Photo:
Draw a chalk masterpiece and enter to win prizes during a special Earth Day event. Photo: iStock
Grab an umbrella because April is showering loads of free fun upon us — a welcome gift because I know we could all use a little more bang for our buck these days. I’m looking forward to spring-themed outdoor scavenger hunts, boating, Earth Day fests, and even 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. Free Rowboat Rentals: Public Peapod Program at the Center for Wooden Boats
Date: Wednesdays–Sundays, all year long
With any luck, sunny skies will prevail when you hit the waters of South Lake Union in a peapod rowboat you can rent for one hour at no charge from the Center for Wooden Boats. Boats are available on a walk-up, first-come, first-served basis.
2. Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
Date: Daily, through April 30
Have you heard the news? The tulips have bloomed early this year! Don’t wait — avoid the crowds and take in a weekday viewing of gorgeous tulip fields during the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. The festival itself does not require a ticket, but some gardens charge admission for entrance.
3. Family Boogie Bingo
Date and time: Friday, April 3, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Add some boogie to family game night and get dancing, laughing and playing during a high-energy bingo night with your crew. Head to the Garfield Community Center and join the fun.
4. Free Easter Egg Hunts
Date: Various dates through April 4
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.
5. Auburn’s Peter Cotton Trail
Date: Friday, April 3–Monday, April 6
Hop along the Peter Cotton Trail located at one of Auburn’s lovely parks (locations announced Thursday, April 2) and search for our floppy-eared friend to possibly win a big prize.
6. April Pool’s Day at Evergreen Aquatic Center
Date and time: Saturday, April 4, 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.
Family fun, direct to your inbox!Subscribe to ParentMap eNews for a weekly dose of the best family adventures around Greater Seattle. Don’t miss out! |
7. Matzoh S’mores
Date and time: Monday, April 6, 3–5:30 p.m.
Your family will love this Passover snack, roasted and certified kosher at the Stroum Jewish Community Center (weather permitting). Preregister.
8. Kick-Off Party for Mo Willems’ New Book
Date and time: Tuesday, April 7, 4–5 p.m.
Kids author, Mo Willems, has a new book featuring our favorite Pigeon — “It’s My Bird Day!” Celebrate with themed crafts, photo ops, a special reading and a chance to win your very own copy at the Renton Highlands Library.
9. A is for Apple Music Concert
Date and time: Wednesday, April 8, 12:30–1:15 p.m.
Keeth Apgar from kindie band The Harmonica Pocket will be at the Burien Library to celebrate reading through song, rhyme and storytelling at a show that will get your kiddo excited about the alphabet.
10. Spring Break Drop-In Days at White River Valley Museum
Date and time: Wednesday–Friday, April 8–10, 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! Learn about local critters and create a set of Pacific Northwest Pokémon cards to take and play at home.
11. Seattle Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival
Date and time: Friday–Sunday, April 10–12, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
There’s so much to enjoy at the Seattle Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival, including taiko performances, martial arts demos, kimono dress-up, a special sumo tournament and more. This year marks 50 years at Seattle Center for this immersive experience. Don’t miss it!
12. Kitsap Live Steamers Mini Train Ride
Date and time: Saturday, April 11, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., and every second and fourth Saturday through October
Make tracks to Port Orchard’s South Kitsap Regional Park for free mini train rides on opening day! Your railroad fans will be in steam engine heaven on this 12-minute excursion through the woods. All aboard! Tip: There is a bonus Easter Egg Hunt and train ride on Saturday, April 4, for an egg-stra special outing.
13. Dragon’s Landing Celebration and Treasure Hunt
Date and time: Sunday, April 12, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Embark on a dragon egg scavenger hunt throughout Renton starting Friday, April 10, and search for hidden dragon eggs in honor of the dragon’s arrival in town seven years ago. The celebration caps off with a street fair on Sunday, April 12, with performances, crafts and fun for all ages.
14. The Great Sasquatch Hunt
Date: April 1–30
For a scavenger hunt of another kind, head to a different PenMet Park (Sehmel Homestead, Harbor Family, Sunrise Beach and McCormick Forest) each week during April to search for the mysterious Sasquatch. Find them all and earn a special prize.
15. Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day
Date and time: Tuesday, April 14, 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!
16. Dig Into Dinos
Date and Time: Wednesday, April 15, 2–3 p.m.
Join Mikey the Rad Scientist at the Black Diamond Library for a prehistoric musical adventure with singing, dancing, roaring and learning about dinosaurs through fun activities.
17. W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory Story Hour
Date and time: Thursday, April 16, 11 a.m.–noon
Listen to stories and make crafts while learning about plants and the environment at a stunning indoor botanical garden housed in a historical greenhouse. The W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory is located in Tacoma’s beautiful Wright Park.
18. Earth Month events
Date: Various dates, April 18–26
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.
19. Daffodil Marine Festival and Parade
Date and time: Sunday, April 19, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Watch as cheerfully decorated boats set sail from the Tacoma Yacht Club and parade along the Commencement Bay shoreline in the 74th annual Daffodil Marine Festival and Boat Parade.
20. Read to a Rabbit
Date and time: Tuesday, April 21, 3–5 p.m.
Get your bunny fix this month while enticing your little animal lovers to practice their reading skills at monthly sessions by sharing stories aloud with cuddly bunnies at the Tillicum Library in Lakewood. Rabbits are residents of the Tacoma Pierce County Humane Society and are available for adoption.
21. Washington State Parks Free Day
Date and time: Wednesday, April 22
It’s Earth Day, what better time to head outdoors and go nature-exploring at one of our beautiful Washington State Parks? Access is free with no Discover Pass required on Wednesday, April 22.
22. Chalk Walk
Date and time: Friday, April 24, 1–5 p.m.
And speaking of Earth Day, 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.
23. Free Community Art Day
Date and time: Saturday, April 25, 11 a.m.–1:45 p.m.
The whole family can join one of two sessions at 11 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. and create unique pieces of art with a variety of materials, all provided by the Northwest Art Center in Duvall.
24. City Nature Challenge
Date: Friday, April 24–Monday, April 27
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. Echoes of the Past, Beats of the Future
Date and time: Thursday, April 30, 5–8 p.m.
Explore different cultures from around the world through music, dance and art at the Karshner Museum during a festival featuring traditional dancers, Peruvian crafts, Mariachi music and more for the whole family.
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, 2026, 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.
