Kids Night Out: Guilt-Free Drop-off Childcare

Can’t remember the last time you ate a meal out that didn’t come with crayons? Or the last movie you saw that didn’t come in a red envelope? You need a date night, and we’re here to help. Check out these local spots for drop-off date night babysitting. These places are so much fun, your kids will think you’re doing it for them. You might even call it Kids’ Night Out!

Seattle

Seattle Gymnastics Academy
Seattle Gymnastics Academy offers Parents Night Out on Saturday evenings. While you are off at the movies or at dinner your kids will be enjoying gymnastics, pizza, games, crafts and a late night movie. Not only will they feed your kids dinner and a snack, all that running around in the gym means they’ll be ready for bed as soon as—if not before—you get them home!

Seattle Gymnastics Academy
1415 NW 52nd Street
Seattle, Wa 98107
When: 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month, 6:00 pm–10:00 pm. Doors lock at 7:00 pm.
Cost: $35 per child, save money by buying a 5 or 10 pack in advanced.
Ages: 5–12, potty-trained kiddos only.
Online: www.seattlegymnastics.com
Phone: 206-362-7447

Woodland Zoo
Who knew you could do Parents Night Out at the Woodland Zoo? Held in the fabulous Zoomazium and hosted by zoo staff your kids will enjoy games, puppet shows, pizza, a movie, and a live animal encounter while you enjoy a night out on the town.

Woodland Zoo
750 N 50th Street
Seattle, Wa 98103
When: One Friday or Saturday of each month. 5:30 pm–10:00 pm
Cost: $30 per child, $22 per each sibling. 
Ages: 4–11, potty-trained kiddos only.
Online: www.zoo.org
Phone: 206-548-2500

Roaring Mouse Creative Arts Studio
The ultra-popular (read: currently all booked up) Kids Night Out at Roaring Mouse Creative Arts Studio in Seattle means more than a break for mom and dad—kids do enriching activities, including dramatic play, arts and crafts, and much more. Get on the mailing list to sign up for a spot on the waiting list, or for future events. Then, bring a dinner for your kid, and “dress to mess”!

Roaring Mouse Creative Arts Studio
7526 20th Avenue NE
Seattle, Wa 98115
When: Selected Saturday nights. 4:00pm–8:00 pm. Books up a few months in advance.
Cost: $30 per child, $20 per additional sibling.
Age: 3–8
Online: www.roaringmouse.org
Phone: 206-522-1187 ext. 3

Moonpaper Tent
Every fourth Friday of the month (or third, if there’s a holiday…check the website for specific dates), Moonpaper Tent hosts kids ages four and up for an evening of dress-up, pretend, and other drama-based activities.

Moonpaper Tent
8503 Roosevelt Way NE
Seattle, Wa 98115
When: 2nd Friday of every month. 5:30 pm–9:30 pm.
Cost: $30 per child, 10% off every sibling.
Age: 4+
Online: www.moonpapertent.org
Phone: 206-708-6741

Blossoming Buds Cottage
Blossoming Buds Cottage is a flexible child-care facility in the Bryant neighborhood of Seattle. On the third Saturday of each month Blossoming Buds Cottage hosts Movie Night for the kids aka Date Night for moms and dads. Activities include playtime, a G-rated movie and pizza.

Blossoming Buds Cottage
7501 35th Avenue NE
Seattle, Wa 98115
When: 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month. 4:30 pm–8:30 pm.
Cost: $40 per child, $20 for 2nd sibling, 3rd sibling free, $4 extra for unpotty-trained children. $20 deposit required.
Age: 2.5–5
Online: www.blossomingbudscottage.com
Phone: 206-525-0795

The Little Gym
At The Little Gym they call it like they see it—their parents night out is dubbed Parents’ Survival Night. While you are out trying to remember what it was like to get through an entire sentence without being interrupted, staff at The Little Gym (locations in Alderwood, Covington, Everett, Kent, and Seattle) are helping your child develop their confidence and imagination with an evening of games, physical activities, music and—of course— fun!

Where: Multiple Locations
When: Selected Fridays and Saturdays of each month.
Cost: Members: $23 per child, Non-members: $28 per child.
Ages: 3+, potty-trained kiddos only.
Online: www.thelittlegym.com
Phone: 206-397-3794 (Seattle location)

Bellevue

Dizzy’s Bus Stop
Drop the kids off at Dizzy’s Bus Stop Kids Night Out in Bellevue for an evening of fun and games including time in their tumbling room (which has a trampoline, slide, rock wall, monkey bars and more), dinner (with dessert) and, if you bring the kids’ pajamas they will even have them all pj’ed up and ready to go to bed when you get back from your evening out.

Dizzy’s Bus Stop
3205 148th Avenue, Suite E
Bellevue, Wa 98007
When: 2nd and 3rd Saturday of every month. 5:00 pm–10:00 pm. Reservations required.
Cost: $10 per child, $5 per additional sibling, dinner is an extra $3.
Ages: 2–8, potty-trained kiddos only.
Online: www.dizzys-tumblebus.com
Phone: 425-564-8287

Adventures in Playcare
Adventure Kids Playcare is open until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights, making it a great option for its members to do impromptu drop-ins. Kids do activities and arts and crafts based on the week’s theme—recently, “Super-Secret Spy” was a big hit.

Adventures in Playcare
1100 Bellevue Way NE Suite 1
Bellevue, Wa 98004
When: Friday and Saturday nights until midnight.
Cost: $10 per hour for kids 18 months and up, $6 for siblings, $18 per hour for little ones 6 weeks to 18 months.
Age: 6 weeks–10 years
Online: www.adventurekidsplaycare.com
Phone: 425-391-5358

Issaquah

Museo Art Academy
Friday nights at the Museo Art Academy’s Pizza and Picasso Night include food, music and lots of opportunity for creative expression. Featuring a different artist each month, the evening begins with a pizza dinner and discussion about the featured artist’s work. The kids can then choose to draw, paint or sculpt with clay at “open studio” style workstations.
Museo Art Academy
111 Front Street N
Issaquah, Wa 98027
When: 3rd Friday of each month. 6:30 pm–8:30 pm.
Cost: $29 per kid, $10 buddy discount (not a sibling discount).
Ages: 6–12
Online: www.museoart.com
Phone: 425-391-0244

Woodinville

The Nest
Every Saturday night The Nest in Woodinville hosts children ages 2 to 9 for Parents Night Out. The bright, airy space has seven “Migration Stations” that children can explore, including areas for art, reading, dress-up and large motor activities like jumping and climbing. Parents Night Out activities include art projects, G-rated movies, Wii, games and snacks.

The Nest
17530 132nd Avenue NE, Suite B
Woodinville, Wa 98072
When: Every Saturday night.
Cost: One time membership fee of $20, $9 an hour per child, additional $5 an hour per additional child.
Age: 2–9, potty-trained kiddos only
Online: www.thenestkids.com
Phone: 425-415-NEST (6378)

Bainbridge Island

Bainbridge Island’s Kids Discovery Museum
Bainbridge Island’s Kids Discovery Museum (KiDiMu) presents Kids’ Night at the Museum on the first Saturday of each month. Kids will enjoy a fun-filled evening of playtime at the museum including games, projects, a movie and snacks.

Bainbridge Island’s Kids Discovery Museum
301 Ravine Lane NE
Bainbridge Island, Wa 98110
When: 1st Fridays and 3rd Saturdays. 5:30 pm–9:30 pm.
Cost: Members: $30 per child, Non-members: $40 per child, $10 off per additional child.
Age: 3.5–10
Online: www.kidimu.org
Phone: 206-855-4650

Kenmore

Great Play
In Kenmore, Great Play is hosting a monthly Kids’ Pajama Party, with gym time, pizza, storytelling, and movies. You can bet you’ll pick up some kids ready for a good night’s sleep!

Great Play
6748 NE 181st Street
Kenmore, Wa 98028
When: Selected Fridays every month. 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Cost: 4-hour session—Members: $30 per child, Non-member: $35. 2-hour session—Members, $20 per child, non-members $25 per child.
Age: 3–8
Online: www.greatplay.com
Phone: 425-486-7900

Redmond

Great Play
The same program as their Kenmore location, Great Play’s Parent’s Night Out will give your kiddos the chance to get tuckered out, well fed, and entertained all while you enjoy a few hours sans little ones.

Great Play
16510 Cleveland St, Suite N
Redmond, Wa 98052
When: Selected Fridays every month. 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Cost: 4-hour session—Members: $30 per child, Non-member: $35. 2-hour session—Members, $20 per child, non-members $25 per child.
Age: 3–8
Online: www.greatplay.com
Phone: 425-885-3800

Kirkland

Northwest Aerials Center
Kirkland’s Northwest Aerials center gives parents a break while kids bounce on a trampoline, then indulge in ice cream.

Northwest Aerials Center
12440 128th Lane NE
Kirkland, Wa  98034
When: 1st and 3rd Friday of the month. 6:00 pm–9:30 pm.
Cost: $30 per child, $25 if paid in advance.
Age: 3+, potty-trained kiddos only.
Online: www.nwaerials.com
Phone: 425-823-2665

Many local community centers and YMCAs offer Parents Night Out on various Friday or Saturday nights throughout the year. See individual community center brochures or websites.  The following community centers are offering Parents Night Out sometime this fall:  Alki CC (West Seattle),  Bitter Lake CC,  Loyal Heights CC, and Miller CC (Capital Hill). The Parents Night Out program is available at the following YMCAs of Greater Seattle: Auburn, Bellevue, Bothell, (Northshore YMCA), Shoreline (Dale Turner YMCA), SeaTac (Matt Griffin YMCA) and Seattle University Family YMCA and West Seattle/Fauntleroy YMCA). Activities vary by location and costs range from $15 to $35 per child and may require membership.

Where do you drop your kids off when you need a night to yourself?

— Lara Simmons