Looking for something fun to do with the kids this weekend in Tacoma, Auburn, Lakewood, Olmypia, or another South Sound spot? You’ve come to the right spot for a whole list of affordable South Sound fun for kids and families this weekend.
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.
If you’re one of my Kitsap area readers, you’ll enjoy the Kitsap Macaroni Kid. You can sign up for Diane’s newsletter to get the scoop on all kinds of events around you!
Friday
Magic Shows at TPL branches :Roberto the Magnificent at Fern Hill at 11 or Swasey at 2 or Jeff Evans at Main at 3
Meet naturalists from Harbor Wild Watch at the beach at Kopachuck in Gig Harbor at 11AM
Den Digs With Wolf Haven at the Puyallup Public Library 1PM Learn all about wolves and where they live. This free, drop in program is designed for kids in grades 1-2.
Wolf Cafe with Wolf Haven at the Puyallup Public Library 3:30 Learn about wolves, predator and prey. This free, drop in program is designed for kids in grades 3-6.
Half-Day for Half Price at the Pt.Defiance Zoo Zoo closes at 2PM today, so go early and enjoy all the fun for half the price! *SFM recommends investing in an annual pass unless you can take advantage of city of Tacoma resident days. This would be a good day to take guests!
Read with Bruiser the dog at the Puyallup Public Library 1:30-2:30
The Adventures of Tin-Tin at the Yelm Library at 2PM
Living History Cemetery Tour Costumed actors give voice to some of Tacoma’s earliest residents. Also on Saturday. Probably not suitable for young children. Advance tickets required
Cinema Gig -Free outdoor showing of West Side Story at Donkey Creek Park in Gig Harbor
The Rockin’ Tale of Snow White morning and evening shows at Timberline High School Musical for the whole family
Capital Lakefair continues in Olympia
Parents’ Night Out at the Children’s Museum in Tacoma
Saturday
Hit your farmer’s market!
Michael’s Passport to Imagination crafts at Michael’s; this one inspired by Chile 1-4
Classic car and wooden boat show in Des Moines; waterland parade at 6 (children’s starts at 5:45)
Kids’ Late play date at the White River Valley Museum in Auburn Free, evening event with extended hours and special activities
Water Weekends at HCC Mast at Redondo Every Saturday you can get up close with critters in the touch tanks and learn about sea life.
Click! Family flick at the Grand in Tacoma Free showing of Nanny McPhee to the first 100 people Doors open at 9:30; show at 10
The Not-Its! perform in Tacoma The popular kindie rock band puts on a free show for the preschool set at 11 at Wheelock or 3 at Moore
Pioneer Festival at the Job Carr Museum in Old Town Tacoma 11:30-4:30 Free family festival. Kids can try their hand at old fashioned clothes washing, panning for gold, and more
Crafts from the Past at Ft.Nisqually Each weekend, a different 19th century craft will be demonstrated. Included with regular admission. Also on Sunday Native American basketry this weekend
Wilkeson Handcar Races Parade followed by races , plus kids’ zone, entertainment, and vendors Complete schedule for Saturday
Enumclaw Street Fair Continues
Free Movie in the park in Fife-Dacca Park. It’s The Muppets!
JBLM Air Expo See the Thunderbirds and others. Free and open to the public, but check instructions on parking and check in. Also on Sunday
Chalk the Walk in Gig Harbor Prior to the Arts Festival, a free, all ages invitation to help beautify the sidewalk with chalk drawings or vote for your favorite.
Gig Harbor Summer Arts Festival 10-5 art, vendors, art activities for kids Also on Sunday; shuttle available
Robot Garage at the Gig Harbor library Engineering program for kids in grades 3-9 with volunteers from the Museum of Flight
Life on a Colonial Lavender Farm at Blue Willow Farm on the Key Peninsula Every Saturday through August the farm is open with costumed actors recreating life during the colonial era. Free but lavender and items available for purchase.
Cinema Gig-Free showing of Lady and the Tramp at dusk at Skansie Brothers
Visit the LOTT WET Center in Olympia Every Saturday the center is open with free, science and environmental education activities
Capital Lakefair continues in Olympia
Sunday
Many of the events above continue through Sunday, including Lakefair and the JBLM air show. I’ll update the page later this weekend.
Family Fun Days at Emerald Downs in Auburn
Crafts from the Past at Ft.Nisqually Each weekend, a different 19th century craft will be demonstrated. Included with regular admission. Also on Sunday
As always, if you know something great I missed, do let me know.
If you use SFM to plan your family’s weekend adventures (Hey, thanks!) I hope you’ll consider supporting the site by telling businesses and vendors you read about them here!