If they’ve lost interest in their toys and boredom begins to set in, sometimes our formerly preoccupied kiddos can become quite the handful on their quest for fun. When this happens, it’s typically a sign that the young ones are craving something new and exciting, much like adults do when they get tired of the same routine. Lucky for parents in the Wenatchee community, there are plenty of unique places in the area where kids can have fun and break their routines!
Rocky Reach Discovery Center
6151 US-97 ALT, Wenatchee
509.663.7522
Driving through the heavily guarded gates of the Rocky Reach Discovery Center may feel as if you’re entering a top-secret military base, but the discovery center is actually as family-friendly as it gets, so there’s nothing to fear! After an $8 million renovation, this free museum is a can’t-miss hit for the kiddos who can enjoy three floors full of fun and excitement.
Bonus: this discovery center is all about unique learning for the kids, so while they may be having fun, they’re also learning about specific workings of the wonderful Wenatchee community. For instance, one area focuses on the relationship between the Columbia River and Wenatchee’s Indigenous Peoples, while on the mid-level, they can learn how the dam provides electricity to the valley. Plus, the playroom is full of interactive activities where the kiddos can fish, complete puzzles, or play with magnets for as long as their little heart’s desire!
Cashmere Museum & Pioneer Village
600 Cotlets Way, Cashmere
509.782.3230
Just a short drive to Cashmere leads the way to a fun-filled place that promises to engage, entertain, and educate your kiddos, known as Cashmere Museum & Pioneer Village. The museum features two levels of Native American artifacts, Natural History exhibits, geological specimens, taxidermy, ornithology and pioneer objects, all within 13,000 square feet.
You’ll also travel back in time while exploring the Pioneer Village, which consists of furnished authentic local cabins, a waterwheel, a series of Great Northern Railway buildings, and well-kept grounds to picnic. Be sure to stop at the gift shop after touring the museum and village for some amazing keepsakes that include books, local art, rocks, minerals, fossils, furs, present-day replica artifacts, and even perfect gift ideas!
Riverfront Rock Gym
1319 Walla Walla Ave., Wenatchee
509.888.2427
Kiddos can enjoy letting their inner Tarzan run wild as they enjoy family-friendly rock wall climbing at Riverfront Rock Gym. Fourteen thousand square feet of lead, top rope, and boulder features await inside the gym, where kids can climb to new heights. Also within the gym is the lovely Last Pitch Café serving good food, espresso, and beer and wine for the mamas and papas watching their kiddos at play.
For those little climbers that take a shine to climbing, they offer a youth climbing club that they can sign up for and enjoy team-building activities, build confidence, make new friends, and learn more about the sport of rock climbing. Climbers looking to make a serious commitment to the sport can join the Youth Team, where they’ll practice structured drills and climbing-specific exercises to improve their performance and prepare for climbing in a more competitive setting.
Town Toyota Center
1300 Walla Walla Ave., Wenatchee
509.667.7847
Kiddos can hit the ice any time of year at Town Toyota Center, where they promise you’ll find skating that is fun, healthy, and affordable. Their public skating hours allow kids ages three and up to practice their moves at their own pace while they grow their confidence and sharpen their skills. Each session lasts 90 minutes and only costs ten dollars per person and an additional five dollars for skates if you need to rent a pair from the center.
They even offer skating lessons for those kiddos looking to learn, and once they’ve gotten the hang of it, they can sign up for spin, spiral, and jump lessons! Just be sure to check the calendar before you head on over, as public skating times vary.
So, the next time your kiddo says they’re bored, have no fear! The Wenatchee community has plenty of fun, unique places where your kids can have fun and do something different!
