Fun Family Activities in Seattle-Tacoma Area

I agree with the responders below, zoo-lights at Pt. Defiance (tacoma) is fun. The beach is right there too so the kids could do that as well. If you go to the zoo, save your tickets that give you money off to NW Trek and make a day to see that as well. I tend to like the childen's museum at Seattle Center more than the one in Tacoma. There is a lot more for the kids to do there. the Pacific Science Center is also at Seattle Center.

Also on Thursday's in the newspaper there is a section of things going on in the area over the weekend, they are broken out into categories and can be really helpful in finding things to do.

Hope you have a smooth move up here and welcome to the area!

We moved up here from Houston 8 years ago in December. There are SO many interesting things to do in this area that you just don't get in Texas! Point Defiance Park is a great place to go - the zoo, trails to hike, the beach. There is a train museum there called Camp 6 that has a "Santa Train". I think it is $2 a person and you ride on a little train with Santa and each child gets to have one on one time with him. My kids are little old for Santa but we still do it.

As far as the rain goes - here in Washington if you wait for a sunny day to go do something, you'll end up not doing anything. So, get out the rain boots and a good waterproof coat and get out no matter what the weather.

There is a town called "Leavenworth" that I have taken my children to in December. It is a bit of a jaunt from Seattle/Tacoma, but not bad. It is a little German town that REALLY goes all out for Christmas. There are a lot of little shops and I did buy my girls each a little something but I spent very little. Mostly they just remember the beautiful decorations with the big Christmas tree in the center of the town and all of the wonderful snow. It was like walking into a storybook for a short time. They still remember it and they were close to your children's ages and they are now 15 and 13.
I also know that Pacific Northwest Nutcracker does have a daytime showing for school field trips that I have been able to get in on in the past, and it is an absolutely amazing performance. Well worth the $.
There are some great places in Tacoma that have free admission at certain times. There is the Glass Museum, (you can watch glass being blown, it is terrific!) the Tacoma History Museum (with hands-on activities for children,) and I think the Seattle Flight Museum has a free time as well. There are also some good deals if you buy passes and combination passes. I have bought a family pass to the Pacific Science Center and the Seattle Children's Museum which quickly pays for itself. My kids STILL love to go to the Pacific Science Center, (including my stepkids, ages 19 and 18!) Welcome to the area, there are so many great things to see and do here. We are happy to have you! :)

there is so much to do here! We live in Bonney Lake, between Seattle & Tacoma, at the base of Mt.Rainier. The pass already has snow, so if that's something you're into, it's close. There is Snoqualmie Falls which is free & you can even hike to the bottom if you want. Seattle has lights at Christmas & both the Woodland Park Zoo (Seattle) & Point Defiance Zoo (Tacoma) have Christmas activities - this one has Zoo Lights which is cool. There is the Childrens Museum in both Seattle & Tacoma but I prefer Tacoma as it's smaller, the Seattle one is hard to keep track of your kids. If you've never been on a ferry, you have to do that, you can walk on any of them (cheaper than taking your car) & the ride back is free. Pike Place Market is a must in Seattle too. Bellevue does a Toy Soldier parade that I think they list on their Belleveue Square Mall website.
Welcome - WA is wonderful, it's really wet at the moment, but give it a couple months & you'll absolutely love it, its so green & smells 'clean' here. Just wait till spring/summer, there's no other place like it! You are welcome to meail me if you can't find any of these places or want to know more about one. ____@____.com - C.

In I think late November through most of December they have Zoo light at Point Defiance Zoo...it's alot of fun for kids and adults. Not sure what part of WA you're moving to...that would be a big help..then I could give you more ideas!
Ooops..didn't realize people already said Zoo lights!

See ZooLights at the Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma. It's free with an annual pass, which we've made good use of..otherwise about$7 a person. They have various light displays, mostly of animals, that you walk around and see.
On the more expensive side is Pacific Northwest Ballet's Nutrackers.