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Things To Do Sunday!

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Sunday

South King County

Score a bargain on gently used kids clothes, toys, gear, and more! Half off many items today!

Reading with Rover at the Covington Library 1-2

Fall bazaar at the White River Buddhist Temple in Auburn

I think this is mostly about food and crafts, but I’ve always thought it sounded interesting. If you know more, let us know!

Fright Fest at Wild Waves. Includes 20+ amusement park rides, two haunted houses, a scare free area for kids under 12, and live entertainment.  Booville is a scare-FREE zone for kids under 12  that includes a giant inflatable slide,  an inflatable obstacle course and other fun. Be sure to check the website for the varying times. Readers are mixed on this for little kids.

Salmon spotting on the Cedar River Trained naturalists will help kids spot salmon returning to spawn  Every weekend in October at four locations-link takes you to a detailed post.

Greater Pierce

Ride the Peanuts Great Pumpkin Patch Express

The fall is a fantastic time to ride the train. Join Snoopy and Charlie Brown aboard The Great Pumpkin Patch Express. Passengers will ride the train and read the book It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown on their journey to the Pumpkin Patch.

Sumner Friends Book Sale at the Sumner Library 1-4pm
Support your local library by shopping a fantastic selection of used books both old and new. Sale runs all weekend long and offers a great selection for kids, teens and adults!

Bedrock gold and treasure show at the fairgrounds Saturday & Sunday: 9:30am-5pm Expo Hall, Enter at Gold Gate
Admission: $10.00 over 12 years or $5.00 with unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots  We will have a sandbox with buried polished stones and agates that kids can find and keep a stone of their choice. We will have some metal detecting experts on hand to teach them how to use a metal detector. Other activities for the kids include coin scrambles on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Kids Day Workshops at Soap and Clay  Bath bombs and one with a Harry Potter theme today   Registration and fees required

Olympia

Visit the South Sound Estuarium   open 11-4 weekends

Want to visit a pumpkin patch or a corn maze? Here’s our master list! 

As always, if you know something we missed or you’d like publicity or advertising for your group, get in touch! You can email me at soundsfunmom@gmail.com.

We do depend on the support of local businesses. We appreciate you thanking our sponsors and telling any of the places and businesses you visit about our site. It’s our favorite way to get new advertisers, and it helps us keep bringing you all the awesome!

South Sound Weekend Kids’ Calendar: Family Fun and Things to Do October 19th, 20th, and 21st

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Calendar

Are you looking for family fun around the 253 this weekend? It’s another great weekend full of things to do with the kids, including lots that’s free! And, yes, we do have lots of indoor options!

Friday

Hoot n Howl at Northwest Trek

Glowing pumpkins. Treats and games; $16 at gate. Bring the whole family and take a starlit tram ride through the Free-Roaming Area. Wander our lit paths and admire glowing carved pumpkins. Come in costume and play games, visit treat stations for candy, and more.  Also Saturday

Olympia Family Theater presents Corduroy Last show with tickets

Saturday

All Over

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. Story is Elbow Grease today.

Kids’ Club at Michael’s Craft Stores  It’s cobweb themed crafts today. 10AM-12  2.00 or 5.00 per half hour session depending on age; there is also a  t shirt decorating event from 1-3PM-buy the shirt and the decorations are free.

South King County

Fall Foliage Festival at the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden in Federal Way

Fantastic fall foliage is just minutes away at the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden! plant sales, tours, kids’ activities

A Dracula Celebration at the Federal Way 320th Library

Family program, all ages welcome. Ages 6 and younger with adult.

Celebrate the classic tale of Dracula! Listen to the book Vampirina Ballerina by Anne Marie Pace, while participating to help tell the story, led by the ballet dancers of Tacoma City Ballet.  Be sure to bring your phone or camera to take pictures of yourself with the ballet dancers afterwards! Dancers will be dressed in costumes from their upcoming all-ages show, Dracula: the Romantic Ballet. Ballet costumes and non-scary Halloween costumes are encouraged. 1:30

Kids can also, “Dance With Dracula,” at this event at Barnes and Noble in Federal Way  at 11:30

Score a bargain on gently used kids clothes, toys, gear, and more!

Salmon spotting on the Cedar River Trained naturalists will help kids spot salmon returning to spawn  Every weekend in October at four locations-link takes you to a detailed post.Visit the HCC Mast Center at Redondo   Touch tanks with sea critters free and open to the public Saturdays from 10AM-2

Puyallup/Sumner/Graham/Greater Pierce County

Culture and arts festival at the Karshner Museum Noon to 5:00 pm
Día de la Raza at the Museum – A Culture and Arts Festival

The Karshner Museum and Center for Culture and Arts is excited to present our third Día de la Raza Culture and Arts event.  This family festival of Latino cultures that includes music, dance, and art activities is from noon until 5:00 p.m. – all for free!

October Family Fest at Emerald Ridge-sponsored by High Pointe Church and open to all! Grab your family and friends and join us for a FREE event on Saturday, October 20th from 4-7pm. We will have food, games, bounce houses, face painting, contests and more! Don’t miss it!

Saturday Art for Kids at the Fred Oldfield Center fun, monthly class 25.00/child

Headband Craft – Day of the Dead Headbands at the Fife Library 1-4PM Create a Day of the Dead crown of flowers.

The Traveling Lantern Theatre Company Presents: Pinocchio at the Graham Library 2-3PM

Bedrock gold and treasure show at the fairgrounds Saturday & Sunday: 9:30am-5pm Expo Hall, Enter at Gold Gate
Admission: $10.00 over 12 years or $5.00 with unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots We will have a sandbox with buried polished stones and agates that kids can find and keep a stone of their choice. We will have some metal detecting experts on hand to teach them how to use a metal detector. Other activities for the kids include coin scrambles on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Sumner Friends Book Sale at the Sumner Library 10AM-4PM

Beyond

Ride the Peanuts Great Pumpkin Patch Express

Join Snoopy and Charlie Brown aboard The Great Pumpkin Patch Express. Passengers will ride the train and read the book It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown on their journey to the Pumpkin Patch.

Hoot n Howl at Northwest Trek

Hoot n howl nw trek

Glowing pumpkins. Treats and games. $10/$12 online; $16 at gate. Bring the whole family and take a starlit tram ride through the Free-Roaming Area. Wander our lit paths and admire glowing carved pumpkins. Come in costume and play games, visit treat stations for candy, and more.

Tacoma

Celebrate the Grand Opening of the new Eastside Community Center

performances, tours, free swim sessions (sign up online in advance), and other fun You’re encouraged to park off site.

2018 Confucius Institute Day at Annie Wright in Tacoma Free event open to the public. Learn about Chinese language and culture! Register here

“How I Became a Pirate” – with Tacoma Musical Playhouse
at the University Place Library – University Place Meeting Room 11:00am – 12:00pm Enjoy a sneak peek of this fun new production from the Tacoma Musical Playhouse. You do need to register. Lots of spots as of this writing.

Family nature walk at Oak Tree Park

10AM Volunteer naturalists lead free nature walks in area parks. Free but advance registration is now required 10AM not suitable for strollers; great for ages 3 and up

Playblocks story time at Swasey 10:30

Preschool story time at Moore 10:30

Wild Rumpus Dance Party at the Wheelock Library 10:30

Join us for a Wild Rumpus Dance Party to Celebrate our Maurice Sendak Exhbit! Put on your dancing shoes and get wild with shakers, scarves and more during this interactive musical program. All ages welcome; recommended for ages 1-5.

Where the Wild Things Are movie at Wheelock

A young boy finds himself in a fantastical world populated by enormous creatures in desperate need of someone to rule their mysterious society. PG 1-4PM

Ranger-Led Nature Walk at Point Defiance 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 recommended for strollers; fun for ages 3 and up.  Free. Reserve your spot online

Free Family Flick at the Grand  -Goosebumps Movie today

The third Saturday of each month, The Grand Cinema welcomes guests of all ages to a family-friendly movie for free thanks to Colombia Bank! 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.

Celtic Faire at St. Andrew’s Church high tea, bagpipes, Irish dancers, and other fun

Paper Trails at King’s Books Tacoma Book Arts presents this free event

Come see artists and craftsmen creating in the world of paper. Free event features make-and-take, unique printed items and crafts, fun for all ages.

Pier Peer in Tacoma Nighttime aquatic adventure for ages 8 and up. 10.00/person-register

South Tacoma/Spanaway/Lakewood

Great Pumpkin Celebration at Bass Pro Shops Free crafts and photos; also Sunday

Friends of Lakewood Library Fall Book Sale – General Sale

10:00am – 4:30pm Join us for our Fall Book Sale! Everyone welcome! Membership not required.

Fall Safety Day with the Fire Department from West Pierce Fire and Rescue

Join us for the annual Fall Safety Day event at West Pierce Fire & Rescue! Enjoy a day of fun for the whole family with games, safety information and of course, FREE pumpkins!

Bricks 4 Kidz – Gadget & Gizmos using LEGO Bricks & Motors

at the Tillicum Library 2-3PM Build and experiment with fun motorized inventions using specialized LEGO components and motors

Woof, Woof Walk, Spanaway Park 

Bring your costumed canine pal for a fun walk around Spanaway Park. Seriously, I LOVE a dog in a costume! Who doesn’t?! Join the Pierce County K-9 Unit for a 1.5 or 3 mile walk along paved trails, suitable for all ages and abilities.

Children and all ages shows at the Science Dome presentations and shows on the overhead dome at the area’s only indoor, digital planetarium. Great, low cost, indoor activity-we really recommend the children’s version. It’s “Haunted Night Sky,” this month, but it won’t be scary unless your kids don’t like the dark!

Olympia/Dupont

Healthy Family Event at the Capital Mall
Showcase Magazine, Capital Medical Center and Capital Mall present a free day of learning about camps, classes and fun habits to keep your family healthy and happy.  Families can also enter their child in the Cutest Child Contest for just 5.00 (low key and fun!). Plus the first 200 families who attend receive a FREE gift bag. 11am-4pm Macy’s court

Family story time at the Olympia Library 11am

Read to a Dog at the DuPont Library  Share a book with a furry friend while improving your reading skills. 1-2PM

Visit the LOTT Wet Science Center  The center is free and hosts special activities every Saturday.  At 1 pm, attend a program about water in our lives and what happens to the dirty water you send down the drain. Then take a behind the scenes tour of LOTT’s Budd Inlet Treatment Plant to see how water is cleaned and restored. Tour participants must be 10 or older and wear sturdy closed shoes. Throughout the day, create water-inspired works of art

Visit the South Sound Estuarium   open 11-4 weekends Hands-on sea critter discovery!

It’s apple festival time at Lattin’s

Candy Land™ at the Lacey Library

Families! Come for a giant game of Candy Land™, candy-related crafts and prizes. Cameras and costumes are welcome. Pick up free tickets, while they last, beginning October 6th at the Lacey Library. This Timberland Regional Library event is sponsored by the Friends of the Lacey Timberland Library, and is provided with permission from Hasbro. 6PM

Gig Harbor 

Ready! for Kindergarten with PSD READY! for Kindergarten is a free program that engages parents and caregivers in their child’s learning from birth to age 5. Get free tools, activities, and toys to take home. Be sure to read info. first.

Harbor WildWatch leads a Wetland Walking Tour at Sehmel Park

Get to know your local wetlands! Join Harbor WildWatch on an hour long stroll through Sehmel Homestead Park. Perfect for all ages. Donations welcome. Meet by the Harbor WildWatch sandwich board in the Pavilion at 10 a.m.

Yoga Storytime at the Gig Harbor Library 10:30-11:30am Yoga movements, books and songs for preschoolers. You do need to register. 20 spots as of this writing.

Building Madness at the Key Center Library 11am Drop in and build!

“How I Became a Pirate” – with Tacoma Musical Playhouse

at the Gig Harbor Library 1-2pm Enjoy a sneak peek from Tacoma Musical Playhouse. You do need to register; plenty of spots as of this writing, but don’t wait too long.

It’s Harvest Fest time at Miracle Ranch

All Hallows Eve at Gateway Park with Key Peninsula Parks

Sunday

South King County

Score a bargain on gently used kids clothes, toys, gear, and more! Half off many items today!

Reading with Rover at the Covington Library 1-2

Fall bazaar at the White River Buddhist Temple in Auburn

I think this is mostly about food and crafts, but I’ve always thought it sounded interesting. If you know more, let us know!

Fright Fest at Wild Waves. Includes 20+ amusement park rides, two haunted houses, a scare free area for kids under 12, and live entertainment.  Booville is a scare-FREE zone for kids under 12  that includes a giant inflatable slide,  an inflatable obstacle course and other fun. Be sure to check the website for the varying times. Readers are mixed on this for little kids.

Salmon spotting on the Cedar River Trained naturalists will help kids spot salmon returning to spawn  Every weekend in October at four locations-link takes you to a detailed post.

Greater Pierce

Ride the Peanuts Great Pumpkin Patch Express

The fall is a fantastic time to ride the train. Join Snoopy and Charlie Brown aboard The Great Pumpkin Patch Express. Passengers will ride the train and read the book It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown on their journey to the Pumpkin Patch.

Sumner Friends Book Sale at the Sumner Library 1-4pm
Support your local library by shopping a fantastic selection of used books both old and new. Sale runs all weekend long and offers a great selection for kids, teens and adults!

Bedrock gold and treasure show at the fairgrounds Saturday & Sunday: 9:30am-5pm Expo Hall, Enter at Gold Gate
Admission: $10.00 over 12 years or $5.00 with unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots  We will have a sandbox with buried polished stones and agates that kids can find and keep a stone of their choice. We will have some metal detecting experts on hand to teach them how to use a metal detector. Other activities for the kids include coin scrambles on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Kids Day Workshops at Soap and Clay  Bath bombs and one with a Harry Potter theme today   Registration and fees required

Olympia

Visit the South Sound Estuarium   open 11-4 weekends

Want to visit a pumpkin patch or a corn maze? Here’s our master list! 

As always, if you know something we missed or you’d like publicity or advertising for your group, get in touch! You can email me at soundsfunmom@gmail.com.

We do depend on the support of local businesses. We appreciate you thanking our sponsors and telling any of the places and businesses you visit about our site. It’s our favorite way to get new advertisers, and it helps us keep bringing you all the awesome!

 

Hike Report: Take a Walk Along The Cedar River and See the Salmon

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The Cedar River Trail in Renton offers a flat, easy walk or bike ride with views of the Cedar River, fall color and parks along the way. This stretch also offers three locations to view spawning salmon. These areas are staffed by docents from the Seattle Aquarium in October weekends through the 29th from 11-4.

To start your adventure, park at Maplewood Roadside Park and head up the hill to the left of the bridge. Cross the bridge and then hit the trail.

 

The trail is wide –and on a Sunday afternoon– was moderately busy with walkers, strollers, joggers and bikers. We saw beautiful fall foliage and peek-a-boo views of the river.

Soon you will come to Riverview Park and you can see the blue tents from the Seattle Aquarium from the trail. 

Join the volunteer docents at the tent and learn all about the Cedar River Salmon Journey, the salmon life cycle and pretty much anything you could ever want to know about salmon! They even loan out disposable polarized sunglasses  for easier viewing– kids loved these! Stand on the bridge and docents will point out the bright red and green fish in the water. There is also a public bathroom at this park.

Once you are done spotting salmon, continue down the trail to the Cedar River Park, which is just before the highway 405 overpass. On the way, you will pass the Cedar River Dog Park– perfect for giving your furbaby a break from the leash. Once you arrive at Cedar River Park, again, just look for Seattle Aquarium’s blue tent. We got the best views of swimming salmon at this site. This location also features a fish weir, a sort of a holding pen that captures some fish for the hatchery and allows others to pass through which is pretty cool to see. There are restrooms here, too. 

You can choose to make a U turn here or continue on to the Renton Library for another staffed fish viewing location and a fun park. To continue, cross under the highway overpass and then pass Liberty Skate Park and Liberty Park, which has a play structure if kids need to get some wiggles out. Continue on to the Renton library for yet another look at salmon in a more urban environment. For more salmon spotting adventures check our guide here:

Let’s Go Salmon Spotting: Where to Take the Kids to See Salmon Returning to Spawn

Even if you go after the salmon spawning season this 3 mile, flat walk is a beautiful outing in any season.

 

 

 

You’re Invited to Kaleidoscope!

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  Kaleidoscope: The Tacoma Arts Month Opening Party Start Tacoma Arts Month off on the right note with a kaleidoscope of pop-up art exhibits, hands-on activities, music and dance performances, and more at this free, family friendly, community festival! Pack up the family, invite your friends and come help us celebrate! Oct 3, 2018 | […]

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Tacoma City Ballet Presents Dracula

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Are you looking for a family friendly Halloween event? I’ve found a wonderful way for you to do something special with your kids this Halloween, especially if you happen to have someone at your house who loves dance or dress up! It’s the new production of Dracula from our friends at Tacoma City Ballet. This […]

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South Sound Weekend Kids’ Calendar: Family Fun and Things to Do September 28th, 29th, and 30th

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It’s another beautiful weekend full of fun, with a great festival at Nisqually, Paw Patrol in Renton, one of our favorite children’s performers in Auburn, and indoor and outdoor fun in Tacoma, Gig Harbor, Olympia, and just about everywhere else around the South Sound! As always, we’ve got links to everything you need to confirm […]

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