It’s a great weekend if you’re looking for fun things to do with your family around here. There are dozens of don’t miss events, including many that are FREE. The only hard part will be choosing! Read on to get started!
Ongoing
Metro Parks Tacoma’s Free spray grounds are now on on weekends. The splash pad at Ruston should also be on; the one at Pioneer Park in downtown Puyallup might be.
Many Farmers’ Markets are open Get your fresh on!
Saturday
All Over
Kids’ Club at Michael’s Stores 2.00/child for ages 3-8. Sessions are 30 minutes. It’s pineapple 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; this one is a splatter canvas. Supplies for that are free when you purchase the canvas.
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 a special Fancy Nancy event in honor of the royal wedding.
South King County
Meet Poppy the Troll at Learning Express Toys in Renton Free photo op. Yes, you can expect company! 1-4
Auburn YMCA Water Safety Event
Stpp by the Auburn Valley YMCA Aquatics Center from 12:30 – 4:00 pm to learn about boat and lifejacket safety for National Wear It Day. Lifejackets will be available for all participants. Following the event, we’ll have a family movie sing-a-long from 4:00 – 6:00 pm, with Moana making an appearance. Registration is required. Note from SFM: There is a non member ticket, so I believe this is open to the public, but you may want to double check.
Blue Poppy Day at the Rhododendron Garden Federal Way
FREE and Open to the Public! Experience the world-renowned blue poppy meadow, shop at an art market featuring local craftspeople, and enjoy a day of performances! Visit RhodyGarden.org for more information about our 22-acre garden. Note from SFM: You may have to pay regular garden admission. While not super exciting for kids, it’s a nice stroll for them and lovely this time of year. Good outing with grandma!
A free, fun, family event to get up close and personal with the vehicles and equipment that build, serve and protect our community with pride. This event will put your child’s imagination in hear as they honk, toot and climb aboard their favorite vehicles. RAIN OR SHINE!
Located at the former Target parking lot, next to the future Performing Arts & Events Center. Event is from 11am-2pm, no horns 11am-Noon no horns for sensory-sensitive children. Note from SFM: Readers love this one!
PETPALOOZA is a FREE event for pet lovers and a special day for your four-legged family member or other furry friend. Petpalooza is kicked off with a Dog Trot 3K/5K Fun Run. The event features an animal-related entertainment stage, flydog and agility demos, pony rides, Mud Bay’s Northwest Pet Contest, an agility area, over 150 vendor booths, adoptions, low-cost animal services, giveaways and lots of activities to keep both humans and pets entertained.
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 Back open!
Puyallup/Orting/South Hill/ Greater Pierce
Kids’ Fishing Derby at Bradley Lake Park Sponsored by the Tacoma Sportsmen’s Club and open to the public; free event for kids 14 and under with poles and bait provided. 7AM-12; I think I’d go on the earlier side.
Children’s Gardening Class With the Master Gardeners at the WSU demonstration garden off Pioneer. These are free and great! Register at 9:45AM; class begins at 10AM
The Prospectors Club will be at Sportsman’s Warehouse. While not exactly an, “Event,” I bet your kids would get a kick out of learning about panning for gold.
Foothills Trail Ribbon Cutting
The three-mile section of the Foothills Trail between Buckley and South Prairie was recently completed; a ribbon-cutting ceremony will celebrate this connection on Saturday, May 19th.
If you would like to join Puyallup Mayor John Palmer and the Tacoma Washington Bicycle Club to ride out to the ribbon-cutting, meet at the East Puyallup trailhead (13810 80th Street) at 9 am on the 19th. The ride out to South Prairie and back will measure approximately 30 miles round trip. Note from SFM: If this event isn’t your speed, do put a section of this trail on your list if you like stroller or bike friendly trails. It’s a great choice!
Tacoma
Spring Fairy Festival on 6th Avenue Entertainment, workshops, and other fun for fairy folk of all ages.
Happy Market Day Join us at The Traveling Happy Market for food, friends and kid-friendly fun! We will feature activities like face painting, business card crafting and more! Anthem coffee by the UW Tacoma
A merry mood permeates the Fort on this occasion. At noon, bagpipes announce the start of the traditional tributes to the queen. The pipes are followed by a musket volley, toasts to the queen, and a cannon salute. Many of the Fort’s ladies and gentlemen will be dressed in their finest, 1850s fashion. Throughout the day, guests can visit with our historical interpreters, join in a game of croquet, and enjoy performances. Refreshments while supplies last. Event admission is $8-$10, children 3 and younger are free. For more information visit fortnisqually.org or call (253) 404-3970.
Bring your family to explore the beach, learn about tide pool life and have lots of fun during some of the lowest tides of the year. A naturalist will guide low-tide beach exploration. Free! 1-4 today at Titlow Beach.
Free family flick at the Grand The third Saturday of each month, The Grand Cinema welcomes guests of all ages to a family-friendly movie for free! Doors open at 9:30 a.m. and movies start at 10:00 a.m. Seating is first-come, first-served. All children under age 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Special thanks to our partners at Columbia Bank for helping us present these films free to all! It’s The Last Unicorn today.
Ranger Lead Nature Walk at Point Defiance Park 1PM
Meet the Park Ranger at the Rhododendron Garden Pavilion for an exploration of the plants and animals in the special old-growth forest of Point Defiance Park. Not suitable for strollers; perfect for ages 3 and up.
Afternoon movie at the Swasey Library It’s Wonder 2-4PM
The public is invited to watch the dragon boat races from Thea’s Park. Free! Note: I do believe this is just watching the races, but I bet it would be fun.
See a children’s show at the Science Dome. The area’s only indoor planetarium! This is a great, low cost outing for your science lovers. Definitely put it on your list!
Lacey/Olympia/Dupont
Experience the Armed Forces Day at JBLM-McChord Field Saturday, May 19 at Heritage Hill. While a Volksmarch begins at 9 a.m., the rest of the festivities begin at 10. Explore military static displays and on-board vehicle visits, living history displays, carnival rides, bounce houses, petting zoo, a climbing wall and roving entertainers. Plus, enjoy your favorite fair foods and check out vendor booths. This is open to the public and a great event, but do be sure to read in advance about how to get on base and other rules. For more information, visit JBLMArmedForcesDay.com.
Join staff from the Outdoor Adventure and Park Stewardship program for this fun day at West Bay Park. Start the morning by helping remove invasive plants from the park and then learn the basics of kayaking on Budd Inlet. Don’t miss this event! All necessary equipment provided Registration required for kayaking portion. Note from SFM: I think there is a minimum age for this event. Double check when you sign up.
Two big days of FREE fun! Rides, games, a giant slide, and so much more! You will likely want money for food vendors, but there is seriously a ton here for FREE. It’s a great event!
Its that time again! Come join us for another great consignment sale. If you are looking for anything related to children (clothes, equipment, toys, maternity items, ect.) then come shop and sale and save some money while supporting local families.
Mommy and Me Fairy Garden Party at Schilter Farm As of this writing tickets are available to the 4-6 time slot.
Marshall Middle School presents Beauty and the Beast jr.Friday, May 18 at 7pm Saturday, May 19 at 2pm & 7pm at Capital High School Theatre Tickets are $7/person
Capital City Marathon Kids’ Run
Free 1.2 mile kids run
Cinder Edna at Olympia Family Theater
Opening night-7PM! 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
Visit the South Sound Estuarium Open `11-4 weekends; 5.00 family admission
Gig Harbor
Mosaic Choir & Orchestra at the Boys & Girls Club
Celebrating Armed Forces Day with a Patriotic Concert to benefit the Permission to Start Dreaming Foundation. Family friendly event. For more information about the Permission to Start Dreaming Foundation, please visit www.PTSDfoundation.org Tickets can be purchased online or at the door.
Visit the touch tanks and display tanks at Harbor WildWatch new hours!
Any weekend fun: Your Michael’s does do the crafts (see All Over above). Visit the Harbor History Museum (it’s free!); walk your downtown; see what’s going on at Discovery Village, or visit one of your great parks or trails. If you know something I missed, do let me know!
Sunday
South King County
Build reading skills and confidence by reading aloud to a certified therapy dog in a welcoming environment.
Puyallup/Sumner/Bonney Lake
Exotic bird and animal show at the fairgrounds in Puyallup
Buy, Sell, Trade and Market. Birds, cages, seeds, small animals, supplies, parrots and so much more! 10AM-3PM 10.00; children 5-10 are 5.00; cash only at the gate
Puyallup Pet Adoption Event at the Sunrise Village PetSmart Over 100 pets with 10 agencies available for adoption – puppies, kittens, dogs & cats. Trainers, shelter staff and volunteers on site to answers questions
Tacoma/Gig Harbor
Press PLAY: Family Edition! at the Washington State History Museum 12-5
We’re bringing back February’s History After Hours: Press PLAY event for our younger visitors and those who missed it the first time! Explore TOYTOPIA and play all the best games from decades past, including Oregon Trail (Yes, the original one)! Make your own Pet Rock and more
$15 for children under 13 Your ticket includes all supplies and instruction from our fabulous Dazed and Reused artists, Plus one free delicious hot cocoa, STRONG BREW coffee, tea, or soft drink from our little coffee bar. All ages; kids under 17 need to bring a participating grown up.
We will meet at the store at 10am to head out to Anthem Coffee then on a quick walk on the new Prairie Line Trail through the UW campus downtown Tacoma.
Kids Karaoke at Puget Sound Pizza Sundays in May 1:30-4
What would it have been like if you worked on your Dad’s fishing boat 100 years ago? Where would you fish? How long would you be gone? What would you eat? Where would you sleep? What would you do when you weren’t fishing? What would the boat be like? Families with children ages five and older will enjoy a maritime-themed multimedia event about early commercial fishing and the Gig Harbor families who pioneered the industry. Bring your questions! 1 PM Sunday, May 20th Children ages 5 and up No charge! You are asked to call to register.
Lacey/Olympia
Two big days of FREE fun! Rides, games, a giant slide, and so much more! You will likely want money for food vendors, but there is seriously a ton here for FREE. It’s a great event!
Last day!
Cinder Edna at Olympia Family Theater
Opening night-7PM! 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
Visit the South Sound Estuarium Open `11-4 weekends; 5.00 family admission
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PS Don’t forget to scroll down if you haven’t been here in a while! We’re giving away a week of Art Camp, and we have the scoop on an exclusive screening of Solo: A Star Wars Story!
