Free festivals, free movies-it’s a weekend full of South Sound area family fun at my favorite price!
New here? I hope you’ll be back. I have lists like this each weekend and lots of great stuff in between-all just for the South Sound. You might want to get my daily emails so you don’t miss a thing!
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! She’s found some good ones this week!
Friday
There are loads of daytime events in Pierce County Library system branches. Too many to list, in fact! Go here to browse!
Free night at the Hands-On Children’s Museum
Many of this weekend’s festivals begin today. Scroll down for those by area.
Man of Steel shows at Bradley Lake in Puyallup outdoor movie in the park at dusk!
Free Birds shows at Meridian Habitat Park in Puyallup Free show at dusk!
Saturday
All Over
Kids’ Club at Michael’s Michael’s offers 30 minute craft sessions for kids for 2.00 from 10-11:30. It’s a summer keepsake box. You may also want to read about their Passport to Imagination summer program-open for registration now.
More than two dozen events around the South Sound continue below the fold. Just click, “Continue Reading.”
South King County
Cornocopia Days in Kent street fair, carnival rides, dragon boat races, a parade, and more! All weekend
Touch tanks at HCC Mast at Redondo Free and open to the public every Saturday from 10-2
Open hours at Mary Olson Farm in Auburn Veggie car racing today from 1-3 Make a car from vegetables and race it down the track!
The sprayground at Les Gove in Auburn is on, and readers report the surface has been improved and seems less slick. Yay! Leave a report if you go!
Greater Pierce County- Puyallup/Sumner/Orting/Graham
Rhubarb Days in Sumner Pie eating contests, kids’ zone, petting zoo, and more.
Children’s program with the master gardeners in Puyallup Free kids’ gardening programs Link takes you to a detailed post with the summer schedule
Tacoma
Tiptoe Through The Tidepools Join naturalists to see creatures revealed by low tide Titlow Beach This is at the end of 6th avenue, and it’s a great beach for tidepooling. The playground and sprayground nearby are also terrific. If you’d like to do this outing on your own, I have a post on low tide exploration here.
Free showing of Frozen at the main branch of the Tacoma Library 1PM
Wildcat Weekend at the Point Defiance Zoo special themed activities included with admission Zoo admission gets pricey fast; SFM recommends investing in an annual pass unless you can take advantage of free days for City of Tacoma residents. There is a Half-Off for a Half-Day event coming up.
Campout at Owens Beach Chance for families to camp right at the beach by the zoo! I see spots left for 8 person tents only, but you can call and ask if you can put a smaller tent there. I think the fees for this event are high, but if you’re looking for a nice, easy way to introduce your family to camping, this might be worth it. There are two other dates this summer.
Visit the Job Carr Cabin Museum in Old Town Open 1-4 Wednesdays-Saturdays Small, cabin replica A quick outing, but fun for children and free (donations welcome).
Crafts From the Past at Fort Nisqually Local artisans demonstrate different crafts each weekend through September 3rd. Included with admission. I think demos. will probably only interest older children, but kids of most ages enjoy exploring the fort. It’s finger weaving today. Included with admission
Hot Dog Jump Rope show in Lakewood 2PM free, drop in jump rope performance
Children’s and all ages show at the science dome at Ft.Steilacoom Low cost astronomy shows in an indoor planetarium cash only at the door, or buy online. Children’s show at 12:30 or 2 is planetary explorers all ages at 3:15 is Dynamic Earth.
SummerFest in Lakewood free entertainment, kids’ zone, vehicle displays, movie at dusk, and more! Kidz zone is 8.00; movie is Jurassic Park (I think this would be very frightening for children; lots of realistic looking scenes of dinosaurs attacking).
Meet Us At The Beach Join volunteer naturalists to see creatures revealed by low tide Various locations and times the 11th-16th Link opens a pdf with the complete schedule. You will need a Discover WA pass for Tolmie. If you’d like to do this outing on your own, I have a post on low tide exploration here.
Visit the LOTT Wet Science Center The center is free and open to the public every weekend. Activities on the water life of trees today. *Link opens pdf
Kids’ Canopy Climb at Priest Point Kids climb in the trees under the supervision of arborists. Registration and fees required; parents must be on hand
Outdoor movie at Huntamer Park in Lacey It’s Cars! Free show at dusk!
Gig Harbor Area
Keyfest kids’ zone with petting zoo and trout pond, car show, food court, and more Gateway Park in Wauna All weekend
Get Your Feet Wet with Harbor WildWatch Low tide events with volunteer naturalists Free; Three different beaches and times for the next four days! You will need a Discover WA pass for state parks. If you’d like to do this outing on your own, I have a post on low tide exploration here.
Meet Us At The Beach Join volunteer naturalists to see creatures revealed by low tide Various locations and times the 11th-16th Link opens a pdf with the complete schedule. You will need a Discover WA pass for Tolmie. If you’d like to do this outing on your own, I have a post on low tide exploration here.
The trolley is back! .50, free for kids 5 and under.
Gig Harbor Farmer’s Market is now open! Kids music is on the calendar for 9AM, though there aren’t any other details on that.
Water’s Xtreme Journey Exhibit continues at the Harbor History Museum
If you’re in the area, check out your new playground at Crescent Creek Park!
Craft at Michaels The Gig Harbor store does a craft for children every weekend. Call for details.
Outdoor movie at Skansie Brothers Park It’s the Black Stallion Dusk Bring a blanket; I think there will be some concessions *Grown ups can watch the Help on Friday
Kitsap readers may also enjoy Macaroni Kid Kitsap
Sunday
Rhubarb Days in Sumner Pie eating contests, kids’ zone, petting zoo, and more.
Keyfest kids’ zone with petting zoo and trout pond, car show, food court, and more Gateway Park in Wauna All weekend
Cornocopia Days continues in Kent street fair, carnival rides, dragon boat races, a parade, and more!
Crafts From the Past at Fort Nisqually Local artisans demonstrate different crafts each weekend through September 3rd. Included with admission. I think demos. will probably only interest older children, but kids of most ages enjoy exploring the fort. It’s botanical illustration today. Included with admission
Gig Harbor Sunday Farmer’s Market at Skansie Brothers Park Take a Trolly? The STAR Center in S Tacoma also has their Sunday market now (it’s next to the new playground and sprayground).
Historic Fort Steilacoom is now open for Sunday tours 1-4PM through Labor Day Living History Open House today Reenactors in period dress will show the historic buildings and answer questions about the U.S. Army during its occupation of Fort Steilacoom between 1849 and 1868. Donations accepted. That event is 10AM-4PM
If you’ve been super busy like we have, you might have missed the roll out of this year’s great, big South Sound Summer Guide! It’s all your favorite things for summer with the kids in one, great place! and yes, I have your 4th of July guide coming soon!!
I also have a great list of summer camps in the menu bar, a round up of savings on family fun on the deal page, and much, much more! It’s a lot to take in-you might want to become a subscriber and tackle a little bit a day. We have lots of ways to subscribe via those cute buttons at the top, but I recommend the daily emails!
Photo via North Charleston on Flickr used under a creative commons license
Fircresy Derby Days! Box car races start at 10 am. This is a free, fun event for the entire family! Pancake fundraiser breakfast to support Whittier PTA from 8-11:00 am
please share!
I left out a very important piece of information, this is Saturday July 12 ( tomorrow)
Thanks for sharing, Cindy! I hope it was a huge success.