MiniMaker Faire with crafts, storytime, speakers, robotics, demos, coding, hands-on activities and more at Barnes and Noble stores around the country - Saturday and Sunday - November 7th and 8th 2015 - Various locations, various times, various activities!

Check out the Science and Technology themed event happening at Barnes and Noble this weekend!

" Join us to see demonstrations and experience some of the latest products in 3D printing, robotics, coding, programming and more. "

For more info. go here. 

Open House at ALL NINE Fire Stations with tours, demos, snacks, activities and more in Bellevue - Saturday, October 3rd 2015 from 10am-4pm

A Day of Family Fun

Open House at Bellevue Fire Stations

Saturday, October 3, 10-4pm

" Join us for a day of family fun at all nine Bellevue Fire Department stations. Last year we had over 4,000 parents, kids and neighbors join us for a day at the fire house. This year we will be focusing on the importance of smoke detectors. "Hear the beep where you sleep" reminds all of us to review the locations and proper function of smoke alarms in our homes.


Here are just a few of the happenings:

                                                            Home fire safety trailer
                                                    Hands only CPR demonstrations
                                                      Stove top fires demonstration
                                                    Tours, snacks and fun for all ages


                                                                      

                                                             For more info. go here.

"One Hot Night" - The Fall Open House with glass blowing, bronze pouring, other artists demos, kids art activity, and more at Pratt Fine Arts Center in Seattle - Saturday, September 19th 2015 from 6-9pm

One of our all time favorites that we have been taking our son to for the past couple of years! 

" Join us for One Hot Night! Pratt’s annual Fall Open House. This fun, FREE, family-friendly event features artists in all of our studios. Come watch them pull prints, blow glass, pour bronze and forge red hot steel! "

Live artist demos in the following studios include:

• Printmaking: Screenprinting, block printing, monoprinting, etching, letterpress, bookbinding
• Jewelry/Metals: Fabrication, Cuttlefish casting
• Wood:  Wood turning, Wood working
• Sculpture: Blacksmithing, Stone carving, Bronze Pour
• Glass:  Glassblowing, Flameworking, Kiln casting, Coldworking, Fusing and slumping

Highlights and additional activities:

• LIVE Bronze Pour
• Debora Moore glassblowing demonstration in conjunction with the exhibition Debora Moore: Glass Orchidarium on view at the Northwest African American Museum through November 8, 2015.
• Performances by School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts (SANCA)
• Youth art projects (still TBD)
• Ezell’s Express food truck
• Cash bar featuring Red Hook brew

For more info. go here.

Fresh Paint with live artist demos including glassblowing, music, kids art activities and more in Everett - Now until 5pm, Today, Sunday, August 16th 2015

Fresh Paint

Aaron and Dan LaChaussee working in the Mobile Hot Shop

Port of Everett Marina, 1700 West Marine View Drive

Purchase art fresh off the easel at Everett's waterfront art festival! The entire length of the promenade will be filled with more artists than ever, turning the marina into a huge outdoor studio and sidewalk gallery.

100+ artists will be sharing painting, pottery, glass, jewelry, photography & much more.

• Every artist is in action, plus on-site glassblowing demonstrations at our mobile hot shop.
• Live music along the promenade
• Food from several marina restaurants and our festival vendors
• Art activities for children
• Everett Farmer's Market right next door on Sunday from 11am-4pm.

For more info. go here.

Windermere Summer Splash with free water sports, games, entertainment, arts and crafts and more in Green Lake - Saturday, August 15th 2015 from 9am-4pm

" Bring the kids to a fun fair with food tents, arts & crafts, carnival games, entertainment, music and more! Try free kayaking, canoeing, rowing and stand up paddle boarding at the Green Lake Small Craft Center open house. Watch your local businesses compete in the Corporate Cup Regatta to see who takes home the coveted Corporate Cup trophy. "

For more info. go here.

Snoqualmie Railroad Days with free wagon rides, a parade, a car show, performances and more! - Now until 5pm on Sunday, August 16th 2015

" A unique festival that strives to keep the “Trains, Timber, Tradition” encompassing the history of Snoqualmie alive. The event includes: Entertainment Stages, Vendors, a Grand Parade, Children’s Field of Fun, Timber Sports Demonstrations, Food & Drink venues as well as the Fireman’s Pancake Breakfast that started it all! Artisans display & sell their wares while the Legends Classic Car Club hosts hundreds of classic vehicles among the local services and businesses showcasing what they can do for you. Art in the Park, provided by the Snoqualmie Arts Commission, features Artists in Action and the Plein Air Paintout with artists from near and far, while also offering a Kid’s Paint Junction for the younger set. "

For more info. go here.

"Waterfront Whimsea" Family Fun Day with Fireboat demo, a Brian Vogan performance, fire engine, games, prizes, slides and more in Seattle - Sunday, August 2nd 2015 from 11am-3pm

This is a fun one...go check it out!

 Waterfront Whimsea – FREE Family Fun Event

" Family friendly entertainment, fun and games return for a fourth year!...

 Grab the family and get ready for the return of a Downtown Seattle favorite! The Waterfront Whimsea Family Fun Day will showcase live music from Brian Vogan and his Good Buddies, balloon animals, prizes, games and more.

This event is FREE and open to the public! "

Timeline: 

12:00 – 12:45pm – band, Brian Vogan and His Good Buddies 

1:00 pm – Fireboat demonstration 

1:30 – 2:15 – Comedy Juggler Eric Haines 

All day activity: 

- Face painter: Rebecca Dickinson

- Balloon Twister Extraordinaire: Sara Chastain 

- Blow Up Slide 

- Games and Prizes 

- Fire Engine

For more info. go here.

Ananda Mela Festival in Redmond - Saturday and Sunday, July 25th and 26th 2015 from 12-9pm both days!

" Many more performances, visual art exhibition, demonstrations, displays, magicians, juggler, children’s activities, Inflatables, pony rides, community organization booths, and irresistible shopping opportunities to engage all attendees from start to finish! "

For more info. go here.

30th Annual Renton River Days with TONS of free fun! - Now until 6pm on Sunday, July 26th 2015

Highly recommend this one and you can expect to spend 3 hours of having fun here if not more! 

For more info. go here.

SandBlast Festival of the Arts with a huge sand sculpture being carved in real time, music, dancing, demos, storytelling and more in Duvall - Now, Saturday, July 18th until 6pm on Sunday, July 19th 2015

DUVALL SANDBLAST FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS

We love this one...so fun and relaxing! You can watch performances, play in the sand, play in the water, watch the sculpting, go on a mini-hike, do crafts, etc. Sunday is a good time to go since the sand sculpture will be more close to being finished and it is usually pretty impressive. 

" DUVALL, WA –The annual SandBlast Festival of the Arts will be held at McCormick Park (26200 NE Stephens St, Duvall) on the shore of the historic and beautiful Snoqualmie River in Duvall.  The dates for this years Festival are Saturday and Sunday, July 18th and July 19th.  The festival features a professional and community sand sculpture event and includes live music, dance and performance, story telling and a fine art and craft fair.   Artisans are to demonstrate, display and sell their work within the art fair located on a grassy knoll overlooking the river and sand sculpture area.  Within this same area, our SandBlast music stage is a focal point within the artist’s arena. ...

...The grassy knoll overlooking the beach will be filled with numerous bands, dancing, art booths, food vendors, performers and more. World-renowned sand sculpture artist Kali Bradford will be working her magic on the beach along with local sand carvers creating a unique sculpture that represents the theme of this year’s event. All ages welcome to pick up a shovel and help! Stroll through or bring your beach chairs and bathing suit and stay all day!

The goal of this free festival is to celebrate the arts, introduce and promote local and regional artists and art organizations. Swim, shop, dance – support the arts and enjoy this year’s SandBlast Festival on the banks of the Snoqualmie River! "

For more info. go here.

To check out pictures from one of our previous visits, go here.

Bon Odori Festival in Seattle - Saturday and Sunday, July 18th and 19th 2015 - various times!

Bon Odori Festival

Saturday, July 18th, 4PM to 10PM

Sunday, July 19th, 3PM to 8PM

Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple

1427 S. Main, Seattle (map)

" Bon Odori is a traditional summer festival in which we honor our ancestors who have passed on, remember and appreciate all they have done for us, and celebrate their ongoing presence in the lives we enjoy today.

Also known as Obon, the festival is an official Seafair event held at the Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple. The main event is traditional music and dancing in the street in a giant oval. Many festival goers dress in Japanese kimono, yukata or happi coats. The event also features Japanese food booths and refreshment, taiko and martial arts performances, and craft exhibits and demonstrations. "

For more info. go here.

Queen Anne Days with Summerfest on Saturday and FamilyFest on Sunday in Seattle - Saturday and Sunday, July 11th and 12th 2015 - Various times

QUEEN ANNE DAYS SUMMERFEST 

Saturday, JULY 11TH 2:00pm to 9:00pm

Geared to ages 21+ but all ages are welcome. Sip taste and experience Queen Anne culture!

 West Queen Anne Playfield

Beer, Wine & Cider Garden / Art Walk / Car Show / Dog Parade / Music / Food 

and more.

QUEEN ANNE DAYS FAMILYFEST

SUNDAY, JULY 12TH - 10:30am TO 4:00pm

Familyfest. An awesome day of fun for everyone in the family! Now even bigger and more awesome!

KIDDIE PARADE

Decorate your “ride” (bike/wagon, scooter) and get creative with your kids for this neighborhood kids' parade! Costumes are most certainly encouraged!

10:30am: Gather at McClure School Parking Lot.  The parade begins at 11:00am.

The fun continues right after the parade at the West Queen Anne Playfield

UNION BANK STAGE 

Join us at Familyfest for family-friendly music - free and open to anyone who enjoys community. Our line-up includes favorite bands of kids and parents alike. Boogie along on the dance floor or relax with refreshments from our food trucks while enjoying the happy sounds of summer. 

Familyfest musical guests:

• 10:30 AM - Seattle Kokon Taiko
• 11:15 AM - Recess Monkey
• 12:15 PM - The Tallboys
• 1:15 PM - Johnny Bregar
• 2:15 PM - The Not-­Its!
• 3:15 PM - The Harmonica Pocket

Between band sets, stop by the Union Bank merchandise tent to meet the bands and pick up a t-shirt or album. Also between sets, enjoy performances and demonstrations for local talent, including:

• Fingerprint Music
• Metropolis Dance
• Aegis Living Yo-yo expert

FOOD TRUCKS

Food Trucks! Get your fill! We will be serving up some of the finest during Familyfest on Sunday!

• Cupcake Royale
• Kiss My Grits
• Mad Dawg's Hot Dogs
• Mesob at the Curb
• Napkin Friends
• Neema's Comfort
• Simply Kettlecorn
• Six Strawberries 
• Thai-U-Up

GAMES AND BIG FUN

More than 20 carnival games and tons of other stuff to make you smile! Play games, win tickets, turn them in at the Queen Anne Dispatch prize booth for cool stuff! And it's all free!

• Bunny petting! 
• Human Hamster Balls
• Splashy water fun to keep you cool
• Inflatable obstacle course
• 26-foot video game truck
• Inflatable bungee run
• Plus 3 more bouncy houses
• Balloon twister!
• Face painters!
• Cookie decorating from Metropolitan Market
• Temporary tattoo station by Damasak Tattoo
• Sidewalk chalk contest by Clutter Punch Personal Organizing
• Kubb game from Blue Highway Games
• Robotics Demos by CoeBotics and McClure Robotics
• Lucky Ducks game by La Casita Feliz
• Tumbling from Little Gym
• Parkour course from Parkour Visions Gym
• Bean Bag Toss, ring toss and craft by Queen Anne Co-op Preschool
• Sports demos by Sportball
• Collaborative sculpture with Sweet Pea Cottage
• Learn dance routines, enter a drawing for discounted classes from Metropolis Dance
• Giant finger painting from Bustle Caffe
• Pop-a-shot basketball game and meet the Falcons mascot from Seattle Pacific University
• Yo-yo contest by Aegis Living
• Meet local kids book author Hillel Cooperman    
• Dart board with Nerf gun from Z-Ultimate Karate/Self-Defense
• Mini jam sessions with Fingerprint Music School
• Build and launch water bottle rockets with Queen Anne Cub Scouts & Boy Scouts
• Fold and fly paper airplanes with Usborne Books
• "no-brush" painting challenge by Hope Black Art
• Spaghetti stick and marshmallow science project sculptures from Orange Clever
• Free books and crafts from the Queen Anne Public Library Books on Bikes cart    
• Cardboard Maze by Queen Anne Historical Society
• Family Polaroid photos from Safe N Sound Swimming

For more info. on SummerFest on Saturday go here.

For more info. on FamilyFest on Sunday go here.

Dragon Fest with dragon and lion dances, taiko drumming, martial arts demos, $2 food bites and more in Seattle - Starting from 12pm on Saturday, July 11th until 6pm on Sunday, July 12th 2015

" This year’s Dragon Fest will feature non-stop cultural performances including Dragon and Lion dances, Japanese taiko drumming, martial arts demonstrations, the Chinese Girls Drill Team, and much, much, more. For Seattle’s foodies we are proud to bring back the 5th Annual $2 Food Walk presented Delta Air Lines with over 40 restaurants offering a wide array of international $2 bites! "

For more info. go here.

Mill Creek Festival and Street Fair - Saturday and Sunday, July 11th and 12th 2015 - Starts at 11am both days!

There will be 2 performance stages, an artists plaza, a pet plaza arena with demos and performances, a kids zone, 3 on 3 basket ball and more! 

" Besides bouncy toys, a rock climbing wall and even a dunk tank, many of our vendors opt to be in the Kid's Place so that they can sponsor activities such as face painting, arts and crafts, or having your picture taken with a super hero. "

For more info. go here.

Third Annual "Summer Picnic in the Park" with live music, art, free ice cream, demos and more at Volunteer Park in Seattle - Tonight, Thursday , July 9th 2015 from 6-8pm

Come celebrate summer with us at our third annual Summer Picnic in the Park!

Music: 

The Shed Boys

Food Vendors:

Cheese Wizards

Dante's Inferno Dogs

Fusion on the Run

Happy Grillmore

Spicy Papaya Food Truck

Free treats provided by VPT:

Cupcake Royale - Capitol Hill Ice Cream

Other participants: 

Sanca Seattle

Aegis Senior Living - Madison Street

Pre-picnic art in the park:

Gage Academy of Art

Calligraphy demonstration:

Seattle Art Museum (Asian Art Museum)

For more info. go here.

Big Day of Play with FREE bike helmets while supplies last, water craft rides, demos, performances, and TONS of other fun and free activities in Seattle - Sunday, June 28th 2015 from 12-4pm

Another favorite event of ours...take the kids and check it out!

" Please join Seattle Parks and Recreation and title sponsor, PCC Natural Markets, for this free, family-friendly event!

Mark your calendar from noon – 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 28, to see what Seattle Parks and Recreation and other community organizations are offering in the way of fun activities and healthy food. This year’s Big Day of Play event will be held at Mount Baker Rowing and Sailing Center, 3800 Lake Washington Blvd. S.

There will be sample activities from Seattle Parks and Recreation facilities and programs, paddling and boating events, a main stage celebration of cultural diversity with music and entertainment, creative play opportunities, youth demonstrations and healthy food vendors. Stop by the PCC TasteMobile, where kids 12 and under can participate in a PCC Kid Picks taste test and all ages can spin the Color Wheel to test their food knowledge and win prizes. Or Children’s Hospital’s Free bike helmet giveaway for children at least 1 years old to age 18 (Wearers must be present and be fitted to receive a helmet. Quantities are limited; one helmet per child. First come, first served.) "

Main Stage Line-Up 12:00 p.m. African Dance 12:20 p.m. Hawaiian Dancers 12:45 p.m. Chinese Dancers  1:10 p.m. Zumba 1:30 p.m. Hip Hop Dance Class 1:45 p.m. Rene Rope Jumper 2:10 p.m. Mixxedfit 2:20 p.m. Joyas Mestizad Mexican Dance 2:45 p.m. Baile Dior Majorette Dance Team 3:00 p.m. Compost Demo 3:15 p.m. Rainjammers Free Style Frisbee Show Team 3:30 p.m. South East Seattle Community Youth Orchestra

Activities Arts and Crafts Aviation Board and Carnival Games Big Blue Blocks Frisbee Golf and Tic Tac Toe Fitness Activities Kite Making Planting Quickstart Tennis Robotics Boat Making Arts and Crafts Sailing Stand Up Paddle Boards (SUP) Kayaks Canoes

All boating participants must sign a risk and release waiver to use the boats. Anyone under 18yrs old must have a parent or guardian sign the risk and release waiver. There is an age requirement and height restriction for the boating activities during the day. Be prepared to get wet!

For more info. go here.

Bellevue Strawberry Festival = tons of fun at Crossroads Park in Bellevue - Now thru 6pm on Sunday, June 28th 2015 - Some things free and some for a fee.

All kinds of fun to be had at this annual event!

For more info. go here.

CHILDREN'S DAY (kodomo no hi) at Seattle Japanese Garden - Sunday, May 31st 2015 from 11am-3pm - "Less than a Latte" each for adults and FREE for kids 12 and under!

This Japanese national holiday celebrates the happiness of children; embrace the celebration and join in the fun.

FREE Admission for Kids 12 and Under!

Enjoy a spring day in the beautiful garden filled with family-friendly activities. Kids of all ages can experience Japanese cultural traditions through demonstrations, performances, and hands-on activity stations. 

Origami - Nature-themed Crafts - Zen play garden - Sumi-e water painting 

Aikido demonstration - Iaido sword demonstration 

Puppet show - Haiku workshop - Taiko drumming performance - Koi feeding

Guided tours - Scavenger hunt with prizes

11am 11:30am Japan America Society of the State of Washington--"Japan in a Suitcase--Taro Goes to Elementary School" Show-and-Tell Presentation of a Day in the Life of a Child in Japan

12pm Kaze Daiko--Youth Taiko Drumming

1pm Seattle Aikikai--Youth Aikido Demonstration

1:30pm West Cascade Puppet Brigade--'Issunboshi - The Inch High Samurai'. A Modern Telling of an Ancient Japanese Story

2pm Haiku Northwest--"How to Haiku" Workshop

2:30pm Seibu Ryu Iai-Battojutsu Demonstration--Iaido Japanese Sword Training

Guided tours will begin at 12:30pm & 2pm.

This event was generously sponsored by Jeff McLaughlin, in memory of Suzanne McLaughlin.

For more info. go here.