Need something great to do this weekend? Send summer off with a blast with our weekend list of awesome free events for kids and families in Tacoma, Olympia, and everywhere in between.
We have an awesome list just like this every Friday, just for South Sound families, and tons of other fun ideas every other day of the week!
Friday
Learn about blubber with Harbor WildWatch at the Key Center Library for kids in K-3 2:30
Wow! It’s a big evening for outdoor movies! Most are free and include family activities before the outdoor showings at dusk. Use the links provided for more details.
- Cinema under the stars at Volunteer Park Key Peninsula
- Family outdoor movie in Tukwila
- Summer Bash and Movie at Norpoint Park All kinds of free family fun followed by movie at dusk
- Family Night at the Drive-In Outdoor movie at the White River Amphitheater It’s UP
- Screen on the Green in Tumwater It’s Paddington
- Movie at Sprinker Rec Center It’s Paddington
Pier Peer at Boston Harbor Marina-Olympia Come see sea critters by dock light!
Popsicle anyone? Watch animals cool off with ice treats Saturday at the Point Defiance Zoo. Included with admission.
Saturday
All Over
Kids’ Club at Michael’s Craft Stores It’s a pencil topper from 10AM-12 2.00 per half hour session
South King County
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!
Fun run/walk in Auburn to benefit Avery Huffman
Health Fair in Auburn vendors, demos, kids’ bike rodeo, appearance by Seahawk mascot, Blitz, and more
Visit the HCC Mast Center at Redondo Touch tanks with sea critters free and open to the public Saturdays from 10AM-2
Movie in the park in Fife It’s Cinderella (I believe it’s the older one)
Back to School Giveaway and Carnival at Mountain View Community Center in Edgewood Free school supplies, backpacks, haircuts, dental screenings, and carnival fun for kids 10-2
Auction to Benefit Avery Huffman
Puyallup
Free children’s activities with the master gardeners in Puyallup It’s a pirate theme today; at the WSU demonstration garden. Last program of the summer!
Outdoor movie at Bradley Lake in Puyallup Concert before hand; community camp out after, but you must have pre-registered for this. The music and the movie are free and open to all Looks like the movie is Big Hero 6-I got some of this info. muddled with last night’s movie. Sorry for anyone we confused!
Tacoma/South Tacoma/ Parkland
America’s Cup Tour at the Foss Waterway Seaport walk aboard tours and sails on the replica of the schooner America Tours are free with admission to the museum, which is reasonable, or 5.00 alone. 2-3 hour sails on the ship are 75.00 and do include museum admission. The museum is lots of fun for kids, though I personally think it’s tricky to tell what is o.k. to touch, and my kids have been scolded here on multiple visits. No biggie-just prepping you.
Arctic Blast at Point Defiance Zoo Watch animals enjoyed special ice treats. Included with admission. Note from SFM: The zoo gets spendy fast. We suggest investing in an annual pass unless you can take advantage of monthly free days for City of Tacoma residents.
Family nature walk at McKinley Park Volunteer naturalists lead family friendly walks. Not suitable for strollers; perfect for ages 3 and up.
Hilltop Street Fair Live entertainment, kids’ activities, book giveaway, vendors, and more!
Storm drain marking event with Citizens for a Healthy Bay at Wapato Park Call to pre register
Mobile Food Fest at Sprinker Rec Center 12-7 Free admission; bring money for tastes from a variety of food trucks
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 Children’s show is Pluto today; all ages is moons.
Olympia/Lacey/Beyond
Sand in the City! It’s a beach party right in the city! Big fun with sand sculpting, kids’ activities, discounted admission to the HOCM, and more.
Back to School event with South Sound Church School supply and backpack giveaway, free haircuts, hot dogs, and more
American Tall Tales at Olympia Family Theater 5.00 tickets 45 minute show with Paul Bunyan and other familiar stories. Doors open at 10AM; show at 10:30
Pie in the Library Community pie contest in Lacey
Rainier Round-Up Days parade, vendors, small town fun!
TugBoat tours Free tours of historic tugboat, The Sandman at Percival Landing most weekends
Play at the LOTT Wet Science Center Free and open 10AM-4PM Saturday and Sunday-special hours in conjunction with the big Sand in the City weekend.
Visit the South Sound Estuarium open 11-4 weekends
Gig Harbor
Superhero training camp at the Gig Harbor Library Activities, superhero costume design and more super fun!
Your trolley is back! Ride it before the summer ends!
Sunday
Get adult admission to Wild Waves for half-off or 19.99 with a donation of new school supplies
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.
America’s Cup Tour at the Foss Waterway Seaport walk aboard tours and sails on the replica of the schooner America Tours are free with admission to the museum, which is reasonable, or 5.00 alone. 2-3 hour sails on the ship are 75.00 and do include museum admission. The museum is lots of fun for kids, though I personally think it’s tricky to tell what is o.k. to touch, and my kids have been scolded here on multiple visits. No biggie-just prepping you.
Sand in the City continues-Grandparents’ Day today
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 1-4PM
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.