No matter what time of the year it is, at some point the kids and the dogs start to make you crazy. If either one of those two is standing by the door, then it’s time to get them into the fresh air for some fun and exercise. State and local parks make a budget-friendly destination, so visit these places often.
Both kids and dogs are welcome at the following parks:
Silverdale Rotary Gateway Park – Silverdale
This 12-acre park on Silverdale Way NW includes a skate park for the kids, walking trails for you and a dog park for Rover. Restrooms are closed during the winter.
Howe Farm Park – Port Orchard
83 acres to roam with your dogs and your kids make this former farm a great place to wear everyone out. Including an off-leash area where your best friend can stretch their legs and chase their new friends from one end to the other. It is located on Long Lake Road SE.
The following are not dog-friendly, but kids love these places. They won’t even know they’re learning something.
Bug and Reptile Museum – Bremerton
The Bremerton Bug and Reptile Museum is not only awesome, it’s FREE. You won’t have to spend a dime getting your kids interested in bugs and reptiles unless you buy them something from the gift shop. They make it very educational to learn about reptiles from around the world as the museum staff explain the benefits of snakes, lizards and turtles.
While fascinating, you may want to discourage your kids from starting their own 8-foot long ant farm. Although you can buy your kids a starter ant farm, a grow your own frog kit or a worm farm. How much fun will that be at your house?
The kids might want to see a scorpion up close and personal or recoil from the Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches. Or maybe scream when they see a Tarantula. These and other insect residents like butterflies and praying mantises are ready to teach them about the world around them. Don’t be surprised if the boys try to scare the girls.
Kitsap Live Steamers Train Park – Port Orchard
Want something a little saner and quieter for the kids to do? Then hop on the Kitsap Live Steamer and take a trip through the calming quiet of the pines for 12 minutes. During that ride, you have a good chance of seeing wildlife like deer.
Trains run every 2nd and 4th Saturday from April until October.
Aurora Valentinetti Puppet Museum and Children’s Theatre – Bremerton
The Aurora Valentinetti Puppet Museum shares its doors with the Kitsap County Historical Society and Museum and is the home of puppets from around the world. The history of puppetry is on display in many of the exhibits in the museum, as well as giving insight into the artistry required to create puppets. From shadow puppets from Southern Thailand to Disney’s Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, there is something for everyone.
The museum is open a limited number of days, so contact them in advance to find out what hours they’re open.
Tag Zone – Bremerton
You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy the Tag Zone in Bremerton, but you do have to be at least 6-years old. Suit up and arm yourselves with Nerf weapons in controlled combat scenarios. The kids are supervised, so you can take the day off while they wear themselves out.
The Tag Zone offers several games like Squad vs Squad and Protect the Leader to name a few. All games are divided into as equal teams as possible. This makes the games fun for everyone.
They host birthday parties, too.
Battle Point Park – Bainbridge Island
Kids climbing the walls? Head over to Battle Point Park and let them climb the forts and treehouses in the kids’ recreational area of this historic destination. Once a former naval radio station, the 90.3 acres are now open to the public to enjoy ponds, trails, roller hockey, disc golf and basketball courts. Dogs are not welcome here, but there are so many things for the kids to do that we wanted to mention this park.
Traveling with Kids and Dogs
You know that both kids and dogs are hard on the interior of your vehicle, so here are some quick tips on how to keep the interior clean and fresh-smelling.
Baking Soda – If you use baking soda to clean your home, then you know it can clean and deodorize your vehicle, too. Sprinkle a little on the cloth interior parts and vacuum it off. It will remove odors.
Olive Oil – Take a microfiber cloth and rub a small amount of olive oil over your leather. Rub it in small circles. It will shine up the leather. Do this sparingly, or you’ll end up with a buildup.
Slime – Kids got Slime? Then use it to pick up dirt and grime from door handles and other places with tiny crevasses and cracks. It’s Slime; it will get into those cracks.
Foam Brush – Those small foam paintbrushes are the perfect tool for wiping down the louvres in your vents. Just run them inside the vents, and they will pick up any dust and dirt hidden there.
Need More Room
Now that you have all the places to go to on your map, do you have enough room in your vehicle? Maybe it’s time to buy a new car.
At Kitsap Auto Outlet, we can equip you with as much room as you need for those kids, dogs and all of their toys. From minivans to SUVs and everything in between our inventory is stocked and ready to roll. We also offer financing, so we can get you set up with the payments for your new ride. Look through our online showroom and pick out one that fits your family’s needs. Call us or stop by, and we’ll be happy to show it to you. Let’s see if all the kids fit.