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Kirkland Round-Up: What to do in Kirkland with Kids

If you're bored with the children's activities in your 'hood, there's a whole world out there just the other side of Lake Washington. And, Eastside parents are sure to find something they haven't checked out, too– be it an interactive restaurant, a posh new shop or a picture-perfect park. Here are our top tips for your best Kirkland day trip, as recommended by us and the brilliant readers of Red Tricycle.

Play:
Parkplace Cinema: Baby's Day At The Movies

404 Park Place - 425.827.9000
www.kirklandparkplace.com/cinema.htm
The Parkplace cinema opens its doors to parents with babies every other Friday. Unlike other "child-geared" cinema programs, all screens are open, not just one, so there's a lot of choice for parents and kids alike. Doors open at 9:15 am; shows start at 9:45am.

Peter Kirk Open Air Pool (and Wading Pool)

202 Third Street - Pool Hotline: 425.587.3335
www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/
Great for those hot summer days and right next to Peter Kirk Park for post-swim picnics! Also next to Kirkland Parkplace if you prefer to dine in a restaurant. Pool offers open swim, wading pool, swim lessons, party packages, swim under the stars and more. Check schedule for open swim times.

Pump It Up: Drop-In Playtime
11605 NE 116th St - 425.820.2297
www.pumpitupparty.com
Jump, Jump, Jump Around at this inflatable play world! Drop-In Play on Tuesday & Wednesday mornings and Family Jump Night on Fridays in July & August. Birthday parties and playgroup packages available too.

Summer Concerts for Kids at Marina Park/Downtown Kirkland
Every Wednesday at 10:00 am from July 10-August 22, 2007. Bring a beach blanket (and some sand toys) and prepare for Little One to get wet as the beach and a fountain are right there! Bring the stroller and hit the farmers market on Park Lane before you head home for a nap. Full Schedule here

Kirkland Libraries & Story times (Check here for story times & special events)
Downtown Kirkland Library (Walking distance to Parkplace, Peter Kirk Park, and the Pool) www.kcls.org/kirk/kirkhome.cfm
-Kingsgate Library www.kcls.org/kings/home.cfm
-Parkplace Books-425.828.6546 - Hatch a Reader Program, Every other Friday at 10am-call for schedule.

North Kirkland Community Center
12421 103rd Avenue NE - 425.587.3350
Drop in play �indoor playground� Mid September-Early June (call for schedule) is perfect on a rainy day! Picture an entire gym filled with plastic cars & toys! $2. -Classes for all age ranges including art, music, and dance.
Facility rental available for birthday parties
Outdoor playground
More info on all their programs: www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/depart/parks/Community_Centers.htm

Northwest Aerials: Drop In Programs
12440 128th Lane NE - 425.823.2665
Drop-in structured classes M-TH for Wiggle Worms (15-35mos) at varying times (check current schedule). Open Gym (for 2.5 & up) drop-in times Mon & Weds 12:15 - 1:30pm. Use the foam pit, trampolines, balance beams and more! Open gym is supervised but not a structured class. Parents to remain with kids. Also, check this place out for birthday parties, swim lessons, gymnastics, & dance!

Artsy Fartsy
Kirkland Performing Arts Center
350 Kirkland Ave - Box Office: 425.893.9900
www.kpcenter.org/cgi-bin/by_genre.cgi?id=3
Music, dance, comedy, theater, and Children�s performances too! Check the schedule for upcoming performances.

Art Walk

On the second Thursday of each month, Downtown Kirkland's art galleries are open from 6pm-8pm.
More info at: www.explorekirkland.com/kirkland_arts.cfm?content=69

Evening Summer Concerts
Every Tuesday and Thursday night from July 10-August 23 (2007), you'll find live music in Marina Park. Bring a picnic! (Also check out the Wednesday Kid's Concerts at 10am). Full Schedule here.

Parks We Love

Tot Lot Park - Often referred to as "Turtle Park" 111 9th Ave (East of Market St) Fully fenced & gated! A perfect park for toddlers-especially if you are chasing more than one!
Amenities include: Sandbox (bring your own toys), small climbing structures and slides, one bigger slide, swings, a "truck" to pretend-drive, 2 springy/ride-on turtles, and the main turtle (bring chalk to decorate him).
Phyllis A. Needy Houghton Neighborhood Park 10811 NE 47th St Another one perfect for Toddlers! Also fully fenced and gated.
Amenities include: Sandbox, smaller climbing structures with slides, swings, a springy/ride-on vehicles & dog, a maze, picnic tables, and a bathroom. There's also a paved path circling the interior of the park and a paved basketball court-great for bringing your tricycle!
Houghton Beach Park 5811 Lake WA Blvd While this one can get packed with teens in the afternoon, they are usually over on the grassy area or the dock. It's definitely quieter in the mornings and Little One will love digging in the sand & playing on the playground toys! Bonus: Kidd Valley is across the street-pick up lunch on your way home or have a picnic!

For addresses and directions, plus a list of all parks in Kirkland: www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/depart/parks/Online_Parks_Guide.htm

EAT
A selection of RT faves for when you're out and about with Little One. These picks are for dining options all of you will enjoy!
Beach Cafe at The Point (formerly Yarrow Bay Beach Cafe)
1270 Carillon Point - 425.889.9052
www.ybbeachcafe.com
Great food for parents plus it's kid-friendly! Right on Lake Washington, this restaurant has great views as well as coloring supplies for your children and a treasure chest for them to pick a toy from after their meal. Parents can try entrees such as paella, Seafood Stir-fry, Baja Mahi tacos or fish and chips. Children get their own menu.
Also Try:
Hectors (Downtown Kirkland)
The Original Pancake House (in Kirkland Parkplace)
BurgerMaster on Northup Way/Kirkland-Bellevue border (an old-fashioned drive-in, no need to leave the car). Great milkshakes!

Date Night

Sometimes you can get a break for a few hours and when you're really lucky, you can get away for the whole night! Here are some RT picks for fabulous date nights...you might just have to make this a regular occurrence!
Cafe Juanita
9702 NE 120th Place, Kirkland 98034
www.cafejuanita.com
Off the beaten path and well worth the drive away from the hub of downtown Kirkland, this gem has been featured in more "best of" articles than we can count! Northern Italian Cuisine and an award-winning wine list.
Also Try:
Third Floor Fish Cafe Downtown with Lake Views
Yarrow Bay Grill Carillon Point with Lake & marina views
iCactus! Downtown
Purple Cafe Kirkland Parkplace
BluWater Bistro Carillon Point with Lake & marina views
Coming in August 2007 to Juanita Village: Brix Wine Cafe! -If you can make it into a "date weekend", stay at the Woodmark Hotel or the new Heathman opening soon.

SHOP:
Parkplace Books
348 Park Place - 425.828.6546
This independent bookstore in Kirkland's Parkplace Mall has a roomy children's book section entered via the Magic Faraway Tree. There are cozy armchairs in here for an impromptu story time or nursing mothers. "Hatch A Reader" Story Time & special programs for kids every other Friday at www.kirklandparkplace.com/boutique_details.html?id=48

Eastside Trains
217 Central Way - 425.828.4098
www.eastsidetrains.com
If Little One is fascinated with trains, this is a fun place to stop. While it's mainly geared to hobbyists in the model train world, they have a selection of Thomas Trains and a play table as well!

Manhattan Boutique (Clothes for Moms only)
122 Lake Street - 425.576.1065
www.boutiquemanhattan.com
A chic new-ish store featuring women's clothes by designers like Milly, Velvet, Joie and Vince, plus a wide range of denim. The underthings and tank tops are good scores, too.

Promesse (Clothes for Moms only)
128 Central Way - 425.828.4259
www.shoppromesse.com
Find your fave designers such as 7 For All Mankind, Rock & Republic, Tag, Yanuk, Lauren Moffat and more. They also have a fantastic selection of handbags, shoes, and accessories. Wardrobe & image consultation services can be arranged.

Kirkland Farmers Markets
Wednesday Market on Park Lane East/Downtown Kirkland from Noon � 6:00 pm through Oct. 10, 2007
Friday Night Market at Juanita Beach from 3:00 pm � 7:00 pm through Oct. 5, 2007 www.ci.kirkland.wa.us

LINKS:
www.kirklandweblog.com
www.ci.kirkland.wa.us
www.explorekirkland.com
http://kirkland52.stchur.com/
www.kirklandparks.net
www.myparksandrecreation.com (includes Parks guides & information for many Eastside cities.)