Are you looking for family fun around the 253 this weekend? It’s another great weekend full of things to do with the kids, including lots that’s free! And, yes, we do have lots of indoor options!
Saturday
All Over
Storytime at Barnes and Noble stores Most area stores do a free, weekly storytime at 11AM; however, we do suggest calling yours to confirm first, as we have found participation to be inconsistent. Story is Good Day, Good Night today.
Kids’ Club at Michael’s Craft Stores It’s a tie-in to the Disney movie, Vampirina today. The craft is friendship bracelets. 10AM-12 2.00 per half hour session; there is also a glow in the dark slime event from 1-3PM. All supplies are provided, including pre made slime.
South King County
“Lifting Literacy,” with the Tahoma Reading Specialists at the Maple Valley Library
free drop in event for children in Grades K-5 (siblings welcome). games, snacks, a book swap, and Mad Science will be on hand with cool science activities including slippery slime and bubbling dry ice potions! 10-12; Halloween stories at 10:30
Fright Fest at Wild Waves. Includes 20+ amusement park rides, two haunted houses, a scare free area for kids under 12, and live entertainment. Be sure to check the website for the varying times. Weekends from September 29-October 29
Salmon spotting on the Cedar River Trained naturalists will help kids spot salmon returning to spawn Every weekend in October at four locations-link takes you to a detailed post.
Visit the HCC Mast Center at Redondo Touch tanks with sea critters free and open to the public Saturdays from 10AM-2
Meet Anna and Elsa from Frozen at Learning Express Toys in Renton! 12-4; Free character photo op! Yes, these usually have a crowd.
Catoberfest Kids’ activities, refreshments, and all kinds of cat themed fun at this annual fundraiser from South County Cats. At Renton Technical College. 11-3
Free Family Movie Matinee at the Eatonville Library 2PM Films are family friendly, newer to DVD releases; call for title. Snacks provided!
Puyallup/Orting/Graham/Greater Pierce County
Saturday Art for Kids at the Fred Oldfield Center
Come paint with us! One Saturday a month we do an art project. This month we will be doing an acrylic Halloween themed painting. Class geared for 8-14 years of age, no experience necessary. $25 per class. 10-12 Note from SFM: Ask about their other classes! They’re great!
The Friends of the Sumner Library Fall Book & Purse Sale 10-4 Score a bargain on a bag or a book!
Lego storytime at the Puyallup Library 11AM Free, drop in program. Hear short stories and enjoy building time.
Beyond
Ride the Peanuts Great Pumpkin Patch Express
Join Snoopy and Charlie Brown aboard The Great Pumpkin Patch Express. Passengers will ride the train and read the book It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown on their journey to the Pumpkin Patch. Every child gets to choose their very own pumpkin to take home, play PEANUTS™ themed games and activities, and meet Charlie Brown and Snoopy. These are spendy tickets, but it’s a super fun ride for a train fan. Check out the website for the various times this weekend.
Hoot ‘n’ Howl at Northwest Trek 5-9PM
Night time event with special tram ride and Halloween fun and games around the park. Tour the park at night, plus treats, crafts, and other fun Day of tickets are 16.00
Tacoma/ South Tacoma/Lakewood
Brick or Treat at Freighthouse Square Got a Lego fan? Don’t miss this one! Big room full of Lego for kids to build with, plus models on display from master builder, Dan Parker. Link has all the detail and ticket buying info.
Free Family Flick at the Grand It’s Young Frankenstein; monthly free movies presented by Colombia Bank. Show at 10AM; doors open at 9; free to the first 100. This is a PG spoof of the original.
Celtic Faire at St. Andrew’s Church high tea, bagpipes, Irish dancers, and other fun
Haunted Theater at Tacoma Ballet Backstage tour and short, themed dances. Magical not spooky! Ongoing event with various dates and times.
Paper Trails at King’s Books A celebration of all things paper! Hands-on projects for adults and kids 11-5
Trunk or Treat Cruise in at LeMay ACM
Kids will trick-or-treat outdoors on the Anderson Plaza by visiting car trunk hosts to get their bags filled with treats! Costumed kids* will also receive FREE admission into the Museum between 11 am and 3 pm. ACM Members are FREE! All vehicles are welcome to participate in the Trunk or Treat. *Youth 12 & under only.
Costume shop sale at the Tacoma Musical Playhouse
Craft Saturday at the Job Carr Museum
Drop by Job Carr Cabin Museum for our monthly Craft Saturday event. Activities are designed for children ages 3-9 and their families.
On 10/21, we’ll be celebrating Tacoma Arts Month with extended hours (11am-4pm) and a take-home art activity for kids.
Admission to the Museum and all events are “pay as you can.”
Tacoma Giants: Part 1 Trees of Point Defiance Park 9:00 am
Learn about one of the park’s biggest trees just a short stroll from Ft. Nisqually! 4.00 per person; you do need to sign up. Very little walking and appropriate for children and folks with mobility issues.
Whale Trail Sign Dedication and Beach Cleanup 9:00 am
The Whale Trail is a series of sites where the public may view orcas, other cetaceans and marine mammals from shore. Join us at the Point Defiance Marina on October 21 for a beach cleanup and Whale Trail sign dedication!
Family Nature Walk – Wapato Park 10:00 am
Join volunteer naturalists on a free nature walk Not suitable for strollers; perfect for ages 3 and up. You are now required to pre-register for these programs.
Did you know that there are living beings over 200 feet tall residing right here in Point Defiance Park? This is a longer walk of about a mile total. 8.00 per person; lead by a certified arborist. Register in advance online.
Black Cat Fun Run at Point Defiance Park 7:00 pm Night time run with glow sticks and fun! Day of registration is 20.00/30.00.
South Tacoma/Spanaway/Lakewood
Fall Safety Day at the West Pierce Fire Department in Lakewood 10AM-1 Free pumpkins for kids while supplies last, plus safety information and games. Bring cash if you’d like to purchase a custom fitted helmet!
Woof, Woof Walk, Spanaway Park Bring your costumed canine pal for a fun walk around Spanaway Park. Seriously, I LOVE a dog in a costume! Who doesn’t?! Join the Pierce County K-9 Unit for a 1.5 or 3 mile walk along paved trails, suitable for all ages and abilities. Registration info. here.
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. It’s “Haunted Night Sky,” this month, but it won’t be scary unless your kids don’t like the dark!
Olympia/Dupont
Featured Sponsor: Halloween Mini Sessions with Stacey Mitchell photography Capture some of that costume cuteness! For just 25.00 per child you’ll get 3-5 quality digital images-seriously, take a look at her page! How can you not do this for 25.00! Powderworks Park 3-5; but get in touch to hold your spot (she’ll chat with you about the plan if it rains, too).
Olympia Family Theater presents The Cat in the Hat at 2PM today and Sunday. We’ve heard this is especially cute for younger audiences!
Visit the LOTT Wet Science Center The center is free and hosts special activities every Saturday. “Tinkering,” activities today.
Visit the South Sound Estuarium open 11-4 weekends Hands-on sea critter discovery!
It’s apple festival time at Lattin’s
Gig Harbor
Pumpkin Decorating at the Gig Harbor Library 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Decorate your own pumpkin to take home! Small pumpkin and decorations provided. Requires registration. Lots of spots as of this writing.
Macaroni Kid is doing a Trunk or Treat Free with a food bank donation, but you need to register so they have enough candy. 4-8PM; CANCELLED due to weather; rescheduled for next week.
Any weekend fun: Visit the Farmer’s Market or the Harbor History Museum; walk your waterfront; check out what’s happening at Discovery Village or the YMCA; see the touch tanks at the Skansie Visitor’s Center; find a new park or trail…..
Sunday
All Over
Lego Bricktober Build and Play Event at Toys R Us
Lego themed play Sundays in October. Honestly, guys, their site is such a pain I’m going to leave it up to you to work out the theme this month. Let us know if you’ve gone to these and how they were!
South King County
Fall bazaar at the White River Buddhist Temple in Auburn
I think this is mostly about food and crafts, but it might be an interesting experience-I’ve always wanted to go. Let me know if you do!
Fright Fest at Wild Waves. Includes 20+ amusement park rides, two haunted houses, a scare free area for kids under 12, and live entertainment. Booville is a scare-FREE zone for kids under 12 that includes a giant inflatable slide, an inflatable obstacle course and other fun. Be sure to check the website for the varying times. Weekends from September 29-October 29
Salmon spotting on the Cedar River Trained naturalists will help kids spot salmon returning to spawn Every weekend in October at four locations-link takes you to a detailed post.
Tacoma
Olympia
Olympia Family Theater presents The Cat in the Hat
Visit the South Sound Estuarium open 11-4 weekends
Want to visit a pumpkin patch or a corn maze? Here’s our master list!
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.
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Want to plan ahead a bit? Check out our, “Monster List,” of family friendly Halloween events and alternatives!
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