In the mood for free fun? If you’re in Tacoma, Fife, Puyallup, Olympia, Lacey, Gig Harbor, or some other Sound Spot, I’ve got a Giant list of free and cheap fun things to do with the kids this weekend.
As always, there are also plenty of South Sound adventures to be had by exploring the menu bar up above!
Headed elsewhere? For Seattle or Portland area fun you’ll want to check out the fantastic list over at ThriftyNWmom compiled by the newest member of their frugal finding team, Annaliese of Grays Harbor Deals!
Saturday
All Over
Kids’ Club at Michael’s Stores 2.00/child half-hour sessions while you shop in-store 10-12, sessions on the half hour Looks like it’s summer totes or a frog stick puppet?
Most Farmer’s Markets are open Find one here
Every area sprayground, pool, and wading pool, is open. Click on the graphic in the sidebar to your right for all of those!
South King County
Classic Car and Boat Show and Waterland Parade in Des Moines
Covington Days Also Sunday Community Festival
We are the dinosaurs at the Federal Way Library Free tickets at the info. desk at 10:30 Interactive songs and games about dinosaurs in English and Spanish Show begins at 11
Families can visit the restored Mary Olson farm in Auburn for free on Saturdays and Sundays all summer While not a huge outing, it’s fun and neat for the kids to see.
Water Weekends with HCC Mast at Redondo Every Saturday visit the center for free from 10-2 and get up close with sea critters in their touch tanks Lots of scuba divers today
Saturday Story Time at Southcenter Barnes and Noble 11AM Every Saturday; perfect for ages 3-7
Farm Snooze Family camping event at the Mary Olson Farm in Auburn Spendy, but might be nice as a gentle introduction to camping. I don’t know if there are spots still. Check first
Tacoma/Greater Pierce
The spraygrounds are On in Tacoma! Free, open 10AM-8PM
Visit a Farmer’s Market! Check here for one near you!
Tiptoe Through the Tidepools at Titlow Beach Free program Join volunteer naturalists from Metro Parks to see creatures revealed by low tide. You may want to bring swimsuits for the new sprayground at nearby Titlow Park. 9AM-12
See this post, for how to explore a beach at low tide on your own.
Free Click! family cinema at the Grand in Tacoma Monthly, free showing to the first 100. Doors open at 9:30-film at 10 It’s the Smurfs
Louie Foxx magic show at the Bonney Lake Library at 11AM Free, drop in summer reading program event The boys and I enjoyed this show last week.
Great American Picnic in Sumner Watch Puyallup/Sumner officials in friendly contests; field day style games open to all; variety of picnic items available for sale
Crafts of the Past at Fort Nisqually Each weekend, artisans demonstrate a craft that would been used in the 1880s. While not a total bargain, a trip to the Fort is fun for most children and a good resource if you have one doing some kind of report. . Also Sunday
Free outdoor movie at Dacca Park in Fire It’s Brave
Outdoor concert and movie in Puyallup at Bradley Lake Park concert at 7:30; movie at dusk-It’s Madagascar 3 Concession items for sale
Lacey/Olympia/
Free helmet fitting and helmet giveaway at Lacey Kohls
Kids’ Day at Sylvester Park in Olympia Free admission and activities just for the kids. A Capital Lakefair event. You can read more here.
Meet Us at the Beach Join volunteer naturalists to see creatures revealed by low tide. 10AM at Priest Point and Burfoot Saturday 10:30-1:30 at Tolmie Sunday You need a Discover WA pass for Tolmie.
Visit the LOTT Wet Science Center Program on “Edible Aquifers,” today from 3-4. Kids will learn about water conservation and there is also a treat involved! The center is free and open at other times as well.
Saturday storytime at the Olympia Barnes and Noble 1PM Every Saturday
Outdoor movie at Huntamer Park It’s Blue Hawaii
Gig Harbor/Kitsap
Meet Us at the Beach-Low Tide events with Harbor Wild Watch at Kopachuck and Penrose 9AM *These are state parks, so you’ll need a Discover Pass
Gig Harbor Summer Arts Festival Saturday 10-6 and Sunday 1-5 Artists showing their work, plus children’s activities, vendors-“Chalk the walk,” chalk drawing contest in conjunction Harbor Wild Watch will be on hand at Skansie Park, and you can look for face painting near Mostly Books, among other fun!
SFM Reader Hint: Amy suggests you park at Kimball Park and Ride and take the .25 trolley!
Build It! at the Gig Harbor Library 10:30 Drop in and play with the library’s Legos and other building materials.
Thames and Kosmos Rubber Band cars at the Kitsap Barnes and Noble Call first to check on availability 2PM
Pets story time at the Kitsap Barnes and Noble 11AM Stories for preschoolers with a pet theme
Blue Willow Lavender Farm-Life on a colonial farml Every Saturday, you can hear talks about what life was like on a colonial era lavender farm as well as demonstrations. Free-many items available for purchase
Free, outdoor movie at Skansie Brothers Park 9PM It’s Princess Bride. Anybody want a peanut?
Kitsap area readers may also like to get the free newsletter from Macaroni Kid Kitsap
Sunday
Many areas now have farmer’s markets open on Sundays. Find one a new favorite here.
Crafts of the Past at Fort Nisqually Each weekend, artisans demonstrate a craft that would been used in the 1880s. While not a total bargain, a trip to the Fort is fun for most children and a good resource if you have one doing some kind of report. . Also Sunday
Family Day at Emerald Downs Sundays, beginning at 1PM pony rides, face painting free with admission; weather dependent
Meet Us at the Beach Join volunteer naturalists to see creatures revealed by low tide. 10AM at Priest Point and Burfoot Saturday 10:30-1:30 at Tolmie Sunday You need a Discover WA pass for Tolmie.
Gig Harbor Summer Arts Festival Saturday 10-6 and Sunday 1-5 Artists showing their work, plus children’s activities, vendors-“Chalk the walk,” chalk drawing contest in conjunction Harbor Wild Watch will be on hand at Skansie Park, and you can look for face painting near Mostly Books, among other fun!
Covington Days continues Community Festival
Know something great I missed? Want publicity for your group or advertising for your family friendly business? Just let me know!
New here? I’d love to have you use the buttons at the top to join us on the Facebook page, follow me on Twitter, or subscribe to my emails so you don’t miss a thing!
Gig Harbor Art Festival Sunday 10-5