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Archives for January 2014

South Sound Weekend Kids Calendar: Family Fun and Things to Do Around the South Sound January 31st-February 2nd!

January 31, 2014 by Maegen Blue

Need something to do around the South Sound this  weekend? Here’s a whole list of activities with lots for your family to choose from!

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!

The kids can build a race car for free Saturday. It's just one of DOZENS of ideas in the list today!

The kids can build a race car for free Saturday. It’s just one of DOZENS of ideas in the list today!

 Ongoing

Snow White at ManeStage Theater in Sumner   Family friendly show with princess photo ops. after every performance. Bring your camera! Various show times through the 16th.

 Saturday

All Over

Kids’ Club at Michael’s Stores  Make a Valentine’s Treat Bag today. 2.00 per child/ sessions start on the half hour from 10AM-11:30  For ages 3 and up

Kids’ Workshop at Home Depot   You’re asked to register for these popular, free kids’ building events.  It’s a race car today!

Worth the Trip

The snow play area at Paradise at Mt.Rainier is open! Updated 1/31/: Now open on weekends and holidays, weather permitting. Do check before you go, but the mountains have had some good snow lately.

South King County

Half-off admission to the Museum of Flight when you wear Seahawks gear  Thanks, ThriftyNorthwestMom!

Touch tanks at HCC Mast at Redondo  Free and open to the public every Saturday from 10-2  ****You can still look at the critters in the tanks, but you cannot touch them currently because of concerns over a disease that has been affecting the sea stars.

Bounce with our sponsors at Trampoline Nation

or take little ones to play with our friends at Xtreme Bounce of Fun!

Father/Daughter Princess themed dance in Federal Way

Chinese Acrobat Show in Auburn  Tickets are 18.00 and 20.00, but it does look awesome!

There’s SO more to explore….click on Continue Reading for Tacoma area ideas, and the rest of the list! [Read more…]

You’re Invited to Winterfest at Lighthouse Christian School

January 30, 2014 by Maegen Blue

 Our sponsors at Lighthouse Christian School in Gig Harbor asked me to invite you to Winterfest! It’s a fun and affordable event just for kiddos in preschool-2nd grade, and it would be a great way to get an idea of what their school is all about! Read on for all the details!
Winterfest festival at Lighthouse Christian School
Welcome Pre-School Families!
Friday, January 31
5:30-8:00pm
Open to pre-school through second grade students!
Lighthouse Christian School welcomes you! Families with Pre-school to second grade students are invited to join us for a fun evening of games and activities at our annual Winterfest! Each Pre-School student will receive a complimentary ticket Value Pack (worth $10) used to enjoy the many games and activities available. Additional Value Packs are offered for sale at the event. Parents play for FREE!Join us at Winterfest for:
• Carnival game booths
• Two inflatable obstacle courses
• Jumpy house [Read more…]

South Sound Kid Friendly SuperBowl Ideas

January 30, 2014 by Maegen Blue

If you like the idea of a Super Bowl party, but your kids are too antsy, or your invites are to “Adults only,” bashes, here are some alternatives!

Super Bowl Party for Kids and Families at Pierce County Parks and Rec

Tiffany’s Skate Inn SuperBowl party

Our friends at Tiffany’s are hosting a Super Bowl party that’s a great deal!

The game will be on from 1PM-6:30, and you get admission to the entire, extended session for just 1.00! If you want to skate, you will have to pay a few bucks for rentals.  You can get more information here.

Pierce County Parks and Recreation Super Bowl Party

Do you like the idea of watching the game on a really BIG screen? Pierce County Parks and Rec will be showing the game on the big screen at the environmental services building out at Chambers Creek in University Place.  You do have to register for this event, and it’s 30.00 for a family of 4, but that price includes snacks and games! Call to register call (253) 798-4177

You say you and the kids just aren’t (GASP!) football fans? Believe it or not, there will be other family friendly activities going on around the South Sound, and as always, I’ll have a list of them right here!

If you know of others, please share! Quite frankly, I don’t know if I can stand to go to one….I got so nervous watching the championship I had to leave the room! Anyone else?

 

First Daffodil Festival Story Time Date!

January 29, 2014 by Maegen Blue

I promised in yesterday’s post on the new Daffodil Festival Kids’ Club that I’d bring you updates on Daffodil festival events just as soon as I had them.

Daffodil Princess Story Times

Well, that was fast!

The festival just announced their first story time dates. Saturday, February 15th, the princesses will be reading to area boys and girls at Pierce County Libraries, and the Puyallup Public Library (there will be additional sessions, including times at Tacoma Public Libraries in March).

These are free events, and you’re welcome to bring your camera for photo ops! Be sure to scroll down to read about the new Daffodil Festival kids’ club if you missed that royal news!  Not into princesses? One post down I have the scoop on this year’s Monkeyshines event. A real-life treasure hunt all over Tacoma perfect for any adventurous kiddo!

It’s Almost Time to Hunt for Monkeyshines!

January 29, 2014 by Maegen Blue

Updated for 2019

Monkeyshines are out!

When Are Monkeyshines Out in Tacoma and Where Should You Look for Monkeyshines?

Are you ready to hunt Monkeyshines? They’re back this year, and there seem to be more monkeys than ever getting in on the act with their own fun treasures for you to find! No clue what I’m talking about? Keep reading!

monkeyshines

 

Monkeyshines are beautiful, handblown glass balls  hidden around town in honor of the Lunar New Year and community and art and all things joyful. Ben shared the one above via Twitter two years ago. Pretty, huh? They’re created and hidden by a secret group of local artists, which is pretty much everything that is cool about Tacoma right there, don’t you think?

Where to look?

Last year, Monkeyshines were found all around T-town, including spots at Fireman’s Park, Hoyt Playground, intersections in Proctor, on Ruston Way, and in Wright Park, but they could be anywhere! Ben says parks and downtown spots are your best bets, and he doesn’t think it matters when you hunt.

You can look for the #monkeyshines hashtag on Twitter and other social media to see where they’ve been found so far, or check the official Monkeyshines fb page. 

When to go looking?

Ms. Monkey has confirmed that some went out today, February 5th. However, she also said more will go out in coming weeks. And thanks to, “Rogue monkeys,” hiding other creations of their own, your odds of finding a special treasure are probably better than ever! Some are also so well hidden that they’re found months later!

If you find one, it’s yours to keep (Do only keep one if you’re lucky enough to come across two).  As always, use sensible precautions, and obey private property laws. Ms. Monkey wouldn’t put any in dangerous spots or places where you could get in trouble, so don’t look there! Please also be careful today in places that are icy and cold (so pretty much everywhere, right)?

If you’re hunting with your kiddos, remind them that the fun is in the hunt and manage their expectations. We’ve had a great time tromping around Tacoma looking for them even though we’ve yet to find one. Maybe this will be our year!

We’ve shared some pics here of some finds from previous years below.

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Naturally, I hope you’ll let us know if you get lucky. Leave a comment (and a pic, pretty please!) here or on our Facebook page.  You’re also welcome to Tweet at me!   Thanks to one of our Twitter pals, M Sands, for the fun pics above.

And, remember, even if you don’t find one, you’ll be out exploring one of the South Sound’s greatest cities, and you’ll likely see other hunters to make pals with, too. Have a great time!

Save the Date: The Daffodil Festival Is Adding a Kids’ Club!

January 28, 2014 by Maegen Blue

Do you have little ones who love princesses?

Daffodil Princesses Kids Club

 

Over the last several years, the real-life royal misses from the Daffodil Festival have been out in the community serving as wonderful role models for our kids.

I’m very excited to let you know that they will be expanding these programs with a new Daffodil Festival Kids Club. [Read more…]

Free Party for Military Families: Sign Up Now!

January 28, 2014 by Maegen Blue

If you’re one of my military readers, I want you to be sure to sign up for this Amazing, FREE party.

Northwest military

It’s February 16th at Pierce College in Lakewood, and it includes a Free princess party, Free planetarium shows, bouncy houses, a video game truck, arts and crafts, and much, much more.

It’s all to salute the special sacrifices made by military kids.

To sign up just go here to Northwest Military.com (a great resource you should know) and follow the links.

I know I can count on you to pass this on!

PBS Kids Go! Young Writers Contest

January 28, 2014 by Maegen Blue

Our friends at our local PBS station, KBTC, asked me to remind your young writers to enter the PBS Kids Go! Young Writers Contest.

 

Writers Contest Logo

This annual event is just for junior literati in kindergarten-3rd grade, and even if they don’t end up the big winners, it’s a great experience.

I know several readers did this with their creative kiddos last year and thought it was a lot of fun.

You’ll want to check out all the rules and lots more here. The deadline is March 31st.

If you did this last year, I’d love you to hear what you thought!

Oh, and if you have teens (or know some) the Pierce County Library System is currently running their contest for students in grades 7-12. This one has cash prizes!

Epic Donuts is on Amazon Local

January 27, 2014 by Maegen Blue

Guys! Epic Donuts is on Amazon Local. 

Update: Sorry, this one is sold out! You can check my Deal of the Day page for more current offers. I’ll let you know if this pops up again. If you missed it, be sure you’re a subscriber!

 

Epic Donuts

 

Seattle Aquarium Back on Groupon

January 27, 2014 by Maegen Blue

A quick heads-up that the Seattle Aquarium is back on Groupon.

Seattle-Aquarium-2_grid_6

This was showing as sold-out last week, but it’s back up for me now, and I got all the way to the checkout window.

Yes, this is a Seattle outing, and yes, it’s still really spendy, but if you like to go here once a year, you’ll want to pick this up. 15.95 gets you one adult admission, or 29.95 gets you two. While this is still not a bargain, but it’s more than 30% off, and deals here are super unusual. It’s also a really amazing aquarium and a lot of fun for kids.  Note that you’ll only want to grab enough for the adults who would be going, as this is essentially the regular price for kids 4-12.

Just head here to Groupon if you’d like to check it out.

You’ll find more cheap fun on my Deal of the Day Page-you can still score major discounts on Gibson’s froyo, Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, and bounce house visits!

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