Archives for June 2015

Several readers have asked for more kid friendly hike posts.

Franklin Falls is a kid friendly waterfall hike, and it’s one of my family’s favorite options within a short drive from the greater Seattle area (It’s just east-off I-90).  It’s short, easy enough for most beginner hikers (do see my cautions in this post), and it ends with a great, big, “Wow!” Plus, right now the cooling mist from the waterfall would feel pretty great!

The first part of the trail is a wide, well maintained path. The trail parallels an old wagon route, and you can actually still see ruts from the wagon wheels in spots. Cool, right?

It’s a pleasant, shaded trail with pretty viewpoints. You do want to keep children back from the edge, but you’d do that on any trail, right?

You should know that the last bit of this trail down to the falls is steep and slippery. There are rock, “Steps,” but they’re often loose or wet, and so are more difficult than they look. You will need to go very slowly and cautiously here. Young children will absolutely need assistance.

You should also know that the rocks at the base of the falls are boulders-you can get right up by the falls, but don’t be looking for a soft place to sit or a bench to relax on! Again, there is trip and spill potential here.  I should add that several of our readers say they love this hike and have done it with even toddlers, so it may just be that I am a nervous Nelly (My family would confirm this for sure). Anyway…..

And, finally, you should know that the trailhead for this hike is the same one you use for the Denny Creek Slide-an UBER popular, summer option (and another fun one for families, IF you’re o.k. with your kids playing on wet rocks). If you go, go early in the day, or you will have a rough time finding parking. If all that doesn’t scare you off, you’ll find easy directions here at the Wta.org site. You’ll also want to read the most recent trip reports for any trail condition updates and tips from other hiking families.

And, finally, here’s a pic one of the boys took of me and the hubs on a hike here a couple of years ago. I tried to find a good one of Henry, but apparently I was too busy taking pics of the rocks that day. Such is the life of the blogger’s kids. Have you done any hikes yet this summer? I’d love for you to leave a comment with your recommendations! 

Got bored teens? Here’s how to give them tons of cheap and free things to do in around the Seattle area  this summer-besides hanging around the house and complaining!

Just have them sign up for a FREE Teen Tix pass, and they can get admission to cool spots like the EMP and cultural events like museum exhibits, plays, movies, and more, for….wait for it……just 5.00!

If you’ve ever priced a Seattle area arts attraction or event, you know that is an awesome deal. Your teen can probably afford it without hitting you up for a loan!

There really isn’t any catch, except that currently these are all Seattle area spots. You also have to get tickets to most places day-of, although some allow for advance purchase. Other than that, it’s absolutely as good as it sounds and super easy: Your teen signs up online for a free pass and prints it out, he finds an event to attend on the calendar, and he shows up with his pass and his student id and nabs a 5.00 ticket!

Oh, and all the venues offer 2 for 10.00, “Bring A Friend,” days once a week, and friends can be any age. Feel free to tell your teenager that YOU are counting as his friend! Hey, is he driving himself? I didn’t think so!

Reader Kari reminded me about this whole program over on our fb page and shared that she and her pass holding teen would be going to see the Star Wars costume exhibit at the EMP on their Bring A Friend day. 10.00 for two at the EMP? That is a deal, people!

You can get more information and sign up for a Teen Tix pass online.

Want still more for your bigger kids to do-maybe a little closer to home? Be sure to check out the summer pass offer from our friends at Trampoline Nation!

Sunday, June 28th, 2015! Here are a few fun things to do with the kids around Tacoma, the rest of the 253 and beyond! 

Many areas now have a Farmer’s Market open on Sundays. Get your fresh on!

Car show in Dacca Park Fife   Free  Kids can play while parents take in the cars  Thanks, Heather, for sharing on our fb page!

Taste of Tacoma   Food festival in Point Defiance Park; admission is free (does not include zoo admission); food items have a charge. There is a kids’ entertainment stage.  Runs all weekend

Crafts of the Past at Ft.Nisqually  Traditional crafts are demonstrated Saturdays and Sundays through the fall. Included with fort admission. This outing is probably most interesting to school age children, though younger ones will enjoy running in and around the fort towers.  Also Sunday It’s historical illustrations today. There will be coloring/drawing opportunities for kids.

Slug Fest at Northwest Trek   get slimed and race like a slug, or enjoy other slug themed fun. Included with admission. Note from SFM: Trek is super fun, but admission is spendy. You may want to consider an annual pass if you’d go more than twice this year. One can be added to an existing zoo pass. Also Sunday

Irish Day and Family Fun Day at Emerald Downs

Kids in the Kitchen event at the Courtyard By Marriot in Federal Way

Historic Fort Steilacoom is now open for Sunday tours  Be mindful of increased traffic for the US Open in the coming weeks.

Visit the South Sound Estuarium   open 11-4 weekends

Just looking to cool off? I hear ‘ya! Here’s our beat the heat round-up. 

As always, if you know something we missed or you’d like publicity or advertising for your group, get in touch! You can email me at soundsfunmom@gmail.com or use one of the icons up top to find us on your favorite social media.

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Need something to do with the kids this weekend in Tacoma, Olympia, or Puyallup?

We’ve got fun things for families all over the 253. Don’t forget to check our summer guide and the calendar for still more fun every other day!

New here? We have an amazing list just like this one up every Friday morning, and lots of fun all the days in between-just for the South Puget Sound. Just trying to figure out how to keep cool? Head to my round-up here-it’s got places to swim, splash, play, and relax in water, shade, or sweet, sweet ac!

Saturday

Feeling slugish? Maybe a trip to Northwest Trek for special slug themed activities will help. It’s one of Dozens of family events this weekend. Keep reading for all of them!

All Over 

Kids’ Club at Michael’s stores Make a pie shaped tic tac toe game (think felt circle)! 2.00 for a half hour crafting session. 10-12

Orion and the Dark Story time and crafts at Barnes and Noble  11AM.  We suggest finding your store and calling directly to confirm. We have found participation in these fun, free events to be inconsistent-even when the store is listed as participating. If you have feedback on one, let us know!

Lowes Build and Grow-Stores are full; this is a reminder if you signed up. Missed it? Sign up for the next one on June 29th, and be sure you’re following Sounds Fun Mom.

South King County

Touch tanks at HCC Mast at Redondo  Free and open to the public every Saturday from 10-2

Puyallup/Bonney Lake/Greater Pierce  

Gardening Class with the master gardeners in Puyallup  Free kids’, gardening events  Amphibians theme today

Yes, Puyallup, your spray ground is now open! 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. daily beginning Friday, May 22nd – Monday, September 7th. It’s right by the downtown Puyallup library. I suggest you park at the surface lot behind City Hall (the building with the Subway).

Highland Games   Get your kilt on!   at Frontier Park in Graham

Tacoma

Taste of Tacoma   Food festival in Point Defiance Park; admission is free (does not include zoo admission); food items have a charge. There is a kids’ entertainment stage.  Runs all weekend

Keep Reading for Dozens More events in Tacoma, Gig Harbor, Olympia, and more!  [Read more…]

Need to keep cool and have fun near Puyallup? Might I suggest a trip to WiggleWorks?

You can still purchase a summer pass for just 17.00 per child for a whole month of unlimited play in their super fun and clean facility, and yes, they have ac! 

PLUS, I also want to make sure you’ve checked out their, WiggleWorkshops.  WiggleWorkshops by WiggleWorks kids are a series of short, 2-hour, introductory workshops focused on providing enrichment to toddler and preschool-aged children in areas such as math, science, art, music, history, healthy living, and the outdoors. Think of it as a day camp just for young children-designed by experts in their special needs and interests.

Each is just 25.00-buy one or buy ’em all-and a full day of play is included the day of your workshop at no extra charge.

WiggleWorkshops welcome parent participation, but it isn’t required. Stay and play, or drop off your littles and relax knowing they’re safe and having a ball.

And can we talk about how cute these workshops are? Kids can be chefs, superheros, or dinosaur hunters-just to name a few! These are such fun themes, and this is a teensy fraction of the cost of a typical specialty camp. I’ve included the details on just two of the upcoming workshops to give you an idea of all your kiddos get (It’s a lot)! but do be sure to check out all of them.

• Mini Chef School-Wednesday, July 8, 3:30-5:30 Become a chef for the day! Join our sponsor, Papa John’s Pizza of Puyallup, to taste-test pizza toppings, decorate your own apron, and make your very own pizza! We’ll focus on the importance of using fresh ingredients in the food we eat.  This session incudes: Interactive Story or sponsor presentation, Hands Dirty Activity, Supercharged Playtime, Get Up and Move Activity, Recharger (snack provided by WiggleWorks kids), Closing Game, Photo Session, Certificate, and a Chef hat to take home!
• Pee Wee Picassos   Wednesday, July 15th, 3:30-5:30 PMCome make a masterpiece! Join local children’s author and illustrator Tara Sanderson and watch her doodles transform into magical stories. Channel your inner Picasso to create one-of-a-kind characters ready to start an adventure. This session incudes: Interactive Story or sponsor presentation, Hands Dirty Activity, Supercharged Playtime, Get Up and Move Activity, Recharger (snack provided by WiggleWorks kids), Closing Game, Photo Session, Certificate and a personalized signed book to take home!

Remember: These are just two of the fun WiggleWorkshops. They run through August and you can check out all of them here-don’t miss Mad Science and Space Camp! Whatever your preschoolers’ passion is, you’re sure to find the perfect WiggleWorkshop!

You can check out the full list and reserve your spot here. 

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. We’d LOVE for you to say Sounds Fun Mom sent you when you go in to play!

It’s about to get HOT HOT HOT! Are you ready? We’ve got you covered!

Just click the pic for all our best ways to keep cool around here!