While looking for February pics, I came across this one—taken during the pandemic when we painted rocks while stuck at home. We'd leave them in front of our house for anyone walking by to take as a way of connecting when we couldn't be together. Messages ebbed and flowed from hope and kindness to advocacy and lots and lots of love.
It also reminded me how grateful I am to be back celebrating together. So, with that, here are lots of things to do this month for kids and families. Plus even a handful of ideas for getting a jump on summer planning.
EVENTS
One-time events, listed chronologically.
- Lunar New Year Celebration / Friday, February 3rd—11:50am-12:40pm Hiawatha Playfield, 2700 California Ave SW
- Chinese New Year Lantern Festival / Sunday, February 5th—1-4pm
Seattle Chinese Garden @South Seattle College, 5640 16th Avenue SW
Come celebrate the Year of the Rabbit with a full line of up family-friendly activities at one of my favorite hidden gems in West Seattle. - Jewish Story Hour@the High Point Library / Sunday, February 5th—3pm
3411 SW Raymond
Join us for a children’s story time at the library and learn about tu bishvat – the birthday of the trees! - Free Tiny Movers Class at Mode Music / Thursday, February 9th—12:20-1:15pm
Chance to check out their movement and dance class for ages 2-4 and their grown-ups for free. - West Seattle Art Walk / Thursday, February 9th—5-9PM
Explore art throughout the Junction on the second Thursday of every month. Visit their website for more info. - Mode Music All-Ages Open Mic / Thursday, February 9th@8pm
Skylark West Seattle, 3803 Delridge Way SW
Join in on celebrating Black History Month with Mode Music Studios' all-ages open mic night at the Skylark West Seattle. - Family Reading Time@Paperboat Booksellers / Saturday, February 11th & 18th—11am-noon
6040 California Ave SW, Suite A
Join for a special Family Reading Time in celebration of Black History Month with the middle schoolers from Explorer West! - Hearts at the Nest / Saturday, February 11th—1-3pm
The Heron's Nest, 4818 Puget Way SW
Celebrate love with a variety of arts and crafts activities—cards, suncatchers, candles, ornaments and fairy hair sparkles. All-ages, free. - Women in Entrepreneurship Meetup / Monday, February 13—7:30-9:30
Work & Play Lounge, 4700 42nd Ave SW Suite 535 Seattle, WA 98116
Free event for West Seattle female entrepreneurs. Hosted by Sensa Play Rentals, Pearsall Properties, Work and Play Lounge, and the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce. Register here. - Great Backyard Bird Count—President's Day Weekend
- Seattle Parks and Rec events. Free, no pre-registration required.
- Westcrest Park / Friday, February 17th— 3-4:30 pm
Meet at the picnic tables near the P-patch. - Camp Long / Saturday, February 18th—10-11:30am
- Bird Fest (Burien) / February 18—10AM – 2PM
Registration required. - Your backyard
- Winter Evening Beach Walk with Seattle Aquarium Naturalists / Saturday, February 18th—8-10pm
Charles Richey Sr Viewpoint
Meet beach naturalists near the Seattle Aquarium canopy, located at the corner of 63rd Ave. SW and Beach Dr. SW. Free event.
WSHS Chinese students will be putting on a Lunar New Year event. They will do lion dances and a dragon dance with drumming. They will be sharing their Chinese calligraphy and some small sweets to share for a sweet New Year. The community is welcome!
ONGOING
Recurring/Weekly/Multiple events. Listed alphabetically.
Check out these awesome adventures around the peninsula and beyond.
Recurring/Weekly/Multiple events. Listed alphabetically.
- Free Drop-in Tot Gyms
- High Point Community Center / 6920 34th Ave SW
January 3rd-March 30th—Tuesdays & Thursdays 10am-12:30pm
Ages 5 and under. Open play time with all sorts of toys in the gym. Parent/guardian must stay with their kiddo/s. More details here. - Salvation Army Seattle Community Center White Center / 9050 16th AVE SW
Monday thru Friday—3:30pm-5pm starting January 23rd
Playtime for ages 2-6 years old. Parent supervision is required. More details here. - Stay 'N Play at Arbor Heights Church / 4113 SW 102nd Street
Fridays—10-11:30am
Indoor play gym for kiddos 5 and under. More details here. - Indoor options for rainy days
Here's my post from last November that includes oodles of options, listed by age (babies, preschool, K-5 and tween/teens. - Late Night for Teens@High Point Community Center
Fridays 7:30-Midnight. Ages 13-19
Recreation-based program with a focus on positive teen interactions and engagement where all teens are welcome. Dinner is provided each night. FREE - Library Programs—Story times & Events
Seattle Public Library is still only hosting online story times but King County Libraries have several in-person story times and events for kids, tweens and teens. Closest KCLS from West Seattle with programming are White Center, Burien and Boulevard Park. Search the calendar by location and/or ages. - Meeples Games
3727 California Ave SW, Suite 2B Weekly—family game nights, Pokemon training camps, D&D and more - Open Gym Basketball at High Point Community Center
Free pick-up basketball games for ages 17 and under.
1/3-3/31: M/Tu/Th/F 3:30-5PM
1/4-3/29: Wednesday 2-5PM - Parkour classes@Hiawatha Added 1/4/23
Hiawatha Playfield, 2700 California Ave SW - Tuesdays: 4pm Young Kids • 5:15pm Kids • 6:45pm Teens
- Wednesdays: 2:30pm Young Kids • 3:45pm Kids • 5:15pm Teens
- Thursdays: 4pm Young Kids • 5:15pm Youth • 6:45pm Teens
- 12 week session (Jan-Mar) for $348
- Visit website for dates, registration and payment.
- Open Play at Outer Space Seattle
2820 Alki Ave SW #2 - Teen Sundays@High Point Community Center
Sundays (January 8th-March 26th) / Noon-6PM
Ages 12-19. Calling all neighborhood teens! This day is for you. We’ll play a lot of basketball, and those that attend will be able to set the agenda for the day. Options can include video gaming, volleyball, dodgeball, floor hockey and the like. Come with friends or come and make friends. FREE - The Missing Piece
9456 35th Ave SW
Weekly—Scrabble, cooperative games, D&D, crafting and creativity and more. - West Seattle Farmers Market / Sundays 10AM-2PM
Year-round event in the Alaska Junction.
- Giving back—ways to volunteer
A post I did a while ago about options for volunteering in West Seattle. - Ideas for winter birthdays
A post I did with indoor and outdoor options for hosting a party this time of year.
Check out these awesome adventures around the peninsula and beyond.
- Grab your binoculars and watch for whales from shore.
- Take a day trip to Des Moines or Vashon.
- Discover new and go-to spots around West Seattle.
- Step into fun on these stairway adventures, including the highest one right here in West Seattle.
- Explore nature through a variety of tree walks in West Seattle and all around the city.
Multiple options:
- Seattle Parks and Rec
Winter programs and registration opened December 6 at noon. Brochure available here.
Variety of classes (sports, art, dance, music, etc) and one time events happening at Delridge, High Point and Hiawatha community centers. - Upcoming Registration Dates
- February 7th
- Winter Activities (Term 3) — Amy Yee Tennis Center
- Spring Activities (Term 1) — Spring Sports, Volleyball, Track and Field
- March 7th
- Winter Activities (Term 2) — Aquatics, Amy Yee Tennis Center, Community Centers, Lifelong Recreation, Citywide Athletics, Boating, and Specialized Programs
- Summer Camps (Term 1) Specialized Programs
- April 4th
- Summer Activities (Term 2) — Seasonal Outdoor Pools, Summer Swim League, Boating, Sports Leagues
- April 18th
- Summer Day Camps (Term 3) — Day Camps, Activity Camps, Preschool Camps, Nature Day Camps
- CraftLab Seattle
Mobile location—comes to your house, a park or TBD location of your choice.
Upcycling crafting activities and offers classes, birthday parties and other events for kids or adults. Holiday-themed classes now available. - Curious Kidstuff
4740 California Ave SW
Variety of classes on Mondays and Fridays. $12/child, each day. Ages 18 months+.
Also offering birthday parties packages again with teacher-led arts and crafts. - West Seattle Art Nest
2903 SW Cambridge Street - Toddler Time/Messy Play Date: March 3-April 7—10:30-11:30am
- School Age classes: variety of days and options
Music:
- Sunshine Music Together
Fauntleroy Schoolhouse / 9131 California Ave SW
Ages: 0-5 and 5-8 - For more options see my post about Music from last spring.
Sports:
Registration for several winter sports is now open and planning for spring is coming up. Check out my post all about when and where to play sports locally throughout the year.
Swimming:
All options are now indoors.
- Southwest Pool
2801 SW Thistle Street (inside the Southwest Teen Life Center) - Public Swim
Tuesday & Thursday / 7-8pm
Saturday / 12:15-1:15pm - For schedule, fees and more info click here.
- Registration for winter classes (Jan-Apr).
- YMCA—West Seattle (Membership-based but offers lessons to non-members too.)
Swim lessons and open swims. - West Seattle Health Club (Membership-based but some lessons available to non-members.)
- General pool information—open swims, lessons, birthday parties.
- Lessons through club
- Lessons through British Swim School
- Evergreen Aquatic Center (Closed Nov 28-Feb 6)
606 SW 116th Street (White Center) - Lap/public swims, water exercise classes and lessons.
- Dive-in movie nights on Saturdays
- Swim lessons registration dates: January: Not yet posted
Hard to think but summer planning has already begun! Have something to share? Let me know.
- Summer Camps@West Seattle Art Nest
- Summer Camps@ModeMusic&Performing Arts
- Seattle Parks and Rec Summer Camps
Upcoming registration dates: - March 7th
- Summer Camps (Term 1) Specialized Programs
- April 4th
- Summer Activities (Term 2) — Seasonal Outdoor Pools, Summer Swim League, Boating, Sports Leagues
- April 18th
- Summer Day Camps (Term 3) — Day Camps, Activity Camps, Preschool Camps, Nature Day Camps
- Summer camps@Pedalheads
Biking camps at South Seattle College. - Tree Walk in Highland Park Neighborhood / Saturday, March 11 at 10 am
Pierre is back for another easy stroll around the Highland Park neighborhood in West Seattle. This walk explores the bountiful urban forest found in an around Westcrest Park as well as delightful canopy in yards and along streets. We will be walking a little over a mile over flat surfaces with a small amount of uphill/downhill travel. Please register here, bring snacks and a full water bottle, and be prepared to be outdoors in whatever weather we find ourselves in.
