Looking for things to do with kids in Seattle this holiday season? Local Seattle hotels and area attractions are rolling out the red carpet for families this year. Here are just a few of our top favorite things to do with the family in Seattle for the holidays. Send us your favorites and we’ll keep this post updated through the holiday season!
Photo: Sheraton Seattle
Sheraton Seattle Lobby: Gingerbread Village
Open all day
Admission: FREE: Donations requested
The 20th Annual Gingerbread Village benefiting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Free admission, donations requested. The theme this year is “Once Upon A Time.” Little princes and princesses will love to view their beautiful castles made of Gingerbread and holiday cheer.
Make a Night of it at The Sheraton Seattle:
Guests of the hotel receive 20% off Ride the Ducks Holiday Tour
Holiday shopping package with rates from $209 that include a $100 gift certificate to Macys (per night you stay) and complimentary photos with the Downtown Macy’s Santa.
Santa Breakfasts benefiting the Arthritis Foundation Pacific Northwest Chapter
Larry Gets Lost in Seattle: “A Chocolate Holiday Buffet” with ART’s favorite canine
Sundays, December: 2, 9, 16 & 23, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Adults: $20; Children, ages 6 to 12: $12; 5 and under: free
“Larry Gets Lost in Seattle” Signed Book: $20; Larry Stuffed Toy or Plush: $12
Reservations: Call 206-749-7070
ART’s favorite canine, Larry and his creator, John Skewes are the stars of the annual “Chocolate Holiday Buffet,” a celebration for serious chocolate lovers. Set-up in ART Restaurant, the buffet’s temptations include triple chocolate mousse cake, chocolate croquenbouche, double chocolate cheesecake, chocolate tiramisu, white chocolate milkshakes, cocoa dusted cotton candy – and more! www.fourseasons.com/seattle
Ride the Duck Holiday Lights Tour
Photo: Ride the Duck Seattle
Departs daily through Dec 30 (Closed Christmas Eve/Day) M-F 6pm; Sat/Sun 5pm
Admission: Adults $15/Children 3-12 $5/ Babies 0-1 $1
Hop on board for a 40 minute land only tour of downtown Seattle light up in holiday magic. You will laugh and sing to songs like Grandma Got Run over By a Reindeer, and learn a lot about all of the holiday events in Seattle, as well as How many Frango chocolate boxes does Macy’s sell?
Website: RideTheDuckofSeattle.com
Woodland Park Zoo Lights: WildLights
Photo: Woodland Park Zoo
Now until January 1, 2013: 5:30-8:30pm nightly (Closed Christmas eve/day)
Admission: $9.50/Adult $6:50/Child Under 2 Free
WildLights, Seattle’s first winter lights festival at the Woodland Park Zoo, features wild animals and wild places recreated in thousands of sparkling LED lights. Family fun and entertainment – also ride the zoo’s Historic Carousel (additional fee), visit with animal friends, including visiting reindeer. WildLights is also doing a fun Wildlights Instagram Photo Contest for some fun Zoo experiences and gifts.
Snowflake Lane, Downtown Bellevue
Photo: The Bellevue Collection
Nightly at 7pm on the corner of NE 8th/Bellevue Square in front of Crate and Barrel/The Westin Bellevue.
Admission is Free, just get there early to grab a spot on the crowded sidewalk!
website: http://www.magicseason.com/events/snowflake.html
The sidewalks between Bellevue Square and Lincoln Square transform into holiday magic at 7pm each night through Dec 24. Live toy solider drummers drum, snow characters dance and the snow falls nightly. New this year is a Snowstorm music stage, Little Princess Court Meet up, Jingle Bell Dancers. Outdoor ice skating at Bellevue Park is just a short walk away!
You can also stay and make a special family holiday night of it at the Westin Bellevue!
The Westin Bellevue Holiday Shopping Package
Photo: The Westin Bellevue
The Westin Bellevue’s Holiday shopping package has rates starting at $219/night that include a $100 gift certificate to the Bellevue Collection (Bellevue Square, Lincoln Square, and Bellevue Place per night you stay) and complimentary self-parking.
Available for Friday and Saturday arrivals and stays through Sunday
Available all days of the week from November 21-25 and December 14-30
There’s also a very cool Asian Gingerbread Village in the lobby.
Note: We stayed there as a family earlier this summer and LOVED it. They have an indoor pool and hot tub, spacious rooms with gorgeous views and are so convenient for a family looking to do a little holiday shopping, dinner out, see Santa, take in Snowflake lane festivities and create a fun family holiday memory!
Other Seattle Area Holiday Events to Explore with Kids:
Photo: Winterfest Seattle
Seattle Christmas Ships viewing
ELF the Musical, 5th Avenue Theater
H0liday Snow at Pacific Place
Westlake Center, Holiday Carousel
Visit Seattle has another great list of holiday Seattle activities!
What are your favorite events to celebrate the holidays in Seattle? Leave us a link in the comments below or share on Hip Travel Mama’s Facebook page