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Archives for February 2018

Just Between Friends Issaquah Spring Sale

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*It’s a contest! Be sure to read to the end of the post to enter!*

Updated for 2019

South King County friends, did you know there is a Just Between Friends event in your area?

Yep, there is a Seattle East JBF Sale, and I’m super excited to have Courtney back as a sponsor this month because I think this is such a great opportunity for our readers near Covington, Renton, Maple Valley, and thereabouts to get that spring wardrobe for less.

It’s also worth the trip for those of you further out if you love name brands and super high quality merchandise. I love all JBF events, and this one is my fav for scoring those high end finds.

The sale is coming right up at the Pickering Barn in Issaquah March 7th-10th, and you’ll find thousands of buys for your kiddos at 50-90% off the retail price.

I shopped this sale last fall, and you guys-it was AMAZING. The brands were so good, and it was super chill, clean, and orderly.

If you’re a brand junkie, you really do need to check this one out. I have never seen so much Hannah Anderson at a consignment event!

As with all JBF events it’s a great chance to get gently used clothing, books, toys, and other high quality merchandise for your kiddos for so much less than retail. I especially love the spring sale for saving on Easter cuteness and getting that summer playtime wardrobe for less.

All the information you need, including hours and free admission tickets for shoppers is on the Seattle East JBF Sale website or their fb event page (I always try to say I’m “Interested,” or, “Going,” to events so Fb reminds me about them)!

Plus, don’t forget about special shopping times:

Head here for Prime Time shopping passes, free early admission for teachers, expecting/first time parents, and members of the military. 

Just choose the one that applies to you!

Everyone can also get free admission passes here! 

But wait….I mentioned a giveaway!

The sale has a new prime time shopping schedule with tiered time slots for early shopping.

We have four passes to give away to the earliest shopping time (each is a 20.00 value!) plus two 20.00 JBF gift certificates to give away that you can use any day of the sale.

That’s six different winners total. How fun is that??

Win A Primetime Pass or 20.00 in JBF Bucks!

When you enter this contest you will be automatically entered for both prizes. The Prime Time Pass will get you admission to the, “Earliest,” shopping time on Wednesday the 6th at 1:30.

The JBF Bucks may be used on any day of the sale.

  • For a first, required entry simply leave a comment on this post. We’d love to know what you like about JBF sales, or if you’ve tried the Seattle East sale before!
  • For a second, optional entry, “Like,” the JBF fb page and come back and tell us you did. Your comment must be left here. Comments left on fb don’t count as entries.
  • For a third, optional entry, share this post somehow. A fb share is simple, but feel free to Tweet your peeps, send an email blast to your homeschool group, tell the crowd at the bus stop….whatever works for you! We especially want to get the word out to potential consignors and shoppers near Issaquah. Let’s help each other today, shall we? Yay! Again, please leave a comment here, on this post, telling us how you’ve shared.

I’m going to choose a winner Tuesday evening. Yes, this one is going FAST! So do share and enter now! Good Luck!

Disclosure: FB is not affiliated with this giveaway, this sale, or this event. By entering you affirm your eligibility and assume responsibility for your use of your prize. This is a compensated post. The opinions are my own!

Groupon Deal For Bowling At Uncle Buck’s Fishbowl And Grill

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 Have you tried the fish themed bowling alley at Bass Pro Shop in South Tacoma? 
I have to confess we haven’t, but it looks super fun (they do parties, too), and I found a Groupon that looks like a good deal! As always, if you use our links we get a very small percentage of the purchase amount, but it does not change what you pay at all. 
As always, read the fine print! Here’s more info. on this deal! 

About Uncle Buck’s Fishbowl and Grill

Uncle Buck’s Fishbowl and Grill serves as a family-friendly restaurant in a casual, island themed environment. The restaurant is amidst a barnacle and coral-encrusted wooden ship, a large saltwater aquarium filled with colorful fish, and a tropical island styled bar.

 Head here to check out this Groupon for Two, Four, or Six at Uncle Buck’s Fishbowl and Grill (Up to 54% Off)

This Groupon is for your choice of one of the following deals:

  • Bowling Package for Two. Includes:
    • One hour of bowling
    • Shoe rental for two
    • Pitcher of soda or beer
  • Bowling Package for Four. Includes:
    • One hour of bowling
    • Shoe rental for four
    • Two pitchers of soda or beer
  • Bowling Package for Six. Includes:
    • Two hours of bowling
    • Shoe rental for six
    • Two pitchers of soda or beer

 Head here to check out this Groupon for the Uncle Buck’s Fishbowl Bowling Package!

PS If you’ve been here, we’d love for you to leave a comment with your review!

Meet Us At The Savvy Family Expo!

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Are you ready for the Savvy Family Expo?

It’s coming to Tacoma, and it’s a great event where you can get information on all kinds of things for your family, all under one roof!

It’s the only expo like it around, so you definitely don’t want to miss it!   You’ll find shopping, service providers, resources, and educational opportunities. Think of it as one-stop-shopping for information for your family! Whether you’re looking for information on summer camps, enrichment classes, preschools, or new products, you’ll find it here!

Your ticket to the Savvy Family Expo also includes entry to the Baby Bump Expo at the same time and location. There you’ll find lactation nurses for consults, baby wearing experts, and all kinds of products for baby and fun prizes and giveaways, too

Plus, there will be kids’ activities like bounce houses, face painting, and a Caspar Babypants concert, too! That’s a lot of family fun! It’s all at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center right in downtown Tacoma (super close to the Children’s Museum) this Saturday the 3rd from 11AM-4PM.

 Kids 12 and under are FREE, and remember  your admission gets you into the Savvy Family Expo and BabyFest Northwest.  You can read more about the event here. You may also want to click, “Interested,” on the fb event page so you don’t forget. Do get your tickets in advance as you’ll save 5.00 off the at-the-door price!

You can get your tickets here! 

PS We’ll be there, too! Don’t forget to stop by the Sounds Fun Mom table and say, “Hello!”

Disclosure: We received the opportunity to have a booth at this awesome event in exchange for this post and other promotion. We were not otherwise compensated.

South Sound Weekend Kids’ Calendar: Family Fun and Things to Do With Kids February 23rd, 24th, and 25th

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Need something to do with the kids this weekend? We’ve found fun and free events around Tacoma and all over the South Sound. Free movies, free donuts, and so much more!

South Sound Kid's Calendar

Friday

Fridays are a big day for library story times. We don’t list them all due to space, but you may want to check a library near you!

Block Play at the Fife Library 11:00 AM Best for ages 3-8.   Building with blocks is not only fun, it develops early math and science skills. All you need is imagination!

Family Game Day at the Orting Library  2:30 PM Spend a cold winter day at the library playing board games, card games, dice games and more: Giant Jenga, indoor snowballs, Mad Libs and miniature golf.

Building Madness at the Graham Library  4:30 PM – 5:30 PM Use LEGOs, Straws and Connectors, blocks and more to construct fabulous contraptions. Creative fun for the whole family! DUPLOs and other blocks available for the little ones.

Building Madness at the Sumner Library 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM Use LEGOs, Straws and Connectors, blocks and more to construct fabulous contraptions. Creative fun for the whole family! DUPLOs and other blocks available for the little ones.

Youth Workshop at Olympia Family Theater Presents: The Surprising Story Of The Three Little Pigs Two performances only: Fri Feb. 23rd at 7pm & Sat Feb. 24th at 1pm. A mashup of three classic fairy tales performed by students 8-13. Adults: $9; Student/Sr/Military: $6; Youth: $6

LMNOP Kids Consignment Event in Lacey begins today 10-7; also Saturday and Sunday

Emerald Ridge HS in Puyallup presents Disney’s Beauty and the Beast; also Saturday; tickets 12.00. Know another kid friendly drama production going on? Let us know!

Friday Festival at the Karshner Museum in Puyallup Art, Theatre & Music of the Human Journey; stories from Ellis Island and more Free 5:30-8:30

Ongoing

Want to go sledding or play in the snow? Here’s our guide! Note: Do check weather reports before you head up.

Saturday

All Over

Kids’ Club at Michael’s Stores 2.00/child for 30 minute sessions It’s butterfly and birds crafts today from 10AM-12. There is also a Make Break slime jar event from 1-3PM

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. It’s a Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss event at most stores.

South King County

Meet Black Panther at Learning Express in Renton

Free photo op! Yes, I think you can expect plenty of company!

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 Back open!

Greater Pierce County

Aviation show at the fairgrounds in Puyallup   This is a trade show, not a family event; however, kids under 17 are free, and readers in the past have had fun going  and looking at planes with their little transportation lovers.

Read With A Dog at the Puyallup Public Library 2-3

Children’s Dental Health Fair at the South Hill Mall   free screenings, mouth guards, chompy the carrot and photos with the tooth fairy.  10:30-12:30   When my boys were smaller we randomly ended up at this at least two years. It wasn’t a huge thrill (dentists, right?) but they got a lot of freebies!

Emerald Ridge HS in Puyallup presents Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

Parent/Child Sweetheart Dance at the Gordon Family YMCA Yes, you can attend even if you haven’t registered. Moms or dads are welcome; open to members and non members.  From our YMCA friends-Yes! Families are welcome to come even if they did not register! There is a $25 suggested donation for each family benefiting the YMCA’s Annual campaign to raise support for financial assistance, teen late nite programming, and free memberships for Foster Children! 

Tacoma/South Tacoma/Lakewood/Parkland

Destiny City Film Festival at the Blue Mouse free, short family movies and free donuts, too! More here or  here at their fb event page.

Kids Design Glass in the Hot Shop at the Museum of Glass Kids Design Glass™
Created by Museum of Glass, the Kids Design Glass™ program invites children 12 and under to design a glass sculpture. Each month, one entry is selected by the MOG Hot Shop Team.  Over the next few months, you can watch these works come to life with the winning child and their families on February 24, March 31, or April 28. Included with admission.

Roominate at the Swasey Branch of the Tacoma Public Library 2:30-4:30 Open ended, snap together building system makes many things, from houses to helicopters! Uses electricity and motors to teach use of circuits that create moving parts and lights.  Ages 4 – 18 (manufacturer recommended age 6 – 12) Registration and a favorite grown up required. Register here

Tacoma Giants: Part 1 Trees of Point Defiance Park Learn about the trees of Point Defiance and take a walk to the Beanstalk, a 186-foot Pseudotsuga menziesii, a.k.a. Douglas-fir, located a stone’s throw away from Fort Nisqually. Ideal for kids, older folks and people with mobility issues. Less than 500′ of walking required to participate. Time: 9-10 am Fee: $4 per person To Register: Sign up online or call (253) 305-1022 Also held: Mar. 24, Apr. 28

Spring Fling & Hilltop Health Fair Celebrate the arrival of spring at this free community festival. 12-4 at the People’s Community Center. There is also a free swim opportunity today (see below).

Swim Saturday at People’s Pool Head to People’s Pool (1602 MLK Jr Way) to brush up on water safety and enjoy an open swim, plus giveaways and prizes! Free.

12:15-12:30 Registration
12:30-1 pm Water Safety
1-2:30 pm Recreation Swim

Each participant will receive a Make a Splash sticker and a raffle ticket. Prizes include: Pool party, lifejacket, swim lesson and a family 4-pass. Also held May 5 at Eastside Pool

Ranger-Led Nature Walk at Point Defiance 1-2PM

Meet the Park Ranger at the Rhododendron Garden Pavilion for an exploration of the plants and animals in the special old-growth forest of Point Defiance Park. Not recommended for strollers, wheelchairs, or children under 3. Free! There is also a longer “Part II” walk today.

The Science Dome is back open! Go see a low cost children’s show at the area’s only indoor planetarium. It’s so cool!!

Olympia area

Oly Pie Fest Eat pie and help support the local food bank! That’s a win-win!

LMNOP Kids Consignment event continues

Youth Workshop Presents: The Surprising Story Of The Three Little Pigs  at 1pm. A mashup of three classic fairy tales performed by students 8-13. Adults: $9; Student/Sr/Military: $6; Youth: $6

Visit the LOTT Wet Science Center and learn about Orcas and Wolves today,  The center and activities are free! Presentation from Wolf Haven at 2PM; themed activities  available all day.

Visit the South Sound Estuarium interactive marine discovery! Open 11-4 weekends at their new location.

Free tours of the Tugboat Sandman most days at Percival Landing

Gig Harbor/Kitsap

Friends of the Key Center Library used book sale

Did you know the Harbor History Museum is now offering free admission through 2018? It’s true! This is a really great museum, with quite a bit that kids can touch and do.

Sunday

Tacoma/Pierce County

Lunar New Year Celebration hosted by Harvest Pierce County

Olympia

Visit the South Sound Estuarium interactive marine discovery! Open 11-4 weekends at their new location.

Sophie at Olympia Family Theater 2PM 10.00 Recommended for ages 13 and up

New here? Welcome! You can see this list a whole day earlier when you subscribe to our weekly email. Or consider keeping up with us on Instagram or Facebook. You can also find us on Twitter and Pinterest.

As always, if you need a hand, or know something fun we should add, get in touch! We also super appreciate when you mention Sounds Fun Mom to your favorite local businesses and groups. We exist because of awesome sponsors and readers!

Save the Date for Free Cinderella Storytime in Federal Way

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Here’s a fun event if you’re looking for something special for your kids near Federal Way. Our friends at the Federal Way Performing Arts Center are hosting two free story time events I think your princess fans will love!

The Cinderella Celebration will include a reading of Cinderella, Fairy Godmother wand making, and dancing with dancers (in costume) from Tacoma City Ballet! Fairy tale and ballet costumes encouraged! All ages welcome.

Saturday March 3rd, 11:30am, Barnes & Noble Federal Way, 31325 Pacific Hwy S

Saturday March 17th, 11am, Federal Way Library, 34200 1st Way S

This is a free, drop in event.

If you attend the one at Barnes and Noble, you can pick up a voucher that will give the Performing Arts Foundation a percentage of any purchases you make that weekend, including at the cafe. This is totally optional, but a nice thing to do if you’re going to do some shopping anyway!

 

Meet Child Care Aware of Washington

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Are you looking for child care?

If you’re searching for that just-right child care provider now, or you will be in the future, you’ll want to know about Child Care Aware. I’m absolutely thrilled to have them as a sponsor this month. I think you’ll be as blown away as I was by this FREE resource that helps families find quality child care.

Simply put: You can use their online search tool, or call them up, and they’ll give you unbiased information to help you choose a child care provider near you.

And, again-it’s a FREE resource.

This is such an important decision. If you know someone who is searching for child care make sure they know about this tool that can help!

Check out this video to learn more about Child Care Aware!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. When you get in touch with Child Care Aware please do tell them you found them on Sounds Fun Mom!

Toytopia Exhibit at the Washington State History Museum in Tacoma

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If you’re looking for a fun, indoor activity to do with the kids in Tacoma this mid winter break, you might want to check out the new Toytopia exhibit at the Washington State History Museum. It’s all about TOYS!

Yep, Toyotopia explores the history of toys, and nearly every exhibit has things kids can play with. It’s the most kid friendly special exhibit I’ve seen at this museum.

Have Big Fun

I got a sneak peek before the exhibit opened to the public, and I think it’s going to be a hit. Kids can play with Legos, go in a giant dollhouse, design on a jumbo Etch a Sketch, and much more.

There are also old school video games set on free play. Donkey Kong, anyone?

I’ll be sure to do an updated review when I get back during a regular open time. I think this is going to be a hit with kids for sure, but I do think the experience is going to depend a bit on how crowded it is when you go. Most of the play spaces are areas where kids will stand and play at sort of an easel type set up, and I do think some of them will be a bit tricky to navigate if a lot of families show up all at once.  I tried to take some pics that I thought would give you a sense of the space. Note that the ladder was there to finish the installations-it won’t be there when you go!

Luckily, the exhibit will be here through June, so there’s plenty of time to go, and we don’t all have to rush there at once. I’d try to go on a weekday if you can swing it. It would be a fun playdate!

Age wise, I think any kids in preschool or up will have a great time. I would not take toddlers because many of the exhibits have small parts and pieces, but maybe yours are better at keeping things out of their mouths than mine were?

If you’re going with two kiddos I’d also try to take a buddy to help keep an eye on them because the exhibit goes through multiple rooms. If you have children with sensory issues you should know that lots of the exhibits make noise.

The rest of the museum is also excellent. My kiddo loves getting in the covered wagon and checking out the train exhibit. If you do all that plus the toy floor it will be a very full day. You may want to plan on coming back for another visit, or at least plan for a long nap time!

Grown-Up Playdate, Anyone?

A lot of the toys were a flashback to my own childhood. If you’d like to get your play on without the littles around, there is an event for ages 21 and up that would be a super fun date night. You can read more about  History After Hours: Press Play here.

Need a Unique Party Place?

Or  if you’re looking for something unique for your kid’s birthday, you can have a birthday party here. You get use of a party space downstairs and admission to the museum. You can read more about that here.

Bottom line? We say, “Go!”

If You Go:

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South Sound Weekend Kids’ Calendar: Family Fun and Things To Do February 16th, 17th, and 18th

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Need something to do with the kids this weekend? We’ve found fun and free events around Tacoma and all over the South Sound. Celebrate Lunar New Year, introduce the kids to classical music, or find your boots and get outside! Read on for our whole weekend list.

South Sound Kid's Calendar

Friday

Fridays are a big day for library story times. We don’t list them all due to space, but you may want to check a library near you!

This morning *should* be the day to look for Monkeyshines around Tacoma. What’s that? Read our Moneyshines post here.

 

Little Bits Workshop at the University Place Library   3:30 PM – 5:00 PM

LittleBits are easy-to-use, snap-together electronic building blocks for creating inventions by putting circuits together, bit by bit. No electronics experience needed. Ages 9 and up; under 9 with an adult.

Olympia Family Theater presents Three Impossible Questions Based on folktales from Islamic cultures near and far; 7PM tonight or 2 Saturday or Sunday

Ongoing

Want to go sledding or play in the snow? Here’s our guide! Note: Do check weather this weekend. It’s been warm and wet.

All Weekend

Kids n Critters-Kids get in to Northwest Trek free the 17th, 18th, and 19th with a full paying adult

It’s Backyard Bid Count time. Be a citizen scientist from your backyard-or anywhere- by counting birds and submitting your results.

Saturday

All Over

Kids’ Club at Michael’s Stores 2.00/child for 30 minute sessions It’s kindness crafts today 10AM-12. There is also a Make Break kindness canvas art event from 1-3PM

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. Lakewood has a special event with Corduroy Bear today.

South King County

Birdfest in Burien. educational activities, bird counting and more 10-2 at the Burien Community Center

Construction Zone at the Kent Library 10:30AM-12

Build big or small with LEGO and DUPLO bricks, straws and connectors, and other construction sets. Bring your friends and create around a theme, or build what you like. All building materials provided.

Block Party! Lego @ the Library at Covington Library 2-3:30PM

Come to the library for an unstructured, creative play open-house. Stay for the entire event or pop in for a few minutes. We supply the bricks, you supply the imagination! Other building supplies will also be provided.

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 Back open!

Pinocchio at Auburn Avenue Theater

Auburn Avenue Kids presents the classic story of the wooden puppet who wants to be a boy. 2-4PM Tickets are 10.00

Greater Pierce County

Free Family Movie Matinee at the Eatonville Library  2:00 PM Enjoy a family-friendly film and snacks.

Sumner Manestage presents Oliver  2PM or 7PM today; 2PM tomorrow.

Tacoma/South Tacoma/Lakewood/Parkland

Note from SFM: All TPL branches are closed today.

Family nature walk at McKinley Park 10AM Not suitable for strollers; perfect for ages 3 and up. Advance registration is now required for these free guided walks.

Free Family Flick at the Grand presented by Colombia Bank   It’s Paddington today!

Wheelchair Basketball Tournament in Tacoma

Join us for the Presidents Cup Wheelchair Basketball Tournament. Adult and youth teams will compete throughout the weekend for the Cup! FREE ADMISSION for spectators! Come & support your local wheelchair basketball team Tacoma Titans! Held at the Boys & Girls Club, 3875 South 66th Street, Tacoma; Also Sunday

Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical at Tacoma Musical Playhouse

Polkadots follows 8-year-old Lily Polkadot who just moved to the “Squares Only” small town of Rockaway. As the first Polkadot in an all Square school, Lily faces an almost impossible task of gaining acceptance from her peers. Inspired by Civil Rights pioneers Ruby Bridges and The Little Rock Nine, Polkadots reminds us that our differences make us awesome, not outcasts.11AM today or 7PM tomorrow. Last shows!   Tickets

Western Fest Free Community Art Festival at the Tacoma Art Museum

Dust off your cowboy boots and mosey on down to TAM’s Western Fest for an all-ages, fun-filled day inspired by the Haub Family Collection of Western American Art. Explore five NEW exhibitions, create western-themed art, hear authentic cowboy poetry, take in western music, food, and more! 12-4

Spring Festival Gala at Lincoln High School 2-6PM  Tower Bridge International (TBI) will be celebrating the Lunar New Years by hosting an afternoon filled with fun games, arts and crafts taught by Chinese adults and students, and spectacular performances! Admission is free, event is from 2-6pm at Lincoln High School in the cafeteria and auditorium

Moon Moan Exhibit – Family Saturday 11:00 am – 1:00 pm

In Moon Moan, Juarez and Tail show their recent paintings, drawings, and mixed media works using the moon as an aesthetic and conceptual framework. Both artists draw on the myriad meanings associated with the celestial body to explore themes of womanhood, and the lunar influence in all of us. Free with activities for kids today.

Family Movie at the Tillicum Library  1:00 PM Enjoy a newly-released movie. Free popcorn and drinks will be served.

Ever wanted to meet a really big snake? I mean-really big? One is visiting Debbie Dolittle’s Indoor Petting Zoo this weekend.

Olympia area

Olympia Family Theater presents Three Impossible Questions Based on folktales from Islamic cultures near and far; one show today and one tomorrow

Visit the LOTT Wet Science Center and learn about Backyard Wildlife and Bug Hotels today,  The center and activities are free! Presentation at 2PM; themed activities should be available all day.

Visit the South Sound Estuarium interactive marine discovery! Open 11-4 weekends at their new location.

Free tours of the Tugboat Sandman most days at Percival Landing

Gig Harbor/Kitsap

STEM Saturday: The Human Body at the Key Center Library 11AM for ages 5-8 Explore the human body and meet Cal, the PCLS skeleton. Register here

Did you know the Harbor History Museum is now offering free admission through 2018? It’s true! This is a really great museum, with quite a bit that kids can touch and do.

Sunday

Tacoma/Pierce County

Mini Maestros Special concerts introduce children 2-8 to classical music; be sure to go early for the instrument petting zoo!

At today’s concert you’re invited to join the Symphony Tacoma String Quintet for a fantasy-filled introduction to the string family.  Listeners will be taken to a land far, far away to explore the contrasts of high/low, slow/fast, and loud/soft while learning all of the ins and outs of what makes the string family truly unique.  The music featured in this concert will be a balance between popular classical pieces, music from the movies, and children’s tunes that the whole family will enjoy…and everyone lives happily ever after! at UPS Tickets here or available at the door

Lincoln International District Lunar New Year Celebration

Enjoy world-class global cuisine while taking in performances from lion dancers and other cultural groups. Plus vending booths, food and games, fire crackers, live performances and kids’ games. Join us! 10AM-4

Sumner Manestage presents Oliver  Ongoing shows on weekends through the 18th.

Olympia

Visit the South Sound Estuarium interactive marine discovery! Open 11-4 weekends at their new location.

Olympia Family Theater presents Three Impossible Questions Based on folktales from Islamic cultures near and far; shows on weekends through the 18th.

New here? Welcome! You can see this list a whole day earlier when you subscribe to our weekly email. Or consider keeping up with us on Instagram or Facebook. You can also find us on Twitter and Pinterest.

As always, if you need a hand, or know something fun we should add, get in touch! We also super appreciate when you mention Sounds Fun Mom to your favorite local businesses and groups. We exist because of awesome sponsors and readers!

Hike Report: Fairy Trail in Black Diamond

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If you’ve never hiked in Black Diamond Open Space,  you should check it out! There are miles and miles of trails shared by pedestrians, bikes, and sometimes even horses. ** This hike is an easy one and is more of a nature walk, suitable for younger kiddos or folks that don’t want too much elevation. This trail is called the Lake Sawyer Railroad Company Trail, but it is nicknamed the “Fairy Trail” because there are fun fairy doors on the trees.

Here is a good trail map. As always, we suggest you prepare for your hike by packing the Ten Essentials.

** Keep in mind that this is a multi use trail, and you should be ready to yield to horse or biker riders.  We heard from one reader who was concerned about hikers with young ones not being able to get out of the way of bikes, so keep that in mind if you decide to try this one.

 

The parking area is located off of Highway 169, at the north edge of Black Diamond near Maple Valley. If you are driving south on Highway 169, there is a small, gravel parking lot on the west side of 169 soon after you pass 288th street in Maple Valley. There is no sign. If you reach the larger parking area on the other side of 169 (like I did) you’ve gone too far. Just turn around and go back.

To find the trail head, take the trail that starts just past the Port O’ Potty. You won’t see any signage or trail markers until further in. When you come to the first intersecting trail, stay straight. At the next intersection, you will see the Lake Sawyer Railroad Co sign on a tree.

Turn left onto Lake Sawyer Railroad Co trail. Once you are on the path, keep your eyes peeled! These fairy doors are tiny, only an inch or two in size. They are stapled onto the trees. Be sure to look high and low! This is a short stretch; once you get to the next trail sign, just turn around and go back.

I’d heard that there is sometimes fairy furniture too, but we didn’t see any. Unlike the Gnomes Trail, which has actual gnome statues, here you will only find the doors to fairy homes. I guess fairies are shy!

We found several painted rocks too!

Just FYI, other than the aforementioned portable potty, there are no facilities. We brought our dog, but there were no trash cans or waste bag stations. The trail is not gravel, so there are roots and rocks, but overall it was a pretty easy walk. If you want to walk a bit more, one offshoot from this trail goes to Ravensdale Creek. (Marked Ravensdale Creek). It will add about a half mile to your trek. As always, make sure this hike is a good fit for your hikers and their needs and abilities.

Enjoy!

Tiffany Doerr Guerzon

PS If you like this hike, don’t miss the Gnome Trail! 

South Sound Weekend Kids’ Calendar: Family Fun and Things to Do February 9th, 10th, and 11th!

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I’m especially excited about this weekend’s list of South Sound family fun because so much of it is free! Take the kids to free celebrations of the Lunar New Year, make free crafts, or enjoy an affordable splurge at a new theater production. We’ve found tons of great things to do with the kids in Tacoma, Olympia, Puyallup, and whatever part of the greater 253 you call home! Read on for all of it.

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