Wowza! Don’t look now but we’ve found dozens (and dozens)! of great things to do with your family in Tacoma, Olympia, Gig Harbor, Puyallup, and just about everywhere else around the South Sound this weekend. It’s going to be hard to choose!
Saturday (Scroll down for Sunday)
All Over
Low tide exploration The first really low tides of the season are this weekend. There is an organized event in Tacoma (see below), but this is an easy event to do on your own. See our post for details and our beach recommendations!
YMCA Healthy Kids Day All area YMCAs are participating in this annual day with kids’ activities, community info, open swim, and more fun. Check your Y for details. Open to the public! I believe all activities are free.
“The Wonderful Things You’ll Be,” 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 Spring Canvas theme today. There is also a slime bar event at 1PM. Also note they have information on their summer activities for kids out, plus next week there is a whole series of classes where kids can make gifts for mom. If you’re mom, pass this tip on to someone else!
South King County
Big Just Between Friends kids’ consignment sale in Federal Way New location! Bargains galore!
Kelsey Creek Farm Sheep Shearing-o.k. this is in Bellevue, but several of you have asked about animal events, so I decided to include it.
Kent Math Fest A free celebration for kids 3-11 and their families with math games and fun galore. Sponsored by the non profit math group, Zeno.
Ladies and ‘Lil Gents Dance in Auburn Mother/Son event. You do need to register and pay in advance. Call or go in to do that.
Meet a superhero at Learning Express toys in Renton. Free, costumed character appearance. Bring your camera!
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
Mother’s Day craft at Krafter’s Corner in Edgewood 15.00 includes tiles for coaster craft; for ages 5 and up. Call to reserve a spot.
Puyallup/Greater Pierce County
Pierce County 4-H fun raiser in Graham Check out 4-H exhibits and trials featuring horses, dogs, and cats and learn about 4-H programs.
April Pool’s Day at the Gordon Family YMCA water safety with East Pierce Fire and Rescue followed by an open swim. Free and open to the public; part of the Healthy Kids Day event (see listing above).
Open house at Metro Animal Services Adoption specials, vendors, and more.
Tacoma/South Tacoma/Lakewood/Parkland
WayzGoose Festival at King’s Books a celebration of letterpress and book arts. Steamroller printing and more fun, plus meet artists and buy some of their stuff. You really should if you can swing it. Also Sunday
STAR Center fitness and wellness conference Try out one of 18 fitness classes, see a cooking demo. and more. While not a kids’ event, this is FREE, and there is FREE childcare available for the first 80 registrants.
Music Makers Introductory Workshop at Charles Wright FREE workshop from the Tacoma Youth Chorus for kids entering kindergarten or first grade in the fall of 2017. 9-10:15AM rhythm, singing, and games! Pre-registration recommended.
Bag sale at Blooming Kids Consignment 10.00 a bag! Score some goodies at this beloved area kids consignment store.
Play and Grow Storytime at the Wheelock Library Stories, rhymes, and fun for families with young children.
Tacoma Giants Part One: Trees of Pt. Defiance Park 9-10AM “Meet,” some of the tallest trees in the park with the ranger. Very little walking; suitable for children and folks with limited mobility. There is a small fee and you do need to register.
Tacoma Giants Part Two: Immersion Tree Walk 11AM 8.00 per person; walk with the ranger (about a mile of walking). Note from SFM: I believe you can attend either walk; you don’t need to do both or to have done one previously to do this one. The link to register isn’t working for me right now, so you’ll need to call.
Tiptoe through the tide pools at Titlow Beach 1-4PM volunteer naturalists help kids identify sea creatures revealed by one of the first really low tides of the year. You can also do this outing DIY style. See, “All over,” at the top of the page for more info. on that.
Family nature walk at the Tacoma Nature Center 1PM Free walks for families with volunteer naturalists. Not suitable for strollers; perfect for ages 3 and up. You do need to register.
Norwegian Heritage Festival at PLU Entertainment, a Viking village, and other fun. Free admission but you’ll want to bring cash to buy food.
Tacoma City Ballet presents Pinocchio
Wooden Plane Workshop in University Place with Jordan Moll Events space available in the 10AM-12 session; email for a spot. This is 85.00/child, so steep…but they are getting tools, instruction, and a tool kit with work apron, and they go home with a real, wooden plane (we’re not talking popsicle sticks here). 🙂
Xakary the Magician: A Cat in the Hat and Elephant Too Magic Show at the Tillicum Library 11:15
Xakary is known as one of the best family entertainment specialists in the Puget Sound. Families will be delighted by his amazing magic show combined with a celebration of Dr. Seuss. Free, drop in event
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?
Olympia area
13th Anniversary Open House at the Dupont Library 1-3PM
Join us for a special program featuring Xakary the Magician, “A Cat and a Hat and an Elephant Too!” Stick around for a balloon twisting workshop with Xakary after the show. Refreshments will be served. Free, drop in event
Arts Walk in Olympia Friday and Saturday event in conjunction with the, “Only in Olympia,” Procession of the Species. The Arts Walk link will take you to a page with links to a complete events schedule and participating venues so you can hit the most kid friendly ones.
Dragon Boat festival at Port Plaza I’m not sure if there is anything other than the races, but I think they’d be fun for your kids to see.
Sheep dog trials at Fido’s Farm Spectators welcome! Also Sunday
It looks sunny (at least right now)! The stream at the East Bay Plaza is on for your water play!
Gig Harbor/Kitsap
Also see, “All Over,” at the top for more!
Celebrate Arbor Day free trees, booths, awards, and more fun!
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
Kids can plant a seed at Windmill Gardens in Sumner today.
Paw Patrol Party at Discovery Playtown in Maple Valley Adopt a (toy) pup, enjoy snacks, and watch an episode with other fans. There is a fee, and you do need to register. Spaces are going fast! 3-5PM
Community Day at Black Diamond Camp in Auburn Come try out camp life!
Last day of the JBF sale in Federal Way Many items half-off today, plus free admission!
Puyallup Watershed and Ice Cream Social event at the Pioneer Park Pavillion Learn about the efforts of the Puyallup Watershed and have some of the tastiest ice cream around.
Featured Sponsor: Mini Maestros show at UPS. Don’t miss this one! The theme is percussion, and this is the last of these classical music concerts just for young children with an instrument petting zoo. so fun!
WayzGoose Festival at King’s Books a celebration of letterpress and book arts. Steamroller printing and more fun, plus meet artists and buy some of their stuff. You really should if you can swing it
Bird mobile building at Tinkertopia 15.00/participant Bring the whole family and make a kinetic sculpture with the help of Miss Darcy 3-5PM
Tacoma City Ballet presents Pinocchio. 10.00 tickets. Also next weekend.
ShellFest at Penrose State Park Guided beach walks, community booths, children’s activities, and more!
Special morning of play at the Hands-On Children’s Museum Special rate and time for families with children with autism and other special needs.
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.