Pacific Place

Although it’s just a multi-story downtown mall filled with high-end stores most of the year, it becomes an indoor winter wonderland at 6pm each night from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve, when snow begins to fall. So, even when it’s a rainy Christmas outside, it’s a white one inside. The management company won’t say what’s in the flakes, but you might want to tell your grandchildren not to catch them in their mouths.

Contact no: (206) 405-2655

Location: 600 Pine Street, Seattle, WA 98101

Learn more here.

Golden Age Collectables

Golden Age is a comic book store for all ages: lunchboxes for kids, graphic novels for teens, collectibles of all sorts and even Elvis and I Love Lucy memorabilia for grandparents. With so many novelites, it’s easy for to lose track of time, but bring some money because if you take your grandchild here, you might not be able to get out without buying something.

Contact no: (206) 622-9799

Location: 1501 Pike Place, Seattle, WA 98101

Learn more here.

Easy Street Records & Cafe

Tell your grandchild about how you used to go to the malt shop to hang out and listen to the jukebox, then recreate the experience with a new spin by taking them to a record store where people shop for albums, hang out and get a bite to eat. This weekend community gathering spot has CDs for all ages, great food and waitresses who will add a smiley face to a pancake for your favorite munchkin.

Contact no: (206) 938-3279

Location: 4559 California Avenue SW, West Seattle, WA 98116

Learn more here.

Archie McPhee

Practical joking and kitsch-loving grandchildren of all ages will thank you for taking them to this internationally-known novelty store run amok. Joy buzzers, boxing nun puppets and an odd scientific surplus are just part of what’s offered at the store that brought you the librarian action figure. Allow at least 30 minutes and don’t be surprised if the kids sing your praises to their parents.

Contact no: (206) 297-0240

Location: 1300 North 45th Street, Seattle, WA 98103

Learn more here.

Stone Gardens

Having a child climbing the walls isn’t always a bad thing, especially when it’s at a place that’s designed for just that purpose. Stone Gardens is an indoor climbing gym with textured walls and a variety of paths up its wall. There’s a Kids Climb where children of all ability can hit the wall, while a grandparent sits, watches, and dotes.

Contact no: (206) 781-9828

Location: 2839 Northwest Market Street, Seattle, WA 98107

Learn more here.

Interbay Golf Center

It’s never too early to brainwash — or excuse us — cultivate future golf partners and Interbay’s miniature golf is the place to do it. Instead of silly windmills and other gimmicks, the mini course just offers straight-up golfing without all the bells and whistles.

Contact no: (206) 285-2200

Location: 2501 15th Avenue W, Seattle, WA 98119

Learn more here.

GameWorks — Seattle

Think game-room-on-steroids and you’ve got a good picture of this video arcade for all ages. The games use the latest technology, but have prices to match. The music is censored and games are rated for age appropriateness. Where else can you bond over skee-ball or challenge your grandchildren in a race car simulator? There’s also a restaurant for snacks and meals. Game card deals are available with meals. One catch: you must be 18 years or older to visit GameWorks after 10pm.

Contact no: (206) 521-0952

Location:1511 Seventh Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101

Learn more here.

Fun Forest Amusement Park

Seattle Center Fun Forest

Calling it an amusement park may be a stretch, but this Seattle Center fixture delights young children with its mix of mini-golf, bumper cars, games, roller coasters, and other rides for all ages. It’s a bit long in the tooth, but that’s part of its charm.

Contact no: (206) 728-1586

Location: 305 Harrison Street, Seattle, WA 98109

Learn more here.

Woodland Park Zoo

Woodland Park Zoo

When you think rainy-day activity, a zoo isn’t the first idea come to mind, but Woodland Park is different. Even if it’s too nasty outside to visit the new Sumatran tiger cub, see the Elephant Forest or ride the 1918 carousel, you can still feed birds in the Willawong Station or grandchildren younger than eight can play in Zoomasium, a play space where they can explore nature.

Contact no: (206) 684-4800

Location: 601 North 59th Street, Seattle, WA 98103

Learn more here.

Woodland Park: The Rose Garden

“Woodland Park: The Rose Garden
On the south side of the Woodland Park Zoo, there is one of several parking areas that serve the zoo grounds. On the east side of this parking lot for the Woodland Park Zoo, you will find the entrance to the Woodland Park Rose Garden. There is only one entrance into and out of the garden, and the garden is well protected by fences.
There are two fountains in the rose garden, and everything is very well manicured. It isn’t a huge rambling garden, but it is fairly good sized.
While the roses are the primary purpose of the garden, there are a number of other blooms you will find here, and they keep the color of the garden going to some extent even when the roses are out of season. Keep in mind that Seattle is further north and stays fairly cold, so the rose blossoms happen fairly late in the year compared to Portland and other places further south.”

Contact no:
Location: 750 N 50th St, Seattle

Learn more here.