HELLO SEATTLE PARENTS!
It’s Spring break and the Kitsap Peninsula is the perfect place to give your family a break from the city to let the children (of all ages) and pets run wild and breathe some fresh air. The minute you board the beautiful WA State Ferry  (there are four that serve the Kitsap Peninsula region), or get on the other side of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, the traffic fades, the towns spread out, and stress begins to drift away. World class parks, stunning vistas, and beautiful waterfront areas await exploration. It’s time to get outside. Below are just a few ideas about activities and places that will entertain your little…and big ones..during spring break or any time of the year!  For a list of popular, and mostly free, attraction and events, check out our new Kitsap Loves Kids guide, and visit mobile friendly Kitsap Loves Kids web page for links about things to do and see. Make it a mid-week getaway and stay at one of family and pet-friendly lodging establishments. Find lodging options at visitkitsap.com/lodging.

PARK PLAY: The Kitsap Peninsula is well known for its many city and county parks. Older kids will be stoked by the awesome Skate Park in Port Orchard. It includes rails, hubbas, bowls, a washboard and a 16-foot full pipe. The Evergreen Rotary Park Inclusive Playground in Bremerton is a marvel for accessibility.  The park is designed to provide play opportunities for children of all abilities and features artificial turf, wheelchair maneuverability, supportive swings, wheelchair accessible glider, and play panels at varying heights. Another popular playground is at Battle Point Park. This family-friendly 90-acre park on Bainbridge Island is a former naval radio station. Many of the old naval buildings have been repurposed into public use facilities Today, it is one of the largest play structures in the region. Another great spot for both kids and pets is the Point No Point Park & US Lighthouse in Hansville. There’s plenty of places to dig in the sand, view wildlife, and tour the lighthouse, one of the oldest in the Puget Sound. You can find more public parks and trail locations at VisitKitsap.com/public-parks.

South Kitsap Skate Park, SK Regional Park, 2841 SE Lund Ave, Port Orchard
Evergreen Rotary Park & Inclusive Playground, 1500 Park Avenue, Bremerton  
Battle Point Park, 11299 Arrow Point Dr. NE, Bainbridge Island
Point No Point Beach & Lighthouse, Hansville

The Kitsap Steamers scale model steam trains are ready to begin their season offering free rides to the public at South Kitsap Regional Park. The trains run the 2nd and 4th Saturday monthly starting in April.  Train buffs will love these small-scale steam trains with all the sites, smells and sounds of their much larger counterparts. You will only find this unique experience on the Kitsap Peninsula.  Rides are free and donations are gratefully accepted to help maintain the railroad. Kitsap Steamers, South Kitsap Regional Park, 3101 SE Marbeth Ln, Port Orchard

Hands-On Museum Exhibits: Plan a Navy day which your children are sure to love. Begin at the Puget Sound Navy Museum in Bremerton and learn about life on an aircraft carrier and many other exhibits. Next stop is the USS Turner Joy, a historic ship and museum also in Bremerton. Kids will love climbing up and down the ladders and explore the nooks and crannies of the Sherman Class destroyer. Finish up the day at the Naval Undersea Museum in Keyport. Here you can learn all about submarines. The museum is filled with updated, modern exhibits many with hands-on portions kids will love. Don’t miss the exhibit on the Navy’s marine mammal program which older children will find interesting or the kid’s dress up area where the little ones can don Navy uniforms.

Puget Sound Navy Museum, 251 1st St., Bremerton
USS Turner Joy, 300 Washington Beach Ave, Bremerton
Naval Undersea Museum, 1 Garnett Way, Keyport

Bugs, Starfish & Muddy Monday: There are some great kids’ museums on the Kitsap Peninsula which will keep you warm, dry and entertained on those rainy days. Learn about local marine life from the Puget Sound and Salish Sea at the Sea Discovery Center in Poulsbo.  Children will love the aquarium and tide pool where they can interact with sea stars, sea anemones, and many others. The Bug and Reptile Museum in Bremerton is tiny but packs a lot of really interesting bugs into a small space. Creepy crawlies of all shapes and sizes enthrall the young ones and older children can try their hands with the magnifying glasses. The Kids Discovery Museum on Bainbridge Island offers hands-on interactive science,  art exhibits, play and education spaces, and Muddy Mondays. Visit their website for all the details.
Sea Discovery Center, 18743 Front St NE, Poulsbo
Bug and Reptile Museum, 1118 Charleston Beach Rd W, Bremerton
Kids Discovery Museum, 301 Ravine Ln NE, Bainbridge Islan

Take A Hike In The Woods: The Kitsap Peninsula is surrounded by miles of waterfront with breathtaking views of the surrounding area. A few parks worth checking out are Anderson Point County Park in Ollala and Guillemot Cove in Seabeck will give the troops plenty of exercise and fresh air. Anderson Point is known for its views of Colvos Passage and Vashon Island. The park has a saltwater beach access. Note it is a ¾ mile hike downhill from the entrance so plan for a strenuous hike. Guillemot Cove is a hidden gem. In addition to its beautiful views of the Olympic Mountains and Hood Canal, children will love the hike to the Hobbit Stump House. The structure was built into a tree stump and is a shorter walk to a meadow, mossy forest and waterfront sight.

Anderson Point County Park, 8401 SE Millihanna Rd, Olalla,
Guillemot Cove Trailhead, 19484 NW Stavis Bay Rd, Seabeck,

The Natural Side of the Puget Sound (TM,) on the Kitsap Peninsula, is a wonderful place to visit with children of all ages for a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities. As the weather warms up, enjoy kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding. For more information about exploring the Kitsap Peninsula visitor our website at VisitKitsap.com, and check-out our KP Visitor Guide. Click here to view an image of the guide.