Do you need something great to do with the kids this weekend? We’ve found all kinds of great free activities and events for families in Tacoma, Lacey, Gig Harbor, and beyond this week. The fair continues in Puyallup, and there are several don’t-miss, end of summer festivals, too!
Don’t forget 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!
All Weekend
It’s fair time in Puyallup. Read this post if you need tips on how to save, what to see, where to park, or anything else!
Just Between Friends Seattle sale Kids’ consignment event in Burien
Saturday
All Over
It’s Batman Day at Barnes and Noble stores. 11AM. Free comic while supplies last and more special fun. We have found participation to be inconsistent even when stores are listed as participating, so we suggest using the link to check for a location near you and then calling to confirm.
Kids’ Club at Michael’s Craft Stores It’s a candy corn banner from 10AM-12 2.00 per half hour session
FREE DAY at National Parks and other federal lands in honor of National Public Lands Day. If you’d like to visit Mt.Rainier National Park, check out this post with kid friendly hikes at Mt.Rainier.
Lowes Build And Grow It’s a fire truck today. Advance registration is now required for these popular, free kids’ building workshops. I do see spots in some stores, but they are going fast.
South King County
The circus is in Kent this weekend. That and dozens of other family activities are on our awesome weekend list!
Duvall Heritage Festival cider making, Pioneer era job/craft demonstrations
Visit the HCC Mast Center at Redondo Touch tanks with sea critters free and open to the public Saturdays from 10AM-2
The Barnum & Bailey, Ringling Bros. Circus is in Kent
ICYMI: Be sure to check out our post on the new Hall Pass deal with our friends at Trampoline Nation. A great deal for your frequent jumpers!
Puyallup/Sumner/Greater Pierce
Harvest Day at Tehaleh wagon rides, face painting, food trucks
It’s fair time in Puyallup. Read this post if you need tips on how to save, what to see, where to park, or anything else!
Tacoma/South Tacoma/ Spanaway
Crafts of the Past at Ft. Nisqually 1800s era crafts and trades are demonstrated each weekend. Included with fort admission-two of you can get in FREE if you sign up through Smithsonian Free Museum Day. It’s also FREE to all City of Tacoma residents Saturday-proof of residence such as a utility bill, plus photo id required. We think the fort is of most interest to school age children, but kiddos of all ages will love exploring the towers. Craft is Cyanotypes -photographic images made using sunlight.
Spanish/English block party at the Parkland/Spanaway Library 10-11:30 free time to drop in and build with blocks and other tools. Open to all, with a special invitation to Spanish speaking families today.
Play and grow storytime at the Wheelock Library 10:30
Lego and building madness at the Parkland/Spanaway Library 11-12:30 drop in and build with Lego, connector straws, and more building tools
Tour the lighthouse keeper’s cottage and museum at Brown’s Point Lighthouse Park 1-4PM Much more fun continues below! Keep reading!
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 Sea Monsters.
Classic car and truck show at Sprinker
Museum Day Live at Ft. Steilacoom Re-enactors in period dress portray early Fort life 10AM-4
Olympia/Lacey/Beyond
Nisqually Watershed Festival at the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge FREE family friendly festival. Displays; walking tours; nature activities-print a t-shirt if you want to make a salmon print. Off site parking encouraged-see link for details.
Visit the LOTT Wet Science Center The center is free and open every Saturday. It’s salmon Saturday, with a variety of salmon themed activities today. Note that the link opens a lengthy pdf.
Visit the South Sound Estuarium open 11-4 weekends
It’s apple festival time at Lattin’s
Black Lake Grange Fall Festival children’s activities, cider, and more Black Lake Grange 6011 Black Lake Blvd SW Olympia 10-4 FREE
Gig Harbor
Greater Peninsula Cider Festival-Cider Swig. The cider is hard cider/alcohol. There is also an, “Apple Zone,” with kids’ activities, live music, and food trucks. Discounted tickets for non-drinkers/designated drivers are available. I think I would probably not attend this if you wouldn’t enjoy partaking of the cider. Let me know if you’ve been and have different thoughts or scoop for us. Here’s advance ticket info.
Glass pumpkin patch is at Uptown today. Not really a kid friendly activity, but fun to look at from a safe distance and a photo op.
For more fun, check the, “All Over,” listings above.
You may also want to check the Kitsap Macaroni Kid.
Sunday
Free family Nature walk at Sehmel Homestead Park in Gig Harbor
Kids love comics at the Olympia Timberland Regional Library Meet comic book creators, participate in comic book readers’ theater and more fun!
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. Craft is Cyanotypes -photographic images made using sunlight.
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.
Sensational Sea Otters at the Point Defiance Zoo Special themed activities included with admission. The zoo does get spendy. We suggest investing in an annual pass unless you can take advantage of monthly free days for City of Tacoma residents.
And……if you love using this list to plan your family’s weekend, we’d love your vote for Best Parenting Blog over at Evening Magazine’s Best of Western Washington. Thanks so much for that!
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.