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South Sound Weekend Kids’ Calendar: Family Fun and Things To Do May 25th, 26th, and 27th

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South Sound Family Events Memorial Day Weekend
South Sound Kid's Calendar

Need something to do with the kids around Tacoma, Puyallup, Gig Harbor, or your part of the South Sound? We’ve found fun and free things to do with the kids all around the 253 this Memorial Day weekend. We’ve also linked to a short round up of Memorial Day events and observances at the bottom of this post.

Friday

May Flowers Craft at the Graham Library 4:30-5:30
Cut, glue, color and create a flower themed craft. All ages; kids under 6 should bring a grown up..

Kent Kid Movie of the Month today at the Kent Library It’s Finding Nemo

Gardening for Kids :Earth Worms and Seed Bomb Party at the Parkland Spanaway Library 4-5:30

Learn how earthworms decompose garbage and waste with Pierce County Environmental Educators. Bring seeds to share or pick up a few favorites with Parkland Seed Traders and make a fun spring craft with Eat Local Pierce County. All ages; children under 6 should bring a favorite grown up

Featured Sponsor: Family movie and glow play night at WiggleWorks 

We’re turning down the lights and up the FUN! Kids love this event with FREE glow bracelets for each child. We will be watching the newly released, Peter Rabbit! Kids over 48″ inches may join for free to watch the movie; they just can’t play on the equipment. Movie is included with your all day, come and go admission! 6-8PM

Cinder Edna at Olympia Family Theater

Cinderella’s fairy godmother and glass slippers may seem ideal, but you will fall in love with our Edna whose  trip to the palace means a bus ride, comfortable loafers, and a very different happily ever after. 7PM tonight; 2PM Saturday and Sunday Buy Tickets

Saturday

All Over

Kids’ Club at Michael’s Stores 2.00/child for ages 3-8. Sessions are 30 minutes. It’s flamingo themed crafts today. There is also a slightly different version at the same time for ages 6+ for  5.00.  And from 1-3 there is a Make-Break activity; that one is, “Celebration slime.”

Storytime at Barnes and Noble stores Most area stores do a free, weekly storytime at 11AM; however, we do suggest calling yours to confirm first, as we have found participation to be inconsistent. It’s an Elephant and Piggie event at most stores.

Hit your farmer’s market!

South King County

Backyard Birding Class at Shadow Lake Bog in Renton. Join the Audubon Society, Audubon Washington for a Backyard Bird Identification class the last Saturday in May. We will be listening and looking for birds around the Preserve with the help of an expert birder. Come with weather appropriate clothes and shoes for moderate levels of walking – inclines or uneven ground may be encountered on this walk. Bringing binoculars and coffee is encouraged! Not specifically a kids’ event, but it is listed as kid friendly and should be fun for a child old enough to be interested and do the walking.

Visit the HCC Mast Center at Redondo The center and its touch tanks of sea critters are free and open to the public every Saturday from 10-2

Khalsa Day Parade and celebration in Kent This is a religious celebration, but the public is invited. Read more here from our friends at IloveKent.

Meet Elena of Avalor at Learning Express Toys in Renton

Puyallup/South Hill/Sumner/Greater Pierce

It’s tent sale time at The Old Cannery all weekend; balloon animals, old-time photos, free hot dogs, and fun 12-3 Saturday, Sunday, and Monday

Read to a Dog at the Eatonville Library 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Share a book with a furry friend while improving your reading skills. Drop in!

Solo: A Star Wars Story screening. It’s a private screening, and Sounds Fun Mom readers are invited! 15.00 tickets include raffle tickets. Proceeds benefit charity. Costumed characters will be on hand, and it’s sure to be a fun time. 6:30-9

Yes, the sprayground by the library should be on! Expect a crowd for the farmer’s market, too.

Tacoma

The spraygrounds are open in Tacoma. Get your splash on! All spray grounds are free.

Family nature walk at McKinley Park

Naturalists lead free walks at area parks. Advance registration is now required. Not suitable for strollers; perfect for ages 3 and up. 1PM

Baja Beach is taking shape at  Point Defiance Zoo See a sand sculptor at work!

Watch international sand sculptor Sue McGrew and her team create a mammoth ocean scene made of sand on the Zoo’s main hub. See the professional sand sculptors work on Baja Beach daily from 9:30 am-12 pm & 1 pm-5 pm now through June 3.

Kids can play, shovel, and sculpt to their hearts’ delight in our special Beach Zone, complete with sand, shovels, buckets and more. Included with admission. The zoo does get spendy. SFM recommends investing in an annual pass unless you can take advantage of free days for City of Tacoma residents.

Chalk Art at Frost Park 12-1

An all ages artistic event every saturday! We will be adding more and more to this event over the summer so stay tuned!

Go Outdoors Kids Event at Bass Pro Shops

Go Outdoors continues with our fun Kid’s event! We have a catch and release pond, kid’s workshop on Nature: 4 Winged Wonders, FREE Photo downloads, FREE crafts, plus BBQ and Funnel Cake Samples!

Check below for all times and dates:

May 26 & 27 – 11-4pm
Catch and Release pond. *Must register at event.
FREE Photo Download
FREE crafts – Decorate a wood turtle
1:30pm Kids’ Workshop – Nature: 4 Winged Wonders (First 25 attendees will receive a FREE medallion and pouch, each day *While supplies last)
Plus the first 200 kids to complete a punch card will receive a, (May 26 – LED flashing wristband) or (May 27 – a fish drawstring bag) *While supplies last.
1-4pm FREE Funnel Cake Samples
May 26 ONLY* | 11-4pm FREE BBQ from Kansas City Barbeque Society.

See a show at the Science Dome. It’s the area’s only indoor planetarium, and it’s great!

Olympia area

OFS Kids Club presents Paddington Free for kids 12 and under

Cinder Edna at Olympia Family Theater

Cinderella’s fairy godmother and glass slippers may seem ideal, but you will fall in love with our Edna whose  trip to the palace means a bus ride, comfortable loafers, and a very different happily ever after. 2PM Saturday and Sunday Buy Tickets

Visit the Puget Sound Estuarium and learn about sea critters! 5.00 family admission

Gig Harbor/Kitsap

It’s street scramble time! Choose from 90 minute or 3 hour options. Race to visit as many checkpoints around the city as you can. It’s free!

Visit your farmer’s market!

Sunday

Pierce County/Tacoma

Memorial Rocks at Windmill Gardens in Sumner

Sun. May 27 12:00– 2:00 p.m.
Kids ages 3-10 drop in and paint a patriotic or memory-themed rock to take home and share. No advanced registration needed.
Free.

Memorial Day observance in Puyallup at the Pioneer Park Pavillion

Explore the Outdoors at the Foss Waterway Seaport Free event with PBS Kids and the Seaport. Crafts and activities with Wild Kratts tie in and more! 1-4PM

Baja Beach is taking shape at  Point Defiance Zoo See a sand sculptor at work!

Watch international sand sculptor Sue McGrew and her team  create a mammoth ocean scene made of sand on the Zoo’s main hub. See the professional sand sculptors work on Baja Beach daily from 9:30 am-12 pm & 1 pm-5 pm now through June 3.

Kids can play, shovel, and sculpt to their hearts’ delight in our special Beach Zone, complete with sand, shovels, buckets and more. Included with admission. The zoo does get spendy. SFM recommends investing in an annual pass unless you can take advantage of free days of City of Tacoma residents.

Puget Sound Pizza has all ages karaoke today

Go Outdoors Kids Event at Bass Pro Shops

Go Outdoors continues with our fun Kid’s event! We have a catch and release pond, kid’s workshop on Nature: 4 Winged Wonders, FREE Photo downloads, FREE crafts, plus BBQ and Funnel Cake Samples!

Check below for all times and dates:

May 26 & 27 – 11-4pm
Catch and Release pond. *Must register at event.
FREE Photo Download
FREE crafts – Decorate a wood turtle
1:30pm Kids’ Workshop – Nature: 4 Winged Wonders (First 25 attendees will receive a FREE medallion and pouch, each day *While supplies last)
Plus the first 200 kids to complete a punch card will receive a, (May 26 – LED flashing wristband) or (May 27 – a fish drawstring bag) *While supplies last.
1-4pm FREE Funnel Cake Samples
May 26 ONLY* | 11-4pm FREE BBQ from Kansas City Barbeque Society.

It’s tent sale time at The Old Cannery  Saturday, Sunday, and Monday balloon animals, old-time photos, free hot dogs, and fun

Olympia

Cinder Edna at Olympia Family Theater

Cinderella’s fairy godmother and glass slippers may seem ideal, but you will fall in love with our Edna whose  trip to the palace means a bus ride, comfortable loafers, and a very different happily ever after. 7PM tonight; 2PM Saturday and Sunday Buy Tickets

Monday/Memorial Day

We have a short list of Memorial Day ceremonies and other events at the site here.

New here? I’d love to have you use the buttons at the top to join us on the Facebook page, follow me on Twitter, or subscribe to our emails so you don’t miss a thing! You can also find us on Instagram or subscribe to our weekly newsletter-it’s the best picks from this list, and it comes out on Thursdays, so you get to start planning your weekend a whole day early!

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Meet Mariners Grand Slam Camps

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 South Puget Sound Area Baseball and Softball Camps With the Seattle Mariners Grand Slam Camps

We’re so pleased to have Mariners Grand Slam Camps as part of our sponsorship team again this summer. 

Baseball and Fastpitch Softball Camps in Puyallup, Sumner, Lacey, Federal Way, and other convenient locations!

The Seattle Mariners have officially partnered with Grand Slam Camps to provide baseball and fastpitch softball camps for kids around the Puget Sound.

Now officially called Mariners Grand Slam Camps, these are not your ordinary baseball camps. If you’re used to camps that offer drills and a few games, you will be pleasantly surprised by the true, Seattle Mariners experience your child will get to enjoy with Mariners Grand Slam Camps.

Camp is about building skills but also teaching a true love of the game. Kids will enjoy a week of surprises, top-flight instruction, and lots of old-fashioned fun, whether they’re beginners or all-stars.

Our older son did camp with the original Grand Slam several years ago, and he had a great time. I was very impressed with the skill level of the staff and how they made sure that every child was learning and feeling excited about baseball. It was his very first experience with baseball, and I was amazed at how much he learned and so pleased with how positive he felt after every session.

There are three camps offerings with convenient locations around the South Sound.

  • The Complete Camp runs from 9:00 AM-12:30 PM from Monday through Thursday.  Instructional sessions are held at the top of each hour with a general focus on situational game play and instruction about a variety of different skills of the game.  Each field has two coaches – typically current college players – who are constantly teaching the finer points to players as the games are played.  This is where the real learning occurs.
  • The Skills Camp runs from 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM Monday through Thursday and is instructionally based.  All receive hitting instruction, but also select a defensive position of emphasis; pitcher, catcher or infield.
  • The Camp Bundle offers Complete + Skills Camps at a discount plus one-hour of lunch supervision at no added cost. It runs from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM.  In most locations, a separate fastpitch softball camp is offered as well as baseball.

Each camp is lead and coordinated by certified teachers who have deep knowledge of the game so parents can count on a safe, upbeat, and professional environment.  Add in many surprises and the constant influence of the Seattle Mariners, and you have a camp like no other.  To top it all off, all campers are invited to an additional camp session in August at Safeco Field.  This is part of the camp experience and is included at no additional cost. Note from SFM: These are very well priced camps already!

For more information you can visit  their website here.

To register just head here! 

Questions? Email info@marinerscamps.org or call, text or leave voicemail at: 360-802-2232

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. The folks at Mariners Grand Slam Camps were some of this site’s earliest sponsors. We’d love for you to mention Sounds Fun Mom when you register if you have a chance. Thanks for doing that!

New After School Program, Camps and Classes at Freedom Martial Arts

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Have you been looking for a kids’ Taekwondo or martial arts class?
We’re so please to have our friends at Freedom Martial Arts back as sponsors this month. They have a new after school program for kids, plus great summer camps, and a self-defense program for women and teens.

A.C.E. Takewondo After School Program in Edgewood

I think you’ll be especially interested in their A.C.E. after school program if you’ve been looking for a positive, structured activity for your kids after school.

ACE is not a daycare program, but an active recreation program that also helps kids develop individual character in a positive, encouraging and supportive environment. There are individual activities as well as group times.

The program provides after school transport service from local elementary schools and includes time for homework, recreation, and active play. Plus, the A.C.E. staff will love your kids, and your kids will love A.C.E.!

All of this is offered for a very affordable rate that includes the Takewondo and the uniform. There is also a 20% discount for members of the military or those employed with police and fire departments.

For more information, just head here! Are you a homeschooling family? They’d be glad to talk to you about scheduling Takewondo classes at a time that works for you, too!

Freedom Martial Arts Summer Camps Edgewood

The fun doesn’t end when school gets out, either! Freedom Martial Arts has great camps all summer, and they’re a great deal, too. One week of camp with five days of fun is just 150.00, and your rate includes Takewondo classes. Sibling discounts are available, as are rates if you just need a one or three day camp! You can get more info. on that here, or see their complete listing in our summer camp guide.

Freedom Martial Arts Self Defense Classes for Women and Girls

Freedom Martial Arts also offers programs for grown-ups, including weekly self defense programs designed for women and teens.These empowering classes will teach you important skills and help you feel confident and safer.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. If you check out the A.C.E. program or one of Freedom Martial Arts great camps or self defense classes, I do hope you’ll mention you saw them on Sounds Fun Mom. This site exists because of our local sponsors!

See Solo At An Exclusive Screening

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You’re invited to a private screening of Solo: A Star Wars Story in Puyallup May 26th. Tickets still available! Oh, hey, Star Wars fans! Want to blow your kids’ minds? Or maybe just have the geekiest date night ever (Geekery is totally cool these days)? Come with us to a very special screening of Solo: […]

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Tacoma Area Spraygrounds On

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Wondering which Tacoma area spray grounds are on? Great news! Metro Parks Tacoma has announced an early opening for some of their splash pads. You can visit the spray grounds at Franklin Park, Jefferson Park, and the STAR center today, May 14th, until 8PM, or tomorrow, Tuesday, May 15th, from 10AM-8PM. They are all free! […]

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Summer Bingo Board

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Need some summer inspiration? I know a lot of you are already making summer plans and lists of summer must-dos with your kiddos. We will have a Giant summer guide here, as usual, but it’s still a work in progress as of this writing. If you’d like to get a jump on planning summer fun […]

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