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. It is Seafair Weekend, so if you’re headed towards Seattle, be aware you’ll need to work around Seafair traffic.
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!
Ongoing
PenMet Parks presents Enchanted Sleeping Beauty Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays 7PM through the 19th at Sehmel Park in Gig Harbor Tickets 5.00
Midsummer Renaissance Faire at Kelley Farm in Bonney Lake Royalty, fairies, and pirates (?) for the next three weekends. If you didn’t score the recent Groupon (sold out), you can save 5.00 if you get a copy of the Go guide in Friday’s TNT and scan the barcode with your phone. Otherwise, kids over 6 start at 12 and grown-ups start at 18. Fb readers say to leave your strollers at home.
Seussical the Musical at the Little Theater in Auburn at Thomas Jefferson High School tickets 10.00
All Weekend
King County Fair Save a bit by purchasing tickets in advance from QFC.
Thurston County Fair in Lacey
Friday
Sumner Art and Rhubarb Pie Festival Begins
Get Your Feet Wet! Meet naturalists from Harbor Wild Watch by the big blue tent and explore critters revealed by low tides. 111:00 at Kopachuck or Penrose
Summer Stories and Crafts Crafts and fun for preschoolers and their grown-ups at 10:30 Bonney Lake, Parkland, Sumit
Noon Tunes! It’s Rodney Raccoon at the STAR center in South Tacoma
Visit with Seattle Sounder Player, Adam Johansson at Celebration Park in Federal Way from 1:30-2:30 Thanks, FederalWayMirror
Graffiti Lettering at the Puyallup Library 3PM Learn graffiti style lettering. An art activity recommended for grades 3 and up.
Outdoor Movie in Gig Harbor at Donkey Creek Park Water Horse at 8:30 Volunteers from Harbor Wild Watch will be on hand before the show.
Summer Sounds and Cinema in Auburn It’s No Rules and Tangled
Outdoor Movie on South Hill at the Heritage Rec Center It’s Puss in Boots Thanks, ThriftyNWMom for the reminder on this one.
Free Friday Night at the HOCM in Olympia Last free Friday at this location. Steam train ride and other special activities
Saturday
All Over
Home Depot Kids’ Workshop 9-12 It’s a Lorax themed cork bulletin board. SFM readers say arrive early for these popular, free programs.
South King County
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.
Artrageous-Artists in Action Free event in Auburn; hands-on arts activities for the kids, entertainment, and more
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.
Salmon Bake at Brown’s Point in NE Tacoma Game booths for the kids, salmon dinners, new museum opening Event admission and museum tours are free. Salmon dinners are 20.00 for adults and 12.00 for kids. Beverages and raffle tickets on sale. You’ll want to point at Brown’s Point Elementary to take the free shuttle as parking near the park is very limited.
Fife/Puyallup/Sumner/Bonney Lake
Sumner Art and Rhubarb Pie Festival pancake feed, pet parade with rhubarb, entertainment
Dreaming Tree: Play Based on a Bolivian Folk Tale Fife Library at 2 or Summit at 10:30 For kids ages 3-12 Free, summer reading program event
Tacoma/Greater Pierce County
Proctor Arts Festival Free entertainment, kids’ activities, vendor sidewalk sale; Ukeleles at the Proctor Farmer’s Market today.
Zambini Brothers Junkyard Puppet Show at the Moore Library at 11
Family Nature Walks in Tacoma parks with Nature Center staff. Titlow Park today Free, but you need to sign up. Not suitable for strollers.
Free Summer Community Festival at the Tacoma Art Museum 10-4 Free admission, free art activities, vote in chalk drawing contest
Sharks! Special activities included with admission at the Pt.Defiance Zoo Regular admission is steep. Unless you can go on Tacoma resident free days, SFM recommends investing in an annual pass.
Salmon Derby at the Pt.Defiance Marina Trout pond for kids
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
Woofstock! at UPS Thinking of adopting a 4 legged friend? Meet candidates from 30 area rescue groups who would love you to be their forever home.
Bon Odori Festival at the Tacoma Buddhist Temple Free and open to the public Traditional drumming and dance celebrating ancestors. Dinners for sale. Beer/Sake garden for adults 5-9PM
University Place Festival Cirque Park, all day Entertainment, kids’ zone, vendors Movie at dusk
Gig Harbor
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.
Disney’s Earth shows at Skansie Brothers Park in Gig Harbor 8:30 Volunteers from Harbor Wild Watch will be on hand before the show
Lacey/Olympia
Visit the LOTT WET Center in Olympia Every Saturday the center is open with free, science and environmental education activities Come at 2 today for Pond Life Safari with a bug slide show and the chance to use microscopes. Link is a large-ish pdf
Free outdoor movie in Lacey Dusk at Huntamer Park. It’s Soul Surfer
Don’t forget it’s Thurston County Fair time!
Eatonville
Eatonville Arts Festival Entertainment, cars on display, vendors At the park by the cemetery; Sponsored by the Lions
Sunday
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
Salmon Bake at Brown’s Point in NE Tacoma Game booths for the kids, salmon dinners, new museum opening Event admission and museum tours are free. Salmon dinners are 20.00 for adults and 12.00 for kids. Beverages and raffle tickets on sale. You’ll want to point at Brown’s Point Elementary to take the free shuttle as parking near the park is very limited.
Family Fun Days at Emerald Downs in Auburn From 1:30-5:30 kids can get free pony rides and face painting
You’ll also want to check the, “All weekend,” and, “Ongoing,” listings at the top of the page for still more options.
If you didn’t find something in the list to do (Seriously??) it’s supposed to be a Sunny one, so maybe you’d like to take a gander at my list of the South Sound’s best family beaches. Be sure to check the comments for more reader suggestions.
If you’re new here, I hope you’ll consider subscribing to my emails, joining us on Facebook, or following me on Twitter! I write just for South Sound families, and I have new ideas every day! You’re also always welcome to drop me a line if you know something great I missed, or just want to give me a tip.
Hey Maegen, have you visited the Mary Olsen farm yet? I am wondering if its a “must” visit this summer or not 🙂
I would not consider it a, “Must.” It’s interesting to see the barn and the farm house, and kids can usually feed the chickens, but it doesn’t have enough going on to make it a must-do in my opinion. Others might feel differently. They do have some cool programs there through the White River Valley Museum, which is an awesome, super cheap little place right by the sprayground and park.