[This series is all about “toddler date” ideas for something fun, simple, and cheap to do with your toddler. The big picture ideas apply to any locale, but the specific examples are from the Seattle area.]

Sport Practices and Ball Games: Every Saturday, all year round, in parks all over Western Washington, there’s a free show called Soccer! You can drop in and watch any level of play from pee-wee soccer on up at most parks in town. Try Marymoor or Sixty Acres in Redmond if you want to see LOTS of games at once. If it’s a nice day, it’s a fun chance to get out (and prepare for your own future as a soccer mom or soccer dad on the sidelines.)

Peter Kirk park in Kirkland is our favorite place for viewing baseball games but you can find Little League everywhere.

My kids have also had a great time watching office softball games, pickup basketball, tennis matches, and more.

Bonus to football season: Band Practice: Listen for a school nearby that has marching band practice (or drum team) outdoors on the football field. It can be a great show to watch from the bleachers.