Archives for July 2011

Wondering what to do with kids around the South Puget Sound this weekend? Here’s your big list!

If you’re headed north or south, you’ll want to  check out the list over at ThriftyNWmom compiled by super bargain sleuth Sia of Centsible in Seattle.   If you’d rather stick to family and kids’ events around the South Puget Sound, I’ve got a whole list of them right here.

Saturday

Read with a dog Drop in at the Puyallup Library between 1:00-2:00 and practice your skills with friendly lab, Coach.

Visit your area farmers’ market!

Low Tide Event at Priest Point Near Olympia

Tiptoe Through the Tidepools Low tide event at Titlow Beach from 10-1  Free Naturalists on hand

Pacific Northwest Scottish Highland Games Also on Sunday at the Expo Center in Enumclaw Tickets start at 11.00 for children over 5  and parking is another 5.00. You can get half-price event tickets after 4:00; military discount  Get your kilt on!

Ethnic Fest at Wright Park 12-7 today and Sunday  Music, dance, and food from around the world; kids’ zone

Michael’s Passport to Fun Crafts inspired by Brazil 11AM-2PM Mask and snake

HC MAST water weekends at Redondo-The center is open again every Saturday from 10-2. Kids can touch sea critter in the tanks and learn about other aquatic animals. See the new octopus!  Free  Redondo

Story time at Kitsap Barnes and Noble Also in Olympia Find your store and check for details and call to confirm  Free

Outdoor Cinema in Puyallup Bring your blankets to Bradley Lake Park and enjoy a showing of Legends of the Guardian Returns at dusk; Free-concessions available

Outdoor Cinema in Lacey Saturdays at dusk; concerts before the show start at 7:00. Bring your own snacks or buy concessions Tonight’s show is The Karate Kid  PG  Huntamer Park

Click! Mobile cinema Enjoy Megamind outdoors at Wright Park at the conclusion of Ethnic Fest. Free; show starts at dusk

Touch a Truck South Sound Center in Lacey 10:00am to 6:00pm; Kids can explore a variety of trucks and meet the pros who drive them! $5.00 admission and free for kids under 5.

If you’re a member of the military, don’t forget about the Blue Star Museum program, which gives you and your family free entry to many area museums all summer.

Sunday

Low tide events at Burfoot Park and Tolmie near Olympia Free

Explore the Shore Low tide event at Owens Beach from 10:30-1:30  Free; Naturalists on hand

Salmon Bake in Steilacoom 12-4 at Sunnyside Beach  Tickets 14.00  Kids’ hot dog meal is 6.00. Entertainers on hand

Emerald Downs Sunday family fun days. Auburn   pony rides, face painting, KidsNClay

Waller Road Grange Community Fair and Chicken Barbecue  Old-fashioned games, pet judging, horseshoes, and more. 9AM-4PM  Waller Road Grange 2708 64th St. E  Tacoma  They don’t have a website that I can find, but if you’re in the area, you’ve probably seen signage.

Kaleb’s Groovin’ Dance Party 3PM Rainier View Park  Join 8 year old Kaleb and other fun loving Sumner kiddos for a little dance fun in the park.

Several of Saturday’s events also continue today.

If you love my list of family and kids’ events for the South Sound, I do hope you’ll take a minute to share the SFM love with a pal or two. I have a list just like this every weekend, plus weekday ideas every Sunday, and something new and fun every day in between!

I’d love to have you  join us on our Facebook page or subscribe using one of those handy buttons in the top right.

Know something great I missed? Don’t be shy: Let me know! You can use that contact link at the top or email me directly at soundsfunmom@hotmail.com

Updated March, 2017

First, if you’re not on the SFM Facebook page, a quick heads-up that this should be the day Target discounts toys to 75% off. It’s a twice a year event and a great time to nab some goodies for Christmas. If you miss out, no worries…..another bargain is always round the corner. Moving on…..

Edit: One important note. My kiddos had such a blast here last time, that we returned today. Still fun, but my kid had a nasty fall on the sprayground. Reader CoreyAnn left a note on the Facebook page that they resurfaced it without the texture stuff. Not good! I still love the place, but I don’t want your kiddos or mine to take any spills. My suggestion, especially if you happen to live in the City of Auburn, is to contact someone on the council.

Honestly, I don’t know that this playground/sprayground needs a review. It’s a super popular place, which means there is a good chance you already know about it. Plus, it made the SFM Top 5 Playground List.

But….I’m going to go ahead and blab a little more about it, because it’s such a worthy destination for a summer day. I wish I had some pictures that captured the size of the place, but I don’t want to take pics of kids I don’t know, and I really don’t want to be the creep at the playground….kwim?

Les Gove Park is right in the heart of downtown Auburn, and it’s home to the truly amazing Discovery Playground and a super fun sprayground as well. If that’s not enough, you also have the White River Valley Museum and the Auburn library. Plus, in the summer months, you can score a free lunch. That’s a lot of fun in one stop.

Tip #1: If you have other stops planned, do the one with the sandbox Last!

The playground is a unique, barrier free playground full of things that appeal to all 5 senses. It’s designed to be friendly for kids with special needs, and I don’t think there is a kid around who would haven’t a ball on it.  It has way better than average equipment, including a big, ‘ol sandbox, a merry go round flush with the ground, and some saucer swings that really go. Best of all, it’s got that cushy rubber stuff under the whole thing-no pea gravel, no wood chips, no scraped knees…..yippee!

It does get very busy, but because of its size you never feel too hemmed in. Your kids Will have to share the popular equipment, so keep that in mind. It’s an open space, which I liked because I could see my big kid on the other side of the playground while I stood with Henry by the sandbox.

Now, if you have little ones, you might not appreciate the open setting, and you should also know that some of the equipment may not be suited for a little one when there are lots of other kids using it. Seriously-that merry go round is on the ground, but it can really move! You should also know that parking is even trickier than usual because of library renovations.

Tip #2: If you’re going anywhere near a sprayground, you need swimsuits-no matter what your kids say before you go!

The sprayground next to the park is also better than average. There are fountains to run through and under, as well as things kids can try to spray each other with. It’s bright and clean and very much has a waterpark look. Your kids will love it.

If the crowd at either spot is overwhelming, there is an old-school wooden jungle gym that no one really uses, or you can head into the museum, which is one of the area’s most kid friendly and a total bargain. There are also free museum programs and concerts on summer Wednesdays that I include in my weekly lists.

If you haven’t hit this spot yet, pack a picnic and get an early start. It’s got plenty of fun for a whole afternoon. If it’s not in your area, I think it’s worth up to a 30 minute drive-maybe even 45. If you’d have to trek longer, I think your best bets for comparable big fun are Wright Park in Tacoma and Sehmel in Gig Harbor, though the latter doesn’t have water features.

By the way, on our way home, we passed Terminal Park, a little neighborhood park with brand new playground equipment. One block away and totally empty. Not nearly the, “Wow,” factor you’ll get at Les Gove, but if you or the kids have enough of the crowds, it’s your Plan B!

Have you been to this hot spot? What did you think?

A quick welcome to readers from The Coupon Project. I’m not a frugal blogger, but I can help you save money on family fun if you live in the South Puget Sound.

With summer here, I know many of you are planning vacations-or wishing you could afford one. With that in mind, in the coming weeks I plan on doing a few posts on day trips that will take you out of the usual SFM territory without breaking the bank. Think of them as daycations, if you want.

Don’t worry: If your budget can’t handle an extra tank of gas, I’ll continue to post local, South Sound fun daily.

My first idea takes you to the other-worldy landscape of the Mima Mounds, an odd area with weirdly symetrical mounds as far as the eye can see. It’s also one of the last areas of prairie left in the state. Mima Mounds is actually a generic term for these formations-there are a handful of similar places scattered around the country. Right now, the mounds are covered with grass and wildflowers, and you’ll see butterflies flitting about too.

There are easy, flat trails that lead around the mounds, as well as a small center (station?) that explains some of the theories about their formation. Theories have ranged from gophers to permafrost to native burial mounds. Part of the fun of a visit is that there still isn’t a firm consensus. See what your kids vote for.

A small brochure tells you about some of the wildflowers you’ll see, and you can head out to a viewing tower if you want

To get there, you exit I-5 at Littlerock just past Olympia. It took us about an hour from Puyallup on the way down and much longer on the way back due to the always slow traffic between Olympia and Lacey (Why does everyone stop there? I don’t know!!).

It’s a state DNR property, so you’ll need a new Discover Pass.

A couple words of warning: There is a large sportsman’s club nearby, so while you’re walking, you’ll hear gunfire. You’re not in any danger; it’s just odd. After a while, it sort of fades in the background, but if your kids are freaked out on the 4th of July, this isn’t the outing for them.

Also, keep in mind you’re in open prarie, so on a sunny day you’ll get hot fast. Wear your sunscreen or channel your inner Laura Ingalls and sport a bonnet.

If the mounds don’t fill your afternoon, you’re right by Capitol Forest and just down the street from Millersylvania Park. You could also detour to Wolf Haven (not a bargain but a unique family outing worth considering- there is a howl-in coming up) or any number of fun family stops in Olympia.

If you go to the mounds, make sure to slow your speed as you go through Littlerock, and follow the signs that say Mima Mounds NAP. You’ll see signage going the opposite way for Mima Falls, which is a short hike in the forest, but not one that will go to the mounds.

Photo by Patrick Rodriguez Used under a creative commons agreement

My boys were looking super cute on this hike with their junior ranger hats, but my camera wasn’t charged. I so need an assistant.

Have you got a unique idea for a day trip? Let me know!

If you’re new here,  I write just about events and ideas for our area, and I have new ones every day! If you enjoy this post, I hope you’ll also explore the site a bit, scroll down for some fun tips from earlier this week, or maybe check out my weekly list for an idea of what you’ll find here. I’d also love to have you connect with us on Facebook or subscribe to my feed or reader with one of those handy buttons in the top right.

Updated March 2017

Edit: Well, the bus tour is full, but the nice folks from the Port of Tacoma left scoop on upcoming bus (and boat!) tours at the Sounds Fun Mom Facebook page.

You can read about them here.

If you’ve got a transportation lover at your house, or a kid with an interest in global commerce (o.k. that one seems unlikely….) you’ll want to sign up for the free bus tour from the Port of Tacoma. It’s this Friday at 10:30, and you’ll want to reserve your spot via the contact info. in the link.

During the 90 minute bus tour you’ll  learn how goods move around the world via the Port right here in our backyard. Kids need to be 6 or older, and those 17 or up will need to show photo i.d.  If your kids are too young, but they’d be fascinated by rail cars and big ships, take them to the observation tower at the admin building where they can look out at the Port traffic. There are also a variety of free educational materials.

I’ve blabbed all about Brown’s Point Lighthouse Park before, but with summer almost (sort of, kind of) here, I thought I’d remind you about this great outing. You can play at the lovely beach and tour the keeper’s cottage!

Mapquest does a good job of getting you to this little gem. You’ll feel like you’re lost since you have to wind through a serious of small, neighborhood streets. I promise you’re not. The park itself is at the end of Tulalip St, after the dead end sign.

It offers gorgeous, rolling lawns with picnic tables and a prime slice of waterfront for beach combing.

I’ve never been there and found more than a handful of other visitors, usually folks from the neighborhood. It might be because there are maybe six parking spots-that’s it. There is a big, empty parking lot right next door, but it’s private property, and they don’t want to share. I honestly don’t know what to tell you to do if the spots are full, because the streets are way too small to park on. I think maybe you could drive up to the playground, park, and walk down, but it would sure be a trek. I honestly think if it’s full, you might be better off getting back on Marine Drive and heading to Redondo.

During the summer months, you can also tour the lighthouse keeper’s cottage, the history museum, the boathouse, and ring the bell. Tours run until November from 1-4 on Saturdays.  It really is charming, and there is plenty that kids are allowed to touch.  Tours are free.

You can also rent the lighthouse keeper’s quarters for 800.00 a week. Now, that’s a little out of our staycation budget, but it’s a pretty screaming deal for a week at a waterfront house (it’s got cable and wifi, too). Hey, hasn’t your mother in law always wanted to be a lighthouse keeper??? You can get much more information on the history of the lighthouse, rentals, and more from the Points Northeast Historical Society.

Want to spill the beans on your family’s favorite little beach outing? I’d love to hear about it!

With the morning looking like curl up with a book weather, I thought I’d remind you about my favorite retail reading program.

It’s the one at Half Price Books, and your kiddos have just until the end of the month to complete their reading log (they can totally pull this off if you turn off the Wii).**

Most bookstores have summer reading programs, but in my opinion, this is really the only one worth doing. Instead of choosing from a handful of free books, your kiddos get 5.00 in Back to School Bucks to use on basically anything in the store! Now that’s a deal!

You can also still sign up for your library’s sumer reading program. If you somehow missed the scoop on those, you can read my post here.

Can’t get enough of bargains? The blogosphere is hopping with rumors that the Target toy clearance will start this week. Frankly, there is so much buzz on this one that I think you’ll have to be there when the doors open. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, I’ll send you over to Thrifty and Thriving, where Christy has everything you need to know about the Target toy clearance.

Speaking of frugal fun, if you’re just getting here today, don’t forget to check What Sounds Fun This Week. I also have an upcoming post on a totally unique and free tour your transportation loving kids will really dig.

** In case you’re worried I’m getting all preachy, let me assure you I’m talking to myself here!

With so many events continuing today, I thought I’d condense them all in one post for you.

I’ll be back this evening with your list of fun for Monday-Friday

Peter Pan in Sumner Shows through the 24th  Tickets are 10.00-16.00 Photos available with Pan, Tinkerbell and Wendy following every show. Bring your camera!  Sumner

Hotrods galore at the Goodguys show at the Puyallup Fairgrounds General admission will set you back 18.00; kids over 6 are 6.00; younger children are free.

Auburn Avenue Kids presents The Jungle Book Tickets just 6.00  Matinee show

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Production by All Saints in Puyallup  My friend Jeanne says all ages would enjoy this production. Tickets start at 10.00

Pacific NW Mushroom Festival in Lacey Food, children’s activities, and all kinds of fungi fun (I made that up-I’m a little punchy; it’s late).

Renton River Days Tons of free entertainment for kids and families, including stilt walkers, a parade, the dizzy bus, a petting zoo, and more.  Here is a pdf of all of Renton’s summer activities. Scroll down for River Days details.

Pvt.Dogue Climbs Mt.Rainier 2PM  Reenactor at historic Ft.Steilacoom recounts his climb up Mt.Rainier

Low tide events at Burfoot Park near Olympia Free

Emerald Downs Sunday family fun days. Auburn   pony rides, face painting

Kaleb’s Groovin’ Dance Party 3PM Rainier View Park  Join 8 year old Kaleb and other fun loving Sumner kiddos for a little dance fun in the park

New here? I write just about fun for the South Sound, and I have new ideas for you every day! I hope you’ll consider coming back or subscribing with one of those handy buttons in the top right! Need help finding something? Just give me a shout-I’ll be glad to help.