Looking for something fun and free to do with the kids this weekend? We’ve got you covered with fun for kids in Tacoma, Kent, Olympia, Gig Harbor, and all over the South Sound! It’s Daffodil Parade time, plus there are tons of egg hunts and lots of fun library events if you’d rather stay dry! Oh, and most of this list? Free or very cheap!
The complete list by day and area is ahead! Do use the links we’ve provided to double check details before you head out. These busy pre-holiday weekends are intense around here!
Read on for the whole list!
Friday
Big Vince the Magician is at Jozee Rooz Indoor Petting Zoo today. Free with admission.
Indoor movie at the STAR Center Free! It’s Guardians of the Galaxy tonight
Family Bingo night at Chambers Creek Bingo with Pierce County Parks! 5.00 admission/free for kids 3 and under. Admission includes a pack of six cards and a chance to win prizes!
Free first Friday night at the Hands On Children’s Museum
Saturday
All Over
Egg Hunts-We’ve included some of the biggest and best egg hunts in the categories below. For ALL of them, see our complete egg hunt guide here.
“The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors,” storytime at most Barnes and Noble stores. We do suggest calling your location to confirm, as we have found participation to be inconsistent. 11AM at most locations
Kids’ Club at Michael’s Stores 2.00/child for 30 minute sessions 10-12 It’s a tissue paper, “Stained glass,” event today.
Easter Slime Bar at Michael’s Stores. Are your kids into the slime craze? Come between 1-3 for a make it/take it slime bar. I believe this is a free, while supplies last event.
South King County
KidX Club Eggstravaganza at the Outlet Collection 10-12 magic show, crafts, and other fun. These are usually well done.
Reber Ranch Egg Hunt, Kent 10am-4pm
Reber Ranch invites you to its annual Easter Egg Hunt for kids and dogs! Kids 0-12 wil have egg hunts starting at 10am and the final hunt for grain free treats will be for the dogs. Don’t miss photos with the Easter Bunny and one-day-only savings either! Pre-registration is closed, but you can still sign up the day of the event. I would get there early. This one has gotten Big!
Special Needs Egg Hunt, Kent 11AM-1PM
Beta Sigma Phi is having their annual Special Needs Easter Egg Hunt and you’re invited! Activities start at 11am and the hunt begins promptly at 12pm so make sure to arrive on time. This event is for kids under 16 and if anyone needs an assistant a sibling is more than welcome to help them!
Vegetable Gardening for Kids at the Milton/Edgewood Library 2PM
Learn about growing vegetables from a local expert and take home your very own plant. Older siblings welcome.
Visit the HCC Mast Center at Redondo The center and its touch tanks of sea critters are free and open to the public every Saturday from 10-2
Parent’s Night Out at Les Gove Gym in Auburn For ages 5-11 fun, supervised play for kids while you enjoy a night out! Registration and fees required
We also recommend ILoveKent.net from my pal Dana for our Kent area readers.
Puyallup/Greater Pierce County
It’s Daffodil Parade time! You can watch the parade from Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner, or Orting. There are different start times and routes (That’s obvious, right?) for each section. This article from the News Tribune shows routes and start times. Yes, you should dress for rain. Sorry-we can’t do anything about that!
Featured Sponsor: You know where it’s never raining? WiggleWorks! Play in their clean, warm play area just for littles.
Easter fun at the Old Cannery in Sumner
Dates: April 8th, April 9th & April 15th, 11:00am-4:00pm
The Old Cannery wants to help you celebrate Easter! Complimentary Easter Bunny photos, egg hunts and a petting zoo will provide lots of fun for the whole family. Everything is indoors, so the celebration continues rain or shine!
Lego My Library at the Puyallup Public Library Weekly stories and Lego building time 11AM
Kids’ Night Out at Mel Korum YMCA Open to the public and members. These are overnights. Registration and fees required.
Shrinky Dinks Craft Program at the Bonney Lake Library 2:00 PM all ages; under 6 should bring an adult. Make charms and ornaments with this unique bake-to-shrink craft. Shrinky Dinks!
Tacoma/South Tacoma/Lakewood/Parkland
Lego event continues at Freighthouse Square
Simon Kids’ Club Easter event at the Tacoma Mall
PBS playdate at the Children’s Museum special events tied in to PBS shows. These are now first come; first served
Play and grow story time at the Wheelock Library 10:30
Family nature walk at Wapato Park 10AM volunteers lead free nature walks. Advance registration is now required. Not suitable for strollers; perfect for ages 3 and up!
Hilltop Cherry Blossom Fest Family activities with a Japanese theme in People’s Park.
Ranger led walk at Pt. Defiance Park in the rhody garden. Free but you do need to register. 1PM
Beginner/Family bird walk around Wapato Lake hosted by Tahoma Audubon 9-10:30 Learn the basics of birdwatching. Families welcome; I believe this is free, but I’m not sure. You are asked to register.
Urban egg hunt at the STAR Center vendors, bunny pictures, and a big egg hunt on the field. New socks, underwear, and pajamas are being collected for Amara Emergency Sanctuary. This is put on by some of our favorite site friends. It sounds like fun!
Spring Fling An Egg-cellent Egg-stravaganza, Tacoma 10am-1pm Come for an Egg-tastic time with fun and games on Portland Ave! A petting zoo, vendors, crafts and more! The egg hunt begins at 12pm with 3,000 eggs and golden egg prizes.
Free showing of Sing! at the Wheelock Library 2PM
Coloring and cookies at the South Tacoma Library Drop in and color! 10-11:45
Featured Sponsor: Children and all ages shows at the Pierce College Science Dome/planetarium Children’s show at 12:30 or 2PM; all ages at 3:15. The children’s show is shorter and interactive and now suitable for ages 3-12! Do bring cash or get your tickets in advance. This is a Great outing-especially on a rainy day, as it’s all indoors! NEW show!
Pierce County Kitefliers Association at the Tillicum Library 2PM Family event; children 8 and under should bring a grown up
Tillicum 2:00 PM
Build your own kite with a member of the Pierce County Kitefliers Association, and learn about the aerodynamics of flying a kite.
Olympia area
10th Annual Dog-Gone Easter Egg Hunt, Lacey
Don’t miss out on the 10th Annual Dog-Gone Easter Egg Hunt for dogs and kids! Along with egg hunts there will be a doggie fashion show, photos with the Easter Bunny, bake sale, and much more! There are donations per person which go to Concern for Animals, Feline Friends, and Emmit’s Magic Rescue.
Visit the LOTT Wet Science Center and learn about creatures of the deep today. Program on how fish see at the depths of the ocean at 2PM. Other activities during the day. The center is free.
Restoration Church in Lacey is hosting an Egg Drop. Why hunt for eggs when you can catch them!
Animal Encounters at the Hands On Children’s Museum. Free with admission.
Gig Harbor/Kitsap
It’s Paddler’s Cup weekend races, demonstrations, and vendor booths both Saturday and Sunday. Probably the dragon boat races on Sunday will be of most interest to kids. We’d love your feedback if you’ve been to this event.
Family Story Time at the Key Center Library 11AM stories, rhymes, and fun for families with young children
Decorative Egg making at the Key Center Library 2PM
Key Center 2:00 PM All ages; under 6 with adults.
Celebrate spring by decoupaging eggs. All materials provided. You do need to register. 27 spots as of this writing.
Visit the Gig Harbor Farmer’s Market veggies, artisan crafts, and much more!
Beyond: The Kitsap Live Steamers are opening for the season. These are real, small trains that you ride on top of! You can see a post on them here-it’s old but the info. should still be good-just check current hours and pricing for yourself.
Sunday
Easter egg hunt in Enumclaw from the Summit Church
PLU Egg Hunt, Parkland
Date: Sunday, April 9, 3pm-4pm
Bring the kiddos — kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, friends — and a basket, to a fun afternoon on campus! The kids can grab a picture with a very special bunny and search for eggs while you enjoy some light snacks and refreshments. This event is FREE, but please RSVP so they can prepare enough eggs.
Paddler’s Cup in Gig Harbor Dragon Boat Races today!
Open trails at the Morse Preserve in Graham. Nice walk for kids with towers and a short boardwalk (both get slick in rain, so do watch that). The parking here is Very tight. Carpool if you’re going with pals. Open 10AM-4; arrive by 3. Free-no passes needed
Know something great I missed? Want publicity for your group or advertising for your family friendly business? Just let me know!
Are you on Spring Break? If you’re staying local and need some staycation ideas, never fear! We have an awesome guide to Spring Break fun on the home page or right here, and we’ll be adding more ideas for those of you on break this week!
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