Let’s Play Indoors: Winter Fun In Snohomish
County for Kids & Families
If during the winter months your children whine
“there’s nothing to do,” then bring them to
Snohomish County in Washington State. Just 30
minutes north of Seattle, you will find plenty of
kid-friendly winter holiday festivities and indoor
attractions where they can play, explore,
discover, laugh, and burn off pent-up energy!
Christmas & Winter Holiday Festivities
The Lights of Christmas, Stanwood
More than one million twinkling and glowing lights
create enchanting outdoor displays as the songs
by carolers and the aroma of fresh, hot donuts fill
the air. The Holiday Dinner Theater serves up live
performances and a scrumptious five-course meal.
Stay the night in one of the themed, cozy cabins
that vary in size to comfortably accommodate small
families to large groups. Overnight packages
include accommodations, general admission, and
hot buffet breakfast.
•
When: Dec. 4-7, 11-14, 18-23, & 26-30, 5-10 p.m.
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Where: Warm Beach Camp & Conference Center, 20800 Marine Drive, Stanwood
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Tickets: starting at $9
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Overnight packages: starting at $106
•Website: www.TheLightsOfChristmas.com
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Holiday Tour of Lights, Marysville
Hop aboard the Merrysville Express tractor-pulled train for a 20-minute ride among 30
festive light displays including Penguin Village, Polar Bear Forest, Santa’s Workshop,
and gingerbread people playing golf. Nosh on s’mores and hot chocolate afterwards.
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When: Dec. 11-13, 6-9 p.m.
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Where: Cedarcrest Golf Course,
6810 84th St. NE, Marysville
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Tickets: free; donations welcome
•Website:
http://marysvillewa.gov/index.aspx?NID=690
Country Village, Bothell
While adults shop the dozens of specialty
boutiques for holiday gifts, youngsters can play in
several holiday programs, visit with two of Santa’s
reindeer in the grass area near the Bottle Shop,
laugh at Adventure Children’s Theater, get crafty
at the Creativity Place, ride the train or a pony,
and then dine with parents or grandparents at
one of the restaurants.
•
Holiday-themed programs
o
Santa Arrival & Tree Lighting, Dec. 6, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
o
Cookies with Mrs. Claus, Dec. 13 & 14, 12 noon – 3 p.m.
o
Fun with Frosty, Dec. 20 & 21, 12 noon – 3 p.m.
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Shopping hours: open 7 days; Mon. – Sat., 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
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Where: 23718 Bothell-Everett Hwy, Bothell
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Tickets: prices for kiddie activities & programs vary, check website for details
•Website: www.CountryVillageBothell.com
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The Nutcracker, various locations
The beauty, colors, and magic of this beloved
ballet will delight children of all ages.
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Emerald Ballet Theatre
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When: Dec. 6 & 7, 13 & 14, 2 p.m.
o
Where: Northshore Performing Arts
Center, 18125 92nd Ave NE,
Bothell
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Tickets: starting at $20
oWebsite: www.EmeraldBallet.org
•
Olympic Ballet Theatre
o
Everett
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When: Dec. 12, 10 a.m. & 12 p.m.; Dec. 13, 2 & 7 p.m.; Dec. 14,
1 & 5 p.m.
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Where: Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave, Everett
o
Edmonds
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When: Dec. 18, 10 a.m. & 12 p.m., Dec. 19, 7 p.m.; Dec. 20, 2 p.m.
& 7 p.m.; Dec. 21, 5 p.m.
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Where: Edmonds Center for the Performing Arts, 410 Fourth Ave N, Edmonds
o
Tickets: starting at $25
o
Website: www.OlympicBallet.com/nutcracker-2014
Chase the Grinch Outta Snohomish 5K Fun Run, Snohomish
Kids can choose to run the half-mile Kids Dash or join their parents in the longer
distance on a flat course along the scenic Riverfront and Centennial Trails. After
crossing the finish line, participants will savor hot chocolate, hot cider, cookies, and
holiday cheer.
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When: Dec. 7 at 9 a.m.
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Where: historic downtown Snohomish
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Entry fees: starting at $5
•Website: www.DataBarEvents.com/chasethegrinch
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It’s Time to Play!
Can’t get the kids to go play outside? Then take the tykes to one or more of these
fun-filled indoor venues where they can play, frolic, laugh, and learn.
Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour, Mukilteo
Kids can design their own jets, try out futuristic
in-flight entertainment systems, touch the high-tech
“skin” of the new Boeing 787, and get excited about
the world of technology and aviation. The Boeing
Tour of the commercial jet assembly plant is perfect
for older kids and adults.
Since children must be at least 4 ft. tall to take the
Boeing Tour, the 90-minute Weekend Family
Workshops give them the opportunity to experience
the science of aerodynamics. Storytelling and make-and-take-home projects such
building simple gliders will ignite their imagination and curiosity. The activities change
weekly.
•
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When: Sat. & Sun., 10 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.
Admission: included in the Future of Flight’s ticket price
About Future of Flight Aviation Center:
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When: daily 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.; closed Christmas Day & New Year’s Day
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Where: 8415 Paine Field Blvd, Mukilteo
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Tickets: starting at $10 adults, $5 youth (6-15)
•Website: www.FutureOfFlight.org
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Imagine! Children’s Museum, Everett
Young children can explore and
discover the world around them in this
spacious venue designed as a small town,
complete with barber shop, Italian café,
theater, tree house, and even a wildlife
clinic and a Washington State-styled ferry.
Kids can sign up for hands-on programs
such as Art Rocks, FUNdamentals of
Music & Movement, Science Sleuths,
Tuesday Tales, and Rooftop Adventures
(weather permitting).
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When: Tues. & Wed. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Thur., Fri., & Sat. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sun.
11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; closed Mon.
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Where: 1502 Wall St, Everett
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Tickets: $9.80 general admission; $4.90 general admission Thur. 3 – 5 p.m.;
children 12 months & under free
•Website: www.ImagineCM.org
WhirlyBall of Washington, Edmonds
Got a number of kids at least 8 years old who need some playtime together? Then try
WhirlyBall, a team-based game that combines basketball, hockey and jai-alai with riding
an electrically-powered machine similar to a bumper car. Gather up at least 10 kids and
parents (minimum group size) for hours of fun.
•
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Where: 23401 Highway 99, Edmonds
Hours, prices, and more information: www.WhirlyBallSeattle.com
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Ice Skating
Lace up the skates for an afternoon or evening of fun and play on the ice. Children can
pretend they are going for Olympic gold in figure skating, ice dancing, or even hockey as
they practice their skills.
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Lynnwood Ice Center
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When: open daily, open skate times vary
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Where: 19803 68th Ave W, Lynnwood
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Tickets: starting at $6
oWebsite: www.LynnwoodIceCenter.com
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XFINITY Community Ice Rink at the XFINITY Arena
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When: open daily, open skate times vary
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Where: 2000 Hewitt Ave, Everett
o
Tickets: starting at $5
oWebsite: www.XFINITYArenaEverett.com
Thisssssss is Fun!
The Reptile Zoo, Monroe
Be prepared for squeals of
delight and awe when children
and adults handle live snakes,
touch tortoises, and see
arachnids, insects, lizards,
and reptiles. Resident animals
include Alligator Snapping
Turtles, Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes, Florida
Kingsnake, and the world’s
deadliest snake, the Black
Mamba.
•
When: open daily including holidays, 10 a.m. –
6 p.m.
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Where: 22715 State Route 2, Monroe
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Tickets: starting at $6.50
•Website: www.TheReptileZoo.org
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Stand Up & Cheer!
Mary Poppins, Everett
Based on the books of P.L. Travers and featuring all
the songs from the Academy Award-winning Disney
film, this magical stage musical tells the
inspirational tale of the amazing flying nanny, who’s
practically perfect in every way.
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When: Jan. 9 – Feb. 8; Wed. & Thurs., 7:30 p.m.; Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 p.m. &
8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.; Thurs. matinee on Jan. 29 at 2 p.m.
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Where: Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave, Everett
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Tickets: starting at $35
•Website: www.VillageTheatre.org/everett/
Everett Silvertips
Catch all the fast-paced action of professional Western Hockey
League play. Leading in the U.S. Division (as of press time), the
Silvertips are looking to secure playoff berth for championship honors.
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When: now through Mar. 21, 2015
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Where: XFINITY Arena at Everett, 2000 Hewitt Ave, Everett
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Tickets: starting at $17
•Website: www.EverettSilvertips.com
For More Information
There are plenty more family-friendly activities and attractions than mentioned above. Use these
resources for more ideas and to plan your next adventure with your children:
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Download this free tour, Kid Zone – Fun for the Family mobile tour, a handy guide perfect for
any mobile device.
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Go to www.Snohomish.org/explore/family-child-activities
For more information on Snohomish County’s family- and kid-friendly things to do and see, contact Julie
Gangler, media relations, at 206-789-6647 or [email protected].
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