Memberships to family-friendly spaces like gyms and museums are an investment. While we are fortunate to have loads of options in the Seattle area, most families can’t afford to be a member at every place they enjoy. Or maybe you’re like me, and you value a change of scenery and exploring new-to-you places. These 12 Seattle day passes are perfect opportunities for families to dabble in something different without making a big commitment.
Beat the heat at a hotel pool
Dive into four hotel pools without the overnight booking fee. Let’s face it, no matter how many stars a hotel boasts, all most kids care about is the pool. Using Resort Pass allows you to swim all day without the overnight price tag. Another perk is that hotel pools tend to be less crowded than stand-alone pools.
In the Seattle area you can book a day pass at the following hotel pools and also enjoy their hot tubs and fitness centers: Hyatt Regency Lake Washington (starts at $50 per adult, $10 per kid, and kids younger than 3 are free), Embassy Suites Seattle-Tacoma Airport (starts at $39 per person, kids younger than 3 are free), Embassy Suites by Hilton Seattle Downtown Pioneer Square ($35 per adult, $25 per child, kids younger than 3 are free), and Seattle Marriott Waterfront ($35 per adult, $25 per child, kids younger than 2 are free). All of these options have indoor pools, and the Seattle Marriott Waterfront has a combination indoor/outdoor pool with a view along Elliott Bay. You also will want to factor in the varying costs of parking per location.
Climb the day away
Work on your climbing skills at Half Moon Bouldering in Seattle. There’s a kid-friendly learning area where climbers will encounter diverse bouldering terrain. While all ages are welcome and encouraged to learn this sport, due to its inherent risks, any children younger than the age of 14 must be actively supervised by an adult who is supervising a maximum of two children. This isn’t a jungle gym.
Climbers younger than the age of 14 need a reservation. Adult day passes are $25 each and passes for anyone 23 and younger are $22. Kids younger than 3 years old are free with a paying adult. Further instruction and fun can be found in the single-day camps for youth ages 6–14. These camps are often available over school breaks and holidays. A single-day camp costs $100 for non-members.
There are a few other similar kid-friendly climbing options for day passes in the Seattle area. Visit America’s first climbing gym at Vertical World in Seattle or its new location in Lynnwood and the three Edgeworks Climbing and Fitness locations. Vertical World has specialized programming for climbers starting at 3 years old. Day passes are $23 for non-members, $10 for ages 3–5, and $16 for ages 6–13. Edgeworks Climbing and Fitness has locations in Seattle, Bellevue and Tacoma; with day passes costing $22 per person.
Play tourist
CityPass allows you to experience Seattle’s top attractions and save up to 48 percent on admission. I’ve utilized the CityPass when hosting out-of-town guests, and it also would make for a fun staycation. Pack as much as you can into a day or pace yourself — the pass is good for nine days starting with and including the first day you visit an attraction. City Pass includes admission to the Seattle Aquarium, Space Needle and three more attractions of your choice. Attractions include Chihuly Garden and Glass, Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour, Museum of Pop Culture, Woodland Park Zoo and Pacific Science Center.
The smaller C3 pass allows you to select three one-time admissions to any of the CityPass options. Additionally, you can choose from The Museum of Flight, Sky View Observatory at the Columbia Center and the Seattle Art Museum. Once you purchase a pass, use the CityPass app to plan your trip and make any required reservations. The CityPass costs $127 per adult and $97 per child ages 5–12. C3 costs $97 per adult and $76 for kids ages 5–12.
Jump around
If your kids are bouncing off the walls at home, channel that energy in new ways at the trampoline park! Jump and play all day at the Sky Zone in Tukwila (Sky Zone plans to open another location in Mountlake Terrace in the fall of 2024). All ages are bound to have a fun adventure while being challenged to use their imagination, engage in friendly competition and test their physical limits.
Beyond jumping, you can work on your Ninja Court skills, shoot some hoops on a springy Air Court, zip across the park on zip lines, play dodgeball and jump into foam pits. Unlimited all-day passes are $35.99 per person. Children 2 and younger are free with paid adult admission. Day passes provide full access to all attractions.
Try pickleball at a renowned hotel
Has the pickleball craze hit your home yet? You don’t have to be a hotel guest to enjoy this rain-or-shine pickleball court. The landmark hotel, The Lodge at St. Edward State Park, has a dedicated gymnasium designed specifically for this popular sport. Non-hotel guests of any age can play for $20 an hour for up to three hours per court booking, or $10 per person if you sign up for Open Play.
Advanced reservations are highly recommended. Gather up to four guests to join you. Equipment is available for rent but is subject to availability. Valet parking is available at the Lodge for $10 a day. Discover Pass holders can park at the St. Edward State Park parking lot.
Following your pickleball games, make a day of it by indulging in the upscale hotel amenities — get pampered at the Vita Nova Spa or refuel at the Cedar + Elm Restaurant. Step into nature by taking advantage of the surrounding 326-acre State Park as you walk or bike the trails, visit Lake Washington or play at the castle-like playground.
Kick back before a flight
No matter what airline you’re flying, or if you’re flying economy or first class, all ticketed passengers are welcome at The Club SEA at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. There are two lounges — one in Concourse A and one in Concourse S. Both lounges provide solace from the busy airport with comfortable, spacious seating with complimentary snacks and beverages, signature cocktails and free Wi-Fi.
One of my favorite perks to using lounges with young kids is the sense of security they provide within their contained spaces. They also make layovers and flight delay waiting times much more enjoyable. The Club SEA in Concourse S is newer and provides guests with a front-row seat to the runway views and Mountain Rainier. Passes can be booked online six hours before your flight time or in person (subject to availability). Passes cost $50 per person and children younger than 2 years old are free.
Head to The Heybrook
Aesthetically pleasing workspaces and fun play places can co-exist. The Heybrook was made for parents, by parents with the vision of creating a place where parents and moms-to-be can connect, enjoy a structured activity or manage to catch up on some work while their kid(s) play. The lounge space welcomes you with a strikingly bright floral wall and bold velvet couches, and what parent doesn’t appreciate complimentary coffee and tea?
My daughter and I experienced our first Zumbini class here — a combination of music, dance and educational fun. I appreciated the flexibility of unapologetically inviting babies and children into this space. Baby bouncers line the studio wall and play mats are available in the middle. It’s also not uncommon for an employee to offer to hold a baby. We thoroughly enjoyed the playful movement of Zumbini and I had to peel my daughter away from the Kids Corner afterwards.
You can enjoy the ambiance and amenities of the lounge before or after a class, or purchase a day pass for $15. A day pass includes the lounge, Kids Corner play area, studio room play space when classes aren’t in session, free WiFi and complimentary coffee, tea and water. Snacks are available for purchase. Class costs start at $15 per class and include lounge and Kids Corner access before/after class.
Splash at a destination waterpark lodge
Located a little over an hour away from the Seattle area in Centralia, Great Wolf Lodge is a steady 84 degrees no matter the weather outside. Half- and full-day passes are offered and include access to all indoor water parks, water slides, wave pools, lazy rivers and interactive water play areas. From toddlers to teens, you can choose your level of thrill-seeking. Tots can safely play in the Cub Paw Pool with interactive jet skis with water cannons, colorful slides, fountains and water tables. The six-story Howlin’ Tornado water slide might test your adventure-seeking limits (must be over 48” tall to ride).
Life jackets, towels, Wi-Fi and family fun events are all included in the day pass fee. Lockers can be rented for an additional fee. Prices and offerings vary by day, starting at $32 for a half-day (4 p.m.–close) and $40 for a full-day pass. You can get a 15 percent discount if you’re a first responder or if you purchase a bundle of day passes.
Marvel at The Spheres
Step into the architectural wonders of The Spheres. Unique to Seattle, Amazon created The Spheres, which encapsulates a tropical cloud forest workspace. If you don’t have an Amazon employee who can bring you as a visitor during open hours, you can reserve a Public Weekend visit timeslot. Public Weekend visits are free and are on most first and third Saturdays of each month; time slots are released 15 days before each date. You can reserve up to four total people per reservation.
Home to more than 40,000 plants, you are bound to notice different plants each time you visit, especially if you are being paced by children in tow. General Porpoise Doughnuts has your coffee and snack break covered on the second floor.
See what’s new at the Y
Make a splash or break a sweat with (or without!) your kids. Visit one of 13 Seattle area YMCAs for a day. Eleven locations offer Kids Zone programming, allowing caregivers to focus on health while kids ages 6 weeks to 13 years old play under the care and supervision of trained Y Kids Zone staff. Kids Zone includes up to two hours of childcare per visit and provides a variety of structured and free-play activities.
Day passes can be purchased in person or you can register for a free Try the Y Pass, which includes three free family days that can be used within seven days. Kids Zone is included for both options. Day pass costs vary:
- $19 per day for adults ages 30–64 years old
- $17 per day for seniors age 65 and older
- $13 per day for teens and young adults ages 13–29 years old
- $11 per day for youth ages 0–13 years old
- $28 per day for a “Family One Pass” (one adult and up to 15 dependents 25 years old and younger)
- $33 per day for a “Family Two Pass” (two adults and up to 15 dependents 25 years old and younger)
Youths age 14 and older can attend the YMCA without an adult.
Visit a farm
Visit a farm like no other: Where else can you encounter free-roaming animals, visit exotic animals like zebras and wallabies, walk nature trails and almost be guaranteed to catch a trout? Old McDebbie’s Farm and Jim’s U-Fish in Spanaway is a little over an hour from the Seattle area and will transport you to a unique haven for a wide variety of animals. Beyond seeing the animals and fishing in a stocked trout pond, you can play all day on this 20+ acre farm exploring the musical forest, eye spy trail and playgrounds.
The farm is open seasonally, March through October. Admission starts at $14 per person for adults, $12 per child and children 2 and younger are free. Save money by purchasing tickets online. Veggie buckets to feed animals are $4 each. If you have a young angler, keep in mind that you must take home any fish that you catch — consider your dinner plans made! Additional fees apply for pole rentals and cleaning fees. Each fish you catch will cost $6.
Take advantage of community center perks
Check your closest community center for their day pass offerings. The Salvation Army Seattle White Center Community Center is just one example. Play in the full-sized gym, lift some weights in the exercise room, join an organized pick-up game like basketball, use the game room and more. The Salvation Army Seattle White Center Community Center hosts movie nights, provides social services and offers other family-friendly programming. Day passes cost $1 per day for youth 7–12 years old; $2 per day for teens 13–18 years old; and $4 per day for adults age 19 and older.
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