Taking Kids to Chihuly Garden and Glass? This Is What You Need to Know (Before You Panic)

I stood outside the doors of Chihuly Garden and Glass with Dek, who was a toddler at the time, and had a moment of complete panic. Glass. Glass everywhere. On the floor, suspended from the ceiling, balanced on pedestals that looked like they were just begging to be toppled by tiny curious hands.

What better place to bring a toddler, right?

Here’s the thing though. I really wanted to see this place. Dale Chihuly’s work has always fascinated me, and this museum at Seattle Center had just opened (way back when we first visited). So I took a deep breath, grabbed Dek’s hand, and walked through those doors anyway.

Spoiler alert: we survived. Nothing broke. And we’ve been back multiple times over the years as Dek got older. If you’re on the fence about bringing your kids to what feels like the most breakable place on earth, let me walk you through what actually happens when you visit Chihuly Garden and Glass with kids.

Why You Should Brave It (Even With Toddlers)

Look, I get it. The anxiety is real. But here’s what I learned on that first visit and every visit since: the space is actually designed pretty well for families. The pathways are wide. The really delicate pieces are either elevated or protected in ways that make accidental bumps less likely than you’d think.

Plus, this isn’t just any art museum. The colors explode at every turn. Kids are drawn to the sculptures in ways I didn’t expect. Dek counted glass balls, named colors, asked questions about how something so colorful could be made from sand. It became this unexpected teaching moment that kept his attention way longer than I thought possible.

The Gallery That Nearly Gave Me a Heart Attack

The Mille Fiori gallery was both Dek’s favorite and my worst nightmare. This massive installation takes over an entire room. It’s basically a forest made entirely of glass, with spheres and spikes and delicate tendrils everywhere you look.

I held my breath the entire time. Dek was mesmerized. He walked slowly (a miracle in itself), counting glass balls both big and small as we made our way through. He understood, somehow, that these were special. That he could look but not touch.

I’d like to say it was my excellent parenting that prevented disaster. Honestly, I think the sheer visual overload kept him so busy looking up and around that he forgot to be his usual bouncy self.

Our Actual Favorite: The Ikebana and Float Boat Gallery

If I had to pick one gallery to spend all my time in, this would be it. There’s a boat (which obviously thrilled Dek), but the real magic is how everything reflects off the polished black surface beneath it. It looks like a midnight river with glass artwork floating by.

My camera went crazy. I couldn’t stop taking pictures. Dek kept pointing out new pieces he’d spot in the reflections. We must have circled that room three times, each time seeing something we’d missed before.

The sketches displayed near each piece fascinated me too. You can see where Chihuly started with an idea and how it transformed as the glass took over. Sometimes the final piece looks nothing like the original sketch. It’s like watching the creative process happen in reverse.

The Garden (Where I Finally Relaxed)

Once we made it outside to the garden, I could breathe again. Dek knows how to stay on a path. I’ve trained him well with our own garden at home, so the same rules applied here: look, admire, but feet stay on the walkway and hands to yourself.

The outdoor space is where Chihuly’s philosophy of making art appear like it came from nature really shines. Blue spikes emerge from the ground next to fallen logs. Black and white spheres nestle into shadowy grass. Everywhere you turn, nature and glass blend together in ways that make you do a double take.

The centerpiece is called the Sun, and it’s exactly what it sounds like. Yellow and orange glass exploding from the center. During Seattle’s gray winters, I imagine this thing is a lifeline for anyone suffering from the usual lack of sunshine.

Before you leave the inside galleries, you walk through a giant greenhouse with the main piece suspended from the ceiling. Kids can run around in here (within reason), and there’s nothing at ground level to break. It’s basically a built-in decompression chamber between the intense “don’t touch anything” galleries and the more relaxed garden.

How to Actually Pull This Off With Your Kids

Let me give you the survival guide I wish I’d had before our first visit:

Before you even walk in, have the talk. Explain what they’re about to see. Use words like “special” and “fragile” and “look with your eyes, not your hands.” Make it clear this isn’t a place for running or touching, but that the colors and shapes are going to blow their minds.

Hold hands whenever possible. This isn’t the time to let your toddler practice their independence. My hand stayed firmly clasped around Dek’s the entire time we were in the interior galleries.

Keep them engaged. Point things out. Ask questions. “What colors do you see? What’s your favorite piece? What does that one look like to you?” When their brain is busy processing what they’re seeing and answering your questions, they’re less likely to reach out and grab something.

Grab a Kid’s Guide at the entrance if your kids are old enough to engage with it. It’s designed for slightly older children, but even with younger kids it can give you ideas for how to make the visit interactive rather than just one long “no, don’t touch that” session.

Know when to leave. If your kid is melting down or clearly over it, don’t push through the entire exhibit. You can always come back another day.

The Practical Stuff You Actually Need to Know

Chihuly Garden and Glass sits right next to the Space Needle at Seattle Center. If you’re planning a Seattle trip with kids, this is prime real estate for packing in multiple attractions in one day.

Here’s where I’m going to save you some money: get the Seattle CityPASS. Seriously. You get admission to the Space Needle, Seattle Aquarium, plus your choice of three other attractions, including Chihuly Garden and Glass. The pass saves you up to 47% compared to buying individual tickets, and you have several days to use it. We’ve used CityPASS on multiple Seattle trips (and even when we lived there), and it’s always worth it.

Strollers work fine in the space. The pathways are wide enough that you won’t be constantly maneuvering around tight corners.

The museum is open daily, but make reservations ahead of time, especially during peak tourist season. You can book through the CityPASS app or website.

The Collections Café inside serves food, but it’s pricey. If you’re on a budget, hit up one of the many food options around Seattle Center instead. Pike Place Market is close enough to grab lunch before or after your visit.

Where to Stay in Seattle

Finding a hotel that works for families can make or break your trip. Here are my top picks:

The Fairmont Olympic Hotel is our splurge choice. It’s pet-friendly, has a pool and hot tub (huge win for kids), and you can walk to Pike Place Market. The spa is perfect if you need to recover from a day of keeping toddlers from touching glass art.

The Westin Seattle offers pet-friendly rooms with sofa beds in some configurations. The suites give you extra space to spread out, and you’re within walking distance of everything downtown. After a long day of sightseeing, that matters.

If you want a kitchen and more space, the Residence Inn by Marriott Seattle Downtown/Convention Center is your best bet. Studio and one-bedroom suites come with kitchens, and free breakfast is included. Perfect for families who need to save money on meals or have picky eaters.

The Kimpton Palladian Hotel brings quirky design right near Pike Place. The suites work well for families, and Kimpton’s kid-friendly policies (like lending toys and games) make traveling easier.

Hyatt Regency Seattle is pet-friendly with multiple bed configurations and walking distance to downtown attractions and the waterfront.

Don’t forget to book your Flytographer session before you go. Getting professional photos during family trips is something I’ll never skip again. Local photographers know all the best spots, and you save $20 when you use my link. Trust me, you’ll want photos that don’t involve someone’s arm awkwardly stretched out holding a phone.

Getting Around Seattle

Check DiscoverCars for the best rates on rental cars. We always compare prices there first before booking. Seattle traffic can be rough, but having a car gives you flexibility to explore beyond the city center.

Pro tip: track flight prices on Expedia before you book. Prices fluctuate like crazy, and you can save a surprising amount by waiting for the right moment to purchase.

Other Seattle Adventures With Kids

While you’re in Seattle, there are so many other family-friendly spots worth your time. The Woodland Park Zoo is fantastic, especially for younger kids who need space to run around after being cooped up in museums.

Pike Place Market deserves its own visit. Yes, it’s touristy, but there’s a reason it’s famous. The fish throwing, the original Starbucks, the flower vendors… kids eat it up (mine should since I ate the same sandwich at least twice a week from a cafe counter in the market). Just go early before the crowds get overwhelming.

The Seattle Aquarium sits right on the waterfront and pairs perfectly with a day at Chihuly if you’ve got the CityPASS. The touch pools let kids get hands-on (finally, something they’re allowed to touch), and the giant window tank never gets old.

Plan Your Seattle Trip Right

Need help organizing everything? I’ve got free resources that’ll make your life easier:

My Weekend Trip Planner walks you through exactly what to pack and how to plan a quick getaway without forgetting anything important.

Flying with the family? Download my Flying with Kids guide for everything from what to pack in your carry-on to managing jet lag. Speaking of which, the Jet Lag Guide has saved us on more trips than I can count.

Planning a longer adventure? The Vacation Planner Checklist covers everything from booking flights to remembering to stop the mail.

For more detailed itineraries and insider tips, check out my travel guides in the shop. Each one is packed with the kind of information you actually need when traveling with kids.

What We Learned About Chihuly with Kids

That first visit to Chihuly Garden and Glass with toddler Dek could have gone so wrong. Every parent’s nightmare scenario played out in my head before we walked through those doors. But you know what? It turned into one of our favorite Seattle experiences.

We’ve been back several times over the years. Each visit brings something new. As Dek got older, his questions got deeper. His appreciation for the art evolved. What started as “don’t touch the pretty glass” became real conversations about creativity and how something as ordinary as sand transforms into art.

Is it nerve-wracking? Absolutely. Will you spend the entire time in the interior galleries with your heart in your throat? Probably. But the garden alone is worth the stress, and kids are often more careful than we give them credit for when they understand something is special.

Seattle has so much to offer families, and Chihuly Garden and Glass deserves a spot on your itinerary. Just maybe pack some extra patience and prepare yourself for the most beautiful, terrifying hour of your trip.

And remember: we made it through without breaking anything. Your kids can too.