Things To Do With Kids Around the South Sound This Weekend
Wowza! It’s a super sized list of family fun this weekend. If you’re looking for things to do with the kids in Tacoma, Auburn, Puyallup, or anywhere around the South Sound, you have come to the right place! Highlights include the circus in Tacoma, the Teddy Bear Picnic in UP, awesome library events all over, an Art Festival in Gig Harbor, food trucks, free movies, and soooooo much more.
There are more than 60 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!
All Weekend
It’s King County Fair time in Enumclaw
Mulan Jr. presented by TLT summer camp youth performers July 20-22, 2018 Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm Sunday at 2:00pm Tickets: $7.00
Saturday
All Over
Target stores are doing a Harry Potter event today. Thanks, All Things Target for the tip.
Blueberry picking Many area u-pick farms are now open for blueberry picking. Link takes you to a list of ALL of them; you’ll need to use the links to check on openings. Thanks for doing that.
Story time at Barnes and Noble It’s Happy Dreamer at most stores at 11AM. We do suggest calling to confirm, as participation in these is inconsistent.
Kids’ Club at Michael’s Stores Kids craft sessions from 10-12 2.00 or 5.00 for 30 minute sessions. Make,”Musical instruments,” today. There is also a family canvas decorating craft from 1-3; that one is free with the purchase of a canvas.
South King County
2018 Summer Outdoor Movies in RentonCurtains go up at dusk. It’s Jumanji at Piazza Park today.
Covington Days – Saturday and Sunday, July 21 and 22nd. This official SeaFair event includes a parade, carnival, and kids’ activities.
Coloring time at the Auburn Library 3-4:30
Meet Ariel at Learning Express Toys in Renton 1-4 free, photo op event
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
Federal Way Farmers Market Community Resource Days! Health & Screening Booths; WIC Distribution;Entertaiment and vendors
Fairy Garden and Terrarium Event at Mason Jar Farm in Enumclaw
Kids ages 5 to 10 will just love this event we are holding this Saturday! From 10am to 1pm your kid(s) will love creating his/her own fairy garden or bug terrarium, just for $25. We will provide everything for your garden & farm snacks. Please bring a sack lunch! We have limited space so sign up now. Autumn & Friends will be hosting this event. 10AM-1PM
Puyallup/Edgewood/Greater Pierce County
Edgewood Community Picnic 11-4 The Edgewood Community Picnic is an annual summer event created to bring our community together. You can find all kinds of family fun at the event. We have games and prizes for the kids, local vendors and organizations, main stage entertainment, and much more! Each year gets bigger and more fun!
Children’s program with the Master Gardeners in Puyallup
Free children’s gardening events for kids 3-11 accompanied by a grown up a the demonstration garden off Pioneer. Register at 9:45; program begins at 10AM. “Vegetable Oddities,” theme today.
Join us all month long for the Puyallup Harnish Auto Family Block Party! For the entire month of July when you test drive a vehicle, we will donate a backpack to a child in need near the 253. Plus, themed activities
July 21st – “Ballpark Day” – 12-3pm
– MLB Strike Zone
– Complimentary ballpark food
– Guest appearance: former Seattle Mariner, Bucky Jacobsen
Back to School Bash in Puyallup hosted by Experience Church. Free school supplies while supplies last; free hair cuts; free food and concessions for sale.
Beyond
What does a keeper do to care for wild animals? Learn from our keepers themselves at Zookeeper Academy. Included with admission. Also Sunday
Tacoma/South Tacoma/University
Free Family Flick at The Grand
Friends of all ages are welcome, and admission is free and first come first served, starting at 9:30 AM day of. Arrive early to claim your ticket and seat! It’s The Land Before Time today.
Kids get into the Tacoma Art Museum for free every Saturday
The Venardos Circus is at the STAR Center Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Various showtimes. We’ve heard from readers that this is a lot of fun. You might want to check the Groupon deal to save on general admission tickets.
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
Make chalk art at Frost Park 12
Family nature walk at Oak Tree Park 10AM
Advance registration is now required for these free walks. Not suitable for strollers; perfect for ages 3 and up.
Family nature walk at the Tacoma Nature Center 1PM
Advance registration is now required for these free walks. Not suitable for strollers; perfect for ages 3 and up.
Saturday morning cartoons at Fern Hill Library
Play and Grow storytime at Wheelock 10:30
Preschool story time at Moore at 10:30
Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe live performances at Tacoma Public Libraries
Drive-in Movies at America’s Car Museum, Tacoma
Grab dinner at our picnic concessions and watch in your car or from a blanket or chair, either option will give you a great view of the 40-foot outdoor screen! Parking for the show starts at 4:30pm, with showtime at dusk (around 9pm). Drive-In movies are FREE to the public, but do not include Museum admission. It’s Cars 3
South Tacoma/Lakewood/Parkland-Spanaway
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.
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
Follow along as we regale you with fascinating tales from Washington’s past. This event will take place outside and on the lawn so be sure to bring your blankets and sunscreen. Feel free to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the summer weather. Don’t forget to visit the museum before or after the event. 12-1
Enjoy a concert at 7:00pm followed by a movie at dusk at Lacey in Tune Movies at Dusk. Bring your own chairs and snacks. Concessions will also be available. It’s Justin James Comedy Hypnotist followed by Jumangi-Welcome to the Jungle PG-13
Seattle’s Princesses are hosting two events in Olympia-an ice cream social and a royal ball; both are events requiring tickets and both have very limited spots as of this writing.
Legally Blonde Jr. presented by Pacific Northwest Theater
Military Appreciation Day at The Landing at Hawks Prairie
Free family event, Giant slide, face painting, cotton candy, fire truck, and more fun.
Kids’ Day at the Olympia Farmer’s Market
It’s shark month at the South Sound Estuarium
“Eyes Under Puget Sound,” at the WET Science Center
Ever wonder what types of creepy crawlies lurk in the mud beneath the waters of Puget Sound? Join marine scientists from the Washington State Department of Ecology for a 2 pm presentation to identify theses fascinating marine invertebrates. Use a microscope and get up close and personal with worms, sea stars, clams, crabs, and more! Related activities all day.
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
Our 34th Annual Art Festival takes place July 21 & 22 on Judson Street near Gig Harbor’s historic waterfront with plenty of things to see, hear and taste. Face painting and art projects in the kids’ zone!
Chalk the Harbor 10AM
On Saturday, July 21st, children, families and adults are invited to decorate the sidewalks of the downtown waterfront.We encourage participants to bring a chair or knee pads; chalk is provided! A maritime theme is encouraged, though not required. Register on the day of the event from 10am – 2pm at either Skansie Brothers Park on Harborview Drive or the in front of Devoted Kiss Café in the Finholm District on N. Harborview Drive. Free event
Take the trolley! It’s back You’re encouraged to trolley ride to the events downtown this weekend.
Science Saturday with Harbor WildWatch
Join Harbor WildWatch for a fun Science Saturday activity at the Skansie Visitor and Interpretive Center.
We will 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.
Sunday
Also see, “All Weekend Listings,” above
South King County
Community Day at the Federal Way Commons
Information on community resources; kids’ activities
It’s Kids’ Day at the Auburn Farmer’s Market
Kids Day at the Market on July 22 is packed! Bring the whole family down to Les Gove Park for a Sunday of free entertainment and kids activities! Balloon artists, mini golf, and more free fun!
Covington Days continues This official SeaFair event includes a parade, carnival, and kids’ activities.
Interactive Wizard of Oz at the Federal Way Library Ages 3 and older.
Join us for an interactive movie experience as we watch the timeless 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz (rated G). Sing along to favorite songs, boo the Wicked Witch, blow bubbles at Glenda and more! Use items from an interactive prop bag to play along during the movie.The first 40 children will receive a prop bag, so arrive early! Dressing up as your favorite character is encouraged, but not required.
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
Family history day at the Meeker Mansion
Tours, pioneer games and crafts, and more fun. Free admission for kids and students.
Tacoma
University Place Teddy Bear Picnic at the Curran Apple Orchard
Teddy Bear Picnic is on Sunday, July 22nd, at the Curran Apple Orchard Park, from 1pm-4pm. Parking is available in the street and at the nearby Curtis High School parking lot. Don’t bring money as there are no vendors, nor anything you can purchase. However, if you are compelled to spend money, please do so at one of our great local businesses, either before or after our event. Complimentary bottled water, face painting, and teddy bears will be provided. In addition, there will be live music provided by the regionally famous Harrison Street Band. See you at this fun, free, family oriented civic event.
The Venardos Circus is at the STAR Center Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Various showtimes. We’ve heard from readers that this is a lot of fun. You might want to check the Groupon deal to save on general admission tickets.
Food Truck Fest in Wright Park
Tantalize your taste buds, savor the scents, feast your eyes on nature’s beauty, and devour the sounds of great local music. Free admission. Variety of food trucks with tasty things for purchase and entertainment, too!
Shark Day at Manic Mermaid Check out a fossilized shark tooth and more!
Join Tacoma Art Museum in a celebration for LGBTQ+ families and youth! LGBTQ+ Family Day—a Tacoma Pride-affiliated event—is a safe space for LGBTQ+ families and youth to explore art together. This event is FREE for families and youth in the LGBTQ+ community.
All ages karaoke at Puget Sound Pizza
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.
Gig Harbor
Our 34th Annual Art Festival takes place July 21 & 22 on Judson Street near Gig Harbor’s historic waterfront with plenty of things to see, hear and taste. You’re encouraged to take the trolley!
Olympia/Lacey area
Riveropolis is at the HOCM 30 ft. waterway with lots of room for water play and tinkering. Included with admission.
“Family Camp” event at Cabela’s Also Sunday- games, crafts, and other fun. Same event as offered at Bass Pro.
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 or use one of the icons up top to find us on your favorite social media.
Need still more ideas? The summer guide has links to the sprayground list, sandy beaches, and everything else you need!
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