Oh, August! We love your bright mornings, playful days and warm nights. Even in the midst of a pandemic, there is nothing quite like a Northwest summer. Yes, most vacations, parties and camps have been canceled, and there are changing limitations on almost everything we do. But with our list of 15 ways to play this August, we are aiming to squeeze some serious fun out of this weird time. One thing we can be certain of: This will be a summer we’ll never forget.
Taste summer: Add a tasty fistful of summer to your pancakes, smoothies and bowls of cereal with delicious, sun-kissed blueberries, now ripe for the picking. Find a blueberry farm near you for a good old-fashioned family harvest.
Get your float on: Root Beer Float Day is on Thursday, Aug. 6. What better excuse to indulge in this cold, creamy summer treat? Taste-test a few different brands of root beer and tally up your family’s favorites.
Enjoy a flick from your mother ship: Drive-in movies are having a moment during this pandemic summer, with old-school drive-in theaters and all kinds of pop-up drive-ins offering a big-screen experience. Pack up the car and enjoy a night out with the fam while maintaining that all-important physical distance.
Spy sea creatures: Washington beaches are teeming with life, especially at low tide. Join a beach naturalist to discover and identify the fascinating critters and plant life that a low tide reveals.
Search for ghosts: Add some mystery and history to your next outdoor adventure by embarking on a ghost-town hike. Nothing brings a family together like a woodsy trek with a side of spookiness.
Get lost in a book: Despite library buildings being closed, you can still access the stunning multitude of services offered by our local library systems to foster a love of reading in your kids this summer.
Play hometown tourist: There is a decided emphasis on staycations this summer, and we are fortunate to live in an area that is a world-famous tourist destination. Venture to the Seattle waterfront to check out all kinds of kid-approved attractions.
Hike with space to spare and share: Love hiking but nervous about crowded trails? Check out our list of kid-friendly nature walks that feature wider trails, making social distancing a breeze.
Camp on the fly: If you fancy a nature escape, but don’t have a reservation, check out our guide to first-come, first-served campgrounds to find a gorgeous spot to pitch your tent and get a healthy dose of the natural world.
Eat lunch while taking in the view: Shake up your mundane lunchtime routine: Pack it up and head to a super-scenic neighborhood spot that’s perfect for a family picnic.
Set sail: Get out on Lake Union for a narrated cruise aboard a National Historic Landmark vessel. Learn a thing or two about the lake’s history while taking in its sights and sounds.
Do the right thing: Pop the corn and settle in for a family movie night with a higher purpose. Pick a film from our list of 15 movies that teach your kids about “doing the right thing.”
Peace out: When you crave serenity, find peace at Kubota Garden, an oasis in the city. The kids will love it, too.
Have an outdoor “yes day”: Take a break from always being the bad guy and put a twist on the concept of a “yes day.” Say yes to anything your child suggests doing outside together (provided it can be done safely, of course).
Start a war in the grass: Thursday, Aug. 27 is Tug-of-War Day. Get a rope and battle it out, or tap into your crew’s competitive nature by playing other fun summer lawn games, either in the yard or at the park. Play them all in a family tournament!
