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Community Corner

Kids' Stuff In Shoreline and Lake Forest Park

Go ahead: Take advantage of these entertainment opportunities!

The Seattle area has a high reputation for activities for kids of all ages and all seasons- zoos, aquariums, childrens’ museums, art schools and all, but what about Shoreline and Lake Forest Park specifically?

Shoreline bills itself as family friendly and we have an excellent public school system to back the claim. Yet our population is aging (15.2% aged 65 or older vs 12.3 perctnt for the state as a whole, 19.1 percent aged under 18 vs 23.5 percent for the state as a whole) and from 2000 to 2010 we lost population- from 53,025 down to 53,007.

According to City of Shoreline in 2011, we were up to 54,044, a good sign. So, beyond the sunny, common, Ozzie-and-Harriet perception, what do we have for children here, from shore to shore?

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Parks! We have some great ones. Richmond Beach Saltwater Park is particularly good for kids. Just ask my son. “They have the best driftwood for forts!” He’s a connoisseur, don’t cha know? Add a covered picnic area, lots of parking, and all that beach? Great fun.

We have a great variety of activities and events for and about kids on Shoreline’s Seasonal Special Events Calendar, including a dance recital in June, Tuesday Noon concerts every summer Tuesday, a Youth/Teen skate event in August, the Sandcastle Contest in August, and a lot more.

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There’s a Ski Trip to Snoqualmie Summit on Feb. 1, and middle/high schoolers have a great hangout at the Richmond Beach Rec Center, 16554 Fremont Ave. N. The second Saturday of every month is Tween Night @ The Rec, for fifth-and sixth-graders. “There will be fun games, activities, crafts, music and food! And it's FREE!” The Spartan Rec Center reopens in the new year, and is full of sport, craft, and activities, and the Shoreline Pool is there as well.

Both Shoreline and LFP have Park Work Parties, which are wonderful opportunities for exercise, education, contact with nature, removal of invasives, and hey, you end up visibly improving your own city parks! Third Place Books Commons at Town Center has a packed calendar of events like readings, music, and clubs.

Really, there’s no reason to go too far if you’re looking fun kids’ stuff.

Kids’ Stuff ©2012 Larry Lewis

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