
👋 Hi neighbor! Here's what's happening for families on the Eastside this week.

In partnership with
🧱 Bricks and Minifigs (Northgate)
🚨 May the Fourth is almost here — and Bricks & Minifigs Northgate is going all out.
From May 2nd through May 4th, they're hosting the biggest LEGO Star Wars celebration the store has ever seen. New drops, rare finds, giveaways, and a raffle for sets most people have never seen in the wild.
👕 Come in Star Wars gear → save 10% on all used LEGO Star Wars sets & minifigs
🪖 Show up in full costume → save 20%
🎁 Enter to win 1 of 3 new LEGO Star Wars sets in a special raffle
🔥 Massive drop of new, retired & collectible sets — many never in-store before
🎉 Extra giveaways while supplies last
This is the kind of event your kid (and let's be honest, you) will talk about for a while.
May the Fourth be with you 👉 Visit Bricks & Minifigs Northgate
p.s meet Bricks and Minifigs at our Dads | Beers | Legos event on 5/20
p.s Interested in featuring your business in our next ad spot? ⬆️ Fill out THIS FORM!

Friday - May 1
🐰 Junior Farmers (North Bend)
The Junior Farmers program invites young naturalists to deepen their understanding of farming, nature, and environmental stewardship through immersive, hands-on experiences. This year-round afterschool program challenges children to observe carefully, experiment thoughtfully, and contribute meaningfully to the farm and natural ecosystems they explore.
Price: $35+
♟️ Family Chess Night (Bellevue)
Whether you’re a grandmaster or just learning the ropes, it’s a night of strategy, fun, and bonding for all ages and skill levels. Plus, it’s free!
Price: free
🌱 Toddler Time at Issaquah Community Center (Issaquah)
Drop-in indoor play for toddlers at Issaquah Community Center, 7–11:30am — a long open window for families who want a morning out with little ones. Soft play and open space in a supervised environment.
Price: $2
🎨 Open Clay Studio at KidsQuest Children's Museum (Bellevue)
First Friday of every month, KidsQuest opens its clay studio from 5–7pm — kids and adults create with low-fire clay, mold whatever they imagine, and pick up their fired piece two weeks later. A low-key Friday afternoon that produces something worth keeping.
Price: $10.50 for glaze and firing (museum admission required)
🐦 Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical (Redmond)
Redmond Academy of Theatre Arts opens Mo Willems' beloved Pigeon musical Friday at 7pm — feathers, songs, and one very determined bird who just wants to drive the bus. Editor's Choice on ParentMap and a great first musical for ages 3–8.
Price: Check website for pricing
🟢 Shrek the Musical Jr. (Mercer Island)
Youth Theatre Northwest opens Shrek the Musical Jr. tonight — the beloved fairy-tale mash-up full of humor, heart, and a surprisingly great score. Performances run May 1–17 at the YTN Main Stage on Mercer Island. Friday shows at 7pm.
Price: free
🎵 Free Live Music at the Market Stage (Bellevue)
Crossroads Bellevue hosts free live performances at the indoor Market Stage every Friday evening, 7–8:45pm. All ages, no tickets, and you can grab dinner at the food court or nearby restaurants while the music plays.
Price: free
🐑 Kelsey Creek Farm (Bellevue)
Lambs, goats, cows, and 150 acres of beautiful Bellevue farm park — free to visit any time and endlessly good for toddlers and younger kids who just want to see animals close up.
Price: free
🎨 Gilman Village (Issaquah)
White Horse Toys, Mudhouse Pottery Painting, and family-friendly shops tucked into a cluster of historic buildings. A calm, browseable Friday afternoon option when you want something low-key and kid-friendly.
Price: Free to explore; pottery painting from ~$12
🌊 Juanita Beach Park (Kirkland)
A sandy lakefront park on Lake Washington with a playground, picnic areas, and a shallow beach area. Still on the cooler side in early May, but perfectly walkable — good for a post-school run with kids who have energy to burn.
Price: free

20 days left 🚨
🧱 Dads | Brews | Legos (Fremont)
When: May 20th @ 4p
Price: $40
🚨 20 days out and seats are going fast. Both sessions are capped — once they're gone, they're gone. No waitlist, no second chances.
We've teamed up with Bricks & Minifigs Northgate for two sessions on May 20th — you build for 2 hours, you drink, you chat with other dads, and whatever you make goes home with you.
🎟️ $40/ticket
🍻 2 drinks included
🤗 1 hour of on-site childcare (Rosie's there 5–7pm)
😍 Keep everything you build
Sessions at 4–6pm or 6–8pm. No kids required — but they're welcome (ages 3+)
Don't be the dad who waited too long 👉 Grab your tickets

Saturday - May 2
🛻 Junk in the Trunk (Kirkland)
Join us for Kirkland's Junk in the Trunk on Saturday, May 2nd, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at Juanita Beach Park (9703 NE Juanita Dr) This event is free and open to the public; everyone is welcome to attend. This rain or shine outdoor event is a treasure seeker's dream! Join us for a large community garage sale with vendors selling treasures in the market-style parking lot. Vendors will park in one space and use the one adjacent to sell their wares, clothes, collectibles, furniture, housewares, antiques, and more!
Price: $13
Caught between two powerful families, two young people find hope and escape in each other. But the world around them seems determined to keep them apart.
Price: $13
🎵 PJ Story Time with Nancy Stewart (Mercer Island)
Mercer Island's own Nancy Stewart — a multiple Parents' Choice Award winner — leads a free storytime at Island Books on Independent Bookstore Day, 9:30–10am. Perfect for the 1–4 year-old set, and a great excuse to browse the shelves of one of the best indie bookstores on the Eastside.
Price: free
🔨 Home Depot Kids Workshop (Bellevue/Redmond)
The first Saturday of every month, Home Depot runs free hands-on building workshops for kids — this month's project runs 9am–12pm at participating locations. Kids build, paint, and take home what they made.
Price: free
⚽ Day of Soccer Play with RAVE Foundation (Redmond)
The RAVE Foundation brings free open soccer play to Perrigo Park in Redmond, 11am–3pm — all ages, all skill levels, just show up and play. Editor's Choice on ParentMap and backed by the Seattle Sounders organization. One of the better free family events of the spring.
Price: free
☀️ El Mercado de Puesta del Sol (Bellevue)
The fifth grade Student Leadership Club presents the Market of Puesta del Sol, featuring student presentations, fifth grade marimba players, a special musical guest and food samples. The event is free, and everyone is welcome.
Price: free
🐾 Pet Gala (Renton)
A free community pet celebration at Renton Community Center, 11am–1pm — bring your pet, meet other animals, and enjoy a fun low-key afternoon event. A good excuse to get out to Renton with kids (and dogs).
Price: Free
🌿 Youth Nature Journaling Club (Bellevue)
A free drop-in nature journaling session for young naturalists at Bellevue Botanical Garden, 12–1pm. Kids observe the spring garden and document what they find through drawing and writing — a calming, creative Saturday afternoon.
Price: free
🐑 Sheep Shearing at Kelsey Creek Farm (Bellevue)
One of Bellevue's most beloved spring traditions: watch professional shearers prep the sheep for warmer weather, then explore farm animals, pony rides, tractor-pulled wagon rides, and fiber arts demos. The 1880s Fraser Cabin is open too. Free parking via shuttles from International School, 11am–4pm.
Price: Free admission; some activities have small fees
🛝 Inspiration Playground at Bellevue Downtown Park (Bellevue)
One of the Eastside's most imaginative playgrounds — a fully accessible, sensory-rich space with water features, climbing structures, and a splash pad at Bellevue Downtown Park. Free, open all day, and endlessly replayable for kids of nearly any age.
Price: free
🚲 Tour de Cure 2026 (Bothell)
On Saturday, May 2, 2026, the American Diabetes Association® is bringing together riders, families, friends, and colleagues at The Park at Bothell Landing for a day of fun, community, and impact.
Price: $35
🩰 Creative Ballet for 3-4 Year-Olds (Bellevue)
Join BelArts Ballet for our pay-what-you-can Creative Ballet class for 3-4 year olds! Free and reduced price access to this programming is made possible by support from 4Culture and City of Bellevue.
Price: pay-what-you-can

Sunday - May 3
🌮 Cinco de Mayo with Centro Cultural Mexicano (Redmond)
Centro Cultural Mexicano's annual Cinco de Mayo celebration at Downtown Redmond Park, 11am–6pm — live music, food, free activities, and artisanal vendors in a free, family-friendly outdoor festival. One of the bigger community events of the spring on the Eastside.
Price: free
🐐 Farm Spotlight: Meet the Goats! (Redmond)
Farrel-McWhirter's monthly Farm Spotlight brings docents and volunteers out to the barnyard for informal talks about the farm's animals — this month's focus is the resident goats, 10–11am. Free for all ages; registration encouraged to help staff plan attendance.
Price: free
🦆 Juanita Bay Park Interpretive Tour (Kirkland)
Eastside Park Rangers lead a free monthly bird walk at Juanita Bay Park, 1–2pm — songbirds, waterfowl, raptors, turtles, beavers, and more in one of the Eastside's richest wildlife habitats. Meet at the kiosk by the parking lot; bring binoculars if you have them. Ages 6+ with adult.
Price: free
🎂 Sweet Dreams Cake Competition (Newcastle)
Birthday Dreams invites bakers of all levels — including kids — to compete and decorate at Coal Creek Family YMCA, 5:30–7:30pm. Guests can bid on cakes in a silent auction; proceeds support birthday celebrations for children experiencing homelessness. A donation is suggested at the door.
Price: Suggested donation at door; $20 to compete
🔧 Weekend Playshop at KidsQuest (Bellevue)
Come join our educator-led Weekend Playshop as we focus on building and creating. From learning to use real tools and engineering with recycled materials, this is your opportunity to get creative in this hands-on workshop.
Price: $10.50 per participant, in addition to the museum admission fee.
🫔 Tamales! at Drumroll Wine (Renton)
Ramona's Kitchen makes delicious, legit tamales the old school way. No matter how far you live from Renton, we're almost certainly closer than Mexico. Which is your other destination option for tamales this good. All ages. Bring the kids!
Price: Free entry; items for purchase
🐷 Petting Zoo Animal Encounter (North Bend)
Enjoy a group meet & greet with our resident Alpacas, Goats, Sheep, Piglets, Ducks, Bunnies and Chickens on the farm. Each participant will have an opportunity to feed, snuggle and scratch our farm friends. We’ll answer all your questions and share all the fun farm facts.
Price: $25 Adult, $15 Child
⛪ St. Edward State Park (Kenmore)
A large forested park on the north shore of Lake Washington — old seminary buildings, wooded bluffs, beach access, and miles of trails through tall Douglas firs. Less crowded than the south-end parks and a beautiful Sunday escape.
Price: free

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