Things to Do With Children in Port Orchard, Washington

Located 21 miles west of Seattle across the Puget Sound, the city of Port Orchard, Washington provides several activities to do with kids. According to the 2011 U.S. census estimate, the population is 11,333. Although it is relatively small, Bremerton and Bainbridge Island are just north of the town and also offer many attractions suitable for children.

  1. Play Places

    • Sk8 Town (sk8townpo.com) is a roller skating rink ideal for a night out with the kids. It offers family pack deals with skate rental and dinner included. Often the center will host roller derby events which would be fun to attend. Imagination Station (imaginationstationenrichmentcenter.com) has an indoor play center for children up to 6 years old. Parents and children are welcome to play on the many structures including a climbing clubhouse, slide, kitchen play area and a toddler area. Eight miles from Port Orchard in Bremerton is Claywerks (claywerks.com). Children and adults can create pottery and sculptures together in this art studio.

    Museums

    • Bremerton is also home to a Bug Museum (bugmuseum.com). You and your children can explore many live bug exhibits, look under the microscope at insects, see what a bug sees and witness the active eight-foot ant farm. The Kids Discovery Museum (kidimu.org) may be worth the 36-mile drive to Bainbridge Island. It features hands-on exhibits to explore with the kids, including a tree house to climb on, a science hall, an art studio and a mini town. Kids can learn as they play in these interactive displays.

    Tours and Adventure

    • Taking the kids on a boat tour would be enjoyable for everyone. Tillicum Village (tillicumvillage.com) has cruises that leave Bremerton and take you on a four-hour tour of Puget Sound before arriving in the village. There you will be able to sample the salmon bake. Eleven miles to the south of Port Orchard in Olalla is Pets Galore Horse Rides (petsgalorehorserides.com). Children and adults can go horseback riding in varying degrees of length. Lessons are available for anyone wanting to learn more about riding. Quad rides are also featured.

    Parks

    • Banner Forest Heritage Park (no website; Banner Rd.; 360-337-5350) is a natural 635-acre wildlife preserve with several hiking and equestrian trails. Kids would enjoy looking for various animals in their natural habitat hiking through this thickly forested area. Veterans Memorial Park (no website; Retsill Rd.; 360-876-4407) is a city park with playgrounds, open fields and picnic areas. Jackson Park (no website; Jackson Rd.; 360-876-4407) is also a city park with play fields, a model railroad club and a paintball arena.

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