Long, fun-filled days in Snohomish County are enough to brighten the day of anyone who calls the area home, but it’s especially exciting for those little ones as it creates endless possibilities for outdoor adventures in the sunshine. Boasting a stunning landscape that showcases everything from sparkling beaches and crystal-clear lakes to scenic trails and hidden forests, along with a thriving community that’s home to a diverse collection of local businesses with a focus on outdoor and recreational activities, the region has everything a kid could ask for and more! So come on, parents, what are you waiting for? It’s time to get outside and play with these amazing outdoor activities that are perfect for boys and girls of all ages right here in Snohomish County!
Get Baby Active with Hike It Baby Snohomish
Nonprofit organization OutGrown is on a mission to empower families with young children to explore and embrace the outdoors with their Hike It Baby groups nationwide, including one here called Hike It Baby Snohomish. These leisurely strolls are designed with families in mind, with trails for the hikes carefully selected to ensure baby and parents’ safety.
Similarly, Outside Guides for these excursions are carefully selected by OutGrown, who offer free training to anyone interested in leading the charge. Parents interested in participating will be happy to know they can view what hikes are led by whom, where, when, and what the difficulty level will be ahead of time, with Hike It Baby offering hikes to suit anyone and everyone, from vigorous hikes that require a baby carrier to paved walking hikes to accommodate strollers and even toddler-lead hikes that allow preschool-aged children to set the pace.
Have a Wild Time at Local Snohomish County Petting Zoos and Animal Farms
Critters and kids go together like peanut butter and jelly, and Snohomish County offers a smorgasbord of opportunities for this delightful combination. From petting zoos brimming with cuddly creatures to expansive animal farms teeming with fascinating livestock, an outdoor adventure awaits every curious young explorer.
In Arlington, kiddos can visit the outback at The Outback Kangaroo Farm. Their unique 40-minute tours are educational and recreational and feature many animals to see and interact with, including peacocks, emus, lemurs, wallabies, and, you guessed it, kangaroos. Kiddos can also enjoy making barnyard buddies at Swan Trail Farms and they can even get up close and personal with alpacas at Alpacas from MaRS.
Slide into Playtime at Snohomish County Public Playgrounds
With over 120 parks located within the region, there are plenty of playgrounds to choose from within the Snohomish County Parks system. Here, no two playgrounds are the same, as they range from simple features for a few minutes of entertainment to an all-day adventure with a galore of slides, swings, and more.
Little ones can set sail and enjoy the pirate life at Martha Lake Park, where their ship-shaped play structure is perfect for children ages 3 to 7. Meanwhile, kids aged 5 to 12 can enjoy a web climbing tower, climbing wall, swings, monkey bars, and other challenges to build their strength and balance at Kayak Point’s intricate playground that’s sure to keep them busy for hours on end.
At Logan Park in Lynnwood, challenging climbing walls, stairs, slides, ramps, monkey bars, and slides surround a two-story lookout station for the same age bracket to enjoy. Have kiddos between the ages of 2 to 12? Head on over to Lake Goodwin Community Park in Stanwood, which is conveniently located between the beach and picnic shelter, where a slide, fire truck, and climbing obstacles await.
Want to be the cool mom? Take that same age group to one of the region’s most popular playgrounds, Miner’s Corner. This one-of-a-kind, inclusive park includes a merry-go-round, ADA ramps and stairs, stepping stones, slides, swings, sand diggers, and more. They even have rain ponds that children are encouraged to interact with, so expect playtime here to get a little dirty.
Make a Splash at Snohomish County Water Parks
Are you looking for cool ways to keep the kiddos active while beating the heat? Snohomish County offers a variety of wet and wild adventures that will keep the young ones cool and entertained all summer, thanks to the region’s wide selection of water parks and splash zones.
Willis Tucker Park is already well-known for its impressive playground, but its spray pad steals the show when it opens each year near the end of May and opens to the public until the end of summer weather. The prestigious splash pad features a number of soakers, water cannons, dumping buckets, water domes, sprinklers, and more. Don’t forget to bring sand toys for the large sandbox as well.
Head over to Hazel Miller Spray Park, located in Edmonds City Park, for a chance to get dunked with their 55-gallon bucket that repeatedly refills just to dump water on anyone standing below. In Everett, the Water Playground at Forest Park is home to 16 interactive water features. Also, it features an area designed just for toddlers so they can get in on the water fun, too, making it the perfect water spot for kids of all ages.
Enjoy Sun, Sand, and Smiles at Snohomish County’s Beaches and Lakes with the Family
Of course, water time fun in Snohomish County isn’t just for the splash pads and waterparks. With a breathtaking waterfront, the region is also home to many spectacular beaches and lakes that will bring a smile to any child’s face as they enjoy sun-filled days playing in the sand and water.
In Snohomish, Lake Roesiger Park is the perfect spot to take kids paddle boarding, kayaking, or water skiing. A 28-acre, three-tiered park on the Everett Waterfront, Howarth Park is an ideal spot for families with kiddos with various interests, as it features various amenities that will surely make everyone happy. Kids who love to play in the sand will love its beach access, animal lovers will be thrilled at the abundance of local wildlife, adventure seekers will spend hours entertained at the Howarth Park Playground, and any flower child will enjoy exploring the Lewis and Clark Native Gardens as they learn about local plant species.
Likewise, the whole family will love a trip to Everett’s hidden gem, Jetty Island, where its rocky shores abound with crawly critters and thriving tide pools. Plus, the ferry ride to this exclusive slice of paradise will ignite any child’s excitement as they tuck these visits away with their cherished memories.
Take Summer Camp to a New Level at High Trek Camps
Offering outdoor summer camp adventures to remember is the Northwest’s top outdoor adventure park, High Trek Adventures in Everett. Their High Trek Day Camps are an exciting and adventurous way to enrich any child’s outdoor experiences as they have a grand time exploring their site by climbing on their three-story ropes course, flying through the air on one of their zip lines, or having some fun playing mini golf or laser tag. With a focus on sports, relays, and team activities, campers will also participate in traditional games like kickball, soccer, badminton, and some non-traditional games like archery, fencing, and Snook ball, to name a few.
All of this will be done under the watchful eye of High Trek’s qualified counselors, who will help these youngsters along the way, encouraging each child to work with other campers, form relationships, solve problems, challenge themselves, and guide them through the frustrations of failures as they lead them to the thrill of success with each new experience.
Got a kiddo who’s not much of a camper but still wants to enjoy the fun? Fear not! High Trek Adventures goes beyond summer camp to offer family fun, group events, and various celebrations and excitement for all ages. Stop by anytime to enjoy their fun tower climbing wall, putt-putt mini golf course, axe-throwing lanes, laser tag missions, and a chance to climb the largest ropes course with ziplining in the Pacific Northwest!
Paint the Town at DoodleBug Sportz Outdoor Paintball Park
Kiddos can get their heart racing and adrenaline pumping while having a blast at DoodleBug Sportz Outdoor Paintball Park. DoodleBug Sportz specializes in introducing first-time paintball players to the sport through their Open Sessions and Private Paintball Party options. Once confident in their skills and abilities, youngsters can join in on the outdoor center’s specialized Kids Sessions that are perfect for kids ages 6 to 12 as they get to enjoy the thrilling sport of paintball. At just $35 per player, this playtime session includes everything required to play, complete with a rental paintball gun, paintball mask, and 500 paintballs. Parents will be happy to know that for these specific sessions, the paintball park uses their low-impact paintballs, which are 1/3 the impact of the traditional paintball. Just remember to dress accordingly to ensure kiddos have the best time during this unforgettable adventure, where they’ll develop their teamwork, communication, and leadership skills!
So, whether your kiddo loves to set sail on the high seas at local beaches, take on new heights with rope climbing, or prefers to get dirty during the tactical sport of paintball, there’s an outdoor recreational activity perfect for every child to enjoy here in Snohomish County. Get out there and explore the region’s wonders with your kiddos, all while making cherished family memories that will last a lifetime!
