The Seattle Children’s Festival offers children and adults the chance to experience other cultures while having a lot of fun. This year, the Festival is happening on September 21st and 22nd at the Seattle Center’s Fisher Pavilion and Armory. You make it a family weekend, filled with laughter and a bit of learning.
The Festival Fun
In its sixth year, the Seattle Children’s Festival offers youth the chance to play, dance, sing, learn and try new things, all while exploring a range of cultures. It celebrates the diverse cultures that make up the vibrant Pacific Northwest community.
Visitors can listen to live music on multiple stages. They can explore plenty of hands-on projects at Discovery Zones or admire the multicultural arts and crafts on display. The kids can burn off some energy by participating in dance workshops. There may even be cooking workshops, where everyone can learn how to fix delicious dishes and give them a try.
This event is part of a year-round program called Our Big Neighborhood, sponsored by Northwest Folklife and the Seattle Center. The program helps introduce children to cultures all around them. The program offers events and activities year-round.
Where to Stay
If you are coming from out of town, why not make your visit to the Children’s Festival a family weekend? You can choose to stay right in Seattle or across Lake Washington in Bellevue. Both areas have a lot to offer. Bellevue is close enough to get there and back without any problems, but far enough to avoid a lot of the hustle and bustle of the center of Seattle.
You can book a room at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue on Seattle’s Eastside for one or two nights. Spend one day at the Festival and plan other activities on the other day. It will be like a mini-vacation after school starts.
Another family-friendly hotel option is Staybridge Suites in Seattle. Be sure to take advantage of their complimentary shuttle, fitness center, and breakfast buffet if you choose Staybridge.
What to Do
Your kids will love the KidsQuest Children’s Museum in Bellevue. This interactive, hands-on museum is open on both Saturday and Sunday. If outside is more what the kids want, stop by the Kelsey Creek Park & Farm. The family can enjoy time with the animals, then take a walk on one of the many trails through the woods behind the barns. For a quiet retreat, a visit to the Seattle Japanese garden is in order. You can also watch lovely scenery and enjoy the view of sunset in Seattle.
Where to Eat
Bellevue offers a multitude of family-friendly places to eat. There are many within walking distance of hotels in Bellevue Seattle. You can try Thai, Taiwanese, Vietnamese, Japanese, or American restaurants within blocks of each other. Pizza and fast food are also on the menu.
A visit to the Seattle Children’s Festival is definitely something your kids will love. Make it a weekend to remember with a family vacation, even if it is close to home.
