While typical visions of a golf course don’t usually include excited children and brightly colored dinosaurs, you’re sure to find plenty of both at any of Seattle’s awesome mini golf spots. Whether your family calls it mini-golf or putt-putt, taking the kids to play is always a great way to take up a few hours in the afternoon. Luckily Seattle has a great selection of mini golf courses that run the gamut from indoor courses to your traditional putting greens (sans the giant plaster creatures). Before you hit the green, remind your kids about proper golf etiquette, that way no one accidentally catches a high-flying club in the mouth.
Interbay Golf Center
For a traditional putting experience (sans windmills and clowns), stop by family-friendly Interbay Golf Center, located between the Magnolia and Queen Anne neighborhoods. Interbay has a nice putting course that kids and parents will love, especially if you have a budding golfer on your hands! Feeling brave? Take them up to the driving range for a bucket of balls when you’re done putting! Cost: $6 per round for ages 14 and under;
Interbay Golf Center
2501 15th Avenue West
Seattle
206-285-2200
Online: premiergc.com/interbay
Family Fun Center
With two locations around Seattle, one on the north end and one on the south end, the Family Fun Center is a great place to play a round or two of mini-golf! These courses are designed with kids in mind, so they are FUN! The course in Tukwila is outdoors, while the course in Edmonds is indoors, so you have options anytime of year. Cost: $5-7 for a round, depending on location
Online: fun-center.com
Family Fun Center
7300 Fun Center Way
Tukwila
25-228-7300
7212 220th Street Southwest
Edmonds
425-774-4263
Green Lake Pitch & Putt
You’ve driven by it a hundred times on the way to Green Lake – yes, there is a golf course tucked in between the baseball and soccer fields! Green Lake Pitch & Putt offers both a nine-hole par 3 course and a fun little putt-putt course too! Be warned, it is first come, first served here and it can get busy on those perfect sunny Seattle days – we suggest going first thing in the morning, when they open at 9 am. This course is open from March through October. Cost: $7-9 for a round.
Green Lake Pitch & Putt
5701 West Green Lake Way North
Seattle
206-632-2280
Rainbow Run
This miniature golf course on the Eastside will be your new family favorite! Rainbow Run, an 18-hole putting course at a full-sized golf course has fun obstacles to putt through, special effects and actually travels through four different climates along the course. A couple of tips for visiting – they often have corporate groups in the evenings, so call first if you’re planning a trip. Also, a little bug spray wouldn’t hurt before you go to keep from getting bites! Cost: $6 for ages 14 and under, $9 for adults (play before noon for $1 off!)
Willows Run Golf Course
10402 Willows Road Northeast
Redmond
425-883-1200
Online: willowsrun.com/put-put-golf-course
Mike & Terry’s Outdoor Fun Park
This family run fun park has just about everything that kids could want: go karts, batting cages, concession stands, and of course, mini golf. There are two different courses to choose from, with some rather challenging holes on each. Trying to play both courses can take a very long time, so unless your kids understand the meaning of “par 4” stick with just one course for the day. Weekend crowds tend to much heavier than during the week. Tip: Be sure to hit up the atm before your visit – this place is cash only! Cost: $6.50 for one course, $9.75 for both; Kids under 48″ $3.25; Kids under 40″ Free.
Mike & Terry’s Outdoor Fun Park
6326 114th Ave Ct E
Puyallup
253-841-1234
Online: mikenterrys.com
Where do your little golfers go when they need to practice their short game? Tell us about your favorite mini golf spots in a comment below.
— Katie Kavulla
photo credit: terren in Virginia via flickr, Nabeel H via flickr, & Sally via flickr