Who needs something fun and free to do with the kids this weekend? No need to raise your hand, just scroll right down for dozens (and dozens) of great, family friendly things to do around Tacoma, Auburn, Puyallup, Olympia, and wherever you call home!
Friday
Friday Evening Events
Note from SFM: You may want to check on cancelations due to weather. We will update as we hear of them.
Family Fun Night at Ft. Nisqually
Grab your picnic blankets and lawn chairs and head to 1855 for an evening of old fashioned family fun! 19th century games, music, and the candy cannon!
Note from SFM: We have done this a couple of times. It’s a fun, unplugged style outing with a low key feel. If your kids are in braces or otherwise can’t eat taffy, you may want to bring an alternative in your pockets so the candy cannon doesn’t disappoint. Definitely bring a picnic. 6-9PM Admission 0-10.00
Friday Family Fun Movies in the Park, Gig Harbor
Each Friday in July, the city of Gig Harbor presents Movies in the Park at Skansie Brothers Park. Movies will begin as soon as it is dark enough, with family friendly activities from Harbor WildWatch prior to the show at 7:30pm. Bring your own chairs or blankets. Tonight is Wonder at 9:15.
Head to Bradley Lake Park for, “Flashback Fridays,” this summer. All movies are free and begin at dusk. Concessions are available for purchase. It’s Back to the Future tonight. CANCELED due to weather
All Weekend/Ongoing
Picha in Puyallup was still offering u-pick strawberries as of this writing. Do check their fb page for updates before you go. You might also want to check our Berry Guide or Picha Farms Review for more scoop if you’re new to u-pick!
Need to cool off? Our spray ground, pool, fountain, and splash pad guide is updated!
Saturday
All Over
Make a Fishing Game at Home Depot These kids’ building events are free, but you are now asked to register in advance.
Kids’ Club at Michael’s Stores 2.00 or 5.00 per child for ages 3-8. Sessions are 30 minutes. It’s star and space themed crafts today. There is also a, “Milky Way,” slime making event from 1-3-supplies for that event are provided. You may also want to ask about their summer kids’ activities.
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. Neck & Neck is the book today.
Hit your farmer’s market! Just about every area has a seasonal market open now.
South King County
Awesome Kids Day at Burien Town Square Park
Get ready for another great Awesome Kids Day! AKD is back to celebrate the joy of being a kid! We will learn through hands-on play how to get the most joy out of our lives by thinking, moving and eating WELL! There will be educational activities, bouncy houses, games, face-painting, healthy treats, and a live concert to finish out the day!
Join Miss Robin, your Kent Children’s Librarian, for songs, stories, movement and crafts as we enjoy Summer Reading together.
Black Diamond Miner’s Day Celebration
Join us on Railroad Ave for Miners Day! Music, vintage shopping, booths, entertainment, a puppet show, vintage fashion show, chalk-in, donut eating contest, old time photo booth, vintage campers, ice cream and more!
Neely Mansion Summer Saturday Tour
With summer’s arrival, the lovingly restored historic Neely Mansion is ready to receive guests for a docent tour. Get a glimpse of Auburn’s pioneer legacy at this beautiful home that holds a glimpse of Auburn’s history. 1-4 Admission: $3 adults; $1 children.
Visit the Mary Olson Farm in Auburn Tour the farm house, meet the animals! Nice, low-key, unplugged outing
Free and open to the public on summer Saturdays and Sundays (donations are suggested). June 23 – August 26, Noon – 5pm.
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 Ask about their weekday evening open times during the summer! Free
Puyallup/Graham/Sumner
Tent sale continues at The Old Cannery FREE hot dogs & soda July 7th & 8th from 12-3!
Clowns twisting balloon animals & painting faces for the kiddos!
AKC dog show at the fairgrounds Free. When Henry was younger and dog obsessed we had a lot of fun going to this. Do ASK before you pet or approach a dog as they’re getting, “Show ready,” but most folks are very friendly. Also Sunday and Monday
Children’s Program with the Mater Gardeners at the WSU Demonstration Garden off Pioneer FAIRIES AND GNOMES theme.
Have fun making a fanciful dish garden to take home. There will be two sessions—at 10 AM and 1 PM. Big catch alert- Preregistration is required beginning June 22 via email:pcmgyouthprogram@gmail.com.
Please state your time preference. Note from SFM: I’d wait to hear if there is space before going to this one. This is the only one that requires you to register.
Tacoma-including Lakewood and University Place
Free walking tours at Point Defiance Park
Join park staff every weekend for free drop-in walking tours. Explore areas of the park and get a new perspective on Tacoma’s crown jewel. No registration necessary. Tours held every weekend through September 3
- 11-11:30 am – Walking History Tour; Meet at the Point Defiance Visitors Center
- 1-2 pm – Ranger-led Nature Walk; Meet at the Rhododendron Garden Pavilion
- 2:30-3 pm – Urban Wildlife Walk; Meet at the Point Defiance Visitors Center
Jeff Evans’ Reading Magic Show 10:30 am – 11:30 am at the Mottet Branch of the TPL Also at Fern Hill at 2:30 Note from SFM: He’s great!!
Family Nature Walk at Swan Creek Park 10AM
Volunteer naturalists lead free family walks. Advance registration is now required. Not suitable for strollers; perfect for ages 3 and up.
Pioneer Storytime 10:30 am – 11:30 am at the Wheelock Branch of the TPL Step back in time to find out what it was like to be a kid when the city of Tacoma was just starting. Enjoy stories, toys, games and crafts from the Oregon Trail. Presented by the Job Carr Cabin Museum. For ages 3-7.
Free Showing of Sing (PG).
Crafts of the Past at Fort Nisqually, July 7, August 4 and September 1 11am to 5pm – Free with admission Artisans demonstrate arts and crafts from the 1800s. July 7th: Join us for a day of music and art! Learn to play a song on the penny whistle, check out hand made banjos, try some scrimshaw and experience the fine art of millinery (hat making).
Notes from SFM: We think this is a great outing for intermediate age children and up, though all ages will love checking out the towers and trying on the costumes.
Free family activities at Bass Pro Shops
Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays through July 22nd beginning at noon. Try out games, make a craft, and enjoy more fun.
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is at the TMP
Various times Fridays-Sundays through the 29th. If you have trouble ordering online or see that tickets are limited, call their box office. This should be a Great show with super cute photo ops.
Children’s shows at the Pierce College Planetarium
Great, low cost shows at the area’s only indoor planetarium. Definitely go at least once this summer!
Lacey/Olympia area
Goldilocks at Olympia Family Theater
Shorter, daytime shows perfect for young audiences. 10AM 5.00 cash/check admission at the door
Nature Nurture Farm Open Farm Day Make some animal friends!
South Sound BBQ Festival Free admission; lots of BBQ for sale. Kids’ zone! and other fun
Free tours of the tugboat, Sandman, at Percival Landing. Open to the public most weekends.
Visit the South Sound Estuarium open 11-4 weekends Get up close and personal with all kinds of sea critters. Admission is just 5.00 for the whole family.
Stream Bug Spectacular at the WET Science Center
Join Stream Team to discover the types of bugs living in local streams. A brief presentation at 2 pm introduces facts about their habitat and role in a healthy ecosystem. Then use your best identification skills to explore live stream bugs from McLane Creek. Hands-on bug lab in the classroom all day! Note from SFM: I think the McLane Creek part may require registration; you may want to check. Ask about their weekday, summer events, too!
OFS Kids Club Free movie for kids 12 and underIt’s Lu Over the Wall today, an anime.
“Family Camp” event at Cabela’s Also Sunday- games, crafts, and other fun. Same event as offered at Bass Pro.
Gig Harbor
Idea Hatch – Fiddler in the Forest at the Gig Harbor Library 10:30-11:30 This shadow puppet show about a fiddler and curious animals in a magic forest begins with live fiddling. All ages.
Join Harbor WildWatch for a fun Science Saturday activity at the Skansie Visitor and Interpretive Center.
Walk over to Jerisich Dock to learn about the unique creatures that call Gig Harbor home, and conduct a plankton tow off the dock. After the plankton tow, we will bring a sample inside to look at under the microscopes where kids (and adults!) can expect to see diatoms, plankton, and sometimes worms or other cool creatures. Suitable for kids of all ages.
The Music Man is at Paradise Theater.
Sunday
South King County
It’s Weiner Dog race time at Emerald Downs
Visit the Mary Olson Farm in Auburn Tour the farm house, meet the animals! Nice, low-key, unplugged outing
Free and open to the public on summer Saturdays and Sundays (donations are suggested). June 23 – August 26, Noon – 5pm.
Puyallup/Sumner/Graham
Tent sale continues at The Old Cannery FREE hot dogs & soda from 12-3! Clowns twisting balloon animals & painting faces for the kiddos!
AKC dog show at the fairgrounds Free. When Henry was younger and dog obsessed we had a lot of fun going to this. Do ASK before you pet or approach a dog as they’re getting, “Show ready,” but most folks are very friendly.
Open Trails at the Morse Wildllife Preserve in Graham The preserve and its short boardwalk trail is open to the public on 2nd Sundays. Parking is tight here; carpool if you’re going with pals.
Tacoma
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is at the TMP
Various times Fridays-Sundays through the 29th. If you have trouble ordering online or see that tickets are limited, call their box office. This should be a Great show with super cute photo ops.
Art on the Ave Street Festival– Sunday, July 8, 11:00am – 7:00pm. This festival celebrates the art of Tacoma and has traditionally included booths, kids’ zone, entertainment and more!
The Channing Baby Store downtown hosts their free monthly walk today
Meet at the store at 10am to head out to Anthem Coffee then on a quick walk on the new Prairie Line Trail through the UW campus downtown Tacoma.
Come enjoy the 31st Annual Fircrest Picnic and Rod Run. Some of the finest classic cars in the Puget Sound region will be on display. Kiwanis will be offering a Pancake Breakfast and BBQ lunch, and Bliss Creamery will be offering ice cream.
Car owners will enjoy gift bags, dash plaques, door prizes, and car awards. Car registration is $15/car.
Free walking tours at Point Defiance Park
Join park staff every weekend for free drop-in walking tours. Explore areas of the park and get a new perspective on Tacoma’s crown jewel. No registration necessary. Tours held every weekend through September 3
- 11-11:30 am – Urban Wildlife Walk; Meet at the Point Defiance Visitors Center
- 1-2 pm – Ranger-led Nature Walk; Meet at the Rhododendron Garden Pavilion
- 2:30-3 pm – Garden Tour; Meet at the Point Defiance Visitors Center
Historic Fort Steilacoom is now open for Sunday tours 1-4PM I believe this is a free; donations welcome type thing. Summer Sundays until Labor Day
Free family activities at Bass Pro Shops
Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays through July 22nd beginning at noon. Try out games, make a craft, and enjoy more fun.
Olympia
Goldilocks at Olympia Family Theater
Shorter, daytime shows perfect for young audiences. 10AM 5.00 cash/check admission at the door
Visit the South Sound Estuarium open 11-4 weekends Get up close and personal with all kinds of sea critters. Admission is just 5.00 for the whole family.
“Family Camp” event at Cabela’s games, crafts, and other fun. Same event as offered at Bass Pro.
New here? I’d love to have you join us on the Facebook page, or follow me on Twitter.
Want to see this list a little sooner? I send it right to your inbox on Thursday when you subscribe to our weekly email. You can also find us on Instagram or just come back and see us whenever you’re needing to find some fun!
Know something great we should add? Have a question or a tip? Get in touch! I also So appreciate you mentioning the site to your favorite spots and businesses. This site exists because of advertisers and sponsors from local places you love.
Speak Your Mind