Well, much as I hate to admit it, we’re on the downhill side of summer. If you haven’t started grabbing those back to school supplies, you might want to think about it. You won’t get a cheaper box of crayons all year.
There is still plenty of time to get in summer fun, and there are plenty of things for families and kids to do in Gig Harbor, Tacoma, Puyallup, Auburn, and Your Favorite part of the South Sound. Here are my picks for this week:
Ongoing Summer Activities
Free summer reading programs at all area libraries. Kids keep track of time spent reading (or being read to) and earn prizes! All libraries offer tons of free events in conjunction with these programs. I include some of these in my weekly list, but not all of them due to space restrictions. If you have a teen, there are several good ones I didn’t have room for this week. Check the calendar for the library near you (give me a shout if you need a hand)!
Spraygrounds in many areas are open.
Free Playground Programs and lunch
The fun squad is back in Puyallup.
Monday
Movies at Main It’s Gnomeo and Juliet at the main branch of the TPL. Doors open at 12:45; show starts at 1PM-just come on in.
Kids’ Club at Cedarview Park Bonney Lake park presents free kids’ concerts Monday evenings and Tuesday mornings. 6:30PM Free It’s Linda Severt, puppetry, circus arts, and music
Tuesday
Wild Tales story and special encounter with an animal from the Pt. Defiance Zoo. in Fife at the Chateau Rainier Apartments at 12:15 and in the back parking lot of the high school at 2. Pierce County Library calendar. If you’re one of my Fife readers, don’t forget there is a free playground program and free lunch served at Colburn Park by the pool most days.
The 6th avenue Farmer’s Market Get your fresh on every Tuesday!
Car seat safety checks Free weekly check at Mary Bridge in Tacoma. Link has contact info. for fire stations and other sites for seat inspections.
It’s 1.00 day at the Starplex in Federal Way (tickets are just 2.00 other days). See link at the top of this post for more 1.00 movies.
Kids’ Club at Cedarview Park in Bonney Lake Performances every Tuesday at 11AM It’s the Last Leaf Theater today.
Mom and baby class at Good Samaritan Two class times for moms and babies 0-12
Live Paint Theater and art performance at 3:00 at the Moore Library or 111 at Main Register for the Moore performance
Readers’ Theater at the Swasey Library at 5:30 Got a dramatic tween? Kids in grades 3-5 get a script, props, and rehearsal time. Then family is invited back to watch the show. Registration required
Summer Sounds at Skansie Concerts by the water in Gig Harbor every Tuesday evening. Not geared towards children but family friendly
Wednesday
Meet Curious George at the Garfield Book Store at PLU 10:30 For kids 2-6 Bring your camera to meet your favorite curious monkey. *This event isn’t on the store web site. I’ll try to call and confirm it for you.
Hooked on History Wednesdays at 10:30 before the kids’ shows, the White River Valley Museum presents stories and crafts that will give kids a hands-on taste of the area’s rich history. Free The museum is right next to Les Gove park.
Lego building club at the Mottet Library at 1PM Drop-in progam
Auburn Kids’ Summer Stage Free Wednesday kids’ concerts at noon through August 10th. Les Gove Park Be prepared for your kiddos to want to play on the playground and in the sprayground-you may want suits.
Wednesday’s for Kids Every Wednesday enjoy free kids’ entertainment at Town Square plaza in Kent 12-1 There are fountains kids may want to get wet in. . Top children’s entertainers all summer! Don’t miss today: It’s Recess Monkey! You may also want to ride the carousel.
Live Paint Theater and art performance at 3:30 at Kobetich Library or 12:30 at Wheelock Register
Kids and Families Game Drop in Drop in at the South Hill Library between 1-3 for fun and games. Library calendar.
Cultural treasures Learn songs and stories from Africa at the Eatonville Library at 2 For kids six and up; free; no registration required. Don’t forget to make sure your kids finish up summer reading program sheets this month and get them turned in by the deadlines (usually the end of the month) to claim their prizes! Library calendar
Juice and Jammies Wednesday at Barnes and Noble in Olympia 7PM Also at the Kitsap Barnes and Noble
Thursday
Get Your Feet Wet Touch tank program with naturalists from Harbor Wild Watch at Kopachuck State Park in Gig Harbor
Many noises; one voice Entertaining performance by Charlie the Noise Guy at the Gig harbor Library 10:30 Free, all ages event, but come early to claim your free tickets. Library calendar.
Read with a doggie friend Kids can drop-in anytime between 2-3 to practice their reading skills with a patient canine pal. Up today is mixed breed, Dan.
Get the season’s best every Thursday at the Broadway Farmer’s Market. The Olympia Farmer’s Market is also now open Thursdays-Sundays!
It’s story and craft day at most Tacoma Public Library branches. Hear stories from around the world and make nesting dolls inspired by Russia . You need to register. Fromthis list select your branch/time and fill out the easy form to hold your spot.
Free Market Play Day at the Children’s Museum of Tacoma Enjoy free admission every Thursday all summer!
Say, Yes to Drums! Durm along with a professional musician Fife Chateau Rainier Apartment Complex at 6PM For kids 6 and up; part of the library’s world cultures themed summer reading program.
Pierce County Fair begins today in Graham Smaller fair with old-fashioned fun. Special prices and ticket deals through this link.
Friday
Get Your Feet Wet Touch tank program with naturalists from Harbor Wild Watch at Kopachuck State Park in Gig Harbor
PenMet Family Theater presents the Wizard of Oz at Sehmel Homestead Park.
Pierce County Fair continues in Graham
Summer Sounds and Cinema begin in Auburn; Free children’s activities before the show courtesy of Veritas Church.
As always, I’ll have much more for your weekend on Friday, and I have loads of fun and frugal posts planned for all the days in between this week.
Know something great I missed? Need help finding something? Just let me know!
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Fircrest Fun Days are this Friday and Saturday.
http://www.cityoffircrest.net/uploads/REC11_FunDays.pdf
Thanks, Emily! I’ll make sure to include that! I believe Bonney Lake and Orting are also hosting their events this weekend.