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Redmond & Woodinville – A Little Bit Country

by Jacqui Boland

Red Rocks

Although some of the biggest high-tech companies are based in the area (including Microsoft in Redmond), there’s a distinctive country flair in both Redmond & Woodinville. Redmond boasts a terrific park with pony classes & a farm where tots can learn about produce and actually pick crops on a weekly basis while Woodinville is home to fantastic wineries and restaurants…perfect for date nights!  Our round-up below highlights the best places to play, dine (with kids & date night), and shop!

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    • Molbak’s Gardening Store and Center
      13625 NE 175th St., Woodinville – 425.483.5000
      When the weather’s changeable–and really, when isn’t it?–and your little ones could still do with a taste of the outdoors, head on over to Molbak’s, where 15 acres of garden center await you and your brood. There’s plenty for you to browse whilst the children enjoy the outdoors, indoors. Molbak’s holds free monthly kids’ planting workshops with a different theme each month. And when your green-fingered urchins are all done, sit back and enjoy lunch at the Molbak’s Garden Cafe, run by Lowell-Hunt, caterers to the great and good. The seating area is spacious, with a couple of big tables for larger groups, a ramp for strollers, an outdoor patio with seating, and a water feature in the middle of the cafe that will keep the children entertained even once they’re done with their food. Try the salmon sandwich!

Bonus: The Hanna Andersson outlet is directly across the street! The Oshkosh outlet is nearby too!

South 47 Farm – Drop In Farm Tots Classes
15410 NE 124th St, Redmond (corner of NE 124th St. and the Woodinville-Redmond Rd.) – 425.869.9777
Farm Tots: Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 10:30 am – 11:30 am, June-October.
Admission:  Free to visit farm. Farm tots classes: $6 with one adult free per child. Ages 5 and under, with parent or guardian. No reservations needed; check in at the farmstand at 10:15 am. (Parent stays with child)

This organic farm is a great place for children to see food “in action”. There’s an extensive U-Pick program offering everything from berries to bok choi, depending on the season (check the farm’s website for crops currently ready to harvest). Better yet, come for the “Farm Tots” programs that run every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from June through October. Each one-hour class will offer Junior the chance to pick his or her own portion of a crop in season, and the one-hour class also includes a nature or art activity and a wagon ride. The themed activities change each week and include farm favorites like worms, herbs, potatoes, bugs, flowers and seeds. When your tot has finished class, adults and children are free to wander the farm and visit the farm stand.

Bonus: If it’s a hot day and you “need” some ice cream after your farm visit (or you just remembered that you’re out of milk), drive around the corner to Theno’s Dairy (just south of the farm off Woodinville-Redmond Road). Look for the red building with the big cow by the door. Ice cream in rotating fun flavors like Strawberry Rhubarb.

Bonus: Sign up for their Playdates & Perks program for super savings at many stores every Thursday from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.

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