Wow! If you’re looking for something to do with your family around Tacoma this weekend, I’ve got you covered!
There are great events and activities for children and families all over the South Sound this weekend-whether your stomping grounds are near Puyallup, Gig Harbor, Lakewood, or somewhere in between, there is something fun for you to do!
Headed elsewhere? There is always lots more to explore at ThriftyNWmom thanks to frugal fun finder, Annaliese, of Grays Harbor Deals!
The big Just Between Friends sale continues at the Puyallup fairgrounds this weekend-go to this one without the kids!
All Weekend
Big Just Between Friends children’s gear and clothing consignment sale at the Puyallup fairgrounds Need a free entry coupon? Show this one on your phone at entry for free admission.
Friday
Date Night! Kids’ Night Out Every Friday with our sponsors at Pump it Up in Tacoma – a great chance for kids to bounce and play while you get out! Tell ’em you saw it on SFM when you call for your spot!(253) 254-7971 6:30-9:30, and they feed them pizza!
Harvest Fest at Norpoint Free community festival! 5:30-7:30 games, crafts, bounce houses, and more
Movie Night at the Enumclaw Aquatic Center Swim-in for a showing of Hotel Transylvania
Saturday
All Over
Lego event at Toys R Us Free make and take event; it’s a, “Bat Signal,” 12-2 Note from SFM: These have gotten really popular at our store. I would try to be there at 12.
Spider Spooktacular at Haggen Grocery Stores free spider craft from 1-4PM This was also advertised at the Puyallup Top Foods, but I’m not sure if the time was the same. I’ll try to check. This says it’s a craft, but I do remember it was a cookie project last year.
Kids’ Club at Michael’s Michael’s offers 30 minute craft sessions for kids for 2.00 from 10-12:oo. It’s a Frankenstein mask.
Visit your farmer’s market! Get your fresh on while you can!
Story time at Barnes and Noble Many Barnes and Noble locations host free, weekly story time events. Note from SFM: We strongly suggest you call your store to confirm participation. We have found some stores do not, even when the event is listed on their website.
South King County
Go salmon spotting volunteers from the Friends of the Cedar River Watershed will be on hand to help children spot salmon returning to spawn. Several Renton area locations.
Fright Fest at Wild Waves Rides,haunted houses, scare free area for kids under 12 and live entertainment. Online tickets are 22.99 for anyone over 48″ tall, plus tax and processing. This is a 5.00 discount off gate admission. You can get the same price at participating Safeway stores. Kids under 48″ are 9.99. Last year, there were coupons at Spirit Halloween stores, and a 5.00 off deal one night with a donation. I don’t see info. on either of those offers right now, but I’ll update this if I find out. I haven’t been to this. If you have, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Weekends in October
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
Model Train show in Maple Valley Shelby sent this one in. Looks super fun for your train lovers.
Auburn Community Players present the Sound of Music
Eddie Eagle GunSafe presentation Teaches children what to do if they see a gun: Stop. Don’t Touch. Leave the Area. Tell an Adult. Free but registration is requested.
Haunted Forest of Maple Valley This looks quite scary to me, but there is a “More lights, less frights,” time for families from 5-6PM. I don’t do haunted, but maybe you do?
Greater Pierce County-Puyallup, Orting
Big Just Between Friends children’s gear and clothing consignment sale at the Puyallup fairgrounds Need a free entry coupon? Show this one on your phone at entry for free admission.
Free wildlife films in Bonney Lake annual, free event with speakers and two family friendly film choices-Water Birds at 11:30 and Chimpanzee at 12:30
Lego my library story time at the Puyallup library 11AM Hear stories and enjoy some Lego building time! Free, drop in events perfect for children 4-8 and their families.
Pumpkin Jubilee at Watson’s Nursery face painting, food treats for sale, fairy garden classes (fees for these-you can get tickets online or at the nursery).
Stories and songs at the Summit Library 10AM songs or stories followed by a simple craft and a full hour of block play at 10:30
Friends of the South Hill Library used book sale
Family movie matinee at the Eatonville Library 2PM snacks provided!
Eatonville Salmon Fest at Mill Pond Park 10AM-3PM tours, vendors, food for sale, entertainment bring a t shirt for salmon printing!
Tacoma
Zoo Boo at the Point Defiance Zoo Watch animals enjoy special Halloween themed activities. Also treats and photo ops. Come in costume and get 3.00 off general admission. Note from SFM: Zoo entry gets pricey. We recommend purchasing an annual pass unless you can take advantage of monthly free days for City of Tacoma residents. Also Sunday
Family Nature Walk at Wapato Hills Park Join naturalists for a free walk at 1PM. Not suitable for strollers; perfect for ages 3 and up
Haunted Theater at the Tacoma City Ballet Special back stage tours of specially decorated rooms. Costumed dancers and a performance. Children are invited to wear costumes. The theater is Beautiful. Don’t be scared by the title-this is an event most children preschool age and up will enjoy. Tickets are 5.00 and 6.00 and performances are select Friday, Saturday, and Sundays through the 26th
Black Cat Fun Run Choose 2.5 or 5 mile course around 5 mile drive at Pt.Defiance 35.00 includes long sleeve t, glow sticks, and beverages. Walkers, kids, and dogs are welcome. This is an evening run, and the course is Dark-be sure to read the info. 7PM
Night Walk at the Tacoma Nature Center 7:30-9 for ages 7 and up. 6.00 per person. Special night time trail walk. Cocoa and cookies after. We’ve done this and enjoyed it, although we didn’t hear or see any nighttime creatures-probably because it was pouring rain. Ah, memories!
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 shows are interactive and shorter. Henry went to one with me and loved it. The all ages program is longer and has a question/answer session, but nothing hands on. Tickets are free-6.00. Buy in advance of pay cash at the door. No cards can be accepted at the venue.
Shrek the musical at Tacoma Musical Playhouse various shows and times
Family movie matinee in Tillicum 1PM free snacks and a newer release on the big screen
Truck and Tractor Day in Lakewood 12-3PM Free admission, free hard hats for the kids, and free pumpkins! Tour the park on a free hayride!
Lacey/Olympia
Dupont Fire Department pumpkin patch pumpkin giveaway, station tours, and more. 10:30-12:30 Free, but you’re invited to bring a donation for the food drive.
Fall festival continues at Lattin’s Cider Mill
Visit the LOTT Wet Science Center *Link opens lengthy pdf Free and open every weekend with environmental information and activities. Engineering activities followed by a treatment plant tour at 1PM today. Participants must be 10 and up and should wear closed toe shoes.
Visit the South Sound Estuarium interactive marine discovery! Open 11-4 weekends at their new location.
Gig Harbor/Kitsap
Lego and Building Madness at the Gig Harbor Library 10AM
Free kids’ pumpkin project at Sehmel Park for kids 5-10 with a grown up. Volunteer will teach kids about pumpkins from seeds to table. Kids will get a pumpkin to decorate and take home. Free1PM You are asked to preregister with mgjane2011@gmail.com
Paradise Theater presents The Adams Family I think this should be fine for older kids, but I’ll try to check for you. Various show times.
Indoor/Outdoor Farmer’s Market a the old Peninsula Gardens site on Wollochet. Be sure to check out this link for an announcement about next year’s market at Skansie Brothers.
Harvest Party at Volunteer Park Key Peninsula 6-8PM hayride, s’mores, costume contest, flashlight hunt, and more fun
Kitsap area readers may also like to get the free newsletter from Macaroni Kid Kitsap
Sunday
Half-off Day at the Just Between Friends consignment sale; free admission
Cider pressing and harvest fun at Terry’s Berries on River Road Tacoma/Puyallup
Zoo Boo at the Point Defiance Zoo Watch animals enjoy special Halloween themed activities. Also treats and photo ops. Come in costume and get 3.00 off general admission. Note from SFM: Zoo entry gets pricey. We recommend purchasing an annual pass unless you can take advantage of monthly free days for City of Tacoma residents. Also Sunday
Dora and Friends event at Westfield Southcenter 12-3 activities and meet and greet with Dora. Time stamped admission wrist bands given out beginning at 11AM.
Kids’ Day at the Gig Harbor film festival Uptown 1-3PM kids 4-12 are invited to see short films with a sea creature/marine theme. Kids will receive a marine creature craft and a snack pack. 6.00/child
Go salmon spotting volunteers from the Friends of the Cedar River Watershed will be on hand to help children spot salmon returning to spawn. Several Renton area locations.
Fright Fest at Wild Waves Rides,haunted houses, scare free area for kids under 12 and live entertainment. Online tickets are 22.99 for anyone over 48″ tall, plus tax and processing. This is a 5.00 discount off gate admission. You can get the same price at participating Safeway stores. Kids under 48″ are 9.99. Last year, there were coupons at Spirit Halloween stores, and a 5.00 off deal one night with a donation. I don’t see info. on either of those offers right now, but I’ll update this if I find out. I haven’t been to this. If you have, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Weekends in October
Haunted Theater at the Tacoma City Ballet Special back stage tours of specially decorated rooms. Costumed dancers and a performance. Children are invited to wear costumes. The theater is Beautiful. Don’t be scared by the title-this is an event most children preschool age and up will enjoy. Tickets are 5.00 and 6.00 and performances are select Friday, Saturday, and Sundays through the 26th
Shrek the musical at Tacoma Musical Playhouse various shows and times
Visit the South Sound Estuarium interactive marine discovery! Open 11-4 weekends at their new location.
Kid Friendly Night at the Paradise Theater Haunted House in Gig Harbor *I’ll try to find out what kid friendly means here.
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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