Top Indoor Activities in Seattle Southside

12 Family-Friendly Fun Things to Do Indoors in Seattle Southside

Last Updated: September 4, 2026

If you're looking for indoor activities for kids near Seattle, you've come to the right place.

It's not an exaggeration to say that Seattle Southside is one of the most family-friendly regions in the country, with dozens of attractions, restaurants, and parks all within a short drive from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). Read on to find some fun, easy diversions you can enjoy year-round.

Seattle Chocolate
Family Fun Center
iFly Indoor Skydiving
Bowlero South Seattle
The Museum of Flight
Sky Zone Seattle
MaST Center
Westfield Southcenter
Waterland Arcade
Round 1: Bowling & Amusement
Stoke Mountain
Bellevue Badminton Club

Seattle Chocolate

Love the Willy Wonka movies? Then you can't miss a tour of Seattle Chocolate Factory. This hour-long, interactive experience is an insider's look into the chocolate-making process and the 60,000 square foot factory. On the tour, expect to taste plenty of sweets, learn about the history of chocolate and witness the hustle and bustle of chocolate makers at work. You'll also see how a truffle is carefully crafted, poured, molded, shaken and then run through a chocolate waterfall before it’s finally cooled and packaged. And of course, you'll want to stock up on delicious truffles at the store before you leave.

Family Fun Center

Looking for an easy way to fill an entire day with a group? Family Fun Center in Tukwila has an endless array of exciting activities that everyone in the family can enjoy. Play a round of mini golf, go bowling, race bumper boats and go-karts, or chase each other through the laser tag facility. There's also a max flight roller coaster simulator, a four-level Kidopolis playspace, and the Screamin’ Swing!

Travel Tip: While there, grab a tasty meal at Bullwinke's Restaurant, which has great pizza and other kid-friendly dishes.

Pictured: Family Fun Center in Tukwila is a kid's paradise where the hours fly by as you try out different areas and activities.

iFly Indoor Skydiving

Want to know what it feels like to fly? Now you can at iFly Indoor Skydiving. Put on a special suit and step into the vertical wind column. Hold on tight, because as soon as the powerful fans are started, you can take a smooth ride through the air. No previous experience is necessary, as there are expert instructors there to guide you through the experience, and the training class will give you all the fundamentals. Just show up ready to fly! And in case you're worried about an age limit, note that this is a great activity for kids (it's open to people "aged 3-103"!). iFLY also has an All Abilities program that makes it one of the most accessible attractions in the region..

Bowlero South Seattle

Bowlero puts a stylish, modern spin on the classic bowling alley, bringing together 30 state-of-the-art lanes, billiards, arcade games, an on-site restaurant, and a bar and lounge in a smoke-free environment. Large projection screens, high-definition TVs, and a cutting-edge sound system keep the energy high throughout the venue.

For a more exclusive experience, reserve one of 10 private lanes featuring comfortable lounge seating and access to an adjoining 700-square-foot meeting room. Guests can also shoot pool on one of seven billiards tables or test their skills on 30 arcade games. From family outings and date nights to parties and group events, Bowlero offers all-ages entertainment for nearly any occasion.

The Museum of Flight

Experience the wonder of flight at The Museum of Flight. With more than 85 historic aircraft, interactive exhibits, and family activities, this museum will turn anyone into an explorer. See the world’s first fighter plane from WWI or the supersonic Concorde. Test out the aerobatic flight of the X-Pilot motion simulator and explore the Red Barn – the workshop where Bill Boeing built his first airplane.

This is also a great activity for people of all ages. In the Kids Flight Zone, young people can explore aviation through hands-on activities, including hang-gliding simulators, real aircraft cockpits, a wind machine, working engine models, and interactive flight controls. Preschoolers can play with plush airplanes near a mini air traffic control tower, while young artists can enjoy coloring sheets and create their own gallery using magnets inspired by the Museum’s collection.

Travel Tip: Combine your visit with lunch at Wings Cafe, which has both indoor and outdoor seating. The patio gives you a view of real planes taking off at nearby Boeing Field.

Sky Zone Seattle

The world’s largest extreme air sports park is in Tukwila! What is an extreme air sports park, you ask? Imagine a huge, indoor free-running, trampoline jumping, parkour paradise. There are trampolines, foam pits, obstacles, climbing walls, basketball hoops and so much more. Kids will have a blast running/jumping wild through the warehouse and adults will too! If you’ve got a kid that’s bouncing off the walls or if you’re an adult looking to feel like a kid again, Sky Zone is the place for you!

MaST Center

The Marine Science and Technology (MaST) Center has 11 aquariums, including two touch tanks. The Center is the marine science laboratory for Highline Community College. It also offers a twice monthly speaker series and "Live Dive" on the second Saturday of each month. The MaST Center is dedicated to expanding knowledge about the Puget Sound and the surrounding environment through teaching, outreach, and research. The 2,500 square-foot facility offers public space, classroom, laboratories, offices, research areas with state-of-the-art equipment and an aquarium. The Aquarium holds over 15 tanks totaling approximately 3,000 gallons of flow-through seawater, and displays over 250 native Puget Sound marine species. Public Aquarium Hours: Saturdays 10am-2pm (check the website to confirm before visiting). All events are free.

Westfield Southcenter

Westfield Southcenter is one of the largest retail destinations in the Pacific Northwest. Explore 225 retailers selling clothing, toys, collectibles, and anything else you can imagine. See our guide on Things to Do with Westfield Southcenter with Kids for lots of ideas on where to take the family.

The mall is also a dining hub, with national brands such as BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse, Cheesecake Factory, Din Tai Fung, and Olive Garden, and regional favorites Duke's Seafood and Moctezuma's Mexican Restaurant. Those looking for a quick bite will enjoy dramatic views of Mt. Rainier from the center's dining terrace, which has more than a dozen fast-casual eateries.

Without even leaving the mall, you can fill the day with activities. See a movie at AMC Southcenter, check out bowling, private karaoke, and arcades at Round1 Bowling & Amusement, or check out unique, 60-minute experiences at Great Big Game Show and The Escape Game.

Waterland Arcade

Located just off the Des Moines Marina, the Waterland Arcade effortlessly combines a classic pinball/arcade for all ages with a craft beer bar for adults. The goal of the Waterland Arcade is to be a fun, safe, family-friendly spot for nostalgic entertainment. There are pinball machines, wax pack trading cards, vinyl records, stand-up and sit-down video games, air hockey, skee-ball, pop-a-shot, racing games and Virtual Reality.

Round1 Bowling & Amusement

Round1 Bowling & Amusement is a state-of-the-art facility that will keep the whole family entertained for hours. With 14 bowling alleys, private karaoke booths, tournament sized billiards, and top-of-the-line, exclusive arcade games, there's simply no time to get bored. You can also get beer, wine, and food, so you don't even have to leave the building to fuel up and get packed to the fun.

Stoke Mountain

Bring the excitement of the slopes indoors at Stoke Mountain, where visitors can ski or snowboard on machines that create the sensation of an endless run on real snow. Take a skiing or snowboarding lesson, practice boxes, rails, and small jumps in the drop-in freestyle terrain park, or build endurance on adjustable Nordic ski machines. Gear availability varies for other activities, so check the website before visiting. Lessons can be booked up to 24 hours in advance, but reserving at least a week ahead is recommended.

Travel Tip: After your session, grab a bite or relax at the on-site café.

Bellevue Badminton Club - Southcenter

Grab a racket and get ready to rally at Bellevue Badminton Club’s Southcenter location in Tukwila. While the court has many regular members, nonmembers can purchase a one-day membership. Just be sure to reserve a court in advance on the facility website (walk-ins are not allowed). Rackets and court shoes are available to rent, so you can join the fun even if you don’t have your own gear. The facility also hosts classes, private lessons, and tournaments, so if you fall in love with it, you'll have plenty of ways to keep engaging with the sport and the community.

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