July 23, 2024 | Activities

The Ultimate Summer Guide to Kid-Friendly Fun in Tukwila

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

  1. 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. 
  2. 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. 
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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!
  6. 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. More details here.

Activities for getting outside 

  1. 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.
  2. 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. 
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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!
  6. 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! 

July 23, 2024 |

Jet Blast Bash at The Museum of Flight

The Museum of Flight is the go-to place to be this Seafair weekend! Jet Blast Bash, their annual outdoor Seafair festival, offers fast planes, live music, food and a beer garden with the closest seats in Seattle to the thunder of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels’ takeoffs and landings. 

Be in the center of it all and witness the country’s most iconic pilots start their journey to the sky. 

Jet Blast Bash activities are FREE with museum membership or general admission. Please be aware that running jets can cause noise and exhaust hazards and come prepared with ear and eye protection.  

The timeline below is for both Saturday and Sunday, unless otherwise noted.

10:00 AM to 5:00 PM — McCormick & Schmick’s Beer Garden (21+ only)

10:50 (Saturday) — PBY-5A Catalina takes off for the Boeing Seafair Air Show

11:00 AM to 12:00 PM — Blue Angels History Talk (Location: William M. Allen Theater)

11:00 AM to 4:00 PM

12:00 PM to 1:15 PM — Live band performance from Brickhouse

1:00 PM to 2:00 PM — Talk with astronaut Mike Baker 

1:45 PM to 3:00 PM — Live band performance from Mr. Pink

2:00 PM (Sunday) — PBY-5A Catalina takes off for the Boeing Seafair Air Show

3:20 PM 

    • U.S. Navy Blue Angels Fat Albert takes off for the Boeing Seafair Air Show
    • U.S. Navy Blue Angels #1-#6 take off for the Boeing Seafair Air Show

September 5, 2023 |

Museum of Fright

Halloween is fast approaching and the best scares this season are at The Museum of Fright!

Each year, The Museum of Flight wears a frightening mask and invites everyone to show up in their favorite costumes, where kids 17 and under wearing a costume will receive Free museum admission for the day.

Venture through this highly-flying haunted museum filled with Halloween-themed tricks and treats.

August 14, 2023 |

HangarFest is Back!

You haven’t partied until you’ve partied in an aircraft hangar.

Every year, The Museum of Flight throws one of the most high-flying, dance-filled celebrations this side of the Cascades.

Join in on the fun at this year’s HangarFest. A 21+ event featuring live music, a huge selection of drinks including local craft brews, ciders, wines, and spirits—plus a selection of food trucks.

Dance and play yard games among jumbo jets and other pieces of aviation history. Even take a tour through a Concorde and/or the Boeing 787 Jumbo Jet!

August 14, 2023 |

Astronaut Nicole Stott at The Museum of Flight

ARTstronaut Nicole Stott invites you to learn more about space and art.

Nicole will be at the Museum of Flight on Saturday, August 19th to talk about what it’s like to not just float in zero gravity, but also paint!

Don’t forget to pick up your signed copy of Back to Earth following the event. You don’t want to miss this event, it’s guaranteed to be out-of-this-world!

July 27, 2023 | Activities

Make Your Summer a 10: Things to do in Tukwila

This summer has been unusually sunny—so much so that people all over the Pacific Northwest are at a loss for what else to do with all the sunshine. Well, we’ve got you covered. Tukwila is overflowing with activities and experiences perfect for those long summer days. Check out a few of our favorites below, inspired by the winners of our recent photo contest—Mikkell Jackson Roeland, Rene Hough, and Ric Meyer!

Catch Some Shade at Duwamish Hill Preserve and River 

Starting things off, we have the perfect remedy for these crazy-high temperatures. A walk through the Duwamish Hill Preserve or along the Duwamish River is a great way to cool down and find some shade from the sun while still enjoying the outdoors.

Power Up at Family Fun Center 

All this extra sun means tons of extra energy to put towards games! Dip into Family Fun Center for bowling, putt-putt, go-karts, bumper boats, batting cages, laser tag, arcade games, pizza, and much more. Honestly, you could spend all summer inside this place! 

All Fore Fun at Foster Golf Links

Other golf courses just have golfing. In Tukwila, we do it a little differently. One of our favorite summer experiences is “First Fridays” at Foster Golf Links. Enjoy live music and a movie at sunset out on the green while loading up on your favorite food from Billy Baroo’s restaurant just a few steps away. 

Soar Above the Heat at the Museum of Flight 

What would a trip to Tukwila be without a visit to the Museum of Flight? A staple of our city for decades, the Museum of Flight is a favorite way to soar above the heat and explore the history of flight.

Make a Splash at the Tukwila Pool 

Dive into one of the coolest places in Tukwila, the Tukwila Pool! But make sure it’s only in the deep end! This favorite summer pastime never fails. Enjoy a leisurely float, jump off the diving board, or sign up for classes today! 

Book Your Summer with Fun

The Tukwila Library not only has a large selection of books, but also a whole calendar full of exciting activities and experiences, like Math Club, Arabic Story Time, Arts & Crafts, and plenty more.

Try a New Lane at Bowlero Bowling 

Strike off a classic summer activity on your list with Bowlero Bowling. At Bowlero, they pull out all of the stops to make your bowling experience unforgettable. In between games, you can enjoy delicious food, refreshing drinks, billiards, a full arcade, and more. Bowling sure has changed since we were kids! 

Experience Tukwila on Two Wheels 

The summer fun never tires in Tukwila! At 14 miles, the Interurban Trail is a favorite among cyclists and runners. It’s the perfect way to take in all of the sights and sounds of Tukwila. Think you can conquer it in a single day? You probably could—14 miles is long but not, like long-long. 

Kick the Heat at Starfire 

Still stuck on ideas? Here’s an assist: grab a soccer ball and take to the pitch at Starfire Sports! Anyone can reserve a spot to play a pickup game, host a party, or even go all in on a full tournament. Inside and outside fields available. Champions train in Tukwila, and many of their careers begin right here at Starfire. You could be the next star! Or just a casual weekend player—that’s cool too! 

Freshen Up at the Farmers Market

There’s nothing more refreshing than fresh food, and we know just the place to fill your tote with locally grown fruits and veggies. Tukwila Village Farmers Market is your classic community market, providing locally grown produce. When you shop here, you’re also supporting local immigrant and refugee growers. Take a stroll through the market every Wednesday afternoon, now until mid-October!

Now it’s time to get out there.

Phew! That was a lot of activities and experiences to get through—we’re breaking a sweat! Time to go cool off at one of the many amazing restaurants in Tukwila…or maybe we’ll see a movie…or maaaaybe we’ll go to the VR arcade! Oh wow, so many more things to do in this town. Guess we’ll have to compile another list soon! 

We hope this list was helpful and will bring you some more summer joy. Enjoy your time in Tukwila!

July 6, 2023 |

Astronauts Rock The Museum of Flight

You’ve heard of space rock, but have you heard of rock performed by people who have actually been in space? NASA Astronauts Chris Hadfield, Cady Coleman, and Steve Robinson are bringing their all-spacefarer music group, Bandella, to the Museum of Flight stage for a special one-night performance.

Featuring inspired vocals, acoustic guitars, flute, stand-up bass, piano and an occasional banjo, this galactic supergroup has been performing for over 18 years. After the show, stick around for a Q&A session to learn more about the band’s beginnings and their collective experiences traveling beyond Earth’s orbit. 

June 7, 2023 |

Sally’s Night at The Museum of Flight

The Museum of Flight is honoring the 40th anniversary of the late astronaut Sally Ride’s historic STS-7 mission.

Sally was the first American woman and the earliest known LGBTQ+ person in space.

Celebrate Sally’s historic accomplishments with an evening filled with food, drinks, workshops, and discussions about what it takes for humans to survive off our planet.

Round out the evening by dancing along with DJ Wax Witch and her femme-forward dance floor. Hope to see you there!

June 7, 2023 |

The Concert Truck at The Museum of Flight

You sing in the car all the time. But have you ever put on a full concert in the car? I didn’t think so. 

Well, the people over at The Concert Truck have! In fact, it’s their job! And now you can experience this unique concert experience right here in Tukwila.

The Museum of Flight invites you to a very special performance by musicians from the Seattle Chamber Music Society on the outdoor Aviation Pavillion.

And the best part, it’s FREE to experience!

June 6, 2023 | Duwamish, Museum of Flight, Seawolves

A Piece of Tukwila History

Our history begins first with acknowledging that the City of Tukwila is located on the ancestral lands of the Coast Salish people. We acknowledge their continuing connections to the land, waters, and culture. We pay our respects to their elders, past, present, and emerging.

It’s easy to appreciate the many wonderful experiences our city offers today. But learning about how Tukwila came to be makes those experiences even more rewarding. Join us as we travel down memory lane and take a look back at what propelled Tukwila to the amazing city it is today. 

Tukwila is a hub of culture, commerce, and all-around great times. People from all over Washington visit our wonderful city to experience sights, sounds, and activities they can’t find anywhere else. Behind those experiences is a rich history of a little city south of Seattle making waves along the banks of the Duwamish and Green Rivers.

Like all cities in the area, Tukwila was first and foremost Tribal land. The Coast Salish people were the original peoples who made their homes here. Shaded under lush forests along the banks of the Black, Green, and Duwamish Rivers, they eventually settled on the name Tukwila, which is Chinook jargon for the Duwamish word for hazelnut. A reference to the hazelnut trees that grew in the area.

European pioneers arrived in the Tukwila and surrounding Seattle area thousands of years after the Coast Salish people. A common name seen around the city today, Joseph Foster was the most well-known among the first European settlers. His namesake is strewn across Tukwila, including Foster High School and the much-loved Foster Links Golf Course. 

As industry ramped up across the country, Tukwila’s location at the confluence of three major rivers (now two) put it right at the center of the action. Dozens of riverboats carrying valuable resources like coal traversed these waters daily, boosting the local economy and shaping the future of our city. Prosperity struck again when a newly electrified America introduced electric rail lines to our area. Soon enough, starting in 1902, people could peruse the region aboard electric trains on the Seattle-Tacoma Interurban Railway. A route that is now a 14-mile multiuse bike path linking Tukwila, Kent, Auburn, and other South Seattle regions. 

Tukwila was officially incorporated as a city in 1908, just a few years before Boeing airfield was built—one of the city’s most defining features throughout the twentieth century. A new exciting era was swiftly ushered in on the wings of developments in transportation. This propelled the city in a direction that created more jobs and welcomed more people from all kinds of backgrounds to the Tukwila area. The city’s residents spent the next few decades balancing enhanced industrialization with commercial business creation.

Tukwila is still making history every day. Home to the Seattle Seawolves, our city is making waves in the world of professional sports thanks to incredible opportunities made possible by Starfire Sports Complex. We also have a bustling culinary scene with unique restaurants and food halls like Spice Bridge making foodies from all over rave about this best-kept secret. 

Time may evolve how our city looks, but one thing remains constant across generations: a deep appreciation and celebration of diversity, friendship, and opportunity. All are welcome here in Tukwila. We hope to see you around soon!