A week full of fun spring-break activities for teens

It's spring break for many local schools this week — time for teens to relax, sleep in and have fun. Seattle Parks and Recreation is celebrating with Youth Appreciation Week for teens at community centers around the city. Events for ages 11-18 include movies, socials, hip-hop events, game nights, rock climbing, nature walks, pizza socials and other free and low-cost activities. All teens are invited to a Block Party with recognition awards for teen community volunteerism and leadership with free food, entertainment, games and a health fair 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday at Southwest Teen Life Center. For more information about all Youth Appreciation Week activities, call 206-684-4075 or see www.seattle.gov/parks/.

Seattle Center Fun Forest (206-728-1585) is open every day this week, 11 a.m. at the entertainment pavilion and noon at the thrill rides, through evening, weather and crowds permitting, with special discounts on rides. For teens visiting Seattle Center Thursday, All Access Night offers free admission to EMP/SFM from 5-8 p.m.

Bellevue teens aren't on spring break until next week, but can kick off vacation with a visit to Bellevue Arts Museum's free first Friday, only a few blocks away from the Bellevue Collection's popular shopping, eating and entertainment opportunities.

Spring break is a good time to check out ongoing teen resources like the Kirkland Teen Union Building (KTUB) recreation, resource and arts center open Tuesday-Saturday with youth-run cafe and store, live music stages, photography darkroom, recording studio, technology lab and art studio. For more info, call 425-822-3088 or see www.ktub.org.

Tukwila area teens in grades 6-12 can shoot hoops at open gyms on Monday and Wednesday afternoons, and ages 13-15 can work out in the fitness room Monday-Friday afternoons with school ID and a consent form from their parents. Call 206-768-2822 for more information.

The Center at Room Nine Community School in Shoreline offers free music, pool, movies, hoops and more for ages 12-18 from 7-11 p.m. every Friday and Saturday. For more info, call 206-391-4037.

Madeline McKenzie: 206-464-8245 or mmckenzie@seattletimes.com