Fun Activities for Kids on Whidbey Island
Whidbey Island is a wonderful place to go with kids of all ages. Here are some of our favorite things to do to keep our little ones busy while staying at Goss Lake.
1) Ebey’s Landing
It’s a little bit of a drive, but it’s truly our favorite place to be!
Logistics: Open from dawn to dusk daily. Drive North on Highway 20. Go through Coupeville. Turn west on Main street. It will turn into Engles Rd. Then turn right on Hill Road. Follow the road through the trees and down the hill. Park in the lower parking lot. More details here.
Details: Ebey’s Landing is a 554-acre reserve. It’s one of Western Washington’s most popular coastal trails. You’ll see Douglas Fir trees and rare golden paintbrush plants, beautiful wetlands, prairie habitats and a coastal bluff with incredible sweeping views of the Olympic Peninsula and the Strait de Juan de Fuca.
Why we love it: Enjoy sweeping views spanning from Mount Rainier in the South to the Cascade Mountains in the East. The coastal bluff trail is about a three-mile loop hike, mostly level with some steep, sandy sections. The beach is mostly rocky. You might find it sandier at low tide. Kids could find some really pretty sea pebbles to put in their pockets and polish later. The trail might be too hard for small children (under five) to walk because there are some really steep hills. But hanging out at the beach is still magical. You will see wildlife such as bald eagles, red-tailed hawks and coastal seabirds… and even gray whales in the offshore waters during spring and summer months.
Kid tip! Print the treasure map ahead of time for the kids to explore and enjoy this amazing place! Ebeys Eagle Eye Treasure Map
2) Double Bluff’s State Park (a.k.a. Useless Bay Tidelands) and Off-leash Area
Details: From the Mukilteo ferry terminal drive north on Hwy 525 for 8.3 miles. Turn left on Double Bluff Road and follow to the end. Social dogs allowed off-leash. More details here.
Best place ever for tide pooling especially on a sunny spring day. So grab your bucket and rain boots just in case! You’ll see beautiful sunsets as well.
Why we love it: There are forts made out of logs and dogs galore!
Parent tip: Bring some towels because it gets messy. Also it might not be the best place if your kids are afraid of dogs.
3) Orca Network, Langley Whale Center
Details: 105 Anthes Ave. Langley. Thurs- Sun 9am-5pm. More info here.
Why we love it: Their goal is to connect whales to people. They have whale sighting networks and educational programs and projects. Kids can learn all about whales and other marine mammals of the Salish Sea.
Parent tip: There is a gift shop where all the proceeds go to supporting the whales.
4) South Whidbey Community Park
Details: Open 8:30 am- 8pm. 5495 Maxwelton Road, Langley.
Why we love it: Our grandkids love the huge castle themed playground, paved paths for bikes or scooters, skate park and soccer fields. Even better, it is surrounded by walkable forest trails. And, the BBQs and picnic tables make it a great place to spend a lazy afternoon. More details here.
Kid tip: In the autumn and winter, hunt for mushrooms! Don’t touch or eat them as they are mostly poisonous, but it’s fun to take photos and count how many different kinds you can find.
5) Chocolate Flower Farm
Details: Saratoga Rd. Right outside Langley; Open 10am-5pm daily. More details here.
Why we love it: All of the flowers there smell like chocolate! This specialty plant nursery features rare dark colored plants, like the chocolate cosmos.
Parent tip: You can buy seed packets and try your luck at home! They also have raspberry chocolate jam, chocolate-scented candles, and lotions for sale.
6) Dog and Boy Park
Details: 170 First Street, Langley. More details here.
Why we love it: It’s right downtown in Langley. Grab some lunch, go for a walk and check out all the tide pools at low tide!
Parent tip: Great place for kids and dogs!
7) MeerKirk Gardens
Details: 3531 MeerKirk Lane, GreenBank; Open 7 days a week from 9am-4pm. More info here.
Why we love it: Beautiful gardens and trails. In the spring you’ll see daffodils, tulips, rhododendrons, and forests. It would be the perfect little way to spend an hour or two.
Parent tip: It’s most pleasant to visit here Mar - June, when flowers are blossoming but before it gets too crowded.
8) Freeland Park
Details: 1535 Shoreview Dr, Freeland. Best time to visit is the morning. It gets pretty busy later in the afternoon. More details here.
Why we love it: The playground is a nice size and it overlooks the water; there are also picnic tables and BBQs and a boat launch. Watch out for low tide though as the beach is muddy and it is easy to sink up to your thighs.
Parent tip: Get a clamming license and go clamming! Or, swing by Payless Foods right up the street on your way home for fresh shellfish on Tuesdays and Fridays.
9) Casey’s Crafts
Details: 4485 State Route 525 Ste 2, Langley. More details here.
Why we love it: This is a fun little craft store and we love locally-owned, small businesses. My 4-year-old granddaughter loves going there with her uncle. There are fun crafts, paints, markers, stickers, everything and anything a little boy or girl would want to craft on a cozy rainy day.
10) Whidbey Donuts
Details: 5603 Bayview Road, Langley, WA 98260; open 6am - 8pm every day. More details here.
Why we love it: Donuts! So delicious you can smell them from the parking lot. The breakfast sandwiches on donut bread are to die for.
Parent tip: They have bags of donut holes for a few dollars - perfect (and SMALL) treats for little ones.
11) Goss Lake
Details: On Lakeside Drive, just down the road from our house, there is a lake entrance to Goss Lake where kids can paddle board, canoe, fish and splash in the water. Bring water floaters, motorless crafts, pails and buckets and a picnic basket! No dogs or alcohol allowed.
Why we love it: We spent many a summer afternoon there and plan on many many more. It’s just a five minute walk from our front door to the entrance. It’s also a lovely two mile walk around the lake. You do share the road with cars, but they are very aware of people walking, because it’s a popular path.
