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

The days are getting longer, and we’re soaking up the sun for every extra minute. It’s opening weekend at Wild Waves, and our ultimate guide has everything you need to know to have a blast. If pedaling is more your speed, you can celebrate National Bike Month on any of our favorite paved trails.

While we may not be able to top last weekend’s Northern Lights, our 10 best events are still something to look forward to (and you won’t have to stay up past bedtime for them). Plus, make a plan to head to our playground of the week, a waterfront gem with amazing views.

10 things to do this weekend in Seattle and beyond:

1. Fjord horses will be trotting through Ballard for the 17th of May Parade — one of the largest Syttende Mai celebrations outside of Norway (Friday).
2. Climb aboard a research vessel and play aquatic scientist for the day at the Aquatic Sciences Open House. You’ll see free science demonstrations, underwater robotics and sea critters (Saturday).
3. It’s a bird! No, it’s a plane! The free Paine Field Community Day is finally back, where your flight-obsessed kids can meet local pilots and see amazing aircraft displays (Saturday).
4. Won’t you be my neighbor? One Seattle Day of Service invites everyone to volunteer for the day, helping their neighbors and beautifying their neighborhoods (Saturday).
5. Buzz on over to West Seattle for the charming Bee Festival to see a beehive demonstration and try line dancing. Go early for the Bee Walk and Buzz Run (Saturday).
6. Sing, “Hey dirt, see you later!” as you operate a real excavator at Dozer Day Seattle, a ticketed event that benefits charities (Saturday).
7. Grab your Discover Pass and head to Kids to Parks Day at Saint Edward State Park for exciting games and scavenger hunts. Log more outside hours by walking the forest trails and hitting the playground (Saturday).
8. No cars allowed: It’s the season opening of Bicycle Weekends on Lake Washington Boulevard, so the whole family can easily bike or walk a stretch of the boulevard. (Saturday–Sunday).
9. Come one, come all to the Lacey Spring Fun Fair for free rides, live performances and a circus train. Catch the S.T.E.M. Fair on Saturday or the car show on Sunday (Saturday–Sunday).
10. Life is but a dream at the Kenmore Waterfront Fair, where you can row, row, row a kayak, canoe or dragon boat for free (Sunday).

More things to do this weekend:

• Pick up some summer blooms at these Seattle flower farms.
• Spend the day at our favorite local amusement park (and check out the new arcade!).
• Breathe in the fresh air and sense of calm at Kubota Garden in Seattle.

Our family fun calendar features great community events — every day of the year!