911, a media arts center in South Lake Union, provides the community - and teens - with access to media tools and space to finish and display projects. Members can rent field equipment and use the center's editing suites, shooting space, and screening room. An animation lab is available to members of all ages.

Youth programs include the Young Producers Project, a program for middle- and high school students that introduces them to media literacy through alternative forms of media production. Media Underground is a weeklong intensive workshop for teens. Professional videomakers teach kids how to deconstruct media, design and storyboard a short video, and operate professional digital video cameras. Other youth programs are listed on the website - click on the "Youth" tab.

Acorn Street Shop offers yarn and other supplies for knitting, needlepoint, crochet, and handspinning. The store hosts occasional events and offers classes for adults and kids age seven and up.

Kids and adults create art at this converted 1911 bathhouse, located right on Alki Beach.

The studio offers pottery classes for parents and children; ongoing drawing, pottery, ceramics, and painting classes for gradeschoolers and teens - as well as one-day workshops - and open studio time for artists of all levels and interests.

During the summer, Art Camp for gradeschoolers teaches kids skills in working with different media, such as papier mache and clay, and gives them the chance to design their own costumes, backgrounds, and props for a play they write. Three summer sessions are available, starting in June.

Classes and camps are administered through the Alki Community Center; call for a catalog or to register. An online catalog is available on the website.

The Alki Community Center offers a wide variety of programs and classes for all ages, including adults. Toddlers and preschoolers can attend arts classes and playclub (school year and summer). Kids can learn cartooning or pottery, take sports and music classes, or attend arts workshops. Teens have a full schedule that includes sports classes, arts, dance, performing arts, movie nights, and a chance to sit on the Teen Advisory Council.

Drop-in activities include ping-pong and pool all day, as well as a drop-in playtime for tots and their parents during the fall and winter. The Community Center also hosts periodic community events like picnics or sports days for youth. A children's playground and playfield are located adjacent to the center.

The center offers before- and after school care, summer camps, and school break camps. Parents' nights out are offered once a month.

The Community Center's art classes are held at the Bathhouse Art Studio, a beautiful venue located on Alki Beach.

The Alki Community Center offers a wide variety of programs and classes for all ages, including adults. Toddlers and preschoolers can attend arts classes and playclub (school year and summer). Kids can learn cartooning or pottery, take sports and music classes, or attend arts workshops. Teens have a full schedule that includes sports classes, arts, dance, performing arts, movie nights, and a chance to sit on the Teen Advisory Council.

Drop-in activities include ping-pong and pool all day, as well as a drop-in playtime for tots and their parents during the fall and winter. The Community Center also hosts periodic community events like picnics or sports days for youth. A children's playground and playfield are located adjacent to the center.

The center offers before- and after school care, summer camps, and school break camps. Parents' nights out are offered once a month.

The Community Center's art classes are held at the Bathhouse Art Studio, a beautiful venue located on Alki Beach.

Ballard offers before- and afterschool care, toddler programs, dance classes (creative ballet, pre-ballet for young children, jazz dance, and dance workshops), piano, pottery, youth sports programs, an urban 4-H program for ages five-19, an active teen program (Saturday night concerts, service learning, and arts exploration), intermittent language and nature classes for all ages, and day camps for children and teens.

Each year the Center hosts terrific special events, including the Annual Daddy-Daughter Dinner, Spring Egg Hunt, Neighborhood Flea Market, and Friday Family Nights. Check our calendar for details.

Preschool classes are available at the center. Check the brochure for a current schedule.

Indoor Play for parents and children from infants to five years is offered during weekday operating hours at a fee of $2/day. It's closed during the summer.

Day Camps, for kindergartners through six graders, run during the summer and feature swimming, field trips, and theme days. The camps run all day, with pre- and post-camp care available. Camps also run during school breaks.

Bellevue Arts Museum offers a wide range of programs, including lectures, workshops, demonstrations, and special events in conjunction with the exhibits. Docents offer daily gallery tours - see the website for dates and times.

The college's Early Learning, Family, and Childcare Center offers daycare children ages three months to six years; parenting classes and education; and an on-site Family Resource Specialist who can answer parenting questions.

The new facility features original artwork incorporated into the playground outside, as well as colorful climbing structures.

Although the daycare's slots are reserved for students at BCC and Coscto employees, members of the public can put their names on a waiting list for future openings.

BCC's North Campus offers summer classes for children ages 12 to 17 in subjects including computers, art, languages, PSAT/SAT/WASL preparation, and more. Check the website for details.

Bitter Lake offers before- and afterschool care; pre-school, grade school, and teen programs; youth sports (basketball, football, nerf soccer, girls' volleyball, roller skating, and tennis lessons); day camps (general and sports), and family programs and events.

Pre-schoolers: The community center offers preschool, sports, movement, ballet and science workshops, tumbling, and music classes. The preschool program is offered for children ages two to five.

School-aged kids can take piano lessons, ballet, drama, tap, karate-butokukan, gymnastics, science, and cooking classes.

Teens can get homework help. Friday and Saturday night activities at the Annex, step classes, teen talk, design, cooking classes, volunteer opportunities, and special events (dances, basketball, snowboarding) are also offered. Teens can attend campouts and programs during the summer, as well.

BKPlay Academy offers an inquiry-based, hands-on preschool and kindergarten program for gifted children. Children are grouped by ability rather than age. IQ testing is required for admission; acceptance into the program generally requires a result greater than the 90th percentile for preschoolers or 95th percentile for kindergarten students.

Afterschool programs are offered at several Eastside locations.

The Bothell Sons of Norway hosts a variety of cultural events throughout the year.

The Youth Group meets once each month and offers opportunities for youth ages seven to 23 to learn basics of the Norwegian language, folk dances, songs, and arts and crafts related to Nordic culture. The group normally meets on the third Thursday of each month at 7:30pm; check our calendar or the Bothell Sons of Norway website for a current schedule. The group also performs dances at several events each year. Youth who are Sons of Norway members can earn Cultural Badges for participating.

The Bothell Sons of Norway hall can be rented for private events. Call for details.

Burien CC offers classes of all types and for all ages (karate, gymnastics, yoga, ballet, a variety of art classes, and school break activities for kids of all ages), teen activities, a skate park, and family-friendly programs and shows in the center's auditorium. This is Burien's only community center.

Download a current recreation guide with classes and events from the website.

This 68-acre park, hidden in the heart of West Seattle, is the only place in town where you can (legally) camp. Some of the camping and picnic areas are obviously well-traveled - it's not an extremely wild park by any means, and trails are fitted with metal handrails for access - but it does feature thick stands of native plants and trees, a large central meadow for activities or picnicking, a pond, and lots of birds (wood ducks, migrating warblers in May, owls) and wildlife (Pacific Chorus Frogs, salamanders, foxes, coyotes, great blue herons, barred owls, flying squirrels). It fits the bill as close-in retreat from city bustle.

Make sure you stop by the rustic lodge on your way into the park. The old building, with its hardwood floors, high ceiling, and large brick fireplace is available to rent for events, but it also houses the Environmental Learning Center. Kids can look at displays put out by the helpful and informative staff. This is the place to find out what's in bloom, and what's been seen around the park lately.

The recently-restored Schurman Rock is available for rock-climbing. It's open for free to public use; sign in at the rock kiosk to the west before climbing. If you're with a group, call ahead to make reservations.

Camp Long offers a full calendar of interesting science and nature programs, arts and crafts classes, camps, and special events; see our calendar for details, or check the online brochure. There's something for every age group and natural history interest. Pre-registration is required at all programs. Day cares, preschools, school groups, after school and Scout groups can schedule programs throughout the year, featuring seasonal topics.

Rustic cabins are available for rent. Call to reserve, and ask about special programs offered by Camp Long Naturalists that include overnight cabin use.

Carol Edwards Center offers sports, arts, and other recreational programs for families. Facilities include a gymnasium, sports fields, picnic shelters, a teen lounge, and an outdoor basketball court.

Several of the center's rooms are available to rent for private events.

Centre at Norpoint features a climbing wall, classes in a variety of arts and sports, a gymnasium, and a state-of-the-art fitness center.

The water temperature at Centre at Norpoint Pool is maintained at 85 degrees and the pool features a beach walk-in, a mushroom waterfall, two hot spas, and a dry sauna. Swimming lessons and swim party packages are available.

Color Me Mine is a paint-your-own ceramics studio that offers "Art Adventures" classes for kids. Each weeklong session is held Mon-Fri from 2pm-4pm.

The studio also offers birthday parties. The basic package includes two hours of studio time, a pottery item up to $14, balloons, and face painting. See the website for additional party options.

Periodic Kid's Nights Outs and other events are scheduled. Check the website for dates.

Color Me Mine is a paint-your-own ceramics studio that offers "Art Adventures" classes for kids. Each weeklong session is held Mon-Fri from 2pm-4pm.

The studio also offers birthday parties. The basic package includes two hours of studio time, a pottery item up to $14, balloons, and face painting. See the website for additional party options.

Periodic Kid's Nights Outs and other events are scheduled. Check the website for dates.

The Community Center at Mercer View is open daily and offers beautiful views of Lake Washington and the Cascades. The two-story facility features meeting rooms, an arts and crafts area, an indoor art gallery, health, fitness, and dance rooms, a game room with foosball, board games, pool, and cable TV, free Wi-fi, and a children's play area.

Crescendo Artistic Environment School is a non-profit organization that offers a preschool program and before and after school care. The program is influenced by Reggio Emilia, Perkins School of the Arts and Montessori School - USA, but places a stronger emphasis on music, dancing, drumming, and cultural diversity. Dance offerings include West African, Flamenco-Gypsy, American and Russian Ballet, and free movement. Vocal and instrumental music are available, along with music theory and musicology. Classes also include Atelier, Yoga and Qi, and Cultures and Languages.

Crossroads offers a wide variety of classes and programs, drop-in activities, and arts and crafts activities for all ages and has a full gym. A sprayground was added to the park in 2008.

Fine Art Workshops offers children the opportunity to discover oil painting with an experienced artist from Europe. The week-long summer workshops teach children to recognize colors, observe the complexity of colors in nature and their surroundings, and discover the richness of perception and its expression.

Home of the City of Edmond's Parks and Recreation Department, the Frances Anderson Center is the site of events, community meetings, and classes, including fitness, arts, and sports programs. It is also home to Olympic Ballet School, Edmonds Montessori School, a pottery school, martial arts training, a day care, a youth club, and the Edmonds Arts Festival Museum.

The Fremont Arts Council is a long-standing community artists' organization dedicated to making Fremont, in their words, "a more fun, interesting and beautiful place to live, visit, and make art."

And how. The FAC produces the events - notably the annual Solstice Celebration (see our calendar for events) - that make Fremont still feel like Fremont. It also hosts a variety of art workshops, most of them for adults but many of them family-friendly and welcoming to kids. Public artworks around Fremont - the witty Fremont Troll and the perennially decorated Waiting for the InterUrban - are FAC-produced or coordinated.

FAC headquarters is at the old Powerhouse on the grounds of the BF Day School - look for the Brother Sun and Sister Moon mosaics on either side of the building.

Walk past the reflecting pool, through the heavy copper doors, and into this small, gemlike museum on Seattle's First Hill. The focus here is on 19th and 20th century European and American representational art. The Charles and Emma Frye galleries show a rotating selection of works from the Charles and Emma Frye Collection, while other galleries showcase emerging artists.

The museum offers a art workshops for adults and children. Its education wing boasts two studios with ample space for groups. Docents who work with kids are skilled at drawing them out and accommodating their eagerness while maintaining order and enforcing museum etiquette. Contact the museum or access its website for a full list of quarterly classes.

At the Museum Store, look for the small but well-chosen collection of children's books and gifts. The Gallery Cafe at the Frye offers salads, soups, sandwiches, desserts, and espresso from 11am-4pm Tuesday through Saturday and 12n-4pm Sundays.

Gage Academy Youth Programs offers art classes for youth and teens, ages six to 18, including Art Ignites Minds (AIM), the after-school enrichment programs at area elementary and middle schools; Teen Art Studios (TAS); Teen Summer Intensive; and Youth Summer Workshops. Art Ignites Minds is open to kids who attend the schools only; see the website for a current schedule and information on partnering with your child's school.

The Teen Art Studios program is free and open to youth ages 13-18 on Fridays from 6:30pm to 9:30pm. Teen artists drop in to study with professional artists who provide focused instruction in a variety of media in a relaxed studio atmosphere. All art materials are provided, and a different theme is explored every month.

The Teen Summer Intensive, a pre-college certificate program, offers teens ages 15 to 18 the opportunity to complete portfolio-grade work in an art-school environment. This focused, challenging Intensive fosters independence, promotes creative expression, and imparts a strong foundation in core areas along with conceptual art classes and art history.

During the summer, Youth Summer Workshops offer a full line-up of arts classes for kids ages six-18. Elementary-age kids can attend seven one-week sessions that include classes in visual and performance art. Teen workshops include fine and applied art - a variety of drawing, painting, sculpting, printmaking, cartooning, and mixed-media sessions.

Gage Academy Youth Programs offers art classes for youth and teens, ages six to 18, including Art Ignites Minds (AIM), the after-school enrichment programs at area elementary and middle schools; Teen Art Studios (TAS); Teen Summer Intensive; and Youth Summer Workshops. Art Ignites Minds is open to kids who attend the schools only; see the website for a current schedule and information on partnering with your child's school.

The Teen Art Studios program is free and open to youth ages 13-18 on Fridays from 6:30pm to 9:30pm. Teen artists drop in to study with professional artists who provide focused instruction in a variety of media in a relaxed studio atmosphere. All art materials are provided, and a different theme is explored every month.

The Teen Summer Intensive, a pre-college certificate program, offers teens ages 15 to 18 the opportunity to complete portfolio-grade work in an art-school environment. This focused, challenging Intensive fosters independence, promotes creative expression, and imparts a strong foundation in core areas along with conceptual art classes and art history.

During the summer, Youth Summer Workshops offer a full line-up of arts classes for kids ages six-18. Elementary-age kids can attend seven one-week sessions that include classes in visual and performance art. Teen workshops include fine and applied art - a variety of drawing, painting, sculpting, printmaking, cartooning, and mixed-media sessions.

Green Lake Community Center offers a variety of programs for all ages, including a play center for toddlers, pottery classes, sports (tennis, martial arts, volleyball, flag football, soccer, basketball), excellent drama classes held in conjunction with the Seattle Public Theatre, early childhood music classes, a teen program (including Friday Teen Night), and a changing array of classes.

Preschool classes are available for children ages three to five.

The center is attached to Evans Pool, which offers a variety of instructional, recreational, and exercise swim programs.

Gymboree offers play, music, and art classes - in a brightly colored, tactilely exciting environment - for children ages newborn-five. Classes here emphasize physical and social development (and peer support for parents), sneaked in under the guise of simply having a lot of fun. Prospective students are invited to check out a free trial class; call the location you're interested in to arrange or just drop in.

Play classes are divided up into six age-appropriate groups that meet at different times, plus a sibling class. Children and their parents sing, make music, move, explore, and play with props like a parachute and a large ball, in an environment geared toward the age group's interests and abilities.

Music classes help kids learn about and explore music through age-appropriate songs and music play, instrument exploration, movement, and emphasis on melody, pitch, and rhythm and other music basics.

Art classes engage kids in a wide variety of arts experiences, with a focus on allowing kids to exercise their creativity.

Our three-year-old attended a play class at the Ballard location and loved every bit of it, including the music parade, the parachute songs and games, the cooperative carrying game for parents and kids, and the bubbles. The instructor engaged the children without a trace of condescension or over-perkiness, and truly seemed to enjoy what she was doing. The term "play class" is accurate; although classes might contain a tumbling component for certain age groups, they're not primarily focused on gymnastic elements like other local gyms for kids, but rather on getting participants to experience and enjoy movement and bonding with parents and other children.

Gymboree offers play, music, and art classes - in a brightly colored, tactilely exciting environment - for children ages newborn-five. Classes here emphasize physical and social development (and peer support for parents), sneaked in under the guise of simply having a lot of fun. Prospective students are invited to check out a free trial class; call the location you're interested in to arrange or just drop in.

Play classes are divided up into six age-appropriate groups that meet at different times, plus a sibling class. Children and their parents sing, make music, move, explore, and play with props like a parachute and a large ball, in an environment geared toward the age group's interests and abilities.

Music classes help kids learn about and explore music through age-appropriate songs and music play, instrument exploration, movement, and emphasis on melody, pitch, and rhythm and other music basics.

Art classes engage kids in a wide variety of arts experiences, with a focus on allowing kids to exercise their creativity.

Our three-year-old attended a play class at the Ballard location and loved every bit of it, including the music parade, the parachute songs and games, the cooperative carrying game for parents and kids, and the bubbles. The instructor engaged the children without a trace of condescension or over-perkiness, and truly seemed to enjoy what she was doing. The term "play class" is accurate; although classes might contain a tumbling component for certain age groups, they're not primarily focused on gymnastic elements like other local gyms for kids, but rather on getting participants to experience and enjoy movement and bonding with parents and other children.

Gymboree offers play, music, and art classes - in a brightly colored, tactilely exciting environment - for children ages newborn-five. Classes here emphasize physical and social development (and peer support for parents), sneaked in under the guise of simply having a lot of fun. Prospective students are invited to check out a free trial class; call the location you're interested in to arrange or just drop in.

Play classes are divided up into six age-appropriate groups that meet at different times, plus a sibling class. Children and their parents sing, make music, move, explore, and play with props like a parachute and a large ball, in an environment geared toward the age group's interests and abilities.

Music classes help kids learn about and explore music through age-appropriate songs and music play, instrument exploration, movement, and emphasis on melody, pitch, and rhythm and other music basics.

Art classes engage kids in a wide variety of arts experiences, with a focus on allowing kids to exercise their creativity.

Our three-year-old attended a play class at the Ballard location and loved every bit of it, including the music parade, the parachute songs and games, the cooperative carrying game for parents and kids, and the bubbles. The instructor engaged the children without a trace of condescension or over-perkiness, and truly seemed to enjoy what she was doing. The term "play class" is accurate; although classes might contain a tumbling component for certain age groups, they're not primarily focused on gymnastic elements like other local gyms for kids, but rather on getting participants to experience and enjoy movement and bonding with parents and other children.

Gymboree offers play, music, and art classes - in a brightly colored, tactilely exciting environment - for children ages newborn-five. Classes here emphasize physical and social development (and peer support for parents), sneaked in under the guise of simply having a lot of fun. Prospective students are invited to check out a free trial class; call the location you're interested in to arrange or just drop in.

Play classes are divided up into six age-appropriate groups that meet at different times, plus a sibling class. Children and their parents sing, make music, move, explore, and play with props like a parachute and a large ball, in an environment geared toward the age group's interests and abilities.

Music classes help kids learn about and explore music through age-appropriate songs and music play, instrument exploration, movement, and emphasis on melody, pitch, and rhythm and other music basics.

Art classes engage kids in a wide variety of arts experiences, with a focus on allowing kids to exercise their creativity.

Our three-year-old attended a play class at the Ballard location and loved every bit of it, including the music parade, the parachute songs and games, the cooperative carrying game for parents and kids, and the bubbles. The instructor engaged the children without a trace of condescension or over-perkiness, and truly seemed to enjoy what she was doing. The term "play class" is accurate; although classes might contain a tumbling component for certain age groups, they're not primarily focused on gymnastic elements like other local gyms for kids, but rather on getting participants to experience and enjoy movement and bonding with parents and other children.

Gymboree offers play, music, and art classes - in a brightly colored, tactilely exciting environment - for children ages newborn-five. Classes here emphasize physical and social development (and peer support for parents), sneaked in under the guise of simply having a lot of fun. Prospective students are invited to check out a free trial class; call the location you're interested in to arrange or just drop in.

Play classes are divided up into six age-appropriate groups that meet at different times, plus a sibling class. Children and their parents sing, make music, move, explore, and play with props like a parachute and a large ball, in an environment geared toward the age group's interests and abilities.

Music classes help kids learn about and explore music through age-appropriate songs and music play, instrument exploration, movement, and emphasis on melody, pitch, and rhythm and other music basics.

Art classes engage kids in a wide variety of arts experiences, with a focus on allowing kids to exercise their creativity.

Our three-year-old attended a play class at the Ballard location and loved every bit of it, including the music parade, the parachute songs and games, the cooperative carrying game for parents and kids, and the bubbles. The instructor engaged the children without a trace of condescension or over-perkiness, and truly seemed to enjoy what she was doing. The term "play class" is accurate; although classes might contain a tumbling component for certain age groups, they're not primarily focused on gymnastic elements like other local gyms for kids, but rather on getting participants to experience and enjoy movement and bonding with parents and other children.