School’s (Almost) Out for Summer!

With the end of the school year and that long-awaited but brief Seattle sunshine just around the corner, we thought it would be neighborly of us to offer some (mostly free!) family-friendly ideas for that small window of opportunity for sun lovers in Wallingford.

Hot Spots to Cool Off
With the closing of the school doors comes the opening of the many spray parks and wading pools in the Seattle area. The wading pool at Wallingford Playfield is one of the most popular spots in the neighborhood to cool off. Scheduled to open on Wednesday, June 28, the pool will be open from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday through August 18. Located right next to the playground, tennis courts, and play field, this is the perfect spot for an afternoon or evening picnic and to enjoy some relaxing family time. If three days isn’t enough wading time for you, here is the full list of city spray parks. If you plan to stay at home during the summer, be sure to make your home as comfortable as possible during the hot weather. One of the things you can do is schedule an ac maintenance service from RC Air Conditioning.

If the wading pool is a tad too small for your needs, we are very lucky to have a larger body of water just at the southern end of the ‘hood. If you’re even luckier enough to own a kayak, canoe, or other small water craft, Gas Works Park offers a perfect launch spot into Lake Union. (If you don’t happen to own any of those, you can venture east a little ways to Agua Verde Paddle Club, which offers kayak and stand-up paddle board rentals.) The park also offers lots of play and picnic space, including beloved Kite Hill where you can find Seattleites and tourists lazily taking in the spectacular view of the Seattle skyline, sail boats, and seaplanes all summer long. One bike ride up to the top of the hill makes for a guaranteed easy bedtime for the little ones, and if you’re there at just the right time, you might get some cool-off time with the lawn sprinklers. Don’t forget to check out the Seafair Fourth of July celebration at Gas Works, which includes a full array of kid-friendly rides, games, and entertainment throughout the day, followed by the spectacular fireworks show after dark.

Licking Good!
Another spot to cool off this summer will be at Wallingford’s newest foodie addition, Seattle Pops. This popular farmers’ market booth featuring frozen pops in a variety of fruity and exotic flavors made with all-natural, mostly local and organic ingredients has found a permanent home in the former Smash Wine Bar location at Interlake and 45th. The outside patio will be the perfect spot for the family to slurp away the mild summer evenings. Look for their grand opening sometime in June; in the meantime, they are still available at our very own Wallingford Farmers Market (see below).

Meridian Park Merriment
Speaking of farmers’ markets, don’t forget to check out the Best Farmers Market of 2013 (according to The Washington Farmers Markets Association), the Wallingford Farmers Market, every Wednesday, from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Meridian Park location, with its large, open, grassy field and proximity to the playgrounds (one for tots and one for big kids) and Seattle Tilth garden makes this an excellent venue for an evening of family fun and neighborly mingling. Bring a blanket to enjoy a picnic of your farm-fresh finds, ready-made meals, and even dessert, wine, or kombucha. For a more poetic enticement of what to expect, revisit Jordan’s May grand-opening post.

Take a Book, Leave a Book
Whenever my son and I are walking or biking around the neighborhood, one of our favorite things to do is to peek into all the Little Free Libraries along our way. The LFLs have become ubiquitous throughout the city, and I am very proud that Wallingford, in particular, has made this community-building project such a delightful part of our neighborhood. Many of them are even specifically for “kids only,” and we always find at least one book to take home with us. Whenever we do find a book to bring home, it feels like we just found a hidden treasure, so I thought, why not make an adventure out of it by turning it into a scavenger hunt? Most LFLs are registered and can be found on this city-wide map, which you can print out and easily turn a humdrum summer day into an exciting treasure hunt for the kids. It’s also a great way to teach them the virtue of generosity (and declutter your house) by having them donate some of their old books. Maybe you’ll even be inspired to build one of your own!

Celebrate the Dog Days of Summer!
Family-friendly doesn’t mean just the humans. Bring your furry family members (and non-furry) to the 68th annual Wallingford Family Parade on Saturday, July 8, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., along 45th Street. From the event page: “What’s more fun than a summertime parade? A parade that celebrates the ‘Dog Days of Summer’ (that’s your favorite pet in costume, by the way). Dress your puppy, cat or gerbil, then share your creativity in a spirited stroll down N 45th in the heart of Wallingford. Everyone’s welcome, dogs, cats, well behaved ferrets and people, too.”

Join the Club or Join the Circus?
The Wallingford Boys & Girls Club used to be THE best deal in town for summertime fun for the kids. For just the $50 annual membership fee, for the past two years I was able to drop my son off any time between noon and 6 p.m. all summer long. It looks like they have changed their rates and no longer offer the afternoon drop-in deal for grades K-5. The cost is now $175/week or $50/day (check the website for restrictions on drop-off and pick-up times); however, the drop-in deal does still apply to grades 6-12 (noon to 6 p.m. any day, with no additional cost) with a lower daily/weekly rate for earlier drop off. Though their rates and times have changed, the fun is the same—every day is filled with games, reading, sports, water play, field trips, movies, and other educational activities, all while making new friends in the neighborhood.

If you’re looking for something a little less ordinary for the family this summer, OmCulture offers a Circus Arts Summer Camp for kids, along with their regular yoga, dance, and body movement classes for all ages. Or, try one of their not-so-regular classes, such as acro yoga, aerial hammocks, or turtle dance. At the end of each week, kids will get a chance to show off their new circus talents to friends and family. These classes and camps seem to be really popular, so check their website soon for availability and rates.

Tell Us More!
These are just a few suggestions for entertaining and getting the kids out of the house this summer. We’d love to add to the list. What are some of your family’s favorite summertime activities or places in the neighborhood?