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"Experience" gift for 3 yo nephew

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Started 2 years ago by Betsy
Latest reply from HeatherHeather

Betsy

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I'm trying to come up with a fun experience gift to give my 3 year old nephew and his family. They have tons of toys for him and little space, plus they already have a membership to the zoo. The little boy loves lots of things but the last time he came over to play at my house, he borrowed my hard hat and safety vest and we walked around the neighborhood checking storm drains. Is there such a thing as a construction equipment petting museum? Any suggestions? Thanks!

Posted 2 years ago #
DDF

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Go to the Arena Sports place at Magnusun (sp?) Park, and hit the inflatable bouncy houses. He will love it, and will get very tired at the same time. Not for the entire family, but it's sure fun to watch the little kids have a blast.

Posted 2 years ago #
Gilman Girl

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I was talking to a buddy the other day.
He said he had / is donating a bunch of his antique tools to the Phinney Community Center. Sounds like they might have an area to view / use them.

Posted 2 years ago #
Gilman Girl

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DDF, the soundgarden is cool too.

Posted 2 years ago #
DDF

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What's the soundgarden?

Posted 2 years ago #
Gilman Girl

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!
Someone else can chime in on this reply if they want.
In Mag. park there is a place you can walk to where there are these 'things' that when the wind blows them, they make noises and sway in the wind. Kinda look like oars stuck in the ground.
I believe that is where Soundgarden got their name.
Can anyone explain what part of the park this is at? It's been along time since I've been out there.

Posted 2 years ago #
Alferd Packer

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Betsy,

And you can always take him to a fire station ... The one in Crown Hill (15th and Holman) has an old historic engine inside. Fire engines have tons of stuff interesting to 3-yr olds. It may not be what you think is interesting.

When my daughter was about 3, she loved to come to the hardware store with me and check out all the bolts and screws.

Also there's a guy here in Ballard who gives away a die cast car to anybody that comes by. One of the neighbor kids was there and he couldn't stop talking about all the cars. Don't know if he's still around, but here's a link to a forum post: http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=5349

Enjoy!

Posted 2 years ago #
great idea

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GG
If you go to the off-leash area at Magnuson, right before you get to the water there is a turn off to the North that leads to the soundgarten.

I'm sure you can get there w/o going through the dog park, but seeing as there aren't any angry neighbors taking pictures of you, I'd recommend this shortcut.

I would also suggest a T-Birds game for the 3 year old!

Posted 2 years ago #
wally

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The Soundgarden (and, yes, the band is named after it) is located at Sandpoint/Magnuson Park next to NOAA. Because NOAA is a sensitive federal facility, I believe that access to the Soundgarden has been restricted (i.e., has not been allowed) for a long time. Please let me know if I'm wrong, because I would love to go back.

You could take him to the Children's Museum (or get a membership) at the Seattle Center. It's in the basement of the Center House. They have lots of areas for playing. In addition to the construction play area (sponsored by Dunn Lumber, I think), they have the following play areas: grocery store, cafe, fire engine, metro bus, mountain/camping, international village, cog/gear area, etc. I bet your nephew would totally dig it. Note to all, an adult is not allowed to enter unless accompanied by a child.

Posted 2 years ago #
johnnycat

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From Seattle Parks page:
NOTE: Due to security concerns, access to NOAA and the Art Walk has been restricted. Photo ID is required to enter (such as a student ID, state driver's license, etc.). All visitors must use NOAA's main access road and stop at the security guard station for access. NOAA's main gate is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Visitors can walk in (but cannot drive in) to Art Walk and Sound Garden. Backpacks will be searched; picnic baskets and other large containers are not allowed. NOAA's back gate is open as well Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., so visitors can pass between NOAA property and Magnuson Park. No access on weekends. For more information, contact NOAA site facility manager at (206) 526-6163 or view NOAA's website at http://www.wrc.noaa.gov/

Posted 2 years ago #
great idea

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that's a real bummer. I haven't been there in years, but used to always check out the soundgarten on windy days. there were quite a few interesting art pieces along that walk (not to mention the weird glistening tiles on their building, which made it look extra eerie).

I thought NOAA was moving to Oregon? maybe they'll give that parcel back to the park.

Posted 2 years ago #
Apple

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He may be a bit young but it seems like a three year old might like climbing at Stone Gardens.

Posted 2 years ago #
Betsy

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Thanks for the tips - all of these ideas sound like fun!

Posted 2 years ago #
Ballard Dad

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you could take a tour of a wastewater treatment plant. Try the westpoint plant or south plant. Very cool!

Posted 2 years ago #
Ballard Dad

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you could take a tour of a wastewater treatment plant. Try the westpoint plant or south plant. Very cool!

Posted 2 years ago #
HeatherHeather

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Not super close, but the Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie is a blast for kids.
http://www.trainmuseum.org/
You can ride the rain to the falls and back and walk all over the vintage trains. Shop full of fun train toys as well (I had fun as an adult!)

Posted 2 years ago #
apayne613

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A trip/membership or gift certificate to the Seattle Children's Museum at Seattle Center would be fun. Lots of great stuff for kids to do there. My daughter loves it!! http://thechildrensmuseum.org/

Also, Go Dog Go is playing at the Seattle Children's theatre... I've heard it's a great show!

Posted 2 years ago #
boatgeek

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Space to Create (spacetocreate.net) has some cool art classes for kids (and adults) of all ages.

Posted 2 years ago #
SmartsyArtsy

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Wow, I want to do some of these things. I have been going to Magnuson frequently for over 3 years and never heard of the soundgarten.

johnnycat: thanks for the info.

My idea is quite different: let him take you--just you, his favorite aunt-- out to dinner. My nephew was 3 when he did this and, at 32, he still smiles as he remembers that evening.

Straight from work, I went to his home. He came down the stairs dressed like a little man: red izod polo, khakis, and his hair slicked back. He whispered that he was wearing his daddy's perfume. We went to a neighborhood restaurant where he told the waitress that we both wanted pasta & trees (broccoli; he had had that several times before). My SIL had put the cash in his pocket and he gave it to the waitress when she brought the check. Very memorable for both of us.

Posted 2 years ago #
LY

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One can usually hear the Soundgarden from the off leash area. You can see it and when the wind is up, it can be heard. I love stopping and listening to it. On a weekday.

Children's Museum is always a winner. As well the under 5 area in the Pacific Science Center. Do they still have that?

Posted 2 years ago #
Cate

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Seattle Science Center has lots of "neat" stuff, both mechanical and techie. Some will be over his head but still lots that won't be.

Crawling around the Fremont Troll is good slightly scary fun at age three.

The Aquarium on a rainy day because it's covered and it has sewer pipes on display you can crawl in.

Farther away -Point Defiance Park in Tacoma - particularly the sections devoted to railways and the aquarium/zoo (different animals then Seattle has.)

Close by - The locks and fish ladders, particularly when the salmon are running. Cool turbines to look at.

Take Amtrak down to Tacoma and back. Watch men (and women) play with fire at the glass museum - they have family days every so often.

But the already mentioned Children's Museum and the Seattle Children's Theater are my favorites.

Posted 2 years ago #
GTS206

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Sky HIgh Jump in Bellevue - indoor trampolines they have an area just for little kids super fun!

Posted 2 years ago #
angeline

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If you don't want to give a one-time thing you could get a punchcard to the open playtimes at Gymboree or Seattle Gymnastics Academy in Ballard (assuming he is normally at home with a parent who could take him to these places and enjoy watching him tire himself off).

Posted 2 years ago #
Betsy

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Thanks again everybody. These are great ideas for a gift and for just hanging with my nephew.

Posted 2 years ago #
ballardpilot

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The restrictions in accessing the so-called "sensitive areas" were imposed days after the Sept 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on NYC. The concern was that Al Aaeda might attack the NOAA office buildings there as a way to bring America to its knees. Seriously. So large areas were declared off limits - including one of my favorite places in Seattle, a quiet spot with beautiful stone benches on the north shore of the park, right on the water. It was a lovely place to sit and just be quiet, watching the lake. All of these areas are now restricted. because some idiot really thought that Osama bin Laden would strike a death-blow to America by, standing outside a NOAA building and, well, setting his underpants on fire or something.

Morons.

Posted 2 years ago #
boatgeek

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Total threadjack. The US government's safety research lab in Spokane had to put in a massive security system and blast-proof windows because it was (a) a government building and (b) theoretically within bomb range of the street. I think they also had to cut down some old trees that overhung the building because the turrurrists might gain entry, thus enabling them to cripple the US with their detailed knowledge of respirator technology. Or something.

Now that I think back on it, with the bomb found on the MLK parade route in Spokane, maybe it wasn't such a bad idea.

Posted 2 years ago #
Mr. Crankypants

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What about The Museum of History and Industry? I loved that place as a kid, especially the periscope!

Posted 2 years ago #
ballardmike

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Cardboard box and Markers... let him go crazy.

Posted 2 years ago #
HeatherHeather

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Living Social just announced they will be launching a "family edition" soon, you can sign up for it on their website:
http://livingsocial.com/deals
(I think there is a little happy ad for it on the left side on the bottom)

They advertised that it will offer deals on museums, zoo, attractions, stuff like that.

Posted 2 years ago #