Parents’ Night Out! Drop-Off Evening Child Care Around Seattle
Seattle-area and North Sound parents’ night out providers
YMCA (locations throughout Puget Sound)
Options for the teeniest tots are few and far between, and while each YMCA branch is different, many offer an infant/toddler afternoon session for kids as young as 6 weeks of age. Think of it as a parents’ afternoon out. Older kids who are potty-trained can enjoy more active play during evening hours. YMCA of Greater Seattle offers evening care at several Seattle branches as well as Eastside and South King County locations. YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties offers a parents’ night out at the Morgan Family YMCA in Tacoma, and the South Sound YMCA provides evening care at the Shelton Family YMCA and the Briggs Community YMCA in Olympia.
Ages: infant/toddler, ages 6 weeks–3 years; youths, ages 3–9. Check your desired branch for specific ages served.
Price: YMCA members should budget between $35–$45 per child, depending on the length of the program (3–4 hours). Nonmembers are accepted as well, but pay a higher fee, $45–$65. There is often a discount for a second child in the same family, and Microsoft employees get a 15 percent discount at the Seattle YMCA locations.
Time: Times vary by location. Expect an afternoon slot for the infant/toddler age group and an early evening time slot for the youth age group.
Barking Dog Ale House (Ballard)
Want a date night that’s so easy you don’t even have to change locations? Bring the whole family to Barking Dog Ale House. Kids will enjoy dinner, activities and movies in a private dining room while you have a peaceful adult conversation in the next room. No reservations are accepted, so they recommend arriving right at 5 p.m. or at 7 p.m.
Ages: 2–12
Price: $15/child; $5/sibling
Time: Last Wednesday of the month, 5–9 p.m.
Time4Kidz (Lynnwood)
This drop-in facility near Lynnwood’s Alderwood Mall doesn’t currently offer specific night-out events, but its extensive hours make it easy to schedule a shopping date with friends or an early dinner and movie.
Ages: 2.5–12
Price: $11 per hour for the first child; $6.50 per hour for each sibling, plus a one-time $30 registration fee per family. Meals are $4 per child.
Time: Monday–Friday, 6 a.m.–8:30 p.m.; Saturday, 7:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m.
Vertical World (Lynnwood and Seattle)
Kids climbing the walls at home? Send them to the professionals! Enjoy dinner nearby while instructors help your kids develop their climbing skills.
Ages: The Lynnwood location offers three groups: ages 3–6, ages 6–9 and ages 9–12; kids ages 6–12 can attend in Seattle.
Price: $45 per child participant
Time: At the Lynnwood gym, second and fourth Saturdays, 5–7 p.m. for ages 3–6 ages 6–9 and first and third Sundays for ages 6–9 and 9–12; in Seattle, fourth Thursdays, 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Seattle Gymnastics Academy (Lake City, Ballard, Burien and Columbia City)
SGA’s giant gyms are the perfect place for kids to enjoy unstructured gymnastics, games and a late movie. Pack a picnic dinner, something to sit on while eating it (such as a towel) and cozy comforts (PJs and a blanket) for the movie.
Ages: 5–11
Price: $60 per child for nonmembers; $35 per child for families enrolled in SGA classes
Time: Fridays 6–9 p.m. in Lake City; Fridays 6:30–9:30 p.m. in Burien; Saturdays 6–9 p.m. in Ballard; Saturdays 5–8 p.m. in Columbia City.
Roaring Mouse Creative Arts Studio (Ravenna)
Pack a nut-free dinner for your child, and let them enjoy a relaxed evening of art and play. Sign up in advance — Roaring Mouse hosts a preschool and after-school program, so in-the-know families book up these popular nights quickly! Note that children must be potty-trained and vaccinated against COVID-19.
Ages: 3–8
Price: $45 per child and $40 per sibling
Time: Approximately one Saturday per month, 4:30–7:30 p.m.
Seattle ReCreative (Greenwood)
This eco-friendly space is most well-known for selling bargain art supplies that would otherwise go to waste. Book a private parents’ night out and your kids will make books, sparkly crafts or fairy gardens using recycled materials. Children must be potty-trained and able to wear a mask consistently. Pack a dinner from home or have pizza delivered.
Ages: 4 and older
Price: $300 for two hours; $415 for three hours up to 10 children
Time: Reserve a Friday or Saturday evening session, 5–8 p.m., at least two weeks in advance. Other dates may be available depending on staffing.
Combat Arts Academy (West Seattle)
Budding martial artists can get out their endless energy playing on the mats at this Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai academy before enjoying pizza and a movie.
Ages: 5–13
Price: $50/child
Time: Periodic Saturdays, 5–8 p.m. Send a Facebook message to the owner if you don’t see one listed — this small business is busy teaching martial arts and events aren’t always added to the calendar.
The Jungle Gym (Burien)
Who doesn’t love a good theme? Whether it’s Winter Sports or Secret Agent Spy, your kids can expect free gym play, games, dinner and a movie with thematic twists.
Ages: 3–12
Price: $40/nonmember; $35/member
Time: The second and last Fridays of the month, 6–9 p.m.
Glazed & Amazed (Edmonds)
This pottery studio hosts a monthly kids’ night out that includes pizza, a snack, a movie and two craft projects that match the movie theme.
Ages: 6 and older
Price: $61 per child
Time: One Friday per month, 6–9 p.m.
Lynnwood Recreation Center (Lynnwood)
Enjoy swimming, coloring and games before a pizza dinner and dessert at this popular pool (pro tip: water slides!). Check the upcoming schedule in the center’s recreation guide. Then sign up by visiting the center’s registration page (you’ll need to create an account), click “Register” and search for “Parents Night Out.” New events are released on a quarterly basis, so check back if you don’t see an upcoming session with space available.
Ages: 6–12
Price: $20 per Lynnwood resident child; $25 per nonresident child
Time: First and third week of the month, 6–9:30 p.m.
