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Eastside Roundup: What to do on the Eastside with Kids

If you've lived in Seattle long enough, you may have found yourself getting, well, bored with the children's activities here–sometimes you don't want to take in another museum exhibit, themed festival or free concert. So, when one more trip to the zoo seems a trip too many (even though the Zoomazium rocks), have faith; 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 Eastside day trip, as recommended by us and the brilliant readers of Red Tricycle.

KIRKLAND
- Shop
  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.
- Eat
  Yarrow Bay Beach Cafe
  1270 Carillon Point
  425.889.9052
  www.ybbeachcafe.com
  Changing tables: Yes High chairs: Yes
  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, Baja Mahi tacos or fish and chips. Children get their own menu.
- Play
  Parkplace Books
  348 Park Place
  425.828.6546
  www.kirklandparkplace.com/boutique_details.html?id=48
  This independent bookstore in Kirkland's Parkplace Mall has a roomy childrens book section entered via the Magic Faraway Tree. There are cosy armchairs in here for an impromptu story time or nursing mothers.
  
  Baby's Day At The Movies
  404 Park Place
  425.827.9000
  www.kirklandparkplace.com/cinema.html
  The Parkplace cinema opens its doors to parents and children every second 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. Adult tickets $8:50; child, $5:50.
  
  The Peter Kirk open-air pool
  202 Third Street
  Pool Hotline: 425.828.1235
  www.kirkland.net/pool.htm
  Great for those hot summer days and right next to the park for post-swim picnics.
BELLEVUE
- Shop
  Merry Go Round Children's Store
  1014 116th Ave. N.E.
  425.454.1610
  www.merrygoroundkids.com
  Parking: Yes If a little light shopping's your thing and your children share your passion, Merry Go Round's the place for you. Known for miles as the place to shop for stylish yet practical items, this children's store combines life's necessities (furniture, feeding items, educational toys) with styles so gorgeous it almost seems rude not to buy them. Featured brands include Peg Perego, Bugaboo, Stokke and Lamaze. There's a dedicated children's play area over by the strollers so that little ones are entertained whilst you browse for that perfect purchase you've suddenly realized they need.
  Bonus: It's a three-minute walk from Whole Foods (directly to the south) where you and your little ones can pick up snacks or lunch and, if the weather's nice, dine outside on the cafe tables.
  
  Posh on Main (Shoes for Moms only)
  10245 Main Street, Bellevue
  425.454.2022
  www.poshonmain.com
  Stocking a range of fabulous handbags and shoes by brands such as Alexandra Neel, Michael Kors, Emma Hope and Missoni, this shop is incredibly stylish and yet welcoming. These of-the-moment accessories will provide the perfect boost to your (neglected?) wardrobe for any season.
  Bonus: The Child's Play Cafe (www.childsplaycafe.com) is right next door–ideal for adults and children alike to recharge after shopping.
  
  Lambs Ears Children's Boutique
  820 102nd Ave NE 425.688.1080
  www.lambsears.net
  Beautifully-tailored special-occasion apparel for boys and girls. The store usually carries a wide range of Catimini, a brand we dig.
- Eat
  Marinepolis Sushi Land
  138 107th Ave NE
  425.455.2965
  www.sushilandusa.com
  At this inexpensive sushi bar, choose your own meals from the conveyor belt in front of you, and pay according to the color of the dish–great for an impromptu math lesson! Beginner sushi aficionados find their way around with the help of a map, showing pictures of the various dishes and what's inside them.
WOODINVILLE & REDMOND
- Play
  Molbak's Gardening store and center
  13625 NE 175th St., Woodinville
  425.483.5000
  www.molbaks.com
  Parking: Yes Changing table: Yes
  When the weather's changeable–and really, when isn't it?–and your little ones could still do with a taste of the outdoors, head on over to Molbak's, where 15 acres of garden center await you and your brood. There's plenty for you to browse whilst the children enjoy the outdoors, indoors. Molbak's holds free monthly kids' planting workshops with a different theme each month. And when your green-fingered urchins are all done, sit back and enjoy lunch at the Molbak's cafe, run by Lowell-Hunt, caterers to the great and good. The seating area is spacious, with a couple of big tables for larger groups, a ramp for strollers, and a water feature in the middle of the cafe that will keep the children entertained even once they're done with their food.
  Bonus: The Oshkosh outlet is nearby (www.oshkoshbgosh.com).
  
  South 47 Farm
  15410 NE 124th St. (corner of NE 124th St. and the Woodinville-Redmond Rd.)
  425.869.9777
  www.south47farm.com
  Farm Tots: Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 10:30am -11:30am, June-October.
  Admission: Free; Farm tots: $5 with one adult free per child. Ages 5 and under, with parent or guardian. No reservations needed; check in at the farmstand at 10:15am.
  This organic farm is a great place for children to see food "in action". There's an extensive U-Pick program offering everything from berries to bok choi, depending on the season (check the farm's website for crops currently ready to harvest). Better yet, come for the "Farm tots" programs that run each Thursday and Friday from June through October. Each one-hour class will offer Junior the chance to pick his or her own portion of a crop in season, and the one-hour class also includes a nature or art activity and a wagon ride. The themed activities change each week and include farm favorites like worms, herbs, potatoes, bugs, flowers and seeds.
  Bonus: When your tot has finished class, adults and children are free to wander the farm and visit the farm stand.
  
  Farrel McWhirter Park
  19545 Redmond Rd.,
  Redmond 425.556.2300
  www.ci.redmond.wa.us
  This enormous park has farm animals, pony rides, nature trails and large spaces for picnics and parties.
- Shop
  Hush Baby Redmond
  Ever wonder what you'd find if you were shopping on Melrose with Angelina and her brood? That upscale LA vibe is a rare one to come across in the Pacific Northwest. Hush Baby, the children's boutique at Redmond Town Center that opened in early November, offers Hollywood-style class and comfort. Hush Baby's star treatment also includes a 42-inch flat screen television featuring G-rated favorites, delightful fresh cookies, and complimentary hot chocolate and lattes. Thursdays at 11:00 am, story time comes complete with costumes for the young audience to explore and time to re-enact the story. Expectant moms can schedule an appointment for a session of state-of-the-art four-dimensional ultrasound photography from Baby Pictures. And the photo ops don't end there. Portrait photographer Nan Brotherton offers free sittings inside the store's studio.
  Hush Baby Redmond Town Center
  7303 164th Avenue NE, Redmond, 98052
  425-558-3835
  www.hushbabyredmond.com
  
  Hanna Anderson Outlet
  13620 NE 175th St. #114, Woodinville
  425.485.7998
  www.hannaanderson.com
  Parking: Yes
  Carrying Scandinavian-inspired bold cotton fashions for you and your youngsters. People drive for miles around to visit this outlet.
  P.S. There's a full-price store in University Village.
- Eat
  Pomegranate Bistro
  18005 N 68th St., Redmond
  425.556.5972
  www.lisaduparcatering.com
  Parking: Yes
  This bright lime and pomegranate-colored, kid-approved restaurant launched its summer menu earlier this month. Stop in for white truffle fettuccine with shaved pecorino cheese or Southern fried chicken. Kids can get mocktails, along with mac & cheese, Firebread (it's like pizza) with cheese, sausage and no tomato sauce, and more.
  Warning: It gets packed on weekends–call to put your name on the wait list before arriving.

OTHER GREAT PICKS

Northwest Railway Museum, Snoqualmie
38625 SE King Street,
425.888.3030
www.trainmuseum.org
Visit the depot for free, or take a 65-minute train excursion. Theres the added bonus of a trip with Thomas the Tank Engine in July, and a Santa train at Christmas. Open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Years Day. Thomas tickets are $16 for ages two and up. Regular tickets are $9 adults, $8 seniors, $6 children two-12. Kids under two ride free.
Gilman Village, Issaquah
317 NW Gilman Blvd.
425.392.6802
www.gillmanvillage.com
Hit the handful of cute shops for kids at this outdoor anti-mall. We love Lilypad Books and White Horse Toys. Spoiled by Nana (not the greatest name, we know) and For Boys Only have quality, upscale clothing. Also, The Musik Nest is offering movement and music classes for kids ages birth to seven years.
Jump Planet, Bothell
22310 20th Ave. SE, #200
425.481-5867 (JUMP)
www.jump-planet.com
Put this new indoor inflatable party center in your Rolodex–it's an amazing birthday party venue. It's the biggest of its kind in the Northwest. The two huge play arenas will awe your kids, as will the obstacle courses and bouncer mazes. Parents will relish the comfy lounge (with free coffee and tea) and the babies-only bouncer (so the whole family can come). Hop to it–you can make reservations online.

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Eastside Roundup: What to do on the Eastside with Kids