Summer 2023 Ideas and Activities

1. Free Swim Lessons:  Registration starts May 16, 2023.  Making sure your kids know how to swim is a great way to introduce them to a healthy activity and help protect them from drowning. Your kids may be eligible for free lessons through a new Seattle initiative, Swim Seattle, or through a scholarship from Seattle Parks & Recreation.   To sign up for Swim Seattle, contact your local city pool. To learn about Seattle Parks & Recreation swim programs and scholarships, go to Priority Registration for Scholarship Eligible Participants.
2. Boys and Girls Club Rainier Vista Summer Camp – limited availability!   Flat fee, some scholarships available.  206-436-1890  Boys and Girls Club Rainier Vista Summer Camp
3. Arc of King County hosts summer child care/camps at a number of community centers throughout the city of Seattle including Van Asselt, South Park, Rainier Beach, Jefferson and more! Scholarships are available.
4. Kids Co. at Southshore.   Weekly summer camps and afterschool care for 2023/2024.    Some financial assistance available. Kids Co. at South Shore
5. Activate summer at the Y!  Registration at the Y is open for summer day camps.   Locations include Bailey Gazert Elementary, Concord Elementary and Thurgood Marshall Elementary. 
6. Launch – Summer Learning at Beacon Hill Elementary, Madrona Elementary, Miller Community Center and Maple Elementary.  Some financial assistance is available. Launch Summer Learning
7. Learn to play an instrument at Summer Jazz Prep Camp! No experience is required.  Sliding scale with free tuition option.  Open to any students going into grades 4 through 8.
8. The Play Garden offers a fully inclusive nature-based summer camp experience for kids with disabilities and their typically developing peers.  Wait list only for summer camps as of 5/15. 
   Free play time is available throughout the summer.
9. Camp Lucy in Seattle is a Free 10-day learn-to-row camp for girls, that uses rowing as a way to learn social-emotional skills and life skills. Camp Lucy is designed to intentionally increase access to rowing for those who have been historically excluded from rowing, in particular girls, people of color, and those facing socio-economic barriers. Lunch, snacks, and a Camp Lucy t-shirt are provided for all campers, and transportation and gear support is available.
10. Seward Park Audubon Summer Day Camp  A limited number of 30%, 50% and 100% scholarships available. Seward Park Audubon Summer Day Camp
11. Seattle Children Theater has weeklong camps throughout the summer.  Scholarship and financial aid available. Seattle Children Theatre website
12. Hugo House offers writing workshops for students in 4-8 grade.  Payment is sliding scale.    Hugo House website
13. The Frye Art Museum is always free! Frye Art Museum
14. The Seattle Asian Art Museum in Volunteer Park is free to children 14 years and younger.  Visit Seattle Asian Art Museum  
    
    Other discounts are available for all Seattle Art Museums
15. Seattle Public Schools offers a week of music for students 5th grade and up.   See SPS All City Band website for more information. 
16. Seattle Public Schools also has a list of community partner summer activities 
17. Seattle Public Library offers the “Seattle Public Library Summer of Learning” yearly for students.   
18. King County libraries offer summer fun to encourage reading as well.  
19. Kids Bowl Free! Kids get two free games of bowling every day throughout the summer!  
20. Participating bowling alleys in Washington State 
21. Seattle Bouldering Project Summer Camps  Up to 50% off tuition for families that need it. 
22. Cinemark Summer Movies for kids – $1.50 per ticket on Wednesdays Cinemark   at
    
    Participating Cinemark Summer Movies for Kids theaters 
23. Learn about Metro Flex, an on-demand transit service that provides rides within multiple King County neighborhoods including the Rising Star area!  Metro Flex – App, Tap, and Go!
24. The City of Seattle will offer free summer meals for kids beginning July 5.   
25. United Way of King County Free Summer Meals
26. Rainier Valley Food Bank – All are welcome!   Browse shelves and select the items your family prefers.  Shopping hours run from 9 am – 11 am and 12 pm – 2 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. 
27. SODO Community Market.   This food bank is open to all!  No ID or proof of income required.  Located at 1915 4th Ave South.   See website for hours. 
28. ACRS – Asian Counseling and Referral Services 206-695-7510.  Distributes foods that cater to Asian American and Pacific Islander diets, including healthy and nutritious staples like rice, tofu, soy milk, noodles, canned proteins and produce. The food bank is located at 800 S Weller St, Seattle, WA 98104.