Need something great to do with the kids this Labor Day 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
School Resource Fair at Calvary Community Church in Sumner families in need in the Sumner/Bonney Lake area can get free backpacks, school supplies, health screenings, and help accessing other resources. 3-6PM
Late registration for the Over-the-Narrows half marathon in Gig Harbor this weekend. There is also a family friendly 5k. It does not go over the bridge.
Olympia Harbor Days begins All weekend event with tug boat tours, a chance to check out a train and caboose, live entertainment, and tugboat races. Check the schedule to see what activities are going on which day. I think Saturday will be the best day for most families. It’s a free event; you may want some money for vendors.
Free Friday night at the Hands On Children’s Museum in Olympia
Saturday
All Over
Kids’ Club at Michael’s Craft Stores It’s a football windsock from 10AM-12 2.00 per half hour session
South King County
Visit the HCC Mast Center at Redondo Touch tanks with sea critters free and open to the public Saturdays from 10AM-2
Get Out of the Rut Weekend at Northwest Trek Special themed activities included with admission. Admission is pricey, but it does include your tram ride, and is a full day of fun (Did your kids get passes from a summer reading program?). You may also add a Trek membership to an existing zoo membership-worth it if you’d go more than twice a year. Seniors also get in half-off all of September, if you’d like to send the kiddos with grandma (I think that offer is good this weekend, but probably not in combo. w/library passes).
Beyond
Pioneer Rodeo in Roy watch calf roping, bull riding, and more- CASH only on rodeo grounds
Puyallup/Sumner/Greater Pierce
Tent Sale time at The Old Cannery Furniture Store in Sumner All weekend-There has typically been free hot dogs and pop and other fun. Check their fb page for more details. Pro tip: If you buy a couch, this is no longer a frugal outing!
Family game day at the Graham Library Drop in and play new and old favorites 1PM
Tacoma/South Tacoma/ Parkland
Visit the Job Carr Cabin Museum in Old Town Open 1-4 Wednesdays-Saturdays Small, cabin replica A quick outing, but fun for children and free (donations
welcome).
Take a tour of the lighthouse and keeper’s cottage at Brown’s Point this summer!
Tour the lighthouse keeper’s cottage and museum at Brown’s Point Lighthouse Park 1-4PM Much more fun continues below! Keep reading!
Crafts of the Past at Ft. Nisqually 1800s era crafts and trades are demonstrated each weekend. Included with fort admission. We think the fort is of most interest to school age children, but kiddos of all ages will love exploring the towers. It’s powder horn making today from 11AM-5PM Also Sunday
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 Lamps of Atlantis
Back to School Lanyard Craft at the Tillicum Library Free craft; suitable for families with kiddos 6 and up 2PM
Olympia/Lacey/Beyond
Olympia Harbor Days All weekend event with tug boat tours, a chance to check out a train and caboose, live entertainment, and tugboat races. Check the schedule to see what activities are going on which day. I think Saturday will be the best day for most families. It’s a free event; you may want some money for vendors.
TugBoat tours Free tours of historic tugboat, The Sandman at Percival Landing most weekends-in conjunction with Harbor Days this weekend (See above).
Visit the South Sound Estuarium open 11-4 weekends-You may want to call first; they may be doing something in conjunction with Harbor Days.
Gig Harbor
Your trolley is back! Ride it before the summer ends!
If you’re up for a bit of a road trip, it’s Blackberry Festival time in Bremerton
Sunday
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.
Tent Sale time at The Old Cannery Furniture Store in Sumner All weekend-There has typically been free hot dogs and pop and other fun. Check their fb page for more details. Pro tip: If you buy a couch, this is no longer a frugal outing!
Crafts of the Past at Ft. Nisqually 1800s era crafts and trades are demonstrated each weekend. Included with fort admission. We think the fort is of most interest to school age children, but kiddos of all ages will love exploring the towers. It’s powder horns today from 11AM-5PM Also Sunday
Get Out of the Rut Weekend Continues at Northwest Trek continues Special themed activities included with admission. Admission is pricey, but it does include your tram ride, and is a full day of fun (Did your kids get passes from a summer reading program?). You may also add a Trek membership to an existing zoo membership-worth it if you’d go more than twice a year.
Olympia Harbor Days All weekend event with tug boat tours, a chance to check out a train and caboose, live entertainment, and tugboat races. Check the schedule to see what activities are going on which day. Sunday is tugboat race day. It’s a free event; you may want some money for vendors.
Visit the South Sound Estuarium open 11-4 weekends You may want to call first; they may be doing something in conjunction with Harbor Days.
Sunday Farmer’s Market at STAR Center in South Tacoma 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 Last weekend!
Labor Day
Swim for FREE at Stewart Heights or Kandle
Tent Sale time at The Old Cannery Furniture Store in Sumner All weekend-There has typically been free hot dogs and pop and other fun. Check their fb page for more details. Pro tip: If you buy a couch, this is no longer a frugal outing!
It’s half-off most items at local Value Village Stores.
Get Out of the Rut Weekend at Northwest Trek continues variety of special, themed activities and trailside encounters included with admission. Admission to Trek is pricey. If you’d go more than once this year, you may want to invest in a membership. You should be able to use kids’ get in free coupons if yours earned some during summer reading. Or, it’s half-price for seniors in September, so maybe grandma wants to come? You can’t combine discounts.
The Blackberry Festival continues in Bremerton
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.