Bainbridge Island With Kids: Adventures for Little Explorers

Bainbridge Island is one of the most family-friendly day trips you can take from Seattle. Step off the ferry and the island opens up immediately. No traffic to fight. No crowds to push through. Just open air, tall trees, and plenty to discover.

Here is how to make the most of it with children in tow.

Meet Pia the Peacekeeper

Somewhere on this island, an 18-foot troll made entirely from reclaimed wood is waiting in a quiet park. Her name is Pia. She was created by Danish artist Thomas Dambo, who hides giant trolls in green spaces all over the world. Finding her is half the fun. Kids who meet Pia never forget her.

Visit KiDiMu: Kids Discovery Museum

For more than 20 years, KiDiMu has been a place where curiosity is celebrated and childhood is honored. It is an award-winning hands-on children's museum where parents and children discover the joys of learning together through interactive play, with exhibits and programs recommended for families with children from birth through age eight. The museum is just a short walk from the Bainbridge Island ferry terminal, making it an easy first stop on your island day. Check kidimu.org for current hours and registration details before you visit.

Explore Art Together at BIMA

The Bainbridge Island Museum of Art is free to enter. Always. No tickets. No reservations. Just walk in.

Inside you will find rotating exhibitions by Pacific Northwest artists working in paint, sculpture, photography, and mixed media. The building itself is full of natural light and open space. Children move through it differently than adults do. They get closer. They ask better questions. Let them lead.

BIMA is one of those rare places where kids and parents both leave having seen something they did not expect.

Download a Free Kids Scavenger Hunt

Want to keep little ones engaged the whole day? We created a free printable scavenger hunt designed for the streets, parks, and waterfront of Bainbridge Island. Print it at home before you leave. Hand it to the kids on the ferry. By the time you arrive, they will already be looking for clues.

Explore the Island at Your Own Pace

We offer two self-guided audio tours designed for visitors who want to discover Bainbridge on their own terms.

The walking tour starts right at the ferry terminal and takes you through the heart of Winslow on foot. Two hours. No car needed. Perfect for families who walk off the boat and want to go.

The driving tour takes you deeper into the island. Hidden viewpoints, old-growth forest, and stories most visitors never hear. One purchase covers your whole vehicle.

Both tours work at your pace. Stop when something catches your eye. The island will wait.