It’s officially fall, and we’ve got a great big list of fun things to do with your family this weekend! Whether you’re getting pumpkins or looking for something cozy to do indoors, we’ve got you covered!
Archives for September 2017
Free Admission to Parks and Public Lands September 30th
September 30th is National Public Lands Day which means free admission to National Parks and State Parks (no Discover Pass required) as well as other public lands!
And, yes, it also seemed like a good excuse to dig up a baby picture-you can tell he’s a Washington kid with the raincoat/sun hat combo! Back to you and your free fun…..
Where to Go?
I always recommend Saltwater State Park on free days. It’s a bit of a trek for some of you, but there is so much to explore. Dash Point is also great; it has miles of trails in addition to an amazing beach. Near the other end of our, “Territory,” Tolmie State Park near Olympia is a great option.
If you’d like to go to Mt.Rainier, I have a list of kid friendly hikes here. I originally wrote this post in the summer-you won’t find wildflowers blooming now-but the mountain has a different kind of beauty this time of year. We do always recommend checking current conditions of any hike you’re considering at Wta.org.
Think About the Watershed Festival
If you like your fun less do-it-yourself style, one of my favorite organized events this time of year is the Nisqually Watershed Festival. Tons to do and it’s FREE! Be sure to bring your own t-shirt to make a salmon print!
If none of those are up your alley, don’t worry! As always, I’ll have a huge list of local fun up Friday.
Help Out
There are also a number of public events on the 30th if you’d like to help out with cleaning or maintaining parks or lands near you. I found some here, but check with your local parks department for more options.
More Free Days
For a list of all remaining Free Days at our state and national parks you can head here.
Got a 4th grader? You need to check out the amazing and Free Every Kid in a Park program!
This Year’s Pumpkin Patch Guide Is Up!
A quick note that our 2017 pumpkin patch and corn maze guide is up!
You can find it here, or by clicking on the pic below! Yes, it’s been updated for 2017.
Oktoberfest Groupon
If you’re thinking about going to Oktoberfest at the Puyallup fairgrounds, you may want to check out this Groupon we found for (my link) $14 for Two Tickets to Oktoberfest on Friday, October 6-regularly ($24)
Do note that this one is ONLY good for FRIDAY admission, and kids are welcome until 6PM. After that, it turns into date night.
Kids 12 and under are FREE, so this is a pretty cheap family outing, assuming you can make 3-6PM work for you. If not, get a sitter and have some grown up time!
Another option is to go on Sunday, when kids are welcome all day and admission is half price! You won’t want the Groupon for that since it’s only good on Friday. By the way, if you’re wondering about taking kids to this event, or what there is for them to do, we have an upcoming post on just that! We’d also love to read your comments if you’ve been!
If you’d like to check out the Groupon for that Friday admission deal just head here for (my link) $14 for Two Tickets to Oktoberfest on Friday, October 6 ($24)
Disclosure: When you purchase Groupon deals through this site we receive a very small commission. It does Not change your purchase price. We do appreciate your use of our links, but only get in on deals that work for you! 🙂
South Sound Weekend Kids’ Calendar: Family Fun and Things To Do September 22nd, 23rd, and 24th
It’s officially fall, and the weather looks perfect! We’ve got a great list of events for your weekend especially if you like to keep your family fun low cost and local!
There are more than 50 family events this weekend (not kidding!) so if you’re reading this from the home page, you’ll need to do one more click. I promise it’s worth it!
Fall Story Time At The Seymour Conservatory in Tacoma
Now that it’s fall, so many great activities for preschoolers have started up again. Today I wanted to quickly remind Tacoma area readers about story time at the Conservatory.
The Conservatory is that beautiful glass building in Wright Park, and it’s full of plants and flowers. It’s also WARM, which makes is a great outing this time of year! You might be able to feed the fish, too (ask in the gift shop).
Metro Parks W.W. Seymour Conservatory children’s storyteller reading program. Photos by Russ Carmack
On select Wednesdays, you can also go for story time! The stories have a nature or science theme, and then there are related science or nature crafts or activities after. We have heard nothing but raves about them from readers!
It’s Free, though there is a suggested donation of 3.00.
These are targeted for preschoolers, but I think slightly older children who would enjoy the activity would also be welcome, and we’ve been assured younger ones are fine if they can sit still for a story. Because it’s full of flowers and plants and is kind of a small space, I would personally leave home your toddlers and babies, unless maybe you’re wearing ’em! You don’t want anyone who might pick and eat the flowers, and I think it’s way too small for a stroller.
Story time at the Seymour Conservatory is on select Wednesdays at 11AM Here’s the schedule for the remainder of 2017! [Read more…]
Play To Learn Schedule For Fall 2017
Need something fun and free to do with your preschoolers around Tacoma this fall?
Play to Learn events are back at area libraries and community locations! Play to Learn events are special story times in partnership with the Children’s Museum of Tacoma. Each week features a different theme and special activities, in addition to play, songs, and circle time. These are free, drop-in events, and all locations are open to the public! Readers have said they’re really good.
You can get more information here, or just try one out! They’re all FREE and open to the public-even those at community locations. Here’s the complete Play to Learn schedule for fall 2017. Pass it on!
Every Kid In A Park 2017-2018
Woot! We’re so pleased to let you know that the Every Kid In A Park program will continue this year!
This amazing program lets your 4th grader get a FREE pass to all national parks and federal lands and waters, and he/she can take the whole family along! My family was personally able to use this program a couple years back with our then 4th grader, and I promise it’s just as easy as it sounds!
Just head here to read more about this program and then click, “Get Your Pass.” Yes, homeschoolers are eligible, and yes, teachers can get passes for their classes. It includes entrance for 4th graders and others in their vehicle, and it covers national parks and millions of acres of other federal lands and waters. It’s good all the way until August 31st of 2018!
Now, just because I know I’ll get questions and comments……If you had a 4th grader last year, that pass is now expired. I’m not sure why they chose 4th grade either, and yes, I wish it was all kids, too!
What to do when you’ve got your pass? I have a list of kid friendly hikes at Mt.Rainier right here!
South Sound Weekend Kids’ Calendar: Family Fun and Things To Do September 15th, 16th, and 17th
I don’t like to play favorites, but if you live in Tacoma or nearby, you are so in luck, because there are just a ton of fun and free things to do near you this weekend! Don’t worry: We’ve also found plenty of family fun everywhere else around the South Sound, and at least from my little office window, the weather is looking good! My husband tells me rain is in the forecast for Sunday, which makes sense since it’s my kid’s first soccer game……..I hope you and your family get out and have fun this weekend. It’s one of those months that makes me glad to call the South Sound home!
There are more than 50 family events this weekend (not kidding!) so if you’re reading this from the home page, you’ll need to do one more click. I promise it’s worth it!
Sign Up Now For Kids’ Classes At STEAMboat Studio!
If you’re one of our friends near Maple Valley, Covington, Kent, or thereabouts, I want you to know about the cutest and coolest place for kids’ art classes and more!
It’s called STEAMboat Studio, and they offer year round STEAM fun including art classes starting This Week. How adorable do these sound?? I want to take them! Note that I shortened up the descriptions due to space constraints, so do go to their site to read all the details. Seriously, so awesome!
- Storybook Art & Science (Ages 3-5)
In this 6-week series, we’ll read a different book each week followed by an art or science activity inspired by the story! Note: Each child must have a responsible adult present during class. - Fridays 11:15 AM – 12:00 PM New 6-week session begins 9/15/17
- Art Adventures (Ages 4-6)
Join your child for a creative adventure as we explore a variety of different materials to create fun and unique art and crafts! We’ll make 2-3 different projects each week, many with seasonal or holiday themes, so you’ll have lots of art to display or share — without the mess at home; Fridays 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM New 6-week session begins 09/15/17 - Art Discoveries (Ages 6-8)
Create art inspired by famous artists! Wednesdays 5:30 PM – 6:45 PM New 6-week session begins 9/13/17 - Art Explorations (Ages 9+)
Your child will create his or her own artwork inspired by the works of great artists! From the great Egyptians to Frida Kahlo to Roy Lichtenstein and more we’ll journey through time and place to explore the lives and works of great artists throughout history. Thursday 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
At Steamboat Studio they believe that creativity is a vital part of learning. All of their classes and programs encourage hands on learning and exploration in a fun and positive environment. We love that!
Now, you do need to sign up quick because classes start this week! There are still spots available, but register now to hold your place, and to make sure the classes will run. Hint: Sign up with a friend!
Classes are very reasonably priced, too. Be sure to also ask about their drop in programs, options for homeschoolers and Scouts, and Custom birthday parties!! You say your child wants a mad scientist unicorn party? I bet they’ll work with you on that!
You can check out all the classes and register here!