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
Pierce County Fair continues in Graham
The science of sword fighting with the Knights of Veritas at the Puyallup Public Library 3PM sword fighting demonstrations. My boys’ very favorite library program ever. Yes, your kids will want to whack each other with whatever they find afterwards.
Fircrest Fun Days food and craft booths, live entertainment, continues Saturday
Sunset Cinema at Kandle Park After the wave pool closes, there will be a mini soccer session with a Sounders player followed by an autograph session and snacks provided by Subway. At dusk, catch a free showing of Hotel Transylvania.
Free outdoor showing of Mr.Peabody and Sherman at the Tumwater Valley Golf Club
Free cinema under the stars at volunteer park Key Peninsula Every Friday evening in August; free-food bank donations invited. Activities start at 6:30. Show is Despicable Me tonight.
Free outdoor movies in Gig Harbor Big Miracle tonight; Wall E Saturday I believe it’s at Skansie Bros. Park, but correct me if it’s Donkey Creek, please. Thanks!
Free outdoor movie at Bradley Lake Park in Puyallup. It’s Despicable Me. Show at dusk.
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 fun dough craft bug today. 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
Auburn Days vendors, kids’ activities, entertainment, and more!
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
Greater Pierce County- Puyallup/Sumner/Orting/Graham/Fife/Bonney Lake
Pierce County Fair continues in Graham
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
Tacoma
In the Spirit Native Arts Festival at the Washington State History Museum performances; art for sale; FREE admission to both the museum and the festival all day
Ruston Family Fair 11AM-4PM Old-fashioned neighborhood fun with pony rides, face painting, cupcake walk and more
Tiptoe Through The Tidepools Low tide exploration at Titlow 9:30-12:30; free events The last low tides of the summer are this weekend. If you’d like to do this adventure on your own, I have a post on low tide exploration right here.
Fircrest Fun Days food and craft booths, live entertainment, fireworks Saturday night
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.
Brigade Encampment at Fort Nisqually Re-enactors portray life in the 1800s. Fiddle music, Punch and Judy puppet show at 12:30 or 3:00 , and lots of lively contests between trappers and traders. Admission of 5.00-9.00 charged
University Place/South Tacoma/Lakewood
Kite Festival at Chambers Creek in University Place First 250 kids get to make a free kite. Plus demonstrations, face painting, and more fun.
It’s Maker Fest in Lakewood at Pierce College’s Science Dome Our sponsors at the Pierce County Library System present this free, family event. Register and bring your own creative creation, or come see what other inventions and clever crafts folks have cooked up. There will also be special, free activities all day, and two showings of Back to the Moon for Good in the digital planetarium. I believe the shows are also free, but I will try to double check for you. You may want to bring some cash just in case (the planetarium can’t accept cards).
Family Fun Day at the Lacey Community Market entertainment, tumble bus, bounces house, and more. All free!
The South Sound Estuarium has reoopened at its new location 11-4 weekends
Meet Us At The Beach Low tide exploration with volunteers from the South Sound Estuary Association 10AM If you’d like to explore a beach at low tide on your own, I have a post here. Note that this is the last significantly low tide of the summer.
Visit the LOTT Wet Science Center The center is free and open to the public every weekend. There is a tour of the treatment plant for kids 10 and up today (Don’t say I didn’t take you anywhere this summer, kid)! Wear open toed shoes. There are typically activities available for younger children at the center.
Play At The Well Free family activities and performances at the Artesian commons 11AM-2pM BBQ for purchase on site
Outdoor Cinema in the Park at Huntamer in Lacey It’s Double Feature night, with Despicable Me I and II! Last outdoor cinema of the season for Lacey.
Parents’ Night out at the HOCM Registration and fees required
Stories in the Park! Stories in the Dark! at Priest Point Park South Sound storytellers guild presents kid friendly tales at 7:00 followed by spookier ones for grown ups at 8. Near shelter 3
Gig Harbor Area
Passport to Professions at the Gig Harbor Library 10:30 K-3 kids are invited to learn all about being environmental scientists. Registration required. 10 spots right now.
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.
Passport to Professions at the Key Peninsula Library 1PM K-3 kids are invited to learn all about being computer engineers.Registration required 18 spots right now.
Free outdoor movie. It’s Wall E tonight! I believe this is at Skansie Bros. Show time approximately dusk.
Kitsap readers may also enjoy Macaroni Kid Kitsap
Sunday
South King County
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
Free interactive showing of Frozen at Calvary Lutheran in Federal Way
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
Brigade Encampment at Fort Nisqually Re-enactors portray life in the 1800s. Fiddle music, Punch and Judy puppet show at 12:30 or 3:00 , and lots of lively contests between trappers and traders. Admission of 5.00-9.00 charged
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
Get Your Feet Wet with Harbor Wild Watch Join volunteer naturalists to see creatures revealed by low tide. 10AM Three locations today.
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
Meet Us At The Beach Low tide exploration with volunteers from the South Sound Estuary Association 10AM If you’d like to explore a beach at low tide on your own, I have a post here. Note that this is the last significantly low tide of the summer. 11-2 at Burfoot and Tolmie You’ll need a DiscoverWA pass for Tolmie.
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
Brianna says
August 8, 2014 at 11:33 amThe Renaissance Faire in Bonney Lake is a lot of fun, and very family-friendly. Everyone is in costume, and the joust events are amazing to watch. There’s a lot of audience participation while the riders go through their activities. There are puppet shows and play sword-fighting to do. Lots of food, and booths to look through. My four year old niece loves it.
admin says
August 8, 2014 at 3:20 pmThanks, Brianna! I really appreciate the review!
Heather says
August 9, 2014 at 4:46 pmLogger jubilee in Morton
Grays harbor county fair
Mt st Helens bluegrass festival
They’re all fun events this week end
admin says
August 10, 2014 at 7:14 amThanks, Heather! Those are starting to be a bit out of my, “Territory,” but they do sound fun!
Be sure to check out my friend Annaliese’s site, Grays Harbor Deals.