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 It’s a paper hand craft today.
Farmer’s Markets are open everywhere! 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
Student production of Beauty and the Beast at Kentridge High School various show times through August 10th all tickets are 5.00
Saturday Story Time at Southcenter Barnes and Noble 11AM Every Saturday; perfect for ages 3-7
Carnival on the Dock at HC Mast at Redondo All kinds of marine themed games and fun! 12-6
Eatonville Arts Festival stage entertainment, art for sale, food vendors Also Sunday
Trampoline Nation 7.00 jump special
Puyallup/Orting/Sumner/Greater Pierce
Orting SummerFest! Trains, inflatables, carnival rides and more!
Renaissance Faire in Bonney Lake
Read to a Dog at the Puyallup Public Library Drop in and practice reading as story to patient listener, Clover She’ll be there from 2-3
Sumner Fine Arts Festival I’m not clear on how kid friendly this is.
Free outdoor concert and movie at Bradley Lake in Puyallup movie starts at dusk; bring your own seating; concessions for sale concert before hand is Adventures movie is The Odd Life of Timothy Green
Free outdoor movie on South Hill It’s Little Big League Heritage Rec Center show starts at dusk
Tacoma/Greater Pierce
The spraygrounds are On in Tacoma! Free, open 10AM-8PM
Visit a Farmer’s Market! Check here for one near you!
Proctor Arts Fest family entertainment stage, free kids’ activities, art on display
Comedian/Magician/Stunt Guy Alex Zerbe performs at the Moore Library at 11AM
Woofstock at the University of Puget Sound Pet adoption event, plus entertainment kids’ zone. Well behaved, vaccinated pets are welcome. No retractable leashes
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 a lot of fun. Also Sunday
University Place Festival at Cirque Park in UP entertainment, kids’ zone, concessions for sale, variety of community booths
Tears of Joy Puppet Theater at the Swasey Library 11AM
Tears of Joy Puppet Theater at the Fern Hill Library 3PM
Shark Weekend at the Point Defiance Zoo Special themed shark activities with admission. Try to go to a feeding! SFM note: Zoo admission is Pricey. Unless you’re a City of Tacoma resident and you can go on monthy free days, it’s worth investing in an annual pass.
Tacoma Bon Odori Festival at the Tacoma Budhist Temple traditional, Japanese celebration with outdoor entertainment beginning at 5PM variety of food items available for sale
Pier Peer event on the Foss Waterway with Metro Parks 6-10PM Night time event for kids 8 and up. See sea critters drawn to the dock lights. This one includes a dragon boat ride! Registration and 15.00/person required. Each child needs an adult.
Visit the LOTT Wet Science Center Mighty Microbes presentation for upper elementary ages at 2PM
Dig Into Dinosaurs Drop in Activity at the library Olympia branch 1-4pM
Saturday storytime at the Olympia Barnes and Noble 1PM Every Saturday This one is a Dr.Seuss themed Nook event. Anyone been lately? Seems like they’re pushing The Nook pretty hard.
Outdoor movie at Huntamer Park It’s Here Comes the Boom
Gig Harbor/Kitsap
Maybe get some Menchies and then ride the trolley down to the waterfront…..just because!
counting monkey story time at the Kitsap Barnes and Noble 11AM
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 in Gig Harbor at Skansie Brothers Park It’s Fern Gulley 8:30 Go early and look for touch tanks with sea critters from Harbor Wild Watch
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.
Eatonville Arts Festival stage entertainment, art for sale, food vendors
It’s Thurston County Fair time! Last day!
Meet us at the Beach with volunteers from the South Sound Estuary Association Tolmie and Frye County 10:30-1:30 You need a Discover Pass for Tolmie
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 Today is also food truck day! Come with some cash to enjoy a variety of Meals on Wheels!
Know something great I missed? Want publicity for your group or advertising for your family friendly business? Just let me know!
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