# Things to do with toddlers and little kids in Spokane: the parent guide

> Spokane is easy with little kids: a hands-on science center downtown, Riverfront Park by the falls, free holiday lights at Kendall Yards and free storytimes at city and county libraries.

- Last checked: 2026-10-18
- 15 places for ages 0–6, with admission and menu prices from each place’s own site
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/spokane/guide/
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/spokane/index.md
- Visiting guide (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/spokane/visiting/index.md
- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/spokane/llms.txt

## Kid-friendly restaurants

### Frank’s Diner (Downtown) (West downtown, 1516 W. 2nd Ave.)

- Breakfast, lunch and dinner inside a vintage railcar, a fun one for train-loving toddlers.
- Price level: $$
- Menu prices: kids’ meals No kids’ menu posted; smaller plates like the Tiny Track (hotcakes, bacon or sausage, one egg) $12.50, entrées Breakfast plates mostly $14–$22
- Hours: Daily 6am–9pm
- Good for: A train-car breakfast any day of the week.
- Skip if: you have a big group at weekend brunch.
- Price source: https://franksdiners.com/spokane-downtown-frank-s-diner-downtown-food-menu (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://www.franksdiners.com/

### Waddell’s Neighborhood Pub & Grill (South Hill, 4318 S. Regal St.)

- A family-friendly neighborhood pub and grill with a $10 kids’ meal that includes a drink, fries and fruit or cookies.
- Price level: $$
- Menu prices: kids’ meals $10 (12 and under; drink, fries and fruit cup or cookies included), entrées Burgers and plates mostly $15–$19
- Hours: Sun–Thu 11am–9pm; Fri–Sat 11am–9:30pm
- Good for: An easy family dinner on the South Hill.
- Skip if: you want a quiet room; it’s a busy pub.
- Price source: https://www.waddellspub.com/pub-restaurant-menu (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://www.waddellspub.com/

### Rusty Moose (West Plains, 9105 W. Highway 2)

- A West Plains restaurant with its own kids’ menu: quesadillas, cheeseburgers and more.
- Price level: $$
- Menu prices: kids’ meals $7.99–$9.99
- Hours: Sun–Thu 11am–9pm; Fri–Sat 11am–10pm
- Good for: Dinner on the way back from the airport side of town.
- Skip if: you’re staying downtown and want something close.
- Price source: https://www.rustymoosespokane.com/kids-menu (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://www.rustymoosespokane.com/

## Indoor play and rainy days

### Mobius Discovery Center (Downtown, 331 N. Post St.)

- Spokane’s hands-on science center, with a STEAM lab and a quiet sensory-friendly hour on Wednesdays.
- Price level: $$
- Tickets: kids 1+ $13; adults $13; Under 1 free. $1 off per person with a hotel key card
- Hours: Wed 9am–5pm; Thu–Sat 10am–5pm; Sun 11am–5pm
- Good for: A rainy morning of hands-on play; babies under 1 are free.
- Skip if: it’s a Monday or Tuesday; it’s closed.
- Price source: https://mobiusdiscoverycenter.org/visit/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://mobiusdiscoverycenter.org/

### Spokane Central Library (Downtown, 906 W. Main Ave.)

- The downtown library, with Family Storytime Play & Learn on Friday mornings.
- Price level: Free
- Good for: Free storytime downtown.
- Skip if: you need a weekend storytime.
- Website: https://www.spokanelibrary.org/locations-all/

### Spokane Valley Library (Spokane Valley, 22 N. Herald Rd.)

- A busy county library with baby, toddler, preschool and family storytimes.
- Price level: Free
- Good for: Storytimes for every age through the week.
- Skip if: you need it on a holiday; check hours.
- Website: https://www.scld.org/locations/spokane-valley/

### We Play (Spokane Valley, 14700 E. Indiana Ave.)

- An indoor playground with a 700-square-foot toddler area (small climbing wall, sensory boards, slides and a swing) and one adult free per child.
- Price level: $$
- Tickets: kids 1–12 2 hours: $12.95–$18.95 by age and day
- Good for: A winter morning with a crawler or toddler.
- Skip if: you forgot grip socks; they’re required ($2.75 there).
- Price source: https://www.weplayspokane.com/attractions/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://www.weplayspokane.com/

## Parks and outdoor play

### Riverfront Park (Downtown, 507 N. Howard St.)

- The big downtown park along the falls, home to the Looff Carrousel and free holiday events.
- Price level: Free
- Tickets: Park entry is free; carrousel rides are free for ages 2 and under ($3.75 a ride for everyone else)
- Hours: Park open daily 6am–midnight
- Good for: Room to run downtown, with the falls nearby.
- Skip if: it’s icy; paths can be slick.
- Price source: https://my.spokanecity.org/riverfrontspokane/attractions/looff-carrousel/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://my.spokanecity.org/riverfrontspokane/

### Looff Carrousel (Riverfront Park, downtown)

- Riverfront Park’s famous historic carousel, one of downtown’s most-visited attractions.
- Price level: $
- Tickets: kids $3.75 a ride; $9.95 unlimited day pass; Ages 2 and under ride free
- Good for: A classic first carousel ride.
- Skip if: you need a set schedule; hours shift with the season, so check the Riverfront page.
- Price source: https://my.spokanecity.org/riverfrontspokane/attractions/looff-carrousel/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://my.spokanecity.org/riverfrontspokane/attractions/looff-carrousel/

### Numerica SkyRide (Riverfront Park, downtown)

- A 15-minute gondola ride down over Spokane Falls and the river; best when the water is high from March through June.
- Price level: $$
- Tickets: kids 3–12 $9.95; adults $13.95; Ages 2 and under ride free
- Good for: A big-views treat with preschoolers and up.
- Skip if: it’s very windy or hot; the ride can close for weather.
- Price source: https://my.spokanecity.org/riverfrontspokane/attractions/skyride/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://my.spokanecity.org/riverfrontspokane/attractions/skyride/

### Manito Park and Gaiser Conservatory (South Hill)

- A 78-acre park with 20 acres of gardens and the free Gaiser Conservatory, warm greenhouses full of tropical plants that are open year-round.
- Price level: Free
- Tickets: Free
- Hours: Conservatory daily 9am–3:30pm, closed Wed
- Good for: A free, warm stroller loop on a cold day.
- Skip if: it’s a Wednesday and you want the conservatory; it’s closed Wednesdays.
- Price source: https://my.spokanecity.org/parks/gardens/gaiser-conservatory/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://my.spokanecity.org/parks/major/manito/

### Cat Tales Wildlife Center (Mead, 17020 N. Newport Hwy.)

- A nonprofit wildlife sanctuary and teaching zoo just north of Spokane, where kids can watch rescued animals up close; free for kids under 5.
- Price level: $$
- Tickets: kids 5–12 $12; adults $18; Children under 5 free; free parking
- Hours: Thu–Sun 10am–4pm
- Good for: A small-zoo morning with little ones (animals are most active at opening).
- Skip if: it’s Monday–Wednesday; it’s open Thursday through Sunday.
- Price source: https://www.cattales.org/visit/hours/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://www.cattales.org/

### Discovery Playground (Spokane Valley, Mirabeau Point Park)

- A free, accessible, multi-sensory playground for all ages and abilities, with climbing, sand and musical play and a splash pad in summer.
- Price level: Free
- Tickets: Free
- Hours: Daily 6am–7pm (Oct 16–Apr 14 hours); splash pad May 15–Oct 15
- Good for: A free all-abilities playground morning.
- Skip if: you need restrooms in winter; park restrooms close Oct 16–Apr 14.
- Price source: https://www.spokanevalleywa.gov/586/Discovery-Playground (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://www.spokanevalleywa.gov/586/Discovery-Playground

### John A. Finch Arboretum (West Spokane)

- A free city arboretum with walking paths and a downloadable self-guided walking guide, open year-round.
- Price level: Free
- Tickets: Free
- Hours: Daily 6am–10pm
- Good for: A free, quiet stroller walk any day.
- Skip if: you need restrooms Nov–Apr; they’re open May 1–Oct 31.
- Price source: https://my.spokanecity.org/urbanforestry/programs/finch-arboretum/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://my.spokanecity.org/urbanforestry/programs/finch-arboretum/

## Museums, zoos and big outings

### Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture (the MAC) (Browne’s Addition)

- Spokane’s big regional museum of art, history and culture, free for kids 5 and under, with free parking in its garage.
- Price level: $$
- Tickets: kids 6–17 $9; adults $15; Children 5 and under free; $5 a person with SNAP/WIC (Museums for All)
- Hours: Tue–Sun 10am–5pm (last Wed of the month to 8pm); closed Mon
- Good for: A rainy-day museum hour with a baby or preschooler.
- Skip if: it’s a Monday; it’s closed.
- Price source: https://www.northwestmuseum.org/visit/plan-your-visit/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://www.northwestmuseum.org/

## Free things to do

- Spokane Central Library
- Spokane Valley Library
- Riverfront Park
- Manito Park and Gaiser Conservatory
- Discovery Playground
- John A. Finch Arboretum

## Best for under 3s

- **Mobius Discovery Center**: Under 1 free.
- **Spokane Central Library**: For toddlers.
- **Spokane Valley Library**: Baby storytime.

## With a baby or a 1-year-old

### Baby and lap-sit storytimes

- **Baby Play & Learn Storytime (ages 0–18 months)** (Spokane County Library District): Wednesdays at 10:30am · Moran Prairie branch. Birth to 18 months. Babies are introduced to the rhythm and beauty of language during our 20-minute storytime with picture books, rhymes, bounces, and songs. https://scld.libcal.com/calendar
- **Baby Play & Learn Storytime (0-18 months)** (Spokane County Library District): Wednesdays at 9:30am · North Spokane branch. Birth to 18 months. Babies are introduced to the rhythm and beauty of language during our 20-minute storytime with picture books, rhymes, bounces, and songs. https://scld.libcal.com/calendar
- **Baby Play & Learn Storytime (ages 0–18 months)** (Spokane County Library District): Wednesdays at 9:30am · Spokane Valley branch. Birth to 18 months. Babies are introduced to the rhythm and beauty of language during our 20-minute storytime with picture books, rhymes, bounces, and songs. https://scld.libcal.com/calendar
- **Family Storytime Play & Learn** (Spokane Public Library): Thursdays at 10am · Indian Trail branch. Families with babies, toddlers and preschoolers https://spokanelibrary.libnet.info/events

### Babies get in free

- **Mobius Discovery Center**: Under 1 free. https://mobiusdiscoverycenter.org/visit/
- **Riverfront Park**: Park entry is free; carrousel rides are free for ages 2 and under ($3.75 a ride for everyone else). https://my.spokanecity.org/riverfrontspokane/attractions/looff-carrousel/
- **Looff Carrousel**: Ages 2 and under ride free. https://my.spokanecity.org/riverfrontspokane/attractions/looff-carrousel/
- **Numerica SkyRide**: Ages 2 and under ride free. https://my.spokanecity.org/riverfrontspokane/attractions/skyride/

## Library storytimes

- **Spokane Public Library**: Weekday mornings. Free Toddler, Family and Kindergarten Countdown storytimes at city branches. https://spokanelibrary.libnet.info/events
- **Spokane County Library District**: Weekday mornings. Free Baby, Toddler, Preschool and Family Play & Learn storytimes at county libraries. https://scld.libcal.com/calendar


## Happening this week

- **Boo at the Zoo at Cat Tales Wildlife Center** (10am–4pm) at Cat Tales Wildlife Center. Kids in costume free; adults $18, students $15, ages 5–12 $12, 0–4 free; touch tables and enrichment workshops $5 for non-members. https://littlesweekly.com/spokane/#e-boo_at_the_zoo_cat_tales
- **Monster Dash Kids’ Fun Run in Manito Park** (Sun 11am (kids’ runs; 5K at 10am)) at Manito Park. $17 per kid (with T-shirt); 5K $35. https://littlesweekly.com/spokane/#e-monster_dash_kids_fun_run
- **Trunks of Treats at New Horizons Community Church** (Sun Noon–3pm) at New Horizons Community Church. Free; no registration. https://littlesweekly.com/spokane/#e-trunks_of_treats_new_horizons
- **Fall Festival at Monster Farm (Green Bluff)** (10am–5pm) at Monster Farm. Fri–Sun $6 per person, kids 2 & under free; Mon–Thu free entry with fewer attractions. https://littlesweekly.com/spokane/#e-monster_farm_fall_festival
- **Transportation Day at Mobius Discovery Center** (Wed 9am–1pm) at Mobius Discovery Center. Included with admission ($13 ages 1+, under 1 free); $1 off per person 9am–1pm. https://littlesweekly.com/spokane/#e-transportation_day_mobius

Full list with every outing: https://littlesweekly.com/spokane/index.md

## Holiday pages

- [Santa in Spokane: breakfast with Santa, photos and Santa trains (2026)](https://littlesweekly.com/spokane/santa/index.md)
- [Christmas lights in Spokane for little kids (2026)](https://littlesweekly.com/spokane/christmas-lights/index.md)

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
- How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com).
- Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list.
- How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote.

## FAQ

### Is Mobius good for toddlers?
Yes. It’s hands-on, babies under 1 are free, and Little Learners classes are made for ages 2 and up.

### Are there free things to do with little kids in Spokane?
Yes. Spokane Central Library, Spokane Valley Library, Riverfront Park, Manito Park and Gaiser Conservatory, Discovery Playground and John A. Finch Arboretum are free or have a free entry. See [the free list](https://littlesweekly.com/spokane/guide/#free).

### What can we do in Spokane on a rainy or cold day with a toddler?
Go indoors: Mobius Discovery Center, Spokane Central Library, Spokane Valley Library and We Play. They’re all under one roof, and most work for a short visit around nap time.

### What’s good for babies and kids under 3 in Spokane?
Mobius Discovery Center: Under 1 free. Spokane Central Library: For toddlers. Spokane Valley Library is also easy with a baby or toddler. Free for the littlest: Riverfront Park (Park entry is free; carrousel rides are free for ages 2 and under ($3.75 a ride for everyone else)), Looff Carrousel (Ages 2 and under ride free), Numerica SkyRide (Ages 2 and under ride free) and Cat Tales Wildlife Center (Children under 5 free; free parking). See [best for under 3s](https://littlesweekly.com/spokane/guide/#under3).

### Where are the free storytimes in Spokane?
Spokane Public Library: Weekday mornings. Spokane County Library District: Weekday mornings. Library storytimes don’t need a ticket, but times change by branch, so check the calendar first. See [library storytimes](https://littlesweekly.com/spokane/guide/#storytimes), and this week’s dated sessions are on the [Spokane weekly list](https://littlesweekly.com/spokane/).

### How do you choose the places in the Spokane guide?
Every one of the 15 places is somewhere we’d take a baby, toddler or preschooler, with a note on who it suits and when to skip it. Prices, hours and menus come from each place’s own site, and 13 of them have checked admission or menu prices. The guide was last checked Oct 18, 2026. [How we choose and check](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).