Family Adventures in Kent

Kent offers plenty of family-friendly activities, along with easy access to loads of other Pacific Northwest family adventures. Come play for a day or stay the weekend. Here are a few adventures in and around Kent.

Get next to nature

Bike the trails

Bike the Kent Valley Loop Trails. The trail system offers several distinct routes and links to Kent parks and downtown. Have the kids pick a trail named for their favorite creature: Heron, Rabbit, Frog, Salmon or the 13-mile Eagle loop—the full-meal deal. The mostly flat, paved trail features public art and views of Mount Rainier.

Hike with the animals

Hike with the animals. Soos Creek Trail is a great place to watch for river otters, herons, eagles and more wildlife. The trail travels six miles through woods, wetlands and meadows and is great to trek by bike on or foot.

Pick a park

Pick a park. From skateboard action at Arbor Heights 360 to beach and watersport play at Lake Meridian Park, Kent has more than 70 parks specializing in family fun.

Photo of Dock at Lake Meridian in Kent, Washington
Dock at Lake Meridian in Kent, Washington
Ice skaters at Kent Valley Ice Centre in Kent, Washington
Ice skaters at Kent Valley Ice Centre in Kent, Washington

Think sports

Take a spin on the ice

Take a spin on the ice (and a whole lot more) at Kent Valley Ice CentreThis family-fun spot has something for everyone—figure skating, ice hockey, batting cages and mini golf.

Bowl them over!

Come have a ball and bowl them over with a good time at Kent Bowl. Reserve a lane for fun with family and friends.

Go full throttle

Go full throttle at Pacific Grand Prix Motorsports Park. This go-kart-racing paradise will feed your need for speed. Ages 15 and up.

Swing in to the golf course

Swing in to Riverbend Golf Course for a round of family fun or a group lesson. The public facility features a championship 18-hole course, driving range and mini golf.

Be a fan

Be a fan. Kent is home to the Seattle Thunderbirds ice hockey team and the Tacoma Stars indoor soccer club. You can catch all the action at accesso ShoWare Center.

Check Out The Art Scene

Create at a class

To explore your creativity, sign up for an affordable and high quality private art lesson at Artsy Fartsy Art Lessons.

Discover local art

Stroll the Centennial Center Art Gallery to see local art and rotating exhibits. The annual Kent Summer Art Exhibit features dozens of works by Washington state artists.

Photo of family viewing art on display at Rusty Raven Studio in Kent, Washington
Family views art on display in Kent, Washington
Photo of downtown Seattle and Space Needle.
Downtown Seattle is just a short drive from Kent, Washington

Venture out

Spend the day in Seattle

Spend the day in Seattle. Kent is close to some of the region’s most popular spots, which makes it an ideal place to stay to explore and discover the Pacific Northwest. The Seattle AquariumWoodland Park ZooSpace Needle and Museum of Flight are family favorites. The Sound Transit center at Kent Station and nearby Link light rail stations make it easy to get there.

Take a day trip

Take a day trip to the Paradise area of Mount Rainier National Park. A stop at Northwest Trek wildlife and adventure park will go over big with kids of all ages.

Hang with the horses

Hang with the horsey set. Located just next door to Kent, Emerald Downs Racetrack offers up family fun April through September.

These are just some of the family-fun adventures waiting for you.

Check out more things to do in and around Kent.