Spokane, WA

My wife Autumn and I have the privilege of doing temporary foster care with infants and toddlers. On weekends when we have the little ones, it’s fun to try a new place to spend quality time with them, without paying lots of admission prices.

A few weekends ago, we were taking care of three kids under the age of five—what a zoo! Since we live in West Spokane, we decided to take a walk over the Audubon Park, our favorite free place to go with kids in Spokane. Audubon boasts majestically tall pine trees, two big toys, a swing set, and acres of well-kept grass for the frolicking delight of our little friends. In the summer, this place is the epicenter of the neighborhood, with the sound of the ice-cream truck echoing across the park, competing with the joyful shouts of children and the bouncing of the basketball on the full court (which always has great pickup games going). We packed some snacks and weren’t disappointed that Saturday: the toys were busy with kids and watchful parents, and the weather was perfect for letting the kids’ legs get out and run off some energy.

After visiting all of the different play options, our day only got better when Autumn and I decided we needed a cup of iced coffee. Luckily, just south of the park, The Little Garden Café is a newly opened coffee shop on Northwest Boulevard. We were delighted to be able to use their kid-friendly environment. There is a separate playroom in full view of the tables, so tired parents can get a caffeine fix while the kids play with a wide array of toys. The staff is friendly beyond belief, calling many neighborhood customers by name. And fair trade organic coffee isn’t all they do well: their grilled panini sandwiches are very flavorful if you’re in the mood for lunch.

Surviving another weekend with energetic foster kids was a victory in itself, but having the Audubon neighborhood to rely on for great play space and coffee made our Saturday that much sweeter.