I love taking my kids on outings to farmer’s markets – the toddler and the teenagers! It’s a chance to be outdoors, walking, surrounded by people of all ages from your community. Every time we go we run into someone we haven’t seen in ages, and it’s a nice chance to say a quick hello.

The market stalls offer a visual feast… I’m not really a visual person – I may not even notice if there’s art on the wall in a restaurant – but at a farmers’ market, I love the colors and textures: the glossy green cucumbers, the bright red bell peppers, the lumpy brown potatoes, the yellow sunflowers, and more.

Shopping at the market is also a great chance to be more aware of food, where it comes from and seasons. In summer we might go home with lettuce, cucumbers, peppers, and tomatoes for fresh summer salads. In late season, it’s parsnips, sweet potatoes, and squash for autumn vegetable soups. You can talk with your kids about those seasons and talk about celebrating each one.

All season long, there’s fresh-baked bread, homemade jams and other goodies, and fresh cut bouquets of flowers. Many markets also sell arts and crafts.

Several locations have food trucks if you’d like to grab a pizza dinner or an ice cream cone while you shop. Several locations also offer live music – usually of the folk or bluegrass variety, and can be a nice opportunity for a family picnic while the kids dance around.

Bring re-useable bags along when you come, and bring cash. (Although most vendors do take credit cards.)

2025 Markets on the Eastside

Here’s the 2025 summer schedule for markets on the Eastside of Seattle

Tuesdays:

• Bellevue – Crossroads.12 – 6 pm. (6/3 – 9/30). https://crossroadsbellevue.com/music-events/farmers-market/
• Renton. 3 – 7 pm (June – Sept.) New location in 2025, not far from the old one! Williams Avenue South, between South 2nd and S. 3rd St. https://rentonfarmersmarket.com/
• Carnation, 3 – 7 pm (June, July, August) Tolt McDonald Park. https://carnationfarmersmarket.org/

Wednesdays

• Kirkland – Marina Park. 3 – 7 (June 4 – Sept 242) http://kirklandmarket.org/
• Kenmore, 3 – 7 (June – August)  Town Square. 6728 NE 181st Street, next to The Hangar, near City Hall. https://www.northshorefarmersmarkets.org/kenmore-farmers-market
• Sammamish, 4 – 8 PM, (May – September). Sammamish Commons, 801 228th Ave SE. https://www.sammamishfarmersmarket.org/

Thursdays

• Bellevue Presbyterian – north of downtown. 3 – 7:30 pm. 1717 Bellevue Way NE. May 22 to Oct 2. http://bellevuefarmersmarket.org/
• Duvall, 3 – 7 pm (early May to mid October) Taylor Landing, 16201 Main St NE, just north of the Woodinville-Duvall Rd. Bridge https://duvallfarmersmarket.org/
• North Bend, 4 – 8 pm. (June 5 – Sept. 11) Si View Park. https://www.siviewpark.org/farmers-market.phtml

Fridays

• Kirkland/Juanita Beach. 3 – 7 pm. (June – Sept)  www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/parks/Parks_and_Open_Spaces/Juanita_Friday_Market.htm 

Saturdays

• Issaquah 9 – 2. (May – Sept 27) Pickering Barn (across from Costco) 1730 10th Ave N.W. www.ci.issaquah.wa.us/index.aspx?NID=778
• Redmond 9 – 2. (May 3 – Oct 25). 9900 Willows Rd. NE. http://redmondsaturdaymarket.org/
• Woodinville, 10 – 2 (May to Sept) Festival Street in the newly renovated Schoolhouse District, https://woodinvillefarmersmarket.com/

Sundays

• Mercer Island 10 – 2 (June 1 to Sept. 28). 7700 SE 32nd St (near Mercerdale Park) https://www.mifarmersmarket.org/
• Lake Forest Park. 10 – 2 (Mother’s Day through third Sunday in October) Third Place Commons, 17171 Bothell Way NE. https://www.thirdplacecommons.org/programs-events/farmers-market/

Here’s a list of farmer’s markets in Snohomish County: https://www.themadronagroup.com/snohomish-county-farmers-markets-list/

For more outdoor activities in the greater Seattle area, check out my posts on Outdoor Summer Movies 2025, Outdoor Theater 2025, Parks with Industrial Artifacts, Lesser Known Parks on the Eastside, and Summer Camps for Kids.

For lots more ideas on fun, cheap activities to do with your toddler, click on “toddler date” in the categories list to the right sidebar (or scroll down on mobile device.) Also, learn about parent-child classes for families with kids birth to age 8.

photo credit: NatalieMaynor via photopin cc