Michele Johansen and Lexie Tigre
Welcome to Kid-Sized Eastside, a new parenting column by 425 mommies Michele Johansen and Lexie Tigre. They will report on kid-friendly places, share ideas and discuss other parenting topics in Kid-Sized Eastside in every issue of 425 magazine! Want more? Check out their blog at RubySlipperGuide.com
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Spring may be near, but the weather outside hasn’t received that memo yet. On cold rainy days, it can be difficult to come up with activities for your child that will not only entertain, but also get that excess energy out. You need places you can just pop in without much planning. Fortunately, there are plenty of drop-in play venues across the Eastside, some of which even offer free Wi-Fi! Try one of these places the next time you’re going stir crazy at home.
Boing, Boing, Boing
If your children are bouncing off the walls, take them places they can literally bounce off the walls. The Eastside offers bouncy playtime options galore. Kids go crazy for these places, like Jump Planet in Bothell, with different kinds and sizes of inflatable slides and houses. Drop-in sessions are usually fairly cheap and can last up to 90 minutes, ensuring your little ones will get lots of exercise and have a great time. Parents even get to jump for free! Or try the wall-to-wall trampolines at Sky High Sports in Bellevue. Five minutes on the trampolines will exhaust most adults, but kids seem to jump forever. Details: Sky High Sports, 1445 120th Ave. N.E., Bellevue; sea.jumpskyhigh.com; Jump Planet, 22310 20th Ave. S.E., Suite 200, Bothell; jump-planet.com
Learning’s Fun
In Woodinville, The Nest is more like a cool school away from home. Set up like a friendly preschool, The Nest allows parents to drop kids off for childcare on an hourly basis. There are spaces for imagination of all kinds, time for snacks and circle, and the staff here will even change diapers! Details: 17530 132nd Ave. N.E. Suite B, Woodinville; thenestkids.com
Climb and Tumble
If your kids are suffering from cabin fever, head to one of the Eastside’s many active drop-in play places. At Dizzy’s Bus Stop in Bellevue, they can climb on gymnastics equipment and tumbling mats. If they want a little break they can play in the pretend market, selling fruit and making money. Plus, at Dizzy’s, you can choose to stay with your kid or drop them off while you get some errands done. Details: 3205 148th Ave. S.E., Suite E., Bellevue; dizzybus.com
Burn Energy
Great Play in Redmond is a full-fledge gymnasium for kids with plenty of sports equipment to get any kid tired out. There are things to climb on, balls to throw and an amazing interactive dodge ball wall — when the ball hits the wall, pictures appear and change. While your kids are getting exercise you can play, too, or sit in the lobby and use the free Wi-Fi. Details: 16510 Cleveland St, Suite N, Redmond; greatplay.com/redmond
Creative Time
If your child is more into art than bouncing, there are low-key drop-in play options available. At Orange Blossom Society in Redmond, parents can make coffee and hang out with the grown-ups or use the free Wi-Fi while their little ones play in the pretend kitchen or with the many toys available. Set in a remodeled Craftsman-style house, Orange Blossom Society is like a home away from home for both parents and kids. There is a long list of programs and activities for both parents and children – even yoga! Details: 16715 N.E. 79th St., Redmond; orangeblossomsociety.com
More Inflatable Playgrounds!
3-2-1 Bounce Bellevue; 321bounce.com
Kidz Bounce Issaquah; kidzbounce.com
Pump It Up Kirkland; pumpitupparty.com
Arena Sports Inflatable Playground; Redmond; arenasports.net
For the full story pick up the latest copy of 425 magazine. Subscriptions are available by phone at 425.646.1380 or you may order your subscription online.
