​Birds are chirping, flowers are blooming, and the sun is shining - Spring has sprung in Seattle. It’s time to step outside and shake off those winter blues. To help sprout some inspiration, I’ve rounded up a few ideas for family outings. From farms to forests, fairs to florals, check out our list of fun, spring activities below. 

Bridal Veil Falls

Bridal Veils Falls is a spectacular hike with an awe-inspiring waterfall that will leave your little hikers mystified. Crashing down a 100-foot rock face is pristine, cool water from Lake Serene above. The hike to the falls is kid-friendly, and if you feel like an extra workout, you can keep scaling all the way to the lake if you’re up for a 4 mile out and back hike. It’s worth it if you’re up for the trek – and some thigh-burning switchbacks.

The falls are located about 1.5 miles into the hike.

This hike is not a hidden gem. It gets very busy on the weekends, so expect a packed parking lot. A Northwest Forest Pass is required.

Twin Falls

Twins Falls is another one of our family’s favorite waterfall hikes. The hike is about 2.5 miles round-trip. It’s an out and back hike with a waterfall payoff. Pack a picnic and enjoy treats while you take in the cascading, cool water.

We love hikes that include water views, at Twin Falls has two splendid waterfalls to enjoy.

Located only about 30 miles from Seattle, it’s a short trip from the bustling city. A Discover Pass is required for parking.

Visit a Farm
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Kelsey Creek Farm Park is a great place to visit with kids on a sunny, spring day. The 150-acre park features a barnyard playground, meandering trails through fields and meadows and an actual farm with animals. Admission to the farm is free. You can view the animals from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. daily. The adorable farm is home to pigs, cows, chickens, goats, horses, rabbits and sheep.
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Location: 410 130th Pl SE Bellevue, WA

Check out the Best Nursery in Seattle

Seattle and the Eastside offer an abundance of gardens to explore.

Technically, Swanson’s Nursery isn’t a garden, but our family loves to meander through the nursery looking for hidden garden gems. Who knew a gardening store could be so fun? Swanson’s Nursery is a beloved Seattle garden store that has been around since 1924.

From the giant dinosaur that greets you as you walk into the spacious nursery to the adorable purple playhouse, Swanson’s is inviting and family-friendly. Our favorite place to hang out is the quaint café where you can say hello to the Koi fish while enjoying a scoop of gelato. The café and pond are located in one of the many giant greenhouses.

Roam through the giant indoor and outdoor spaces to find the perfect plant or treasure. They offer a huge selection of pots, planters and garden accessories. And in the spring, they have chicks!

They also have a kids club, which is super fun for little ones who are interested in crafts. You can sign up for their newsletter to learn more.

Hours: Daily, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Location: 9701 15th Ave NW Seattle, WA
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Website: Seattle's Favorite Garden Store Since 1924 - Swansons Nursery

You can also visit Bellevue Botanical Garden, Washington Park Arboretum, Kruckeberg Botanical Garden, Kubota Garden and more. You can read a list I created for TinyBeans here: ​Seattle Gardens to Visit Now (tinybeans.com)

Head to the Fair

The Spring Fair is back in town, and it’s the place to go if you’re looking for family fun, games, rides, mouthwatering fair food, music, animals and the list goes on. For my dinosaur-loving kiddos, they can’t wait to check out the animatronic dinosaur exhibit. Tickets for Exhibition: Dinosaur are $8.

The Spring Fair runs from April 11-14 and 18-21.

Purchase tickets online before you go and save. General tickets are $13; children 6 to 12 are $11; kids 5 and under are free. Weekend tickets are slightly more expensive. General tickets are $15; children 6 to 12 are $12; kids 5 and under are free. If you can visit the fair on a Thursday, children under 18 are free.

Parking on Thursdays is free. General parking on the weekends is $15.
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Location: Washington State Fair Events Center
110 9th Ave SW
Puyallup, WA

Website: Washington State Fair Events Center - Puyallup, WA (thefair.com)

Walk Through Fields of Tulips
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The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is the largest in the United States, and it is a sight you have to see at least once. Be warned, it draws crowds, but if you can handle the lines, rows upon rows of dazzling tulips are your reward. Sprawling fields of bright tulips delight visitors with a colorful spectacle of beauty.

Located a little over an hour north of Seattle, the festival showcases four different tulip gardens. Our favorite is Roozengaarde. It’s the largest of the four vast fields, covering 50 acres and offering more than 200 different tulip and daffodil varieties to marvel.  
Purchase tickets online in advance to save a few dollars. Weekday tickets are $15 and weekend tickets are $17. If you purchase tickets at the door, you’ll pay $17 for weekday tickets and $18 for weekend tickets.

Roozengaarde has picturesque views, an array of food offerings, playhouses for kids, photo backdrops and more.

Hours: Mon. – Fri. 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Sat. & Sun. 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Insider tip: If you can sneak away during the weekend, you won’t have to fuss with the gawking spectators; it tends to be less crowded.

The festival runs from April 1 to April 30.
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Website: Skagit Valley Tulip Festival: Washington's Largest Tulip Gardens

Do you ever wake up in the morning, walk into your closet and feel like you can't find anything to wear? I am right there with you. Most days, I stare absentmindedly at the clothes hanging haphazardly from their hangers trying to will an outfit idea to pop into my mind. That usually doesn't happen. What does is a pile of clothes strewn about my bedroom floor, much to my husband's chagrin.

To save our marriage (joking of course) and give myself more peace of mind, I've decided to endeavor on a mission to create a capsule wardrobe. I've been doing a lot of research, mostly scrolling aimlessly on Pinterest, and I've started curating a few key pieces. Where did I begin? Trousers! 

As a mom of three, I need clothes that can transition from work to play. They need to be comfy, and it's a huge bonus if they are also cute. That's one of the biggest reasons I love trousers. They are comfy, easy to dress up, look stylish, but they can also be dressed down with a pair of sneakers. 

So, what is a capsule wardrobe? It's a collection of items that can be mixed, matched and intermingled to create many different outfits from a few, carefully selected pieces. Rather than suffering from decision fatigue, capsule wardrobes help decrease the clutter in your closet, make styling outfits easier, and reduces waste. Theoretically, it can also save you money since you don't need as many trend pieces, but that remains to be seen given my spending habits recently.

Here are a few items I've picked up to start my wardrobe collection. Happy curating!

Navy button down vest: https://amzn.to/3J4Zf4C
Navy blazer: https://amzn.to/4aC0fZH
Amazon trouser dupe: https://amzn.to/3U1qH9G
White short sleeved sweater: https://amzn.to/3xjzdbf
Ribbed white tank: https://amzn.to/43LO7Da
Black matching vest and trouser set: ​https://amzn.to/43Hxg4E 
White and blue stripped shirt: https://amzn.to/3J1LYtG
Brown, black and neutral belts: ​https://amzn.to/49rQJr3