Need something to do with the kids this weekend? 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.
Thinking you might need something fun to do with the kids indoors? We’ve got lots of choices!
Saturday
Need help navigating back to school shopping? Don’t miss the free event at the Outlet Collection in Auburn Saturday. Styling tips, goodies, balloon twisters, and more free fun for kids. Plus, someone else can tell your kiddo what’s cool for school-you know they won’t hear it from you!
All Over
Kids’ Club at Michael’s Craft Stores It’s a backpack dangler from 10AM-12 2.00 per half hour session
Family Craft Activity at Michael’s Make a chore chart together. 7.00-supplies included. 1-4PM
South King County
FREE Back to School Connect! Kids event at the Outlet Collection in Auburn personal styling tips, balloon twisters, tons of arts and crafts, and more. Have you been to one of their events lately? They really go all out-we got all kinds of swag and had an awesome time at the last one. It’s way more than the usual mall event-I promise! *The Outlet Collection is an awesome site sponsor.
Open house at Shadow Wetlands preserve in Renton 1-5PM tours, kids’ activities I have a post about this spot here. Be sure to ask about their ongoing programs and educational opportunities. This is a small, but special place-nice resource for homeschoolers and teachers.
Polynesian Festival at Renton Uwajimaya
Covington Kids’ Fest at Kohl’s 10AM-2 All kinds of fun for kids!
Free activities at Reber Ranch Pet Supply in Kent hay rides, face painting, and other fun for their anniversary sale. Thanks, reader Becca, for the tip.
It’s Milton Days Small town fun in a big way! Best place to find the schedule is typically in one of the free newspapers-look for a copy of the Fife/Milton Signal.
Auburn Days Food, vendors, kids’ activities from Lowes and bouncy houses
Open hours at Mary Olson Farm in Auburn Drop in and visited the preserved farm in the summer. Donations welcome. Farmhouse tours at 1 and 3. This is a quieter outing but really neat for kids-reader Becca said her family ended up with a private tour last weekend!
Visit the HCC Mast Center at Redondo Touch tanks with sea critters free and open to the public Saturdays from 10AM-2
Puyallup/Sumner/Bonney Lake/Greater Pierce
Cubs and Classics plane and car show at Thun Field family activities, vendors Would probably be lots of fun for your little transportation lovers!
Car show in Sumner food and vendors, too
Hounds on the Hill charity dog walk and pet friendly street fair at Bradley Lake Park
Performances of Annie by kids from the Sumner ManeStage Summer Camp
Lise and Faith Memorial Run Walk, kids’ run with ribbons, prizes and fun at this great community fun run that honors the life of Lise Palmer and her unborn daughter and raises money for local families in need. I believe you can do day of registration, but I’m still checking for you.
Bonney Lake Days continues! Two big days of family fun-kids’ zone, movie, fireworks, vendors, and much more!
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! This is the last weekend.
Read with a dog at the Puyallup Public Library Drop in to practice reading with a patient, canine listener 3PM
Sandwich party for summer reading program finishers at the Graham Library Celebrate finishing your summer reading program by making a crazy sandwich!
Tacoma Keep Reading for dozens of fun events for Tacoma, Olympia, Gig Harbor, and more!
Family nature walk at Titlow Park Join volunteer naturalists on a free nature walk at 10AM. Not suitable for strollers; perfect for ages 3 and up
Block Play at the Parkland/Spanaway Library Drop in and build with the library’s blocks, Legos, and other materials. 10AM
Crafts of the Past at Ft.Nisqually Traditional crafts are demonstrated Saturdays and Sundays through the fall. This weekend it’s ink and watercolor sketching. Visitors will be able to participate. Also Sunday. We think the fort is of most interest to school age children, but kids of all ages enjoy running around its towers.
Pay as you will performances of Charlotte’s Web from Tacoma Youth Theatre summer camp kids 3PM Also Sunday
T&T Tire Factory Car Show in South Tacoma in the Key Bank parking lot. There will be a monster truck.
Children and all ages shows at the Science Dome presentations and shows on the overhead dome at the area’s only indoor, digital planetarium. Great, low cost, indoor activity-we really recommend the children’s version! Bring cash-no cards can be accepted at the venue. 3.00 as of this writing
Summer bash and outdoor movie at Gray Middle School Metro Parks Tacoma presents How To Train Your Dragon, plus free, family fun
Lacey/Olympia/Dupont
It’s Pet Parade Time in Olympia Yes, you can just show up!
TugBoat tours Free tours of historic tugboat, The Sandman at Percival Landing most weekends
Edible Aquifers event at the LOTT Wet Science Center Presentation at 2, followed by creating (and eating?) aquifers. They’re made mostly with ice cream and soda water. The center is free and of interest to most school aged children and some preschoolers. Got littles along? Send ’em with a spare grown up to The plaza stream for splashing or the HOCM for play.
Visit the South Sound Estuarium open 11-4 weekends
Play at the Well free games and fun at the Artesian Well downtown
Stomp Out Bullying Event with St.Martin’s University at Capital Mall
Gig Harbor
Building madness at the Gig Harbor Library Drop in and build with the library’s blocks, Legos, and other materials. 10AM
Key Peninsula Logging Show Demonstrations, games for young and old, and more!
Sunday
Latin Arts Festival at People’s Park
Crafts of the Past at Ft.Nisqually Traditional crafts are demonstrated Saturdays and Sundays through the fall. This weekend it’s ink and watercolor sketching. Visitors will be able to participate. Also Sunday. We think the fort is of most interest to school age children, but kids of all ages enjoy running around its tower
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!
Family Day at Emerald Downs-Pony rides, face painting, and bounce houses along with your horse racing. I believe these start at 1PM. Some activities are weather dependent.
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
Working on your bucket list for the rest of the summer? Check out our 10 Must-Do adventures!
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.