healthily—or, better yet, to want to eat healthily—is rarely one of them. So how about turning the process of finding fresh, tasty, all-natural ingredients into an adventure for the whole family? A trip to the West Seattle Farmers Market (Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) turns grocery shopping into a fun little trip to plan and pick out what to enjoy at the next family meal. You can even order online ahead of time for pickup to get the essentials taken care of and save extra time for relaxed browsing.

5. Seattle Public Library West Seattle Branch

Whether your kids already love to read or you’re hoping to spark a passion for the written word, the library is a great place to start. The Seattle Public Library system has several locations throughout the area, including one right here in West Seattle. Renovated in 2004 and featuring a dedicated children’s area, this is a great place to get your youngsters interested in books. At the moment, they’re only offering digital services—including a weekly virtual children’s reading time at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesdays—but keep an eye on the Building Service Updates. We hope the West Seattle branch’s doors will reopen before too long.

6. Water Taxi

This may sound more like a way to get to different activities for kids in West Seattle, but hear us out. The King County Water Taxi system, including its West Seattle route, is more than just a way to get around the metro area. It’s an easy—and affordable—way to see the city from the water. Breathe in that fresh, salty sea air and take in the spectacular views of Seattle aboard one of the high-tech, biofuel-powered water taxis that criss-cross the city’s waterways.

7. Admiral Theatre

Basking in the sunshine is always an upside of summer, but sometimes you just want to sit in a nice, dark theater and enjoy the magic of the movies. Built in 1942, the Historic Admiral Theatre is the perfect place to see a summer blockbuster with the kids right here in West Seattle. Certified CinemaSafe, you can return to this theater with confidence that you can safely take in the thrills of the big screen. And on Friday mornings, they offer “Mommy Matinees” specifically for parents, grandparents, and caregivers to see films with their young children.

8. Seattle Chinese Garden

For something a little different, check out the meticulously and beautifully landscaped Seattle Chinese Garden. Come see the magnificent architecture, design, and plant life of a traditional Sichuan-style Chinese garden. It’s also a cultural center where you and your kids can learn about Chinese culture and traditions in an authentic setting. They already have a full calendar of outdoor–and COVID-safe–events for the coming summer, so start marking your planner with all the fun ways your family can experience this invaluable and beautiful cultural institution.

Get Out There and Have Fun!

We strongly encourage you to think of this list of activities as a starting point and not a complete list of exciting things to do with your youngsters. After all, there’s lots to do in West Seattle, especially in the coming sunny months. And after more than a year of feeling cooped up and shut in, you and yours more than deserve to enjoy the summer.