Archives for June 2015

2015 South Puget Sound Fireworks Displays and 4th of July Family Fun

June 29, 2015 by Keri Welch

This is an old post. Most 2020 events have been cancelled due to Covid.

Go here for the 2018 edition of this list. I promise it’s worth the click. Thanks!

Ready to light the sparklers and celebrate America? We’ve got the run down on all the places to take your kiddos for patriotic flag waving, hot dogs, BBQ, and best of all, FIREWORKS! We would LOVE it if you shared this post on Facebook, so more folks can see all the fun there is to do around the South Sound!

Family Fourth at the Fort, Fort Dent Park, Tukwila

This is an all day event, capped off with evening fireworks at 10PM! Lots of fun for the family including bouncy houses, slides, and entertainment.

Renton’s Fabulous Fourth, Coulon Beach

Enjoy free KidZone activities including Orbitron Spin, Giant Inflatable Slide, Obstacle Course, Ball Pond, and face-painting from 12pm-8pm. Professional fireworks display at 10pm. Many other activities!

4th of July Splash: Lake Meridian Park

Enjoy a variety of games, family activities and art projects from 12pm-10:30pm. Fireworks finale over Lake Meridian at 10PM. You’re encouraged to park at one of the off-site locations and take a shuttle bus. If you haven’t been to Lake Meridian before, check out our full review of this awesome park. It’s also on our list of Great Lakes for Swimming in the South Sound.

Fireworks over Des Moines

All day festivities at Des Moines Beach Park, including food trucks, fireworks, and more family friendly fun

4th of July Festival, Auburn, Les Gove Park

This event runs from 11am-4pm. Free activities include the kids’ bike parade at noon, bocce, White River Valley Museum entry, face painting, spray park, the Discovery Playground and a 5 & Under Indoor Playground. You can also purchase wristbands for additional rides and activities.

4th of July events for families Tacoma, Des Moines, Puyallup, Lakewood

Red, White, and Blues Festival, Federal Way

On site parking begins at 3pm, and the festival starts at 4pm. This year’s festival features international cultural performances, live blues, rock and dance music from Puget Sound artists, food and fun activities for the entire family, and Fireworks Display at 10:15 PM.

4th of July Parade, Enumclaw

Come to downtown Enumclaw and enjoy the 4th of July parade from 12pm-1pm. The parade route includes Cole St.

Fireworks in Enumclaw

Enjoy the 4th of July watching the Enumclaw Chamber of Commerce Fireworks Display at Southwood Elementary Soccer Fields. Fireworks will start at 9:45.

Puyallup

There are no public fireworks displays scheduled in Puyallup this year. But, you can always look up from wherever you are in Puyallup and see what your friends and neighbors are doing! You can enjoy daytime fun at the Meeker Mansion downtown (see below).

Meeker Mansion, Puyallup

Family Social & Puyallup Community Band Concert on the 4th from 2pm-5pm. Enjoy family games plus strawberry treats. The Puyallup Valley Band plays at 3pm.

Airshow in Tacoma for the 4th of July

Tacoma’s Freedom Fair

Spend the day at Ruston Way for Freedom Fair, featuring 4th of July activities, airshows, great food, vendors, exhibits, rides, and events. Northwest’s biggest firework show over Puget Sound at 10:10pm. We strongly suggest you utilize the free shuttle rather than trying to find a place to park.

JBLM Freedom Fest

Freedom Fest offers a day of fun, food, carnival rides, games, music, fireworks and more! However, they are aiming for a smaller scale event open to their JBLM families this year, so this one is NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR 2016.

DuPont July 4th: A Hometown Celebration

Full day of activities beginning with a pancake breakfast and parade. Kids’ activities follow at Clocktower park; fireworks at dusk at Patriot’s Landing.

Independence Day in Steilacoom

Lafayette Street open to the public for the day-long July 4th Celebration beginning at 9am and culminating in fireworks. Come join in the fun! Note from SFM: I cannot find updated info. for 2016, but this is an annual event, so I’m reasonably sure it’s going on. You may want to call.

Eatonville Fireworks + Parade

Eatonville does a fireworks display and other fun on the evening of the 3rd, with a parade and more on the 4th at noon.

Independence Day Parade, Tumwater

City of Tumwater hosts an afternoon parade, followed by fun and activities at the golf course, with a fireworks finale at 10:15. Admission is free; parking at the course is $10/car.

Gig Harbor

No organized displays that I know about, but try to get yourself invited to a party overlooking a small body of water, and you should have a good show!

4th of July Sinclair Inlet Fireworks Show, Port Orchard/Bremerton

Drawing crowds of 60,000 or more, the show is visible to Bremerton, the Naval Shipyard, and Port Orchard areas. Show begins at 10:30pm.

So many options! Which one will you and your family choose? Whatever you do, stay safe and have fun celebrating freedom! After all of that, be sure to check out more summer fun in our guide.

Let’s Hike: Franklin Falls

June 29, 2015 by Maegen Blue

Franklin Falls Hike: A Waterfall Hike That is Easy Enough for Most Kids and Families

If you’re looking for an easy hike to do with the kids, or a waterfall hike that kids can do, I’ve got the solution for you!

Franklin Falls is a super kid friendly 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. Go slowly here and help kiddos and anyone who isn’t sure footed.

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!

Want more waterfall hikes?

Read Tiffany’s post on Twin Falls, another great option! We also have a round up of other favorite summer hikes here.

(Affiliate link>) You may also want to pick up the new edition of Best Hikes With Kids Western Washington. It’s awesome! We have used the first edition for more than 10 years and not come close to doing all the hikes in it!

5 Events to Beat the Heat at the Library this Week

June 29, 2015 by Keri Welch

How are you and your kiddos holding up in this heat? We normally don’t get summer until after the 4th of July around here! Can you believe it? We thought we would help you out with some fun, free, and educational events at your local library THIS WEEK, where there is AIR CONDITIONING!

There are our Top 5 picks for Library Events this week!

Top 5

1. How to Fool a Dragon (and Save the World) Show

Monday, June 29, at 2:00pm and 3:30pm
Federal Way Library

2. Drawing Comic Book Heroes and Aliens

Monday, June 29
Enumclaw

3. X-Ray Woman: Maria Sklodowska Curie Science Workshop

Tuesday, June 30

Black Diamond

4. Explore Stop Motion Animation

Wednesday, July 1

Tacoma Library-Main Branch

5. Amazement Magic Show with Jeff Evans

Saturday, July 4
Tumwater Valley Golf Course

While you’re at the library, be sure to sign up for one of the awesome summer reading programs. There are some cool prizes!

Need even more ideas to beat the heat? We got that for you, too!

Teen Tix: Cheap Things To Do For Seattle Area Teens!

June 28, 2015 by Maegen Blue

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!

Teen Tix One

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!

Teen Tix

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!

South Sound Sunday Fun For Kids!

June 28, 2015 by Maegen Blue

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.

If you’re new here-welcome! We’d love to have you join us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, subscribe to the daily emails, follow us on our NEW Instagram, or just make us your daily habit.

South Sound Weekend Kids’ Calendar: Family Fun And Things To Do June 26th-28th

June 26, 2015 by Maegen Blue

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…]

Play And Learn At A WiggleWorkShop At WiggleWorks!

June 25, 2015 by Maegen Blue

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.

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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.

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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!

5 Events to Beat the Heat at the Library this Week

June 23, 2015 by Keri Welch

In case you haven’t heard yet, it’s going to get HOT around the South Sound in the next few days. We thought we would help you out with some fun, free, and educational events at your local library THIS WEEK, where there is AIR CONDITIONING! While you’re at the library, be sure to sign up for one of the awesome summer reading programs. There are some cool prizes!

These are our top picks for can’t miss library events this week!
Top 5

1. Puss N Boots, The Musical

Wednesday, June 24
Federal Way

2. Pacific Science Center at the Library: Material World

Wednesday, June 24
Swasey Library

3. Create with Tinkertopia

Thursday, June 25
Fern Hill Library

If you haven’t been to Tinkertopia yet, be sure to check out our full review!

4. Louie Foxx, Magician

Friday, June 26
Tumwater Library

5. Jeff Evans: The Magical Adventures of Super Reader

Saturday, June 27
Wheelock Library

There are many other library events on our Events Calendar! If you don’t see one here listed near you, trek on over to the calendar and take a peak!

Looking for other ways to Beat the Heat this week? Be sure to check out our handy list!

Let’s Swim! Tanglewilde Pool in Lacey

June 23, 2015 by Maegen Blue

This pool is NOT scheduled to open in 2021.

Head here for information on open spray grounds, pools, and splash pads.

Head here for the complete list of spraygrounds, wading pools, outdoor pools, and fountains!

Updated 7/2017

Looking for a pool near Lacey or Olympia, or maybe you live elsewhere in the South Sound and just want a new, fun place for the kids to swim?

Check out the pool at the Tanglewilde Recreation Center in Lacey. It’s the only pool in Thurston County open to the public.

It’s an outdoor pool, in a lovely, woodsy setting, and though it’s not operated by the parks department, it IS open to the public.

Yep! Anyone can buy a pass for a fun day of swimming. They also have lessons. Reader and pool assistant manager, Jackie, tipped me off to this fun spot and sent over these pics.

The pool is 25 yards long and 6 lanes wide. The shallow end is 3 feet deep, and the deep end is 12 feet. There are two diving boards and a separate kiddie pool area that is one foot deep. The family day pass rate is $5 per person, and once you have your wrist band, you can come and go as you please! Woot!

Update-When we first wrote this post food was permitted, but Mandy left a comment that they’ve changed that policy, at least pool side. No alcohol, of course. It’s family friendly (just one more thing to love)!

For pricing and hours You can check out the pool website or their Facebook page. You may also want to phone ahead if you’re coming from a distance.

You should know that the pool sometimes reaches capacity. If you go and find it full, you can wait or maybe head to your Plan B (Long Lake would be a good one).

Not near you?

We have other fun, outdoor pools open to the public here.

The splash pad/sprayground list is here.

Our list of swimming lakes is here!

Splash on!