places to visit near kent wa

Top Things to Do in Kent, WA

Places to visit in kent, tours in and around kent.

Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Kent by Zombie Scavengers

Viator Exclusive Day-Tour From Seattle to Mt. Rainier

Chef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market- 2 Hours

Seattle Harbor Cruise

Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass Combination Ticket

Premier 3-Hour Seattle City Tour

Beneath The Streets Underground History Tour

Forest Hike to Gorgeous Twin and Snoqualmie Falls

Seattle City and Snoqualmie Falls Half-Day Guided Tour

3 Hour Seattle City Tour

Top attractions in kent.

Other Top Attractions around Kent

What travellers are saying

• accesso ShoWare Center
• Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum
• Tahoma National Cemetery
• Pacific Raceways
• #BestHour Kickboxing - Kent
• Soos Creek Trailhead
• Green River Natural Resources Area
• South 277th Corridor Trail
• Chestnut Ridge Park
• Boulevard Lane Park
• Kent Station
• Carpinitos Pumpkin Patch

• Destinations

12 Best Things to Do in Kent, Washington

Last Updated By VI on February 1, 2024 in Things to Do in Washington State & Places to Visit

Tahoma National Cemetery

Kent station, accesso showare center, pacific raceways.

• Complete List & Map

Tahoma National Cemetery , 18600 SE 240th St, Kent, WA 98042, Phone: 425-413-9614 , View Map

301 Railroad Ave N., Kent, WA 98032, Phone: 888-889-6368 , View Map

625 W James St, Kent, WA 98032, Phone: 253-856-6777 , View Map

31001 144th Ave SE, Kent, WA 98042, Phone: 253-639-5927 , View Map

Green River Natural Resources Area

22161 Russell Rd, Kent, WA, Phone: 253-856-5200 , View Map

Mary Olson Farm, Kent, Washington

28728 Green River Rd, Kent, WA 98030, Phone: 253-288-7433 , View Map

Duke's Seafood

240 W Kent Station St, Kent, WA 98032, Phone: 253-850-6333 , View Map

Paolo's Italian Restaurant, Kent

23810 104th Ave SE, Kent, WA 98031, Phone: 253-850-2233 , View Map

Mama Stortini's Restaurant and Bar

240 W Kent Station St #104, Kent, WA 98032, Phone: 253-854-5050 , View Map

Hydroplane & Race Boat Museum

5917 S 196th St, Kent, WA 98032, 206-764-9453, View Map

Kent Historical Society Museum

855 E Smith St, Kent, WA 98030, 253-854-4330, View Map

Carpinito Pumpkin Patch

27508 W Valley Hwy N, Kent, WA 98032, Phone: 253-854-5692 , View Map

• 1. Tahoma National Cemetery
• 2. Kent Station
• 3. accesso ShoWare Center
• 4. Pacific Raceways
• 5. Green River Natural Resources Area
• 6. Mary Olson Farm, Kent, Washington
• 7. Duke's Seafood
• 8. Paolo's Italian Restaurant, Kent
• 9. Mama Stortini's Restaurant and Bar
• 10. Hydroplane & Race Boat Museum
• 11. Kent Historical Society Museum
• 12. Carpinito Pumpkin Patch

Kent, Washington is a city situated in the Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan area. Once an agricultural city, Kent now has grown into a business hub that serves as a headquarters for many companies. Besides attracting businesses, Kent also draws in visitors due to its gorgeous landscape. Some of the natural attractions include Mount Rainier and Green River. Additionally, day trip visitors enjoy gazing out at the rolling hills and lush valleys. Finally, the city offers Italian and seafood restaurants, a race track, a sports and entertainment arena, and a pumpkin patch with a corn maze.

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Top Things to Do in Kent

Things to do in kent, tours in and around kent.

Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Kent by Zombie Scavengers

Viator Exclusive Day-Tour From Seattle to Mt. Rainier

Chef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market- 2 Hours

Seattle Harbor Cruise

Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass Combination Ticket

Premier 3-Hour Seattle City Tour

Beneath The Streets Underground History Tour

Forest Hike to Gorgeous Twin and Snoqualmie Falls

Seattle City and Snoqualmie Falls Half-Day Guided Tour

3 Hour Seattle City Tour

Top attractions in kent.

Other Top Attractions around Kent

What travellers are saying

• accesso ShoWare Center
• Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum
• Tahoma National Cemetery
• Pacific Raceways
• #BestHour Kickboxing - Kent
• Soos Creek Trailhead
• Green River Natural Resources Area
• South 277th Corridor Trail
• Chestnut Ridge Park
• Boulevard Lane Park
• Kent Station
• Carpinitos Pumpkin Patch

Attractions

Art & art galleries.

Stroll a gallery, invest in a future Picasso or create your own masterpiece. Kent’s art scene is vibrant and bustling.

Jewelry on display in Kent, Washington

Artsy fartsy art lessons, centennial center gallery, creamery art & frame shop.

From hops to hydroplanes and all things pickleball, there’s a whole lot to learn in and about Kent. Visit three unique museums, and bring your curiosity and questions.

Period dining room at the Greater Kent Historical Society Museum in Kent, Washington

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Farms & Farmers Markets

Kent’s Green River Valley has produced farm-fresh fare since the 1800s. From spring rhubarb to summer berries, and pumpkins in the fall, Kent is all about growing and eating local.

Sunflower plants at Carpinito Bros. in Kent, Washington

Carpinito brothers, kent farmers market, whistling train farm.

Top Things to Do in Kent, WA - Kent Must-See Attractions

Things to do in kent, tours in and around kent.

Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Kent by Zombie Scavengers

Viator Exclusive Day-Tour From Seattle to Mt. Rainier

Chef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market- 2 Hours

Seattle Harbor Cruise

Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass Combination Ticket

Premier 3-Hour Seattle City Tour

Beneath The Streets Underground History Tour

Forest Hike to Gorgeous Twin and Snoqualmie Falls

Seattle City and Snoqualmie Falls Half-Day Guided Tour

3 Hour Seattle City Tour

Top attractions in kent.

Other Top Attractions around Kent

What travellers are saying

• accesso ShoWare Center
• Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum
• Tahoma National Cemetery
• Pacific Raceways
• #BestHour Kickboxing - Kent
• Soos Creek Trailhead
• Green River Natural Resources Area
• South 277th Corridor Trail
• Chestnut Ridge Park
• Boulevard Lane Park
• Kent Station
• Carpinitos Pumpkin Patch

THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Kent

Things to do in kent, tours in and around kent.

Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Kent by Zombie Scavengers

Viator Exclusive Day-Tour From Seattle to Mt. Rainier

Chef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market- 2 Hours

Seattle Harbor Cruise

Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass Combination Ticket

Premier 3-Hour Seattle City Tour

Beneath The Streets Underground History Tour

Forest Hike to Gorgeous Twin and Snoqualmie Falls

Seattle City and Snoqualmie Falls Half-Day Guided Tour

3 Hour Seattle City Tour

Top attractions in kent.

Other Top Attractions around Kent

What travellers are saying

• accesso ShoWare Center
• Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum
• Tahoma National Cemetery
• Pacific Raceways
• #BestHour Kickboxing - Kent
• Soos Creek Trailhead
• Green River Natural Resources Area
• South 277th Corridor Trail
• Chestnut Ridge Park
• Boulevard Lane Park
• Kent Station
• Carpinitos Pumpkin Patch

Top Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Kent, WA in 24 Hours

Posted on Last updated: April 17, 2024

Home » Pacific Northwest » Top Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Kent, WA in 24 Hours

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Looking for an easy day trip from Seattle? Check out some of the most kid-friendly things to do in Kent, WA in 24 hours!

This post about things to do in kent wa was written by seattle family travel expert marcie cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, i may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog., kid-friendly things to do in kent, wa.

One of our favorite things to do on weekends here in Seattle is exploring nearby cities for a PNW getaway. I found out that there are many kid-friendly things to do in Kent, WA and we immediately jumped at the opportunity given to us.

This past weekend, Visit Kent, WA , invited my family on a press trip to discover what makes Kent such a kid-friendly place in Washington State.

If you’ve been to Seattle Center or downtown Seattle, and you enjoyed a trip to the Pike Place Market, T Mobile Park, Seattle Seafront, or Seattle’s skyline, then you will definitely enjoy Kent.

The city has a lot to offer for whatever type of traveler you are. You can go for a day trip history package, visit and discover their acclaimed art scene, or go “nightlife shopping” if you want to explore its lively nightlife.

You can also go for a custom tours adventure or other interest tours if you want a mix of all those.

Visitors in the city can also enjoy a wide range of outdoor attractions, from hiking trails to scenic parks, all while savoring delicious outdoor attractions food at local cafes and food stalls.

We had so much fun yesterday. I spent all day writing about this trip!

Lake Meridian Park

One of our favorite parks in Kent is Lake Meridian Park. We started coming here when my oldest was a baby for little baby play dates with our PEPS group.

Now, 4 years later, it’s still a destination park we love to visit!

As a preschooler and toddler mom, I appreciate that the entire playground has cushy rubber mats, wood chips, or turf. I don’t worry about my kids running around (especially when they are wearing shorts!)

And it’s pretty easy to see my boys no matter where they are at the park. One can be swinging, and the other can be racing cars down a hill, and I can keep an eye on both.

While the playground is fabulous (I mean, there’s a PIRATE SHIP!) I also appreciate the vast grassy fields and the lake itself! That makes it easy for us to spend hours here.

There’s also a great covered area with lots of tables. We saw a family bring hot pizza to eat while the kids ran around. Such a great idea!

[irp posts=”7345″ name=”Riding The Sounder Train to Seattle’s International District for a Play Date”]

Airways Brewing Bistro

All that playing made my boys hungry, so we headed to Airways Brewing Bistro in Downtown Kent. I’d heard they have a kids’ menu and that their food was tasty.

When we arrived, I saw they had two separate entrances: One for the 21+ brewery and another for the family-friendly brewery. They are separated inside by a long hallway.

The family-friendly side was awesome! We picked a table that looked into the open-concept kitchen. Our server was super friendly and helped us choose an array of items.

While they prepared our food, I took my toddler out to the courtyard to check it out, and I was floored!

They have a whole kids’ play area set up! At first, I saw a cart filled with tons of chalk, a couple of containers of bubbles, and a bunch of bean bags. Then, I realized they also have cornholes!

So, instead of managing antsy kids at the table, we were able to fully engage with them on the patio! It was semi-enclosed, so I was able to let my toddler run around a lot.

When the food arrived, it was fantastic! My kids had macaroni and cheese and french fries as their entrees.

But they also shared a mini charcuterie plate with prosciutto, cheese, bread sticks, and blueberries. The kids LOVED it!

I also had a caprese sandwich with honeycrisp apple slaw that really hit the spot, and sea salt truffle fries with an aioli that I’m still salivating over!

While I didn’t sample any of their beers, I can say that they offer many varieties, including cider.

So, this may be the coolest kid-friendly brewery I’ve been to! I can’t wait to return with another family (or a few families) just to hang out while the kids play!

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Kent Teaching & Toys

After lunch, we played a little corn hole at Airways Brewing Bistro before walking to Kent Teaching & Toys.

This is another spot that’s always a hit with my kids! It’s right behind the Kent Library, so we walk here after storytime sometimes.

My friend is a former kindergarten teacher, and she’s the one who originally told me about Kent Teaching & Toys. She suggested having a play date there a couple of years ago, and we’ve been coming back ever since!

It’s the perfect spot to go if you are looking for good-quality toys for your kids or to give as gifts. They have a wooden train section and sell individual train track pieces (which saves so much time when your child is looking for a specific piece that may be ANYWHERE in your house!)

As I looked around the store, I found many items that would be perfect travel toys! Here are a few of my favorites:

My kids always enjoy the train table! They also play a bit with the Calico Critters table but usually return to the train table.

And don’t forget to check out their bargain sections. I found a really cool building toy on clearance that kept my son fully occupied in the hotel room!

The boys picked out mail trucks as their souvenirs. My brother is a mail carrier, so they were ecstatic to get their first mail truck toys!

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Punjab Sweets

One of the things I love most about Kent, Washington, is the sheer vastness of ethnic cuisine! My family thoroughly enjoys food from around the world.

So, I was excited to check out Punjab Sweets. My husband visited India last year for the Holi Festival and tried several sweets there. He tried to explain them to me, but I figured we better just try them ourselves.

Punjab Sweets is located right next to a sari shop! I was tempted to go in and peruse the colorful outfits, but I had my boys with me, and I had promised them treats!

The first thing we noticed was the display case featuring their tempting sweets. Without knowing exactly what everything was, I picked a few colorful items, a few featuring flavors I knew I liked, and then asked for recommendations.

I also ordered a chai tea and lassi drinks for the boys. After running around a bit all day, sitting and drinking something hot while sampling the goodies was nice!

We also got a bag of Indian snacks. My friend’s mother-in-law sent them similar snacks we had tried, so I knew my kids would like them. Nice to know we can buy them in Kent!

Trapper’s Sushi

My boys still had a lot of energy, so we went back to Lake Meridian Park to play more before dinner. They spent most of that time racing their mail trucks down the hill at the park!

After a bit, we were ready to head to Kent Station to enjoy a meal at Trapper’s Sushi.

My husband and I can eat sushi almost every day. The kids can be hit or miss. We usually give them rice and miso soup, but we always encourage them to try new things.

The kids menu at Trapper’s Sushi is perfect for families with adventurous (and not-so-adventurous) children. The portions are large, and my boys were able to split a kid’s order of teriyaki chicken, rice, and fruits.

Fruishi is fruit sushi. Cute, right? This one was sliced-up green apples rolled in rice. I tried one, and it was good! It’s a fun (and healthy) dessert option!

With the kids situated, my husband and I wanted to try some of Trapper’s Sushi’s specialty items. We found a couple of tempura rolls that sounded amazing. And they lived up to our expectations!

As parents, we appreciated that Trapper’s Sushi was a bit loud. Our toddler was melting down a bit, and it was barely noticeable. That allowed me to finish eating without feeling stressed out. We left very full!

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Best Western Plus Plaza by the Green

The Best Western Plus Plaza by the Green is a two-story hotel on a golf course. It’s also near shopping and restaurants and has plenty of parking.

As soon as we entered the hotel lobby, my son said, “This place smells GOOD!”

We quickly discovered that they offer complimentary freshly baked cookies in their lobby! They had chocolate chip and macadamia white chocolate cookies, so we grabbed two before checking in!

Check-in was a breeze, and we quickly took the elevator to the second floor.

Our room faced the golf course. We arrived at dusk, and the course was empty.

We decided to get into our jammies and enjoy our chocolate chip cookies before heading to bed!

The next morning, we decided to check out the continental breakfast spread and have a little something to eat before we packed up. My 4-year-old enjoyed filling up his own glass of orange juice and looking out on the golf course.

Then, it was time for us to pack up and continue exploring Kent!

Turnkey Park

Since we are early risers, we thought we’d hit up another park before breakfast. After a quick Google search, I found Turnkey Park.

This is another super cool park in Kent!

First, they have a giant sandpit with interactive construction diggers. But they also have a water spigot where kids can pour water down some hills INTO the sand pit! It’s like what they have at Northwest Trek !

Second, they have a Hidden Mickey scavenger hunt! Since we are a HUGE Disney family, we set off immediately to find them!

Third, they have an ADDITIONAL scavenger hunt featuring fruits and veggies! My son joined a few other kids in running around the park to see what they could find.

I felt a little bad piling back into the car for breakfast, but my tummy was rumbling! We’ll definitely be doing a play date here soon!

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Saimin Says

If you’ve never had a Hawaiian breakfast, you miss something special! I discovered Saimin Says years ago while working on the Live Aloha Hawaiian Cultural Festival at Seattle Center.

My husband and I started coming here for breakfast when we were dating, and it became a regular thing.

But, since we had our youngest, we haven’t made it back to Saimin Says.

So, we were extra excited to enjoy a leisurely breakfast here. The kids split a plate of scrambled eggs and a Mickey Mouse pancake (after my oldest used banana slices to place Mickey’s eyes and nose!)

My husband got the Loco Moco, his favorite Hawaiian breakfast item. This time, he ordered it with more meat patties and less rice to be “low carb!”

And my favorite thing to order here is their fried saimin. I mean, saimin is right in their name, so you should order it!

Finally, we grabbed a SPAM musubi and Portuguese sausage musubi to snack on later. OMG, so good!

Kent Farmers Market

After all that yummy food, we needed to walk it off a bit. Luckily, we were there on a Saturday to take advantage of the Kent Farmers Market.

It’s located right by the Kent Library, Kent Teaching & Toys, and Airways Brewing Bistro! Super convenient!

The kids were immediately drawn to the crazy-shaped pumpkins and gourds. They looked so perfect for Fall decorating!

I liked seeing the brightly colored flowers! They were so cheery, and the sellers were so excited to talk about them!

It was a great way to end our adventure in Kent, Washington!

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Other Things To Do in Kent, WA If You Have More Time

If you’ll be staying in Kent a bit longer, I have a few more kid-friendly options for things to do in Kent, WA:

NORTHWEST HARVEST

For families with kids ages nine and up, sign up to volunteer to pack food at Northwest Harvest. I did this while mentoring at Seattle Girls School years ago, and we’ll be doing this as a family in 5 years!

CARPINITO BROTHERS

If you love fresh produce, this place is awesome! It’s seriously my Mother-in-law’s version of paradise! Plus, you can usually meet a camel or reindeer during the holidays. And they have an incredible pumpkin patch in their field in Kent.

CAVE MAN KITCHEN

If you like roadside BBQ, this place is a ton of fun for families! You can eat outside on picnic tables (and yes, they have kid-sized picnic tables, too!) My Mom first came here decades ago, and I’ve been bringing my kids that past year.

SOUND TRANSIT

Last month, we took the Sounder Train during a play date, which was awesome! The kids excitedly hopped on board the Sounder at Kent Station for an adventure around Seattle’s Chinatown Neighborhood. It’s also an easy way to get to Kent from Seattle.

This is another great breakfast spot. Get a table by the window because chances are, you’ll see trains whizzing past at least once! My boys go NUTS, which provides a lot of entertainment while we eat. And you can get yummy treats to go!

Thanks, Visit Kent, WA, for hosting my family on this press trip. All opinions are my own.

More PNW Adventures with Kids

Funko HQ Tips for a Fun Seattle Family Activity Semiahmoo Resort & Spa Pacific Northwest Weekend Getaway Weekend Getaways in Washington: Gig Harbor, Tacoma, Sumner Top 10 Fun Things to Do with Kids in Tacoma, WA in the Summer Family Weekend Getaway to Winthrop, WA: A Wild West Town Family Travel Guide to Portland, Oregon with Toddlers Spend the Day at Pier 57 in Seattle with Kids

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Lauren Ashley

Tuesday 25th of September 2018

This looks like a great day for kids. I'm going to have to tell my sister-in-law. She's always looking for stuff like this for my nieces. It'd be a great getaway for the family.

marciecheung

Wednesday 26th of September 2018

My kids really enjoyed spending time there! We're hoping to make it a regular thing!

Melissa Sanchez

Wednesday 19th of September 2018

What a great post! I often visit my brother in Wa and I am always looking for places to take the kiddos and keep them entertained. this is going to be very useful to me, when I am up there again.

Thursday 20th of September 2018

Oh great! There are so many cool places to explore in the Seattle-area!

Jayne @ Sticky Mud and Belly Laughs

Wow! This looks like a fab place to visit with the little ones. Nice to hear that you all had an amazing time! :)

Oh it was a blast!

The place looks so amazing and a child-friendly place. My kids will love the place for they can play and eat without worrying anything.

Yes, we're all about kid-friendly restaurants and awesome parks!

You guys seem to have had a lot of fun there!

It was a great staycation!

Top Things to Do in Kent

Things to do in kent, tours in and around kent.

Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Kent by Zombie Scavengers

Viator Exclusive Day-Tour From Seattle to Mt. Rainier

Chef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market- 2 Hours

Seattle Harbor Cruise

Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass Combination Ticket

Premier 3-Hour Seattle City Tour

Beneath The Streets Underground History Tour

Forest Hike to Gorgeous Twin and Snoqualmie Falls

Seattle City and Snoqualmie Falls Half-Day Guided Tour

3 Hour Seattle City Tour

Top attractions in kent.

Other Top Attractions around Kent

What travelers are saying

• accesso ShoWare Center
• Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum
• Tahoma National Cemetery
• Pacific Raceways
• #BestHour Kickboxing - Kent
• Soos Creek Trailhead
• Green River Natural Resources Area
• South 277th Corridor Trail
• Chestnut Ridge Park
• Boulevard Lane Park
• Kent Station
• Carpinitos Pumpkin Patch

Top Things to Do in Kent, WA

Things to do in kent, tours in and around kent.

Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Kent by Zombie Scavengers

Viator Exclusive Day-Tour From Seattle to Mt. Rainier

Chef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market- 2 Hours

Seattle Harbor Cruise

Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass Combination Ticket

Premier 3-Hour Seattle City Tour

Beneath The Streets Underground History Tour

Forest Hike to Gorgeous Twin and Snoqualmie Falls

Seattle City and Snoqualmie Falls Half-Day Guided Tour

3 Hour Seattle City Tour

Top attractions in kent.

Other Top Attractions around Kent

What travellers are saying

• accesso ShoWare Center
• Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum
• Tahoma National Cemetery
• Pacific Raceways
• #BestHour Kickboxing - Kent
• Soos Creek Trailhead
• Green River Natural Resources Area
• South 277th Corridor Trail
• Chestnut Ridge Park
• Boulevard Lane Park
• Kent Station
• Carpinitos Pumpkin Patch

Family Guide – What to Do With Kids In Kent Washington

This post may contain affiliate links and I may be compensated for this post. Please read our disclosure policy here .

Sharing is caring!

We were hosted by Kent Visitors Center to gather info for this article.

I have lived in Kent for over 13 years now, and so when the Kent Visitors Center reached out to us about sharing about Kent, it was the perfect opportunity to share resources that we love in the Kent area for family fun. If we missed any of your favorites, be sure to let us know!

Many people head to Kent to enjoy a show or event at the Showare Center. Whether you have decided to make a weekend out of it, and stay in Kent, or if you live near the area, this family guide will provide you with lots of ideas of what to to explore and do in Kent with kids. If you are interested in more things to do (like food trails that are not focused on being kid friendly) be sure to check out the Visit Kent site here (the have some food trails that are more adult oriented if you are not traveling with kids).

I think of Kent, by breaking it in three main areas, as it can cover a lot of ground – and there is some distance between these three areas. This will help you determine your itinerary, and how far apart these spots are, too. They are:

• Downtown Kent & the Kent Valley
• The Kent East Hill (up towards Covington and Hwy 18)
• The Kent West Hill (towards 1-5 and hwy 99, and includes fewer family friendly spots)

The Kent Station Light Link Rail Station is in downtown Kent as well, if you are looking to venture outside the area, or use it as a means of traveling into Kent. Find schedules and information on that here .

Over the years we have spent time at parks, events, restaurants and much more. You can find lots of ideas on the Visit Kent site here as well. Here are some of my families favorite things to do in Kent Wa. and surrounding areas.

What to Do in Kent – Family Friendly Options ::

Kent station – movies, dinner & shopping (downtown kent).

Kent Station is an area near the Light Rail, that has a number of restaurants, stores and the Kent Station AMC if you want to catch a movie. We love to come here for dinner and a movie, or sometimes some shopping too. There are a number of great deals at the restaurants for families (see those below), and a few shops my kids like to shop in there include Claires, Zumiez and Game Stop.

Events at Showare Events Center (downtown Kent)

Showare Event Center is located a few blocks from Kent Station, and hosts a number of family friendly events. Disney on Ice happens each November, and there are many other options as well! You will also find indoor sports events like Hockey with the Thunderbirds and more. Concerts are also hosted here often as well.

We have plans to check out the Harlem Globe Trotters this month. They also have a number of free events for families hosted there too. We love to start with dinner at Kent Station before hand (but restaurants can get busy around big events, so plan for that).

Kent has a number of seasonal going on, like festivals and Kids Day, etc.

You can check the Events calendar at Visit Kent here for current events. Some highlights include seasonal events at Carpinito Farms, a large Kids Day festival in the summer at Showare, Farmers Markets and more!

Carpinitos Farm (Kent Valley)

Carpinotos has a fruit stand that is open year round (fruits and veggies available seasonally) and Christmas Trees and Reindeer you can visit during the holidays.

In October, there is a separate pumpkin farm and corn maze that is lots of fun to visit too. We go each Fall and are never disappointed.

Ice Skating in Kent (Kent Valley)

There is an ice skating rink in downtown Kent , with public skate times available throughout the year. There is a small arcade inside, and putt putt outside as well as batting cages. It is also surrounded by walking trails along the river, and a park nearby too if you want to hang out for the day.

Savings Tip – Tuesday night they offer a discounted skate sessions, so be sure to check that out They also are sometimes on Groupon, so look out for those savings too. 

Putt Putt Golf (Kent Valley)

There are a couple of spots to enjoy putt putt golf in Kent. Both are downtown Kent. One is at the Golf Course, and the other at the Skating rink. You can often find deals on the one at the Skating rink on Groupon !

Art Lessons for Kids (Downtown Kent)

Sign up for an art lesson from Arsty Fartsy, located in downtown Kent. You can sign up for a 75 minute art class for $25 ,including supplies. Art class ideas include drawing, painting, sewing, fiber arts, printmaking, and poi (flow arts).

Public Swimming in Kent (East Hill of Kent)

In the summer months families can swim at Lake Meridian.

In colder months, they recently opened up a new YMCA in Kent that has a pool and a splash pad, and hot tub that families can enjoy. There is also a separate lap pool for those wanting to focus on that. The opening of the new YMCA did result in the closing of the Kent Meridian pool this past summer, which was the local city pool. If you are looking for another city option, a drive up to Covington is a good option, for their Aquatics Center (it does have a slide and other fun things for kids to play with during public swims, and the city pools are generally more affordable then the YMCA, unless you are a member.

Savings Tip – The YMCA will allow you to try out their facilities with a three visit pass for free. Inquire about that option at the front desk or online here .

Sport Court Options (Various Locals)-

There are a number of outdoor basketball, baseball, soccer field and tennis court options through Kent Parks. You can find those here .

If you are looking for indoor options to get some sports play in for the family, those are a bit more limited. There are the batting cages at the ice skating rink we mention above, and here are a few others.

Pickelball – Drop in for $5 a game, or rent a private court for $20 for 2 hours ($10 an hour)!

Want to get out and get active on a rainy or cold day? Consider renting a pickleball court, or dropping in for a pick up game. Find all the info you need on that here.

Basketball and Volleyball open Gym – The YMCA also offers open gym options, available to their members. If you are not a member, you can get a 3-visit pass with the Try the Y program here .’

Metropolitan Gymnastics offers open gym times to the public too . This is a fun one for kids, if your looking for something to do with the family on a rainy day!

There are also a number of different classes and programs you can sign up to participate in at Kent Commons. Find their current offerings and schedules here.

Parks in the City of Kent (throughout Kent, our favorites are on the East Hill)

Kent has quite a few parks and recreational programs. Here are a few that have been my kids favorites over the years.

A favorite park in the area is the Lake Meridian park . You can enjoy the park year round, but in the summer you can enjoy both the park and a swimming area for a full day of fun.

If your kids like to skate, ride bikes or rock climb, you will want to check out the Arbor Heights 360, Skate Park in Kent. This is a larger skate park, with lots of areas to do tricks, etc.

They even have a couple of climbing walls. My kids think this is a cool skate park, but they do find it more intimidating (they are beginners), but there is a smaller one that beginners can use up the hill in Covington too.

If you are looking for a park with a zip line, check out The Green Tree Park. It is generally not that crowded, and has a zip line the kids love to play on. Just outside of Kent, Covington has added a new park with a zip line the kids seem to love (two of them actually – one for younger kids that they strap in for, and one regular one), called the Covington Community Park . If zip lines are a big deal to the kids, this one is worth the drive for, and they have walking trails and workout equipment for adults too.

There is a small park over near where you can look for Mickey Mouses

During the Summer months, in downtown Kent (across from the library) you can find a small splash pad that the kids can cool off at.

Race Car Driving, or Watching the Races –

If you are looking for something fun to do with teens, Kent has two well know areas where they can try their hand at racing, or watch racing. They are:

Pacific Raceways on the Kent East Hill

Pacific Grand Pre Motorsports park on the Kent West Hill – This spot is not cheap, but if you are looking to take your teens out for a thrilling day of race car driving, this is the spot! You must be 14 yrs of age or older to get on the track though (exceptions are made for kids who are 10-13 if they go through the driving school first).

Hotels in Kent Wa. ::

In downtown Kent, is the Best Western On the Greens , which sits on the golf course. This spot is located located centrally, in close proximity to most of what Kent has to offer families. It is a short drive from the Showare Center, so is a great spot if you want to make an overnight trip out of a special event going on. It offers easy access to I-5 too, and we found it to be both affordable and family friendly when we stayed there.

They offer a complimentary breakfast in the morning, and had this coffee bar set up the entire time during our stay. It was a nice extra perk!

Kent Restaurants to Enjoy::

Kent has sure changed in the 13 years that I have lived here. It used to be that if I wanted to go out for dinner, we usually left Kent. Now, I rarely have to, as the options of where to eat at have really grown, and the quality of restaurants is great. There are a number of local restaurants that have won local awards, and many popular favorites from our region like The Ram, and Mama Stortinos too.

Visit Kent has put together these really cool food trails , that will make recommendations based on the trail that looks like the best fit for you.

If you are looking for a great deal to feed the kids, here are some of my favorite local deals that help you stretch your budget.

(Note – these prices where current at time of publishing, but be sure to check the website to make sure they are still available for the time of your visit)

• Applebees ($.25 cent wings, Happy Hour & More)
• Ram (Kids Eat Free on Sundays)
• Agave Cocina & Cantina (Kids eat for $3.99 on Sundays)
• Dukes Free Birthday Month Meal (Kent Station)
• Mama Stortinis (Happy Hour all day Sunday)
• Johnny Rockets (Sign up for emails to get a BOGO Free Burger Coupon)
• Dickeys BBQ in Downtown Kent (Kids eat free on Sundays)
• Spring Kitchen (Kids eat free on Tuesdays)
• Dicks Drive In

There are also some popular spots out at the nearby Great Wall Mall, if you like Dim Sum, Sushi and more.

More Ideas Near Kent –

In addition to all of these options in Kent, there are also many nearby attractions that you can get to in 15 to 20 minutes. Here is some more info on some of these options.

See our Guide to Enjoying Tukwila, and our What to Do In the South Sound for more ideas of things nearby that would make for a great family getaway!

If you are looking for fun parks for the kids, Les Gove in Auburn is great, especially in the summer as it has a playground and splash pad.

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• Kid-Friendly Activities

Things to Do with Kids in Kent, WA

• TripBuzz found 351 things to do with kids in or near Kent, Washington, including 329 fun activities for kids in nearby cities within 25 miles like Kirkland , Issaquah , Puyallup and Seattle .
• From PGP Motorsports Park to ShoWare Center, the Kent area offers 97 different types of family activities, including: Parks, Farms & Ranches, Bowling and Go Karts.
• Located nineteen miles south of Seattle is the city of Kent, Washington. What was once a thriving agricultural community is now primarily a commercial business area. Visitors and locals enjoy the cities extensive park system which is comprised of over seventy parks. Other tourism favorites include The Canterbury Faire, Kent's Cornucopia Days and the local weekly farmers market.

37% Off Mini Golf at Kent Valley Ice Centre

Pgp motorsports park, showare center, seattle thunderbirds hockey club, kent meridian pool, kent valley ice centre, patton farm, pacific raceways, amc kent station 14, lake meridian park.