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I’ve always been a strong supporter of letting Dad take the lead on Father’s Day activities. Of course you’ll let him sleep late, shower him with cards and attention, and make him a mammoth breakfast with unlimited bacon. But what if the idea well has run dry or the kids want to plan something special to do on Father’s Day?
I’ve got an array of Father’s Day activities in Seattle for top-shelf dads. Whether he’s a car guy, boat guy, nature guy, music guy, strawberry guy (is that even a thing?), or an easy-to-please guy, you’ll find something here for your Father’s Day weekend family fun.
Happy Father’s Day to all the super dads out there. Cheers to you!
1. Strawberry Festivals
Date and time: Through Sunday, June 16
Cost: Varies by location
Let your dad gobble up the sweet berries and shortcake at not one, but four local strawberry festivals at Swan’s Trail Farms, Biringer Farm, Burien Strawberry Days and Berry Dairy Days — happening over Father’s Day weekend.
2. Meeker Days Arts and Music Festival
Date and time: Friday–Sunday, June 14–16
Cost: Free
This annual arts and music festival held in downtown Puyallup and Pioneer Park has something for the whole fam including inflatables for kids, a car show and beer garden for dad, and food and music for all.
3. Father’s Day Carnival
Date and time: Saturday, June 15, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Drop in and celebrate Dad with carnival games, colorful creations and a crafty card at the WET Science Center in Olympia where you can also learn all about the science of water and keeping Puget Sound healthy.
4. Bell Harbor Rendezvous
Date and time: Saturday–Sunday, June 15–16, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Take Dad to admire the fancy yachts and hop aboard for a tour during Classic Weekend at Bell Harbor Marina. This year, expect to see up to 45 classic yachts!
5. Bicycle Weekends on Lake Washington Boulevard
Date and time: Saturday–Sunday, June 15–16
Cost: Free
Grab your helmets and enjoy a car-free bike ride with Dad along a section of Lake Washington Boulevard during one of Seattle’s Bicycle Weekends. Might we suggest Seward Park for the fantastic views?
6. Olympic Air Show
Date and time: Saturday–Sunday, June 15–16, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Cost: $20 day pass; $35 weekend admission; ages 5 and younger are free
Airplane-loving dad? Inspect all the awesome aircraft and look up to catch the amazing aerobatics performed at a local air show taking place at the Olympia Regional Airport.
7. Father’s Day Weekend Steam Train Ride
Date and time: Saturday–Sunday, June 15–16, 10:30 a.m.–5 p.m. (departure times vary)
Cost: $20–$40; ages 1 and younger are free
All aboard! Northwest Railway Museum brings out its historic steam engine for Father’s Day weekend train excursions featuring amazing views of Snoqualmie Falls; buy your tix online.
8. Father’s Day Train Rides
Date and time: Saturday–Sunday, June 15–16, 11 a.m.–7 p.m. (departure times vary)
Cost: $18–$25 for train rides only; $65 for BBQ and ride; ages 1 and younger are free
Here’s another idea for a Father’s Day train ride with Pops. This one departs from the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad Museum and you can book an excursion that includes a BBQ dinner and dessert! Don’t delay booking your reservations online for this popular event.
9. Father’s Day Car Shows
Date and time: Sunday, June 16
Cost: Free
Car dads — and grandpas — will appreciate all the classic and vintage rides to admire during Father’s Day car shows taking place in Issaquah, Monroe and in Burien.
10. Canoe Mercer Slough
Date and time: Sunday, June 16, 8:45 a.m.–noon
Cost: $20
Explore beautiful Mercer Slough Nature Park by water with Dad and the rest of the family during a 3-hour canoe trip led by park rangers departing from Enatai Beach Park. Preregister.
11. Dads Free on Father’s Day at the Museum of Flight
Date and time: Sunday, June 16, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Cost: Dads free; others pay admission ($18–$26; children 4 and younger are free) or membership
Blast off! Dads get in free on Father’s Day at Seattle’s Museum of Flight, where you can check out Air Force One, the Concorde and lots of other flying machines.
12. Free Admission for Father’s Day at Foss Waterway Seaport
Date and time: Sunday, June 16, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Cost: Free
It’s free admission for all on Father’s Day, so bring the fam to the Foss Waterway Seaport and explore this fascinating maritime heritage museum in Tacoma together.
13. Father’s Day at ACM
Date and time: Sunday, June 16, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Cost: Included with admission ($16–$22; children 4 and younger are free)
Celebrate your car buff dad at Lemay — America’s Car Museum where special activities are happening all day including a cruise-in, Le Mans race watch party and special discounts.
14. Father’s Day at the Northwest African American Museum
Date and time: Sunday, June 16, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Part of NAAM’s Juneteenth weekend of events, June 16 is reserved to celebrate fathers with free admission, music, films and a gift for Dad. Plus, there will be an interactive story time reading for the kids.
15. Father’s Day BBQ & Adventure Race
Date and time: Sunday, June 16, 2–6 p.m.
Cost: $50 adult; $18 children; ages 3 and younger are free
Treat Dad to a delicious barbecue meal and family time exploring the enchanting trails of Islandwood on Bainbridge Island where there will also be fun trailside activities to enjoy.
More Father’s Day ideas: |
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in 2017 and is updated each year, most recently in June 2024, to include new Father’s Day activity ideas for Seattle-area families by ParentMap’s calendar editor, Julie Dodobara.
