With populations of 117,000 to more than 573,000 residents, four of the five largest cities in the state of Washington are in the western part of the state, according to Infoplease. These cities include Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver and Bellevue. Home to Washington's most populous areas, the western portion of the state provides visitors and residents with recreational and other activities to enjoy throughout the year. Among these things to do in western Washington are some activities geared specifically toward children.
The School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts is on South Orca near Seventh Avenue South in the Georgetown neighborhood of Seattle. The nonprofit group began in 2003 and offers courses for children in circus performing.
Toddlers 2 and 3 years of age can participate in Baby & Me classes, which include gross motor exercises that children perform along with a parent or caregiver. At age 4, students at the School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts begin to attend classes independently, with preschoolers learning more challenging skills including tumbling.
General circus performing classes are offered for kids up to 15 years of age. Special courses that concentrate on just one skill like aerial performing, trampoline or tightrope-walking are also available for kids and teens. Children have the opportunity to participate in the school's circus groups, which give performances throughout the year.
The schedule of classes at the School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts can change throughout the year. Classes last a minimum of 30 minutes in length and advanced registration is necessary to enroll. The nearest parking for the school is along the street.
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is on North Pearl Street in Ruston, Washington, approximately six miles northeast of Tacoma. The zoo has served as an area attraction for children since its opening in 1905 and is the only combined zoo and aquarium in the Pacific Northwest.
The facility covers 29 acres and serves as home to more than 9,000 animals representing 367 species. In the Kid Zoo, children can learn how zookeepers care for animals and have the opportunity to pet domesticated ones like goats and guinea pigs. Kids can also enjoy the zoo's carousel and its outdoor climbing playground.
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is open daily from January through October. During the months of November and December, the zoo is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, as of November 2010. The zoo rents wheelchairs, strollers, umbrellas and electric scooters. Lockers rentals are also available. Admission varies and free parking is offered in the zoo's lot.
Hands On Children's Museum is on 11th Avenue Southwest between Columbia Street Southwest and Capitol Way South in the downtown area of Olympia, a western Washington city and the state capital. The museum opened in 1987 and features more than 55 interactive activities that encourage kids to learn through doing.
In the Tot Spot area, children from babies to age 4 can explore a safe area for crawling that features activities like arts and crafts. In the Working Waterfront exhibit, kids serve as engineers and design their own city spaces. The Hands On Children's Museum also offers educational activities for children, such as summer and school holiday camps as well as workshops for home-school students.
The Hands On Children's Museum is open daily year round, closing only on Easter, July Fourth, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Admission varies and parking is available next door in a pay garage, which has meters that require quarters.
