Oh, Tacoma-so much free fun for you this weekend! Don’t worry if you live elsewhere- there is plenty for you, too!
Here’s a great list of fun ideas for your family this weekend, with kid friendly activities and places to go all over-including free festivals and fun in Lacey, Gig Harbor, Lakewood, and just about everywhere in between!
Headed elsewhere? There is always lots more to explore at ThriftyNWmom thanks to frugal fun finder, Annaliese, of Grays Harbor Deals!
Watch out for fair traffic! lol
All Weekend
All Weekend
It’s the last weekend of the Western Washington State Fair -aka The Puyallup Fair See this post for my best tips on saving a few bucks. See this post for a list of kid friendly entertainment. I’d consider going today-the little bit of damp will likely mean light crowds, and it’s definitely going to be less busy than Saturday or Sunday.
Saturday
All Over
Kids’ Club at Michael’s Michael’s offers 30 minute craft sessions for kids for 2.00 from 10-12:oo. I’m not sure what the craft is today. I’ll try to find out for you. The flyer at my store advertised free face painting with any kids’ club this month, but I wouldn’t count on that.
Visit your farmer’s market! Get your fresh on while you can!
Curious George Curiosity Day Story time at Barnes and Noble We have found participation in these free, special storytimes to vary wildly, with some stores not putting anything on even when the site indicates participation. Sooooo…..if this sounds cute to you, please call your local store to confirm before you go.
Lowes Build And Grow NEXT week, but I’m leaving the link because there are six or so stores with spots left for firetruck building-sign up now if you want one!
South King County
Visit the HCC Mast Center at Redondo The center and its touch tanks of sea critters are free and open to the public every Saturday from 10-2
Tacoma/Greater Pierce
Caspar Babypants and Recess Monkey play one great show at the Rialto. Call the box office to check ticket availability 253.591.5894
Maritime Fest on the Foss Waterway Seaport see and tour boats; watch boat building; kids’ zone; free admission to the Foss Waterway Seaport Museum Also Sunday See this post for more detail
Pioneer Festival at the Job Carr Cabin Museum in Old Town 12-4 Free event with variety of hands-on activities and old time fun to give the kids a taste of the olden days!
Free family movie at the Grand presented by Click! It’s Despicable Me II Doors open at 9:30; show at 10
Play and grow family storytime at Wheelock Library 10:30
Simon Kids’ Club Dino Event at the Tacoma Mall
Stories and songs at the Summit Library 10AM special Saturday storytime events for preschoolers and their favorite grown-ups
Elephant Birthday party at the Point Defiance Zoo Special activities to celebrate Suki’s 50th. Included with admission. Zoo entry gets spendy. SFM suggests investing in an annual pass (holiday gift alternative for grandma?), unless you can take advantage of monthly free days for City of Tacoma residents.
Community Kids’ Day at Lakewold Gardens in Lakewood Admission is 1.00 or a canned food donation; explore one of the area’s most beautiful gardens with kids’ crafts, story telling, face painting, and more!
Children and all ages shows at the Science Dome presentations and shows on the overhead dome at the area’s only indoor, digital planetarium. Children’s shows at 12:30 and 2; all ages at 3:15 Children’s show is Magnificent Moons. These are interactive and shorter. Henry went to this one with me and loved it. The all ages program is longer and has a question/answer session, but nothing hands on. It’s Space Junk today. Tickets are free-6.00. Buy in advance of pay cash at the door. No cards can be accepted at the venue.
Family movie at Tillicum Library 1PM free show and snacks; movies are new, family releases-call for title
Lacey/Olympia
End of Summer Fling at Yelm City Park games, food, bounce houses Admission is free-tickets for some activities 5.00
Summer’s End Car Show at Huntamer Park in Lacey food vendors, car show, car themed games for grown-ups and kids
Visit the LOTT Wet Science Center Free and open every weekend with environmental information and activities. .
Visit the new South Sound Estuarium interactive marine discovery! Open 11-4 weekends at their new location.
Gig Harbor/Kitsap
Donkey Creek Chum Festival Booths, touch tanks, salmon t-shirt painting, kids’ activities and more. In and around the Harbor History Museum (one of our favs) downtown 10AM-4 (scroll DOWN from link)
Farmer’s Markets continue in Gig Harbor
Kitsap area readers may also like to get the free newsletter from Macaroni Kid Kitsap
Sunday
It’s the last day of the Western Washington State Fair -aka The Puyallup Fair See this post for my best tips on saving a few bucks. See this post for a list of kid friendly entertainment.
Crafts From the Past at Fort Nisqually Local artisans demonstrate different crafts each weekend. Included with admission. I think demos. will probably only interest older children, but kids of most ages enjoy exploring the fort. It’s cyanotypes (old fashioned photographic images made with ultraviolet light) today. Kids will get to try their hand at making one-very cool. Included with admission.
Maritime Fest continues in Tacoma You *might* be able to get a free boat tour of the Port today! See this post for more details on that.
Know something great I missed? Want publicity for your group or advertising for your family friendly business? Just let me know!
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