The only thing better than a good book? An adventure to go with it!
Check out seven adventures—inspired by a list the library made for me last year—that pair books with West Seattle spots. Plus a few more ideas too.
- Look for lighthouses.
Read: Hello Lighthouse by Sophie Blackall
Go: Tour the Alki Lighthouse (Sundays through Labor Day). - Watch for fins and flukes.
Read: Orca Rescue! The True Story of An Orphaned Orca Named Springer by Donna Sandstrom
Go: Visit a Whale Trail site and climb a whale tail at Alki Playground. - Aim for strikes and spares.
Read: Mitchell Goes Bowling Mitchell Goes Bowling by Hallie Durand
Go: Play a few games at West Seattle Bowl. - See what's under the sea.
Read: Fylling's Illustrated Guide to Pacific Coast Tide Pools by Marni Fylling
Go: Explore a low tide on your own or with a beach naturalist from The Seattle Aquarium. - Ride the waves.
Read: The Ferryboat Ride by Robert Perry
Go: Play at the ferry-theme playground at Fairmount Park and go on a ferry boat adventure. - Explore local history.
Read: Raven: A Trickster Tale From the Pacific Northwest by Gerald McDermott or I Can Make This Promise by Christine Day for middle readers.
Go: Visit the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center, a series of parks and more on this Duwamish adventure. - Have fun with food.
Read: To Market, to Market by Nikki McClure
Go: Shopping at West Seattle Farmers Market (Year-round, Sundays 10am-2pm) or South Delridge Farmers Market (Saturdays (May-Oct), 10am-2pm).
- See the full list of books + outings the Seattle Public Library created for me about books with West Seattle themes.
- Libraries + playgrounds—See this post I did last year that paired our four libraries with a nearby playground.
There's still time to finish Superhero Summer Reading at your local library and go on a superhero adventure.- Stop by one of our two local bookstores—Paper Boat Booksellers and Pegasus Book Exchange—for an awesome outing all on its own.
- Pair many of the adventures above with a kit from Sensa Play Rentals. Designed for preschoolers, each kit is focused around a theme and includes hands-on-activities, several books (including many of the ones on my list) and community connection ideas. Their SPORTS kit includes an at-home bowling set, the GARDEN kit ties into farmers markets, the SEASHORE kit works for both low tides and ferry rides, the WHALE kit fits perfectly with the Fins and Flukes outing, plus many of the kits include Salish Sea First Nations books. Icing on the cake, it's owned by a WS mama!
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