Outdoor productions of Shakespeare and other plays are a fun way to experience the arts in the summer time. Bring a picnic, spread a blanket out on the grass, and enjoy! (If you prefer sitting in a chair to the ground, be sure it’s a low profile chair so you don’t block anyone’s view.) 

Outdoor theater is a good venue for kids because it gives more leeway for squirming and wiggling than an indoor performance with theater rules. However, you should still endeavor to keep kids quiet and well-behaved. Most of the shows listed here are good for ages 8 and up. We have brought preschoolers to shows, but we don’t expect them to pay full attention – we brought snacks, toys, and sticker books to entertain them quietly. Also understand that during outdoor productions, at times your experience may be interrupted by unexpected events like Frisbee players in the distance, dogs sniffing by, airplanes flying overhead, and the ice cream truck in the parking lot.

Seattle Area:

Greenstage Shakespeare in the Park is presenting Winter’s Tale and Coriolanus. They also have smaller 4-actor adaptations of plays, called Backyard Bard that are an hour long. Tempest and Two Noble Kinsmen. Fridays – Sundays from July 10 – August 15 in Seattle, Lynnwood, Redmond, Vashon, Fall City. Free, but please donate!

Wooden O, from Union Arts, formerly Seattle Shakespeare.  Presenting MacBeth, Thursdays thru Sundays, July 9 – August 16. By donation. Mercer Island, Seattle, Everett, Shoreline, Lynnwood, Issaquah, Des Moines, Sammamish, Tacoma. Free, please donate!

The Seattle Outdoor Theatre Festival is July 25 and 26 at Volunteer Park in Seattle. Typically includes some of the Greenstage and Wooden O shows, plus MANY more.

Day Trips or Overnights

Island Shakespeare Festival – Langley. Will present MacBeth and Robin Hood. Thurs – Sun at 6 pm and Sunday matinees, from July 17 – Sept 6. Pay what you will, $19 to $60.

Kitsap Forest Theatre – near Bremerton. Frozen May 24 – June 14, Oliver July 25 – Aug 16, and Miss Holmes 9/5 – 20. $25 adults, $10 youth.

Leavenworth Summer Theatre has shows on Tuesdays – Satudays July 3 – August 29. Sound of Music, Anything Goes and Bright Star. $20 – 45. Children under 5 not permitted.

Bainbridge Performing Arts: Twelfth Night at Bloedel Reserve, Thursdays – Sundays. August 8 – 23. 7 pm. $35 – 40.

Activities for Kids in the Seattle area:

If you’re looking for other fun ideas for the summer, check out: Summer Movies 2026 (includes indoor and outdoor movies) and Farmer’s Markets 2026,.

If you have kids birth to age 7, check out my series on “Cheap Dates with Toddlers”, or reviews of Eastside Parks or find hands-on STEM enrichment activities for kids age 3 – 7 at InventorsOfTomorrow.com. During the school year, I teach co-op preschool and STEM enirchment classes at Eastgate Co-op in Bellevue.