VISITING Spokane · The Lilac City
Visiting Spokane with toddlers and little kids: the plan.
Mobius, Riverfront Park, River Park Square and the Central Library are all a short walk apart downtown. Here’s a day or two, with nap time built in.
Top 4 can’t-miss spots
#1Downtown, 331 N. Post St.
Mobius Discovery Center
Wednesdays 9–10am is a sensory-friendly hour.
$13 eachUnder 1 freeIndoor
See it in the guide→
#2Downtown, 507 N. Howard St.
Riverfront Park
Watch the city calendar for free events.
Free
See it in the guide→
#3Downtown, 906 W. Main Ave.
Spokane Central Library
Family Storytime is Friday at 10am.
FreeIndoor
See it in the guide→
#4Spokane Valley, 22 N. Herald Rd.
Spokane Valley Library
Baby storytime is Wednesday mornings.
FreeIndoor
See it in the guide→
Nap breaks built in
One day or two in Spokane
A couple of big stops, a real lunch and a nap in the middle. Tap a stop for the full listing.
If you have one day
MORNINGRiverfront ParkPark and carrousel · Downtown, 507 N. Howard St. · Free
LUNCHFrank’s Diner (Downtown)Train-car diner · West downtown · Kids’ meal No kids’ menu posted; smaller plates like the Tiny Track (hotcakes, bacon or sausage, one egg) $12.50NAPBack to the hotel for nap. If your little one sleeps best in the car, take a loop.
AFTER NAPMobius Discovery CenterHands-on science · Downtown, 331 N. Post St. · $13 per personIf you have two days
Day 1 is the one-day plan above. Day 2:
MORNINGSpokane Central LibraryMorning storytime · Downtown, 906 W. Main Ave. · FreeNAPBack to the hotel for nap. If your little one sleeps best in the car, take a loop.
AFTER NAPRiverfront ParkDowntown stroll · Downtown, 507 N. Howard St. · FreeWhere to stay
Kid-friendly areas near the big attractions
Pick the area by the stops you’ll make most, then plan around nap.
DOWNTOWNMobius and Riverfront ParkMobius, Riverfront Park, River Park Square and the Central Library are a short walk apart.Near Mobius Discovery Center, Riverfront Park and Spokane Central Library
Eat
Easy restaurants near the big stops
Kids’ menus, quick service and a short drive from the attractions. Prices come from each restaurant’s own menu.
Plan B
Rainy-day backup plan
If the forecast turns, swap the outdoor stop for one of these. More options: indoor play places in Spokane.
Before you go
Practical tips
Parking, strollers, changing tables and the best times to go.
Hotel discount at Mobius
Show your hotel key card for $1 off per person.
Visiting in November or December?
Santa and Christmas lights in Spokane
If your trip lands in the holiday season, these two pages have the dates, prices and booking links.
On a budget
Free and cheap wins for visitors
Spend less without skipping the good stuff.
This week
Happening while you’re here
This week’s top events in Spokane. The full list, with hours and the forecast, is on the this-week page.
#110am–4pm
Boo at the Zoo at Cat Tales Wildlife Center
A no-jump-scares Halloween weekend at the big-cat sanctuary: touch-and-learn critter tables (10:30am–12:30pm), spooky enrichment workshops where kids build a treat and watch an animal explore it, and festive decor.
Kids in costume free
Hours, food & parking→
#2Sun 11am (kids’ runs; 5K at 10am)
Monster Dash Kids’ Fun Run in Manito Park
Costumed quarter-mile, half-mile and 1-mile kids’ runs through the fall leaves, each ending with a candy goodie bag at the finish line.
$17 per kid
Hours, food & parking→
#3Sun Noon–3pm
Trunks of Treats at New Horizons Community Church
Trunks full of mini games, prizes and candy, plus a petting zoo, the Barrel Train, inflatables, an apple cider press and food.
Free
Hours, food & parking→
#410am–5pm
Fall Festival at Monster Farm (Green Bluff)
Green Bluff pumpkin patch open every day; the full fall festival attractions run Friday to Sunday, and weekday visits are free.
Fri–Sun $6 per person
Hours, food & parking→
#5Wed 9am–1pm
Transportation Day at Mobius Discovery Center
Climb aboard a Double Decker STA bus, see an Avista crane truck up close, try hands-on STEAM activities and enter a kids’ coloring contest for a chance to win a bike.
Included with admissionIndoor
Hours, food & parking→
Good questions
Visiting Spokane with toddlers: the FAQ
Is Spokane kid-friendly?
For a family with kids under 6, yes. Our Spokane guide lists 15 places we checked for little kids, plus 6 free places and 3 picks for babies and toddlers. This page adds 1 easy restaurant near the big stops and free storytimes at 2 library systems. This week’s list has 27 dated outings for ages 0–6. See free things to do in Spokane and this weekend’s list.
How many days do you need in Spokane with a toddler?
Two: Mobius and Riverfront Park one day, a library storytime and a holiday light walk the next.
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