Photo:
“Towers of Tomorrow with Lego Bricks” Photo courtesy of Museums of History NSW
Even for families that fill each fall with arts outings and every winter with holiday shows, spring tends to draw their attention outside. But this is Seattle; in the springtime, there are still lots of rainy days to fill and even more amazing art events to check out. Even if you aren’t a family of culture vultures, there is so much great family-friendly art to experience this spring, you are sure to find a new show or exhibit or festival that you won’t want to miss.
March shows and events
Moisture Festival
With roots in cabaret, vaudeville and 19th-century English music halls, Moisture Festival’s programs present a rapid succession of acts showcasing comedy, physical feats and live music. While the late shows contain adult content and are 18-and-older shows, all 3 p.m. shows are designed to be family-friendly; 7:30 p.m. shows are all ages but may contain innuendo or other content that some families may not appreciate. $45 for adults, $32 for children; pay-what-you-can Wednesdays tickets start at $10.
Where: Broadway Performance Hall, Seattle
When: March 21–April 13, 2024
“The Jungle Book”
With an intermission and a one-hour runtime, this International Ballet Theatre production is a perfect introduction for younger children to the art form of ballet. Based on the book by Kipling that was famously animated by Disney, and filled with animal characters portrayed by other kids, “The Jungle Book” is specifically designed to inspire children to see the beauty in dance without adopting any outdated ideas about stuffiness or exclusivity. $45 per person, $33 for children younger than 12.
Where: Meydenbauer Theatre, Bellevue
When: March 23–24, 2024
“Nordic Utopia? African Americans in the 20th Century”
This exhibition at the National Nordic Museum in Ballard illuminates the untold story of African American visual and performing artists who left the United States for new possibilities, inspiration and environments in Europe. Instead of Paris, these artists traveled to the Nordic countries. Free with museum admission.
Where: National Nordic Museum, Seattle
When: March 22–July 21, 2024
“Harold and the Purple Crayon”
The Pacific Northwest Ballet’s (PNB) premiere of this hourlong, narrated production features PNB School students (some of whom will be dancing professionally next season). It is the perfect introduction to ballet for the very young, as Harold draws and dances through a landscape full of wonder and vibrancy. Although the performance is by and for kids, parents will enjoy the music of Andrew Bird and choreography of Robyn Mineko Williams (who previously choreographed “The Trees The Trees” at PNB) and Terence Marling of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. $15–$67.
Where: McCaw Hall, Seattle
When: March 23–30, 2024
“The Frog Prince” and “Rapunzel”
Bellevue Youth Theatre’s Storybook Series is designed for very young audiences (children ages 3–8). This 70-minute show by young performers is a double feature of two short, interactive plays based on the fairy tales “The Frog Prince” and “Rapunzel.” $12.
Where: Bellevue Youth Theatre, Bellevue
When: March 29–April 7, 2024
Seattle International Dance Festival
The 2024 Seattle International Dance Festival Winter Mini Fest presents two weekends of contemporary dance performances, with different works each weekend. Hosted by the local Khambatta Dance Company, the festival will also feature new works from Newport Contemporary Ballet of Rhode Island and Olympia Ballet Theatre performing work by local choreographer Eva Stone. It’s a program so eclectic that everyone will find something to love. $25 single tickets, $18 students.
Where: Erickson Theater, Seattle
When: March 29–April 7, 2024
April shows and events
Pamyua
Alaska-based Pamyua blends traditional Inuit drum and dance melodies with contemporary R&B vocals. The quartet honors Indigenous traditions, history and storytelling with songs that celebrate traditional values, such as respect for the environment and a sense of humor. $25–$55.
Where: Edmonds Center for the Arts, Edmonds
When: April 4, 2024
PAW Patrol Live! “Heroes Unite”
“Heroes Unite” is a live, interactive stage show based on the popular “PAW Patrol” children’s television show. Audience members get to help the pups navigate the globe and return home after catching Robo Dog clones. Expect visual effects and a musical score that kids will sing along with. $25–$120.
Where: Angel of the Winds Arena, Everett
When: April 5–6, 2024
Where: Accesso ShoWare Center, Kent
When: April 10–11, 2024
Where: Tacoma Dome
When: April 14, 2024
“The Phantom Tollbooth”
Bellevue Youth Theatre’s young performers present “The Phantom Tollbooth,” based on the delightful, pun-filled children’s book of the same name. $12.
Where: Bellevue Youth Theatre, Bellevue
When: April 19–28, 2024
“A Little Mermaid”
StoryBook Theater presents a version of “A Little Mermaid” that is neither as depressing as Andersen’s original story nor as boy-crazy as Disney’s version. In this hour long production specially designed for kids ages 3–10, the mermaid Sirena dreams of life on land. The audience gets to help her decide if she stays there or heads back home to the sea. $15.
Where: Venues in Everett, Kirkland and Renton
When: April 20–May 11, 2024
Disney’s “Aladdin”
See the touring Broadway production of “Aladdin,” with all the songs from the Disney movie plus new music written by Alan Menken, with lyrics penned by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice (all Disney alums), and book by Chad Beguelin (“The Wedding Singer”). $40 and up.
Where: Paramount Theatre, Seattle
When: April 24–28, 2024
“A Tale of Peter Rabbit”
Writer Trista Baldwin gives Beatrix Potter’s timeless tale of Peter Rabbit a modern twist. In this production, Peter Rabbit and his three sisters tell their own story, which examines what it means to be a good bunny and whether a known bad bunny can ever become good. $30–$53.
Where: Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle
When: April 25–May 19, 2024
May shows and events
Storybook Ballet Theatre
Tacoma City Ballet’s Storybook Ballet Theatre matinees are made especially for young audiences. To get the full fairy tale experience, families can attend a tea party in the Pantages Theater lobby before the May 11 show. $25–$50.
Where: Theatre on the Square, Tacoma
When: May 4–11, 2024
“The Neverending Story”
Youth Theatre Northwest presents an adaptation of the book “The Neverending Story” (also made into a classic movie) with young performers. Recommended for children ages 6 and older, the play follows Bastian, a lonely boy who gets pulled into the fantasy adventures he reads about in a magical book. $15.
Where: Parish Hall Theater at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Mercer Island
When: May 10–19, 2024
Penn Cove Water Festival
The Penn Cove Water Festival has been a Coupeville tradition since 1930. Originally begun to draw tourists to Whidbey Island, today the volunteer-run festival focuses on preserving and celebrating Native American traditions of the Tsimshian, Samish and other cultures. Families can learn and have fun at the same time when they experience the annual festival’s canoe races, arts and craft vendors, storytelling, musical and dance performances, artist demonstrations, authentic Indigenous foods, youth activities, exhibits and displays. Free admission.
Where: Outdoors, Coupeville, Whidbey Island
When: May 18, 2024
“The Lion Tells His Tale”
The winner writes history, or as the African proverb says, “Until the lion tells his tale, the hunt will always glorify the hunter.” In May, the lion gets to tell his tale at Intiman Theatre in an incredible learning experience for all ages that reframes American history through an Afrocentric lens, bringing to life the brilliance, resistance and resilience of Black people in Africa and the Americas. Delbert Richardson brings his national award-winning traveling museum to the stage in this innovative production that includes music, dance and spoken word. $20–$90, limited free rush tickets.
Where: Broadway Performance Hall, Seattle
When: May 1–5, 2024
“Descendants: The Musical”
When the teenage children of Disney’s wickedest villains attend school with the children of beloved Disney heroes, they have to decide whether to follow in their parents’ footsteps or learn to be good. In Broadway Bound children’s theatre’s first production of “Descendants: The Musical,” young performers re-create the comedy, action and musical numbers from the films. $15–$20.
Where: Magnuson Park Theater, Seattle
When: May 3–25, 2024
“Towers of Tomorrow with Lego Bricks”
Ryan McNaught, one of only 21 Lego-certified professionals in the world, used more than half a million Lego bricks and, together with his team, spent more than 2,400 hours building incredibly detailed replicas of skyscrapers in North America, Asia and Australia. During the exhibition, visitors will contribute to the construction of their own collaborative futuristic city with more than 200,000 loose Lego bricks available in hands-on construction areas. Free with museum admission.
Where: Museum of History & Industry, Seattle
When: May 25–Sept. 2, 2024
“The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”
A modern take on the classic story, Olympia Family Theater’s “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” still hits all the plot points you remember from the children’s book and the Judy Garland movie. $5–$35.
Where: Olympia Family Theater, Olympia
When: May 10–June 2, 2024
Family-friendly arts to enjoy anytime
“Calder: In Motion”
When they hear the word “sculpture,” people often think of static pieces of clay and bronze. So prepare to enjoy your kids’ surprise when they see the works of American sculptor Alexander Calder, who raised the humble mobile to the status of high art. Ranging over 50 years of the artist’s career, Seattle Art Museum’s Calder exhibition includes mobiles, stabiles, paintings, prints and more, ranging from tiny pieces to work that commands SAM’s double-height gallery. Free with museum admission.
Where: Seattle Art Museum, Seattle
When: Through Aug. 4, 2024
Seattle Symphony Family Connections
The symphony’s Family Connections program provides free companion tickets to kids ages 8–18 with purchase of an adult ticket. Most concerts in the Masterworks, Seattle Pops and Playlist series are eligible. Family Connection passes are available by calling the Seattle Symphony ticket office at 206-215-4747 or emailing.
TeenTix
Encourage your 13- to 19-year-olds to explore the arts on their own with a membership to TeenTix. Any teenager can sign up online for free. Members can purchase $5 day-of-show tickets at more than 100 partner organizations in the greater Puget Sound region, including museums, movie theaters, stage theaters, dance companies and symphonies. Some partners also offer specific two-for-$10 days, when members can bring someone else of any age for the same price — your kid could end up taking you out to experience art!
