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Yes, I want to support My MLTnews!Parenting is a Thousand Small But Joyful Goodbyes
My youngest child, Phoenix, turns 15 on Monday. He’s a bit of a late bloomer, like a puppy with oversized paws, still growing into his big feet and hands. The scatter of freckles across his nose makes it easy for me to forget how deep into his teens he truly is, but it’s hitting me hard this week. Lately, every time I see him, he looks a little taller, a little older, and his voice sounds just a bit deeper.
I’m realizing that the empty nest grief that we are all warned about as parents doesn’t just hit when our kids get ready leave home. It happens over thousands of small moments. It’s letting go of parts of the baby, the child and the teen as they grow.
It felt easier with my older two because there was always someone coming up behind them. Phoenix’s milestones feel more final. I’ve celebrated two 15th birthdays with my kids before this one. I’ve just never been here knowing it’s the last time we’ll put 15 candles on a cake. But there is also so much joy that comes with watching my kids grow into the wonderful people they are meant to be.
The best way to combat those little pangs of grief? Drinking in who your children are, right now, in this moment. If you’re looking for ways to get your own crew together this week, here’s a roundup of family friendly events and activities. Come back every Monday for more ideas, and explore the community resources at the bottom of this column if you’re looking for ways to give back or need support. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for fresh posts and weekend reminders.
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Free Fun
Celebrate Earth Day by Giving Back
Join one of these free volunteer events to honor Earth Day.
- Pine Ridge Park Volunteer Party (Edmonds)
Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m. to noon
Join neighbors for an Earth Day volunteer event at Pine Ridge Park to help remove invasive plants and restore native forest habitat alongside Edmonds Stewards from Sound Salmon Solutions. The event marks a final push to clear ivy, holly and other invasives before mulch and native plantings are added later this year - Save Our Salmon Earth Day Event (Tulalip)
Wednesday, April 22, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Celebrate Earth Day at Greg Williams Court in Tulalip Bay by learning how you can give back. The event is free and open to all ages, featuring planting projects, a community clean-up challenge, food demonstrations, environmental education and local resources focused on protecting waterways and improving salmon habitat.
Listen to Music at Musicology Co. in Edmonds
Explore the latest music at the coolest record store in the region. Musicology Co. is a vibrant, woman-owned music boutique and record store offering new and used vinyl, CDs and cassettes, with a strong focus on spotlighting local artists through live in-store performances and a curated music‑lover experience. Drop in for an upcoming live performance or Listening Party.
Events this week:
- Monday, April 20, 6-7 p.m.: Intro to Turntableism with DJ Jointz (registration required)
- Tuesday, April 21, 5-6 p.m.: Listening Party — Noah Kahan — The Great Divide
- Saturday, April 25, 6-7 p.m.: Jim Basnight
Become a Transit Pro, Get Help with College Financial Aid, Explore Science and More at Sno-Isle Libraries
Sno‑Isle Libraries regularly hosts a variety of free, family friendly events, such as baby and toddler storytimes, book talks, crafts and community gatherings, across its branches and online throughout the year. Find one at the library near you and check out some books to read while you’re there.
Curious preschoolers and their caregivers are invited to the Lynnwood Library every Monday at 2 p.m. for Little Science Lab with Imagine Children’s Museum. Kids can dive into fun, hands-on experiments and discover the wonders of science and math together.
On Tuesdays from 4-6 p.m., drop in to the Lynnwood Library for free Homework Help, where volunteers are available to assist students in grades K-12 with school assignments. No registration is required. Just bring the work you’re working on. Assistance is offered on a first-come, first-served basis and is a great way for students to get a little extra support after school.
On Wednesday, April 22, 1–2 p.m., learn how to make the most of public transit at this helpful session at the Lynnwood Library. This free, all-ages class will walk through how to ride, save money with an ORCA card and build confidence using buses and other transit options. Youth 18 and younger ride transit free, so this is a great option for teens who don’t drive but want more ways to get around.
Students and families can get help navigating financial aid for college at this free event on Saturday, April 25, 12:30–2 p.m. at the Lynnwood Library. Library staff and community volunteers will assist with creating a StudentAid.gov account and completing financial aid forms, including FAFSA or WASFA. Laptops will be available, and each family will be given a gift card. The event is offered in both English and Spanish.
Registration is required for many events, so check out Sno-Isle Libraries’ event calendar link below for more details.
Silver Creek Indoor Play Park
Mondays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Need to get out of the house? Bring young kids to the free Indoor Playpark at Lynnwood’s Silver Creek Family Church to hang out and play. Parents can enjoy some coffee or tea while kids play with the indoor toys.
Lynnwood Idol: Singing Competition for Local Kids & Teens
Students in the Edmonds School District are invited to audition for Lynnwood Idol 2026, a free solo singing competition presented by the Lynnwood Arts Commission and Lynnwood Parks & Recreation Foundation. Singers in grades K–5 and 6–12 will compete through a video submission round, with finalists advancing to a live audition May 31 at Edmonds College’s Black Box Theatre.
Winners in each category receive $500 and the opportunity to perform at Lynnwood CELEBRATE! on June 26, while runners-up receive $250. Applications and audition videos are due April 30, and finalists will be announced May 15.
Cheap Thrills
Earth Day at Everett Children’s Museum
Wednesday, April 22, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission required
Celebrate Earth Day with hands-on activities that inspire kids to care for our planet through interactive recycling games, recycled art projects, and more. Kids can explore a “clean the water” sensory bin and enjoy stories that highlight how small actions can help protect the Earth for people, animals and nature.
Snohomish Garden Club’s Annual Plant Sale
Saturday, April 25, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
At the Farm at Swan’s Trail
This spring fundraiser features a wide variety of plants for home gardens, including perennials, annuals, herbs, veggie starts, shrubs, trees, native plants and garden extras. Proceeds support the club’s community projects, including youth garden education grants, scholarships, and public landscaping efforts like downtown flower baskets
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
Did you know that three-quarters of the nation’s commercial tulips are grown in the Skagit Valley? Only about an hour north of Edmonds, the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is the perfect sunny spring day adventure for families, featuring landscapes drenched in colorful tulips and daffodils.
Visit working farms in Mount Vernon and surrounding towns for the perfect family photo opportunity. Bloom timing varies by weather, so read this handy guide from ParentMap before you head out. They are currently listed as in “full bloom” so don’t miss your chance to see them.
Several farms, including RoozenGaarde, Tulip Town, Garden Rosalyn and Tulip Valley Farms, offer walkable fields and extras like food vendors and fun activities. Be prepared for bugs, mud, and seasonal rain. Rain boots recommended.
Explore the Cabin Fever Market in Edmonds
On 5th Avenue North (just north of the fountain) between Main and Bell Streets
On Saturday, April 25, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Winter Market in downtown Edmonds has a new name: Cabin Fever Market. Explore the monthly market by browsing fresh produce, handmade goods and tasty treats. Connect with the makers and neighbors who make our community feel so vibrant
Explore Local Drop-in Child Care Options
Need a night off from parenting? Several local spots offer childcare with an evening of fun for kids.
- Drop-in child care at KidsPark in Lynnwood. Flexible schedules.
- Drop-in playcare at Time4Kidz Lynnwood. Flexible schedules.
- Lynnwood Rec Center’s Parent’s Night Out. First and third Fridays of the month 6-9:30 p.m.
Get Your Game on at Around the Table Boardgame Pub
Don’t miss out this lively destination in Lynnwood for families and friends with tons of board games on site that you can play together from classics to new favorites. Enjoy ice cream, treats and a library of games to play.
While the regular calendar lists tabletop‑gaming events, prereleases and league nights, the core appeal is that you can drop in any day to choose from hundreds of games and play at your pace, making it a great hangout for kids, teens and adults alike. It is easy to organize casual meet‑ups (like board game afternoons), and the friendly staff can help you find games that suit your group.
Public Swim Sessions at Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace and Edmonds Pools
Schedules vary, see pool sites for details
Open swim sessions generally charge a fee of less than $10 per person.
We’re lucky to live in a region with multiple indoor or outdoor heated pools to help us get some recreation in during the dark, rainy months. My family has a membership to the Lynnwood Rec Center, and we love attending the open swim sessions for a fun, budget-friendly outing.
- Lynnwood Rec Center Pool: Multiple open swim and rec swim sessions happen each week at this pool, featuring a recreation pool with two water slides, a lazy river, a water playground and spray features, a family and more! See the pool schedule and register ahead to reserve your spot.
- Mountlake Terrace Recreation Pavilion Pool: Warm water, a lazy river, a sauna and more. What’s not to love? See the full schedule to plan your visit.
- Yost Pool in Edmonds: Yost has limited open swim sessions during this season, but makes for fun outside option for people who want to experience a heated pool outdoors. See the full schedule to plan a visit.
Beginner Skate Lessons at Lynnwood Bowl & Skate
Lessons on Saturdays, 11 a.m. to noon. Drop-in sessions Sundays, 11 a.m. to noon at
6210 200th St. SW in Lynnwood.
Please note that this week’s schedule may be affected by Easter. Call to confirm.
Sign up for weekly lessons for kids and adults. Lessons include a 30‑minute instruction period followed by 30 minutes of practice, taught by national‑level coach Ezra Thompson. Learn skills like balance, stopping and forward and backward skating, with more advanced skills offered in a Level 2 course.
A four-week session costs $120, including open skate time, and there’s also a Sunday drop-in option for $30 that includes a practice session.
Public Skate Sessions at Lynnwood Ice Center
19803 68th Ave. W. in Lynnwood
Whether your family loves skating, hockey or just trying something new, the Lynnwood Ice Center has something for everyone, including open skate sessions and stick-and-puck sessions and even “theater on ice.” It’s a safe and welcoming spot for all ages to enjoy some time on the rink.
Seattle Skating Club offers skate lessons for people ages 3.5 and older and of varying skill levels. Explore their lessons schedule and sign up for future sessions.
Note that all visitors must pay ahead through their digital system. See the full calendar to find a session that works for your schedule this week.
Resources for Families
Snohomish County Resource List
Not sure which resources you need? This list can help you see the options. The Snohomish County Community Resource List provides contact information for over 300 local services, including emergency assistance, legal aid, youth and family support, mental health resources, financial help and immigration services.
211 North Sound – Snohomish County Resource Line
Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Call: 211
Text: 211WAOD to 898211
211 North Sound connects residents of Snohomish, Island, San Juan, Skagit and Whatcom counties to a comprehensive range of community services. Trained specialists provide free, confidential assistance in over 140 languages, offering referrals for housing, food, health care, child care, crisis support and more.
In Snohomish County, 211 also supports initiatives like the Homeless Coordinated Entry and Emergency Rental Assistance programs. For specialized support, including assistance for individuals with traumatic brain injuries, call 211 and follow the prompts for TBI services.
Family Support through Edmonds School District
The Edmonds School District offers a dedicated Family Support Resource Line to assist families in need. You can reach them at 425-431-1454 or via email at [email protected]. Family Resource Advocates are available to provide holistic support and help families access community resources. For more information, visit the district’s Family Support page.
Snohomish County Human Services
Snohomish County Human Services offers a wide range of programs to help families in our region meet basic needs and support overall well-being. Services include early childhood programs like Early Head Start and ECEAP, family support resources for caregivers, behavioral health counseling and 24/7 crisis services, housing and energy assistance through the Community Action Partnership and specialized support for veterans and their families.
Edmonds Human Services: Resources for Edmonds Residents
Edmonds Human Services is a helpful resource for any Edmonds resident facing financial, mental health, housing or other personal challenges. With a range of supports — including food and housing aid to college student services, veteran and senior help, suicide prevention (including 988 lifeline access) — this department connects people to local and county resources tailored to improve quality of life.
Local Food Banks
Families in need can turn to several neighborhood food banks for weekly groceries and fresh produce. Each serves residents in its surrounding area with easy pickup times and volunteer support:
Domestic Violence Resources
For families experiencing domestic violence, several local organizations offer confidential support and emergency shelter services:
- DVS-SnoCo provides a 24/7 crisis line at 425-252-2873, offering emergency shelter, legal advocacy, safety planning and support for individuals and families affected by intimate partner violence.
- YWCA Pathways for Women
Located in Lynnwood, this 45-day emergency shelter offers safe housing and resources for women and families experiencing homelessness, including those fleeing domestic violence. - If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911. For confidential support, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
Youth Ride Public Transit Free!
Kids and teens 18 and under can ride buses, ferry, and light rail for free — no pass required. Want tap-and-go convenience? Get a free Youth ORCA card online or at the Ride Store.
Share the fun!
Wherever your adventures take you, I hope this roundup helps you find fun, affordable, and meaningful ways to connect and enjoy the season. Have an event or suggestion? Want to share your reels from a recent outing to be featured here? I’d love to hear from you. Comment below to get in touch. Don’t forget to check back every Monday for fresh ideas.
Rory Graves is a local writer, editor and parent of three teens who loves helping families find fun, meaningful ways to connect with their community. She covers family-friendly events, local resources, and creative outings around South Snohomish County. When she’s not exploring the region, you can find her cheering at one of her kids’ games, thrifting or curled up with a good book and some tea.
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