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SnowPlay Area for Sledding and Snow Fun With Kids Open at Mt. Rainier 2021

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Big news! If you’ve been looking for a place to take the kids sledding or to see or play in the snow, you’ll be glad to know that the Snowplay area at Mt. Rainier is finally open! 

This area is the only location to sled at Mt. Rainier.

Read on for all the information for 2021 Sledding/Snowplay at Paradise at Mt. Rainier. You can also use the links to find out information on snowshoeing.

For more sledding and snow fun options, check the list I’ve linked to at the bottom of this post!

Note that this information is straight from the park.

Sledding/Snowplay Status: OPEN
The official Snowplay Area is the safest and only location that sledding is permitted in Mount Rainier National Park.

Know Before You Go:  Sledding and sliding are permitted only in the designated snow play area at Paradise, located immediately north of the upper parking lot. Trees, tree wells, and cliffs make other areas dangerous. For everyone’s safety, use “soft” sliding devices-flexible sleds, inner tubes, and saucers. No hard toboggans or runner sleds (SFM note-you bring your own). Note: Check the status of road and avalanche conditions before leaving home. Remember all vehicles are required to carry tire chains when traveling in the park in winter.

You can read the complete press release for more information on the SnowPlay area at Mt. Rainier here.

For more options for area snow play and sledding, see the list here! 

Fantasy Lights

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Here’s all the information on Fantasy Lights for 2020, including Fantasy Lights discounts.

This year Fantasy Lights runs

November 21, 2020 – January 3, 2021 5:30-9:00 p.m. at Spanaway Park

If you’re new to the area, you may not know about this Lakewood area light display, so here’s all the scoop!

Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Lake is a drive-thru light show that is one of the Tacoma area’s favorite family holiday traditions. Yes, it’s open this year, and with Covid precautions closing so many other events, it’s been SUPER popular.

Here’s all you need to know! Be sure to read the TIPS section straight from our friends at Pierce County Parks. My advice if you don’t want to wait in a long line  is to go on a non-discount weeknight. My family likes to go after Christmas.

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General Vehicle Admission (at the gate)

Non-Peak Nights: Nov. 21-29, Dec. 6-10, Dec. 13-17:  $15 per vehicle /mini-bus (up to 24 passengers)

Peak Nights: Dec. 4-5, Dec. 11-12, Dec.18-27:  $20 per vehicle/mini bus (up to 24 passengers)

Discount Vehicle Admissions

Online Discount Ticket Purchase: Nov. 21-Jan. 3, 2021

Save $3 on general vehicle admission.
(Online convenience fee will apply.)

Discount Nights: Nov. 30-Dec. 3, Dec. 28-Jan. 3, 2021

  • $10 per vehicle
  • Purchase at the gate or online.
    (Online convenience fee will apply.)

Admissions is charged per vehicle entering the park not per person. 

As you drive by the displays you can tune your car radio to special Christmas music played by local school groups.

The light displays themselves are traditional Christmas themes, and they have a more old-fashioned, homespun feel than you might find at a sleeker light display. Honestly, that’s one of the many things we love about Fantasy Lights. It’s just a sweet, magical outing, especially with your little ones.

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Tips from Pierce County Parks

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✅ Visit on a weeknight (Mon-Thur) for a more relaxed experience.
🚨 Weekends (Fri-Sun) and discount nights (Nov 30-Dec 3 & Dec 28-Jan 3) are VERY popular – anticipate longer wait times.
✅ Bring along fun activities or games to enjoy while waiting.
✅ Purchase tickets online in advance – or while waiting in line.
✅ Arrive early, gates open at 5:30 pm.
✅ Have QR code ready to show at the ticket booth (online tickets).
✅ Switch your vehicle headlights to parking lights only.
✅ Add to the festive atmosphere by dialing your car radio to AM 1700 to listen to a special selection of holiday music.
🚨 Switch your vehicle headlights back on before exiting the park.

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Waits

Do know that some nights, especially weekends, can have long waits of up to an hour. You can also expect a bit more traffic than usual on half-off nights.  My family has always gone on a Sunday late in the season, and we’ve never had to wait at all. You can always bring along a tin of cookies and some cocoa!

Need A Quick Exit?

Finally, while I think this is a sweet family outing for just about everyone, if you do have a child with sensory issues, or fears of the dark, it may not be for you. SFM Tip: If you find yourself in a meltdown mid-drive, signal to one of the flaggers around the route, and they will try to help you exit sooner.

PLEASE NOTE:

Online vehicle admission tickets may be used for any night, however, if the purchased ticket value is less than the gate admission fee on the night you are attending you will be charged the difference in price at the gate. A limited number of online tickets are available. If a date does not appear on the ticket purchasing site, that date is sold out.

You can get online tickets and read more at the Fantasy Lights site here. 

Our awesome readers also left more tips here on our Fb page. 

 

South Sound Holiday Events

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Yes! There Are Still Plenty Of Fun Holiday Events Happening Around Tacoma, Puyallup, South King County, and Your Merry Part of the South Sound!

I’ll be adding to this list all month, so do check back!

Disclaimer: As always, while we strive for 100% accuracy, we’ve also provided links so you can double check event details before you head out! In this very unusual year, things are also subject to change, so, again-double check before you go, and choose only the things that sound fun for your family.

South Sound Holiday Fun Guide Holiday fun tacoma auburn puyallup renton federal way bonney lake

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Tacoma Museums Reopening

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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, […]

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The History Museum in Tacoma is Reopening

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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 […]

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Swimming Hole on Anderson Island Closed

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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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Old McDebbie’s in Spanaway is Open This Summer!

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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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Cruise In Cinema Drive In Style Movies in Tacoma

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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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Where to Find Sunflower Fields South Puget Sound

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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 […]

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