When my kids were little, and still napped, and preferred to do so in their own beds at home, I couldn’t always venture too far for hikes. Naptime was precious, and the less time in the car with young kids, the better!
Since my oldest was a wee toddler, I’ve researched, investigated, and explored kid friendly hikes near Seattle (in or at least within an hour’s drive of the city). I want to show other parents and caregivers that there are amazing adventures right here in our backyard. We don’t have to travel far to experience something grand, so I compiled 25 of our favorite treks with location, mileage, special feature, and pass information into a handy hiking guide!
What’s considered “kid friendly”?
- Low mileage: Most of these hikes are 3 miles or less. Some much less, and many with opportunities to add more if little legs allow.
- Exciting features: lakes, waterfalls, view points, story boards, bridges, etc. to help peak interest and motivate.
- Mostly flat: Too many hills and inclines can bring out the whines (at least in my young hiker)!
Our Seattle Area Kid Friendly Hiking Guide is organized by micro-region in Greater Seattle, and includes 25 adventures that kids (and their caretakers) will love. If you live in or are looking to explore a specific neighborhood, head to the corresponding section, choose a hike, and get exploring! Each hike title is linked to its exact trailhead/parking lot location on Google maps, and also includes special features, and pass requirements.
At the end of the hiking guide, you’ll find our best tips for hiking with young children including how to make walking and hiking more fun for kids (with activity suggestions), and ways to build stamina.
