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Do you feel that? April is showering loads of free fun upon us — a welcome gift because I know we’re all feeling the pinch in our wallets this month. How much will it cost to dye those eggs this year?
I’m looking forward to spring-themed outdoor scavenger hunts, boating, Earth Day fests, and most of all, free ice cream. Read on for all of my top 25 free things to do around Seattle in April.
Note: Some activities require preregistration and can fill up quickly.
1. Uke & Guitar Hangs for Teens and Tweens
Date and time: Wednesday, April 2, 4–6 p.m.
Teens and tweens of any skill level can join musicians from the Rhapsody Project to learn songs, chords and other music essentials for the guitar and ukulele at the Renton Highlands Library. Instruments can be reserved ahead of time. Preregister.
2. The Light & Shade That Made My Name: Celebrating BIPOC Women Behind the Camera
Date and time: Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. through June 20
Check out a photography exhibit at the Lynnwood Event Center celebrating BIPOC women behind the camera. “The Light and Shade That Made My Name” showcases the talents of eight women artists and explores themes of identity, culture, beauty and more from their own unique perspectives.
3. Fall City Historical Society Pop-Up Museum
Date and time: Daily during open hours, Tuesday, March 25–Friday, April 4
Pop by the Fall City Library to explore interactive exhibits that will transport you back in time and bring local stories from the past to life at a pop-up museum brought to you by the Fall City Historical Society.
4. April Pool’s Day at Evergreen Aquatic Center
Date and time: Saturday, April 5, 12:30–2:30 p.m.
It’s April Pool’s Day at the Evergreen Aquatic Center in Seattle! Dive in for water safety education, free life jackets and a splashingly good time. Preregister.
5. Shenandoah Float Find
Date: Through April 26
To commemorate the Harbor History Museum’s Maritime Gallery grand opening, the museum is hosting a float find with 12 unique glass floats hidden weekly, one at a time, around Gig Harbor leading up to the celebration on Saturday, April 26, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Happy hunting!
6. Spring Showers Bring Wildflowers Scavenger Hunt
Date: Monday–Friday, April 7–11
Spring showers have brought April flowers to Tacoma’s Cross Park. Embark on a wildflower scavenger hunt for these beauties while you test your knowledge and observation skills, earning you a prize at the end.
7. Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day
Date and time: Tuesday, April 8, noon–8 p.m.
Free ice cream alert! Ben & Jerry’s is celebrating Free Cone Day with a free scoop of this delicious frozen treat at a location near you. I’ll take Cherry Garcia, please!
8. Bats of Washington Workshop
Date and time: Wednesday, April 9, 5:30–7 p.m.
Head to Newport Way Library to go on a bat adventure and learn about these fascinating nocturnal creatures from a City of Bellevue park ranger. First, get crafty and play games, and when it darkens, go outside to search for bats in the night sky.
9. Up and Atom: Art Workshop With Tacoma Art Museum
Date and time: Thursday, April 10, 4–5:30 p.m.
Join the Tacoma Art Museum at the Mottet Branch Library to learn about a featured artist and get inspired to make your own masterpiece with provided materials.
10. Northwest Seaport Chantey Sing
Date and time: Friday, April 11, 7–9 p.m.
Make like a sailor and belt out chanteys in a group setting at a monthly sing-along that is fun for all ages. Maritime music enthusiasts typically meet on the second Friday of the month at different locations, so be sure to check logistics before heading out. April’s meeting will be held at the Center for Wooden Boats at Lake Union Park.
11. A Seedy Affair
Date and time: Saturday, April 12, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Spend the day at Sammamish Valley’s beautiful 21 Acres Farm celebrating all things seeds, from planning your own garden, to selecting seeds at a seed swap, to planting and harvesting them.
12. Dragon’s Landing Street Fair
Date and time: Sunday, April 13, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Embark on a dragon egg scavenger hunt throughout Renton starting Saturday, April 5, and search for hidden dragon eggs in honor of the dragon’s arrival to town six years ago. The celebration caps off with a street fair on Sunday, April 13 with performances, crafts and fun for all ages.
13. Spring Break Movie Night at Green Lake CC
Date and time: Wednesday, April 16, 6–8 p.m.
Pack some pillows and sleeping bags and get cozy at the Green Lake Community Center gym for a family spring break movie night.
14. Spring Break Drop-in Days at White River Valley Museum
Date and time: Wednesday, April 16 and Friday, April 18, noon–4 p.m.
Keep the crew busy during spring break with crafts and fun activities at Auburn’s White River Valley Museum, where admission is always free! While you’re there, check out the works from local nature photographer George L. Kinkade in the current exhibit, “Microcosms.”
15. ‘TOYTOPIA’
Date and time: Thursday, April 17, 3–8 p.m. (free during special Third Thursday hours)
If you want to view Washington State History Museum’s interactive extravaganza of the history of toys for free, make the trip on the third Thursday of the month when admission is free from 3–8 p.m. You won’t want to miss this amazing exhibition (on display until June 5) that brings back cherished toys in an incredible way, from the world’s largest Etch A Sketch to a life-size Monopoly car and game board.
16. Matzoh S’mores
Date and time: Friday, April 18, 3–5:30 p.m.
Celebrate Passover by making and devouring a new favorite kosher treat with the whole family — matzoh s’mores! Cross your fingers for good outdoor marshmallow-roasting weather. Preregister.
17. Free Easter egg hunts
Date and time: Various dates and times, April 5–20
There are free egg hunts galore going on in every corner of our region. Find one that’s right for your crew and don’t forget to bring a basket to stash your haul.
18. Lewis Creek Park Visitor Center Story Stroll
Date: Daily, April 9–20
Grab a jacket and head out to stroll the beautiful wetland loop trail of Lewis Creek Park. Follow along to “Stellaluna,” a special story walk about a young fruit bat, and enjoy the fresh air. Turn up on Friday, April 11 at 11:30 a.m. to read along with a guide.
19. Auburn’s Peter Cotton Trail
Date: Friday, April 18–Monday, April 21
Hop along the Peter Cotton Trail located at one of Auburn’s lovely parks (locations to be announced Thursday, April 17) and search for our famed floppy-eared friend to possibly win a big prize.
20. Earth Day Collage With Illustrator Olivia Sua
Date: Saturday, April 19 and Tuesday, April 22
Join forces with artist Olivia Sua and create an Earth Day collage using the same cut-paper techniques she uses to illustrate books. Workshops will be held at the Lake Forest Park (preregister) and Shoreline library branches.
21. Chalk Walk
Date and time: Friday, April 25, 1–5 p.m.
Gather a group to create Earth Day art with chalk along the paved trail at Si View Park. Take a photo of your masterpiece and enter it for prizes. Preregister.
22. Earth Month events
Date and time: Various dates and times, April 5–26
Join your friends, family and community at one of the plethora of Earth Day celebrations and volunteer events happening during the month of April to honor, appreciate and protect our home planet.
23. Free Boating Day
Date and time: Sunday, April 27, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Itching to get out on the water? One-hour rental for boats of all kinds — rowboats, kayaks and canoes — won’t cost you a dime during the Center of Wooden Boats’ Free Boating Day. Kids can build their own toy boat too!
24. City Nature Challenge
Date: Friday, April 25–Monday, April 28
We love citizen science and getting outdoors! No matter what corner of the Puget Sound area you live in, document your city nature finds using a super user-friendly app in support of global biodiversity.
25. Celebrate Día!: Family Dance Party
Date and time: Tuesday, April 29, 10:30–11:30 a.m. and 1–2 p.m.
Kiddie fan favorite Eli Rosenblatt heads up a family dance party at Renton’s Family First Community Center and Newcastle Library to celebrate Día with his high-energy mix of salsa, samba, hip-hop and other styles of music from around the world.
More free activities for Seattle-area families: |
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in February 2024 and was most recently updated on March 26, 2025 to include 25 new, exciting free things to do in Seattle in April for families by ParentMap’s calendar editor, Julie Dodobara. Event dates, times and locations were cross-checked and verified by our editor.
