Bainbridge Island, a 35-minute ferry ride from downtown Seattle, is an easy day trip from the city and the Olympic and Kitsap peninsulas in Washington state. Although the island draws tourists interested in visiting its boutiques, restaurants and wineries, it also offers indoor and outdoor activities for families with kids of all ages.
Discover KiDiMu. The Kids Discovery Museum reopened in June 2010 in a new building and offers interactive play and learning activities for toddlers through preteens. Take your youngest children to the enclosed Totally Tot area. Send older kids to interactive exhibits that include a pirate-themed treehouse, a bank, a grocery store with kid-size carts and checkout stands, a doctor’s office and an electric car. Visit the second floor and let kids play with exhibits that use golf balls to teach physics concepts. As of July 2010, entry was $5 for kids and adults; children 12 months and younger entered free.
Go to the indoor Aquatics Center, which offers daily open swims and family swims, ranging from two to four hours. Let kids have fun in the lazy river, the two-story, 180-foot water slide and splashy fountain in the main pool while you check out the hot tub or steam room. Play with your youngest kids in the enclosed tot pool. Lockers, showers, family changing rooms and towel rental are available. As of July 2010, entry was free for kids aged 2 and under, $4 for kids aged 3 to 17, $5 for adults through age 59 and $4 for seniors.
Play at Battle Point Park. Once the site of a naval radio station, Battle Point Park occupies about 90 acres on the west-central side of the island. Set kids loose on the large play structure's bridges, slides, towers, climbing areas and secret passages. Push special-needs children in specially designed swings. Bring bikes for the jogging/walking/biking trail, or take a family walk. Look for some of the park's wild rabbits in the grasslands area. Restrooms are available.
Visit Fay Bainbridge State Park, where kids can watch sailboats, ferries and tankers in Puget Sound and take in views of the Space Needle and Mt. Rainier. Explore the beach and build a fort with the abundant driftwood. Time your visit for low tide (see Resource section) to explore sea life and watch clammers dig for geoducks and horse clams. Let the kids enjoy the playground's swings, slides and climbing wall. Restrooms are available.
