Family Guide to Seattle NorthCountry

Traveling is fun, sure. But traveling with kids is fun and (perhaps in your case) challenging. Here are some kid-friendly options in our neck of the woods, north of Seattle. Psst, parents... You can have fun here, too!

1. PlayHappy Cafe - Lynnwood

PlayHappy Cafe is a surprisingly large open space in a strip mall, designed for kids and parents. It features an enclosed space full of age-appropriate toys, games, bouncy houses and ball pits so that you can sit and have a cup of coffee while your kids run and play out their wiggles.

The healthy menu at PlayHappy Cafe was created by a Bastyr nutritionist. Instead of feeding your children carb- and sugar-heavy snack foods, you can treat them to hummus, a smoothie, or crunchy granola.

4114 198th St SW #3
Lynnwood, WA 98036
(425) 582-7007

2. Funko Flagship Store - Everett

Toy manufacturer Funko has figured out the ultimate formula for collectibility. They make non-bobbling bobbleheads available in every TV, comic book, and movie franchise you can think of.

Their flagship store is located in the heart of downtown Everett, a coastal community just north of Seattle. The space there is half retail store, half amusement park, and one hundred percent fun. The place is full of larger-than-life Funko figurines like the Hulk, Harry Potter, and Disney Princesses. They have an area where kids can assemble their own Funko Pop figurine out of loose parts.

You can’t miss the building. It has giant toys on the outside and typically has a line down the block — proof that pop culture fans of all ages love this place.

2802 Wetmore Ave
Everett, WA 98201
(425) 783-3616 ext. 1

3. Imagine Children’s Museum - Everett

It’s that rarest of things to encounter as a parent — a place made for kids where you can take junior, not worry about anything breaking, and can just enjoy the experience.

Imagine Children’s Museum is a large building where your kiddos can excavate for dinosaur bones on the roof, splash in water tables, pilot a mock airplane, splatter paint around in an art studio, and connect endless plastic pipes into engineering projects.

The museum has a cafe for a lunch or dinner break. Perfect.

1502 Wall St
Everett, WA 98201
(425) 258-1006

4. Outback Kangaroo Farm - Arlington

Find kangaroos where you least expect them: a rural northwest setting. But the farm doesn’t stop at kangaroos — there are also lemurs, llamas, peacocks, and parrots!

Families can walk among the exotic farm animals and feed the creatures. When was the last time you fed a lemur? Be honest.

Passes for kids are $10. Adults are $12. There are discounted rates for seniors and large groups.

10030 State Route 530 NE
Arlington, WA 98223
(360) 403-7474

5. Kayak Point Regional County Park - Stanwood

Visit a playground by the Salish Sea right next to Port Susan. Your kids will also enjoy beachcombing so be sure to pack a plastic bucket and little shovel. Park for the day and take the trails up the hill, following the easy-peasy hiking paths back into the forest. Or book a yurt at the yurt village and stay overnight.

15711 Marine Dr
Stanwood, WA 98292
Learn more and book a yurt here.