Here’s your weekend list, and we’ve got sunshine! Get out and enjoy free nature activities with the kids in Tacoma, awesome library events all over, and much more!
All Weekend
It’s Spring Fair time in Puyallup. See our post here for all the fair going tips you need.
Friday
Spring Break Staycation at ACM-America’s Car Museum
Through April 20, youth 12 and under get complimentary admission to ACM with a paying adult. Be sure to check out the kids’ zone and the slot car races. There aren’t a lot of deals to this spot, so this is a really good opportunity if you’ve been wanting to go. This is the one by the Tacoma Dome.
Children’s Author Visit at the Wheelock Library
Join children’s author Kevin John Scott as he talks about his new book. “Frederik Sandwich and the Earthquake That Couldn’t Possibly Be” is the first book in a new middle-grade mystery series that will keep you guessing and laughing all along the way.
Kids can meet the author and attempt to build an earthquake-proof structure out of toothpicks and marshmallows. Books will be available for sale and signing courtesy of King’s Books 4-5:30
Jumanji at the Fern Hill Library This is the new one. It’s PG-13 3:30-5:30
Auburn Community Players present Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr.
April 20 & 21, 2018, 7:00 PM and April 21 & 22, 2018, 2:00 PM; Tickets are 10.00 plus a slight fee
Parents’ Night Out at WiggleWorks
Reclaim date night the drama free way! Your kids will love an evening just for them at WiggleWorks. Reservations and fees required; don’t wait as they do fill!
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, April 21st and 22nd
YMCA Healthy Kids’ Day Free event open to the public, typically with activities, sample classes, and joining specials. Find the Y nearest you for more details.
Kids’ Club at Michael’s Stores 2.00/child for ages 3-8. Sessions are 30 minutes. It’s an Earth Day themed craft today. There is also a slightly different version at the same time for ages 6+ for 5.00. And from 1-3 there is a Make-Break tie dye t event for all.
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 Here We Are: Notes For Living On Planet Earth today.
Some Farmers’ Markets are already open. Get your fresh on!
South King County
Auburn Community Players present Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr.
April 20 & 21, 2018, 7:00 PM and April 21 & 22, 2018, 2:00 PM; Tickets are 10.00 plus a slight fee
Meet Rubble and Skye at Learning Express Toys in Renton
Free, photo op. event
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!
Hands-on STEM activities will spark and inspire curious minds. Who knew science could be so fun? Prizes and snacks, too! Ages 8 and up.
Puyallup/Bonney Lake/Greater Pierce
Note from SFM-The Spring Fair continues today and tomorrow. The Farmer’s Market is also opening today, And there is an ongoing closure on Shaw Rd. that will have a lot of traffic rerouting. Plan a little extra time for your adventures today!
Marvel’s Avengers Meet and Greet at the South Hill Mall
Be sure to read all the details at the link for info. on when to show up and how to get your Avenger face time!
Learn about our nearest neighbor and create lunar craters. All ages. Presented by Tacoma Astronomical Society. Registration required. 11-12 8 spots left as of this writing!
Free Family Movie Matinee at the Eatonville Library 2-4PM Family friendly film; snacks provided
Spring Astronomy Day Comets at the South Hill Library 3-4 You do need to register
Tacoma
Help out at a Tacoma area park for Parks Appreciation Day
Free Family Flick at the Grand
The third Saturday of each month, The Grand Cinema welcomes guests of all ages to a family-friendly movie for free! Doors open at 9:30 a.m. and movies start at 10:00 a.m. Seating is first-come, first-served. All children under age 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
Special thanks to our partners at Columbia Bank for helping us present these films free to all! April 21: Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole
Slug Celebration Walk at the Pt. Defiance Rhody Garden
Join us to celebrate these slimy creatures and what makes them more special than you might think. Meet at the Rhododendron Garden
Free Reserve your spot online 11:30-12:30
Earth Day Migration Celebration at the Tacoma Nature Center. Crafts, bird house building, stories and more! 12-4
Drop in any time during the event to explore your creative side as you learn about the Earth and things that we can do to keep it healthy. Make sure you give yourself enough time to do it all! Free event. Recommended for ages 4 and up; carpooling encouraged! This is a FREE event, but you may also choose to sign up for a bird walk.
Lakewood/Parkland/Spanaway/Tillicum
Peter and the Starcatcher at Lakewood Playhouse
March 30th-April 22nd
A wildly theatrical adaptation of Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson’s best-selling novels. From marauding pirates and jungle tyrants to unwilling comrades and unlikely heroes, Peter and the Starcatcher playfully explores the depths of greed and despair… and the bonds of friendship, duty and love.
Lacey/Olympia/Dupont
This day of fun encourages fishing as a family activity. Volunteers are on-site to help both beginner and experienced young anglers. Each participant will get a rod and reel to keep! Cost: $7 per youth (ages 5-14), includes rod and reel; Pre-registration required.
For more information, contact Lacey Parks & Recreation Department at (360) 491-0857 or visit ci.lacey.wa.us/Events.
Seussical at Capital High School
Celebrate Earth Day at the LOTT Wet Science Center
Celebrate this wonderful world by creating art from recycled materials, then make a mini herb garden to take home and grow. Seeds, soil, and planters provided.
Gig Harbor
Paddler’s Cup weekend at Skansie Brothers Park downtown
The Gig Harbor Paddlers Cup is the premiere event for Pacific Northwest canoe, kayak, paddleboard and outrigger athletes and enthusiasts of all ages and levels. This annual community event features paddle racing for kayaks, canoes, stand up and prone paddleboards, outriggers and para-canoes, and dragon boat races.
Adventures of Tom Sawyer at Paradise Theater
Friday and Saturday shows through May 5th
Healthy Kids’ Day at the Tom Taylor YMCA
Visit the touch tanks and display tanks at Harbor WildWatch new hours!
Any weekend fun: Your Michael’s does do the crafts (see All Over above). Visit the Harbor History Museum (it’s free!); walk your downtown; see what’s going on at Discovery Village, or visit one of your great parks or trails. If you know something I missed, do let me know!
Sunday
All Over
Free day at Washington State Parks-no Discover WA pass needed today in honor of Earth Day.
South King County
Auburn Community Players present Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr.
April 20 & 21, 2018, 7:00 PM and April 21 & 22, 2018, 2:00 PM; Tickets are 10.00 plus a slight fee
Plant an egg carton seed for Earth Day at Learning Express Toys in Renton 1-3
Super Hero Party at the Federal Way Library Ages 7 and older.
Celebrate your favorite super heroes with cake, food, fun activities, crafts and prizes 2-4
Tacoma/Pierce County
Meeker Mansion Cellar to Attic Tour
Once a year the Meeker Mansion in Puyallup is Open to the public for a total tour through the Cellar and up to the Attic! (Free to Members).A small fee will be charged at the door to help with the Mansion’s restoration. 12-4.
Last day of the Spring Fair (See, “All Weekend,” at the top of the page).
Caspar BabyPants at Top Pot Donuts in UP
1:30 set time; go early as space is limited. More here
Kids Day Workshop at Soap and Clay
It’s fun, it’s making, it’s SCIENCE! Head to the soap shop with your favorite littles and get ready to make a mess. In this workshop, class participants will make their own custom bath fizzies completely from scratch. Choose your scents, choose your colors, and have some fun! The finer points: Class price is $30 per parent/child pair and includes instruction, take home packet, and all materials needed to make a full batch of bath bombs! Class size is limited, so be sure to contact Mrs. Soap & Clay to reserve your seat.
Paddler’s Cup weekend at Skansie Brothers Park downtown
The Gig Harbor Paddlers Cup is the premiere event for Pacific Northwest canoe, kayak, paddleboard and outrigger athletes and enthusiasts of all ages and levels. This annual community event features paddle racing for kayaks, canoes, stand up and prone paddleboards, outriggers and para-canoes, and dragon boat races. Note from SFM: I believe this is the dragon boat race day.
As always, if you know something great we missed, or if we can give you a hand, get in touch! Thank you for mentioning Sounds Fun Mom to your friends, family, and the businesses you visit.
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