Arena Sports offers recreation and sports opportunities for all ages.

Soccer: Programs for kids include Lil' Kickers (introductory soccer and movement skills program for kids 18 months to nine years), and Youth Indoor Soccer for kids seven to high school. The Lil' Kickers program is offered at satellite locations in Issaquah, Mercer Island, Queen Anne, Silver Lake, and Snohomish.

TNT: TNT (Technical and Tactical Training) is offered for kids ages eight to 13 and Advanced TNT for ages 14 to 18. The programs teach technical skills and how to most effectively use those skills in the game.

Summer camps, school break camps, and "drop-n-shop" days are available for kids ages three to 12.

The Arena Sports Fun Zones are indoor inflatable playgrounds available at the Magnuson Park and Redmond locations. Events include drop-in playtimes, field trips, camp activities, and youth lock-in events.

Birthday parties can be customized with various activities, including soccer, the Fun Zone, flag football, dodgeball, t-ball, field hockey, kickball, and other activities. Parties include 40 minutes in a reserved party room, 50 minutes on an indoor field, a coach/instructor/referee, invitations and envelopes, and equipment for the field.

The Magnuson Park location also offers an all-ages indoor baseball training facility featuring pitching machines, two batting cages, and a large astro-turf indoor training area.

Arena Sports offers age-specific tournaments between Christmas and New Year's for players of all abilities between ages four and 99. Tournaments are played on one day for each age group and offer a three-game minimum with the top teams from round robin play advancing to single elimination rounds until a champion is crowned. Check the website for details.

Arena Sports offers recreation and sports opportunities for all ages.

Soccer: Programs for kids include Lil' Kickers (introductory soccer and movement skills program for kids 18 months to nine years), and Youth Indoor Soccer for kids seven to high school. The Lil' Kickers program is offered at satellite locations in Issaquah, Mercer Island, Queen Anne, Silver Lake, and Snohomish.

TNT: TNT (Technical and Tactical Training) is offered for kids ages eight to 13 and Advanced TNT for ages 14 to 18. The programs teach technical skills and how to most effectively use those skills in the game.

Summer camps, school break camps, and "drop-n-shop" days are available for kids ages three to 12.

The Arena Sports Fun Zones are indoor inflatable playgrounds available at the Magnuson Park and Redmond locations. Events include drop-in playtimes, field trips, camp activities, and youth lock-in events.

Birthday parties can be customized with various activities, including soccer, the Fun Zone, flag football, dodgeball, t-ball, field hockey, kickball, and other activities. Parties include 40 minutes in a reserved party room, 50 minutes on an indoor field, a coach/instructor/referee, invitations and envelopes, and equipment for the field.

The Magnuson Park location also offers an all-ages indoor baseball training facility featuring pitching machines, two batting cages, and a large astro-turf indoor training area.

Arena Sports offers age-specific tournaments between Christmas and New Year's for players of all abilities between ages four and 99. Tournaments are played on one day for each age group and offer a three-game minimum with the top teams from round robin play advancing to single elimination rounds until a champion is crowned. Check the website for details.

Arena Sports offers recreation and sports opportunities for all ages.

Soccer: Programs for kids include Lil' Kickers (introductory soccer and movement skills program for kids 18 months to nine years), and Youth Indoor Soccer for kids seven to high school. The Lil' Kickers program is offered at satellite locations in Issaquah, Mercer Island, Queen Anne, Silver Lake, and Snohomish.

TNT: TNT (Technical and Tactical Training) is offered for kids ages eight to 13 and Advanced TNT for ages 14 to 18. The programs teach technical skills and how to most effectively use those skills in the game.

Summer camps, school break camps, and "drop-n-shop" days are available for kids ages three to 12.

The Arena Sports Fun Zones are indoor inflatable playgrounds available at the Magnuson Park and Redmond locations. Events include drop-in playtimes, field trips, camp activities, and youth lock-in events.

Birthday parties can be customized with various activities, including soccer, the Fun Zone, flag football, dodgeball, t-ball, field hockey, kickball, and other activities. Parties include 40 minutes in a reserved party room, 50 minutes on an indoor field, a coach/instructor/referee, invitations and envelopes, and equipment for the field.

The Magnuson Park location also offers an all-ages indoor baseball training facility featuring pitching machines, two batting cages, and a large astro-turf indoor training area.

Arena Sports offers age-specific tournaments between Christmas and New Year's for players of all abilities between ages four and 99. Tournaments are played on one day for each age group and offer a three-game minimum with the top teams from round robin play advancing to single elimination rounds until a champion is crowned. Check the website for details.

Facilities at Auburn Valley include an aquatic center with two pools and a whirlpool, a gym, a teen and family center, baseball and soccer fields, and a running track. Featured programs at this branch are swimming lessons, family swim sessions, summer programs, before- and afterschool care, youth and teen sports, and birthday parties.

A nonprofit, volunteer-based organization that offers softball for girls and baseball for boys and girls. The season begins in March after skills assessment during February.

Registration: Two in-person registration dates are usually scheduled, in late January and early February, at a Ballard location. Mail-in registration is also available. Look for forms online, along with the proper mailing address for baseball or softball. Bring proof of player's residence and birth when registering in person.

Geographical boundaries: Players must live south of 85th Ave NW, north of the Ship Canal, and west of 8th Ave NW to Puget Sound.

The Ballard Pool offers weekend and afterschool swimming lessons for kids as young as six months, as well as private and pre-competition lessons.

Family swim sessions are offered at different times throughout the year (check the website for the schedule), as are special events. (Check our calendar for event information.)

Private rental is available for parties with some blackout dates. You get the rope swing, spa, slide all to yourselves, and rent the lobby if you need more space. Call for details.

Facilities at the Bellevue Family YMCA include an indoor pool, cardio equipment, weights, indoor track, family activity center, teen and senior center, childwatch, and a full-size gymnasium. Featured programs at this branch are swimming lessons, youth and teen sports, birthday parties, camps and afterschool care.

Facilities at the Bellevue Family YMCA include an indoor pool, cardio equipment, weights, indoor track, family activity center, teen and senior center, childwatch, and a full-size gymnasium. Featured programs at this branch are swimming lessons, youth and teen sports, birthday parties, camps and afterschool care.

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.

In addition to regular public skating times, Castle Ice Arena offers a wide variety of programs for kids throughout the year. The very reasonably-priced Learn to Skate program is for skaters of all levels and includes instruction, practice time, and skate rental. The Summer Skating Camp is for kids ages six and up and features skating instruction, practice time, and other activities.

Figure skating offerings include freestyle sessions, private lessons, and a summer school.

Aspiring hockey players have several options to choose from, including drop-in times, camps and clinics, private instruction, and a Youth Learn to Play program offered in conjunction with the Sno-King Amateur Hockey Association. Kids can also play broomball and sled hockey.

Birthday parties are also offered. Families can rent a decorated party room for $50 per hour, then purchase skating admission separately, or they can rent one of the ice arenas for $150-$290 per hour and have the ice to themselves.

Community Fitness is a group exercise studio that offers classes for children and adults at any fitness level. The pricing structure is unique and does not require membership fees or long term commitment. Participants pay for each individual class they attend, rather than an entire class series.

Check the website for a complete class schedule. New participants should arrive 20 minutes before the start of a class they'd like to attend.

Shoreline's Cromwell Park houses one of the city's newer and more elaborate playgrounds. It's not the greatest we've seen, by any means, but it kept my daughter busy enough when we lived in the area. She also had fun crashing basketball games at the park's outdoor court. Cromwell Park also features a baseball field.

Delridge offers dance classes, teen programs, preschool programs, before- and after-school programs, summer day camps, and computer literacy classes.

Parents with children ages five and under can drop by for Mini Gym time (school year only - see the website for a current schedule).

The Kiddie Academy is a morning preschool program for children ages three to five. It offers an individualized classroom experience based on Early Childhood Developmental practices and can help prepare young children for school. Children can attend the program two to five days per week and prices are very reasonable.

Facilities at the Downtown YMCA include an indoor pool, gymnasium, racquetball/squash/wallyball/handball courts, a strength training center, an indoor running track, a power cycling studio, cardiovascular center, and massage therapy room. The recreation room features an air hockey table, foosball, ping pong, and darts.

Featured programs at this branch are swimming lessons, youth and teen sports, and birthday parties.

Teens can participate in the Leadership Development, Service & Civic Engagement program and learn a variety of leadership and team-building skills.

Camp programs and afterschool programs are offered at local schools. See the website for more information.

Facilities at the Downtown YMCA include an indoor pool, gymnasium, racquetball/squash/wallyball/handball courts, a strength training center, an indoor running track, a power cycling studio, cardiovascular center, and massage therapy room. The recreation room features an air hockey table, foosball, ping pong, and darts.

Featured programs at this branch are swimming lessons, youth and teen sports, and birthday parties.

Teens can participate in the Leadership Development, Service & Civic Engagement program and learn a variety of leadership and team-building skills.

Camp programs and afterschool programs are offered at local schools. See the website for more information.

Emerald Downs hosts family-friendly events on some Sundays during the summer. Events include stage shows, face painting and pony rides, a moonwalk, and an occasional visit by Radio Disney.

The Emerald AM morning show gives visitors a close-up look at racing and Emerald Downs behind the scenes. Track announcer Robert Geller presides over interviews with jockeys and trainers and a tour of the stables. The show begins at 9am, it's free, and everyone attending receives free admission to the races that day.

The racing season runs from April 19-September 16. First race post is at 6pm on weekdays, 1pm weekends and holidays.
Free stable tours are offered on Saturdays by appointment.

Facilities at Fauntleroy include a gymnasium, with classes for kids in martial arts. Youth sports include basketball, indoor soccer, and T-ball.

Summer programs and before- and afterschool care are offered through this branch at local schools. See the website for more information.

Froula Playground is a three-acre park surrounded by trees on three sides. Park amenities include a grassy field, two tennis courts, swings, and a sandbox.

The seven-acre recreation complex features plenty of indoor and outdoor fun for kids of all ages. Indoors, ride the bumper cars (min. height 42"); play Laser Tag (min. age five) and video games; and set tots loose in the 4,000 square foot Fun Fortress Playland for unlimited play (max. height 56").

Outdoors, drive bumper boats (drivers, min. height 44"; passengers min. height 40"); race along the Mini Indy Go Kart Track (driver, min. height 57"; passenger, min. height 33"); practice your swing in the baseball and softball cages (helmets and bats available); and practice your other swing at the indoor/outdoor golf course.

All birthday parties packages include an hour at a party table, plates and napkins, birthday balloon, and one pizza slice/person, soda, and ice cream for guests. Extras (at additional costs) include mini golf, attraction tokens, and Unlimited Fun Fortress Playland Passes.

The seven-acre recreation complex features plenty of indoor and outdoor fun for kids of all ages. Indoors, ride the bumper cars (min. height 42"); play Laser Tag (min. age five) and video games; and set tots loose in the 4,000 square foot Fun Fortress Playland for unlimited play (max. height 56").

Outdoors, drive bumper boats (drivers, min. height 44"; passengers min. height 40"); race along the Mini Indy Go Kart Track (driver, min. height 57"; passenger, min. height 33"); practice your swing in the baseball and softball cages (helmets and bats available); and practice your other swing at the indoor/outdoor golf course.

All birthday parties packages include an hour at a party table, plates and napkins, birthday balloon, and one pizza slice/person, soda, and ice cream for guests. Extras (at additional costs) include mini golf, attraction tokens, and Unlimited Fun Fortress Playland Passes.

Hillcrest Family Bowling features 24 lanes of smoke-free bowling in a family-friendly atmosphere with bumpers on all lanes. The center offers birthday parties, Rock'it Bowl (glow-in-the-dark bowling) on weekends, and after-school bowling.

i9 Sports is a youth sports league emphasizing safety and fun for kids, with no tryouts or drafts. Opportunities are available for girls and boys ages four to 14 to play flag football, as well as cheerleading, basketball, and soccer.

Facilities at Issaquah Community Center include a gymnasium, youth center, pool, and outdoor skate park. A wide variety of sports classes are offered for children. Preschool and camp programs are also available. Party rentals are available from September through May for $85 (up to 30 participants. Parties include use of a party room, gym court, and sports equipment. Call for more information.

Kent Valley Hockey Association offers youth hockey programs for children at all skill levels from ages four-17.

In addition to providing practice space for ice skaters and hockey teams, Kingsgate offers public Family Skates throughout the month. Call for a current schedule; the schedule is erratic and changes month-to-month.

Lake Heights Family YMCA offers a wealth of youth, teen, senior, and family programs. Lake Heights serves the Bellevue, Issaquah, and Renton school districts. Toddler, full-day, and half-day preschool, plus before- and after-school enrichment care, are available year-round. Day camp, youth sports, teen leadership, and camp programs are also available. Lake Heights YMCA offers programs and activities for seniors and has a large parent-child program. During school holidays and days off, Lake Heights provides additional programming for youth and teens.

Legion Memorial Park is a four-acre park on the bluff overlooking Port Gardner Bay. Amenities include picnic shelters, a playground, tennis and basketball courts, soccer and baseball fields, and an arboretum.

Amenities at Bellevue's Lewis Creek Park include trails, a playground, a basketball court, soccer fields, and baseball fields. The 55-acre park is the site of many environmental education programs and most of the land is preserved in its natural condition.

The park's Visitor Center can be rented for private events.

Teams change every year, so the best way to find one near you is to visit the official Little League website.

Click on "Finding a Local League" on the left-hand side of the site's home page to start your search for a team your child can join.

Many a Seattle-area native has memories - fond and not - of junior high skating parties at the Lynnwood Roll-a-Way and Lynnwood Lanes, now known as Lynnwood Bowl & Skate. This seemingly permanent fixture of the northend 'tween and teen social scene features a nice maple skating floor and snack bar - and lots of all-ages kids out to see and be seen. The bowling alley offers 24 all-wood lanes, wood approaches, autoscoring, bumper bowling, and a junior/adult league on Sunday nights.

It offers a rather dizzying array of skate sessions. We recommend calling ahead for public skate hours - the rink isn't open to the public at all times, and hours are subject to change.

Drop-in skating lessons are taught by nationally-acclaimed artistic skater Scott Whitkop on Saturday mornings. [Intermediates at 10am; beginners at 11am; $10/lesson]

Birthday parties are available. Choose from several packages. Information and prices on are the website.

School groups of 50 or more can skate or bowl for $6/person for two hours or skate and bowl for $12/person for four hours.

One of the prettiest Community Centers in town, Meadowbrook offers before- and afterschool camp, summer and school-break camps, organized sports, and art, music, and dance classes. Teens have their own afterschool program, as well as special Teen Late Night Hours (Fri-Sat 7pm-11pm) conducted in the annex. [10750 30th Avenue Northeast/206.684.7523].

The Gym features drop-in times for basketball, volleyball, badminton, family, and Preschool Open Gym. And the connected swimming facility, Meadowbrook Pool

Meadowbrook Pool, attached to the Meadowbrook Community Center, offers 1M and 3M diving boards, a rope swing, and two family changing rooms.

Family Swim Times are offered on Tuesdays from 7pm-8pm and on Saturdays from 9:30am-10:30am and 4:30pm-5:30pm.

Lesson programs include tot, kinder, and youth lessons, private lessons, and summer swim league (ages six-17).

Birthday party packages include one-hour exclusive use in a section or portion of the pool, a 30-minute party in the lobby, water recreation leadership, juice, paper products, and favors. (Food items are not included.)

Facilities at Meredith Mathews include an indoor pool and gymnasium. Featured programs at this branch are swimming lessons, youth and teen sports, and birthday parties.

Camp programs and afterschool programs are offered at local schools.

Facilities at Meredith Mathews include an indoor pool and gymnasium. Featured programs at this branch are swimming lessons, youth and teen sports, and birthday parties.

Camp programs and afterschool programs are offered at local schools.

This is the best children's playground in North Seattle. It's on one of the busiest streets in town, but the newly renovated playground, surrounded by a tall hedge of holly and horse chestnut, feels like a secret garden. It's set in the old orchards of the Good Shepherd Center in Wallingford and is surrounded by mature trees and lots of grassy open space.

Set your school-aged kids loose on "The Galaxy", a wild-looking climbing structure described by a seven-year-old in our group as looking "like DNA." Tots will enjoy climbing on a low fort with slides and monkey bars, and kids ages two and up will gravitate towards the wide, boulder-lined slides. Bring sandtoys for play in one of two sand areas; kids can press a button to get water flowing through a concrete "river" channel alongside one of them. Two basketball hoops (one lower, for little kids) sit off to one side. The playground has incorporated art - a bronze statue of Karl the dog from the book series is a standout - and thoughtful aesthetic features throughout.

The surrounding orchard is perfect for picnicking in the shade of an old tree, or playing tag in the grass. It's a supremely pleasant spot. Seattle Tilth is right next door if you want to explore an urban organic garden.

Located at the Metropolitan Gym, the Metropolitan Cheer Academy, trains competitive cheerleaders (Recently, the team took first place in the state and traveled to the Nationals in Florida). Classes include beginner stunting, advanced stunting, and jumps and motions.