Things to Do in Sequim with Kids: A Family Guide to the Olympic Peninsula
Things to Do in Sequim with Kids: Where to Start
The best things to do in Sequim with kids keep driving time short and let the youngest travelers set the schedule. Families can watch bison lean into the car window at Olympic Game Farm, walk half a mile to an overlook above Dungeness Spit, and save one full day for Olympic National Park.
Olympic Game Farm
Olympic Game Farm is a natural first stop for young kids. The self-guided drive-through tour covers 84 acres and takes about an hour, and admission is good all day, so you can loop back through. Everyone stays inside the vehicle, and only side windows may be open. Bison, elk, llamas, and yaks come right up to the car, and bread for feeding is sold at the entrance.
Dungeness Spit Without the 11-Mile Hike
The walk to the New Dungeness Lighthouse is about 11 miles round trip, which is too far for most young hikers. Instead, take the easy half-mile trail at Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge through the forest to an overlook on the bluff above the spit. The daily entrance fee is $3 for a family of up to four adults, and children under 16 enter free. Pets are not allowed on the refuge. If you continue down to the beach, keep kids away from the bluff edges and check the tides.
A Family Getaway Base on Dungeness Bay
Juan de Fuca Cottages sits on a bluff above Dungeness Bay with its own private beach, a few minutes’ drive from both Olympic Game Farm and the refuge. For larger groups, the Olympic View Room has a king bedroom, a bunk room with four single beds, a queen Murphy bed, a full kitchen, and space for up to ten guests. The Twin View Cottage boasts a king bed and a full-size Euro-lounger with a full kitchen and a private patio.
A kitchen makes naps, early dinners, and picky eaters easier to manage, and breakfast can be delivered to your door before a big day in the park. Between outings, kids can play lawn games, gather around the fire pits, or head down to the beach, and kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are available to rent when conditions allow. For a family getaway with room to spread out, book a stay with this waterfront Sequim lodging.
Olympic National Park with Kids
Olympic National Park with kids works best when you choose one area per day, since its highlights sit far apart.
Hurricane Ridge is the most accessible mountain area in the park, 17 miles south of Port Angeles. The road is open daily in summer and on winter weekends when conditions allow. The day lodge burned in 2023, so there is no indoor shelter or food service; pack snacks, water, and warm layers.
At Lake Crescent, the Marymere Falls trail runs about 1.8 miles round trip through old-growth forest to the waterfall, a good length for school-age kids.
The Hoh Rain Forest takes a full day from Sequim. Once there, the Hall of Mosses loop is about 0.8 miles and the Spruce Nature Trail about 1.2 miles, both manageable for younger children.
Easy Family Activities in Sequim
Sequim Museum and Arts is a strong pick for kids who love prehistoric animals. Its best-known exhibit covers the Manis Mastodon, discovered near Sequim in 1977, with evidence of human interaction dating back about 13,800 years.
On Saturdays in season, the Sequim Farmers and Artisans Market fills Civic Center Plaza with produce, baked goods, and handmade crafts. For a quick bike ride or stroll, the Olympic Discovery Trail passes through town on mostly flat sections, so you can turn around whenever the kids are ready.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sequim with Kids
What are the best things to do in Sequim with kids?
Olympic Game Farm, the half-mile trail to the Dungeness Spit overlook, Sequim Museum and Arts, and short sections of the Olympic Discovery Trail all work well for younger children. Older kids can add a day in Olympic National Park.
Is Olympic National Park good for kids?
Yes. Planning Olympic National Park for kids comes down to choosing trails that match their ages. Marymere Falls, the Hall of Mosses, and the Spruce Nature Trail are all short, and Hurricane Ridge offers mountain views from the parking area.
How far is Sequim from Seattle?
Sequim is roughly two to two and a half hours from Seattle by car, depending on your route and whether you take a Washington State Ferry.
How long is the Dungeness Spit?
The New Dungeness Lighthouse sits about 5.5 miles from the refuge parking area, so the full walk is about 11 miles round trip.