In the Spotlight
The Fremont Troll For a free Seattle activity to do with your preschooler, go visit the Fremont Troll under the Aurora Bridge for a big surprise!
Seattle House Of Hong Dim Sum Restaurant Treat your preschooler to Seattle Dim Sum at Seattle's House of Hong where the food is exotic and unique- a Seattle family favorite!
The Children's Museum Seattle The Children's Museum Seattle, a favorite place to explore, learn and have fun where there is always something new to see!
Olympic Sculpture Park
by Pam Koons
Is it art? Is it a museum? Is it a park? Yes! It’s all three at the Seattle Art Museum’s Sculpture Park on downtown Seattle's waterfront. Take your imaginative preschooler on an outdoor art walk to see 21 larger than life sculpture pieces built on nine landscaped acres. The huge 20 foot Typewriter Eraser is a "big" favorite as well as the 48 foot long Wave. Your preschooler will feel more cultured, and parents will feel refreshed walking along the beautifully landscaped paths with spectacular views of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound.
The unusual sculpture pieces naturally give preschoolers a wonderful opportunity to share language skills. Watch for signs posted by each sculpture to explain to your preschooler more about each whimsical piece of art.
The Vivarium is home to an 80 foot old-growth habitat tree that was brought over from the Cedar River Watershed. Your preschooler play rain forest scientist and use the magnifying glasses that are freely provided to inspect the various creatures, insects and plants that nurse and inhabit the tree.
One of the main sculptures, The Wake, is a series of 5 pieces mimicking a ship’s hull. Preschoolers will enjoy walking in-between the wave-like pieces, as they are an unusual 14 feet tall and 48 feet long!
What Parents will Enjoy at the Olympic Sculpture Park
The Olympic Sculpture Park is free and sits right by Pike Place Market. Both can easily be seen in one day. Note- the walking paths are stroller-accessible, but do have some incline. The park is visited by all age groups, including preschoolers!
The expansive views of Seattle and Puget Sound are breath taking. Bring your camera. Benches provide a nice rest-stop for your preschooler and picnicking.
What Parents Should know about the Olympic Sculpture Park
It is understandably difficult for both preschoolers and parents not to touch some of the sculptures or the landscaping. Talk to your preschooler ahead of time about caring for the art, as they might not be used to this restriction.
For the outdoor hungrys, the Taste Café is located in the park’s middle pavilion and serves picnic-style foods to go or to eat there (the food is good)! Restrooms are here.
The Seattle Art Museum’s website has on-line guided tours your preschooler can watch from home to add excitement to their visit. Download a walking tour map to enhance your preschooler’s visit.
General Information about the Olympic Sculpture Park
Location: (map)
2091 Western Ave. Seattle, Wa.
206.654.3100
Cost is free!
Park Hours:
May thru Sept: 6am–9pm daily
Oct thru April: 7am–6pm daily
Taste Café Hours:
May-Sept: Tue-Thur/Sat-Sun 10am-5pm, Fri 10am-9pm
Oct-Apr: Tue-Sun 10am-4pm
Park FAQ's: Read ahead for a list of often-asked questions about the park.
Is it art? Is it a museum? Is it a park? Yes! It’s all three at the Seattle Art Museum’s Sculpture Park on downtown Seattle's waterfront. Take your imaginative preschooler on an outdoor art walk to see 21 larger than life sculpture pieces built on nine landscaped acres. The huge 20 foot Typewriter Eraser is a "big" favorite as well as the 48 foot long Wave. Your preschooler will feel more cultured, and parents will feel refreshed walking along the beautifully landscaped paths with spectacular views of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound. What Preschoolers will Enjoy about the Olympic Sculpture Park
The unusual sculpture pieces naturally give preschoolers a wonderful opportunity to share language skills. Watch for signs posted by each sculpture to explain to your preschooler more about each whimsical piece of art.
The Vivarium is home to an 80 foot old-growth habitat tree that was brought over from the Cedar River Watershed. Your preschooler play rain forest scientist and use the magnifying glasses that are freely provided to inspect the various creatures, insects and plants that nurse and inhabit the tree.
One of the main sculptures, The Wake, is a series of 5 pieces mimicking a ship’s hull. Preschoolers will enjoy walking in-between the wave-like pieces, as they are an unusual 14 feet tall and 48 feet long!
What Parents will Enjoy at the Olympic Sculpture Park
The Olympic Sculpture Park is free and sits right by Pike Place Market. Both can easily be seen in one day. Note- the walking paths are stroller-accessible, but do have some incline. The park is visited by all age groups, including preschoolers! The expansive views of Seattle and Puget Sound are breath taking. Bring your camera. Benches provide a nice rest-stop for your preschooler and picnicking.
What Parents Should know about the Olympic Sculpture Park
It is understandably difficult for both preschoolers and parents not to touch some of the sculptures or the landscaping. Talk to your preschooler ahead of time about caring for the art, as they might not be used to this restriction.
For the outdoor hungrys, the Taste Café is located in the park’s middle pavilion and serves picnic-style foods to go or to eat there (the food is good)! Restrooms are here.
The Seattle Art Museum’s website has on-line guided tours your preschooler can watch from home to add excitement to their visit. Download a walking tour map to enhance your preschooler’s visit.
General Information about the Olympic Sculpture Park
Location: (map)
2091 Western Ave. Seattle, Wa.
206.654.3100
Cost is free!
Park Hours:
May thru Sept: 6am–9pm daily
Oct thru April: 7am–6pm daily
Taste Café Hours:
May-Sept: Tue-Thur/Sat-Sun 10am-5pm, Fri 10am-9pm
Oct-Apr: Tue-Sun 10am-4pm
Park FAQ's: Read ahead for a list of often-asked questions about the park.
Share your ideas! Do you know of an interesting low cost or free activity for preschoolers? Let us know and we'll publish your idea!