June is in full swing, Thursday, June 20 was summer solstice and school is officially out for the season. With little ones at home until August, here are a few family- and budget-friendly ways to make the most of the months to come.
Summer events
The Port of Bellingham’s annual children’s event series, Wake and Shake, is back with a brand-new lineup from 10–11 a.m. at the Portal Container Village on select Saturdays. The next installment is a hula-hooping event on Saturday, June 22, followed by a music and dance event July 13, a dog-friendly obstacle course with the Whatcom Humane Society on July 20 and a marine life activity on Aug. 3. It all ends with another obstacle course on Aug. 31.
The Bellingham Kids Fest also returns from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3 on the Fairhaven Village Green. Expect everything from bouncy houses to circus arts, obstacle courses, face painting, foam sword duals and more.
Both Fairhaven and Ferndale host outdoor movie series, happening weekly at Fairhaven Village Green and semi-monthly at Pioneer Park. Ferndale also has music at Pioneer Park on July 19 and Aug. 17, as well as Food Truck Fridays every second Friday of the month (June–August). Also in Ferndale, Picnic at Pioneer Park (Washington’s oldest picnic) is back for the 128th year from July 26–27.
Between the food, games, live entertainment and music, Downtown Sounds has something to offer audiences of all ages. The beloved concert series celebrates its 20th anniversary this summer with pop-up concerts on Wednesdays throughout July and August. This year is also the 30th season of outdoor concerts at Elizabeth Park, and a different band will be featured every Thursday.
As far as festivals go, folks in the county should mark their calendars for the Birch Bay Kite Festival from June 22–23, the Northwest Raspberry Festival in Lynden July 19–20 and the Birch Bay Sand Sculpture Contest on Aug. 3.
Outdoor activities
Accessible, kid-friendly hikes around town include Lake Padden (2.6 miles), Squires Lake Trail (1.4 miles) and Stimpson Nature Reserve (2.9 miles). For something further afield, consider Ship Harbor Interpretive Preserve in Anacortes or Rosario Head Trail at Deception Pass State Park.
RE Sources often hosts family-friendly outings in nature, including an upcoming beach exploration day on June 22. Kids who want to help preserve our region’s ecology are welcome to attend most when accompanied by an adult. Whatcom Million Trees and Whatcom Land Trust, for example, both have community work parties on June 22.
Wild Whatcom is another great resource for outdoor education. In addition to their popular summer camp programs, the nonprofit also has community events for a suggested donation. These include Wild Things, where participants explore a different local park each month, and their monthly community field trips.
While not exactly “the great outdoors,” it’s worth mentioning that Station 49 in Birch Bay has go-karts, mini golf, live entertainment and more. As an added bonus, you can end the day by catching the sunset at nearby Birch Bay State Park.
Lastly, the City of Bellingham offers a range of family-friendly outside activities, including all-ages sunset silent discos at Boulevard Park. Bellingham’s spray parks — located at Cordata, Fairhaven and Cornwall parks — will also be operational from 1–7 p.m. June 15–Sept. 15.
Rainy day ideas
Summer is here, but rainy days still happen — as evidenced by the “June-uary” weather we’ve been battling all month. When skies are dreary, Lynden Skateway, Arne Hanna Aquatic Center and the Ruckus Room are staples for indoor fun.
For more educational indoor activities, check out the SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention for science and history, and the Family Interactive Gallery (FIG) at Whatcom Museum for arts and culture. Kids can also get up close and personal with undersea critters (like a giant Pacific octopus) at the Marine Life Center.
Creative-minded kids can drop into The Bellingham Makerspace’s all-ages open craft sessions on Saturday afternoons. Fairhaven Toy Garden has a Kids Club every Thursday from 1:30–4:30 p.m., with a different craft or activity every week.
The Whatcom County Library System has storytime, LEGO clubs, teen craft hours and other various kid-focused events at locations throughout the summer. Village Books also often schedules kids’ events, such as their Read to a Dog storytime series and presentations with children’s book authors.
Cocoa Laney is CDN’s lifestyle editor; reach her at cocoalaney@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 128.
