Archives for January 2012

I’m excited to tell you that the much needed refurbishment of the  Sprinker ice rink is finally finished.

The grand re-opening is this coming Saturday, the 28th (Note that this is a new date-the original was postponed due to the ice storm. I know….ironic). There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony, followed by a special public cheapskate session at 11:45. 5.50 a person includes admission and skate rentals. You’ll also have the chance to answer trivia questions to earn discounted admission. Mascots will be on hand to mingle with the kiddos. I’d make the kids wear helmets, but I’m a bit of a nut about head protection.

If you’re a big fan of skating, you may also want to get tickets to Sprinker’s upcoming show, Reflections on Ice. They’re on sale now.

If this isn’t in your area, there are also ice rinks in Bremerton, Kent, and Renton. If this sounds a little too slippery for your crew-or you’ve just had enough of ice for a while-maybe you’d like to check out my roller skating list.

If you’re one of my readers with preschoolers or tots, don’t miss the other news from Pierce County Parks about their new indoor playground program in Lakewood.

Need more immediate fun? Try my weekly list. Has anyone found a monkeyshines ball yet?? Be sure to let us know over at the Facebook page if you do!

Here are my favorite finds for the week ahead! As I write this, the wind is blowing, and I am still hearing about power outages in South Prairie, Yelm, and Olympia. At this point, I would call your utility again to make sure you’re still on the list. Please be very careful, and if it looks iffy where you are, call any place you’re thinking of heading first.

The bouncy house list and the indoor playground list are all updated. You can find both, plus South Sound malls with play areas, under Rainy Day Play. For library story times, see the list below. One new note this week: The Pt.Defiance Zoo is back to regular, winter hours, which means it’s closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays through the end of February. Given the weather this week, I’d suggest calling any place before you head out. As of now, the forecast is for the biggest snow Tuesday evening/Wednesday morning, so plan your trips accordingly.

Story time links:

• Pierce County.
• Tacoma Public Library
• Timberland regional library (Thurston County)
• Kitsap Regional Library
• King County Library System
• Puyallup Public Library

Ongoing

Science Classes for Home Schoolers and other children resume at the Nature Center at Snake Lake

Valentines for Vets at the Tacoma Public Library Through out the month of January, drop in and create Valentines that will be distributed to area veterans at retirement homes and hospitals. Groups are welcome to make valentines and drop them off. Available at all branches of the library.

Monday

Happy year of the dragon! Are you looking for monkeyshines?

Tuesday

Mommy and Me Crafts at the Ben Franklin in Bonney Lake Moms and preschool age (and younger) children are invited for crafts and social time. Some cost depending on the craft.

It’s 1.00 day at the Starplex in Federal Way (tickets are just 2.00 other days). I see Happy Feet, Dolphin Tale, and Puss in Boots. I also noticed Happy Feet at the Blue Mouse in Tacoma.

Captain America shows at the Summit Library Part of, “How-to,” month. I’m not sure how family friendly this one is. Anyone know? 6:30-9PM popcorn provided

Read to a Dog at the Graham Library at 6:30

Wednesday

Sportsman’s Show at the Puyallup Fairgrounds begins today Includes kids’ trout pond. Discount coupons at their web site.

Healthy Teeth; Healthy Smiles at the Parkland/Spanaway Library Free event with information about keeping teeth healthy; a toothy craft and free toothbrushes to children with adults 10:30  *February is traditionally children’s dental health month; I suspect we’ll see several free screening events then.

Tot Time at Learning Sprout Toys in Tacoma call or check their fb page for details

Mommy and Me Fitness Class at Elev8te Fitness in Tacoma I haven’t been here or tried this, but reader Corey sent in a note that she takes her whole crew weekly and has a blast

Lego Madness at the South Hill Library; drop in and do some Lego 2-4PM

Read to a Dog at the Summit Library at 4PM

Juice and Jammies Wednesday at Barnes and Noble in Olympia 7PM

Thursday

Creation Station at Learning Sprout Toys in Tacoma Call or check their fb page to confirm

Read to a Dog at the Puyallup Public Library 3:30-4:30 Drop in and practice your skills with patient listener, Dan.

Fetch Club at the University Place Library 4-5PM  Science club for 3rd-5th graders based on the popular PBS series. Registration required

Friday

Read to a Dog at the Puyallup Public Library 1:00-2:00 Drop in and practice your skills with patient listener, Robbie.

I’ll have lots more fun coming your way this week, including a whole list of weekend events up Friday morning. As always, you’re welcome to let me know anything fun I missed. If you’re new here, I hope you’ll consider subscribing to my emails, joining us on Facebook, or following me on Twitter! You can use those handy, little buttons above to do all three!

It’s almost Chinese New Year, and if you’d like to celebrate, I have a few ideas for you. I should add right up front that my knowledge about this is pretty much based off a Wikipedia entry, and while we know everything on the internet is accurate, if you’d like to correct any of my information or add to it, feel free!

*I used italics there in case you have disabled the sarcasm detector on your computer.

The Chinese New Year is sometimes called the Lunar New Year, and because it’s based around the cycles of the moon, the date changes. This year it begins on January 23rd.  2012 is the Year of the Dragon.

There is also a big festival in Seattle next weekend (more local events have come and gone).

In Tacoma, you’ll want to keep an eye out for special, glass orbs hidden around the city by local artists. It’s a real-life treasure hunt, and if you find one, I’d love to hear about it! For all the scoop on this tradition, known as Monkeyshines, check out this just-in post over at Exit 133 blog. At least one reader was lucky enough to score one! I’d sort of assume they’ve all been found by now, but you never know…..The ones I read about were mostly found in planters by area parks and businesses.

Want to get crafty to celebrate? I found some cute Chinese New Year crafts over at Kaboose. I’d do the dragons; the rabbits are sooo 2011!

I’d also suggest a quick stop by your library. I just know your clever librarian has already pulled some titles that would be excellent to share.

If you cook up great Chinese dishes, I’d love to hear about them. Around here, Chinese means take-out. One tip I learned years ago is to get a bag of chopped, frozen cauliflower (or fresh, I ‘spose) and stir it into your entrees. It won’t be noticeable, and besides making the dishes a bit  healthier, it will stretch the meal. I read this in a magazine-it might have been Real Simple-but I’m not sure. If it sounds familiar to any of you, chime in!

Here it is….a great big list of weekend fun for kids in Puyallup, Tacoma, Gig Harbor, Olympia, Sumner, Fife, and Your area of the South Puget Sound!

If you’re headed north or south, you’ll want to check out the fantastic list over at ThriftyNWmom compiled by super bargain sleuth Sia of Centsible in Seattle. *This may not be up this weekend.

It probably goes without saying, that you may want to check for closures before you head out anywhere. Most roads are bare and wet, but there are still slushy spots, and many businesses have been affected by downed trees and power outages. As of this writing, most fb readers are reporting restored power, with the exception of folks on South Hill in Puyallup. I’ll keep you posted.

Saturday

Pierce County libraries included in the list below are planning to be open. For a full list of openings and closures of PCL libraries, see this list.

Free Click! Family Flick at the Grand in Tacoma. It’s Astro Boy. Doors open at 9:30AM; show at 10 Grand has announced they Will be open.

Read to a Dog at the Gig Harbor Library Drop in and practice reading with a patient canine listener. 10:30-11:30  Sign up for a time at the info. desk. Gig Harbor Library is open

Learn about amphibians (sign up required), or drop in anytime to make a wetland art project at the excellent, free LOTT Wet science center in Olympia

Geek Dad event at the Lakewood Library  Make a Marshmallow Shooter! 1-3PM For children 8-14 with adults; registration required. Lakewood Library is open!

City of Puyallup Library is open! Most activities have been cancelled, but there is a movie called Flipped at 2PM, or you could just go get your book fix!

All branches of the Tacoma Public Library are open! Morning story times at most, or check out the open house at Mottet

Kids’ Koncerts in Tacoma scheduled for today have been cancelled.

Sunday

Family Concert with the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra Peter and the Wolf 3PM Tickets 5.00/7.00

Celebrate the year of the dragon with free performances at area Uwajimaya stores. Activities include dances, stories and more. Performances at the Renton store are scheduled for 2.

Family walk at Adriana Hess in University Place with the Tahoma Audobon Society. 4PM

If you haven’t already done so,  make sure you’ve picked up tickets if your little girls are wanting to attend a daddy/daughter dance next month.

If you’re not ready to brave the roads, or you need some inspiration for indoor fun, check out my round-up of snow day links. If you’ve had enough already, maybe you’d like to check out my scoop on the sale at Great Wolf Lodge!

Know something great I missed? Just let me know!

This is one of those posts that isn’t frugal Or  really local, but I always have readers who ask about it……

Great Wolf Lodge is having another 48hr sale Code R48HOUR will give you the sale rate now through the 22nd. Dates are available through April (Spring Break looks blacked out). UPDATE Apparently the code above is only for returning guests and i.d. will be required at checkout. Newbies can use the code 48HOUR, which I do believe will give you the same rate. Not sure why there are two different codes, but the GWL folks let me know this over on Twitter. Twitter is super fun…you can totally make a goof of yourself in record time. Come follow me and laugh if you’re on it! I’m @SoundsFunMom.

They usually do these a couple times a year, and unless you get in on a group rate, it’s typically your best deal. Here’s where the, “Gulp,” factor starts-the best price is 159.99-and yes, that’s the sale price. I Do think it’s the best rate you’re generally going to get. They typically offer similar rates for two night stays at other times of the year, and as I mentioned, you may be able to get a better deal if you round up a group (call and ask for information about group/team/corporate sales). A few months ago, they also ran a Groupon, that was a Great deal, but it was for the suites, so while it was probably a better value, it was still more money.

One Note:  Last time, Reader J.C. let me know over at the Facebook page, that she still got a better rate using the military discount. If you’re eligible for that, be sure to try code HEROES to compare!

You do get access to the water park with your room rate, and I will say that my kids Love this place. Plus, you can use the water park the day you check in beginning at 1, and the whole next day, so it’s sort of a two-fer.  We went for the first time last year as part of a blogger get together, and then we went again in the spring for Henry’s birthday. I was super glad my oldest got brave enough for the slides-because, honestly, if your kids are only going to do the kiddie pool, it’s really not worth it imho.  You can read more about my take on Great Wolf Lodge. I’ve got some more money saving tips and some good links in that post, too. If you’re headed there, it’s worth a read.  Howls!

Not in your budget? You can always check out the super cool pool at the Federal Way Community Center.

Henry eats a lot of snow. There, I said it. I know; it’s a little weird. I could write a blog just on Henry’s, “Issues,” but you know, it’s not that kind of a blog…Anyway, when I was growing up, we ate snow, too, only we made it sweet first.

Snow ice cream is basically fresh snow, sugar, and vanilla.

If you’re brave enough to try, here’s a recipe.

We never collected a whole gallon, just put some in a bowl and dumped some vanilla and sugar on it.

If this grosses you out, I totally understand. Also, you may not want to hang out with my kid.

Here are my favorite finds for the week ahead!

The bouncy house list and the indoor playground list are all updated. You can find both, plus South Sound malls with play areas, under Rainy Day Play. For library story times, see the list below. One new note this week: The Pt.Defiance Zoo is back to regular, winter hours, which means it’s closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays through the end of February. Given the weather this week, I’d suggest calling any place before you head out. As of now, the forecast is for the biggest snow Tuesday evening/Wednesday morning, so plan your trips accordingly.

Story time links:

• Pierce County.
• Tacoma Public Library
• Timberland regional library (Thurston County)
• Kitsap Regional Library
• King County Library System
• Puyallup Public Library

Ongoing

Science Classes for Home Schoolers and other children resume at the Nature Center at Snake Lake

Valentines for Vets at the Tacoma Public Library Through out the month of January, drop in and create Valentines that will be distributed to area veterans at retirement homes and hospitals. Groups are welcome to make valentines and drop them off. Available at all branches of the library.

Tuesday

Mommy and Me Crafts at the Ben Franklin in Bonney Lake Moms and preschool age (and younger) children are invited for crafts and social time. Some cost depending on the craft.

It’s 1.00 day at the Starplex in Federal Way (tickets are just 2.00 other days). I see Puss in Boots and Dolphin Tale

Read to a Dog at the Gig Harbor library at 4

How to Find a Friend at the Summit Library at 4 Meet and greet (or pet) friends form the Scottish Terrier Rescue Society  Family event

Read with a Dog at the Puyallup Public Library Drop-in event beginning at 3:30 Pepper is your listener today.

Read to a Dog at the Graham Library at 6:30

Wednesday

Tot Time at Learning Sprout Toys in Tacoma call or check their fb page for details It’s a dinosaur theme this week This event is canceled due to forecast snow. I don’t have any cancellation info. on any other event, but do call to check anywhere you’re thinking of heading.

Mommy and Me Fitness Class at Elev8te Fitness in Tacoma I haven’t been here or tried this, but reader Corey sent in a note that she takes her whole crew weekly and has a blast

Wacky Wednesdays at the South Hill library movies and more from 2-4 PM school age children

Fetch Club in Fife  Register science club for 3rd-5th graders based on the popular PBS series

Read to a Dog at the Summit Library at 4PM

Family Gaming at the Wheelock Library at 4 Drop in event; refreshments

Juice and Jammies Wednesday at Barnes and Noble in Olympia 7PM

Thursday

Critter Club at the Pt.Defiance Zoo Animal themed stories and crafts for 3 and 4 year olds. Read for details on registration and pricing. 11AM Also on Friday

Creation Station at Learning Sprout Toys in Tacoma

Westfield Family Fun Day at the Southcenter Mall

Fetch Club in Lakewood  Register science club for 3rd-5th graders based on the popular PBS series

It’s a Third Thursday in Tacoma Join the Artwalk for extended hours and free admission at the area’s major museums and art galleries

Friday

Nature Alphabet at the Tacoma Nature Center Nature themed stories for preschoolers 3-6 Register

Critter Club at the Pt.Defiance Zoo Animal themed stories and crafts for 3 and 4 year olds. Read for details on registration and pricing. 11AM Also on Friday

Read with a Dog at the Puyallup Library at 3:30 It’s Bruiser today.

Build It! at the University Place Library at 4PM Family building event with Legos, blocks, and straws! Registration required

Read to a dog at the Sumner Library at 4

Look for a whole list of weekend events here every Friday morning!

I’ll have lots more fun coming your way this week, including ideas for a family friendly New Year! As always, you’re welcome to let me know anything fun I missed. If you’re new here, I hope you’ll consider subscribing to my emails, joining us on Facebook, or following me on Twitter! You can use those handy, little buttons above to do all three!

Update-Head here for ideas for 2016

Here are some ideas for Martin Luther King Day with your kiddos around Tacoma, Puyallup, Gig Harbor, and Kent! You may want to call first to check on weather related delays. If you’re going to stay home instead, read on for links to my most popular snow day posts.

Family Friendly Ideas for MLK Day in the South Sound

Schools and government offices are closed today. Most other places are open.

Free admission to National Parks and land And Washington State Parks (no discover pass needed)!

Basketball Tournament in Kent-Beginning at 10AM various high school teams compete in a special showcase at the Showare Center in Kent. Rodney Stuckey of the Pistons came out of Kentwood-you could be watching a future star! Adults are 10; kids are 5; under 6 are free-try not to sit in a student section if you go!

Discovery Village in Gig Harbor is offering a mini-camp for 2.5-6yr. olds 30.00 9AM-12 Call to register

Jump Event at Pump it Up Tacoma Many other bounce places have added special hours. Check my bounce house list for links and call ahead to confirm space and availability. Pump it Up and Jump! both need reservations.

MLK Day at the Washington State History Museum Free admission all day and special activities, including a presentation by retired astronaut Bernard Harris, and a last chance to see the Tuskegee Airmen traveling exhibit.

Tacoma Martin Luther King Day Celebration Free event at the Tacoma Dome beginning at 10:30 Continental breakfast; food drive (formula and baby food encouraged); multicultural dance performances; educational exhibits.

March to the Tacoma Dome Bates Technical College Annual MLK March from Bates to the Tacoma Dome For more information, contact: LeAnne Dryer (253) 680-7160

For other observances and ceremonies, there is a list at Exit 133. Most of these don’t look appropriate for young children to me, but I’ll let you decide.

One of the biggest marches on the west coast is in Seattle.

Day of service with Metro Parks Volunteer at Titlow Park; part of the larger observance at UPS’ open to the public

Schools out skate at Tiffany’s Skate Inn in Puyallup 7.00. Check the roller rink list for more options.

Play at the New Children’s Museum of Tacoma (Members only hours until 10AM).

If you want to do something special without leaving home, consider printing out some MLK coloring pictures. Here is a link to a good one for older kids. Here is a good one for younger children (requires flash). A quick search for “Martin Luther King Coloring Pictures,” will give you hundreds more. You can find tons of free coloring sheets for every event under the sun on your ‘puter. An easy rainy day activity is to let your child pick ten and then help her make them into a book.

Feeling a little stuck?

Read my Home Bound Survival Guide: Part One or Part Two-It’s longish, but there are some good ideas in there! You also might like my post

on new ideas for snow play.

I’ll have your regular list of ideas for the week up later. If you’ve got some cute pics of your snow angels you’d like to share on the SFM Facebook page, feel free to do so! If you haven’t liked the page yet, I hope you’ll think about it. We have a lot of fun there! I’d also love to have you subscribe to my emails, or follow me on Twitter. Whatever you choose, I’ll keep you in the loop on everything fun and affordable for your family in the South Sound!

I’d also love to have you join us on the Facebook page. There are all kinds of friendly parents there who would love to talk to you about everything from a good place to party in Sumner, to a great preschool in U.P. Come on by!

Here it is….a great big list of weekend fun for kids in Puyallup, Tacoma, Gig Harbor, Olympia, Sumner, Fife, and Your area of the South Puget Sound!

If you’re headed north or south, you’ll want to check out the fantastic list over at ThriftyNWmom compiled by super bargain sleuth Sia of Centsible in Seattle.

All Weekend

Free admission to National Parks (the snow play area is open at Paradise, assuming snow pack allows), And State Parks (no Discover pass needed)!

Saturday

Lowes Build and Grow  Register in advance for these popular, free programs. It’s a castle!

Dog show in Puyallup  Free; Check out the competition at the Western Washington All Breed Show…I hear it’s going to be ruff.

Winter Farmers’ Market in Proctor  Get your fresh on!

Second Saturday activities with Pierce County Libraries Every 2nd Saturday all Pierce County Library branches offer special family activities. Use the link to find one near you! I see kite making, crochet, and a lot of family movies.

Water weekends are back at HCC Mast at Redondo. Free and open to the public. Get up close and personal with sea critters in the touch tanks. Do note that it’s open air and can get chilly. 10AM-2PM

Grand Opening of the new Children’s Museum of Tacoma  Public play begins at 11AM. It looks Amazing! Of note: The parking lot is for members only. Bring change to park downtown, or park at the T-dome station and ride the link. Also note that there is a water play area. Be prepared for your kids to get wet or bring a change of clothes. This weekend, kids with a wrist band from the Children’s Museum also get in free to the history museum, art museum, and Museum of Glass (it’s also family day at the MOG)! For more pics of the new Children’s Museum, and know-before-you-go scoop, there is an excellent preview in the Tacoma News Tribune. Be sure to read the comment section for some more advice from Jenny.

Let’s Play Tacoma! In conjunction with the museum opening, there will be sports clinics, demonstrations, and kids’ entertainment Saturday and Sunday at the Tacoma Convention Center. Kids 12 and under are free; teens and adults are 5.00 or bring 5 canned food items to donate.

Movies at Main  The Smurfs shows at the main branch of the Tacoma Public Library 1PM

October Sky plays at the Puyallup Library at 2PM It’s PG

Parent’s Night out at the Hands-on Children’s Museum in Olympia

Sunday

Grand Opening weekend at the new Children’s Museum of Tacoma It looks Amazing! Of note: The parking lot is for members only. Bring change to park downtown, or park at the T-dome station and ride the link. Also note that there is a water play area. Be prepared for your kids to get wet or bring a change of clothes. This weekend, kids with a wrist band from the Children’s Museum also get in free to the history museum, art museum, and Museum of Glass! For more pics of the new Children’s Museum, and know-before-you-go scoop, there is an excellent preview in the Tacoma News Tribune.

Let’s Play Tacoma! In conjunction with the museum opening, there will be sports clinics, demonstrations, and kids’ entertainment Saturday and Sunday at the Tacoma Convention Center. Kids 12 and under are free; teens and adults are 5.00 or bring 5 canned food items to donate.

Monday

It’s Dr. Martin Luther King Day. Schools, libraries, and government offices are closed. See my post for a whole list of family friendly Martin Luther King Day events in Tacoma, Puyallup, Kent, and around the South Sound.

 If you’re just getting here this week, I’ve had a lot of great posts, so don’t forget to scroll down and check ’em out. Make sure you’ve picked up tickets if your little girls are wanting to attend a  daddy/daughter dance next month.

Know something great I missed? Just let me know!

Why is food more fun if you eat it from a cart? I don’t know, but It Is.

Henry and I took a quick trip to check out the new hot dog stand at the Tollefson Plaza in Tacoma. The plaza is that funky, step looking area where the ice rink was last month, just across from the art museum. T-Town Hot Dogs’ little cart is on the corner; you can’t miss it.

The dogs will run you just a couple bucks a piece, and they’re a nice size. Importantly, there is just the right amount of both bun and hot dog. The usual assortment of condiments is offered. Henry is a purist, so he went with ketchup, mustard, and extra relish. If you’re a little squeamish about cart food, let me assure you that the food handling permit was right there, Ken was fully gloved-up, and the cart looked spiffy clean. Definitely cleaner than my kitchen.

The dog itself is tasty, with a nice skin. It reminded me of a good ballpark hotdog. Not Ballpark; ballpark. I had only a small sample, as I am recently back on the Prilosec, and it just seemed like tempting fate. Henry gobbled his right up.

I probably wouldn’t make a trip Just for a hot dog, but I think this is a nice addition to your kid friendly, downtown dining options. Henry considers hot dogs a major food group, and he asked me to tell you he gave his, “A 100.” There you go. Do note that this is a cash only operation. You’ll also need some to pay the parking meter, unless you want to do something clever like park at the T-Dome Station and take the link.