Here is our list of Halloween Events like drive-thru shows and festivals or festival alternatives. Many of these happen before Halloween. Some of them are before and on Halloween.
Here is our list of trunk or treat events on October 30th or Halloween, October 31st.
Here is our list of pumpkin patches and corn mazes!
Carpinito’s has a pumpkin patch, a Farm Fun Yard, hayrides, a produce stand, concessions, and a maze. This is a great patch to hit up if you don’t want to drive too far out into the country. The patch is a fairly low key experience, and the maze isn’t scary, but it’s plenty big enough to get good and lost in (at least I did). Information on Covid related precautions is on the home page. Opens September 25th. Here’s their 2020 flyer.
Mosby boasts that their farm is simple, family fun! They have an old-fashioned pumpkin patch featuring their locally grown gourds, and a fancy corn maze with a different theme every year. Opens October 1st; Covid safety info. on the home page. Nice choice for maze fans, and if you like a down-home farm feel to your patch.
Thomasson is a super friendly, family owned farm. There is a corn maze and lots of kids’ activities (just a few have been cancelled this year). This is a good choice for families with young kids who want a place with lots of activities to make a day of it. Do plan your budget accordingly. Also, be aware that this year you will need timed tickets for entry to keep capacity at 50%. Get those in advance.
Nothing scary at this pumpkin patch that is great for littles! Activities include a pumpkin slingshot and a 7 acre corn maze. There are also a variety of items for sale. This is a friendly, family run farm. Covid precautions are on the home page. Great choice if you want the whole patch experience but with a family farm vibe.
This is a favorite of SFM Facebook readers who love the farm animals and think it’s a good choice for younger children. Activities include the pumpkin patch, pumpkin sling shot, farm animals, corn maze and more. This is a great choice if you were bummed to miss the fair this year. It’s really got a whole pumpkin palooza vibe. Do go early to beat the crowds as this is a super popular spot, especially on weekends. Opens October 1st.
Patch opens the 26th in Puyallup. If you haven’t been able to buy Sidhu berries this year this is a great chance to support them while you get your pumpkin!
If you missed the Puyallup Fair this year, you can always get a great fair like experience at Maris Farms. Tons of activities are included with admission. In addition to the corn maze and pumpkin patch there is a haunted woods attraction and flashlight maze event popular with teens and brave grown ups. There are a few attractions not offered this year, but most are still on. The big change is that you will need to buy online admission tickets in advance. There are no walk up sales.
No patch or events here this year, but it’s not all a bummer. The Conservatory is undergoing some much needed renovations and will be closing at the end of September, with a hoped for reopening in the spring. of 2021.
TBA?
Formerly Terry’s Berries, this organic farm sells a variety of organically grown foods. In the past this has included pumpkins. We are still confirming for this year. I would not think of this as a patch experience, but I’ve included it because there are few certified organic options, and I know that’s important to some readers.
An especially good choice for young children or those of you who want to get a pumpkin without committing the whole day to it . There are farm animals to see and a small, low key kids’ play area. Last year the tot sized corn maze was gone, and I don’t think it’s coming back, but I still need to check. There is no extra charge for activities here, and everything but your pumpkin and any other goodies you buy is free. My family loves this patch, but it is very simple compared to others. Be sure to check out their Facebook page for updates.
From their fb page:
Celebrate Washington Apple Festival
Come pick your own pumpkins
Every weekend enjoy Wagon Rides, Face Painting, and more family fun. Apples on sale 89 cents per lb, WEEKENDS only.
FREE ADMISSION, parking $5 per vehicle
Note from SFM: The above was from last year’s fb. I don’t see a social media update yet this year, but from their website it looks like this is a go!
Every single fall activity you can imagine! Great fun for the whole family if you want to make it a day of fall fun. From their site:
Harvest Season-2020 September 26th thru October 31st
Open Daily 10am – 6pm | Halloween hours 10am – 4pm
Last Corn Maze tickets sold at 5pm to allow for completion of maze
There are bales of farm fun to be had at Schilter Family Farm! Yes, things will be a little different this year, but there is still a lot of great experiences to enjoy while at the farm. We will be limiting our capacity in order to be able to maintain proper social distancing. All admissions will be sold online so that we can hold to our limited capacity. Once we sell out of tickets for a specific day, we will no longer allow entrance onto the farm for that date.
Lots of activities at this family run farm. Not quite a full fall-a-palooza but definitely more than just pumpkins. From their site:
We are settling into the reality that things will look decidedly different here on our family farm this fall. We have been a working farm since 1889, that’s six generations! In Olympia, we have been a choose and cut tree farm for 48 years and a pumpkin patch for 28 years. We have been welcoming thousands of guests to our farm, however this year we have to limit capacity because of Covid 19 and are transitioning to required online ticketing. It is not easy to alter the experience many know and love, but we are up for the challenge of bringing you all of your fall favorites in a safe way while complying with Covid guidelines. The experience may not be the same, but we are. We still value people and their connection to the land and to each other.
This is a good choice for older kids and folks really who are really serious about corn mazes! Daytime Activities include story time with Spookley the Square Pumpkin, corn hole, and swings! They also have ladder ball, a calf roping station, a cow train, and a corn cannon!
When the sun sets Rutledge not only offers the regular corn mazes but a Haunted Corn Maze and a Zombie Paintball adventure, too. We think those activities are best for teens and up, but we’ll let you decide. Produce stand now open; corn maze opens September 26th; Haunted maze opens October 2nd. Buy tickets online in advance.
TBA? I don’t see any updates on this one. If you drive by and notice before idea, let me know!
This small, family farm has an emphasis on sustainable practices. They raise organic, heirloom pumpkins. This year you will need an appointment and some activities are not being offered, but there is still fall fun to be had. Do be sure to read all the details on their home page.
On a budget? You can skip the patch-a-palooza and still get some pumpkins at many area stands. Sterino Farms traditionally has at least one weekend when they offer 1.00 pumpkins!
Farther Afield….If you’re up for a country drive, there are a whole bunch of patches in Carnation, and while this is just out of our, “Territory,” it’s a nice mini road trip on a fall day. You can find options in that area on PugetSoundFresh
And, there you have it! Now, it’s time to get your gourd on! Be sure to share you pictures of your pumpkin adventures with us on our Sounds Fun Mom Facebook page. We’d also love to add to our list if there is one you’d really recommend!
Updated for 2020
First, let’s be clear that when a salmon is returning to spawn, it’s returning to the place where it was born to deposit eggs. This is the end of its life, and a remarkable natural process. It also means that while you’re catching sight of the salmon heading to spawn, you might end up seeing (and smelling) a dead one. If this would alarm your children, you may want to choose another activity.
You should also know that this is a historically low year for the salmon run according to the Ballard Locks, so as with all outings in nature, don’t promise your kiddos anything other than adventure!
If you’re up for salmon spotting, here are your best bets! There are several organized salmon spotting opportunities, but this is also a fine activity to do DIY style, and it would be a great adventure for your homeschoolers or other fun group.
Salmon can typically be spotted the whole month of October. In person events are cancelled this year, but the link has plenty of info. to help you do this DIY style.
Salmon can be seen at various sites August-November. Link has info. on sites and safe, DIY viewing.
Link has info. on seeing Coho salmon in Soos Creek, Covington Creek, and other area spots.
If you’re up for a road trip, the hatchery in Issaquah just might be the fanciest in America. They pride themselves on being the most visited hatchery in Washington. Tours are available with the size limited. Link has info. on the 2020 salmon season and Covid related precautions and changes.
I don’t see information on an event this year, but you may be able to spot some on your own.
South Prairie- On the east side of town by the fire station you can see salmon in South Prairie Creek between late September-January. This document lists several other Pierce County area spots, but it is older, so I can’t vouch for them. Let us know if you try any of these, and we’ll add them!
Typically, you can visit the hatchery during daylight hours, and the educational center on Saturdays; however, I am not sure if either is open right now. You can often see salmon in the creek directly behind the hatchery that connects to the Clark’s Creek trail system. I am not sure if there will be an organized salmon homecoming this year. I suspect not, but I’ll keep you posted. If you find out any scoop, let me know! Here is they city’s page for the hatchery.
The fb page for the Puyallup Historical Hatchery Foundation is here.
The trail, featuring wild chum salmon, is free for visitors. This is one of the most popular sites in Washington, with over 5,000 people visiting every November. Be sure to visit the Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail page to show your kiddos a great 3 minute video all about salmon spawning! It will really inspire you to put this event on your calendar! There is more information for visitors here.
Viewing is usually available during the month of November. I don’t see updated info. for this year, so I suspect this is going to be a DIY adventure without docents this year. I’ll work on confirming that for you.
This is an outstanding trail to explore with young hikers near Olympia. During mid November-mid December there are good opportunities to see returning chum.
Update: Currently closed according to their fb page. Thanks to one of our awesome Fb readers for letting me know. Put this one on the list for 2021!
In the 1962, the state funded hatchery operations at the top of Tumwater Falls, making this another great spot to watch salmon. This is also a great place to view fall leaves changing color! Jen, of ThriftyNWMom, has an an awesome full review of Tumwater Falls Park.
State Hatcheries are currently closed.
Traditionally there has been an event towards the end of November. I don’t see info. yet but will keep you posted if I find out more.
Extensive maps and information on free salmon tours if you want to head down to the Kitsap area.
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Do you have a great way to have outdoor fun this time of year? I’d love to hear about it!
For more fall fun, check out our these posts
Updated for 2020 Tacoma and South Puget Sound Area Apple Picking and Apple Cider Making Events If you’re looking to celebrate fall with apple fun, we’re here to help! The bad news is there are very few spots to go apple picking in the South Sound (or even very close), but there are several South […]
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Wowza! It’s a hot one! Here is a round up of good places to keep cool with the kids around the South Sound, including places kids can splash in the water or swim and wade. Please note that due to Covid related closures, there are NO public splash pads, spray grounds, or pools open that […]
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Updated for 2020 Summer is different this year, but it doesn’t have to be a bummer! We have dozens of great things you can do with the kids this summer. Are you ready? Here’s our South Sound Summer Guide! It’s all our most popular summer posts in one handy place! We’ll have it here on […]
[Continue reading...]We’re excited to let you know that many of the museums in Tacoma are reopening. These are great indoor places to take kids during the rainy season! Unfortunately, the popular Children’s Museum of Tacoma is NOT yet open, but many of the other Tacoma area museums have lots for curious kids to enjoy. As ever, […]
[Continue reading...]We’re excited to share that the history museum in Tacoma is opening again! This is a surprisingly kid friendly space with lots for school aged children to explore. It would be a particularly good outing for those of you doing your own homeschooling this year, or for those of you with some independent time built […]
[Continue reading...]The ‘Ol Swimming Hole on Anderson Island is closed as of this writing due to issues around its popularity during this time of Covid concerns. Don’t take the kids to Anderson Island if you’re hoping to swim! This is the beach at Lowell Johnson Park, and authorities have closed it, and are asking you not […]
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Here’s another fun place to take the kids that is open this summer! Old McDebbie’s in Spanaway is a petting zoo/farm where kids can meet and pet animals. Readers have really enjoyed it here, and they are open, with some special Covid related precautions. Their hours are currently Wednesdays-Sunday from 10am-6pm. Masks are required on […]
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More outdoor drive in style movies are coming to Tacoma this summer! We’re so excited to hear about this family friendly outing. Your kids will love going to see a movie drive-in style! Movies will be held on Fridays in August at the STAR Center. Advance ticket purchase is REQUIRED. You must show them at […]
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Sunflowers! Everyone loves them, right? A lot of readers have asked if I know of any sunflower fields or other fields of flowers good for a pretty photo op. Until recently, I honestly didn’t know any South Sound or Tacoma area sunflower options, but just recently, I’ve learned about a couple places to get sunflowers […]
[Continue reading...]There will be drive-in movies at the LeMay, America’s Car Museum or ACM, this summer! This is the car museum by the Tacoma Dome, and they will be hosting family friendly drive in movies with social distancing for the summer of 2020! I wasn’t sure whether these movies would be going on with all the […]
[Continue reading...]Another popular area attraction is open again. Sort of. Northwest Trek is opening a, “Wild Walk.” This option will be different than what you are used to at Northwest Trek. Basically, you will get to explore the areas you walk around normally on a one way path, but it will NOT include the tram ride. […]
[Continue reading...]The Puyallup Taco Bus is finally going to open-now as a bricks and mortar restaurant! This isn’t our usual family fun content, but tacos are MY kind of fun, and, “When is the taco bus going to open?” has been the question for Puyallup for a while now. Los Amigos Taqueria posted this on their […]
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Another area parks department has opened its playgrounds. The playgrounds at Fife parks are now open, with restrictions. You (or your kids) are asked to play in groups of five or less and to stay six feet apart. Playgrounds are inspected but not disinfected or sanitized, so you should bring your own hand sanitizer and […]
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