Need something to do around the South Sound this weekend? Boy, have I got you covered! 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! It’s Seafair week.
Friday
Military appreciation day at the Thurston County Fair 2.00 admission tickets and 5.00 off carnival ride bracelets with id
Be a toxic investigator! Free program from the Pierce County Health Department at the Puyallup Public Library 3PM
Once On This Island by Green River’s Heavier Than Air Theater “Island,” adaptation of Hans Christian Anderson’s Little Mermaid
Free night at the Hands-On Children’s Museum in Olympia Enjoy free admission the first Friday of the month from 5-9PM
Free movie at Cheney Stadium at the jumbo screen. It’s The Lego Movie. Heads-up that readers said the sound/picture wasn’t great, and they were asked not to take strollers on the field. But it’s outdoors on a big screen, and it’s Free!
Summer Sounds and Cinema in Auburn 7PM Free outdoor movie It’s Despicable Me 2! Children’s art activities, inflatables, and id kits before the show; concessions available
Movies in the Park with Pierce County Parks and Rec Free showing of the Lego movie at the Heritage Rec Center on South Hill preshow activities at 7PM; movie at dusk; concessions available
Saturday
All Over
Need to keep cool? Head here for my list of every sprayground, wading pool, fountain, and water feature in the South Puget Sound!
Trying to plan for next week? Head to the, “Summer,” tab in my menu bar for quick info. on summer camps, VBS, free kids’ activities, and much, much more!
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 keychain and bracelet. 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
Once On This Island by Green River’s Heavier Than Air Theater “Island,” adaptation of Hans Christian Anderson’s Little Mermaid
Visit the HCC Mast Center at Redondo The center and its touch tanks are free and open to the public every Saturday from 10-2
Open Hours at the Mary Olson Farm in Auburn free and open for families to explore every Saturday and Sunday Donations are welcome
Eatonville Arts Festival I’m not sure if there is much here to interest children. If you’ve been, let me know!
Greater Pierce County- Puyallup/Sumner/Orting/Graham/Fife/Bonney Lake
Renaissance Fair in Bonney Lake Game of thrones, anyone? I haven’t ever been to this. If you have, and you can tell us how family friendly it is, I’d love for you to leave a comment! There was a brief deal on Amazon Local, but I can’t find anything current.
Orting Summer Fest rides, music, entertainment, and more family fun
Manestage theater presents Fiddler On The Roof various show times through August 10th
Freddie Fest in Frederickson car show, chili challenge and more, at Sound Life Church
Tacoma
Tears of Joy puppet theater at Fern Hill 11AM
Proctor Arts Fest community street fair with vendors, arts and crafts, pet parade, live entertainment (don’t miss the kids’ stage)
Family nature walk at Oak Tree Park Free guided walks with volunteer naturalists; not suitable for strollers; perfect for ages 3 and up. 10AM
Family nature walk at the Tacoma Nature Center Free guided walks with volunteer naturalists; not suitable for strollers; perfect for ages 3 and up. 1-2
Woofstock! Pet adoption event at the University of Puget Sound
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). Ask about weekly Wednesday story times.
The Science of Bubbles at Mottet Library 2PM
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 cheese making today. Included with admission
Sharks! at the Point Defiance Zoo special shark themed activities included with admission The zoo gets pricey; SFM recommends investing in an annual pass
Pokemon Party at the main branch of the Tacoma library Event for kids 10 and up; registration required.
University Place/South Tacoma/Lakewood
Sun Fest in University Place Formerly the UP Festival entertainment, kids’ zone, movie at dusk! A full day of fun in Cirque Park
Oregon Shadow Theater at the Parkland/Spanaway Library puppets, music, and theater 3:00
Astronomy Day at the science dome at Pierce College 12-5 Day of free activities hosted by the Tacoma Astronomical Society-stomp rockets, solar viewing, comet making, and more! Science Dome shows will also be available-not free, but low cost. Cash only at the door for these. There is also telescope viewing (weather permitting) at 9PM
It’s Thurston County fair time smaller and less expensive fair than the, “Big one,” but plenty of fair fun
The South Sound Estuarium has reoopened at its new location 11-4 weekends
Visit the LOTT Wet Science Center The center is free and open to the public every weekend. amphibian activities today
Play At The Well in downtown Olympia
Outdoor Cinema in the Park at Huntamer in Lacey It’s the Lego movie! Free show at dusk!
Gig Harbor Area
Family Fun Fest at Sehmel Park entertainment, water balloons, vendors, and more! Free event, though a 2.00 donation is suggested for the kids’ zone, and there is a nominal charge for some activities.
Oregon Shadow Theater at the Gig Harbor Library puppets, music, and theater 10:30
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.
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.
Free movie at Volunteer Park, Key Peninsula Pre-movie activities begin at 6:30; movie at 8:30 This was Friday. Whoops! Apologies.
Kitsap readers may also enjoy Macaroni Kid Kitsap
Sunday
South King County
If you’re headed up north for Seafair, our Facebook readers have good suggestions about where you might go to see the Blue Angels. Over on Twitter, some of my pals suggested Genesee Park on Lake Washington for family activities, or heading to the Museum of Flight, which will have family activities and a good view of the Blue Angels take offs and landings. It’s also Marine Week at the museum. Read more about Flight Museum activities here.
Pony rides, face painting, and bounce houses at Emerald Downs I believe these activities start at 1PM, but I’m not sure, so you may want to call and check.
Open Hours at the Mary Olson Farm in Auburn free and open for families to explore every Saturday and Sunday Donations are welcome
Greater Pierce County/Tacoma
Renaissance Fair in Bonney Lake Game of thrones, anyone? I haven’t ever been to this. If you have, and you can tell us how family friendly it is, I’d love for you to leave a comment! There was a brief deal on Amazon Local, but I can’t find anything current
Manestage theater presents Fiddler On The Roof various show times through August 10th
Sharks! at the Point Defiance Zoo special shark themed activities included with admission The zoo gets pricey; SFM recommends investing in an annual pass
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 cheese making today. Included with admission
Historic Fort Steilacoom is now open for Sunday tours 1-4PM through Labor Day
All Over
Need to keep cool? Head here for my list of every sprayground, wading pool, fountain, and water feature in the South Puget Sound!
Check for a Sunday Farmer’s market!
Gig Harbor
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).
Thurston County
It’s Thurston County fair time smaller and less expensive fair than the, “Big one,” but plenty of fair fun
The South Sound Estuarium has reoopened at its new location 11-4 weekends
Don’t forget you can always check this year’s great, big South Sound Summer Guide! It’s all your favorite things for summer with the kids in one, great place!
Trying to plan for next week? Head to the, “Summer,” tab in my menu bar for quick info. on summer camps, VBS, free kids’ activities, and much, much more!
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
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