Where to Go Back to School Shopping Near Seattle

Last Updated: August 5, 2026

The Best Kids' Stores at Westfield Southcenter and Nearby

Looking for places to go back-to-school shopping in Seattle and nearby?

Take a family trip to Seattle Southside, a retail paradise with hundreds of stores clustered within the Southcenter shopping district. Our region is home to Westfield Southcenter, the largest shopping center in the state, which draws visitors from near and far. The surrounding business district includes many more stores and restaurants, all within a five-minute drive. Our advice? Book a stay at a nearby hotel and turn what could be a stressful shopping trip (a "first day outfit" is no joke!) into an opportunity to make memories and bond in the last weeks before school.

Clothing
Bedroom & Dorm Supplies
School Supplies & Stationary

Where to Shop for Children's and Teenager's Clothing

In addition to legacy department stores like Nordstrom and Macy's, Westfield Southcenter has hundreds of other popular clothing stores, including Abercrombie & Fitch, PacSun, Uniqlo, H&M, Hollister, Lululemon, and Levi's. There are plenty of shoe stores as well, including Foot Locker and Vans.

Outside the mall, there are more stores just a few minutes away. The entire area is known as "Southcenter," and it contains many shopping plazas and centers. There's a large Old Navy in a complex called Parkway Super Center, where you can pick up clothes for all ages. For the littlest kids, there's also a Carter's location in Southcenter Square.

Bedroom & Dorm Supplies

Whether you're sending a kid to college or upgrading their bedroom at home, shopping for decorations and room essentials is an opportunity for them to express themselves and make their space their own. Tukwila's Southcenter shopping area includes a great Target, where you can get all the essentials, including furniture, bedding, decor, and storage solutions, plus appliances like electric tea kettles and coffee makers that make any space feel cozier. The Container Store inside Westfield Southcenter is a go-to for portable shelves and bins to utilize every nook and cranny in a small space. For the eclectic decorator, World Market is overflowing with colorful, globally-inspired touches such as throw pillows, frames, and small rugs. Nearby, IKEA Renton draws shoppers from near and far. You could easily spend an entire day exploring the staged living spaces, then stopping for a bite at the cafe.

School Supplies & Stationary

For fun school supplies and stationery, check out beloved Japanese store Daiso in Westfield Southcenter. It's known for its unique knick-knacks, cute paper products, and accessories such as washi tape. Outside the mall, just a few minutes away, you can also find a super cute stationery store, MochiThings. Owned by a Seattle couple, this relatively small shop has a very nice, curated selection. Still want more crafting supplies? There's also a Michaels, Hobby Lobby and HobbyTown.

Shop and Stay

Come for the shopping and stay for the family-friendly accommodations! There are dozens of hotels within minutes of Westfield Southcenter, such as the sleek, modern Hotel Interurban, Element Seattle Sea-Tac Airport, and Courtyard by Marriott Sea-Tac Area—all of which have pools, so the kids can splash, play, and burn off steam. Beyond the immediate area, more than 30 local hotels offer a free shuttle to the mall. Learn more about this convenient service, and browse our directory to find more options. You can filter your search to find hotels with pools, kitchenettes, free breakfast, free shuttles, and other family-friendly attributes.

Book a Hotel Room in Seattle Southside

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Nearby Attractions

Seattle Southside is full of all-ages attractions that kids and teens love, and many are within a 10-minute drive from the mall and hotels. Spends hours at Family Fun Center playing arcade games and mini golf, racing go-karts and bumper boats, and competing at laser tag; marvel at the magic of air and space travel at the Museum of Flight; or, take everyone bowling at one of several bowling lanes. And for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, treat the kids to the thrill of flying at iFLY Indoor Skydiving.

Pictured: Bumper Boats at Family Fun Center in Tukwila, Washington

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