Need something to do with the kids today? We’ve got TONS of fun and free or cheap things to do with your South Sound family, including great fun, things to do with the kids in Tacoma, Puyallup, Olympia, Gig Harbor, and your neck of the woods.
Just need to keep cool? We’ve got the link to everything you need at the bottom of this list!
Friday
Too many library events to list individually at Pierce County Library branches today. Go here and use the interactive calendar to find something great near you!
Free outdoor movie in Renton It’s Toy Story
Summer Sounds and Cinema in Auburn Free outdoor movie at Lea Hill Park. It’s Big Hero 6
Family Nights at the Drive In at the White River Amphitheater Watch a movie from your car or on a blanket. It’s Toy Story tonight. Gates open at 7PM; show at dusk
Free outdoor movie in Tacoma at Kandle Park. It’s Dolphin Tale 2.
Free outdoor movie in the park at Heritage Rec Center Puyallup/South Hill It’s Big Hero 6
Free night at the Hands-On Children’s Museum in Olympia
Tween Night at Trampoline Nation You’re welcome to drop-off, but yes, they do have air conditioning! Be sure to ask about their summer pass. It’s a deal!
Saturday
All Over
Kids’ Club at Michael’s Craft Stores It’s a rain stick today (great idea, right?!!) from 10AM-12 2.00 per half hour session
Free kids’ workshop at the Home Depot Advance registration is now requested for these popular, free building workshops for kids. 9AM-12. Readers suggest arriving closer to 9.
South King County
If you’re headed up north for Seafair, our Facebook readers have good suggestions about where you might go to see the Blue Angels. Over on Twitter, some of my pals suggested Genesee Park on Lake Washington for family activities, or heading to the Museum of Flight, which will have family activities and a good view of the Blue Angels take offs and landings. Read more about Flight Museum activities here.
Open hours at Mary Olson Farm in Auburn Drop in and visited the preserved farm in the summer. Donations welcome.
Visit the HCC Mast Center at Redondo Touch tanks with sea critters free and open to the public Saturdays from 10AM-2
Community Car Show at the White River Amphitheater
Teen Night at Trampoline Nation Send ’em to burn off some steam! Ask about the summer pass-it’s a deal.
Puyallup/Sumner/Orting/Greater Pierce
Renaissance Fair in Bonney Lake Game of thrones, anyone? There was a previous Groupon, but it sold out. Bummed you missed it? Subscribe to our emails!
Orting SummerFest It’s your day to play, Orting! Shopping, live entertainment, free activities for kids including train rides and inflatables
Super Maker event at the Puyallup Library Learn simple sewing techniques and make a superhero mask or cape. CALL FIRST to check availability.
Fish friendly car wash in Puyallup Jr.Vikings Cheerleaders host a fish-friendly car wash to raise money for space and equipment. 12-4 Downtown Les Schwab
Family game day at the Graham Library
Tacoma Keep Reading for dozens of fun events for Tacoma, Olympia, Gig Harbor, and more!
Your Spraygrounds are open, Tacoma! Daily and free 10AM-8PM on weekends
Art Fest in Proctor vendors, art show, live entertainment, kids’ activities
University Place Sun Fest Kids’ zone, live entertainment, movie and fireworks at dusk!
Tiptoe through the tidepools with Metro Parks Join volunteer naturalists for low tide exploration 11AM at Titlow Beach Free
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 tin whistle playing today; purchase one at the museum store and get a free lesson. I’m going to let you decide if you want to get your kids whistles!
Mini Fan Con in Tacoma A junior sized comic con with costume parade, authors, speakers, fan art, crafts, and more At the Pierce County Library admin. center in Tacoma. An all ages event; recommended for comic fans 9 and older.
Children’s and all ages shows at the Science Dome at Pierce College All ages at 3:15 is Moons:Worlds of Mystery; children’s show at 12:30 or 2 is Mission to Mars 6.00 adults/3.00 kids. Cash only at the door. Henry and I loved the kids’ show we went to. Such a great outing and still a bargain!
Rock-it Science at the Parkland Spanaway Library 3PM Learn about kryptonite! See minerals; bring up to two rocks for identification
Lacey/Olympia
It’s Thurston County Fair Time
How The Sketch Was Fun event in Dupont sketches art available for purchase; learn to draw/sketch with artist Mark Ryan and others Signing at 11AM; drawing event at 12.
Cops, Cars, n Kids with the Lacey Police Department 11AM-3 visit with officers; check out police cars; lift fingerprints and more!
TugBoat tours Free tours of historic tugboat, The Sandman at Percival Landing most weekends
Olympia Film Society hosts free kids’ movies at Capitol Theater
children’s theater performs Wizard of Oz at Olympia High School
Mighty Microbes at the LOTT Wet Science Center Presentation and chance to use a microscope at 2. Appropriate for elementary age kiddos and up. Got younger ones along? Send one parent over to The plaza stream for splashing-we do suggest you check the fb page as it is sometimes off for periods.
Visit the South Sound Estuarium open 11-4 weekends
Outdoor movies in Lacey! It’s Muppets Most Wanted
Gig Harbor
Key Peninsula Civic Center Luau and Parade! plus games, crafts, and more fun
Sunday
It’s Thurston County Fair Time
Renaissance Fair in Bonney Lake Game of thrones, anyone? There was a previous Groupon, but it sold out. Bummed you missed it? Subscribe to our emails!
Pony rides, face painting, and bounce houses at Emerald Downs It’s also Scottish Day-get free admission if you sport your kilt.
Sunday Farmer’s Market at STAR Center in South Tacoma and the Center at Norpoint Many other areas now have a Farmer’s Market open on Sundays. Get your fresh on! The Auburn Farmer’s Market is another great choice.
Historic Fort Steilacoom is now open for Sunday tours
.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. with places to swim, favorite ice cream shops, best beaches, and more!
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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