Kids & Families
PowellsWood Welcomes Kids & Families
Play and nature meet outdoors at PowellsWood, where children 12 and under visit free.
For parents, grandparents, and guardians looking for quiet time outdoors with little ones, PowellsWood has long been a go-to destination between Seattle and Tacoma in the city of Federal Way.
Our new Children’s Garden is designed especially for ages 3-10. But all eight of our enclosed “garden rooms” provide lush, natural spaces for supervised kids to wander and explore, while staying within clear sight-lines of their grownups. Nature is for everyone.
Use the Q&A below to plan a PowellsWood outing with your family. Before you visit, review our full Visiting Guidelines on our Plan Your Visit page.
Scavenger Hunt
To locate a copy of the Scavenger Hunt, visit the Children’s Garden and look for a wicker basket. Depending on the weather that day, scavenger hunt sheets may be kept outside, or tucked just inside The Forest House.
Once your hunt has ended, please return the sheet to its basket for the next group of players to enjoy.
Forest Observation Walk
What do families do on a self-guided Forest Observation Walk? Slow down and take a deeper look at the living systems that support our native woodlands. To find the cards for the Forest Observation Walk, make your way to our Children's Garden and step inside The Forest House. After you finish your Forest Observation Walk, return the cards back to The Forest House for the next guests to enjoy.
Story Walk (SEASONAL)
Lace up your hiking boots and head to the Children’s Garden to immerse yourself in the world of Paco the Pacific Treefrog, and Nora the Northwestern Salamander.
Tales from the Shallows follows two young amphibians as they find their place in the wild, and their way home.
Each “page” is printed on large panels along a short, loop trail off the Children’s Garden, taking about 20-30 minutes to complete.
The Story Walk is typically on display from late spring through early fall.
Due to stairs and uneven terrain, this activity is not stroller-friendly.
FAQs
Are there restrooms?
1
Yes, there are restrooms located near the parking area. However, there are currently no changing tables.
May I bring in food and drink?
2
We know little ones need lots of fuel! There are no refreshments or concessions for sale. Guests are encouraged to bring snacks and drinks, provided they pack out all their trash and leave no trace in the garden.
Can I bring a stroller or a wheelchair?
3
Due to uneven terrain and occasional stairs, not all paths at PowellsWood are friendly for strollers, walkers, and wheelchairs. Some guests find it helpful to view our virtual tour before they decide to visit. The garden is arranged in a loop. To avoid stairs, pass the main entrance. Park at the lower parking area, enter in the Woodland Garden, and move in a clockwise direction. Please, no wheels in the moss garden, and tread lightly on foot. It is easily damaged.
VIRTUAL TOUR: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/231eee9ae6414366a272c450e90406ca
Are there special Children’s programs?
4
PowellsWood occasionally offers nature-based educational programming for children. To learn about these opportunities, sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media.
What should I bring?
1
We recommend comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, water, and snacks, especially for younger guests.
How long does a family visit usually last?
2
Most families spend 60 to 90 minutes exploring PowellsWood.
What can families do at PowellsWood?
3
Our Children’s Garden and nearby Woodland Garden are ideal environments for visiting with toddlers and young children. Our Children’s Garden offers natural play structures, easy paths, and a Forest House with a 360-degree mural. Kids age 3-7 enjoy our Children’s Garden Scavenger Hunt, while families with older children and teens enjoy our 30-minute Forest Observation Walk through the Woodland Garden.
PowellsWood consists of a 3-acre cultivated garden with eight distinct garden rooms (including the Children’s Garden); and a 37-acre wooded nature preserve with a one-mile loop trail on more rugged terrain, which is not recommended for toddlers or anyone with mobility limitations.
What else?
4
Children must be supervised at all times. Before you visit, double-check our hours and review our full Visiting Guidelines on our Plan Your Visit page.
Buy Tickets Now—or Better Yet, Join Today!
Children 12 & under visit free, but members of all ages enjoy unlimited free visits, guest privileges, and special invitations.
