Summer is the time for free fun and community celebrations! It’s the big weekend for Milton and Bonney Lake. There’s also tons of fun to be had in Tacoma, free movies in Auburn, Fife, Renton, and Gig Harbor and loads of community happenings and pets on parade in Olympia!
Plus lots more free and cheap outings for your family all over the South Sound! Make it a great one!
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!
I see something fun! Get the kids outdoors and exploring this weekend!
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 giraffe bookmark 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
Polynesian weekend at Renton Uwajimaya Hula dancing, stage entertainment, Hawaiian treats for sale
Living History Day at the Mary Olson Farm in Auburn 1-4PM Free! Learn about turn of the century farm life with activities and demonstrations
Play with our sponsors at Trampoline Nation!
Story Time at Southcenter Barnes and Noble 11AM Every Saturday for preschoolers
Touch tanks at HCC Mast at Redondo Free and open to the public every Saturday from 10-2 Kids can touch a variety of sea critters
Milotn/Edgewood/ Puyallup/Bonney Lake/Graham/Fife/Greater Pierce
Lise and Faith Memorial Run Kids’ Dash; children’s activities; 1k and chip timed 5K and 10Ks Fees go to support local first grader fighting cancer. Easy, flat course!
Milton Days! Old-fashioned games, pie eating contest, and lots more small town fun! Also Sunday
Renaissance Faire in Bonney Lake (Last weekend)
Charlie the Noise Guy at Sumner Library at 11AM or Milton/Edgewood at 1PM Free, drop-in show for all ages from the one man, sound effects machine.
Seussical Junior performances in Sumner Got a Dr.Seuss fan? See the kids from the ManeStage Summer Camp in their production of Seussical Jr. Two show times. tickets 9.00
Free movie in the park in Fife Dacca Park activities start at 7PM; movie at dusk. It’s Rise of the Guardians
Tacoma/Greater Pierce
The spraygrounds are On in Tacoma! Free, open 10AM-8PM
Downtown/Opera Alley block party in Tacoma
Best of the Northwest Community Festival at the Tacoma Art Museum 10-4 Free admission to the museum and activities create a paper rose to welcome home troops; watch an iron arts competition
Crafts of the Past at Fort Nisqually Artisans demonstrate different crafts from the 1800s each week. Included with fort admission. See spinning, weaving, and dying demonstrations today.
Post Defiance two year celebration. Celebrate the two year anniversary of the super cool Tacoma blog, Post Defiance, at a family friendly picnic. Listen to music, try lawn bowling More detail here. 3PM
Visit a Farmer’s Market! Check here for one near you!
80th Anniversary Celebration at the Lakewood Library Go between 2-4 for free face painting and other kids’ activities
Junk in Your Trunk Community yard sale at Sprinker Rec Center
Garfield Street Fair and auto show in Parkland
Visit our sponsors at City Goat Farm and Zoo! They’ve got a zebra now, plus loads of other cuteness!
Pier Peer at the Point Defiance Marina for ages 10 and up Come see sea critters drawn to dock lights in the dark. 9PM-10:30 Each child needs one adult. We’ve done a couple of these now and had fun, although we’ve never seen many creatures! The late time does get tough for younger kids-in the fall and winter it gets dark earlier, so you could hold off until then. Registration and 8.00 per person required
Drive-In Movie Night at the LeMay Museum Activities start at 4:30; movie at dusk-It’s The Love Bug. Free; donations accepted. Parking is limited; you may want to go early and enjoy the museum (admission charged).
Lacey/Olympia/
Lacey Firefighters Charity Pancake Breakfast at Cabelas
The Olympian presents the 84th annual Pet Parade line-up at 8AM; judging; parade at 10! Just show up with your dog, cat, gerbil, or llama! Goodie bags and ice cream for all after.
Meet Us at the Beach Join volunteer naturalists from the South Sound Estuary Association and learn about creatures revealed by low tide 10Am-1PM at Priest Point or Burfoot today
Visit the new EStuarium a new marine life discovery center open 10-4 saltwater aquarium, hands-on activities; suggested admission 1.00/2.00 or free for under 6!
KAOS radio presents a Kids’ Dance Party at West Central Park 12-4
Visit the LOTT Wet Science Center Free and open to visitors through out the day Pond Life Safari activity at 2PM with slide show and the chance to identify water bugs with microscopes and magnifying glasses.
Saturday storytime at the Olympia Barnes and Noble 1PM Every Saturday
Bon Odori Festival in Olympia Japanese street festival with food booths, entertainment, dancing
Stories in the Park, Stories in the Dark with the South Sound Story Guild at Priest Point Park Family stories at 7PM; spookier tales at 8:15 Bring seating, snacks, mosquito repellant shelter 3 amphitheater Free, donations welcome
Gig Harbor/Kitsap
Maybe get some Menchies and then ride the trolley down to the waterfront…..just because!
Build It! at the Gig Harbor Library 10:30 Drop in and do some Lego or other building
It’s Pinkalicious! story time at the Kitsap Barnes and Noble 11AM
South Kitsap Schools back to school celebration
Play with our sponsors at Jump! Gig Harbor
Got a four legged friend? It’s ribbon cutting day (9AM) at the new off leash dog park
Blue Willow Lavender Farm Open every Saturday; free admission; many lavender items for sale. They’ve begun harvesting, so you may want to call first to find out how much is left in the fields.
PenMet Family Theater Presents Snow White under the stars at Sehmel Park Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 7PM through the 18th Tickets are 5.00; light concessions available; families are invited to bring seating and a picnic. Last shows this weekend!
Free outdoor movie in Gig Harbor at Skansie Brothers Park It’s The Sound of Music tonight Older kids may enjoy this one. My boys won’t sit still for it (too bad because it’s Grandma’s favorite)!
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.
Visit our sponsors at City Goat Farm and Zoo! They’ve got a zebra now, plus loads of other cuteness!
Classy Chassis Car Show in Sumner
Meet Us at the Beach Join volunteer naturalists from the South Sound Estuary Association and learn about creatures revealed by low tide 10Am-1PM at Tolmie State Park today (Discover Pass required) Last one of the season!
Crafts of the Past at Fort Nisqually Artisans demonstrate different crafts from the 1800s each week. Included with fort admission. See spinning, weaving, and dying demonstrations today.
Family Day at Emerald Downs Sundays, beginning at 1PM pony rides, face painting free with admission; weather dependent
PenMet Family Theater Presents Snow White under the stars at Sehmel Park Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 7PM through the 18th Tickets are 5.00; light concessions available; families are invited to bring seating and a picnic.
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