My family has been to Seafair in Seattle a few times. The first time we went, I was four months pregnant with my oldest, and it was a very hot day. We were able to find a spot right on Lake Washington, and we put our feet in the water while watching the air show. It was heavenly!

The next year, our son was 7 months old and was actually pretty interested in watching the boats and the airplanes. We brought along our Baby Banz headphones for him, which helped mute some of the sounds. He ended up not wanting to wear them for the most part. There were really only a few times anything was super loud, so we didn’t stress out about him wearing them all the time.

The following year, we had a 19-month-old, and he loved every second of Seafair! We found a spot near the water, set up our blanket and snacks, and took turns walking around. We stopped by the Albert Lee booth, and he got a free wooden hydroplane with two sets of stickers! Our son was extremely interested in both the hydroplane races and the air shows. The Blue Angels were back and better than ever!

The year after that, we had a 2.5-year-old, and I was 7 months pregnant. We brought a collapsible wagon and loaded it with snacks, drinks, and our toddler. We got there early and claimed a spot near the water. Since I was in my third trimester, I held down the fort while my husband and son explored the festival. We had so much fun!

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What’s for Kids at Seafair 2018?

PICNIC ZONE

If you bring your own lunch or need a place to feed your kids, check out the new Picnic Zone. It’s a spot for families to sit down and enjoy their food rather than eating on the go.

KIDS ZONE

This area has inflatables and all kinds of games. In the past, we’ve seen bouncy houses, bungee jumping areas, flight simulators, etc.

VENDOR BOOTHS

Many of the vendors give away food/drink samples and cool products. A few years ago, my son got an inflatable hat, a wooden hydroplane, a packet of beef jerky, and countless other things. They are vendors who sell large pool floaties and things that light up. Plus, tons of food booths offer tasty treats!

HYROPLANE RACES

One of the big events at Seafair in Seattle is the hydroplane races. These boat races are quite impressive, and kids get a kick out of seeing the boats whiz by! Everyone is asked to get out of the water during the boat races, so make sure to have a nice spot on land to enjoy the festivities!

BLUE ANGELS

The main reason we attend Seafair is for the Boeing Air Show. The 2018 Seafair air show includes the Blue Angels, A10 Jet, A-10 Thunderbolt Warthog, P-51 Mustang Warbird, Mike Wiskus Aerobatic Stunt Plane, Brad Wuersten Aerobatic Stunt Plane, PBY Catalina, also known as the American flying boat, the Port Angeles US Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter and many more!

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Where to Find Discount Seafair Tickets

If you can go on Friday, there are FREE General Admission tickets available for pick up at Tulalip Resort Casino, Quil Ceda Creek Casino, or select HomeStreet Bank locations. Tickets at the gate on August 3 will be available for $10, with proceeds benefiting the Seafair Foundation.

Otherwise, Safeway and Albertson’s stores are offering 50% off Seafair coupons for General Admission at these locations.

Active duty, reserve, and retired military personnel may enter the Seafair Weekend Festival for free by presenting their Military ID badge at the special Boeing & Military entry gate at Genesee Park. They may also purchase additional reduced-price general admission tickets at the gate for $20 per ticket per day.

For Seafair weekend, children 5 and younger are free. Tickets for youth ages 6-12 and seniors 65+ are available for $10.

UPDATE! What’s New for Seafair 2024?

Seafair 2024 (August 2nd to 4th) – Fun for the Whole Family!

This year’s Seafair is going to be extra special because it’s the 75th Anniversary Celebration! Here’s what’s new and exciting for families:

• Biggest Summer Celebration: With the 75th anniversary, there’s going to be even more excitement and special events to enjoy. It’s a perfect time to join in the fun!
• New Air Show Lineup: The Blue Angels will be joined by the US Army Golden Knights, the US Coast Guard, and the US Air Force. My kids always love watching the planes, and this year’s lineup is sure to be a highlight.
• Jet Blast Bash at the Museum of Flight: Get closer to the action with this special event featuring live music, food, and drinks. It’s a great way to add some extra fun and learning to your Seafair experience, especially if you have older kids.
• No Major Road Closures: Good news for families driving to Seafair—getting there will be easier this year with no major road closures. Plus, there won’t be any disruptions from shipping companies or global trade activities, so your trip should be smooth sailing!

And as always, Seafair is packed with family-friendly fun:

• Kids Zone: Bounce houses, inflatable slides, games, and activities that will keep your little ones entertained for hours.
• Vendor Booths: Collect freebies like toys, hats, and snacks from various vendors.
• Hydroplane Races: These high-speed boat races are always a hit with both kids and adults.
• Picnic Zone: A cozy spot for families to relax and enjoy a meal together.

Don’t forget to check out discounts and free admission options, especially for military families, kids, and seniors. It’s always nice to save a little on tickets, so you can treat the kids to something extra special!

Seafair Tips and Tricks for Families

1. DECIDE ON SEAFAIR PARKING

We’ve used the Link Light Rail and the bus to get there in the past. It’s a bit more cumbersome if you are bringing a stroller or cooler, but it’s definitely the most cost-effective way to get to Seafair. And kids LOVE riding on Link Light Rail and buses, so it adds to the event.

Uber is another option. This year, they have partnered with Seafair and have a designated pick-up/drop-off area.

For our family, we pay to park in someone’s driveway. We find the steep cost of Seafair parking is worth it. It saves us a lot of time walking in the heat. And it lets us stay a bit longer when we can get in the car right in time for afternoon naps. Plus, we can easily head back to the car if we forget something.

2. PACK FOR COMFORT.

Be sure to bring sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, water, and snacks to keep everyone happy and hydrated. That hot walk across the field to Lake Washington can feel long, so it’s important to stay prepared.

3. EAR PROTECTION.

The air show can be loud, especially for little ears. We always bring ear protection for our kids. Even if they don’t wear them the whole time, it’s nice to have just in case.

4. SHOULD YOU BRING A STROLLER?

There can be a lot of walking in the hot sun. You’ll need to walk across a grassy field to get to Lake Washington, and from there, you’ll probably want a spot on the hill to watch the Seafair air show and boat races. But if you’re planning on walking around and enjoying the festivities on the move, a stroller is a great idea—especially if your child might take a nap.

We took our son in his baby carrier for his first two times at Seafair, and that was an easy way to walk around with him. This is a great option for babies and toddlers because it doesn’t take up much space. It’s also super helpful if you will be doing Link Light Rail.

We also took a collapsible wagon with us, which worked out well. It’s a long way to walk with little legs, so it was nice to pull our toddler and our stuff. Then, when we picked a spot to hang out, we were able to collapse the wagon.

5. GET THERE EARLY IF YOU WANT A PRIME SPOT

People stake out their spots near the water as soon as doors open, and sometimes, they set up tents that block the view of those behind them. If you have a lot of stuff with you, you might want to find your spot first and take turns exploring so you don’t have to lug your stuff everywhere.

But if you just want to walk around or don’t want to be near the water, come a little later. We tend to arrive about 2 hours before the Seafair Air Show and usually find a “good enough” spot for our family. That works for our family because our kids are little.

6. BRING YOUR OWN FOOD

I’ve seen people roll in coolers full of sub sandwiches, BBQ stuff, drinks, etc. This is a great way to save money, ensure your kids have stuff to eat, and save you from standing in a long line in the hot sun. I like to bring those frozen Uncrustables sandwiches and frozen yogurt tubes with us.

7. DON’T FORGET SUNSCREEN

For some reason, the field you have to walk through to get to the Seafair festivities is always so darn hot and it feels like you trek forever through it. There is a nice lake breeze when you get away from the field. It’s important to make sure kids and adults keep applying sunscreen, wear sunglasses, and wear a hat. And keep hydrated! My favorite sunscreen brand is Babyganics. They make this mineral-based sunscreen spray that soaks in well.

8. BRING EXTRA CLOTHES

The lake is very tempting on hot days, so make sure you and your kids have either swimwear or an extra set of clothes. My son tends to want to snuggle with me when he’s soaking wet, thereby soaking my clothes as well. I’ve learned to grab an extra shirt.

9. WHAT TO LEAVE AT HOME

The following items aren’t allowed at Seafair: Pets, sparklers, whistles, balls of any kind, enclosed tents, etc. See the full list here.

10. EXPLORE AND HAVE FUN!

Seafair offers so much for all ages! Make sure to take advantage of the Kids Zone with bounce houses and games, watch the hydroplane races, and enjoy the incredible air show. There’s plenty to do, and it’s a great way to create lasting summer memories with your family.

Other Family Fun in Seattle

How Kid-Friendly is the Seattle MoPOP Museum?
Riding The Sounder Train to Seattle’s International District for a Play Date
6 Tips for Enjoying the Pacific Science Center with Toddlers
Spend the Day at Pier 57 in Seattle with Kids
Take a Seattle Argosy Cruise to Kid-Friendly Tillicum Excursion

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