The Weekender: Family Fun Ideas for Seattle, the Eastside and South Sound

The second I see sunshine in the forecast, I am ready to head to the water. Lucky for us, there is no shortage of ways to do that this weekend. 

Take, for example, this fantastic one-day itinerary for the Seattle Waterfront. A local mom has all the insider tips for making the most of it with kids, from exploring Pike Place Market to walking down to the pier. 

If you’d rather be in the water this weekend, we have you covered there too! Outdoor pools around Seattle, the Eastside and South Sound are all open for the season. We’ve rounded up the best spots for families, along with tips for your next pool day.

My top 10 weekend events sneak in a few more ways to make the most of our short summers, whether you want to take the ferry to a sandy beach, sample delicious seafood or explore tide pools with naturalists.

Ballard Music & SeafoodFest

Date: Friday–Sunday, July 10–12
Cost: Free
Location: Downtown Ballard, Northwest Market Street and Ballard Avenue Northwest, Seattle 

This annual seafood fest is a sure sign of summer. It kicks off on Friday evening with a block party, complete with music and a few food trucks. Then it’s in full swing on Saturday and Sunday with more live music, dozens of food vendors and incredible activities for kids. Don’t miss the Kids Deck, where you’ll find balloons, bubbles, face painting and more. Huge slides, an obstacle course and more inflatables await over in Kids Cove. 

Jetty Island Days

Date: Friday–Sunday, July 10–12
Cost: $4-$7 per person (ages 2 and younger are free) 
Location: Jetty Island Ferry Launch, 522 10th St., Everett 

My daughter looks forward to a Jetty Island beach day every year, and this is the first weekend of the season that the ferry is running! Book your tickets and get ready to soak up the sun on Puget Sound’s longest sandy beach. Pro tip: Pack plenty of snacks, water, sunscreen and a beach umbrella, as there’s no shade on the island.

Sprinker’s 50th Celebration

Date: Saturday, July 11
Cost: Free
Location: Sprinker Recreation Center, 14824 C St. S., Tacoma

The adventurous playground at Sprinker Recreation Center is one of my daughter’s favorites, but there’s plenty more here for families if you can tear your kids away from climbing and sliding. The rec center is celebrating 50 years of history with indoor and outdoor activities, performances, and food trucks. Try out rock climbing or pickleball, and settle in at the end of a day for a showing of the 1978 classic movie, “Grease.”

Rock the Meadow

Date: Saturday, July 11
Cost: Free
Location: The Meadow, 600 108th Ave. N.E. Bellevue

Take the kids to their first rock show this weekend! There’s a brand-new park in Bellevue, and it’s just perfect for this free outdoor summer concert series. The afternoon kicks off with the Bellevue School of Rock House Band, who might just inspire the kids to pick up an instrument of their own. Then the Sliding Eights take the stage with their mix of rock and blues.

Summer Chalk Art Festival

Date: Saturday, July 11
Cost: Free
Location: Federal Way Performing Arts and Event Center, 31510 Pete von Reichbauer Way S., Federal Way 

All summer long, we keep a box of sidewalk chalk near the front door for sunny days. But our driveway doodles can’t compare to the large-scale murals you’ll find at this incredible outdoor festival. Watch the artists at work, admire their creativity and get inspired to draw your own chalk art in designated zones. Plan for a stop at the nearby farmers market!

Polish Festival Seattle

Date: Saturday, July 11
Cost: Free
Location: Seattle Center Armory, 305 Harrison St., Seattle

Perhaps this is the year I perfect my pierogi-making! This fun, free fest brings Polish traditions to Seattle Center, with hands-on workshops that will have you crafting flower crowns and pierogi. There will also be live performances, kids activities, fascinating exhibits and a special nod to the FIFA World Cup.

Shark in the Park

Date: Sunday, July 12
Cost: Free
Location: Redondo Beach, Redondo Beach Drive South and Redondo Way, Des Moines 

What if I told you a rare deep-sea shark was lurking in the water here? The city of Des Moines is considered the Sixgill Shark Capital of the World, and this festival celebrates the fascinating sharks that have made their home in Puget Sound. Learn more about them while you groove to live music, indulge in local food and explore the beach.

Flavors of India and Ratha Yatra

Date: Sunday, July 12
Cost: Free
Location: Crossroads Park, 999 164th Ave. N.E., Bellevue 

This vibrant celebration of Indian culture and traditions includes a grand chariot procession through Bellevue. Join in the festivities, sample delicious food, and enjoy music and dance performances. There will be special activities for kids, too!

Seattle Aquarium Beach Naturalist Program at Multiple Locations

Date: Sunday, July 12
Cost: Free
Location: Multiple locations

My family recently spent an afternoon exploring the beach during one of the lowest tides of the year, and I could not believe the amazing sea creatures we spotted! There’s another stretch of low-tide days coming up, and Seattle beach naturalists will be at six different beaches on Sunday to help families explore the shore. Keep an eye out for sea slugs (my favorite!) and sea stars.

Multicultural Festival at Auburn Farmers Market

Date: Sunday, July 12
Cost: Free
Location: Les Gove Park, 910 Ninth St. S.E., Auburn

This beloved local farmers market is hosting a fantastic festival this weekend with a cultural fashion show, table displays, entertainment and activities for the whole family. Experience the rich diversity of the city while you shop for local goods. Plus, the Reptile Man will be making an appearance at 11 a.m.

Editor’s note: Each week ParentMap’s family fun editor, Meredith Charaba, updates The Weekender with her favorite weekend activities around Seattle, the Eastside and South Sound. It was originally published years ago and was most recently updated on July 8, 2026. Event dates, times and locations were verified by our editor.