There are two goals of every parent leaving the house with a shopping list: 1) get all the items on the list (in one trip!) and 2) do so in a way that will keep the kids entertained. If you need to pull a shopping trip with your toddler in tow, we’ve put together a guide to our city’s most popular shopping centers with play spaces to work the wiggles out. Read on and get ready to shop (and play) ’til you drop!
photo: Westlake Park Facebook page
Downtown Seattle
Westlake Park Playground
The shopping district in the heart of downtown Seattle is always hustling and bustling. Take a break from your shopping list and head over to the Westlake Park Playground to let the kiddies have their time of fun. It’s an uncovered play area (so remember to pack jackets if the skies are unforgiving), but laid on a soft, shock absorbent surface. The playground houses a spider jungle gym and other climbing apparatuses which will easily tire out the tot lot and maybe even encourage a stroller nap!
401 Pine St. (across from Macy’s)
Seattle, Wa 98101
Online:seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/westlake-park
Hours: 6 a.m.-10 p.m.
Cost: Free
photo: Safari Place via Yelp
Westfield Southcenter Mall – Tukwila
Safari Place
Safari Place is the newest addition to Westfield Southcenter Mall and a prime play spot for kids under 52 inches. The facility is equipped with moving structures, padded surfaces, slides and a ball pit which are guaranteed to stimulate your sidekick’s imagination and surely run out all her energy built up from shopping.
Good to know: Safari Place has a dedicated private party room and toddler area.
2867 Southcenter Mall (2nd Floor near JCPenny)
Tukwila, Wa 98188
Online: safariplayspace.com
Hours: Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Cost: $12.99/first child on weekdays; $14.99/first child on weekends; $9.99/sibling
Westfield PlaySpace
When you need to take break from your shopping list, let the little ones roam the enclosed play area on Westfield Southcenter’s first floor. It’s full of larger-than-life plant and animal-themed characters and roomy enough for multiples to play tag for days. Best part? There is plenty of seating around the play space for parents to kick back and take a break before the next stop on their to-do list.
2800 Southcenter Mall (1st floor by Crazy 8 and JCPenny)
Seattle Wa 98188
Online: westfield.com/southcenter/services/all-services/westfield-playspace/560
Hours: Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Cost: Free
photo: Ken L. via Yelp
The Outlet Collection Seattle – Auburn
Doxon Toyota Kid’s Play Area
At The Outlet Collection (aka the Auburn Supermall), the Doxon Toyota Kids Play Area takes tykes and their families on a Seattle play adventure. The one-of-a-kind soft play area, designed for tots no taller than 42 inches, features iconic elements such as a 12-foot Space Needle with tunnel, a scale version of Mt. Rainier and a ferry and whale that kids can climb over and under.
Good to know: On the second Monday of each month, the mall hosts a connect!kid event next to the play area.
1101 Outlet Collection Way (near the Court B entrance)
Auburn, Wa 98001
Online: outletcollectionseattle.com/stores/doxon-toyota-kids-play-area
Hours: Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Cost: Free
photo: Super Jump Zone
Super Jump Party Zone
If you’re looking for some height and excitement with your next shopping trip to The Outlet Collection, beeline it to Super Jump Party Zone located across from the Outlet Collection’s Men’s Warehouse. Inside this expansive play area, you will find bouncy houses, inflated slides, inflatable obstacle courses, air hockey, foosball and more for kids ages 12 and under. The space also includes a kitchen where you can order pizza and drinks and refuel from your shopping rush.
Good to know: Socks are required and no outside food or drink is allowed. Two-hour party packages are also available.
1604 15th St. S.W. (across from The Outlet Collection)
Auburn, Wa 98001
Online: superjumppartyzone.com/auburn.html
Hours: Mon., 10 a.m-8 p.m.; Wed.-Sat., 3 p.m.-8 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Closed on Tues.
Cost: $8/Kid; $11 for full access and two trips on the rock wall
photo: Wiggle Works
Crossroads Mall – Bellevue
WiggleWorks Kids
WiggleWorks Kids at Crossroads Mall is the perfect place for Eastside families who want to shop and play. Designed for kids under 48 inches, the moving structures, balloon room, inflatable slide and bright colors will surely have both you and your tots enjoying a much-needed break from shopping.
Good to know: In addition to birthday party packages, WiggleWorks Kids also hosts Parent’s Night Out—a night where kids enjoy three hours of play, dinner, movie and a snack while parents enjoy a night on the town. Score!
15600 N.E. 8th St, Suite G2 (near Ulta)
Bellevue, Wa 9800
Online: wiggleworkskids.com
Hours: Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: $10 on weekdays, $12 on weekends; $8/sibling; 12 months & under Free
photo: Shweta M. via Yelp
Bellevue Square – Bellevue
The Kids’ Cove
If your next shopping trip takes you to Bellevue Square, The Bellevue Collection or Lincoln Square, make sure to plan a stop at Kids’ Cove located on the 3rd floor of Bellevue Square. Geared towards kids under 42 inches tall, this enclosed play space is home to soft climbing toys with fun maritime themes. There are boats to steer, a ferry to crawl through and lots of sea critters to touch and explore. There’s also plenty of room to sit with your mom or dad squad and catch up while your wee ones work out their wiggles.
Good to know: If you can’t get your sidekick to come out of the play space, entice him or her with a trip to Pinkabella Cupcakes, just across from Kids’ Cove.
575 Bellevue Square (3rd Floor, above Center Court)
Bellevue, Wa 98004
Online: bellevuecollection.com
Hours: Mon.-Sat., 9:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Cost: Free
photo: Jennifer B. Davis
Redmond Town Center – Redmond
Giggle Jungle
For families closer to Redmond and for those who prefer to get their shopping done at Redmond Town Center, the Giggle Jungle offers a great place for kids to pop into and get their ya-ya’s out. If you’re already a fan of WigglesWorks Kids, you’ll love the Giggle Jungle. It’s bright, fun and spacious and boasts the ever-popular pink, green, blue and white motorized toys, including kid faves like the dolphin carousel and climbing pyramid. Plus, it has a balloon room and plenty of structures for kids under 48 inches tall to hang off of like monkeys in the jungle!
Good to know: If you’re thinking this sounds like the perfect place to throw your tot’s next bash, Giggle Jungle offers a small room for parties which includes use of the party room for 1.5 hours and all day free play for up to 16 party-goers.
7330 164th Ave. N.E. (western corner of Redmond Town Center)
Redmond, Wa 98052
Online: gigglejungle.com
Hours: Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Cost: $12/all day pass; $10/siblings
photo: Juz Play Kids
Gilman Village – Issaquah
JuzPlay Kids
Issaquah’s Gilman Village has a lot of to offer shoppers during the holiday season, and JuzPlay Kids give parents the perfect spot to treat their tots (up to 55 inches tall) to some fun. It’s filled with the best of both worlds: movable, soft, inflatable structures for tiny tykes and larger slides and obstacle courses for older kids. There’s also a dedicated area for infants and toddlers along with an upper loft designed for nursing moms (complete with a glass railing to keep an eye on older sibs below).
Good to know: Meeting for a play date? Save 15% when your groups arrives.
1430 N.W. Mall St,, Suite B
Issaquah, Wa, 98027
Online: juzplaykids.com
Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Cost: $14 for unlimited play; $12 for two hours; $8/Infants (12-24 mos.); under 12 mos. Free
photo: Kristina Moy
University Village – North Seattle
University Village Play Area
One of the best options for outdoor shopping with a dose of play can be found at University Village. The covered play area is great spot year-round, especially with Seattle’s very unpredictable weather (hello, summer rain storm!). There are seats for parents to sit and watch their children roam in the enclosed space and slides and structures for active tots to explore!
2623 N.E. University Village St., Suite 7 (near Kid’s Club)
Seattle, Wa 98105
Online: uvillage.com
Hours: Mon.-Sat., 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Cost: Free
photo: Kristina Moy
Northgate Mall – North Seattle
Children’s Play Place
If your shopping trip happens to take you north of Seattle to Northgate Mall, be sure to stop by the Children’s Play Place for a quick break. The lengthy, enclosed play area is long enough for a few games of tag and perfect for getting lots of energy out! There are comfy seats for parents along the perimeter, and lots of options for kids to explore—like a rocket ship, tugboat, car and slides!
401 N.E. Northgate Way (across from Old Navy)
Seattle, Wa 98125
Online: simon.com/mall/northgate-mall
Hours: Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Cost: Free
Good to Know
At many of the pay-to-play play spaces, children must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or authorized adult (over the age of 18) and waivers must be signed to enjoy the facilities. Check the website of the play space you plan to visit prior to your arrival to complete the online waiver.
Where is your go-to play space when you need to get some shopping done with your kid crew? Tell us in the comments below.
—Betty Rose Cortes
Feature photo courtesy of TzuWei W. via Yelp.
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