Bring the whole family this spring, or anytime of the year, for fun in the sun! From special kid-friendly events to year-round family-friendly venues, the Yakima Valley is a perfect destination for family getaways. Whether visiting for a week or the weekend, choose from several special events just made for the kids.
Of course, this is wine and hop country unlike anywhere else. It’s unpretentious and families are welcome at Yakima Valley wineries, breweries and cidery, especially for events such as Spring Barrel Tasting, concerts and signature happenings planned with our youngest visitors in mind
Here’s our round-up of popular, kid-friendly spring events!
In March, kids will enjoy the ultimate construction experience with them in the driver’s seat of real, heavy construction equipment, police cars, ambulances and recycling trucks at Dozer Days, March 28 and 29 at Yakima’s State Fair Park. They’ll also have fun with pipe crawls, tire crawls, tractor rides and informational activities. Also at State Fair Park, Nickelodeon’s Jojo Siwa D.R.E.A.M. Tour takes place. See Nickelodeon star, YouTube sensation and 2019’s hottest breakthrough pop artist on March 31. Reserve your ticket now!
In April, celebrate Arbor Day, nature and Yakima Valley native landscapes during the Yakima Area Arboretum Arbor Fest: Art in Nature. This free event features more than 30 stations where families can expect a variety of hands-on learning opportunities, crafts, and displays showcasing things you can see and create with nature, as well as the natural art that can be found in nature! Or, introduce the kids to fishing at the Kids Fish-in at the Yakima Greenway on April 18. This event is limited to the first 1,000 kids to register, ages 5-14! Registration fee includes t-shirt, a rod and reel and a chance to catch two fish in Reflection Pond! They will clean and bag the catch and place on ice!
In May warm weather brings the Yakima Canyon in a Day Bike Tour with Yakima Valley Crimestoppers on the May 17. The popular 35-mile round trip road ride through the scenic Yakima River Canyon follows the Yakima River up a gentle grade with few hills. It’s a perfect ride for the whole family with the highway closed to traffic. And … are you ready for a crazy, fun, challenging run? Come to Yakima for a fun and dynamic 5K, made up solely of inflatable obstacles! The Insane Inflatable 5k will challenge you, surprise you and leave you bouncing back for more! Much more than a couple slides and bounce houses, these are custom inflatables.
June is the month for running! On the June 13, come for the Downtown Yakima Mile. The morning race, benefiting the Yakima School District Violence Prevention Program, is a timed, one-mile event that opens a 14-block, gradual downhill stretch of Yakima Avenue to runners of all ages and abilities, elite athletes to tiny tots. Then on June 20, have fun with friends and family while getting covered in fluorescent colored powder in the dark at Yakima’s untimed nighttime running event. The Dye Hard 5K provides participants an opportunity to glow under the black lights. There’s even a post-event party with music, dancing and even more powder provided by Legends Casino and Hotel.
Family-Style Wine and Hop Country
All season long, enjoy family-friendly breweries, wineries and cideries. Our Yakima Valley wineries are family friendly, many with large outdoor spaces where children play under sunny skies and enjoy special activities, concerts and even beverages or snacks for kids (and grownups). Visit during the signature wine event Spring Barrel Tasting, on two weekends near the end of April. The quieter Pre Spring Barrel Tasting weekend is on April 18 and 19. The official Spring Barrel Tasting weekend is April 24 to 26. Visit these wineries to picnic with the family: Owen Roe, Treveri Cellars, Freehand Cellars, Wilridge Vineyard, Winery & Distillery, Bonair Winery, J Bell Cellars, Two Mountain Winery,.VanArnam Vineyards, Mercer Wine Estates, Milbrandt Vineyards, Columbia Crest Winery, and Maryhill Winery. For more specific information about each winery’s offerings for children, click here.
Many of our breweries also offer great outdoor spaces, kids’ games and various local food trucks featuring regional cuisine. Check out Varietal Beer Company, Bale Breaker Brewing Company, Single Hill Brewing and Cowiche Creek Brewing Company. Bron Yr Aur Brewing Company has an in-house restaurant offering a menu of wood-fired pizza and Thursday special of cheese zombies, as well as a large outdoor space. Hop Capitol Brewing has a large, indoor taproom with kids’ games.
Tieton Cider Works is known for there selection of great ciders and outdoor concerts in the summer. Bring the family along and picnic as you taste. You’ll usually find a food truck serving up delicious food that pairs great with a glass of cider. At Hoptown Wood-Fired Pizza and Seester Cider, enjoy fantastic pizza and locally crafted ciders with a great outdoor space to play!
Activities for All Ages
Bring the bikes and skateboards to the sun! Take a bike ride on the 20-mile paved pathway of the Yakima Greenway. Stop along the way at the wooden play area at McGuire Park or the newer play structure at Sarg Hubbard Park. Try out the two skate parks in Yakima at Kiwanis Park and Chesterley Park. The new YMCA Yakima Rotary Aquatic Center at Chesterley Park features a lazy river, slide and pool. There is a day use fee and select times for an open swim. Get your bouncing in at the Get Air Trampoline Park with a wide range of activities, including trampolines, kiddie court, dodgeball, foam pit, slackline, slam ball, fidget ladder and massage chairs.
Visit The Yakima Valley Museum Children’s Underground for the child-sized town with hands-on activities for children of all ages. Escape the Madness , a live-action puzzle room, is perfect for the teenagers in the family. A group of four to eight players will enter a room full of puzzles and riddles with an hour to put all the clues together and find the treasure or the escape.
Whatever your age there is always something fun to experience in the Yakima Valley!
Categorized in: Family Fun, Food and Dining, Hops and Beer, Outdoor Recreation, Wine Country
