Kirkland's Farmer’s Markets Offer Fresh Family Fun

It’s Farmer’s Market season again -- Hooray!

In our home, the farmer’s market might just be the ultimate family outing. Where else can you combine wholesome food, the outdoors, yummy treats, a walk and grocery shopping? It’s not only productive, it’s fun and entertaining. And with the fresh air, fresh food, bright colors, delicious smells, friendly people and variety of things to see, we find it incredibly invigorating. We love farmer’s markets.

When we moved to Kirkland, one of its selling points was the two local markets, not to mention the multitude just beyond its border. Kirkland’s two markets run the better half of the year and offer convenient shopping two nights a week. Vendors offer a wide range of fresh produce, meats, kettle corn, baked goods, flowers, jewelry, arts and crafts and more.

The Juanita Friday Market started this month and is held Fridays from 3-7 p.m. Although the official location is , the market is being held across the street in the Forbes House parking area (just north of the ball field) until the beach restoration is finished. The Juanita Friday Market provides a great way to kick off the weekend, with fresh flowers and fresh produce. There’s even a bit of a weekend vibe with live music. This week, Bonnie Birch will be performing from 3 p.m to 5 p.m.

The Kirkland Wednesday Market begins June 1 and is held Wednesday evenings from 2 to 7. This year, the Market will be returning to Park Lane in the heart of downtown Kirkland. With a few more vendors and browsers than the Juanita market, the Wednesday Market offers a bustling community vibe and a great mid-week change of pace.

When we head out to a farmer’s market, we tend to go as a family and make it an event. We often bring our dog (on leash, of course), grab the baby carrier and some reusable bags for our buys, or pull out the stroller to tote both kids and lots of produce.

Our kids love it. Partly because it’s a fun thing we do together. But also because the market is different every week. It stimulates your senses and provides endless opportunities to explore, taste and enjoy.

Not sure your kids will be so excited? Here are a few ideas for making a farmer’s market visit even more kid friendly:

• Create a scavenger hunt! Write an age-appropriate list of things for your kids to find, do or count, then encourage them to hunt out their list during your visit. This can either be a group activity or a competition between siblings, depending on the age of your kids.
• Play “I Spy.”
• Give your kids a few dollars and allow them to plan and spend their money.
• Talk and read about farms before heading to the market, then stop and talk to some of the vendors about where their produce comes from. Engage your kids in the conversation.
• Select a recipe or two in advance and have your older kids help select the produce you’ll need. Then, have them help prepare those meals later in the week.

Whatever you do, enjoy spending time this season with your family at our local farmer’s markets. It’s a great way to support local growers, business owners and artisans – and a wonderful way to spend time with the family. We’ll see you there!