[Every Friday, I post a “toddler date” idea for something fun, simple, and cheap to do with your toddler. The big picture ideas apply to any locale, but the specific examples will be Bellevue-centric.]

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 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.) My kids have also had a great time watching office softball games, Little League baseball, 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.