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Summer Activities for Kids and Teens in Kitsap County
There are so many fun summer activities for kids and teens in Kitsap County. If you’re looking for something for your kids to do this summer, this list will help you get started. Some organizations offer a variety of activities and camps, so make sure to check each website for more detailed information.
First Friday Art Walk at KiDiMu
First Friday of each month, 1:00 – 7:00 PM, Kids Discovery Museum (KiDiMu), Bainbridge Island
On the first Friday of each month, KiDiMu hosts a special craft-based activity for kids. Whether you come in the early afternoon or head over after dinner, little ones will have a great time using their artistic skills and showcasing their creativity. It’s a great way to get an early start to the weekend!
Cost: Pay what you will (a donation-based program)
Summer Learning
June 1 – August 31, 2023, Kitsap Regional Library (all locations and online)
The Kitsap Regional Library is hosting its community self-paced reading and learning program for school-aged children and teens during summer break. To participate, visit any Kitsap Regional Library location to pick up a reading tracker or download the reading tracker online. Just remember, the reading tracker won’t be available until Thursday, June 1st so that everyone has the same amount of time. Fun prizes will be awarded to those who meet their reading goals!
Cost: Free
Also, be sure to check out monthly events happening at different library locations across Kitsap County. There’s something for every age group, including storytime for babies and toddlers, and arts & crafts activities for kids and teens.
Canvas & Cupcake
Held once a month on a Sunday, dates and times vary, Kitsap Art Center, Silverdale
Enjoy an afternoon of family fun at the Kitsap Art Center! Adults and children (ages 5 and older) are invited to channel their inner Van Gogh (or Picasso or Monet – your choice!) by creating a step-by-step painting. No experience is necessary. Just be willing to get out of your comfort zone and be creative. Cupcakes are provided as a post-art treat.
Cost: $40 per person, including art supplies
Young Artist Summer Camps
Dates and times vary, Kitsap Art Center, Silverdale
Kitsap Art Center offers a variety of camps and summer classes for kids as young as four all the way up to teenagers. Typically, each class focuses on learning how to paint a particular animal or piece of art. Participating youth don’t need any prior experience – just sign up and have fun! All aspiring artists are welcome as long as they meet the minimum age requirements.
Cost: Costs vary depending on the class
Kitsap Live Steamers
April – October 2023, 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month, from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (weather permitting) South Kitsap Regional Park, Port Orchard
Choo, choo – all aboard! Calling all train enthusiasts for an outdoor ride. Kitsap Live Steamers operates 7.5″ gauge scale trains that are fun for all ages. The train includes an ADA-accessible riding car designed to accommodate a manual or motorized wheelchair. A train ride is great fun for the whole family!
Cost: Donation based
Bainbridge Island Aquatics Center
April – August 2023, dates and times vary, Bainbridge Island
Help your kids dive in and learn how to swim this summer at the Bainbridge Island Aquatics Center. Swim classes are offered for ages 6 months to 12 years old. This is a great way to start a lifelong skill or take swimming skills to the next level. But hurry, classes are already filling up!
Cost: $136 to $170, depending on the class
Student Conservation Corps
Summer 2023, Bainbridge Island Metropolitan Park & Recreation District
Youth get to learn what it takes to become an environmental steward by helping pull weeds and controlling invasive plants in Bainbridge Island parks. Local educational speakers provide conservation education and career advice during lunch as well. This is a paid work opportunity for students 15 and older and a great way to learn more about conservation-related careers.
Cost: N/A: it’s a paid work opportunity
Olympic Outdoor Center’s Youth Summer Day Camps
June – July 2023, dates and times vary, Poulsbo Waterfront Park Pavilion
Summer day camps hosted by the Olympic Outdoor Center are for ages 7 to 13. They’re packed with activities, including kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, and standup paddleboarding. While having tons of fun, campers also learn about safety, teamwork, adventure nutrition, and respect for the natural world.
Cost: $229 – $359
Pirate Festival
June 17, 2023, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Mike Wallace Park, Kingston
Ahoy! Kingston will be launching its first annual Pirate Festival this June. This event features more than 30 vendors and live music. Plus, there will be activities for kids, including face painting, pirate games, and a bouncy house. The festival promises to be a swashbuckling good time for the whole family.
Cost: Free
Ride the Tide
June 17, 2023, and it starts at Tracyton Boat Launch, Bremerton
Celebrate the Kitsap Peninsula National Water Trails by joining Ride the Tide. This is perfect for teens and parents who are comfortable kayaking, canoeing, or paddleboarding. Participants may use their own gear or rent gear from the Olympic Outdoor Center. So, grab a paddle and join in on this guided ride with fellow water enthusiasts. Also, a shuttle service will be available.
Cost: $59, but cost increases with gear rentals
YMCA Day Camps and Youth Classes
June 19 – September 1, 2023, Haselwood YMCA, Silverdale
The Haselwood YMCA offers a variety of summer day camps and youth classes, including swim lessons, sports, and gymnastics. Kids get to have fun while building self-confidence and learning new skills. The Haselwood YMCA also offers open swim days to escape the heat, which is free for YMCA members.
Cost: Prices vary, and members receive discounts
Sailing Camp
July 10 – August 4, 2023, Kitsap Sailing Foundation, Waterfront Park, Silverdale
Kids and teens can set sail this summer with camps offered by the Kitsap Sailing Foundation! Each camp runs daily for one week, with youth morning sessions and teen camps in the afternoon. Sign up for one camp or all of them; no experience is necessary either way. Each week offers new experiences and STEM learning opportunities too.
Cost: $240 plus processing fees (need-based scholarships are available)
Summer Ranch Hands
July – August 2023, dates and times vary, The Whole Horse Place, Port Orchard
Saddle up and learn what it takes to be a great ranch hand. Students ages 7 and older get to learn every aspect of horsemanship, including trail riding, equine science labs, lessons, and chores. This is a wonderful way to become comfortable around horses.
Cost: $125 per day, $525 per week
Kitsap Forest Adventure Camp
July 2023, dates and times vary, Kitsap Forest Theater, Bremerton
Get kids to step away from their screens and get outside this summer with creative camps offered by Kitsap Forest Theater. Outdoor activities for kids ages kindergarten through 4th grade include art, singing, drama, hiking, and exploring the forest, wildlife, and creeks. Hurry though. The two-week-long camps offered are already filling up!
Cost: $395, $345 for members
Youth and Teen Classes
July – August 2023, dates and times vary, BARN (Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network)
The BARN on Bainbridge Island has it all! Classes for a variety of ages ranging from 8 to 18 cover every topic you can imagine, including robotics, crafts combined with activism, glass making, smartphone filmmaking, pasty baking, songwriting, printmaking, photography, and much more! So jump-start that creativity and sign up now.
Cost: Prices vary depending on the length and materials required
For more summer activities for kids, please see the Summer Camp list in our Guide to Kitsap County (pages 14-15). Some may already be sold out, but you can save those as potential options for next year. Most importantly, have a great summer!
Best Places to See Washington’s Spring Flowers in Bloom
Spring is in the air! Here are some of our suggestions for the best places to see Washington’s spring flowers in bloom. Thankfully, there are many wonderful places near us to celebrate and appreciate this beautiful time of year. Mark your calendars and then hop in the car to check these out!
Bloedel Reserve – Bainbridge Island
Photo by Chris Boone.
A spectacular botanical garden, the Bloedel Reserve flourishes this time of year. Undoubtedly, the Japanese Garden is a must-see for anyone who wants to experience a tranquil retreat. It has also been named one of the top ten Japanese Gardens in the United States by the Journal of Japanese Gardening. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, tickets are released in batches and must be reserved in advance. Tickets are $17 for adults, $10 for students (13-18), and $6 for youth (5-12) with college, military, and senior discounts. They also offer annual memberships.
Heronswood – Kingston
Photo by Richard Probst.
This botanical gem was created by Dan Hinkley and his husband, architect Robert L. Jones. It spans almost 15 acres of fantastic flora from all over the world. After lying dormant for nearly six years, Heronswood was renewed through the S’Kallam Tribe. They earnestly restored the garden to its former beauty. This spring, they will be dedicating a stumpery, an artistic display of tree stumps, that recounts the history of the S’Klallam Tribe with the local timber industry. Heronswood opens on April 1st and tickets will be $10 for adults, $5 for children (7-17), and ages 6 and younger are free.
Albers Marcovina Vista Gardens – Bremerton
Photo by Albers Marcovina Vista Gardens.
This wonderful botanical garden is consistently expanding to feature more and more flora for visitors to enjoy. With 15 distinct areas, you’ll leave in awe of thousands of aesthetically arranged plants. On April 24th, they will be hosting “The Beauty of Spring ” tour from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Tickets are completely free, but register online.
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
Photo by Pam Headridge.
In April, Skagit Valley will be hosting its annual Tulip Festival. Millions of tulips collectively create an extravagant display to celebrate spring. And, fun fact: more tulip and daffodil bulbs are produced there than in any other county in the United States. Designed as a driving tour, these flower fields can be seen anytime during April completely free of charge.
For a more in-depth experience, you can visit Tulip Town every day in April from 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM. Tickets are $10 for ages 12 and up, $5 for ages 6 – 11, and kids 5 and under are free. They offer an indoor/outdoor tulip garden, trolley rides (weather dependent), local goods, treats, and more.
Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden – Federal Way
What better way to appreciate Washington’s state flower than by visiting the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden in Federal Way? Located between Seattle and Tacoma, this 22-acre woodland garden has the largest collection of Rhododendron species in the world. Get a glimpse of what they offer by watching this enticing video from 2019. Peak bloom time is mid-March through mid-May. They’re open Tuesday – Sunday, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Be sure to read their updated policies before visiting. General admission is $8, and it’s $5 for seniors and students, free for military and children under 12.
Seattle Cherry Blossoms and Japanese Cultural Festival
Origami flower. Photo by Andy Ahlstrom.
Every year, this free festival is held at Seattle Center and it combines cultural traditions with various types of entertainment to celebrate Japanese culture. They typically have everything from martial arts demos to Japanese food, traditional music to origami contests. Due to the pandemic, the festival will be happening virtually again this year, from April 9 – 11. Check out videos from last year’s fun virtual event.
Although the University of Washington campus is typically a great place to stroll beneath the blossoming trees, UW is once again asking people to view their beautiful blossoming trees virtually this year due to COVID-19. If you’re in the Seattle area, you can use the Seattle Department of Transportation’s interactive map of trees to see where you can drive to enjoy blossoms. To search for cherry trees in a specific neighborhood, click the tab at the top that’s titled “Explore Street Trees”. Then scroll down on the left-hand side and click on “Trees By Type” to look for trees with the “Prunus” genus to view cherry or plum trees.
Silverdale & Bremerton: Strong Communities, Convenience and Charm
Surrounded by Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, Silverdale and Bremerton boast a range of businesses and entertainment as well as a strong military presence.
From Settlers to City
On a beautiful, cloudy day, the Silverdale waterfront gleams with a silver glow. On shore, a bustling city center houses the most expansive shopping experience on the Kitsap Peninsula. There are local favorites like Purpose Boutique, Lisa Stirrett Glass Art Studio, and Silverdale Antiques. And, you can find everything you need by visiting Kitsap Mall, Trader Joe’s, and Costco. Great stops for a bite to eat include popular places like Monica’s Waterfront Bakery & Cafe, Jo:a Japanese Restaurant and Yacht Club Broiler.
While it’s a strong center for economic development today, Silverdale actually started in a modest fashion. First formed in 1920 as an unincorporated port to serve the logging industry, Silverdale transitioned to a farming town. This gave way to Scandinavian immigrants who became the first permanent settlers in Silverdale.
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- Aerial view, Port of Silverdale, 1952
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- Visitors at the old dock in Silverdale on Dyes Inlet, Kitsap County
In the decades that followed, the introduction to the ‘Bremerton-to-Poulsbo Highway’ changed Silverdale into Kitsap’s busy commercial center. Over time, Silverdale began adding amenities like the popular Silverdale Waterfront Park to honor the proud Old Town port of its early days.
Bremerton’s Beginnings
Founded by the vision of Real Estate businessman, William Bremer, and platted in 1891, Bremerton houses the largest Naval Shipyard on the West Coast. The Puget Sound Naval Shipyard survived both World Wars and was even expanded during the Great Depression.
Points of Pride
Today, Bremerton is the largest city in Kitsap County. It has a population of over 41,000. By ferry, Bremerton residents reach Seattle within an hour to enjoy the larger city life across Puget Sound. While the military defined early Bremerton and still shapes it today, business development paved the way, specifically within the arts. The now-famous Admiral Theatre has housed some of the greatest names in music and entertainment. It sets the stage for an Art Deco-inspired downtown, complete with art galleries and Historic Roxy Theatre.
And, fun fact: music legend Quincy Jones grew up in Bremerton. The city dedicated an entire square downtown to honor his legacy as the most famous hometown artist. Hysterically, Quincy recalled his Bremerton youth on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, saying, “What happened was … we wanted to be baby gangsters and like, rule Bremerton.”
Bremerton also offers fabulous eateries like La Fermata, voted this year’s Best Romantic Dinner in Central Kitsap and Bremerton, and Silver City Brewery, bottling wonderful craft ales alongside gourmet pub food. Axe & Arrow Gastropub offers delicious options as well, and Chef Tabura was the winner of Food Network’s “The Great Food Truck Race” in 2013.
Wonderful Events and Outdoor Escapes
Silverdale and Bremerton are popular shopping and dining destinations with distinct features. Additionally, they offer a strong sense of community through many local organizations and events. Fun annual festivals include the Blackberry Festival, Armed Forces Day Parade, Wayzgoose Arts Festival, and Whaling Days.
These charming cities harbor many larger city conveniences yet they are surrounded by nature. Nestled beside the epic Olympic Mountains, Silverdale and Bremerton offer a variety of nature trails and parks to get away from it all. Here’s a starter pack of places to explore: Illahee State Park, Manchester State Park, Newberry Hill Heritage Park, Wildcat Lake County Park, and Old Mill Park. From functional to robust, Silverdale and Bremerton have blossomed into truly unique cities with offerings for all.
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- Lions Park by Leo Phillips
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- Silverdale Sunset by Leo Phillips
