Friday
Featured Sponsor: Who needs a date night? You do! It’s a Kids’ Takeover at WiggleWorks tonight. Drop the kids off and have some grown up time from 5-9PM! Kids will get to play, make crafts, and watch the movie Sing! The caring WiggleWorks staff are first aid trained, and they’ll even provide dinner. What a deal! Register here
Auburn Avenue Kids presents James and the Giant Peach 10.00 tickets; afternoon and evening shows the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd
Auburn Outlet Spring Fling April 20th-23rd. I believe this is one of those carnival rides in the parking lot type events.
Metro Pks. Zoo Plastic Sculptures made from plastic trash being installed. Photo by Russ Carmack
Saturday
All Over
Parks appreciation day Parks all over are hosting volunteer efforts to celebrate Earth Day/Parks Appreciation Day. If you don’t see an event at this link, you might just contact your parks department and ask if there is one going on, and if children can participate. Word of advice: Go early. It sounds odd, but all the, “Good,” jobs tend to get taken early, and you don’t want your junior volunteers to be disappointed if they’re just standing around.
Celebrate National Parks week! Get free entry to National Parks Saturday and Sunday
You can also get free entry to state parks (No Discover WA pass needed) on Saturday!
“We are the dinosaurs,” 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 an Earth Day theme today. There is also a Family tie-dye event at 1PM. All the supplies for that are free when you purchase the t shirt.
South King County
Federal Way Parks Appreciation Day Lots of chances to pitch in and help at your favorite park!
Auburn Avenue Kids presents James and the Giant Peach 10.00 tickets; afternoon and evening shows the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd
Auburn Outlet Spring Fling April 20th-23rd. I believe this is one of those carnival rides in the parking lot type events.
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
Bookmarks and Landmarks Jr. – Mary Olson Farm 10:30-11:30
White River Valley Museum and the Auburn Library will host a discussion of the book Our Only May Amelia by Jennifer Holm. Read the book, then come to Mary Olson Farm to find out what life on the farm would have been like back in May Amelia’s day. Do activities like learning to care for the Farm’s animals and making one of May Amelia’s favorite foods, then discuss the book in the Mary Olson Barn! Please come dressed for the weather and ready to participate in some Farm chores. Go here to register for this event. Recommended for ages 10-14
Puyallup/Greater Pierce County
It’s Spring Fair time! Our post has all you need to know!
Earth Day concert with Tim Noah at the Puyallup Farmer’s Market stories and eco-music on the main stage from 9-2
Lego My Library at the Puyallup Public Library Weekly stories and Lego building time 11AM
Note from SFM: Between the Farmer’s Market and the Spring Fair, downtown will be very busy. Plan accordingly.
Tacoma/South Tacoma/Lakewood/Parkland
It’s Junior Daffodil Parade time! The biggest little parade around!
Grand opening of the, “Washed ashore,” exhibit at the Point Defiance Zoo. See larger than life sculptures made with plastic trash from the ocean. Included with admission. Note from SFM: Zoo admission gets spendy fast. We recommend investing in an annual pass unless you can take advantage of monthly free days for City of Tacoma residents.
Delight In Flight Earth Day Celebration with Tinkertopia at Feast Art Center Look at and listen to birds and make bird inspired art projects. Free!
Earth Day extravaganza at the Tacoma Nature Center 12-4 Learn about the Earth and things we can do to keep it healthy! The trails around Snake Lake and the Discovery Playground are also always fun. Hot tip: Did you know they have summer camps and birthday party packages here? They’re a new sponsor, and I’d LOVE for you to ask about either of those and mention SFM. Thank you for doing that!
Earth Day weekend celebration at the conservatory in Wright Park plant seeds, learn about pollinators, and more. There are also some fee based workshops for grown ups in the afternoon.
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-If you haven’t gone yet, what are you waiting for?
Rhythm of the Rocks at the Lakewood Library 2PM Join us for a musical journey around the world as we celebrate El Dia de los Ninos (Children’s Day) and El Dia de los Libros (Book Day) with award-winning musician Nancy Stewart. Free, drop in event
Bilingual Block Play at the Parkland/Spanaway Library 10AM
Building with blocks develops a child’s math and science skills and provides lots of fun. Session in English and Mandarin. Free, drop in event
Free ballet performance from Dance Theater Northwest in Lakewood. Would be a nice opportunity if you have a little one thinking about ballet.
Olympia area
Parks appreciation day in Dupont
Earth Day event at Wonderwood Park in Lacey * See, “All Over,” at the top for more opportunities.
It looks sunny (at least right now)! The stream at the East Bay Plaza is on for your water play!
Earth Day extravaganza at the LOTT Wet Science Center projects, resource fair, seed planting, and more free fun all day!
Earth Day event at Priest Point Online registration has ended, but I think you could call or just show up if you’d like to help out. or just enjoy the park! It’s got a fun playground and great trails.
Moms club of Lacey garage sale
Gig Harbor/Kitsap
Be sure to check, “All over,” above and also don’t miss the toy boat building event under Sunday, below!
Egg Engineers: Save an Egg from Disaster at the Gig Harbor Library 10:30-12
Kids in fourth through eighth grades will learn about the important role of inventors as they engineer safe landings for eggs dropped from an alarming height.
Family Story Time at the Key Center Library 11:00 AM Stories, rhymes, and fun for families with young children
Visit the Gig Harbor Farmer’s Market veggies, artisan crafts, and much more!
Sunday
Auburn Avenue Kids presents James and the Giant Peach 10.00 tickets; afternoon and evening shows the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd
Auburn Outlet Spring Fling April 20th-23rd. I believe this is one of those carnival rides in the parking lot type events.
Park Rx Day at Point Defiance Park. Get your, “Nature prescription,” filled at Point Defiance Park. Activities include ranger lead walks, forest mindfulness programs, and more. Ongoing from 10AM-4PM and drops in are o.k.
Family yoga at the conservatory at Wright Park 11-2 Earth Day celebration continues with a fun, themed yoga session on the hour. Make nature wands after. Suggested donation of 3.00/person
Total mansion tour at the Meeker Mansion Once a year chance to see the mansion from cellar to attic. 12-4; there is an admission charge. Probably best for slightly older kids, though one of my kiddos went on a field trip in 4th or 5th grade and enjoyed it.
Boat shop adventures at the Eddon Boat Yard Kids build a toy boat and learn how to use all kinds of tools! We have heard rave reviews about this activity! You do need to register in advance.
Know something great I missed? Want publicity for your group or advertising for your family friendly business? Just let me know! Things are starting to really *hop* around the South Sound with summer (and hopefully more sun!) around the corner. Make sure you’re following us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, so you don’t miss a thing. We also have a weekly e-newsletter that comes out on Thursdays. It’s a sneak peek of this list, and it’s perfect if you like to plan your weekend a little further ahead of time.