Fall is planting season, and there’s no better way to celebrate than by joining Tukwila Parks and the Green Tukwila Partnership for Green Tukwila Day. This year’s event focuses on planting camas, a culturally significant plant of the Salish people that honors Indigenous traditions while helping restore native habitat across our community.
Spend the morning outdoors with neighbors, enjoy live music by The Buskings, and get your hands in the soil as you help prepare the land for winter. All ages are welcome, and everything you need—tools, snacks, and plenty of good energy—will be provided. Come be part of the movement to keep Tukwila green and growing.
Since 2017, the City of Tukwila has been part of the Green Cities Partnership—working with local organizations and community members to care for natural open spaces. Tukwila’s own effort, the Green Tukwila Partnership, is supported by Forterra, EarthCorps, Duwamish Alive Coalition, Partner in Employment, the Service Board, Dirt Corps, King County Parks, and dedicated volunteers.
Together, we’re restoring 138 acres of urban forest over the next 20 years—creating healthier parks for all.
Join us for a day dedicated to the return of salmon and the health of our watershed at Duwamish Hill Preserve. From 10 AM – 1 PM, roll up your sleeves alongside Friends of the Hill, volunteer Forest Stewards, and neighbors as we plant and restore this one-of-a-kind space. Together with hundreds of volunteers across the watershed, we’ll care for the only river that runs through Seattle and Tukwila, ensuring it thrives for generations to come.
No experience needed — all tools, gloves, and training are provided. Just bring yourself, your energy, and a smile! Register to volunteer here!
After a rewarding morning of restoration, keep the celebration going at Salmon Saturday at the Tukwila Community Center from 1–4 PM. Enjoy hands-on science activities for families, learn more about our local ecosystem, and watch salmon leaping in the river — a sight that captures the spirit of the season. Signup to join this event!
Happy Earth Month! Join resident Forest Stewards and the Tukwila community to beautify and create a sustainable native habitat at Duwamish Hill Preserve. This event includes removing young blackberries and clearing space for fall plantings.
It’s the perfect event to celebrate Earth Month and show mother nature some love. The unique ecosystems at the Duwamish Hill Preserve highlight oak savannahs, camas prairie, wet sedge meadow, and the tule wetland. The hill itself is a geological wonder. The hill itself is a geological wonder and is actually older than Mt. Rainier!Duwamish Alive aims to promote a healthy, functioning habitat in the Duwamish River Watershed by increasing and connecting habitat and addressing critical issues affecting the watershed’s health. Involve community members in direct stewardship of the watershed through volunteer work parties, environmental education, and neighborhood celebrations
Looking for an opportunity to build community, get out in nature, and help improve Tukwila’s public parks and spaces this year? The Green Tukwila Partnership has a variety of volunteer opportunities for you to get involved in ecological restoration efforts—ranging from removing invasive species, to planting native trees, and educational opportunities about local ecology and wildlife.
There are dozens of opportunities to get involved. Check the schedule below for a time that works for you. You can register and learn more about each opportunity at: https://tukwila.greencitypartnerships.org/event/map/
April 2025
April 8, 11:30am – 1:30pm: Restoration at Riverton Park
April 9, 9am – 1pm: Riverside Restoration with REI at Bicentennial Park
April 10, 11am – 2pm: Cottonwood Corner Work Party at Riverton Creek
April 12, 10am – 1pm: Nurture Nature with Earthcorps at Tukwila Community Center
April 18, 1pm – 4pm: Forterra Earth Month at Duwamish Hill
April 19, 10am – 1pm: Duwamish Alive at Duwamish Hill Preserve
April 25, 10am – 1:30am: Nature Walk, City Nature Challenge Workshop at Tukwila Community Center
May 2025
May 13, 11:30am – 1:30pm: Restoration at Riverton Park
May 14, 9am – 1pm: Riverside Restoration with REI at Bicentennial Park
May 17, 10am – 1pm: Restore Duwamish Hill Preserve
May 31, 10am – 1pm: Nurture Nature with Earthcorps at Codiga Park
June 2025
June 10, 11:30am – 1:30pm: Restoration at Riverton Park
June 11, 9am – 1pm: Riverside Restoration with REI at Bicentennial Park
June 26, 10am – 11:30: Walk & Talk Litter Clean up at Tukwila Community Center
July 2025
July 8, 11:30am – 1:30pm: Restoration at Riverton Park
July 9, 9am – 1pm: Riverside Restoration with REI at Bicentennial Park
July 19, 10am – 1pm: Nurture Nature with Earthcorps at Codiga Park
July 31, 10am – 11:30: Walk & Talk Litter Clean up at Bicentennial Park
August 2025
August 12, 11:30am – 1:30pm: Restoration at Riverton Park
August 13, 9am – 1pm: Riverside Restoration with REI at Bicentennial Park
August 28, 10am – 11:30: Walk & Talk Litter Clean up at Crystal Springs Park
We’re about halfway through summer break, and if you’re like most parents or care providers, you might be scrambling to find new and exciting ways to keep the kids entertained during the summer school break.
Tukwila has got you covered. From staying cool inside to soaking up the sun, we’ve curated the ultimate list of summer activities and events that will keep young and old kids happy and your sanity intact. Whether your kids are water lovers, gamers, outdoor adventurers, music lovers, or bookworms, Tukwila has something for everyone. So, let’s keep summer rolling and create more unforgettable memories.
Activities for when you need a break from the sun
Seattle Chocolate Factory Tour — Kids can experience their own Charlie and the Chocolate Factory moment! But don’t worry, there are no chocolate rivers, garbage chutes, magic chewing gum, or shrinking machines to worry about here. Instead, learn about the history and origins of chocolate, get a look inside the factory, and sample delicious chocolate creations. Tours available Monday – Saturday at 10:00am, 12:00pm, and 2:00pm. Book your tour here.
The Museum of Flight — Stay cool in the AC and explore the wonders of the Museum of Flight. There’s so much to see you’ll want to keep coming back! Consider becoming a member. Open daily 10:00am – 5:00pm. Check out the latest events and exhibits on their website.
Tukwila Pool — Take to the water and leave the sunscreen stress at home! Tukwila’s indoor pool has daily family swim times for kids to practice swimming and have fun in the water. For the gung-ho swimmers, consider signing your kid up for the Mako Sharks Swim Club — a recreational swim team for ages 6-17. Visit their website for more information.
Jump, Fly, Race — Stay active indoors! Visit a giant indoor trampoline park at Sky Zone, experience new heights and indoor skydiving at iFLY, and take to the indoor race tracks at Sykart. These activities are sure to thrill and put a smile on your kid’s face.
Gaming in Tukwila — Tukwila offers a variety of locations to engage families and friends in a little friendly competition. Explore the arcade and bowling alleys at Round 1 and Bowlero, experience virtual reality gameplay at Dimension XR, or dive into a new dimension and build community at Legacy Gaming — complete with a dedicated Kid Zone for young gamers!
AMC Southcenter — Put up your feet, relax in AC, munch on some popcorn, and enjoy a classic summer pastime — going to the movies! Notable current and upcoming kids movies include Despicable Me 4, Inside Out 2, The Secret Life of Pets, Migration, and more! AMC also offers a Summer Movie Camp program, where you can score family-favorite flicks for just $3 a ticket.
Activities for getting outside
Tukwila Family Fun Center — No list of kids activity recommendations is complete without the Family Fun Center. They’ve got it all — choose from mini golf, go-karts, bumper boats, and batting cages. And when you need a break from the sun, head on over to the indoor arcade, grab your friends for a round of laser tag, or set up your young ones in the Kidopolis Playland. Young kids, big kids, and adult kids will all find a good time here. Open daily at 11:00am. More details here.
Tukwila Concerts in the Park Series — Tukwila’s free concert in the park series kicks off this month! Grab some lawn chairs, pack some snacks, and enjoy fun, inclusive, and interactive music for children and adults. Free outdoor concerts at Joseph Foster Memorial Park will start at 5:30pm on 7/24, 7/31, 8/7, and 8/14, and feature different local artists. Food trucks will also be available! View more details on the artist lineup here.
Tukwila Village Farmers Market — Get to the source. Talk with the farmers and see the beautiful food they produce. Build an appreciation for fresh, locally-grown food at a young age by picking out fruits and vegetables for the week. Visit our blog for more on the Tukwila Village Farmers Market. The market occurs every Wednesday from 4:00-7:00pm at Tukwila Village.
Tukwila Community Center Spray Park — This outdoor water park is free to everyone and full of water fun, with fountains and spray features. Nearby picnic tables and a grassy seating area make it the perfect place to spend the whole afternoon. Basketball courts and a skate park are right around the corner if that’s more your kid’s style. The Spray Park is open daily from 10:00am – 8:00pm.
Tukwila Park Tours — Join Green Tukwila on a tour of our local parks. Explore Tukwila’s public parks and learn about the site’s history and the plants and trees that make it special. Plus you’ll get to meet some cool people while you’re at it! The next tour will take place on August 23 from 10:00 – 11:30am. Visit this link for more dates and info!
Volunteer with Green Tukwila — The perfect activity to do with older kids. Teach them about community stewardship and have fun while doing it! Opportunities include a Kayak cleanup, where participants will float down the Duwamish removing surface debris. View and register for upcoming volunteer events here.
As you can see, Tukwila is bursting with fantastic summer activities that are sure to keep your kids entertained and active all summer long. Whether you’re looking to cool off indoors or bask in the sunshine, there’s no shortage of options to create lasting memories with your young ones.
For more inspiration, visit our Activities and Events pages. Make sure you also follow us on socials to stay up to date on the latest city happenings — you can find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn!
Looking for a way to get outside this fall and provide a helping hand? Check out the amazing volunteer and education opportunities put on by the Green Tukwila Partnership.
October Events:
October 8: Planting at Riverton Park — Join local neighbor and forest Steward Debbie for an afternoon impacting the environment. Invasive English ivy and Himalayan blackberry threaten Riverton Park’s large trees, which are essential habitats for large raptors and wildlife. We aim to reestablish a healthy urban forest bordering the community park.
October 10: Planting at Cottonwood Corner — Join local Forest Steward Heidi Watters for Planting Season. Crews have worked all year, clearing and mulching to make room for new plants and trees. Heidi will show you everything you need to know about planting a forest next to a creek.
October 19: Duwamish Alive — Spend the day planting with Friends of the Hill, volunteer Forest Stewards, and keep Duwamish Hill Preserve healthy and sustainable. Join us and hundreds of volunteers at multiple sites, for a day of working in the Duwamish Watershed.
October 27: Planting & Mulching Water Bearers — This event is being led by two movers and shakers in the environmental movement in South King County. Sarah Kavage, a local artist, and Daniel Collins from Nicoterra. Bring your questions about public art, weaving natural materials, plants, trees, and the health of the watershed.
October 31: Boo-tiful Habitat Planting — Celebrate Halloween by planting with EarthCorps and the City of Tukwila as we work to improve the Duwamish River near the Tukwila Community Center (costumes encouraged!).
November Events:
November 2: Help Heal Codiga Park — Join EarthCorps and the City of Tukwila as we continue to work in the Codiga Park natural area on the Duwamish River. The shoreline of the river, however, remained dominated by invasive Himalayan blackberry and Japanese knotweed.
November 12: Planting at Riverton Park — Join local neighbor and forest Steward Debbie for an afternoon impacting the environment. Invasive English ivy and Himalayan blackberry threaten Riverton Park’s large trees, which are essential habitats for large raptors and wildlife. We aim to reestablish a healthy urban forest bordering the community park.
November 16: Green Tukwila Day — Let’s come together for high fives, laughs, and some old fashion restoration! This event will focus on environmental education around healthy forests and rivers. Dig in and help plant an understory bush or shrub that will become a safe place for urban wildlife. Many hands make light work; join us for a day of fun!
November 22: A Walk in the Park — Come see the fall leaves in a park filled with Big Leaf Maples. Join Green Tukwila staff member Olena Perry for a walk in the park. Learn about nature, identify native plants, and discuss the importance of urban forests. Take away ideas for how everyone can support wildlife, native habitats, and our watershed in their own homes.
Duwamish Hill Preserve is one of the most beautiful wild spaces in all of Tukwila.
Why, you ask? Because of people like you!
Green Tukwila volunteers regularly come together to help maintain the park by planting new vegetation and removing invasive species.
It’s a great way to meet new people and learn more about how to keep our forests and waterways healthy. Join us on November 18 for another work party. No experience is required.
One of the best ways to build and strengthen community is by strengthening and protecting our watershed.
Join Duwamish Alive for a very special Salmon Homecoming event this October 21st welcoming back all 5 local salmon species to the Green-Duwamish Watershed.
Volunteers can help clean up the river in a number of exciting ways, including by kayak, shoreline patrols, salmon habitat restoration, and forest revitalization efforts. No experience is required!
Love the way the trees look this time of year? Well, take one home with you! The Tukwila Tree Giveaway is back for the second year.
In partnership with King Conservation District, the City of Tukwila is giving away up to two free trees to all Tukwila residents* and businesses.
This isn’t a one-tree-fits-all affair. Choose from 14 different species. All you have to do is submit an application before September 15th and show up at Hazelnut Park on October 7th.
*all trees must be planted on private property in Tukwila.
